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

[SheffieldVillain]

But selling Gestede only to replace him and Ayew with Rhodes, who is worse than both Ayew and Gestede make no sense at all. Literally no sense.

Ayew has scored 50 goals in his career in 253 games. (1 every 5.06 games)
Gestede has scored 59 goals in his career in 205 games (1 every 3.47 games)
Rhodes has scored 185 goals in his career in 359 games. (1 every 1.94 games)

I don't see how, as a striker, that makes Rhodes worse than both Ayew and Gestede.

If Bruce is looking for a central focal point for the attack, it makes complete sense to go with a striker who is more likely to score goals. However, he will have to set up the team to play to his strengths.

The big question about Rhodes has always been why top flight teams have never taken a punt on Rhodes.  Teams will always take a chance with goal scorers (the likes of Beckford, Nugent, Esarnshaw etc. all got a move), but not Rhodes and he's not got a look in at Middlesbrough this season.  He scores goals, but as we've seen with McCormack that doesn't always tell the whole story.

We're not in the top flight. In the Championship, he has always scored goals.

With McCormack, it's clearly down to attitude this season. I trust Bruce and Round to have done a better job in checking character than previous management teams.

As has McCormack though.  Whenever I've seen Rhodes over the years, he has looked very limited despite his scoring record and that's maybe why no top flight side has taken a punt on him.  For what it's worth, I don't think he is the type of forward we need, as I think we could do with a forward who can hold the ball up and bring the best out of Kodjia.

I know McCormack has as well. Hence my second paragraph.

I think the kind of forward who scores 1 in every 2 games is exactly the type we need. Setting the team up to facilitate bringing the best out of both him and Kodija is up to Bruce if he decides Rhodes is the one he wants. I'm sure he will have thought about this before bidding for him, unlike some of the signings we've made previously.

[tomd2103]

But selling Gestede only to replace him and Ayew with Rhodes, who is worse than both Ayew and Gestede make no sense at all. Literally no sense.

Ayew has scored 50 goals in his career in 253 games. (1 every 5.06 games)
Gestede has scored 59 goals in his career in 205 games (1 every 3.47 games)
Rhodes has scored 185 goals in his career in 359 games. (1 every 1.94 games)

I don't see how, as a striker, that makes Rhodes worse than both Ayew and Gestede.

If Bruce is looking for a central focal point for the attack, it makes complete sense to go with a striker who is more likely to score goals. However, he will have to set up the team to play to his strengths.

The big question about Rhodes has always been why top flight teams have never taken a punt on Rhodes.  Teams will always take a chance with goal scorers (the likes of Beckford, Nugent, Esarnshaw etc. all got a move), but not Rhodes and he's not got a look in at Middlesbrough this season.  He scores goals, but as we've seen with McCormack that doesn't always tell the whole story.

We're not in the top flight. In the Championship, he has always scored goals.

With McCormack, it's clearly down to attitude this season. I trust Bruce and Round to have done a better job in checking character than previous management teams.

As has McCormack though.  Whenever I've seen Rhodes over the years, he has looked very limited despite his scoring record and that's maybe why no top flight side has taken a punt on him.  For what it's worth, I don't think he is the type of forward we need, as I think we could do with a forward who can hold the ball up and bring the best out of Kodjia.

I know McCormack has as well. Hence my second paragraph.

I think the kind of forward who scores 1 in every 2 games is exactly the type we need. Setting the team up to facilitate bringing the best out of both him and Kodija is up to Bruce if he decides Rhodes is the one he wants. I'm sure he will have thought about this before bidding for him, unlike some of the signings we've made previously.

You would hope so.  I think the smartest move might be a loan until the end of the season with an option to buy in the summer.  If we do manage to sneak up, we would probably need an upgrade in the summer anyway. 

[Clark W Griswold]

Reports this morning suggesting Rhodes as more likely and Taylor for Ayew almost done. I think if we can finish the window with those 2 deals over the line the squad would have a much better balance.

[PaulTheVillan]

Ayew hasn't worked this season, I think it's hard to fit him in the side. My worry is that if we sign Rhodes then Kodjia will be thrown back out wide.

[Clampy]

If we sign Rhodes, I think he'll play Kodjia alongside him.

[VILLA MOLE]

Bruce has said in his conference this morning that one deal is close that has not been mentioned ??

[robbo1874]

Anyone guessed who this BB mystery player is yet?

Guessing it's an overseas based player, as no UK players have been suggested.

Also, bit of a tangent, but why is Tshibola going on loan-I thought he did ok at the start of the season?

Sorry ignore this post- bb refers to bjarneson obviously and the Tshibola thread's just been bumped.

[aev]

Bruce has said in his conference this morning that one deal is close that has not been mentioned ??

Gradel?

[VILLA MOLE]

Bruce has said in his conference this morning that one deal is close that has not been mentioned ??

Gradel?

Could be , there was a rumour that seemed to disappear

[Proposition Joe]

Bruce has said in his conference this morning that one deal is close that has not been mentioned ??

Gradel?

Is only me who keeps getting the Dreidel song stuck in his head whenever that name pops up?

Gradel, Gradel, Gradel, I made you out of clay...

[ethicalvillain]

This Taylor/Amavi debate could rumble on and on, but if one of the attributes we are looking for in a left back is defending, then we can wipe Taylor off the list.

Having been to the Liberty Stadium 4 or 5 times this year and watching him in person, I'd go as far as to say he's probably one of the worst left backs in the league.

All the Swans fans in work are loving the thought of my club removing him from their squad and never having to watch him again.

[Clampy]

I reckon the mystery player is a striker but if we are bringing more than one in, i'm going to take a wild stab at Harry Maguire at Hull, who's out of contract in the summer.

[Dave]

Again madness to sell Amavi. ....let's just sell anybody any good and be left with the likes of Westwood...

Amavi is not very good though, and we are linked with better left backs.

Amavi isn't perfect, but there is no planet on which Neil Taylor (assuming that's who you're talking about and we aren't being linked with David Alaba) is better than him.

He is a better defender than Amavi.  Amavi has hardly stood out in the second tier.

And Taylor has stood out in about six matches in his entire life, he's just been fortunate that a couple of them were for Wales and on the telly.

Scouting might not your strong point Dave as I think he's had a few more than that!! 

Maybe you're right and he is the new Paolo Maldini.

But given that Swansea seem to want to flog him to the division below and their fans are delighted by the idea of that, I'll assume that I've not actually missed all his great matches and he just isn't particularly good.

[aj2k77]

Swansea forums are delighted with the idea of getting rid of Taylor, almost to a man they think he is shit. Ayew for Taylor sounds a terrible deal to me.

[Old Kodjia]

Swansea forums are delighted with the idea of getting rid of Taylor, almost to a man they think he is shit. Ayew for Taylor sounds a terrible deal to me.

I'm far from comfortable with this one.  Leicester fans were the same about De Leat and he looked poor in the few appearances he made for us.