Must admit to not knowing much about Malone, but glad to see the back of Jazz Richards. Pretty disastrous experience for both us and Jazz; a fresh start was needed for both. Malone is a left back though, right? Always good to have an actual left back rather than Nando or Ream.
Malone and Button both confirmed now what are people's thoughts on the summer transfers??? We still need a defensive midfielder which we are obviously chasing so for arguments sake let's say Macdonald signs next week are we happy with what we got??? We haven't signed any marquee players but when you look at it we have done a lot of things 1. We have added pace which has sorely been missed 2. We have added width also sorely missed 3. Added new full backs which was a weak position 4. Added a keeper perceived by some as a week position 5. Added a defensive mid (assumes) biggest need A lot of the new signings have also stated Slav wants to play a pressing game
I think the business so far has been decent, definitely strengthened in the right positions and hopefully the players themselves will turn out good buys. Would be pleased to get mcdonald in, right sort of player we need. Some may disagree but i think we still need a striker. McCormack is a cert starter but beyond him we dont have a lot of depth. Matt smith has been unfancied since he came here, is he going to get his chance next season? I'd love to see woodrow get some more game time but i still think we need a more experiened striker as competition or even as a strike partner for McCormack.
If we go with what we have, god forbid that ross were to pick up an injury. As much as i like smith and woodrow i don't think they have enough goals in them to get us to where we want to be.
McCormack isn't playing tonight v Brighton Fab. Some (most) say it's an injury 'cos he was seen with an ice pack in Ireland. Whether he was holding it on his knee or his head is still open to debate.
Not that impressed with the signing of David Button. Is he any better than what we already have. For me we needed a keeper who when the opposition see him they think if we get past the defence then we still have to beat that bloke in their goal. Signings of Edwin van der Sar and then Schwarzer gave me such a boost at the time, but Button it's like OK see what he can do, if he can actually kick a ball accurately it might be an improvement.
The Sun say that Mourinho is trimming the squad at Man United and he's happy to let us have James Wilson on loan. please log in to view this image Despite my misgivings about loans (as opposed to building a team for the future, Wilson is fast, attack minded and so long as he joins with the right attitude could be .... exciting?
The reports I've heard is that he commands his box - indeed the whole penalty area - well. However, he's not Neuer and the very thing that let's him down is the the one you were wishing for SuperBri - his kicking out/accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.
I do not mind us signing 20 year olds from top Premier League clubs - players like Kalas and Wilson might well be open to joining us down the line if their own clubs don't want them (which is certainly likely if they are English).
Good to see the fringe benefits of signing Mourinho Jr starting to bear fruit. Even if we're not selling McCormack, and even if we're going to be playing 4-2-3-1, I'd still like a new striker on the shopping list as well as a holding midfielder.
Slavi after last night - "Good result against Brighton, but we still need to strengthen our squad to keep aiming high" And can't remember how often we've said exactly that over the last few years Captain. MacDonald didn't play in a Wolves friendly last night with manager Jackett saying, "he wasn't in the right mind to play" - funny, sort of remember exactly the same being said this time last year. Who knows. There is still Delaney of course but beyond that few new rumours about the elusive defensive midfielder. Separately, we can take it that any interest in Faurlin has been and gone.
Grant Hanley has indeed gone to the Wonga lot, on a 5 year deal. And I believe something around £6m. Guess we'll get to see on 5th August whether he's worth that!
I wonder with the speculation about Mc C could it be we are waiting to sign or loan a C/F before anything happens on that front.
Reports say we are interested in Stromgodset's speed merchant Muhamed Kaite please log in to view this image The 25yr old is currently on loan to them (until 15th August) from Lech Poznan. The interest has been prompted by him scoring 5 goals in the last 4 matches. Source: http://www.sporten.com/nyhet/flere-storklubber-vil-ha-godset-stjernen
And another one we're reported as being interested in is Evian;s left sided attacking midfielder, Clarck Nsikulu please log in to view this image The 24yr old Congolese Internationsl has been (I think) released from his contract despite having 2 years still to run since his club have gone bankrupt. There are a fair few others interested however. Source: http://www.butfootballclub.fr/ligue-1/nantes/fc-nantes-mercato-un-attaquant-de-letg-piste/
And yet another is Andelecht's powerhouse, Kara Mbodji please log in to view this image The 26yr old Senegal International is one BIG centre back. He won't come cheap though with 3 years still on his contract.
It is good that we're being linked with pacy wide/attacking players. We definitely need more options alongside Ayite/Aluko/Williams in those slots behind McCormack.