Transfer Rumours The Summer Transfer Rumour Thread 2016

Maybe someone from the youth will step up to the plate?

 

I think that's a legitimate concern. I'm hoping we're still in the market for a striker.

 

Not sure anyone is saying they don't rate them, but 2/3ds of our strikers have major injury concerns.

If our left back had the same issues then yes I would expect action taken.

Id be surprised and disappointed if we didn't get a striker or advanced attacking midfield.

this could effectively br the Mane replacement and wr already know we have been after Boufal, if that doesn't happen id expect us to have alternatives...

 

It would be fantastic if Gallagher did. But we need someone who is a (relatively) sure bet to be relied upon. Long + dependable striker and if Austin and j rod can chip in that would be fantastic. I'm also wary of putting pressure on players with injury niggles.
The concern from people is if we don't sign anyone then we have Long and are hoping that Austin can stay fit and that j rod will be fit and find form.
Keeping your fingers crossed does not strike me as robust planning for PL and Europa league.

 

New formation 0-280-1. Patent it quick and have a word with Claude.

But you are right. As Germany so clearly demonstrated against the French, running around prettily with the ball is all very good, but you need some bugger to stick it in the net. I am huge fan of Shane Long, but he isn't going to carry the attack on his own. I so hope Jay comes back to us soon - another player I admired, but ... And as for Charlie. Well, the jury's very definitely still out. So yes, let's buy someone who scores goals.

 

If Austin's injury is fixed and it is not an on going issue, then match fitness will not be a problem if he plays matches. He only hasn't proved his match fitness with Saints because he hasn't played matches. He proved match fitness at every other club. A player can't have his match fitness questioned, if he doesn't play matches.

Match fitness not an issue at all. Injury being resolved may be.

I would like us to signing another attacking minded player though.

 

As ever, the written word can get us confused. I think we're all saying the same thing essentially, FLT. Nothing would please me more than to see the striker who scored that great goal against us running rampant against Premier League defences next season. Of course you are right, match fitness is not the issue. We just have to hope that the injury is not a chronic one. Difficult to imagine how he got past the medical when he joined us, but stranger things have happened!

 

Yes, I can't believe we would have had a failed medical... would we? Maybe we did. Maybe we said "it's only 4m, take a risk".. I don't know. He reminds me of me (not in ability or anything daft like that) in the way that he needs to be playing. If I wasn't right on match fitness, it was like a vicious circle. I would be left out my side, but then wouldn't be getting the game time to get me fit. I'd then be playing whilst not fit and (either when eventually picked or used as a substitute) then niggle injuries could ensue (hamstrings particularly). It must be remembered that he missed key conditioning years by playing non-league through his years from youth to manhood. This may also play a part in what I have just written as you just can't replicate the physical conditioning you get a t a professional club, when you're working and playing non-league. He scored 58 goals in 113 championship games over 3.5 seasons, so as long as the injury is not chronic, he can play the number of games needed.

 

I just want pace. Real pace. Winger, full back, striker - I don't care (OK, preferably winger/striker). It's one area where I do think the current squad is lacking now that Mane has gone. Redmond and Cedric have a quick burst, Long has a 'deceptively quick' style but none of them have that almost arrogant knock it and run pace Mane had which made us so difficult to contain on the counter and turned defences. Pace pace pace pace pace.

Sorry. I'm cracking up.

 

I am genuinely confused by all the discussion around Charlie Austin's fitness. Whilst at Southampton he has had three minor injuries. A kick in the knee was the most painful but apart form that he had a tight hamstring and a 'knock'. What actually kept him out of the side was the form of Long and Mane.

He had a couple of slightly longer injuries at QPR - foot / ankle and hamstring.

A few people have referred to a failed medical which was around the time of a potential transfer from Burnley to Hull City. The reason he failed was because of his shoulder which has not been an issue at all throughout his subsequent career.

So nothing unusual or repeating in the same area. He has the potential to be our leading scorer this season. Worry not.

 

Hmm I know we all want someone with pace, but I don't think we'll be going anywhere near a 'knock it and run' footballer. Plenty of those around. Mane had excellent ball control when travelling from 0-full speed.

Navas at City being a prime example of someone to avoid.

 

Pacey CB?

 

Yeah, Joe in particular got that one wrong.

 

God not Navas. I don't want someone who can JUST knock it and run, but someone who has the pace to really turn defences with or without the ball. There's no denying Mane did that.

 

Love a signing with legs... proves Les and the Board know what they're doing.

 

That is the problem, 'those' players are in high demand. That's why they cost so much. Unless you spot another Mane playing in the Austrian league or whatever.

 

I agree with the blog's comment, about Tadic being under estimated, in what he brings to the team.
I was reading posts on the echo website, where people were saying we shouldn't worry about keeping him, because he drifts out of games, which he does do, but when he IS in a game, he can be a game changer.
I would love to get him signed up for longer.

 

Astori?

 

Hopefully Austin is our top scorer and we can sing 'Charlie Austin, he scores when he wants.' No one else sings that, do they?

 

I'd be very surprised if we didn't buy a striker. Club said we're not looking to buy a Pelle replacement at the moment, but I'd bet we have a striker on our radar.