I think we are 4 players off the top 4. 1, CDM a Tiote type to play next to lucas. 2, RW i have no idea who? maybe hoilett or demble? 3, ST some one who has the 'nack' of scoring. I.E BA? 4, CAM as gerrard is slowing down and not performing at all. I.E Sessssiiiigggnnnoonn or how ever you spell it. Thought? (I know there is a transfer thread but i cba looking thought) DR
I'm not sure how we can define 'realistic'. Certainly, we can attract Hoilett, who would be a good signing, and other players of his calibre, or at least 'prestige'. But, consider the success City had in attracting big names, and the fact that we attracted Suarez last season, whilst Chelsea will certainly buy big even if they don't get into the CL. I think we'll see a 'big name' signing, along with several smaller signings. I think it'll be a winger. Why? 1) Kuyt will be 32 and may possibly be moved on in the summer. 2) Bellamy may not be around and at any rate is unable to play regularly. 3) Maxi is definitely gone in the summer. 4) Sterling is too young yet, Downing is solid but not extraordinary. 5) We were in for Ashley Young before he chose (understandably) United. 6) The board will have to see the need for another world class player, to aid the team, the regeneration project and the brand - key because we're not in the CL. 7) The management team will want to show us, the fans, a signal of intent after such a disappointingly poor season.
if those are realistic then REALISTICALLY 7th is a good league position for us. every name you've put down are average enough players for the prem..just that. We need top players. one top striker at least.
Would like to see Soldado and Hoillet. We need to bolster the central midfield as well so M'Villa, Martinez, Banega? Since Lucas has been out, we've lost a lot of energy and we seem so slow when closing down players. We need another Mascherano/Sissoko type player.
1, I'm not sure we do, Spearing is becoming adequate cover for Lucas, but when Lucas is fit he's more than enough for our CDM role. He holds it together brilliantly, we could more do with someone like Meireles or Cabaye; some foreign deep lying playmaker with some creativity, currently Adam is just not enough. 2, If we got Junior Hoilett, then I'd be ecstatic - he can score, he's young, can speak English and he's got tons of potential and raw talent. However, with the season he's just had I can see a lot of clubs going in for him so we will end up spending big on him, just like Henderson. 3, Completely agree, however they're not always easy to come by, and the obvious ones certainly won't come to a club without champions league football even if we could offer them the same money they're after the status. 4, CAM for now is probably one of our least needed areas in my opinion. Gerrard is good for another year at least, when he's too slow Suarez is brilliant in that position too, only after we've got rid of Gerrard should we be looking for the "next Gerrard," because otherwise we'll end up freezing Gerrard out whilst he's still got things to give. Also, the transfer thread is for actual transfers and transfer rumours to keep it all in one place, so you were right not to post this there.
If we spend big on him like Henderson then it will be a worse deal than the Andy Carroll signing! Why, simple really, Hoillett is out of contract in the summer!
In the woodwork, been busy for a while but got a week off now so hopefully will get the chance to be more active. Very good point, completely forgot about that. Then again, the same will apply with contracts - we'll have to sell the club to him pretty well which may be difficult if we're competing against Spurs, United etc..
Hoilett and Sessegnon would be good signings, just so long we don't spend a **** load on players like that. You name Sess as CM but he can get past players and can play down the wing. Tiote is good but he has been more of a passenger this season, strong defensively but I think we need someone who has a bit more flair. Realistic target? **** knows? Ba? Gone quiet at the mo, can obviously score but so could Carroll for half a season. Would prefer we found our own little gem. Just get some little foreigner.
Ba has been quiet because Cisse has been playing the centre forward. I would still definately take Ba because he's strong, fast, good movement and can finish. Problem is, Newcastle will probably rip us off again!
I remember you saying that in previous seasons about Pardew. You alsos aid the same of Phil Brown when Hull were top of the league. Oh,a dn Holloway last season. Not really. We know you didn't, because Pardew hadn't had a good season back then. You were all about Alan Curbishley, though. And Gary Megson. Y'know, the bottom-feeders, where Pardew hung out.
Wouldn't mind this. Would have prefered A. Johnson to Downing but I could understand City not wanting him to go to us, depth, etc and Downing was looking to come and Villa to cash in. Sessegnon would be a good shout I think, I am not high on Hoillet though, he has some horror stories about attitude and ego from his time back in Toronto that if still hanging around would not be good for morale with the team. Looking back, we missed out on getting Moses as he looks sharp for Wigan and could do well for us I think.
My concern about Alan Johnson is exactly the same as those that surrounded Ronaldo when he came to United - lots of tricks but little end product.
Clint Dempsey (in addition to Hoilett) is also out of contract in the summer. He's 29, but on a free? Would get 2-3 good seasons out of him.
