Dembele has been very good for us, but Saturday game reminded me of who really pulls the strings. As soon as Murphy left the field, things got desperate. As soon as Murphy came on against ManU, things picked up. So Dembele may have all the clever moves, but Murphy's the guy we need to worry about. Hopefully Sidwell is healthy all next year.
Too old for my liking, I still think Jamie O'Hara could be Murphy's replacement and would surely come cheap were Wolves to be relegated this season.
Hmmm, I like O'Hara, but he hasn't made a lot of difference for Wolves this year, has he? And compared to Carrick, I think it's a little like choosing a Macdonald's burger rather than a decent piece of steak. Plus, Carrick has got history with Jol - it was Jol who first put him in the Spurs starting eleven after he'd been bought and left out by whoever it was that Jol succeded (I was sounding quite knowledgable until that last bit. Must try harder).
Wolves have been awful this year, but I don't think you can blame O'Hara. Johnson has been appalling and Moxey should never have sacked Mick and replaced him with Connor, those for me are the two fundamental reasons they will go down. Wigan have also been turd this year but would I turn down the chance to sign Victor Moses? No chance.
At least Wigan have turned it around of late, thanks to Moses - Wolves are plumbing new depths! Carrick isn't a bad shout, I wouldn't turn him down. His experience at the highest level would certainly give us something.
One Utd midfielder I would have liked to have seen us go for was Gibson, can't believe Everton got him for less than £1 million, we could have used Duffers and Kelly to sway him.
Couldn't see the Carrick one happening, O'Hara on the other hand I could. I was calling out for us to sign him before Wolves signed him. He made all the difference to them staying up when he went there initially on loan and he certainly isn't the reason they are so poor. A long-term replacement for Murphy. Gibson is too hot and cold for my liking. Looks like a world beater one minute, panel beater the next.
We've been linked with Carrick in the press and, as stated above, he has previous with Jol. None of that means it's actually true, but there looks like there might be some substance to it. If the likes of Spurs aren't going to come in for Carrick, we've as good a shout as most of attracting him. We might miss out if Newcastle or Liverpool went for him, mind.
Yeap, I would and with money get two FB one right and one left... O'Hara has always been on my book as the younger version of Murphy. And surely proves that at Wolves. If we can get him would be perfect. Having Danny playing part of the game and O'Hara slowing taking over...
I'm surprised nobody has suggested this, but there's a guy who might be available next year named Steve Sidwell. Yes, he's had a bad year with injuries, but he's an obvious near-term solution to Murphy. Carrick ... that's crazy. Neither he nor Fergie would agree to the move. Besides, has anyone noticed how ManU players underachieve after moving to another team? Saha, Butt, Brown, Gibson, etc.
Too soon to include Gibson in that list DR (though you may well be right about him - he certainly seemed to underachieve at United) and arguably the same applies to Brown. Saha only underachieved due to recurrent injuries. Also, here are some players who certainly haven't underachieved since leaving United: Phil Neville, Tim Howard, Ben Foster. Fergie, apparently, is looking to move Carrick on, so I think you're wrong that he wouldn't agree it. As for Carrick, who knows? My guess is that if a bigger club doesn't come along and if he's told that he won't get gametime at United, there's no reason why he wouldn't come to Fulham to work for a manager he knows and (presumably) likes/respects.
I think it's harsh on Saha to put him in the same sentence as someone like Brown. There's a pretty solid argument to say that Brown & Butt underachieved at United, let alone anywhere else. As for Carrick, if he was available he'd be a no-brainer. He'd be perfect for the way we want to play. I'm not sure there's a place for him at Newcastle unless they sold Tiote/Cabaye and who knows with Liverpool. But anyway, signing Carrick would be a bonus but should not be relied upon when planning for next season. I think Jol is looking to develop some options in the middle, especially if DemPele leaves. Diarra is one such option, as is Sidwell, but there is definitely room for another centre mid. O'Hara probably isn't a bad shout, but I wonder what Wolves would accept for him?
Probably whatever his relegation release fee is. A lot of players have them inserted in their contracts when signing for a relegation threatened side. Can't imagine it being too high.