Ok. I'm basing this on 38 minutes against a tiring and average Championship team hoping to hold out for a draw. Paper thin logic I accept. But my point is this. None of us fancied O'Neil. An uninspiring signing. Yet this fellow has been capped at virtually every junior level for England and captained some of those sides too. He was the subject of a £5m bid from Liverpool in his mid 20s. But I'm back again to desire - as my thread on Barton vs Taarabt. Gary O'Neil desired the opportunity to wear the hopped jersey. Scott Parker only desires this if there's no Premiership interest. Whilst I cannot fault him for this approach, it speaks volumes for his desire. I think Scott Parker would be a fantastic acquisition. But if we don't get him, I'm not going to be as disappointed if instead I'm watching the likes of Barton and O'Neil giving Premiership performances coupled with a genuine desire to be part of a promotion charge.
i've just got a feeling if we land Parker it will mean that Joey might be off. Personally would for go parker, keep joey and bring in a LB and CB for the same money. BTW love the fact we had a youth team player come in and score at LR , gives Harry a fourth striker option.
We still need a proven forward to add to our line-up. It's goals that will get us out of this division.
Central midfield is the least of our worries. Buying Parker would be a misuse of funds IMO. We need a striker and defensive cover. If Hoilett's injury is serious then we need a winger, perhaps a Prem loan.
If Parker comes along then Barton will be off. It's all about money. They need Barton off the books. His wages are far, far too high and it was the cause of a lot of resentment in the past. It will be okay if he plays blinders all the time, but remember what happened before when his form dipped.
Good post and apologies for being simplistic in my response but they're different types of players. Several on here just look at the players age and if he's over 29 he's fit for nothing but the scrape heap. What utter rubbish. O'Neill, Dunne and Henry will bring plenty to the table for us and provide leadership and a positive attitude. Buying Austin and Simpson has created a nice blend of youth and experience. Take a look at our back 5 at the moment. Green is still very young in goalkeeping terms and Suk Young, Simpson and Onouha are all very young men. That only leaves Hill or Dunne to add the experience. I'll bet that there aren't too many teams in any division that have a younger back 5 than ours. Our midfield is well balanced with Jenas, Barton, O Neill and Faurlin all still in their prime. Hoilett brings the youth and the acquisition of Townsend would leave us with loads of pacey youth on the wings and the experience in the crucial central engine room. TBH I don't see a while lot wrong with this. I too don't want a dads army but a blend is essential and so far IMO Harry is getting it right. I said that I would only like to see Dunne join if Ferdinand was gone and I only wanted Parker to join if Derry was released. Parker is a wonderful player who would bring an abudence of quality and experience with him. It's a big yes for me.
You make valid points for which I agree and if Barton & co can continue as such ................ the team will be better for.
I think it's Parker's attitude that is his main asset, something we were totally lacking last season but are now adding all over the pitch. Add to that the fact that once the side is settled if we do go up we won't be as unprepared for the PL as we were last time...
Bartons wages are **** all in football today , nothing if we get back ... We have to ... Of course it's about money Always has been and we are lucky we have some ... Short memories ... Enjoy it as there will always ways around rules ... We are on a journey Anyone added up what we have saved yet in wages ? Barton owes the club and by all accounts is earning his money playing football ... I am enjoying that I do not want rangers to go backwards and try out youngsters ... It's a rubbish idea IMO and don't work today because money will always talk Bale grown from a kid to 100m a great story but its real and he will end up at the top table We want Rangers to be at the top table and we get up then expect 100k week salaries all round ... We have had a set back but like life in the uk once money is about again and its coming expect it all to start over. I hate it but its reality we are cutting our cloth and expect new suits when we push again We have Barton and want Parker Defoe and Townsend? Why? We want to win
After seeing bartons performance , which was nothing short of superb , different gravy in this league , we have to keep , forget begging Parker and invest in onerous striker and attacking winger or creative midfielder also , we looked good , best I've seen in a long while ....btw what planet is mick on when he said it was an even game with even chances ? ! , I dnt think so son we was all over them we could have had 4 , !!! Do one Ipswich we are Qpr and you got done , take it like the farmers you are ...
You my friend are the one with the short memory "it's all about the money" is what got us in the position in the first place. A club our size with our revenue and stadium should not have ANY player, regardless of which division, on more than £50k per week.
It would appear that Parker is holding out for a better offer and only come to us reluctantly. Isn't that exactly the type of player we were trying to avoid?
I can't really see how a comparison can be made between one player who's played 40 minutes for the Club and another who's never played for Rangers at all. If he comes, I see Parker performing as he has done throughout his career, that is, with full commitment.
i agree with this totally. A blend of youth , last years top scorer, players on free's that have won this league and intl experience. I can't argue with his acquisitions and 7 points is a cracking start. Couple more additions and we will finish top six without a shadow, may even be top 2. Next two weeks will be crucial for us.
As I said in my report I was pleasantly surprised by O'Neill. He looks a very good player. Made several intelligent runs and caused several problems for them.
sku mate, couldn't agree with you more. O'Neill showed the desire, the positive mentality that was so lacking last season. He WANTED the ball at every touch. I think he has had a lot of the last couple of years out with injury and then was cut adrift by West Ham after helping them get back in the Prem. From his point of view he just wants to play football and prove/show that he has a lot to offer and so will be trying that extra bit harder which is good enough for me. All we need is one striker as Zamora is a lame duck and AJ will probably miss every other game. Our main problem this season will be injuries and how this affects certain positions in the starting eleven as shown on Saturday. Let's hope Hoilet was just a touch of cramp and not a hammy!
Agree totally Carlos Valderama's Hairy Saddlebags. Not surprised nor bothered that Scotty has beamed up to Michael Jackson's Thrillers! We just want players with desire. Who want it. In a way, Scott Parker didn't really fancy it, but would have taken the salary - who wouldn't. After reading Robbie Savage's candid account, who's to say that without Fulham's intervention, Scotty would have developed some mystery knock at some point when he didn't fancy a sub zero Tuesday night at Barnsley.
