There was a poster on the old BBC606 site, who claimed he lives next door to Andy Booth. He reckoned that even an ordinary player like him had made enough money out of the game, to not need work again.
Dembele had a near 1-4 ratio at AZ - and he certainly seemed to be able to find the net against us!! Not entirely sure why (and I certainly hope we get in another fwd at least this window) but this acquisition really excites me. I have a feeling that MD could become a very special player for this club. The last 24 hours has seriously lightened my mood!!
Again, I don't want to knock any fans belief in our new player but Kuyt scored 70 goals in 101 games in the same league.
Aye, but generally if a player can't perform in an inferior league, they generally can't up their game in a superior league over a sustained period (always exception to the rule) but demeble has been here long enough to settle so I don't expect him to be much of a goal threat, but Modric wasn't much of a goal threat so its not necessary as long as he links up well with attack.
Also, i'm pretty that he started off as forward, as was speaking to a fulham fan and he said he was signed as a forward so depends what position he was playing originally in holland.
That useless Boro forward Alfonso Alves or similar, 49 in one season, I think the Dutch league is where Scottish goalkeepers go to retire.
I see our insistence on playing with widemen as a weakness, we are the only top 6 club who play this way, surely that tells you something.
Two wide men in a 4 man mid makes us threadbare in the middle, where we repeatedly get outnumbered and overran, as oppo's just put us up against 5 and we get done 3v2 in the centre. The chances to use it are few and far between now, you can't base your season on it, United wouldn't play 4 in the middle all the time Luke, so stop banging on.
I admit to not knowing as much about football as you lads on this site but I thought Dembele WAS Modric's replacement.
i tend to agree with Thor,i think Dembele was signed as modric's replacement,could be wrong but will be suprised ,but delighted, if we sign another Midfielder.
This is a quote from someone who is supposedly well respected. The guy who said this, is apparently at the CL draw today and is going to find out more. he said: "A source close to FC Porto just told me the transfer of Moutinho to Spurs should be announced in the next 24 hours. Will keep you posted." - posted around 10pm last night. don't write it off yet!!!
Roo,I hope you're wrong because I'd like Rafa to stay another season for his experience but you could be right. So if Moutinho comes I must admit to being a bit confused. I suppose Rafa would have to go to Hamburg in that case.
Rafa is our classiest player. However, he is 29 and his fitness is suspect. If a good fee is got then I would say he can go. Sig is a natural replacement and is young. By the look of it we are aiming to put together a young team that will stay together for a good few years. Moutinho was central to the success of AVB at Porto. He may be expensive but it might pay off. I don't know how all the following could fit together though: Sandro, sig, mout, will, mousa, bale. I think all of those are first choice based on performances and proposed fees. We only have 5 midfield slots though so we may actually start seeing some rotation, especially with others such as Lennon, Parker, Livermore etc still around.
Don't think it's as simple as that Boss. Roque Santa Cruz was absolute dross in the Bundesliga (a fairly weak league, at that time) and then went to Blackburn and scored 20 odd goals in a season. He then went to Spain and became dross again. It all depends on the player's adaptability and playing style.
Professional pundits have been waxing lyrical about Dembele, with some referring to him as one of the best midfielders of his generation. I must say, that I am extremely excited about the potential of this player, and what he can do for us. We might just have signed our new Gazza.
