Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[UK Redsox]

Yep, he showed some good first touches, turns and control.

As you say, Benteke is excluded from these comparisons.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I thought his first touch was decent, but he was really weak and needed to build up his strength. Surprising for such big lad.

[supertom]

I thought his first touch was decent, but he was really weak and needed to build up his strength. Surprising for such big lad.

I recall his former manager kind of summarizing his strengths and weaknesses just after we'd got him. Lack of strength and aerial prowess for a big man were things he needed to improve on. I think obviously, as a side we struggle to keep it on the deck, so I can see why we opted to push ahead with the Kozak deal, and then to some extent, Holt in Jan.

[supertom]

I find it hard to believe Helenius didn't settle in Birmingham. He already spoke English, had Okore over here too, and let's be honest, he didn't come from Angola or some other random country.

Or maybe he did. I don't know. It's just hard to imagine him struggling to settle here.

It's strange. It may not just have been a cultural thing or location. He may have struggled with the training aspects and those differences between Premiership intensity compared to in the Danish League.
Trouble is some players don't really show it in training, or reserve games. Sometimes you just don't know till you see them in the big games. I mean Ibrahimavich failed a trial at QPR. I only really mention Ibra as Helenius has been compared to him in terms of playing style.

Maybe Lambert should have chucked him in a few times and see how he did. Shown a bit more faith. Certainly after the Sheff Utd game, we should have seen him play a bit. I think Holt being bought in may well have been the difference between Helenius breaking in like Sylla did in the latter stages of the previous season, or fizzling out into a non-entity as is the case.

[Brend'Watkins]

Bentley retires from football..phew, that's a relief.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27835348

[ADVILLAFAN]

Says on the official website that we've been linked with John Anthony Brooks:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Anthony_Brooks

USA defender (I assume a centre-back, as he's 6'4").

[mr underhill]

presumably on a free and prepared to play for a bag of M&M's every other week. Or the sign of impending new US owners??

[barrysleftfoot]

 Pity we're not after Hernandez, i think he is a really good player, and quite gettable.

[Tuscans]

Pity we're not after Hernandez, i think he is a really good player, and quite gettable.

How do you know we're not?

[Tuscans]

Micah Richards anyone? Free agent next summer, if he could ever possibly stay fit he's much better than what we have....and swears a lot too.

[barrysleftfoot]

 Hopefully Tuscans

[Matt C]

Bentley retires from football..phew, that's a relief.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27835348

How much did we nearly pay before we got Milner instead? 15m?

Bullet dodged.

[Dave]

Bentley retires from football..phew, that's a relief.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27835348

How much did we nearly pay before we got Milner instead? 15m?

Bullet dodged.

Apparently we matched Spurs £17m bid and he chose them instead.

Shame.

[barrysleftfoot]

 We was linked to that Dutch lad whos just come on as well, never mind.

[kippaxvilla2]

Now that Vlaar is almost certain to leave, what do people think of Senderos and Clark lining up in our first game of the season :-)