On a different note, not related to Bri's post but we sign Wijnaldum (who got player of the year ahead of Depay) and he's classed as a risk and yet people (mainly the media) never state any reservations about Depay and just assume he'll be a hit.
I haven't slated Matthews at all, or any of your buys. I've not even tried to say we've done better business because nobody knows until a few months in to the season.
But what is better business? Slight improvements for smalls costs, or bigger improvements for big costs? Its fine if you have bottemless pockest ala Man City etc, but for the rest of us its a toss up really.
I agree. Mitrovic could score 20 odd goals or he could flop. As you say, either way is a risk. Cheaper players are cheaper for a reason (normally) but we paid 12m for Cabella and he's been awful. Money guarantees nothing. On the flip side we've been signing players for between 4-6 million for years now and it's not really got us anywhere either. Sometime you get a gem for cheap such as Cabaye, Benteke etc. Others times you'll get landed with blokes classed as footballers such as Riviere. Any comparison prior to Christmas is irrelevant really.
Andres Guardado got Eredivisie player of the year and Memphis won their equivalent young player of the year... no idea what award you're talking about. FWIW, I think Wijnaldum will be a great acquisition, he's a brilliant talent, I don't think many people who've seen him will disagree. Memphis will be a hit.
I wasn't inferiority anything, i was stating a fact. I feel is a safe bet and relevant of where we needed to strengthen, that slot needed competition for place. A competition fullback for two million. No risk at all for me fella. If he fails, we'll probably get the two million back How you get 'I wouldn't want have done your business' from 'we've done slightly better business' is beyond me but it's starting to look like word twisting. My focus wasn't even on Newcastle, it was just a part of a post that I was addressing in reply to another post and was most certainly a side non issue. But if you want to turn this into a mag thread I don't mind giving my views. You've done some good business imo. Esp Wij, the issue with the young lads from my point of view is that it's a large chunk of budget for young lads when you consider the work your squad needs. I think there's a chance they'll be a lot of unneeded pressure on them to perform as Newcastle don't have the luxury of a quality squad to bring them on at their own pace say like a club like spurs could. That in my opinion leaves a chance of a backfire, I'm not questioning their talent or potential, purely club transfer policy, just looks risky to me, that's no assumption they'll fail. You also still need loads of work your defence and leftside. Add you lads seem to think there's a possibility of quite a few high profile exits like Tiote, Sissoko, Cab and Colo. That's how I've compiled my assessment and is just an opinion that i'm in no way passing off as fact. Feel like I need to over clarify everything.
Like I said to GCB there's only our two cbs and their cb which are comparable. I don't see the point. It's not the sort of thing you can compare with figues, only personal subjective opinion can do that.
I just checked and there's a quote from Wijnaldum saying "Depay should have won it" whilst he was collecting it... **** knows what's happened there, maybe they took it back off him when they found out he was going to Newcastle
You do seem to be doing more calculated business under Advocaat mate, it's about time as your scouts haven't had the best record of late. Newcastle are also doing something out of the ordinary, so comparisons are going to be drawn here, both clubs in unfamiliar territory in the window. Like you say there's a month left, be interesting to see how both teams are fairing under some real leadership in a few months time when the squads have had chance to work together.
The Belgian isn't overall, pretty even. The top sides are better but the rest are pretty poor. I will say with all honesty I wouldn't have wanted Mbemba or Mitrovic, but then again they could be quality in the league, we have to wait and see. Wijnaldum is quality, no question, and if de Jong is fit you are in a good place in midfield. de Jong could be the best news you have if he ever plays, he's very good when he occasionaly is healthy.
Both have to improve on the Bosses alone. Our business seems to be genuinely addressing our flaws. Sounds the simplest thing in the world but when you think it took us the best part of 5 seasons to bring in a permanent left back it really shows how **** we are at addressing the obvious.
I still like Borini, he plays on the right so Defoe on the left is a good combo. Austin would be great but a free next season and he wants £80,000 a week now. Give QPR Graham and Bridcutt plus £10m then pay Austin (15-20 goals for us next season) the wages. Lens playing behind those two to will be fun to watch !
