Do we really need another midfielder!? We have plenty of them. No creativity, but that's more down to Hughtons tactics than anything. I really wish we would have pushed hard for Shane Long. Works his socks off, pace, skill, scores headers, tap ins, long shots, gets in behind, works hard out wide. Bit of passion and quality would be nice. As usual we are sitting back watching our rivals make the great signings. We also need a CB who can defend. Unfortunately the player I was banging on for the last couple of years for us to go for, signed (again) for Hull and is wowing people with his performances. Curtis Davies. Much like his match preparation, and his actions during a game, waiting too long to make a change and missing the boat. We are going to be left with the dregs. Like Guthrie and Gutierrez. Someone who's proved he cant cut it in the Prem, and someone who's past it just so the manager has 1 person in the dressing room backing him. Very uninspiring.
Completely agree about a CB, but Long is far from a good signing, especially for 7m. Scores fewer than 1 in 4 (Hooper has a much better record than that, especially when you look at actual minutes) and relies on others, no better than our strikers. Guthrie I'm not enamoured by, but I think Gutierrez is a decent singing because he seems inspirational - in the dressing room. We need some wise head who won't give up after conceding one, which is a major problem of ours.
Anyone else heard the rumors that Roma's Nicolas Burdisso has turned down an approach from us? Getting on a bit now (he's 32), but he's certainly an experienced centre-back. http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/seri...-ci-sono-olympiakos-e-bayer-leverkusen-519890
Hmmm, interesting! I can see the logic, he's experienced and declared he wants to leave to get regular football in a world cup year. Also out of contract in the summer. Would be slightly concerned that he's barely played this season. Current wages are ~40k p/w too. Must admit I didn't see us shopping in Italy for a CB, but there we go.
We have a problem with service to the strikers so we bring another striker in. Don't quite get that one myself. As for CH being slow in the transfer market, I don't get that one either. IMO, Hull overpaid for both Jelavic and Long and only time will tell if it was worth it. Like Rob, I'm not sure about Guthrie but I do think Gutierrez is an excellent loan deal which leaves money available for other players. For me, CH has done a great job getting the right players in (many of whom, like Redmond and Bassong, we wouldn't have got without him).
Probably wouldn't 'mesh' too well with BJ! I think we need a scumbag in our team - Stoke have Shawcross, Sunderland have Clattermole, Liverpool have Suarez, Man U have lots... someone who does our dirty work. BJ isn't actually a very dirty player, but I think he tries to fill that role and it doesn't work.
Good signing for Villa - his experience will be useful for them. Long now confirmed as signed for Hull.
I really don't think he's coming our way, besides a player who turned us down point blank in the summer is not going to play with passion and commitment.
now there are rumours that Di Matteo is on the list to replace CH, Apparently he is still on 130k per week until June!!
I think he turned us down because he thought he would attract a higher calibre of club. Besiktas are I believe the only club to show an interest in January, and Turkish football is hardly the most glamorous, so he might reconsider now he's aware he hasn't got so many options. We probably can't rival Besiktas for wages, but at least we've got the lure of the Premier League, and we're much easier to use as a stepping stone than Besitkas. I'm lost, who's paying Di Matteo? Chelsea?
