If we get Euro footy (unlikely this season unless we win the Cup - fingers crossed!) we'll be more attractive to decent European strikers. Llorente is a bit too much of a stretch at the minute though.
There are several really top end strikers who will be available due to their respective teams struggles as well. Villareal are in deep ****, Nilmar & Rossi are cracking strikers, the latter though is way overvalued. In France, Lyon & Marseille could, likely will, miss CL, meaning Remy, Gignac, Briand & Gomis may need to be moved on to cut costs. Germany, and Hamburg are in the ****, they have Guerrero & Petric who would certainly be available. As mentioned though, MON may well favour British based players, so Agbonlahor and Defoe are bound to be linked. What about Luis Fabiano, he's back at Sao Paulo but not playing, still only 30, incredible goals record through his career. Massively ambitious, and he hardly needs the money (he probably gets more in Brazil in the current climate), but it'd be a wow signing, big time.
To be fair couldn't see you getting Llorente or some of the other names mentioned, HOWEVER I never thought Sunderland would get players like Gyan, Sessegnon and Bent. On top of this I never thought Newcastle would have got players like Ben Arfa, Coloccini and Santon.
We're 2 rapidly growing clubs mate. I'd suggest we are what Villa where a few years back, 2 clubs that can grab the players that are 'nearly' top end. Like when they signed Milner, Downing..
We'll be wheeling and dealing. There won't be much spare cash. Times are hard. We might get a reasonable fee for Gyan. If, unfortunately, we lose Sess, then that's a bit more in the kitty!
This will be the key as usual to the higher class talent who becomes available, how the European spots are allocated in the European leagues. The ones who miss out will go down the slashing squad route. Defoe is likely to be on the move and I think the rumour always being he won't want to move this far north doesn't stand true. I think Defoe is the type who wants to play, and will anywhere if the money is right, he'll get a game and the team has a chance of qualifying for Europe. Sunderland should be able to tick two of those boxes and to be fair the third changes every season. Agbonlahor is a lot tougher. Supposedly many have tried and failed already, particularly when not getting a game under Houllier. I believe he is Aston Villa through and through and while still first pick there, he is unlikely to move unless its a Man U type club. Nice to know some old school players still exist I suppose.
Hasn't Agbonlahor got about 8 kids as well, that might have a bearing on him ever leaving the Midlands! I don't think Defoe is unrealistic, and I think he could score hatfuls, but is he too similar to Campbell, in terms of his movement outside the box? If we are looking at a target man, it's very difficult, especially to 'buy British'. Looks like Everton found a good un in Jelavic (admittedly, i've seen him only the once!), but after that, who is there?
There ain't many target men strikers about to be honest. You already have one of course in Wickham who I think will be seen in a better light with time. O'Neill will find one as he always plays one wherever he has been. It is neccessity in his counter attack style of play to allow the pace to rush on. I suppose from your lads point of view, as long as he doesn't have Emile already tapped anything is fine! Seriously though I'm sure he will already have him sorted. That might sound bold but if you look at his previous clubs its been a priority. Heskey at Leicester/Villa, Carew at Villa, Sutton at Celtic. You'll have to hope he does better than he did in his transfer dealings at Villa mind! Spent an awful lot of money, some on players not good enough.
I think with Connor, it's just first touch and confidence, and he'll start to develop. He really needs work on collectiong the ball, and getting it from under his feet, once he's moving, he's fine. He'll get there, 100%
I wanted him at ours. Big lads like him always take time to come to hand to use a horse racing analogy. Look at Crouchy. Most of his earlier clubs were ready to discard him. Niall Quinn although talented as a young lad, got much better with age. They have to learn how to use their physique properly.
When you look at him at Ipswich, his best games were from the left, where of course you get a bit more time to collect and turn with the ball. He's not gonna get that as a CF in the top league, so he needs that first touch to be immaculate, I honestly think that's all he needs. Crouch, and our dear Quinny are as you say prime examples of big lads with finesse, and Connor is a bigger unit than either. He could be a phenomenal player, if he gets the basics sorted. Plenty of time.
Cana did it didn't he. Can't underestimate the pull of the premier league, our profile is going from strength to strength under MON.
we have signed Cisse and Cana who joined us from Marseille and Zenden's last club before us was Marseille also
said it last summer and still think Pogrebynak would fit the bill, he is strong, scores goals and has showed at Fulham already that he can adapt to the Premier league. He is only on loan with fulham and will be available in the summer!!!
I think Mandy Carroll would be good in a MON team. Not having a good time at Liverpool and his social life seems to be less than perfect but MON could get the best out of him. He can head, shoot with both feet and hold the ball up allowing our slower midfielders to get up that pitch.
