“We cannot spend as much as the majority of clubs, but I think with four players we can do a lot to make the team better. It is not as bad as some are thinking. You need a better-balanced squad.” - Dick Advocaat on Sky,
Unfortunately he's probably right. Spoke to a cop just recently and he reckons the evidence against AJ is pretty damning and unless his brief works miracles when the case comes up, he's looking at jail time and not just a slap on the wrists.
I'd take him. Enough potential for someone like OShea or Brown to develop him into a good Prem player.
New 2nd choice keeper Trippier Jonny Evans Coates (if under £4m) Vergini (formality I believe) Rev (1 year extension offer) Matty Phillips Januzaj (loan) Gignac (free transfer) Out Mannone Brown (released) Bridcutt Buckley Fletcher Graham
Agree mostly Parker, apart from Vergini/Brown. Phillips would demand a change in formation though. Perhaps a good option to have.
Think he could play wide right of the striker. We have to be realistic about Defoe IMO. He can't really play the number 9 role in the 4-3-3. He should be used as an impact player/back up. Wickham isn't good enough to play week in week out. Front 3 Phillips Gignac Januzaj Pace power skill
Interesting. I love defoe's movement though and think he still has loads to offer. He's 32 and people act like he's 37. Maybe with better players around him than head-down Wickham (!) he would get more service. Lots depends on AJ as he's clearly our best player with the ball. Phillips would add much-needed pace but sure he's better wide midfield. Don't know anything about Gignac but if we are playing 433 we need much more from the one central striker than Graham (!) or Fletch can give. I watched Jerome batter Boro cbs yesterday and thought we need someone like that.
Retained players GK Pants Pickford Def Jones PVA O'Shea Coates - if we can get for 1-2mil, wouldn't spend any more on him Mid Rodwell Gomez Larsson Johnson - depending the obvious Giaccherini Cattermole Forwards Wickham - Give him one more year but play him as a striker to see if he can cut it Defoe Sell/Release Mannone - I would keep him but I think he will want to be off Brown Rev Vergini - I know (supposedly) their is a deal apparently in place but hopefully its bollocks Roberge Buckley Bridcutt Mavrias Ba Alvarez - as Vergini Fletcher Graham - probably keep him as a back up but if a bid came in I would let him go Buy x2 CB with one who can cover full back x1 FB x1 creative midfielder x1 winger x1 striker x1 experienced back up keeper Last few remaining squad positions I would try and bed in some of the youth like Watmore. So unfortunately it looks like (yet again) lots of work to do because of our ageing/below par squad.
Would you not keep Rev because he can cover both full back positions? I'd give him another year, think he's a very good player and we can get him because we've already got him!
