Summer Transfer Rumour Thread.

And if we had unlimited finances, I would agree.

Once again, I give you Falque. He wasn't signed to improve the first XI. I've got no problem with a loanee/free transfer or two coming in, I've never said we need to spend a transfer fee on them.

 

I'd like to see us change our shape in preparation for the new season. We should definately stick with our philosophy of pass and move, keep possesion that's worked so well for us, but I don't think we can do that with the 442 against the better teams.

-------------------Davis----------------
Richardson---Fonte---Hooiveld---Fox
---------Schneiderlin---Cork----------
Rodriguez-------Lallana-----------Lee
-----------------Lambert---------------

With an emphasis on teamwork, possession and defending from the front, I think we can make that work. Moving Lallana into the middle gives him extra license to roam and be creative while Rodriguez and Lee add more pace and directness to the wings. Unlike Lallana, they're less likely to drift and are more likely to be where they should be when we don't have the ball.

2nd 11:

----------------------Johns----------------------
Butterfield---Stephens---Seaborne---Harding
------------Hammond---Ward-Prowse---------
De Ridder-----------Guly------------Puncheon
---------------------Sharp----------------------

That 2nd 11 doesn't inspiire a lot of confidence. The back 5 especially needs seeing to. Good thing we still have July and August to get it done.

 

Thought Stephens was more a RB then CB?

 

Loans or freebies are equally as good, I agree. I just think the Prem is a step up, so the people coming in must be a little above "cover"

 

RB= Richardson, Butterfield, Stephens?
LB = Fox, HARDING, Shaw

Would prefer a RB and a LB brought in, but if only choosing one I'd want Harding gone.

 

I was counting Buttner as having already joined

 

Who is Johns?

 

I think the point he is making is that instead of signing covers, sign first 11 players, and the current 1st choice then becomes the cover. On which i agree with the exception of the GK position, and one of the 2 CBs we will probably sign

 

Not sure about Lee and Rodriguez on the wings, leaves us very light defensively down the flanks, which was a weakness last season.

 

I dont think any of our wingers work especially hard defensively, would be the same weakness whatever formation we played with the current players

 

Also a waste of Rodriguez's all round ability as a centre forward, if you ask me.

 

But we didn't have Morgan or Cork as covering players, as we played 4-4-2 or diamond.

 

Agree then

 

I'd be more inclined to play lambert in the hole with lee and lallana on the wing and rodriguez up front.

 

Like me

 

Unless he were to be played as in inside forward in a similar way to Aguero and Silva.

Lee on the wing makes sense as NA was raving about his visual scanning and ability to pick out killer passes for the other two. Would do well in the hole aswell. Infact, personally id have that formation but swap Lallana and Lee round, because when Lee played just behind Rickie last year they played awsome. Watford away and Derby at home from memory.

 

But as I've said, I'm quite happy with our first XI. On the whole, I don't want them to become cover. So why waste money, probably a significant amount (getting a decent replacement for Richardson, Cork, Hooiveld etc wouldn't be cheap), when we don't need to?

I understand the "kill two birds with one stone" arguement, I really do (ie don't just make a signing to improve a squad, also make that signing to improve the first XI). But I also don't see much wrong with the odd signing or two which only kills one bird with one stone.

 

I think there is definitely a need for a first 11 CB. Hooiveld and Fonte are good, but it will probably be the most important position on the pitch for a relegation battle side, and an expensive CB will definitely be worth the money

 

Yeah I'd agree with this. Make use of Lambert's ability to drop deep too. Rodriguez is more of an out and out centre forward.

 

That is one position which I do agree. I said for a while now that I'd see to see a top class CB and pacey right winger. There are the only two starting XI positions which I feel are crying out to be strengthened. I wouldn't be disappointed at getting a top keeper in either, but likewise I've got no problems with Davis. So really just a CB and RW for me - for the first XI!