Delph

[Ad@m]

We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.

He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.

You shouldn't be spending £6m on 'a bit of a punt' though.

[not3bad]

We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.

He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.

You shouldn't be spending £6m on 'a bit of a punt' though.

Arsenal have spent more doing that.

[paul_e]

We need to keep him and keep developing him, he's probably already cost us £15mil in transfer fee and wages.

He'd have to be on £50k per week for that to be true. Either way, such figures dont tell us much. Buying youngsters from League 1 is always a bit of a punt and this one is just starting to pay off. If he keeps improving this season and next he has the potential to become a stalwart of the side.

You shouldn't be spending £6m on 'a bit of a punt' though.

This was at a time when we paid 10m ish for curtis davies, I think the money spent on Delph can be ignored largely, MoN was throwing cash around on a lot of shit, it's nice to see another of his splurges is repaying us eventually.

[eastie]

I think Gardner may add goals from midfield next season if he gets a run in the team - i like the way we seem to be doing our homework on new signings now, as these words from Crewe boss Steve Evans  testify-

"Clubs had monitored Ash for a long period of time. Villa came in, we thought Villa was a bit of a surprise. But then we found out that they had a thirty game dossier on him so they've done their homework; they knew what they were getting. But nobody else did, so fair play to them; they came in late with all their money and what a fantastic opportunity for him."

[paul_e]

I think Gardner may add goals from midfield next season if he gets a run in the team - i like the way we seem to be doing our homework on new signings now, as these words from Crewe boss Steve Evans  testify-

"Clubs had monitored Ash for a long period of time. Villa came in, we thought Villa was a bit of a surprise. But then we found out that they had a thirty game dossier on him so they've done their homework; they knew what they were getting. But nobody else did, so fair play to them; they came in late with all their money and what a fantastic opportunity for him."

That makes lovely reading.  I'm a firm believer that a well run club should have similar levels of scouting information on 6-7players for every position prior to any transfer window, with a full break down of strengths, weaknesses, testimonies from coaches, etc.  It's just sensible scouting, if we can get that part right anyone who leaves we should be able to say what wqe're looking for as a replacement and have a list of targets within minutes of receiving the offer.

Man City offer £30m for Benteke - "right here are a bunch of target men forwards, these guys have similar qualities to him and are in the right age range and available for Xm, Ym and Zm do you want me to talk to their agents?"  I know it's not that simple, but the concept is the only sensible way to compete with the restrictions we have.

[SoccerHQ]

Pilkington at Norwich might be another option .

Chuckle

[Dante Lavelli]

I think Gardner may add goals from midfield next season if he gets a run in the team - i like the way we seem to be doing our homework on new signings now, as these words from Crewe boss Steve Evans  testify-

"Clubs had monitored Ash for a long period of time. Villa came in, we thought Villa was a bit of a surprise. But then we found out that they had a thirty game dossier on him so they've done their homework; they knew what they were getting. But nobody else did, so fair play to them; they came in late with all their money and what a fantastic opportunity for him."

That makes lovely reading.  I'm a firm believer that a well run club should have similar levels of scouting information on 6-7players for every position prior to any transfer window, with a full break down of strengths, weaknesses, testimonies from coaches, etc.  It's just sensible scouting, if we can get that part right anyone who leaves we should be able to say what wqe're looking for as a replacement and have a list of targets within minutes of receiving the offer.

Man City offer £30m for Benteke - "right here are a bunch of target men forwards, these guys have similar qualities to him and are in the right age range and available for Xm, Ym and Zm do you want me to talk to their agents?"  I know it's not that simple, but the concept is the only sensible way to compete with the restrictions we have.

You're bang on the money there paul_e.  I think there is a reluctant acceptance that we will not be able to hold onto Benteke after the World Cup so we should be searching for replacements now.  It would be a dereliction of duty to not have replacements identified.

[jonzy85]

I like Delph, but is it only me that thinks/knows everytime he lines up a shot, he will not score? I kind of get the same feeling with Bannan, but not as hopeless.

[peter w]

Another thread worthy of a bump. Delph is looking good at the moment. if he carries this form on we will safe.

[ozzjim]

Pilkington at Norwich might be another option .

Chuckle

I think he will come this summer Soccer!

[john e]

the best thing I can say about Delph now is that when he has a good game it goes unnoticed because we just expect him to have a good game,
he has at last developed into a good midfield player for us, and we are now expecting high standard sfrom him every game, and that's a great compliment to him

[Brend'Watkins]

He's vastly improved since January. But, he still has the annoying habit sometimes of a first touch that's the same as an 8 year old playing 'swing ball'.

[Des Little]

I'm liking the idea of having Gary Gardener alongside Delph/Westie next season.

[eastie]

I'm liking the idea of having Gary Gardener alongside Delph/Westie next season.

Gardner will be the cream of the crop of youngsters in my view, if he can get over his injury he will add greatly to our team.

Very happy with Delph , westy and sylla too.

[PaulWinch again]

His first touch is sometimes a bit iffy, but he's been consistently good for a while now. I hope it continues and he continues to improve, we're finally seeing the sort of potential we thought we'd bought. He does need to add goals to his game though.