I must admit, I was completely underwhelmed by this signing (based on nothing more than my perception I must say). However, so far, this guy has made me eat my thoughts. It's incredible that we've got a guy who: is probably worth bugger all (probably around 2-3m); slots straight into our first team with nary a training session; showed graft and hustle (which led to our second goal); and was slotting passes through Villa's defence like it was nothing. And then I realised that teams like Swansea have been signing players like this all along. And I also realised that we've been completely starved of these essential abilities for a very long time. I reckon a big reason why our defence is struggling so much at the moment (and why Poyet insisted on playing such a dour brand of football) is that we turn the ball over too cheaply going forward and then get viciously exposed going back the other way. If Toi Toi can keep stringing FORWARDS passes together with M'Vila - and we get a forward who can receive and hold those passes, there may be hope for us yet. I really hope it's a sign of more to come from him (please let it be so). PS: this week it became official - Fletcher's hair is now worth more than the rest of his body and footballing ability put together.
Slotted straight in. Theres the key. No more ****ing fancy dan S Ameticans who need an eternity to adapt. Then are ****e anyway.
Away in North Norfolk for the past few days, did he have a decent game? Had read before he joined that he is a solid player.
He came on at half time, and immediately imposed himself. He looked confident, and enthusiastic, always looking to get the ball, and played some good forward passes. The only downside was that he tired noticeably, so he's clearly not fully match fit.
I said before he came he would be a great signing for us, bit of a nasty **** but I think we need a bit of that, when him and mvilla get up to speed we will be laughing! Another signing or two to finish us off and we will be looking a good side. Dick seems a lot happier so I'm sure we've something in the pipe line.
What's very noticeable and something Ellis Short take immediate notice of is that all of Advocaats signings have improved the side massively. Obviously Kaboul is a one that divides opinion but it's clear that our manager has an eye for a good player and also good value. De Guzman, Fer and Lombaerts all got away but i like the type of players Dick goes in for...
Can't judge Matthews yet, nobody can. For all we know he could be a great solid addition when fit. Coates was a lazy signing in my eyes. Was already here etc and maybe cos he was half decent at end of last season Dick just signed him.
Thought Toivenen looked the part as well, as said, another yard or 2 of match fitness and he,ll soon become a crowd favourite. Mind we,ve had some debuts that didn,t fulfill the promise, Viagra & Flo for instance but he defo looks like a valuable addition
I agree with Tiz here. Matthews has three championship medals and some early round Euro experience - and he's still only 23. You might have expected somebody that age, with a collection like that already, might have a bit of a head on him - witness Wickham! But no, straight away, Dick tells him he's good going forward and very fast (which we needed) but not good enough defensively. And the first thing the kid says is 'O.k., I hope the boss can make me a better player'. Dick obviously sees him as a job in progress, and to his credit, the kid accepted it straight away. So I hope people will get off the lad's back, and see him the same way as Dick does. He's not the finished product, but willing to work to get there. For less than £2m, I reckon that was a decent signing.
I don't understand how he can be a good player when we didn't spend at least 10 million on him. It doesn't make sense.
The thing I like about signing Kaboul, Coates and Matthews is that if they don't work out we are only 2 to 3 million out of pocket and hopefully recover most of that if we want to move them on. Kaboul to me looked a lot better on Saturday. The lads only had a couple of games in seven months, Coates towards the end of last season I think justified a contract. He is an international so if it doesn't work out sell him back to a South American club. Mathews just needs a bit time to adapt. Each of these transfers to me in it self makes sense because we had to add to the squad. If we paid more for these players than no we shouldn't have signed them... I think Toivonen and M'Vila are going to be dynamite together....two class, big units ion the middle of the engine room.....look great signings and should relieve Ellis Short and us fans that we have people in the club that are not going to p*ss away the money....
We paid £1.9 million for Coates. We would easily get that back, he's a Uruguayan international. Considering how decent he was last few games of last season I'm baffled as to how people can see that as a bad bit of business, or a gamble. We won't lose on him either way.
The notion that you need to spend the mega bucks to be half decent is an aged concept in my book. M'Vila, Lens and Toivonen are next level players who will elevate you to midtable safety, given that you do still have some dross in the team. A few more quality additions each window (of this ilk) will make you stronger and stronger.
Hey QWOP, what do you think of your signings? Haven't had time to go onto your board and read what they are all saying about them. Only one I was gutted you lot got was Wiljnadum, not sure about the rest.
Wij - Amazing. I have no idea how we signed him but he is the reason we are counter attacking with such force Mbemba - Added steel into the defence. He has finally given Colo a decent partner and allows him to focus on his game Thauvin - So far so good. A massive upgrade on a disappointing Cabella although I did feel Cabs should have been given more time Mitrovic - Well he is a nutter. A bit disappointed with his product thus far however I will give him time. The refs will be keeping a close eye on him and will be a target Toney - As far as I can tell, he is a developmental player. No idea about him other than that. All in all, I am pretty happy. Would have loved Austin and I feel we need a left back as Haidara just isn't cutting it but I can't be too greedy. I don't envisage us making any more signings.
Well, whilst I will say that all of those above I have seen look decent, I do wonder about the bit in bold. 'Such force' that you have scored 2 in 4, and none in the last 3. Hardly a ****ing Tsunami mate
Creative licence marra! I expected nil points from the first four games so to be on two is very good for us. I expect both of us to be pretty decent this season. I assume, like me, you are a fan of Toivonen?
I always liked the look of him a few years back when he first went to PSV, a good link player, good feet, good aggression. I was put off him back then as he used to roll about on the floor a lot and take a lot of dives, but if that's gone now, I'll be delighted with him. Excellent goals record as well, although he did start as a forward I believe so to be expected, and he looked very good when he came on Saturday, he and Lens linked up well immediately. We aren't half bad in midfield if we can get them all playing mate, I'm cautiously optimistic. Joking aside, you lot look half decent too, I think we will both be ok.
