January Transfer Window Rumours/Suggestions/Hearsay/Heresy/Horseplay

[Dante Lavelli]

I know but I'm convinced he will stay and I hope he does.

I'm really not fussed. I don't actually see what he brings and don't actually know how he fits in. Like what's his best position? He's a talented player but he's just so non descript at times.

Hard to disagree Toronto.  Seemingly we once again signed a player without knowing where he played or how he'd fit.

[auntiesledd]

There's an interesting piece I've just seen on ESPN regarding a possible swap involving Jordan Ayew & the Swansea LB Neil Taylor. Gawd knows if there's any truth in it, mind...

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3048035/swansea-and-aston-villa-eye-jordan-ayew-and-neil-taylor-swap-sources

[oswald funkletrumpet]

As Ayew is still away I can't see him going in this window somehow.

The deal can still go through. He doesn't physically have to be in England.

Im sure i read somewhere that he had had a medical before he went to afcon so would only have to agree terms

[Toronto Villa]

I know but I'm convinced he will stay and I hope he does.

I'm really not fussed. I don't actually see what he brings and don't actually know how he fits in. Like what's his best position? He's a talented player but he's just so non descript at times.

Hard to disagree Toronto.  Seemingly we once again signed a player without knowing where he played or how he'd fit.

It happens at every club though, not just us. Where it happens less is where the club has a defined way of playing or a structure in place that allows for continuity of strategy; both in terms of playing staff and coaches/managers. Even then it is hard to maintain. Southampton are probably the best current example of it.

[JUAN PABLO]

looks like that young Bury defender is definitely coming

Bury head coach Chris Brass has confirmed that the deal has been agreed.

[KevinGage]

Not related to us but I spotted this ridiculous story in the BBC gossip page.

Wayne Rooney is ready to quit Manchester United this summer for a final huge payday in China, where some clubs are willing to pay the England captain, 31, as much as £1m a week.

Rooney abroad?   He'll make Ian Rush look like Nigel Havers.  Don't see that one somehow.

[supertom]

Not related to us but I spotted this ridiculous story in the BBC gossip page.

Wayne Rooney is ready to quit Manchester United this summer for a final huge payday in China, where some clubs are willing to pay the England captain, 31, as much as £1m a week.

Rooney abroad?   He'll make Ian Rush look like Nigel Havers.  Don't see that one somehow.

He'd be fucked just sauntering through Chinatown in Manchester. He'd be desperately looking for the nearest bobby to hold his hand and take him to the nearest McDonalds.

[Dave P]

Not related to us but I spotted this ridiculous story in the BBC gossip page.

Wayne Rooney is ready to quit Manchester United this summer for a final huge payday in China, where some clubs are willing to pay the England captain, 31, as much as £1m a week.

Rooney abroad?   He'll make Ian Rush look like Nigel Havers.  Don't see that one somehow.

He'd be fucked just sauntering through Chinatown in Manchester. He'd be desperately looking for the nearest bobby to hold his hand and take him to the nearest McDonalds.

For £1m a week, I'm sure he could stay in his house and have food delivered.

[brentastonb6]

We seem to be completely restructuring the team in one transfer window, for the third time in 18 months

I'm happy with the deals so far. But think we should slow down. Whatever happened to coaching improvement?

That is an element of concern. This can't keep happening and hopefully this is the last time. The only player who we've signed that I think I've seen play more than once is Lansbury, who I do rate, so I hope the others live up to expectation.

No we're not. We are completely restructuring our central midfield. I don't know if you'd noticed but it was completely pump. I think Bruce had noticed that. He's a genius.

For once we appear to be buying players with a future in front of them not a past behind them, we've not spent a net penny this transfer window by my reckoning and should any of our new players not work out there's a greater resale value for them. That said I agree entirely with the posts re our apparent lack of coaching - We could sign Pele,Cryufff, Beckenbauer and Zidane and turn them into Micah Richards, Jolean Lescott, Gabby Agbonlahor and Kevin Francis in a month !

[Tayls_7]

We seem to be completely restructuring the team in one transfer window, for the third time in 18 months

I'm happy with the deals so far. But think we should slow down. Whatever happened to coaching improvement?

That is an element of concern. This can't keep happening and hopefully this is the last time. The only player who we've signed that I think I've seen play more than once is Lansbury, who I do rate, so I hope the others live up to expectation.

No we're not. We are completely restructuring our central midfield. I don't know if you'd noticed but it was completely pump. I think Bruce had noticed that. He's a genius.

For once we appear to be buying players with a future in front of them not a past behind them, we've not spent a net penny this transfer window by my reckoning and should any of our new players not work out there's a greater resale value for them. That said I agree entirely with the posts re our apparent lack of coaching - We could sign Pele,Cryufff, Beckenbauer and Zidane and turn them into Micah Richards, Jolean Lescott, Gabby Agbonlahor and Kevin Francis in a month !

I don't believe coaching was really the overriding issue. More that our  previous owner's disinterest lead to proxy mismanagement and a desperate lack of expectation. That shitstorm produced a crippling malaise and a stench that Dr.T is still purifying.

[Steve67]

Well said Tayls. Quite right. I'm sure that that stench will be further exterminated by the time the window shuts too. For the first time in five years, we seem to be well organised and optimistic.

[mr underhill]

that's true up to a point - but let's not loose sight of the fact that Dr Yes sanctioned RDM, Ross McFuckwit and a few other signings who have proved equally calamitous . Had we appointed Bruce the moment he stepped away from Hull, I think we would be in a play off spot right now. What I do like about the good Doctor, however, is his willingness to learn from mistakes, as opposed to Randy who simply went on perpetrating them.

[brian green]

Agree with all the foregoing, especially Tayl's 'desperate lack of expectation'.  The single event of the last six years that stands as a landmark in a landscape of failure is Lambert's hailing reduced expectations as an accomplishment.

[robbo1874]

I know but I'm convinced he will stay and I hope he does.

I'm really not fussed. I don't actually see what he brings and don't actually know how he fits in. Like what's his best position? He's a talented player but he's just so non descript at times.

Hard to disagree Toronto.  Seemingly we once again signed a player without knowing where he played or how he'd fit.

like Grealish, I thought Ayew would rip this league apart. Seems as though arguably two of our best creative players have suffered from a lack of quality around them. But then you look at Kodjia who has come from nowhere and looked the business. Fkd if I can explain it. I want them all to do well. It's just frustrating how the side isn't firing yet, when they really should be.

[ozzjim]

A straight swap for Neil Taylor would be pretty awful and under value Ayew by a good 5m. I think we got our pants pulled down on the Rhodes/ Gestede deals and can see it happening again here if not careful.  Taylor is worth about 4m, Ayew 9 or 10.