I think Booth only played a few matches and I think he did score only for it to be ruled out for offside or a foul or something which was a debatable decision. I may be wrong as it was some time ago! I have tomorrow off work, you know it will be a long agonising day watching sky sports news with baited breath!
I don't believe we're asking for that much for Gomes. He can't have much on his deal left (6 or 18 months tops in my opinion) and he hasn't featured for the club bar 2 Europa games last season in the past 18 months.
This is pretty much what I would say. It's a risk/reward signing for Fulham (if it happens). Do you think it's likely that you guys would let Hudd go now, assuming Holtby for £1.5m is a done deal?
I don't want Graham or Hooper. Not because I want a "glamorous" signing but both would likely be 2nd or 3rd choice striker and neither will come cheap. If we're signing a striker who won't be first choice, I'd rather it be a loan or another "Saha" (or even Saha himself). Otherwise, I'd like all available money to be (hopefully) used on a striker that'll come in as first choice. Negredo is my preference but if Damiao is as good as some suggest then I'll be delighted to welcome him too. Lisandro Lopez is another I like but that won't happen.
Holtby is done mate. He's already in the squad for tomorrow. Hudd can be a great player for Fulham and it's fair to say he had some of best years under Jol so there's a good chance the Dutchman can get him back to his best. At £5m, it's a good deal for Spurs, Fulham and Hudd in my opinion. EDIT: SD quite rightly pointed out it's tonight, not tomorrow! My time keeping is pony!
Cheers Dad! going back to what you guys are saying about Hooper and Graham. - The issue for me is that yes, they can probably do a job for us. But if we're talking about someone coming in who is "better than nothing"... they are way too expensive for "better than nothing" strikers. a better than nothing striker for me, is someone who's kicking on, got loads of experience and is going to cost "Holtby money" at the most. 5-8million on those two is a lot of money for someone who might not actually improve us, and is then likely to sit on the bench as soon as our injured players come back. it's not a productive use of funds, IMO. Like spurm says, we should always be looking to improve on what we have, and have back up contingencies in place.
I know what you are saying SoS but if Damaio and Negrado are not possible and loan deals aren't an option would you not take Hooper or Graham over nothing? I can see Graham on a loan deal happening which would be disappointing but may suit all parties as it would be minimal risk.
LOL, I've just typed the same thing as you in different words. I was even about to go back and edit mine as I forgot to use Saha as my example, but then I read your post! great minds SOS!
Yeah, i really liked the article on Lyon. Camolli may have been a bit scatter gun and overpaid on a few but it was a tactic that worked IMO. We signed some real gems that appreciated in value massively without inflating the wage bill too much. The ones that weren't a success were often sold on for similar money to what they were purchased for which means those punts only cost the players wages which isn't too bad. Start naming some 20-23 year old strikers for sub £15m, preferably more like £8-10m. I'll start: Wolfswinkel (may be a bit old, but not by much) Hernandez (too expensive???) Stephan El Shaarawy (possibly too expensive and out of our league? They have signed mario though) Charlie Austin
Last year Saha looked to be the perfect signing but in the end aside from that Newcastle game, it didn't go too well and the only issue I have with a loan signing, is that he won't be top draw, which is why Graham & Hooper aren't what we need either. I say we just hold on now until Ade gets back, as Villa Boas is going to play Holtby with Dembele & Parker through the middle so that leaves Defoe & Ade fighting for the lone striker role.
I actually thought Saha done pretty well in his time here. Newcastle like you say was his best performance with the brace, but he got the goal vs Arsenal (albeit it was in vain) and then hit a decent goal vs Bolton in the cup. Baring in mind he only started about 3 or 4 games too (I think), not such a bad return for a freebie.
you say that though Spurm, but apparently Lyon are listening to offers for a lot of their players. Apparently Bastos went in order to cut the wage bill. - sounds like great news for us! hopefully they'll have a bunch of kids playing when we have to face them in the EL!
Taking Hernandez as a good example Spurs, Arsenal and Man U all had supposedly top Mexican players and in the end Gio and Vela were flops and Hernandez has been quality. This is despite Gio being the star of the national team I really thought Hernandez would be a failure but he has been a great signing. Is there anyone else not in Europe (Damaio aside) that is scoring goals, like a Hernandez, that we haven't looked at? Players from the Americas are alway a gamble. There aren't many successes in the premier league. Can anyone think of 5 top strikers that have made it in the premier league from South, central and North America? Juan Pablo Angel springs to mind and Asprillia although was he a success?
Spurm, I'd rather we took a punt on Charlie Austin if he was available at the right price. he's still young and he's proven he can score goals where ever he's been. I also think the standard of the championship is higher than the SPL and would choose him over Hooper. El shawarayywaywrrayy is supposedly going to Napoli, if this Man City/Ac Milan/ Napoli "striker triangle" is to be believed, with Cavani heading to city. Jeez, why are we even having this conversation about SPL and championship strikers?! we should be talking about exciting talent, not make shift options.
Hmmm..possibly I was a tad harsh, yet this year I would rather we stick with what we have unless a real top player gets signed. I see Juve signed Anelka on a 5 month contract & Drogba is off to Turkey, aside from them two who else can be signed on a short term deal that could make an impact? as some of the names being branded about, like Graham & Hooper, aren't exciting me!
