It was a season long loan with an option to buy, but I was under the impression that Marseilles had to buy once he'd played a certain number of games [like Santon.] I wouldn't take Cabella back myself. He's had a shocking season in France and he wouldn't improve the side. We've moved on.
Nah, Obertron's been useful last 15 appearances or so. He actually did stuff, come on, run cause problems. Obertron on the bench is okay for a squad like ours. The Gouf is a grafter and can't really make an impact from the bench apart from protecting a lead...leading in score is something we haven't done since 2012. No idea what Thauvin is doing or saying or not doing in training so hard to judge. But letting such an expensive signing go on loan after 5 months is throwing in the towel prematurely. He needs to bulk up, build up strength and fitness. Maybe he's been unwilling to do so.
I've got no complaints with Gouff. He's not great but always tries his best and like others have said has not moaned or kicked up a stink at being a squad player like others have done. I'd prefer to see him make way for a much better player, but wouldn't moan about the likes of him being retained as a squad player. Same goes for Obertan. I think he's actually done ok in his performances this season and last - there just hasn't been enough of them due to injuries. I think he's another who could be an option as a squad player, but I wouldn't lose any sleep if we sold him. However, there are others I'd prefer to be above him on the list for shipping out. As for Thauvin, I'd be in favour of giving him at least till the end of the season - provided his heart is still in it (if it ever was). We haven't seen enough yet to judge. There were surely better options available for the money we paid though - like buying a decent LB or CB. He is a luxury player which is not what you need when you are fighting relegation. However, now that we have him, if we are to survive relegation and move forward next season then shipping him back where he come from will just leave us looking for another luxury player next summer, and we'll be back to square one (minus 14 million quid). If the squad improves then ultimately there should be room for a couple of luxury players in there. Right him off for this season and use the time to coach him into the English game, giving him sub appearances when we can afford to. It all depends where we will be in 5 months time!
Not just under the microscope apparently. He's being outvoted now by Charnley, McClaren and Moncur on the 'board' as a result of the Thauvin fiasco. Carr assured McClaren, Charnley [and Ashley] that Thauvin would hit the ground running and would take the PL by storm. He had been scouting him for three years and was convinced. The Lacazette offer - Scouted by Carr, but McClaren has watched him and rates him highly. Wijnaldum - Not a Carr signing. McClaren has contacts in Holland and is friends with PSV coach, Philip Cocu. He [McClaren] was the one who wanted Wijnaldum and he initiated contact with PSV. He also wanted Shelvey in the summer as he believed our midfield was too 'lightweight' with little creativity. McClaren wants Berahino and is desperate to get Townsend. McClaren is also a massive fan of Ryan Shawcross, but doesn't think we would be able to tempt him away from Stoke. Just something I have been told, so cannot verify the accuracy.
So, in short, having a football manager involved in first team transfers appears a better idea than that fcking ludicrous head coach/recruitment team crap we've been trying, and failing with, for nearly a decade. Funny that.
The Shelvey signing was vetoed in the summer by Carr and Charnley. Since then however, Charnley has realised that he should have signed Shelvey.
All you really want is to see lessons being learned. Carr seems utterly incapable of doing so, so thank jeebus penfold has finally woken up. Let's hope it's not too late. Still unsure on the striker situation mind.
Not wanting to be too controversial, but if this is true then it might show that Ashley was serious in his interview about a change in policy and funding what we need. Perhaps the fault lies with Carr and Charnley rather than Ashley??
Apparently we have targeted Berahino in line with our transfer policy. McClaren rates him highly and believes that he will step straight in and solve our goalscoring problem. Gouffran is leaving btw. Obertan is not expected to leave until the summer.
I have been told that he [Ashley] is absolutely furious. He was expecting us to be much higher in the table and is apparently livid that we were knocked out of the cups. He doesn't blame McClaren for that. He blames Charnley and Carr for 'wasting' a substantial portion of the funds given to them.
Certainly don't think we can complain at £70 million being spent this season. Can't blame him for being furious at how it has been spent!
I can't see Berahino (or Lacazette) being happy to come here. Both have ideas above their station, or at least above ours, and for me forcing the issue with cash is a mistake. Not that I have an answer mind! I always thought Wenger could be tempted to sell Campbell. Let's see, but it looks like no striker here for west ham match, sadly. As for Ashley, I've long thought he was being duped by penfold and Carr. Not that he's a saint, as it didn't take much to see how shyt they both are and he could easily have replaced with better. But those two are currently 90% culpable for this season. As has been said, Carr should be sacked for Thauvin alone.. Factor in how much we have lost including Cabella and its over £30m down the swanny. Mitrovic has scored twice, Gouff is nowhere, Anita and Colback both remain bang average. How he's employed is a mystery.
Lacazette is a no a go. He has no intention of joining us. Berahino wants to move to Spurs. As for Ashley, he's removed himself from the equation because he thought he was [rightly] part of the problem. He's apparently devolved much of the power to Charnley and Carr. Like he said in his interview, he supplies the money [and we have a LOT...we're talking over a £100 million available to spend] and Charnley and Carr spend it. I understand that McClaren has been told to identify the players he wants and the club will do their best to buy them. The policy is still largely to sign unproven players and develop them, but the club is now looking at established PL players and a relaxed policy in relation to those over 27 that are the 'right' players and will improve the team and squad. Make of that what you will.
Marseilles must have had a good laugh at us for paying £24 m for players that are useless ( or at least at present )
70mil spent and we are still: After a striker, Austin would probably be cheapest and most likely at 8mil After a winger Townsend sounding likely but he has a price tag of £14m under Levy. We wil lbe pushing as the highest spending club this season
Not just under the microscope apparently. He's being outvoted now by Charnley, McClaren and Moncur on the 'board' as a result of the Thauvin fiasco. Carr assured McClaren, Charnley [and Ashley] that Thauvin would hit the ground running and would take the PL by storm. He had been scouting him for three years and was convinced. The Lacazette offer - Scouted by Carr, but McClaren has watched him and rates him highly. Wijnaldum - Not a Carr signing. McClaren has contacts in Holland and is friends with PSV coach, Philip Cocu. He [McClaren] was the one who wanted Wijnaldum and he initiated contact with PSV. He also wanted Shelvey in the summer as he believed our midfield was too 'lightweight' with little creativity. McClaren wants Berahino and is desperate to get Townsend. McClaren is also a massive fan of Ryan Shawcross, but doesn't think we would be able to tempt him away from Stoke. Just something I have been told, so cannot verify the accuracy.
If we get Aarons back we won't have a problem. Even if he comes off at 60'', he's that much better than anything else we have on the wing. He gets down the line and whips a ball in. Something none of our wingers have done apart from Obertron but Obertron kicks the ball out of play 4/5 times.
Difficulty with Thauvin is that we are not really in a position, especially now we are out of the cups to persevere. I sort of think that he looks like he could come good but does need more time on the pitch to do so. I think it would quite frankly be rediculous to pack him off back to France. Especially after Cabella...who I think we should have given more of a chance. On the striker front presuming Berahino doesn't want to come to us Austin seems like the only ready made target I can think of who is a possibility.
Rather have Remy right now, or Austin. At least Austin wouldnt immediately try to get away if we did endup in the championship, he seemed cool with sticking at QPR. Berahinos trouble me thinks. If he plays well he'll try to get to a CL club, if not he'd just bitch and moan.
