I wonder if Martin could do a job as a holding central midfielder in an emergency? He can certainly tackle better than Dorrans or Howson, he's got a great engine on him, is technically very good and some of his passing is superb and contrary to what I read on here a lot I actually think he reads the game pretty well. Those are most of the attributes a DMC needs so it might be an option?
I would argue that positional awareness is the most important attribute for a DCM. I'm not entirely convinced that Russ has enough of it to play there.
Oh f***! Sunderland are getting Wahbi Khazri! I'm a big fan of him, he is class. Attacking Midfielder, Get's a lot of goals and assists. Cracking Free-Kick taker. Our rivals continue to bring in a much higher standard of player than we bring in
Christ. That'll be Bordeaux's best two players gone then. The EPL's money is seemingly picking apart the not-so-big continental clubs My Nantes-supporting colleague regularly bemoans the amount of financial clout the EPL gives clubs now. Do you watch much Ligue 1, FML?
I like to keep an eye on a lot of leagues. Also like watching highlights and scout videos on youtube. I like football stats. So keep an eye across the board. Certain players I like a lot, I keep an eye on. He's one of those class players who is in the mould of a Hakan Calhanoglu, Payet or Alexandru Maxim. Flair, technique, skill, and set-pieces are very strong. Edit: Hakim Ziyech is another player of the same ilk.
Newcastle after Lucas Orban on loan from Valencia. Very good no fooling, hard working LB. The kind we need. More defensive and solid, rather than attacking wing-back.
There was a bit on the Monday Night Club on 5Live this week when they were talking about how the Premier League's tv money is allowing English clubs to cherry pick a lot of the best talent from Europe, and there were also comments about how the European clubs are ramping up prices as they know English clubs have money to burn. The worrying example they used was us and Timm Klose, and I can't remember who the 'expert' was, but he said a lot of people in Germany were absolutely staggered that we have paid 12m Euros for someone who was 3rd/4th choice CB for Wolfsburg. Lot of expectations have been put on his shoulder's, I hope he can live up to them.
I think the issue and the reason there are conflicting opinions on this really boils down to the point that if we criticise a midfielder, or the midfield, does that mean we are implying that it is not the defence's fault? And the answer is no. I think everyone can pretty safely assume that if something is not said in a post, that means that they neither agree nor disagree. So just because someone criticises Rudd, that does not mean they are absolving Martin, or whoever, from any blame. They are just thinking criticially about Rudd. Otherwise we will all have to start every single post with something like "Now of course Brady was at fault for a goal, and so was Martin and so was Bassong and Rudd could have done better, and Redmond didn't provide much support, and Dorrans only seemed interested in getting forward and Naismith was too far up front and Mbokani didn't help defend much at all and don't forget that Hoolahan is too lightweight and Neil clearly wasn't giving proper instructions, and I am not absolving them of any of that, but did anyone else notice that Pinto got caught out of position?" And I am not sure whether any of you've noticed, but I am keen on a wordy post every now and again... but even that is tiresome for me!
Share those concerns, but the thing that gave me a lot of comfort were the articles about him which basically said he's Mr Reliable, and that's why he was always on the bench. A sort of "first name on the team sheet, amongst the subs". So although I would have thought we have paid well over the odds for him, I feel fairly confident he's what we need and so the risk is more that he can settle. Unfortunately I think the reality has hit us over the last six months that we are simply not going to be able to sign the classy CB that everyone wants. Picking someone off a top European club (and lets face it, Wolfsburg are) was always going to require us looking at their bench for a player who was keen to get more first team football. So I would say that Klose is kind of the equivalent to us signing Wimmer from Tottenham or Tiago Ilori from Liverpool
Gutting. We agreed a fee, and he turned us down. His reasons though, sound intelligent, focused, level headed and fair enough. Shame, With his stats, his attributes and a head on his shoulders like that, he could have been a legend here. http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...fer_u_turn_insists_sebastien_haller_1_4397925
In view of the limited time remaining in this stupid bloody window, I'd still rather we sign a DM type replacement for Mulumbu, such as Jedinak, and another CB. I think the addition of Naismith and the fact the Mbopp seems to be finding his feet in this league, with Jerome as back up is enough to cope. It's elsewhere on the pitch that I don't think we have enough "to cope"
might just be turning over an old story as I am sure I saw this a couple of days ago, but what are peoples thoughts? http://talksport.com/football/norwi...m-diouf-verge-carrow-road-switch-160129183088
I'd take him. As I said before, he would fit in well here. Plus an upgrade on all the strikers who have left. Him, Jedinak, and either a CB or a LB (or one comfortable in both ideally!) and I'd be very happy with this window. Can't see us signing 3 more permanents in this time though.
Well if all rumours are to be believed then it looks like Bamford on loan this Inter LB in on loan and then diouf on permanent. I know we need a better defence, but changing 3 of your hopeful regular back 4 is a bit of a worry with them needing to bed in.
We don't need Bamford and Diouf. Unless Lafferty is heading to the Championship on loan or Perm, but still don't think we need 2 more strikers. Diouf, DCM and a LCB/LB would be where I would focus all our resources.
I know AN is quick to keep changing the defensive line up when there's no obvious need , but after 23 matches, there's not been too many signs of the current incumbents having "bedded in" yet, either. Not if you look at the recent 'goals against' column
Another CB, another LB and Jedinak (preferably) would complete a good window for us - don't think we need another striker s FML says above - Dave, Jerome and Lafferty (I assume) are good enough although I wouldn't say no to Bamford if he is available but we do need another DM, CB and LB (to allow Brady to play LM).
So would anyone care to summarise the potential ins-and-outs? I've seen Bamford linked and we may well get in a striker with Loza gone but I would personally prefer a defender.
Whilst he may make a better fist of it than Whittaker did being an allround better player, I think it would be very risky. I was at the Brentford game and I would not like to see Martin hung out for the boo boys if it didn't work as it didn't for Whittaker. Now centre forward may be an option, he was in the goals at the beginning of the season. Bah!
