Summer 2014 Transfer rumour thread - Part VI

Good point! Rather take the money then have a disruptive player in the dressing room.

 

Of course taking his comment as gospel would be silly, that's why it should be taken into account in the context of how the game played out, within which it makes sense. That's why I originally mentioned it as it highlights my point

 

1. Come on Impsaint, the bit about 'one poster that voted Jack Cork MOTM'... I put a big smilie next to it. I was pulling Lff's leg! You post regularly enough to know he gets teased for his love of jack.

2. Despite the comments about Cork v Vic (jeez, we're back to that old chestnut again) our best spell of results as a team was with Vic playing not Cork. So, even though I am an advocate of keeping the ball, either Vic wasn't as bad as people made out, or the team just played better when he was in the team.... Or it was just luck.

I'm sure they'll be another reason I've missed, but our best spell was with Vic playing.

#vicforengland

 

In a 4-3-3, only one of the players is generally going to be a stay-back defensive midfielder, sure, and Wanyama's the natural fit there. However, the primary reason that Schneiderlin and Cork are thought of as DMs is that we've been playing in a double-pivot that necessitated them being DMs. Schneiderlin seems quite happy to play box-to-box, and Cork was more effective when he was able to get a bit further up the pitch and serve as the midfield link. Both of those styles would work perfectly well in one of the CM slots alongside a more attack-minded player.

 

Agree and anything like £25m is well over the odds. We can do a lot bettr with that money.

 

Now we're playing one DM & two CMs then that is a slight change in dynamic, but also takes the Cork v Wanyama debate.

i wouldn't want Cork playing DM on his own as he lacks that physical dominance which is required in certain situations. He is tenacious player and holds possession well and keeps the ball ticking over, but I wouldn't expect him to win an aerial duel or out muscle a player off the ball to win possession back.

So it's now more of a Morgan v Jack in the team to battle for a box to box midfield role which would free up space for a more creative midfielder alongside them. Chuck in JWP & Reed into the mix and you can see why deciding on whether to keep Jack is not an easy one.
FWIW I would have given him & Fonte a contract because they command value in the premier league. I think the club may have felt stung by giving long term deals to Chaplow, Barnard, Sharp, Forte etc and seeing them unable to move

Noticed on the Grenier article that Umtiti could be moving. Would anyone be interested in him as a player?

 

Quick Saints, before Liverpool find out how much Toni Kroos cost

 

Heard Liverpool were talking to Micah Richards. Interesting to see if that is as a RB or CB.

 

I can

 

Cork playing DM on his own has happened, and worked fairly well. Obviously I'd be happier with Wanyama there, but we've seen Cork dropping between the CBs and being quite comfortable.

 

It'd be really good for England if he comes in and does a good job at RB. Obviously a good sign for Saints if they sign him for CB.

 

So, if Dejan is going, do we think Saints have a signing lined up to appease the fans?

 

My guess is he wont go unless we have some-one signed up.

 

Either De Vrij or Van Dijk I would hope, possibly both?

 

Vlaar and de vrij? World cup pairing

 

Very quite at the moment

 

Early days. Louis Van Gaal has said he wants 3-4 weeks with his squad before deciding on more signings. Maybe Koeman will do the same.

 

Nah, Koeman is better than Van Gaal, he'll do it sooner.

 

Bit different, United have a fully serviceable 1st team, we've still got important positions to integrate before the season begins, unless we fancy starting a new CB after a few short days with the team (or worse Hooiveld). Plus, I really, really, really want to win at Anfield.

 

Who knows, we may yet start Fonte and Lovren at Anfield.