Rival watch

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He looks good on YT (although most footballers do seeing as how they're all highlight reels).

According to wiki he has a decent goalscoring record.

Reasonable fee, was keen, looks like he'll be decent and provides cover for an area we lacked depth - what's not to like?
 
SpursDisciple said:
No idea, but we needed wing reinforcements now that Bale doesn't play there. Never heard of him until we expressed interest, so can't claim to be excited about the player.
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It's a step up from Twente to Spurs and the PL for sure. I think your MF is looking quite strong with Paulinho, Sandro and Dembele now, not sure about your wide men though now Bale is playing a free role. Shouldn't AVB be buying a striker though ?
 
PleaseNotPoll said:
How many times did he get banned for slagging off unfavourable refs?
How many times did officials end up in the lower leagues after a Man Utd loss?
How many officials ended up effectively blacklisted for big Utd games after an unfavourable result?
How many times did we end up with 'controversial' decisions from Clattenburg and Webb in games against Utd?

You'll be saying that he didn't act like a dictator to reporters next.
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What we don't know if whether the refs kowtowed to Utd because they are Utd or because of Fergie. I suspect we haven't seen the end of them getting the benefit of the doubt all the time.
 
Worth a punt at that price I suppose. Will be interesting to see if Holtby gets more game time in a different role now.
 
Piskie

I think this is a very good signing to be honest. we've needed another winger as cover and now to take Bales place as he plays inside now!
I reckon that we've signed 2 players that will enhance the squad.

I also feel that Holtby will settle in next season and show to us that he is a top player. I'll probably get shot down for this but I honestly believe that holtby can play the Modric role for us.
 
junction8spurs said:
Piskie

I think this is a very good signing to be honest. we've needed another winger as cover and now to take Bales place as he plays inside now!
I reckon that we've signed 2 players that will enhance the squad.

I also feel that Holtby will settle in next season and show to us that he is a top player. I'll probably get shot down for this but I honestly believe that holtby can play the Modric role for us.
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I would have said Paulinho would be more likely to play the Modric role. Personally I'm not convinced by Holtby, I don't know if it was because he was played out of position, or just that he didn't really get enough game time, but for all the plaudits he got before he joined, he seemed pretty ineffective really.

As I mentioned, Paulinho is a top quality addition. Don't take this the wrong way, but I would have thought a bigger club would have come in for him, I was a bit surprised that only Spurs were interested. Your MF through the middle looks good now, not sure about your wide men and of course you are still screaming out for a striker.
 
Paulinho is a box to box player which Modric never was.
Holtby always seems to find space and makes himself available, like Modric always did. It didn't help last season when he was played in different positions every game, but I reckon he can turn into a top player for us.
 
PISKIE said:
I would have said Paulinho would be more likely to play the Modric role. Personally I'm not convinced by Holtby, I don't know if it was because he was played out of position, or just that he didn't really get enough game time, but for all the plaudits he got before he joined, he seemed pretty ineffective really.

As I mentioned, Paulinho is a top quality addition. Don't take this the wrong way, but I would have thought a bigger club would have come in for him, I was a bit surprised that only Spurs were interested. Your MF through the middle looks good now, not sure about your wide men and of course you are still screaming out for a striker.
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Bale is ok tbf
 
Not a replacement for Holtby from the sounds of things, more like Dempsey's replacement. Don't know much about him other than watching a few clips of him on Youtube so not going to pretend I have much of an opinion on him at this stage other than he looks a useful player. How useful will depend on stuff that Youtube doesn't show, like consistency but considering his price then so long as he does better than Dempsey then we've improved our squad and we'll only be spending a small amount if we get a few bob for Dempsey.

As for Holtby, he looked very good initially playing in the centre and supporting the wingers. That was in sub appearances though which allowed him to look all action, running around everywhere. Also pretty much as he joined Bale was starting to be used in more of a free role which meant Holtby couldn't be used in the number 10 role he normally plays. I'm not too worried about him, he's only started 7 games for us so it's too early to judge him all that much. It's set up better for him this season, he's got a full preseason to get his fitness up to Premier League levels and has a chance to prove himself when players are rested in the Europa League. What I like about him is his attitude, he wants to get stuck in all the time and very much wants to be here in the Premier League, he just needs time to adapt.

I'm not so sure about the Modric comparison. He's a quick thinker and can keep the ball moving well, like Modric, but from what I've seen I think he's better doing that further forward for us at least until he learns how to tackle. I'd say he's more like Ozil in terms of style but he's got a long way to go to get as good as him.
 
The most important thing though is that we're moving on targets early. Whether we miss out on them or sign them, it's good to see we're not waiting to get players sold first or holding out in the hope that our top targets will become available for cheaper at the end of the window. I'm guessing Bale's holding off signing the new contract, until he's seen the spending he's been promised, is probably helping prevent Levy from dawdling.
 
I believe he had a year left on his contract hence the fee. Highly rated player - apparently a significantly cheaper and better Eden hazard :-p

Good signing as we have needed decent wing cover for a while although we have Townsend back again. We are starting to look like a squad now rather then a team. Apart from up front of course lol
 
Why would we be replacing Holtby having only signed him 6 months ago <doh>

Holtby ran the show for Germany in the U21 Euros, playing the number 10 role, I have every faith he would do the same for us if we played him in his proper position!
 
Does anyone else remember the Liverpool New Signing clips from last season? They've done it again:

[video=youtube;r9eHiO-FZcQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9eHiO-FZcQ[/video]

Can they do one on Messi, please?
 
I'll make it simple for you lads.

He's Belgian, and nowadays that means he will be immense.

I haven't seen the lad to back it up, but what I say is the way it is in the game right now.

Logic.
 
Paolo's Pecs said:
I'll make it simple for you lads.

He's Belgian, and nowadays that means he will be immense.

I haven't seen the lad to back it up, but what I say is the way it is in the game right now.

Logic.
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<laugh> I admire your confidence.

I think if he was 'immense' we'd be paying more than £7m for him and there'd be a few more clubs sniffing around. But hopefully the club have done enough homework to think he has a chance of succeeding. His highlights reel is encouraging, some quality goals which you can't fake.
 
Wandering Yid said:
<laugh> I admire your confidence.

I think if he was 'immense' we'd be paying more than £7m for him and there'd be a few more clubs sniffing around. But hopefully the club have done enough homework to think he has a chance of succeeding. His highlights reel is encouraging, some quality goals which you can't fake.
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To the contrary mate, £7 million is a big, big fee for a lad who was in the last year of contract and thus available to sign a pre-contract for nothing in January.

Kinda similar to the deal you guys did with Holtby, except you haven't pissed about till January.

**** me you need 2 strikers though, I assumed Benteke was nailed on.
 
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