Summer Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

[Mister E]

Then you see that Fletcher's going for £14m,

Ive just spat my tea over my laptop.   Dont you just love Pubehead

Well, he's scored 32 goals in three Premiership season; alll for clubs on the back foot and who were relegated.
With Larsson and McLean to bang in the crosses, will he get more? - probably not; he'd have been a great signing for us ... for £7-8m.
For £12-14m? - nah.

It's 30 league goals in 96 league games. That a career 1 in 3.5 striker can go for such a fee shows the insanity of modern day football.

You're right; I was being slightly optimistic in my evaluation, I suppose.

[The Situation]

With what's happened with Gardner I think Lambert's hand might be forced to make a move now in the transfer market for another midfielder. Our midfield is looking very thin as it is we simply cannot think we can "just get by", we will struggle if we don't do what needs to be done.

If Petrov is not coming back soon then what is being done about it? This isn't a panic or knee jerk post, im concerned.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

EDIT - having just read the news of Gary Gardner's injury, it's even more threadbare now.

If there was one area where we most certainly aren't "threadbare" is midfield.

Regarding transfers, I see this season being what last season should have been, a chance to really evaluate the youngsters and decide who to keep or replace. We're all very proud of them and talk them up but the reality is some are now 22, 23 years old and should be showing signs to being capable to step up. The last thing we want is another case of buying a Zat Knight and letting go an England international/Champions League winner.

If "threadbare" is needing a left back and maybe another striker, then I agree with you but let's not go heavy on the rouge just yet, Paulie.

[supertom]

It's ridiculous but sadly it's a decent signing for MON. Fletcher will do well. They've got enough firepower in their front line now to do fairly well. I'd expect Sunderland after their signings to be pushing top 6. Their sides nowhere near as good as O Neills Villa 3 years back, but I think some of those pushing for the top 6 aren't as strong as they were then either. Liverpool are average now, Spurs and Arsenal in decline it seems. Newcastle and Everton will do well if they keep everyone fit.

It's a sorry state the games in with fees like that. O Neill's getting a solid player in Fletcher who'll probably hit double figures comfortably. A good addition. If their chairman is happy to pay double his worth, so be it. Like Randy though, there'll come a point where he closes the purse strings.

Unfortunately were at a point where we could do with 3-4 more players, particularly ones who are proven. We'd have to spend 20-30 mill to get them though. And pay silly wages.

[Chris Smith]

Eh?  No it isn't.  He might be prepared to keep things ticking over for years, doing just enough to maintain us as a bottom half Premier League

What would be the point? He'd be losing money on something he'd supposedly lost interest in. It makes no logical sense.

[The Situation]

EDIT - having just read the news of Gary Gardner's injury, it's even more threadbare now.

If there was one area where we most certainly aren't "threadbare" is midfield.

Regarding transfers, I see this season being what last season should have been, a chance to really evaluate the youngsters and decide who to keep or replace. We're all very proud of them and talk them up but the reality is some are now 22, 23 years old and should be showing signs to being capable to step up. The last thing we want is another case of buying a Zat Knight and letting go an England international/Champions League winner.

If "threadbare" is needing a left back and maybe another striker, then I agree with you but let's not go heavy on the rouge just yet, Paulie.

We only have 2 true central midfielders in the whole squad. I don't think Bannan or Ireland are capable of playing in a 2 man midfield, both seem to only play to their strengths in a 3 man midfield. You know what you're going to get from Bannan although some do wonder if he's good enough to start, Ireland can be a bit inconsistent at times although talented.

If Delph or El Ahmadi get injured what to do? You don't want to be in that position.

If we had a fit and healthy Petrov around I wouldn't be as concerned.

[PeterWithesShin]

By my reckoning this is our current fit squad to pick from. With question marks over Hutton and Warnock being picked and Fonz having a minor knock it's a bit worrying if i'm honest.

1 Shay Given
2 Alan Hutton
3 Stephen Warnock
4 Ron Vlaar
5
6 Ciaran Clark
7 Stephen Ireland
8 Karim El Ahmadi
9 Darren Bent
10 Charles N'Zogbia
11
12
14 Brett Holman
16 Fabian Delph
19
22 Brad Guzan
23 Nathan Delfouneso
25 Barry Bannan
26 Andreas Weimann
29 Enda Stevens
30 Eric Lichaj
31 Chris Herd
32 Nathan Baker
33 Andy Marshall
34 Matthew Lowton
35 Daniel Johnson
38 
39 Benjamin Siegrist
40

[Risso]

EDIT - having just read the news of Gary Gardner's injury, it's even more threadbare now.

