Fraizer I mean of course, and in the best possible taste. Getting the feeling that anyone we get in has got to be a "Malky player" and not a wild card. That usually means a solid team player not necessarily possessing extrovert skills and possibly a temperament to match. In other words, a flair player that can either turn a game, or on the other hand disappear when things don't go his way. I can't put anyone we already have in that category - not sure whether that's good or bad. Is there room for a wild card in the camp, or is there a real risk that it'll disrupt the squad?
Malky is a top manager. If he thinks he can handle a player and the squad will benefit he will sign him. I dont think FC is what we really needed. Think we needed a better version of Rudy or HH. However FC is a good player , has pace and for the fee could turn out to be a bargain.
I think player mentality and attitude is very important. A split dressing room = issues on the pitch. I think the maverick type genius player can be incorporated as players recognise when someone has that brilliance in them. There's probably just a some sort of equation that goes (Brilliance x frequency of brilliance) - (wages + how much of a ****er x frequency of ****er type behaviour). If you can balance that in the rest of the squads opinion then your on to a winner. Cantona would be a classic example, he was a tosser, but he was constantly brilliant!
Agreed Hilts - especially your second sentence. Nice addition to the squad but without being ungrateful, we need other option types up front.
Posted similar on another thread hilts. With goals from all over the park, someone to bring the 2nd striker and midfield into the game more often would be more beneficial. I'm with Sparkey though, mustn't be ungrateful.
It is but MM's teams are all about hardwork, some maverick with too high an opinion could cause issues. The best brilliant players have the work ethic anyway. Bellers in our league but ronaldo, messi, xavi, Suarez, Rooney all run their socks off. I don't think you have to choose and if a player does make you choose you probably already know there'll be issues. It's why berbatov plays for Fulham despite have the quality to play for Real Madrid.
In reply to the we need a better rudy/hh, is Malky perhaps setting us up for the football we'll need to play in the pl? a little more Suarez/sturridge than the classic big man/little man combo that the pl gave up on about 10years ago.
Good point and theres no reason why you need a big man , little man combo. However when the opposition have everyone behind the ball we start going very direct. If thats the case theres no use having Bellamy Campbell up front. Smith could be key. Hes one of our few players who is genuinely comfortable on the ball. Could be like a new signing. Away from home a 4 4 1 1 with Smith behind a striker and I think any team will struggle against us.
No question about that, but Malky had better tell Marshall and his back four to stop lumping it up. We took on Blackpool on that bog of a pitch without a recognised "target man" and players like Smithy and Mason who need it played to their feet. What did we do? - Lumped it up all the first half - we didn't win a ball in the air. If the pitch was so bad (and it was) that it needed long ball tactics, why play those two? Keeping it on the deck would have been better despite the pitch. As it happens, I like that front two combo and you can add Bellamy and Campbell into that mix as well, but either it was the wrong pitch to try it on, or the game plan and instructions were ignored. OK, we won, so I suppose what am I bitching about?
Swansea fan in peace - just came over to say "good signing". Surprising to me that there's a few doubts (although perfectly reasonable how they're voiced). Struck me as a striker that, in the right team, could make waves in the prem. Bargain price - you aren't going to lose money on the fella! - and has every chance of making a mark when you go up. Think about Boothroyd before he came to you - maybe FC will have a half season banging in 10-15 goals and get that momentum he can carry across to next season. Anyhoo, best of luck for rest of reason.
Goodland - I don't think there have been any doubts expressed over the lad at all, just that he was not the sort of "front man" we were necessarily expecting to be brought in. As a 25 year old Premier League experienced quick goalscoring striker, he is an absolute bargain at £650K. Now all we need is someone for him to feed off. The present options in the squad are not that brilliant. Saying that, as we've said in previous posts on this thread, we have no problem with playing two smaller strikers up there as long as we employ the right tactics to get the ball to them.
He apparently went to two Sunderland away games in with the travelling Sunderland fans when he was injured. Shows what type of lad he is I think.
Polo - I've just left a message for you on the Leed's board. Leave 'em alone mate, they'll only get upset.
