Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[brian green]

Aggressively bad.   I like that ciggies.  I shall use it elsewhere and claim it as original.  A pithy distinction between can't be arsed bad as practiced by Stephen Ireland.

[ciggiesnbeer]

Aggressively bad.   I like that ciggies.  I shall use it elsewhere and claim it as original.  A pithy distinction between can't be arsed bad as practiced by Stephen Ireland.

Steal it with my blessing

[tomd2103]

I watched Tom Huddlestone play against Wolves. Wow, he got bad quick didnt he? He was playing in the deep lying "walk around the pitch pointing where other people would be running" role.

Not only did he never break into a run but I haven't seen a good old fashioned bit of hiding from the ball at that level for a long time. He consistently strolled AWAY from any opponent near him who had the ball, never put in a challenge, never made himself available for a pass, always quickly god rid of it if a team mate managed to catch him unaware and actually get the ball to his feet.

He was aggressively bad is what I am saying

Yet SSN were linking him with a move to a PL club in their 'Transfer Centre' last night (can't quite remember which club it was). 

[OCD]

Based on what he's done in the past though. When we played Hull at home last August I couldn't believe how bad he looked and I thought Hull would be relegated after seeing that performance.

The point about how Huddlestone never showed the ball made me remember an observation I made about Westwood the other night. He was constantly making himself free to receive the ball, whether he was facing the play or with his back to the play. It's a role that never gets much praise because there's nothing flashy about it but it's one that I admire. It's pivotal to the play, that player has a huge influence on tempo and possession. It makes such a difference to a side when there's a calm head in the middle, who's always available, who always looks like they have time on the ball.

[Virgil Caine]

Agree with the above and the role that Paul Scholes at Manure did so well ( and one they have never been able to replace). If AW could chip in with a few more goals as he has the ability to do so, I could see him being involved with England squads.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Agree with the above and the role that Paul Scholes at Manure did so well ( and one they have never been able to replace). If AW could chip in with a few more goals as he has the ability to do so, I could see him being involved with England squads.

Watching on TV Westwood did the 2 best passes of the game including an amazing first time 40 yard pass to the right wing.

He also buggered up a good chance where we had 3 forwards on 3 defenders and he misplaced a pretty straight forward 5 yard pass.

Still played fairly well overall. Keeps it simple and it is important to have a player like that in the side.

I am hoping that Veretout isn't fully fit, as he had a stinker.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I watched Tom Huddlestone play against Wolves. Wow, he got bad quick didnt he? He was playing in the deep lying "walk around the pitch pointing where other people would be running" role.

Not only did he never break into a run but I haven't seen a good old fashioned bit of hiding from the ball at that level for a long time. He consistently strolled AWAY from any opponent near him who had the ball, never put in a challenge, never made himself available for a pass, always quickly god rid of it if a team mate managed to catch him unaware and actually get the ball to his feet.

He was aggressively bad is what I am saying

Good observation ciggies and exactly why I wouldn't have touched The Hudd with a bargepole when a few on here were suggesting he would be a good signing for us.
Enormous potential when he was younger, a couple of stand-out seasons, now can hardly be arsed to put in a shift for which he's paid a fortune.
By any other name: Stephen Ireland.

(who was supposed to have had a good game for Stoke at the weekend btw!!!)

[SirSteveUK]

report tjios am that WBA might be offloading Lescott

[OzVilla]

Ireland had a decent cameo for Stoke at the weekend but that'll be him for the next dozen games now.  He'll coast along flattering to deceive as he's done all his career (barring one decent half season at Citeh 10 years ago).

I still can't believe he was a makeweight in the Milner deal. Two more polar opposite players you couldn't wish to see.  I love a good Stephen Ireland rant.

[RussellC]

report tjios am that WBA might be offloading Lescott

Sky are now reporting that he's set to sign his contract extension...

[pauliewalnuts]

Ireland had a decent cameo for Stoke at the weekend but that'll be him for the next dozen games now.  He'll coast along flattering to deceive as he's done all his career (barring one decent half season at Citeh 10 years ago).

I still can't believe he was a makeweight in the Milner deal. Two more polar opposite players you couldn't wish to see.  I love a good Stephen Ireland rant.

I was kind of half watching MOTD and could hear them saying how brilliant Ireland had been in that match.

One of those things you don't expect to hear very often. If at all.

[RussellC]

The Michu link has re-surfaced...

http://elcorreoweb.es/deportes-betis/el-aston-villa-un-duro-competidor-por-michu-JC675830

[ChicagoLion]

Genuine question, wtf happened to Michu.

[Diablo]

Genuine question, wtf happened to Michu.

Recent articles here  http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/14/michu-swansea-city-garry-monk

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/story-michus-incredible-swansea-city-9696957

[eamonn]

Is Michu tubbier than Shaw these days?