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

[Monty]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Evidence of him currently sleeping? Far too easy a throw away line, considering his private jet was pinging about Europe in the summer, bringing in a promising manager and 9 players? What does a non sleeping yank get up too?

Considering the way the club has been run over the last few years, i'd say he's been doing a passable impersonation of an extra from 'The Walking Dead'
His stewardship of the club has been poor, Villa tattoo on his ankle or not.

The 9 players you mention will hopefully come good, but let's not pretend that the current approach to transfers isn't fuelled by austerity rather than a football philosophy.

We'll see in January.

[ozzjim]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

Totally agree re inspiration.


And we could have spent the fairly sizeable 25 million in many ways, Lambert came from Norwich convinced that he could improve us. I think the money was spent how he wanted to spend it. In line with a sensible wage budget yes, but I fail to see how he was sleeping last summer. Sure, the appointment of McLeish and the money given to MON on wages bash away, but sometimes a slightly more balanced view of a situation is closer to the truth than banging on the same drum without acknowledging both sides.

[LeeB]

Has Redknapp ever ruled anybody out, ever?

"Yeeeuuuuurrrghhhh, Pol Pots a gud playah. He's been a bit nawt ee bat nobody's purfick."

No to Trotter and Austin and haven't got a clue about the other bloke.

Trotter and Austin?
Dross.
We need some experience and quality.

We signed 'experienced' players last season, and I wouldn't swap one of them for the players we bought this season.

[pauliewalnuts]

Has Redknapp ever ruled anybody out, ever?

"Yeeeuuuuurrrghhhh, Pol Pots a gud playah. He's been a bit nawt ee bat nobody's purfick."

No to Trotter and Austin and haven't got a clue about the other bloke.

Trotter and Austin?
Dross.
We need some experience and quality.

We signed 'experienced' players last season, and I wouldn't swap one of them for the players we bought this season.

I know what you mean, but whilst the kids have done well, if there is one thing missing, it is that bit of experience, it'd improve us immensely.

What we really need, of course, is Stan.

[tomd2103]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

Agree with that Monty.  Bannan and Westwood are quite similar in many ways and don't offer much variation in central midfield at the moment (although they are both doing fine).  What we could really do is one of them playing alongside someone a little more dynamic who can really drive forward, carry the ball past players and get shots off (someone like Andy Townsend when he first came here). 

Unfortunately I just can't see Ireland ever becoming the player we would all like him to be and I would also be looking to bring in a player who can play in a more advanced midfield role (Wes Hoolahan would be a decent signing if rumours of him being out of contract in the summer are true).

[Mister E]

Has Redknapp ever ruled anybody out, ever?

"Yeeeuuuuurrrghhhh, Pol Pots a gud playah. He's been a bit nawt ee bat nobody's purfick."

No to Trotter and Austin and haven't got a clue about the other bloke.

Trotter and Austin?
Dross.
We need some experience and quality.

We signed 'experienced' players last season, and I wouldn't swap one of them for the players we bought this season.

I know what you mean, but whilst the kids have done well, if there is one thing missing, it is that bit of experience, it'd improve us immensely.

What we really need, of course, is Stan.

I'd agree that it's inspiration rather than experience that we need. I thought Ireland would add that yesterday when he came on; but he was insipid.
Those who watched Derby-Leeds yesterday reckon Will Hughes was inspiring for Derby: he's 17.

[Monty]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

Agree with that Monty.  Bannan and Westwood are quite similar in many ways and don't offer much variation in central midfield at the moment (although they are both doing fine).  What we could really do is one of them playing alongside someone a little more dynamic who can really drive forward, carry the ball past players and get shots off (someone like Andy Townsend when he first came here). 

Unfortunately I just can't see Ireland ever becoming the player we would all like him to be and I would also be looking to bring in a player who can play in a more advanced midfield role (Wes Hoolahan would be a decent signing if rumours of him being out of contract in the summer are true).

I disagree with the solution. I think we need both of them, they link up well and provide a real base to our play. I think they need someone to complement their partnership, not break it up. I agree about Ireland though, I don't think he's the answer, though I'd keep him as I think he does have something to offer.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Has Redknapp ever ruled anybody out, ever?

"Yeeeuuuuurrrghhhh, Pol Pots a gud playah. He's been a bit nawt ee bat nobody's purfick."

No to Trotter and Austin and haven't got a clue about the other bloke.

Trotter and Austin?
Dross.
We need some experience and quality.

We signed 'experienced' players last season, and I wouldn't swap one of them for the players we bought this season.

