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

[timeoutbigbar]

My inkling is that Lambert ultimately wants to follow the Dortmund model tactically: they play two forwards very narrowly, but with full backs and possibly other attacking players drifting wide to provide options and help make space in the centre. He would presumably have Bent down as his Barrios, Benteke as Lewandowski, KEA as Sven Bender (quiet at the back!), Delph or otherwise as Seb Kehl. That's all fine and well, even if Barrios does so much more work off the ball than Bent (maybe Weimann could be a better long-term option here?).

His problem is that he seems to think Ireland and Zog can be Goetze and Kagawa/Reus. Ireland I still think has something in him, and there's hope for him yet in spite of everything, but Zog doesn't offer anything like the movement required in this system: he doesn't seem to know where to go or what to do whenever he gets the ball, passing to him is like giving it away. Bannan can't really play that inside-forward sort of role because he's too slow, and who knows about some of the younger players like Carruthers or Johnson. We need a creative player in there who can change the pace of an attack, and it's hard to see who that is going to be.

I can see what you're saying but Dortmund also play with a genuine wide player on the right with Blaszcekowski (Albrighton? not quite) and Barrios barely gets a subs appearance as they only play one striker up top.

[MalcolmP]

Nursey has tweeted that we'll have a striker and a defensive midfielder in before tomorrow's deadline.

The lad from Chesterfield then and who else?

Carlton Palmer

Sasa Curcic?

[pauliewalnuts]

Nursey has tweeted that we'll have a striker and a defensive midfielder in before tomorrow's deadline.

The lad from Chesterfield then and who else?

David Batty.

You heard it here first.

[Concrete John]

It'll be Gavin McCann.

[rob_bridge]

Nursey has tweeted that we'll have a striker and a defensive midfielder in before tomorrow's deadline.

The lad from Chesterfield then and who else?

David Batty.

You heard it here first.

What we need is a bit of bite in midfield - someone who puts himself about, tough tackling with a level head. A character

Step forward Mr Terence Hurlock.

[Chris Jameson]

Nursey has tweeted that we'll have a striker and a defensive midfielder in before tomorrow's deadline.

The lad from Chesterfield then and who else?

The lad from Burton Albion.

[Quiet Lion]

I was told we couldn't match McCanns wage demands

[The Laughing Policeman]

Nursey has tweeted that we'll have a striker and a defensive midfielder in before tomorrow's deadline.

The lad from Chesterfield then and who else?

I reckon it'll be that likable chappie Steve Hodge.

[asgpaul]

Just read that Stoke have offered between £4M to £5M for Charlie Adam, wasn't he signed for £8M last season?

Shame we can't take both Adam and Carroll (as surely Liverpool will get nowhere near the £35M if sold) - in exchange for the monies still owed for Downing plus either Warnock or Hutton.  Actually sod it, they could have the Downing money plus Hutton AND Warnock!  Surely that'll be fair as they'll be getting three players and we'll only get two in return...!

[Monty]

I can see what you're saying but Dortmund also play with a genuine wide player on the right with Blaszcekowski (Albrighton? not quite) and Barrios barely gets a subs appearance as they only play one striker up top.

This is the year before last I was talking about. You're quite right about last season, but their previous system was a refreshingly mad one, with the two up front supplemented by a narrow creative midfield.

The issue is that, as you say, Dortmund went to one up front and were much better. Barrios was a good goalscorer, but became sort of outmoded and has now actually left. It's a conundrum.

[Havencheese]

Nursey has tweeted that we'll have a striker and a defensive midfielder in before tomorrow's deadline.

The lad from Chesterfield then and who else?

David Batty.

You heard it here first.

What we need is a bit of bite in midfield - someone who puts himself about, tough tackling with a level head. A character

Step forward Mr Terence Hurlock.

I've seen the future, it has a bigger fro than Hurlock.

The future is Iván Campo.

[QBVILLA]

If the rumours of Adam going to Stoke are correct then will Palacios be available? If he could rediscover the form that he had at Wigan then he'd be a top signing for us.

[Walmley_Villa]

Surely we now finally have the opportunity of getting Carlton Palmer?

[Concrete John]

Adam to Stoke makes no sense given the player's attritutes and limitations and the way they play.  Guess he'd simply be there to take the set pieces?

[LeeB]

Adam to Stoke makes no sense given the player's attritutes and limitations and the way they play.  Guess he'd simply be there to take the set pieces?

Think you've answered your own question there John.