As teams evolve, there are always players who get left behind and I think over time Livermore will be seen as a decent squad player but maybe just that. Fom his point of view, having got in the national squad a few months ago, it is important for him to be getting more regular football than he currently is, so the move makes sense. On the flip side, this will be his 7th or 8th loan move which is not particuarly positive regarding his long term future with us. I think he and AVB will have some talking to do this coming summer.
The phrase 'he protesteth too much' comes to mind. Al this talk of Galatasaray comes allegedly from his agent. Wondering if it is a last ditch attempt to get the sort of move he is actually after - maybe he is not so much in demand as we would have thought?
People wonder how they missed MIchu and Swansea found him. I think a lot of it was that Swansea stuck Michu in the lineup and did everything possible to support him. I understand it's tough at a bigger club, but I do wonder what would have happened if we'd done the same with Gylfi (who, after all, was a big impact player for Swansea last year...) Some players do well with a constant struggle for a spot, but many benefit from greater security.
The only other 'fro' in the squad is Benny, and while Bennyfro is quite a catchy name he is still quite a useful player so stay clear of that one! Huddlefro you've had quite a few names haven't you, unlucky with the players you pick...
My thought was, maybe Leandro isn't such a good idea anyway. High scorer in the Olympics? We already tried the high scorer for the Olympics winning team, and that didn't work out so well. One striker, I agree, certainly seems too few. But in terms of keeping up with the teams around us, I see three teams that have much more money to spend, 16 that have weaker squads, and one that's pretty comparable. Arsenal certainly do have more strikers, but Giroud and Podolski are both on a pace to score 10-11 each, and to me that's not good enough, not quite. We've made up ground on Arsenal because we've spent better, and there's nowhere you're likely to spend poorly than on a striker. The trick is to somehow get someone good without spending much money on him, or someone great without spending all that much. Of course, I don't really know how that's going to happen... Incidentally, Ade scored 24 for the goons. Defoe's high was 18, so I was wrong there.
Haha lets not get onto the subject of my name on here, another time!! (hopefully not) Didn't realise Sneijder had until Monday, but I agree with what's been said. I think his lack of a resale value this time round due to his age, coupled with his wage demands is limiting the demand for his services. He's a class player but I don't think he would be a Levy buy at his age and on his wages. If he had that ability and was 8 years or so younger then I reckon he might be a bit more open to paying the wages! I doubt he was ever considering Galatasaray seriously but it is in all likelihood his agent canvassing for a move. Classic agent tactics. Looked up O'Hara and he was on the bench for Wolves tonight. Don't know what happened to him because he always had some talent, thought he'd be doing well at a club like Wolves (no disrespect intended) where he could maybe be more of a central figure than he ever was here. Sad that he's declined so much.
When he let him out on loan to Portsmouth he was superb, looked like he was going to really kick on and make something of himself but he's regressed hugely since then, I think I remember him having some fairly bad injuries. EDIT: Just remembered he's with Danielle Lloyd That might have something to do with it...
In fairness to O'Hara, he has been out all season with a bad injury and last evening was only the 2nd time he has been available. If he can recapture full fitness and form and is played in his best position, he is capable of being an effective player in that division.
It's a similar one to VDV though mate, except fit the wages. The fee isn't high and we could have him for a couple of seasons and sell him for pretty close to what we buy him for, if all goes well. But those wages are out of sight for most clubs. He's going to end up in a **** league playing for an oil tycoon, and it's his own fault. - and they'll be stuck with him as no one can afford the wages. He's crippling his own "dream move" to the prem. If I remember correctly, I think Danielle Lloyd has had her fair share of problems in the last few years. I think it's severe depression she is/was suffering with, and o hara has had to take a lot on in his personal life.
In the gossip this morning we are renewing our interest in Willian. Defoe and Adebayor or Willian and Negredo is a no contest for me.
Even better TMT is that the Brazilian the Chavs thought they'd signed, Taison, has snubbed them! and gone to Shakthar making Willian re-think. http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/11/taisons-chelsea-snub-opens-door-for-spurs-to-sign-willian-3348580/ I think its telling that their Brazilian counterparts at Chelsea, Oscar, Ramires etc couldn't convince either of them to go there! There again maybe not, until a fulltime manager is installed, would you want to go there! how often do new managers come in and change things, might not fancy a good player etc. Its an environment of uncertainty you'd choose not to walk into.
That says a lot. To choose Shakthar over Chelsea, who are the European champions with all of their Brazilian players, just shows that despite the money that chelsea can offer, players are being put off by them. No disrespect to Shakthar, but why would any player choose the ukranian league over the premiership? It'll be interesting to see if this affects any other player who they are targeting. I never thought we'd see this, as chelsea blow most clubs out of the water when it comes to the personal terms.
Ah right, didn't know about problems in his personal life tbh or indeed his recent injury record. Might explain dips in form or absences from the team. Sad for him of course so hopefully he can kick on and really make himself a success. Seems like the kind of guy who could really become an vital player for Wolves if he can get himself playing again. At 26 he's get plenty of time left. Completely agree with the comparison with VdV Roo, except Sneijder's pricing himself out of a move to a major club IMO as a Man U or City would probably prefer to look at someone a few years younger (Eriksen for example) who not only would command less wages but also might have good resale value if he doesn't do well or thrown his toys out of the pram. This could well be Sneijder's last big move at 29 but I can't see him being in to much demand from the kind of clubs he's looking to play major football with unless he lowers his wage demands somewhat.
Sneijder's game for me revolved around his energy and stamina, he's all action all over the pitch. I actually think he's less effective than when he was at Inter, at 29, fitness levels are going to lessen, and players have to adjust. He'll still provide moments of quality, but he won't dominate games so much as he used too imo. Great experience though which can't be discounted.
According to La Parisien (via BBC Gossip), Yann M'Vila is available for £8.3m. Errm, so why aren't we jumping in? He was one of Andre's targets in the summer, but Rennes wanted closer to £20m for him, so surely we should be making a play for him rather than playing transfer chicken?