I'd go with Bartley at CB and Jazz at LB (if fit, B. Davies in the meantime). No disrespect but I'd be picking Situ on the bench before Monk and Tate. Will be roaring every tackle if they're selected though. I'll bet Laudrup brings in a left-back from the continent though, just in case none of the above can cut it over the season. Can we still loan players from Europe? If not, there must be a tonne of free agent left-backs with top flight experience knocking around. How about this scenario? An experienced left back playing for a team in one of Europe's top divisions and not getting as much game time as he used to buys out the last year of his contract in order to sign for us as a free agent and a hefty signing on fee. That possible/legal?
Really bad news for Taylor. Was discussing with a swans fan I work with. He's put himself in the shop window and LB is always a hard position to fill. Even if he was an average player you don't wish an injury like that on anyone. As for free agents, they have to be a free agent at the time the transfer window closes. So the scenario above doesn't work. You could sign Michal Owen as he was released by MANU in the summer. Not sure that would help you though.
Owen Hargreaves might and I don't think he would be expensive even on a "pay as you play" deal because he's desperate to get back into the game. Michael Owen could certainly help us up front because we do lack a natural poacher. He might not be too expensive as I would guess he would like some games to keep his fitness sharp and stay in the shop window for next season. Other than that he might have to go overseas to get a team, which I doubt he would want at this stage of his career. I know he lacks pace now but he will never lose his instincts for positioning and scoring. I'd risk some money on giving him a short term deal to see how he shapes up.
I think our current rate of scoring goals tells us that's not where the problem lies. LB is a massive priority.
I am baffled, we need a left back, and people are talking about michael owen? Does he play there as well?
Following his selection into the Wales squad .... Ben Davies is our new left back (would be surprised if ML has a difference of opinion to Coleman on the player's quality and readiness). Jazz is excellent cover for that position.
valley, was just picking up on a point in remote's post. I have given my opinion on the LB position a number of times elsewhere. I like Trundles suggestion of del Horno by the way. Actually, I like the thought of Michael Owen as well to be honest. If he was cheap enough.
Michel Owen was asking for "telephone no.s" in terms of wages according to somebody at Stoke. Wouldn't be our kind of signing. Hargreaves I like, on a pay as you play short term contract...I'm talking very low wages if he isn't playing. Don't know what he's asking for though. Del Horno is the best suggestion I've heard so far. I remember calling for a left back to challenge Taylor back in the Championship. The fact we have had plenty of time to address this position and not done so leads me to believe that those in the know must really rate Ben Davies (perhaps the Bessone move, that few of us understood at the time, was just about giving Davies another year?). I think we could get through between Davies and Jazz but Laudrup has pretty much declared we'll be bringing someone in. This tells me; - he doesn't think it wise to be totally dependent on a youngster like Davies (think we'd all agree) - Tate is seen as only last ditch cover (I agree, lot's won't) - Jazz is either seen as not up to it in that position or will be loaned out soon - he is not intending to play Bartley or a midfielder out of position I hope Obeng is given a chance in training and the reserves to show what he can do there. If Jazz and Tate are not seen as left-back cover for Davies, Obeng is the next logical choice. He may have no left foot but a full-back is a full-back and he has enough pace to give him a fighting chance against the Premiership's right wingers.
Sorry guys my fault for confusing things. I was trying to hghlight the rules for free agents. I don't suggest Owen is the solution for your LB problem.
only good thing about a right footer playing left back or vice versa is that 90% of the time the winger is always going to be kept wide
Paul Scharner was on that list, he's a defender...although basically an Alan Tate upgrade and would probably cost a fair bit in wages. That being said, he'd be more reliable (injury wise) than Hargreaves.
Apparently we can loan youngsters from Europe still. Anyone know if this is true? If so we couldn't have a better manager in place for such an assignment.
