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

[Greg N'Ash]

A young championship player - no thanks. We need someone in there with a bit of authority to spread confidence amongst the kids, not someone near enough the same age as them.

[ozzjim]

If Westwood is out for 3 months, we need 2 in the centre of midfield though Greg, and Stephens was always likely as Lambert was clearly keen in the summer.

[Mazrim]

To be honest, I've just considered that Stephens has been nailed on to come in since the summer. I dont know why but so many think its done I guess its just stuck with me.
But that's just another player who may or may not be O.K and we need another 1 or 2 in midfield with Gardner and now Westwood out and KEA away for a month.
Down to bare bones there and need action sooner rather than later. Especially with a cup in the balance.

[Greg N'Ash]

mebbe but westwood is not the answer currently good though he's been at times, so we don't need another one. We need a proven experienced guy in midfield who can do the job of a petrov and nurse the kids through, then westwood can come back and play with him. Buying a guy from the championship less than a year older than him seems madness to me

[pauliewalnuts]

More championship prospects is fine so long as there is also an injection of experience. Without that, we are going to struggle.

[PaulWinch again]

More championship prospects is fine so long as there is also an injection of experience. Without that, we are going to struggle.

Completely agree.

[tomd2103]

Lambert has obviously kept tabs on Stephens for a while now, but I would prefer to see him come in the summer and us go for somebody with a bit more top flight experience in this window, even if it is only a loan deal.

Just had a quick scan through the players out of contract in the summer and noticed that Figueroa from Wigan is on there.  Surely he would be a better option than what we currently have in that position?

[Mazrim]

mebbe but westwood is not the answer currently good though he's been at times, so we don't need another one. We need a proven experienced guy in midfield who can do the job of a petrov and nurse the kids through, then westwood can come back and play with him. Buying a guy from the championship less than a year older than him seems madness to me

Which is pretty much what I was saying.

[Greg N'Ash]

mebbe but westwood is not the answer currently good though he's been at times, so we don't need another one. We need a proven experienced guy in midfield who can do the job of a petrov and nurse the kids through, then westwood can come back and play with him. Buying a guy from the championship less than a year older than him seems madness to me

Which is pretty much what I was saying.

that was in reply to ozjim. bit out of practice..........

[Summers]

If Lambo waits on Stephens and he goes to Swansea/Everton/Wigan/anywhere & looks brilliant everyone would curse him. We can sign experience and youth to improve the squad.

[ozzjim]

mebbe but westwood is not the answer currently good though he's been at times, so we don't need another one. We need a proven experienced guy in midfield who can do the job of a petrov and nurse the kids through, then westwood can come back and play with him. Buying a guy from the championship less than a year older than him seems madness to me

Which is pretty much what I was saying.

that was in reply to ozjim. bit out of practice..........

It was what I was saying too though. Stephens is fine, and a much needed body who can pass the ball very well according to all reports, but an international quality holding midfield player is still very much needed. If we could trick someone to take Ireland at the same time more is the bonus.

[supertom]

If we play a mid 3. Then a ball winner and then a more attacking signing who can break into the box and pick a killer pass, would be good. I think Westwood is excellent as the connective player, always available and keeping things ticking nicely. This Stephens geezer to push Westy for a place I don't mind, but I still think 2 solid decent pro's who've got plenty of experience is essential.
Likewise we're lacking at left back still and centre half. Clark is less the new Cahill, more Ridgewell. He looks good at times, frightening in others.
There's too many players we haven't replaced properly and we need to start. Much of Barry, Petrov, Milner, Young etc's impact too was that in varying degree's, they'd been there and done the business for a number of years for ourselves and other clubs. They had the quality to go with it too, and all were very consistent at the best.

[Percy McCarthy]

If Nigel Reo-Coker is the answer then I don't want to know what the question was...

Could be either of these:

Who got back into West Ham's side when they were dead and buried and helped them win 9 out of 11 (or something similar) and miraculously stay up?

Or who got back in the Villa side when they looked down and out under Houllier and helped them finish 9th?

[Dave]

If Nigel Reo-Coker is the answer then I don't want to know what the question was...

Could be either of these:

Who got back into West Ham's side when they were dead and buried and helped them win 9 out of 11 (or something similar) and miraculously stay up?

Or who got back in the Villa side when they looked down and out under Houllier and helped them finish 9th?

Carlos Tevez and Stillian Petrov? (winky emoticon)

[Dave]

On the subject of 'Premier League experience' and how much we need it, which players did people have in mind?

Personally I'd be quite happy with Scott Dann. Still young but should have enough about him to help bring the youth along. And most importantly shouldn't cost the earth.

He was awful last season, but then so was Bassong and he's been one of the best defenders in the league this year. Huth was hopeless at Boro and is fine at Stoke.

Sometimes a player and club just don't fit and I think Dann's time at Blackburn is one of those times.