Though things may have gone a little quiet in the transfer market for us since our "magnificent splurge" Michael Laudrup is still on the lookout for a second striker to rotate with Wilfried Bony. What ML has hinted at is the need for someone with attributes a little different to our new £12 million man, maybe someone a bit pacier, a fox in the box so to speak. He's resigned himself to wait and see who's available when the crazy merry go round that is the English transfer window finally settles down and the big clubs get their preferred targets, and see who those big clubs (here and abroad) decide to let out on a season long loan. I can't see Lukaku coming now for that reason as well as Mourinho saying he is a big part of his plans (plus Lukaku's own demands for playing as many games as he wants to). There was talk of David Villa on loan last year but I can't see that one happening either. So how about having Fabio Borini back? I think he will totally fit the bill. Why? Well he's a real fox in the box but also links up play well and is a class finisher. He's having a difficult time at Liverpool as Rodgers insists on playing him on the wing so that can't be great for him either. Most of all though I think he'd love a return here. He still has mates at this club and he'd have no worries about the welcome the crowd would give him, he was loved by all down here. Whaddya think?
I wouldn't be against that. I was gutted he didn't sign for us the 1st time around but I didn't blame him for picking Serie A (he didn't know that we would get promoted at the time of agreeing his Italian return). He has the pace and the skill to be a success here again. Does anyone know what happened to Macheda at Man Utd - he looked destined for big things at one point and if he is just sitting in their reserves I would take a punt on him on loan. Good post Uplands.
I'd take Borini back in a heartbeat. For all the reasons already given he would be the perfect alternative to the "hammer on the edge of a sword" that is Bony (was that commentator trying to say Bony made our attack blunt? I took it as a compliment to him anyway, that's what we have been needing...a bloody great big hammer to hit the opposition around the head with when all the footwork stops ). I think he'd probably want a guaranteed starting berth in World Cup year though. It's a mark of our development that a player who scored the goals to power us into 3rd and subsequently up into the Premiership, a player we were all gutted about losing out on, would now be a squad player for us.
Borini will be looking for first team football, that he wont get at Liverpool...but unfortunately, as we have Bony it wouldn't be with us either. He will head back homeward bound methinks
Borini would be good but does anyone think Defoe would be worth a punt? Seems he can go for £6 million. Perhaps a lot for a 30 year old but he got 15 goals last season playing with an injury; he's vastly experienced; a proven, NATURAL and instinctive goalscorer and still has ambitions to play for England. Could be good for a couple of seasons. He would be the "different" type of goalscorer that Laudrup says he is seeking BUT would he be satisfied playing second fiddle to Bony? This is our problem. It's pointless bringing in young potential because we already have that with young Rory. However, if we bring in experienced fire-power that player will probably expect a regular start. For that reason I tend to favour Defoe if we can afford him. At his age he might favour the odd break because it would extend his career. Difficult decision in store for our manager.
This is the road I think Laudrup intends to take TBH. He'll wait until near the end of the window then move for a big name who is out of favour but still needs to impress this season with the world cup around the corner. I honestly think we will be very very pleasantly suprised!
Although we probably wouldn't want to lay out the transfer fee and wages (apparently WBA would), just a reminder about Defoe's ability. In 513 games he scored 210 goals, a ratio of 1 in 2.44 which, if replicated in 40 league and cup games for us, would see a return of over 16 goals. As most of his goals have been scored at the top level, including 19 in 54 international appearances, we are talking about a hugely experienced, quality finisher here. He still has terrific pace and creates many of his goals himself. If he could be signed on sensible terms, even on a loan deal, what's not to like?
I like Ivor, I like Defoe a lot...don't understand why he doesn't have more England caps. Doubt he would come here though. He must be on fantastical wages....I'm guessing we'd only be able to cover approx. 15-30% of those wages. Can't see Spurs accepting those terms in a loan and can't see him taking that kind of wage drop in a transfer, surely someone else would be willing to pay him better and promise him first team? West Brom, Newcastle, West Ham spring to mind.
Defoe ? cracking player, loves it down in Swansea too,especially wind street There is no way he would come here to sit behind Bony though, we are only playing one up front so a young loan player will probably be what we end up with I reckon
Going to get shouted at for this one, but play Donnelly until Christmas? Worst comes to the worst we can play Poz or Michu further forward, we have enough depth in midfield.
London, no shouting from me. I've said before, and so have others on here, all feel that the lad will get games this season. I feel that Laudrup will blood him in The Capitol One cup games to star then get some games against the lesser PL team's. (No disrespect to these teams)
Lesser prem teams ??? who's that then ? forgive me for my pessisism <sp> but arnt we a lesser prem team too ? I think Laudrup will blood him but I also think he will prefer to use the correct tools for the job in all prem games, as Laudrup said "its our daily bread" I also think the plan will be to bang out as many points as possible and then try and target a cup competition again,pretty much like last season really. The player know they can win trophies at the Swans which will give them a massive boost IMO. The prem games thankfully take care of themselves,every single match is massive, the early rounds are probably where Donnelly could get a start after that I think it could be pozuelo,michu,bony or dyer playing up top if we don't get an extra striker. Dyer playing striker for us last year shows us what type of player laudrup is after IMO, somebody with blinding pace ,something that I don't think Donnelly has
Norway, yes we are a lesser team in PL terms. If we get to the group stage of the Europa League, then the games will come thick and fast. To me if we are to use Donnelly as our back up striker then I can see the Palace, Hull & Stoke PL games might be another couple that could be fall into this group of teams, where Donnelly might get his chance. Pozuelo might very well be used as our alternative striker, lad has an eye for the net. Isn't it great that we don't have to make the choice and this falls firmly on Laudrups shoulders. Great being a fan, we don't have to make these tough decisions, that will inevitably Laudrup will have to make.
I think the decisions have already been made .... a list exists ... it's just a question of when and how much.
Personally I am annoyed Demspey was allowed to leave to go and play in MLS, he has played striker many times and is a class act. Not to mention marketing opportunities, oh how so many clubs missed the boat on that one including us!
After a successful pre season I can understand why people would like to see Donnelly as our second striker, but to be honest I don't think he's ready yet. By all means play him occasionally in the capitol one cup games to give him further experience but he's not ready to be our regular back up striker. I watch almost all the reserve matches every every season and to be honest the last 2 games apart he didn't have a very good season in fact was on the bench on a few occasions. I'm not even sure if he will make it but I'm sure he needs more time in the reserves.
