According to newspaper reports we are interested in the Den Haag centre back Christian Kum and midfield team mate Jens Toornstra. I think Kum will be available on a free as he is out of contract at the end of the season whilst Jens has a year left on his. I know very little about them other than the Swans were sniffing some time back. One thing that does concern me is that Kum is "only" 6"ft tall. Now we all know that height does not necessarily make a good footballer but it is damned useful in a centre back, as has been proven to our cost all too often and recently. A theoretical scenario could see us with Kum, Williams and Vorm, all six footers, at the heart of our defence. I have a nightmare vision of Crouch, Adebayor, Ba et al just licking their lips at the prospect of facing us next season. What do you posters think? Am I attaching too much importance to employing a brick edifice at the back? It would be nice to have a season where I don't crap myself every time a deep cross comes into our box.
No, you're not attaching too much importance to it at all, ivor. Caulker is decent with the ball at his feet and pretty good in the air. Monk is neither and it showed last week. As I've said before CB is such an important role, and if we don't get Caulker's replacement right it'll be relegation time - it's that serious imo.
Just read a report on sky transfer centre and it backs up what you say Ivor..i agree with you on this one as well Knjack
Best replacement for Caulker is Caulker - should make an offer regardless and pursue acquisition until Spurs stop laughing and quote a number. You never know how they might value him or how close to acceptable the number might be. On the subject of crosses - did anybody see Barca v Milan last night. Milan have Ibrahimovic who is 6' 5". Barca played Mascherano (a makeshift defender - but very clever player) who is 5' 9" alongside Pique in the center of defense most of the game until Pique went off and Puyols (5' 10" - didn't realize he was that short) moved back inside. Barely a cross, barely a threat. Granted Pique is 6' 4", but he can't be everywhere all of the time. Clearly there is a way to combat aerial domination on paper with tactics during the game.
Yankee, my view on that is whilst we aspire to play like Barca we don't do it anything like as well as they do. They have players good enough to tactically defend their box from aerial attack - we don't, as has been proved far too often. If Caulker leaves and we don't get some height at the back, assorted lampposts in the Premier League will be queuing up in anticipation of filling their boots - and I'm talking defenders as well as strikers. Incidentally, Puyol, who as you state is 3" shorter than Monk, is vastly superior to him in the air. Like KJ, I see a troubled season for us if we don't shore up this glaring weakness we have at the back.
INTERESTING! It's well known that McLeish is planning a clear out at Villa for next season but the Guardian has indicated that James Collins is tipped for a return to South Wales - with Swansea City! You guys are bound to have views on this. Footnote on Jens Toornstra (Jens from now on!!), I hope that if he does come, it will be as a supplement to Siggy and not as a replacement.
we need some tall players in the squad, we are lacking in hight and it shows.....its know wonder we keep the ball on the ground because in the air with crosses for corners for and against we are lacking and easily beaten...
Too true, Ivor. As for Puyols, he is one hell of a center back. It is fearsome when he launches himself to get on the end of offensive corners and defensively he is a rock. Not bad for somebody who started life as a left wing.
just seen on sky sports news that we are in talks with spurs for another season long loan for caullker, hope its true and comes off
Am I the only one who senses a bit of de-ja-vu here? Is our much esteemed Dutch board member up to the same old tricks as he has in the last 2 transfer windows? Exactly where does his interest lay? Is there smoke without fire? Silly season has started far too early for me. I want to concentrate on the rest of the season with the squad and the manager we currently have. A bird in the hand is worth .. If it's an amazing ploy to push the hand of the clubs who own the rights of the players we really want (Caulker/Siggy) then I bow before our boards genius. I wait with baited breath on these transfers the exact same way I did in the last 2 transfer windows.
I really really reallly don't want James Collins. He can't play!! He's good for throwing himself in front of a shot but simply cannot pass. When I watch him play for Wales I am on pins every time the ball is at his feet. A big NO from me.
