I can't work this out - Borini was largely ineffective at first, proven by his inability to tie down a place in the side.and only came really to the fore in the last few games. When Johnson was playing well Borini looked average. Johnsons scored more goals and was far more effective than Borini for the entire season. Borini takes a great penalty - would anyone pay 10m or swap Johnson for Gardner as he was excellent at penalties as well (Borini, I know, is a far better player than Gardnerbut, over the entire season, he was as inconsistent as AJ - recent form only goes so far)
Disagree on Borini their fella. You can't contribute PDC's team selection as a negative for Borini, fact is every second Borini was on the pitch he ran his arse off offensively and defensively, our left side was solid last season with Borini and Alonso, they worked for each other, our right side was a laughing stock with AJ unwillingness to track back (albiet more willing than he was last season) and Bardo being out of his depth as per. We conceded a lot from that flank last season as they played like they didn't even know each other. I'm not going to fault either going forward as they both had a very respectable goals and assists tallies. Borini is a grafter with ability, AJ is all ability with not enough graft.
Not sure how you can say AJ was largely ineffective when he was top for goals and assists for us last season..
Yep. Dunno what it is with folk, indeed, the season before he was second top scorer and top for assists as well. I think people thought we'd signed ****ing EUsebio and overlook the lads real contribution, which is on a par with any winger in the league, bar Sterling.
I like em both, We don't need to sacrifice AJ for Borini anyway, money talks, a fair offer in cash for Fabio should be accepted.
Offer them £10 million, take or leave. Even if he didn't develop we'd see most of that back worst case.
Liverpool are considering a move in signing Sunderland star Adam Johnson, according to the Express. Related Stories Premier League - Poyet signs new Sunderland deal PA Sport World Cup - Henderson heaps praise on Sterling PA Sport Premier League - Wickham keen to be the main man at Sunderland PA Sport Football - Poyet signs new Sunderland deal PA Sport Premier League - Larsson pens new deal with Sunderland PA Sport Report The 26-year-old joined the Black Cats last summer on a £10m deal from Manchester City. The England international has been in fine form for Sunderland, especially during the second half of last season to help the club beat relegation. He scored eight goals and registered five assists from 36 league games. The report claims the Reds' derby rivals Everton are willing to make a loan approach for Johnson this summer. However, Sunderland are unwilling to allow their winger leave for a short spell and are looking for a permanent transfer to reduce their wage bill. Johnson is the Black Cats' highest paid player and Gus Poyet is aware that he may have to allow his star player to leave the club. This would rule out a move to Goodison Park, making way for Liverpool in landing the winger. The Anfield club's manager Brendan Rodgers has long been monitoring Johnson and is reportedly believed to be impressed with the former City man. Liverpool allowed Fabio Borini join Sunderland on a season-long loan during the 2013/14 season. The former Swansea manager is looking to allow the Italian forward join Poyet's side on a permanent deal, which would see them allow Johnson make a switch to Anfield this summer. The north east outfit would part ways with their midfielder for a lower transfer fee, which would include Borini as a part of the swap deal. Should Liverpool manage to beat Everton for Johnson's signature, it will see Rodgers add quality to his side's attacking division.
If we could get money and Borini it would be a good deal. While I like AJ we need to balance the books. Borini is younger so will be worth more in the future. It will be a difficult choice but if it means getting Borini plus money to buy a quality midfielder or centre half then I would go for it. I predict we will sell at least 2 players this summer: Probably AJ and Altidore, but it could be Fletcher and/or Giaccarini.
Have to agree to disagree bri. A number of times I watched Borini and thought "he doesn't give a ****" earlier in the season. Just my opinion like. Buts, as you say, there's no way we should be swapping. We should have them both
Agreed, don't get me wrong, I'm an AJ fan, just think fabio works harder for the team. He just lacks AJ's dribbling skills, but then , he's supposed to be a striker.
I'll tell you both something, if Liverpool sign Johnson I bet Johnson will make the next England squad, even if he's had 0 minutes on the pitch for Liverpool. I'm convinced Woy spends his evenings ****ing over a bindippers calendar at the end of his bed, so far January to June are all stuck together like a ****ing slab of paper mache.
I'll tell you something as well, when Woy finally got his arse to the stadium of light last season, he was the first England Manager to visit the stadium of light since Sven! Piss take or what Tel?
No, he came to watch us play Hull when Brown was sent off in the 3rd minute, You'd think in light of the game changing like that in the 3rd minute causing circumstances where he could never get an accurate assessment of a player, he'd come back for another look, but no. He punished AJ for Wes Brown's mistake. That's how unfit for the job the haggard old Owl is.
To be fair mate, he was probably just keeping up appearances, getting his face in a crowd so he can't be accused of ignoring certain teams. He'll have had no intentions of giving a chance to anybody from either team, the fact that he's picked John Flanagan for the England team tells me all I need to know about Roy Hodgson, the sooner he is gone the better.
