Transfer Rumours Saint Martin!

Disagree.

 

Nothing's ever 'simple as' though, is it? If he hasn't played a competitive game for a year, then by what standard can be considered fit and ready for action?

 

Exactly... and primarily used to a much slower pace of football. He may look fit in training and good in u-23 matches but a cup final against a good United side is a different proposition entirely.

I probably wouldn't risk it tbh.

 

Ok different scenario - Gabbiadini scores against sunderland. Do you play him in expense of Long even though Shane scored THAT goal?

 

Not comparable imo.

Gabbiadini has been playing regular football for a while now and in your scenario would have 2 goals in 2 games for us.

Martin hasn't played for over year and won't have played a single minute for us.

Also CB is a more important area of the pitch in terms of being sharp and knowing your team mates.

 

Will he be able to train with the team this week even though permit has not been granted yet? Would help if so.

 

Is a player allowed to train whilst awaiting a work permit?

I expect you can get round such a technicality, by claiming it's unpaid, but didn't know if there was a football ruling

 

It'll be simple as for the coaching/medical staff. They know more than us and if they make the conclusion that they think he's ready, he will play.

 

Snap

I see no reason why not, free agents train with clubs all the time.

 

Indeed. As I say, my view is it that he has to play against Sunderland, if he's to start the cup final.

 

Be just our luck to beat Sunderland 5000 to nil and have the result cancelled because we played an ineligible player. We won't take chances.

 

Not stating a case for playing Caceres, but there were times when Maya and Jack were so far apart, against WHU, they looked in need of an introduction.
I get what you are saying, about knowing how each other plays, but I also think there is a case to be made for a player who instinctively, through his years of experience at a top level, knows where to position himself, whether or not he knows the player he is alongside.
Puel has 3 weeks to work it out.

 

I didn't come on hear to read this football tosh. What ever happened to that "We had/have it Tough" thread. That was getting interesting.

 

I noticed that too but I'm pretty sure that was the way they were asked to play, covering for the full backs who were bombing forward. Whenever it happened Romeu dropped back to fill the gap

 

Part of it was also to cover Carroll, when he positioned himself next to the full backs.
If we do the same against United, to try to negate Zlatan and Fellaini's height, Mata will play straight through the middle.
Better, IMO, for the CBs to stick together and force teams to go round them, than let them have free access to our 18 yard box, in a central position.

 

Never had him down as the dogging type!

 

Apologies for the naivety of asking.... have gone back three pages, but can't actually see anything saying that we're definitely signing him... is it basically just waiting for official type stuff or is Les going to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory....?

 

Yes.

 

Exactly. I believe it's called a trial.

 

This. It's nice to see the academy players being given a chance, but was anyone happier when we weren't?