From what I've seen of Marin, he'd be an excellent replacement for Kranjcar, Alfie. It would help if Redknapp actually picked him, though! We might do well to continue trying to get in good prospects and bring them on, like we have with Huddlestone, Lennon, Modric (though he was expensive) and the like. Rose, Walker and Caulker could all push for places next season, especially if they're given a chance to impress in the cups.
If we sell Bentley we could go after Albrighton from Villa. I thought he did pretty well young and some potential
With Downing and Young looking to be on the way out of Villa Park, they'll be desperate to hang onto Albrighton.
Ben Foster, Scott Parker, Daniel Sturridge...surely all realistic targets who would be an improvement on what we already have and not break the wage structure??
They're not unreasonable targets, RRP. I don't agree with Foster and I'm not convinced that Parker's worth what he'd cost, but I wouldn't jump straight to WUM.
Hmmm maybe your right PNP, I'm usually good at sniffing out WUM's though I would take Sturridge that's for sure! But Foster is far from the class of keeper we need, he makes too many silly mistakes I don't want to sound a depressing sod, but what's this fascination with Parker? He is the flavour of the month with the English press and that's all really. He is a good mid-table player who showed just how poor the West Ham team are I'm really not impressed with some of the rumoured targets we are after, hardly shouting ambition for the likes of Modric to want to stay for really
RRP do you assume anyone with different views to yourself is a WUM? Surely majority of Spurs fans would take Foster over the current keepers and definitely over 40 year old Friedel? Parker not better than the starting 3 CM but better than the rest and would add something against the smaller sides that want to defend and leave with a draw, a relegated West Ham would also not be able to command such a high fee for him as they have in the past. Sturridge is strong, quick, young striker who scored more premier league goals than Defoe, Crouch and Keane in only 11 apps.
RRP do you assume anyone with different views to yourself is a WUM? -------------- Not at all, sorry I must have got you wrong, long and stressful day!
I'm not a fan of Foster and I'd rather we picked up Friedel for nothing and went after another back-up keeper and a younger one to loan out, which might not be that realistic. Being able to draw on Modric, Sandro, Huddlestone and Parker as central midfield options would certainly give us a lot of different, workable combinations and Parker definitely has something that we lacked last season: leadership. He dragged West Ham through so many games on his own, it was embarrassing. He's a little injury prone, a little costly and his wages are probably a bit high too, but I've got no reservations about him as a player. Sturridge is dangerous, pacey, strong, a good finisher and I think he'd be able to play as a lone striker. I sense quite an ego there and I think Chelsea will keep hold of him, but I definitely wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him, especially if he didn't cost as much as some of the ridiculous options that we've heard.
I'd like to see two new strikers brought in. I'd obviously like to see us splash the cash on a big name player like hulk, but I've not seen much football outside of the PL so I can't really form an opinion. I've not seen these two mentioned yet but I think either Gyan or Odemwingie would be a good option. Both can cut it at premier league level, not too expensive wages. Not saying one of these will solve all our probems, but I'd rather us have them rather than Crouch, Keane and Defoe. I really don't want to see Adam is a Spurs top next season. Brilliant at set pieces but has a temper. I'm not just refering to the tackle on Bale, but over the season he has lost his head a few times, plus his teeth bothers me. I'd have Scott parker anyday. Foster doesn't give me any confidence at set-pieces, he cannot for the life of him command his area. Regardless of what the clueless pundits say, Gomes was ok at commanding his area, he just made stupid individual mistakes. Not sure I'm keen on Fridel either though, it would just be our luck he ends up gettiing injured. Shay given is a no-no because of City, plus he is injury prone. What about Wigan's keeper? he seems good, anyone? After all this I bet we end up with Joe cole, Wes brown and Upson.
But Adam goes to the same dentist as Ledley...ledley As for Parker, and another bloody spammer who keeps cropping up Upson, both decided to spend the peak of their career at West Ham, Upson partly at Birmingham. I just don't see what either add, other than PL experience...of relegation battles. Not the best of cv's!