If there was one area where we most certainly aren't "threadbare" is midfield.

In terms of quality it is.  We might have plenty of bodies in N'Zogbia, Ireland, Delph, Bannan, Albrighton and Holman, but where's the quality?  How do you try and eke a top 10 midfield out of that bunch?

[Hairbandinho]

Quick question i see people mentioning that "There is money available". Where is the evidence for this? For all we know despite cutting the wage bill we still could be in a financial black hole, and there is nothing left to spend? Ultimately only a few people at board level and the manager actually know.

To to keep stating this like it is a fact only raises false hope.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

EDIT - having just read the news of Gary Gardner's injury, it's even more threadbare now.

If there was one area where we most certainly aren't "threadbare" is midfield.

In terms of quality it is.  We might have plenty of bodies in N'Zogbia, Ireland, Delph, Bannan, Albrighton and Holman, but where's the quality?  How do you try and eke a top 10 midfield out of that bunch?

The only problem I see is we have too many attacking midfielders (5) to defensive midfielders (3+ Daniel Johnson). Obviously much depends on formation, if we play with a midfield diamond, no real problem  but if we play 4-2-2-1 we could get stretched. It could restrict the tactics thoughout the season.

Defensive midfielders: KEA, Delph, Herd (and Johnson).

Attacking midfielders: N'Zogbia, Ireland, Bannan, Holman and Albrighton

Lambert is the man that has to decide what he wants and who he wants to sell but as he's only been working with the squad for less than two months, he probably feels players like Delph, Herd, Bannan, N'Zogbia, Ireland and Albrighton need a closer look. To us fans, I don't think we'd be too fussed if he sold any of them.

[JUAN PABLO]

By my reckoning this is our current fit squad to pick from. With question marks over Hutton and Warnock being picked and Fonz having a minor knock it's a bit worrying if i'm honest.

1 Shay Given
2 Alan Hutton
3 Stephen Warnock
4 Ron Vlaar
5
6 Ciaran Clark
7 Stephen Ireland
8 Karim El Ahmadi
9 Darren Bent
10 Charles N'Zogbia
11
12
14 Brett Holman
16 Fabian Delph
19
22 Brad Guzan
23 Nathan Delfouneso
25 Barry Bannan
26 Andreas Weimann
29 Enda Stevens
30 Eric Lichaj
31 Chris Herd
32 Nathan Baker
33 Andy Marshall
34 Matthew Lowton
35 Daniel Johnson
38 
39 Benjamin Siegrist
40

that squad looks so weak .

[London Villan]

Looking at that on paper is a scary thought. Of that lot there are only about 10 I'd be happy to keep! It might be a tougher year than we think.

[KRS]

I'm not going to start to panic yet and tomorrows game against Everton will give us a fairer picture of how desperate we need more signings. For now, the only thing that matters is whats on the pitch so not interested in the whys, hows any may bes of why our current squad is so weak and why we havent signed more players...the simple fact of the matter is that if PL doesnt bring in 3 or 4 quality players by the end of the transfer window then we're going to be in trouble by the time the next window opens.

...and for those in the media that claim we should be spending just because West Ham, QPR and Sunderland have gone mental need a wake up call because they are signing very average players at extortionate transfer fees and wages. I'm glad we havent signed any of the names that have been transferred this week (with the exception of Adam Johnson).

Hopefully this new chief scout will prove he's worth his salary and we'll pick up some decent European players at a fraction of the cost of the expensive shite thats been signed by other clubs this week.

[VinnieChase84]

The insanity of modern football. QPR trying to bring Caesar in to replace their new signing Robert Green after one game of the current campaign.

I really can't stand mark Hughes and he is turning qpr into one of those teams that I wish nothing but failure on. 183% wage to turnover is disgusting. I really do hope they implode

[The Situation]

EDIT - having just read the news of Gary Gardner's injury, it's even more threadbare now.

If there was one area where we most certainly aren't "threadbare" is midfield.

In terms of quality it is.  We might have plenty of bodies in N'Zogbia, Ireland, Delph, Bannan, Albrighton and Holman, but where's the quality?  How do you try and eke a top 10 midfield out of that bunch?

Lambert is the man that has to decide what he wants and who he wants to sell but as he's only been working with the squad for less than two months, he probably feels players like Delph, Herd, Bannan, N'Zogbia, Ireland and Albrighton need a closer look. To us fans, I don't think we'd be too fussed if he sold any of them.

You're probably right with your first sentence but I can't say the same about your second sentence.