We need a left and right sided midfielder more than we need a striker. Brady is so off form and had he not scored those two pens would he still be held in such regard. He needs a defined position and soon Gedo is a million miles away from being a decent player.
I can see GLP's point that our lack of creativity comes from strikers not making runs but I think a lot of it is down to the midfield too. We lack any real width and whilest our deep midfielders are good, we don't really have an attacking midfielder who can create space or beat a man. Sagbo is currently an automatic selection but who plays alongside/off him? That's the position which needs filling. Aluko would be good but he's forever getting injured.
Brucey needs to use his network to see who is loanable come January. I think we should take the option up for Livermore providing he wants to sign. Someone on the fringes of the Top 4 team would be nice but probably a pipe dream.
The more I think about it Ross McCormack and Rhodes. Have they played in the same Scottish team together?
Only for about 5 minutes at the end of 1 game. They've been in the same squad a few times, but not on the pitch at the same time in the games.
he is doing well in switzerland he scored 4 goals untill now also i read that fc basel want him as possible replacement for salah who is leaving in january or at the end of the season according to his agent (possibly to one of the top 6 teams in the PL)
Yes to Long - Rhodes and Wells if Defoe becomes a No No and goes straight to Toronto in the MLS. No to the rest especially Mr Lazy Berba-flop. No we dont. Strikers is what we need. How many that come in will depend on how many leave on top of Danny Graham.
I agree with Canadatiger. No way Dafoe goes to Toronto. They suck ass, the city isnt one with a big draw to it and there is no way he goes there. No matter how much money they toss out. If it was LA, SJ, NY or someplace like that maybe he would take the step down to the MLS level but no way he goes to Toronto. Most of you dont watch the MLS, Toronto isnt Championship level and they might not be League 1 level either.
Pissed again ? (1) He's not an actor, he doesn't dive...he's Defoe, nor does he write about shipwrecks. (2) Ffing brilliant place...watch yer mouth ! (3) Pub League more like (4) I'd love him at City, but highly unlikely, too expensive (salary even if free), but the management will baulk at that.....but then again ?
I'll be less diplomatic with your second point. I think the idea of Toronto as a city not being a big draw to a British player is a bit misguided. I don't think it's unfair to say that the general impression of Canada over here is that other than the French bits it's just like the USA, but nicer because it's not full of typical Americans. That makes getting to go and take the MLS money whilst living there a lot more attractive than somewhere like San Jose. (As SJ was mentioned next to LA and NY I assume it was the cities rather than the club that were being referred to rather than the clubs)
If we go for a striker, we need one that's in form, not one that used to be good (Graham) or one that might turn out to be good (Altidore). I'd go for Danny Ings, think Rhodes will cost too much for AA to shell out for. We do need a playmaker who can dictate the attacking play and take some of the burden from Thudd, who is starting to get doubled up on. I quite like Kasami at Fulham, but there must be somebody in Brazil we can tempt over? Or, left field and very young but might not cost a lot, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mats_Møller_Dæhli This lad is supposed to be amazing, no idea why he left Man U. Was in the same 'class' as Januzaj (who would be a decent loan option) and won player of the season over him. Tipped as Norway's most promising youth talent, he already has 2 caps for the senior side.
I think Ellewoods was probably suggesting both the clubs & the cities would be more attractive. I agree with him on the clubs bit (TFC are and always have been absolutely crap...relative to the rest of the MLS, which is generally crap), but any decent player (from wherever) going to Toronto potentially could be a superstar to the punters. If so, he would be idolized. Sadly, there are few living sporting heroes in Toronto any more - be it ice hockey, baseball, Canadian Football and especially "soccer"....so from that perspective it would be a good choice, given the suggested contract Defoe is being offered. I was just teasing Ellewoods about his (unintended I'm sure) insinuation that Toronto as a city is not a draw...less glamour as the other cities he mentioned, but a great place to live & bring up a family. Danny Dichio seems to love it (head coach of TFC under 19s & pundit on the main "soccer" network over here - along with Craig Forrest). Interesting point you make about the Brit impression of Canada vs the US. The Canadians have the same impression (about the Yanks & Quebeckers). No offense Ellewoods, you're exempt from that classification !!! There you go, diplomacy is one of my strongest attributes !
Yea it wasnt a slight on Toronto as much as that the other cities and clubs would be more attractive. Toronto is well known as a great city. But in comparison to LA, SJ for instance there isnt any comparison as far as climate goes. Dafoe could go to any MLS team he wanted and I cant imagine he would go to Toronoto when he could be playing with Keane in LA and living in Hollywood or Beverly Hills. He could live in SJ have 75 degree weather all year no snow and be a short drive from wine country and SF. Houston is probably a decent draw but the heat in the summer might be to much for someone who is used to the weather in England. NY is a big city and if you like that kind of thing its probably the biggest draw but it aint my cup of tea. When you are someone like Dafoe you can go where you want. Us Americans have a great view of Canada. In fact I think most Americans probably dont know it is a seperate country. I dont think I have heard a single comment in my life from anyone negative against Canada. They do this test every few years and something like 50% of us dont know what side of the border Canada is on. We really dont think of them as a seperate place. Sorry to all the people who live in Canada if I sounded pissed or something. I was clearing brush on my farm and got one of the worst cases of poision oak of my life. Its covering almost 25% of my body and I am drugged up and not exactly diplomatic right now.
Arena has made it absolutely clear that he's not going to let Donovan go out on loan this January, so much as I think he would be great for us with his versatility he's not coming. I'd go for Griffiths from Wolves over Rhodes any day of the week. Far more mobile, fantastic left foot, fast and aggressive. Made Rhodes look pedestrian when they both turned out for Scotland. Defoe would be crazy to go to Toronto...crap team and the weather is horrible...either freezing or bug ridden humid. I used to live there. As Ellewoods says...Galaxie or San Jose would suit him fine.
No problem and no need to apologise. I fully understood what you were saying - directed primarily, quite rightly, at TFC & not the city itself. Just my attempted (weak) sarcasm. A little radical for you to jump into the bush to cut down on alcohol expenses ! Hope you recover soon. I've heard many times that a significant # of Americans think that Canada is one of the Northern States, close to Alaska...bloody funny that. Tough WC draws for both our countries today no ?
Toronto is a lovely place actually. Massive draw and with £3.5m in wages per season for a 31 year old is very good. Spurs fans think that it will happen but after the WC in Rio. You also forget that JD is close mates with Toronto coach Ryan Nelson who used to be at Spurs. For now Defoe has gotr himself back into the Spurs team so the landscape may well change. Twt as always. Last night Steve Bruce told Burnsy that he had talked with Arsennse Wenger last week about some french players. No names mentioned.
It will come back to bite them big time at the end of season - Unless of course they manage to vastly reduce there squad numbers in January that is. Remember FL championship clubs can only have a debt of £8m for the season. All debt prior to this season is exempt from the new FFP regs,.