Yes, but they were signed by a moron.
I'd trust Lambert to make a better job of it.

[tomd2103]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

Agree with that Monty.  Bannan and Westwood are quite similar in many ways and don't offer much variation in central midfield at the moment (although they are both doing fine).  What we could really do is one of them playing alongside someone a little more dynamic who can really drive forward, carry the ball past players and get shots off (someone like Andy Townsend when he first came here). 

Unfortunately I just can't see Ireland ever becoming the player we would all like him to be and I would also be looking to bring in a player who can play in a more advanced midfield role (Wes Hoolahan would be a decent signing if rumours of him being out of contract in the summer are true).

I disagree with the solution. I think we need both of them, they link up well and provide a real base to our play. I think they need someone to complement their partnership, not break it up. I agree about Ireland though, I don't think he's the answer, though I'd keep him as I think he does have something to offer.

I take your point Monty.  Maybe with better players in front of them and in wide areas providing creativity and a goal threat they would not need to contribute more than they currently do.  I would still like to see more of a physical presence in midfield (just watching the West Ham game and someone like Diame would be ideal, though James McCarthy from Wigan would still be my number one option), as we don't really have anyone like that. 

[Monty]

We have Herd, who I think is really developing into a potential Parker-like option. However, I'm still not hugely convinced by the physicality question in midfield - if ever we were going to lose a midfield battle on strength alone then yesterday would have been it, and I don't think it really made much difference.

[tomd2103]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

I like that formation Monty and see that West Ham are employing it today against Liverpool.  Their line up is:

------  Jaaskelainen ------

Demel  Collins  Reid  O'Brien

------  Noble   Diame ------
 
Taylor       Nolan       Jarvis

 ---------    Cole   --------

I would say that West Ham will be a mid-table side this season and although we are a way off them at the moment, we have got the potential to be better than them.  I would take Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Westwood and Benteke ahead of Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, Noble and Cole (or Carroll for that matter).  I would say the LB options for both teams are pretty much even, but where they are ahead of us is they have serviceable wide options in that formation and a goal threat from attacking midfield. 

I know that things aren't exactly great and it is a little hard to see at the moment, but with a few decent additions in key areas, we are not far off from being a better side than quite a few of those currently above us. 

     

[Dave]

Yes, but they were signed by a moron.
I'd trust Lambert to make a better job of it.

But it's not the sort of signing that Lambert makes. He didn't for Norwich and he hasn't done for us. Highly rated young players from lower-league football with the occasional foreign signing.

It would be like saying 'If O'Neill looked outside the British Isles for signings he'd do well'. He might well, but it's still not something he does.

[Toronto Villa]

Yes, but they were signed by a moron.
I'd trust Lambert to make a better job of it.

But it's not the sort of signing that Lambert makes. He didn't for Norwich and he hasn't done for us. Highly rated young players from lower-league football with the occasional foreign signing.

It would be like saying 'If O'Neill looked outside the British Isles for signings he'd do well'. He might well, but it's still not something he does.

Part of that has to be down to available resources, the size and reputation of the club he was at, and the division he was operating in. Over the course of time, with better backing and playing regularly in the PL you have to think he'll target better players from a variety of markets.

[hipkiss92]

I don't think it's experience in midfield that's lacking - Westwood looks as if he's been a top flight midfielder for years - it's just a bit of inspiration. If our ideal formation is 4-2-3-1 when Vlaar comes back then middle of the 3 behind the 1 needs to be better than it is now.

Agree with that Monty.  Bannan and Westwood are quite similar in many ways and don't offer much variation in central midfield at the moment (although they are both doing fine).  What we could really do is one of them playing alongside someone a little more dynamic who can really drive forward, carry the ball past players and get shots off (someone like Andy Townsend when he first came here). 

Unfortunately I just can't see Ireland ever becoming the player we would all like him to be and I would also be looking to bring in a player who can play in a more advanced midfield role (Wes Hoolahan would be a decent signing if rumours of him being out of contract in the summer are true).

I disagree with the solution. I think we need both of them, they link up well and provide a real base to our play. I think they need someone to complement their partnership, not break it up. I agree about Ireland though, I don't think he's the answer, though I'd keep him as I think he does have something to offer.

I take your point Monty.  Maybe with better players in front of them and in wide areas providing creativity and a goal threat they would not need to contribute more than they currently do.  I would still like to see more of a physical presence in midfield (just watching the West Ham game and someone like Diame would be ideal, though James McCarthy from Wigan would still be my number one option), as we don't really have anyone like that. 

Hopefully if he can stay injury free Gary Gardner will end up being this player