Suspect that's more lazy journalism based on the fact they've previously worked together, and he'll be cheap. With Gutierrez, Pilkington, Redmond naturals there, then Olsson, Hoolahan, Snodgrass and Bennett (eventually...) able to play there, it's not like we need further strengthening out wide. It also wouldn't make sense to sign both Gutierrez and Lovenkrands, surely one would be enough?
Always used to play as a CAM and chipped in with the odd goal, but hardly prolific. Now and certainly at the weekend against Liverpool he was dropped back a bit but he is not that good defensively but has good touch and passing for Championship level. Works hard, but if we want to improve we need to set our sights higher.
Ah, good to know, thanks . He's still quite young so I guess he has room for improvement? But yes, does not sound like the immediate answer to our problems. He is a midget though, so that would please some people.
Not sure if it's already been mentioned on here yet, but West Ham have made a couple of very respectable signings. Nocerino on loan from Milan and Borriello on loan from Roma. Blimey.
To my mind, there are two major different types of loan signings: (1) the up-and-coming youngster - with the parent club looking to give them experience at a higher level than they can offer, and the club taking them on loan possibly looking for a bit of class above their normal transfer targets, but more often a bright spark that will lift the team on occasions and offering surprise factor. Several examples come into mind - obviously Lukaku, Alvaro Vazquez, Deulofeu spring to mind, but closer to home we have Jamar Loza (2) the experienced head - not necessarily over 30, but certainly the parent club finds them a bit of a burden on the wage bill and they're not likely to play much because their star is on the wane, so offloading them to another club may (i) help their value go up and (ii) free up squad places for promising younger players not sent out on loan/new signings to bed in. For the loaning club, they are looking for an experienced head to steady the ship inexpensively and to provide a bit of strength in depth, possibly even a test for a future signing. Examples are plentiful - Garrido was originally in this bracket for us, and this season clearly Elmander and Gutierrez are here, Everton again have this example in the form of Barry, Villa with Holty. Now neither is a "better" loan, each is required for different circumstances - Everton have done brilliantly because they have used their different loans perfectly and they plugged the gaps needed. I'm also of the opinion that our loans are the correct ones, and I think Holt will prove a good (if quiet and not necessarily celebrated) loan signing for Villa. The trouble with West Ham is I don't think they needed old heads. They have plenty of that. Borriello is probably the better of those two because they do need strength up front, and both have clearly been class players in their time, but I really think that West Ham's problem is they don't have a bright spark. Obviously they missed out on Lacina Traore on loan, which would have been a much better signing IMO. So all in all, I'm not too worried about this. Neither of those players would have added much to our squad (maybe more Nocerino), so I don't necessarily see this as a big leap for them.
Both will be on astronomical wages so will fit in at Wet Sham nicely. They bought their way out of trouble when they were relegated to the Championship. It looks to me like they're trying to do it again. Perhaps it will work but it's just as likely to blow up in their face. Big gamble with their spiraling debt. I for one and very glad our club isn't run this way.
Giaccherini hasn't exactly proved an inspired signing for Sunderland; done OK but that's really all you can say. Big Sam is hardly your cultured Italian manager; I wonder what the pair will make of him (and of a no holds barred relegation dogfight).
True about Sam - they won't know what's hit them!! I must confess I actually think Giaccherini has been pretty good - has looked classy every time I've seen him play, though admittedly I've only seen him a couple of times. Pretty difficult to shine given Sunderland's struggles. In other news apparently Bolton have confirmed that Swansea have signed David N'Gog!!!
I agree; Giacherini is a good player in the wrong team. We would be a better fit for him IMO. As for N'Gog, talk about left field! Is this a stop-gap signing because Laudrup is leaving in the summer?
Samuel Inkoom was mentioned as a possible target before. Here he is getting sent off in possibly the most unnecessary fashion I can think of: [video=youtube;WpOrVVLyKz0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WpOrVVLyKz0[/video]
That's really weird DH. I wonder what the process is here. Could they still bring on the sub as it had been announced, therefore basically made, or as he was still standing on the field was he still deemed to be one of the currently playing XI and thus they were reduced to 10 men.
