Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[RussellC]

I'm with Dave. It was the "as I like to call them" aspect that lead to him being ridiculed.

So basically for using a figure of speech people decided it was worthy of ridicule? It's the type of cliche people drop into conversation all the time and in the artificial environment of a press conference they are ten a penny.

I agree. Instead of just acknowledging the fact that he also realized we needed someone in that position he was ridiculed for a couple of extra words in the sentence. In the grand scheme it didn't matter at all. In fact, had we been doing well, and the manager was enjoying popularity with the fans nobody would have noticed or deemed it cringeworthy.

You make it sound as if the forum was in tumult over it.

As I remember it, Monty mentioned it being cringey, a few people nodded their heads and we all went on with our lives.

Whilst I think things like people banging on about Ian Taylor not being on the tour is making a mountain out of a mole hill, I think suggesting Lambert got some sort of avalanche of piss take over this is doing exactly the same thing.

You're right, if we'd been doing well people wouldn't have mentioned it. We weren't, though.

Exactly this. I found it cringeworthy in much the same way I found Big Ron addressing the Holte End with a microphone to tell us he was trying to sign Deano cringeworthy, or shuddered at that Aldi advert with Sir Graham in recently. It was neither influenced by, or influenced his popularity with me. I actually quite like the bloke.

Perhaps 'ridicule' was the wrong word, but it was certainly the assertion that it was not a commonly used term that lead to him being mocked.

[brontebilly]

I'm not saying I would swap Vlaar for him but Dawson is no where near the crap player some are making out. He's been captain of a side that's finished in the top 6 consistently over the last few years and was their player of the year a few years back. He's hardly championship fodder.

Dawson would be a good signing for us. Very slow on the turn but then so is John Terry. Regular football at Villa Park next to a speedy player like Okore and he would fit in well I think. Always struck me as a leader and talker at the back. Vlaar is anything but a leader, this is the right time to get rid of him if someone comes in with a silly bid. His injury problems aren't going to improve as he gets older.

Not gone on Holtby. Looks the part but delivers very few goals or assists. One to avoid

De Guzman would be an upgrade on Westwood for us. Our midfield roster must the worst in the EPL.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Holtby is a good player. Really energetic too from what I've seen of him. I'd like it a lot if he signed.

Not much difference between Dawson and Vlaar to be honest.

I have a feeling Southampton might get desperate and offer us 10m for Vlaar if they sell Lovren. I'd take that and run.

[edgysatsuma89]

Holtby is a good player. Really energetic too from what I've seen of him. I'd like it a lot if he signed.

Not much difference between Dawson and Vlaar to be honest.

I have a feeling Southampton might get desperate and offer us 10m for Vlaar if they sell Lovren. I'd take that and run.

This is my hunch also.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm with Dave. It was the "as I like to call them" aspect that lead to him being ridiculed.

So basically for using a figure of speech people decided it was worthy of ridicule? It's the type of cliche people drop into conversation all the time and in the artificial environment of a press conference they are ten a penny.

I agree. Instead of just acknowledging the fact that he also realized we needed someone in that position he was ridiculed for a couple of extra words in the sentence. In the grand scheme it didn't matter at all. In fact, had we been doing well, and the manager was enjoying popularity with the fans nobody would have noticed or deemed it cringeworthy.

You make it sound as if the forum was in tumult over it.

As I remember it, Monty mentioned it being cringey, a few people nodded their heads and we all went on with our lives.

Whilst I think things like people banging on about Ian Taylor not being on the tour is making a mountain out of a mole hill, I think suggesting Lambert got some sort of avalanche of piss take over this is doing exactly the same thing.

You're right, if we'd been doing well people wouldn't have mentioned it. We weren't, though.

no not at all. If you read my original post on it I said some people. And it's like everything on here, we all get on with our lives. It wasn't that important then and not that important now. The Ian Taylor thing is another good example. It's a mountain out of a molehill yet for some became a stick to beat the manager with. You'll find football fans in general do that with loads of things when things aren't going well.

[Surrey Villain]

Holtby is a good player. Really energetic too from what I've seen of him. I'd like it a lot if he signed.

Not much difference between Dawson and Vlaar to be honest.

I have a feeling Southampton might get desperate and offer us 10m for Vlaar if they sell Lovren. I'd take that and run.

£10m for the best centre back in the World Cup?  Are we so desperate? Surely not! Holtby yes at the right price but Dawson never in a month of 6 Sundays! He is overrated because he plays for Spurs. He was useless for England.

[adrenachrome]

I thought Dawson showed a lot of promise when he broke into the first team at Sperms but my abiding memory of him is the game at VP when he tussled with Olof from a set piece and Melberg scored and just stood there laughing. 

[mr underhill]

Even Harry would think twice about signing Dawson. And then go and offer £15million and 80k a week.

[JJ-AV]

Before we'd signed Cole I'd have probably gone for that Holtby/Dawson for Vlaar swap. It's Spurs cast-offs, and while Vlaar proved he's a good player at the WC, his form hasn't been consistant for us.

Holtby is a class act and we'd be better all round for it.

Not now though, the team is taking shape. I'm not completely content with the quality of our players, but they're good enough to avoid relegation and keep us in that 10th-16th bracket.

3-5-2 for me. I don't think we need reinforcement in any area at the minute, so unless a quality loan player becomes available I'd focus all the resources on getting Vlaar and Delph tied down.

Guzan
Okore - Vlaar - Senderos
Bacuna ------------------------ Richardson
Westwood - Delph
Cole
Gabby - Weimann

Is probably how I see us starting the season, with the usual lot in reserve, plus the bomb squad returning and then Benteke and Kozak.

Our squad is massive at the minute, and needs some trimming. Although I'm optimistic that the bomb squad, Bent and N'Zogbia inparticular, can really contribute this season.

We've added three serious pros and Keane - hopefully that'll get Hutton, N'Zog and Bent fighting again.

[Phil from the upper holte]

On the basis that Joe Cole is already injured, I'd definitely sign someone else.

[Goldie.7]

The whole Cole signing is laughable to me. He doesn't assist or score many these days so i can't see any logical reason for signing him.

[bobdylan]

Holtby is a good player. Really energetic too from what I've seen of him. I'd like it a lot if he signed.

Not much difference between Dawson and Vlaar to be honest.

I have a feeling Southampton might get desperate and offer us 10m for Vlaar if they sell Lovren. I'd take that and run.

£10m for the best centre back in the World Cup?  Are we so desperate? Surely not! Holtby yes at the right price but Dawson never in a month of 6 Sundays! He is overrated because he plays for Spurs. He was useless for England.

I'd say £10 m is about right as he only has a year left on his contract, obviously it would be a lot higher if he had 2+ years remaining.

[Richard E]

On the basis that Joe Cole is already injured, I'd definitely sign someone else.

If it's the shape of things to come maybe, but at first glance it would be an over-reaction to resting someone because of a slight knock.

[Phil from the upper holte]

On the basis that Joe Cole is already injured, I'd definitely sign someone else.

If it's the shape of things to come maybe, but at first glance it would be an over-reaction to resting someone because of a slight knock.

He has a history of injuries, I hope it's not a sign of things to come but it probably is

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

The whole Cole signing is laughable to me. He doesn't assist or score many these days so i can't see any logical reason for signing him.

because we needed a player in that position, decent young injury free players in that position don't come cheap, our transfer and wages budget would appear to be small, he was a good in that position a few years ago, he was a cheap acquisition, he will still be our best midfielder if he stays injury free - a punt to nothing really. May work out, may not but worth a punt surely