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

[Clampy]

The only advantage with Gardner would be that he can slot in at right back when needed. I'd rather we kept looking though.

[eastie]

Craig Gardner isn't fit to be mentioned in the same breath as Andy Townsend.

Andy townsend isn't an option though is he , Gardner scores goals from midfield  and I couldn't care less who he supports.

He wasn't good enough first time around.

Wasnt better than Barry, Milner , petrov etc- he's better than what we have now though, and 3 yrs more experienced.

First time around he was young and couldn't get a regular spot into a team chasing a champions league spot, he's certainly good enough to get into this team.

[eastie]

The only advantage with Gardner would be that he can slot in at right back when needed. I'd rather we kept looking though.

Of course there are much better , depending on what we have to spend, but Gardner would do a decent job.

[claretandbeer]

Craig Gardner would be ideal.Tackles and will score goals,also able to play behind the main striker.Not suggesting he's the equal of an Andy Townsend but he will improve the midfield,far better than Bannan.
If Delph plays consistently to the level of his performance v Ipswich,he will do fine alongside Westwood.However,even if he does provide the answer,we still need another central midfielder to provide competition for places and to cover for injuries and suspensions .

[Jarpie]

Gardner wouldn't be the worst buy but we'd have to pay 6-10 millions for him as Sunderland paid 6m for him and I'd rather get someone like Gouffran or Coutinho and then more defensive/phyiscal midfielder.

[eastie]

Gardner wouldn't be the worst buy but we'd have to pay 6-10 millions for him as Sunderland paid 6m for him and I'd rather get someone like Gouffran or Coutinho and then more defensive/phyiscal midfielder.

Offer them warnock and dunne in part ex.
Not many of mons signings  left here now are there.

[Mazrim]

I'm convinced Craig Gardner is not the answer. We absolutely need a better player in the midfield.
He weighs in with a few goals, true, but is really no better than what we have. And in terms of keeping and using the ball, isnt as good as what we have. His goals and robust tackling cover a multitude of sins in my opinion.

[paul_e]

With Westwood and Bannan both comfortable playing deeper as the creative link player and both being more than willing to work hard defensively we don't need an out and out defensive player.  we just need someone who can dictate the tempo of the game and take charge of the midfield, clearly they need to be able to sit in and do the defensive, backs to the wall, job but I don't think we can afford to have someone who's only job is to do that.

Agree with that Paul.  What we really need is someone who can provide a physical presence, bt can also drive forward with the ball and get the odd goal here and there.  A modern day Andy Townsend would fit the bill nicely.

Craig Gardner?  Gets stuck into tackles and gets quite a few goals from midfield.

I'd rather give his brother a go if he can get fit.  I think he'd be perfect for the 3rd spot.  It's really unfortunate that he picked up his injury, I think he'd be a regular in the side now.

The biggest issue with our midfield is how similar they all are.  Westwood, KEA, Bannan, Delph are all decent players but they all suit the same role and have simliar physical qualities, even Herd is fairly similar despite being a bit more aggressive.  They're all continuity players (of varying quality) but none of them are tempo dictating impact players and none of them is a ball winner as such.  I think Gardner (Gary) would bring something different in there as he seems to be much more suited to being a tempo setting focal point to the team.

In the meantime we need to sign someone who can fil lthat role and that Gardner can compete with in the future.  I guess we need to let 1-2 of the above go at some point though, unless at least 1 of them can adapt into the attacking midfield role (I think Bannan and Delph both have the ability to do so, but for different reasons).

[richardhubbard]

Right fee , I would take Gardner back at a shot, last time he was competing with the likes of Barry/Milner/Petrov for a place

[olaftab]

Craig Gardner?  Gets stuck into tackles and gets quite a few goals from midfield.

Yes few is the word. Aston Villa 61 matches 5 goals, Sunderland 53 matches 5 goals.

[Jarpie]

With Westwood and Bannan both comfortable playing deeper as the creative link player and both being more than willing to work hard defensively we don't need an out and out defensive player.  we just need someone who can dictate the tempo of the game and take charge of the midfield, clearly they need to be able to sit in and do the defensive, backs to the wall, job but I don't think we can afford to have someone who's only job is to do that.

Agree with that Paul.  What we really need is someone who can provide a physical presence, bt can also drive forward with the ball and get the odd goal here and there.  A modern day Andy Townsend would fit the bill nicely.

Craig Gardner?  Gets stuck into tackles and gets quite a few goals from midfield.

I'd rather give his brother a go if he can get fit.  I think he'd be perfect for the 3rd spot.  It's really unfortunate that he picked up his injury, I think he'd be a regular in the side now.

The biggest issue with our midfield is how similar they all are.  Westwood, KEA, Bannan, Delph are all decent players but they all suit the same role and have simliar physical qualities, even Herd is fairly similar despite being a bit more aggressive.  They're all continuity players (of varying quality) but none of them are tempo dictating impact players and none of them is a ball winner as such.  I think Gardner (Gary) would bring something different in there as he seems to be much more suited to being a tempo setting focal point to the team.

In the meantime we need to sign someone who can fil lthat role and that Gardner can compete with in the future.  I guess we need to let 1-2 of the above go at some point though, unless at least 1 of them can adapt into the attacking midfield role (I think Bannan and Delph both have the ability to do so, but for different reasons).

Has Bannan and Delph ever been tried in the AMC role? Probably being played deep out of necessity.

[eastie]

Craig Gardner?  Gets stuck into tackles and gets quite a few goals from midfield.

Yes few is the word. Aston Villa 61 matches 5 goals, Sunderland 53 matches 5 goals.

More goals in 61 villa games than 5 other midfielders between them have scored in 183 games.

Four league goals in 183 games between them from Ireland, Delph, bannan , Westwood and herd makes Gardner seem prolific by comparison.

[paul_e]

Exactly Jarpie, we need to give them a go there before we write them off, Delph has drive and power and could be effective, Bannan has quick feet and good vision, both could fit the attacking 1 of a 3 better than anywhere else.

I'm amazed delph hasn't been tried there, that's basically the role he was playing when we signed him, then MON played him deeper almost immediately.

[Concrete John]

Exactly Jarpie, we need to give them a go there before we write them off, Delph has drive and power and could be effective, Bannan has quick feet and good vision, both could fit the attacking 1 of a 3 better than anywhere else.

I'm amazed delph hasn't been tried there, that's basically the role he was playing when we signed him, then MON played him deeper almost immediately.

MON didn't really play with attacking central players.

I agree Delph's more natural game is with a bit of licence to get forward.

[paul_e]

Exactly Jarpie, we need to give them a go there before we write them off, Delph has drive and power and could be effective, Bannan has quick feet and good vision, both could fit the attacking 1 of a 3 better than anywhere else.

I'm amazed delph hasn't been tried there, that's basically the role he was playing when we signed him, then MON played him deeper almost immediately.

MON didn't really play with attacking central players.

I agree Delph's more natural game is with a bit of licence to get forward.

Which made it such a strange signing looking back.