R.E Saints fan - Johnson is quality at both left and right back, Lucas is quality and it's pretty evident that we miss him dearly. Assaidi looks like he has 10x more skill than Downing (which I know isn't hard) and was definitely not a panic buy. I'll give you Downing though.
Okay well i was just voicing my opinion! I have seen nothing to suggest Assaidi is even that amazing, he wasn't even that fantastic at Herenveen last season, in comparison to how Kuyt and Babel tore the Eredvisie a new one. And as for Johnson being a very good right back.... he just isn't, im sorry to say but every time i see him, he looks more like a right midfielder, hes good at going forwards but his positioning is very subject. Also, why would Bilbao's players go from a struggling Spannish team to a struggling English one? I am liking Liverpool more as the season goes on through Brendan Rogers, he is a very bright young manager who knows what he wants. I think in time yoiu will see a good squad once again back challenging for the cha,pions league places, but that could well be a few seasons yet. Also why not have a look at Scott Sinclair on loan off of City. He clearly isnt getting any games and Brendan Rogers has had him twice before, so knows his game inside out. For me primary concern number 1 is a holder who will defend, to allow Allen to roam a bit more than he currently can.
Dominic King (Daily Mail) is reliable and he says there is a definite interest in Sturridge. The Northern Echo are reporting that Boro are interested in taking Downing on loan. The Times (Tony Barrett) says there is an interest in bringing Tom Ince back.
I think Sturridge can do really well given regular games and with a manager who supports him. Sturridge carried a lot of hype at City as a youngster. But when it came to breaking into the first 11 Man City became rich rich rich and invested in big name, ready made strikers instead. As a result Sturridge decided to leave. City wanted him to stay though. At Chelsea he has done well and has a good goal record. But he has had to sit in the shadow of Drogba and Torres. Again, big expensive names in football. But Sturridge has a better goal record than Torres. At Bolton we saw the real Sturridge, and he played fantastically. I get the impression that Sturridge has been frustrated by bad luck through out his career.
Whilst I'm not Sturridge's biggest fan, I feel Rodgers can get the best out of him. He seems to have a knack for improving wingers like Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair (did he also have a hand in improving Routledge also?). If we went back in time and we were under Rafa and playing in the CL, then I would have laughed at the thought of bringing in players like Walcott or Sturridge. Reality is that we're not in the CL so attracting the better players is more difficult and we don't have bucket loads of cash. The attack and (to some extent) the midfield has a real lack of experience. Walcott and Sturridge have developed in big environments (Arsenal and Chelsea) so they are used to playing for a big club which have huge expectations. They may not be world beaters but they both have the ability to win a match on their own, on their day. We lack match winners at the moment. Suarez is our only player who can change a game just like that. Some will argue that Gerrard can do this also but I would disagree. Sterling has the potential to be a match winner one day.
Really?!? He was clearly bought as a youth project for the future. At the time he was seen as one of the best young english talents around. It hasn't really worked out for him. He did OK on the wing last season under AVB but RDM doesn't trust him in that position as he doesn't track back well and is very selfish. Rumour has it that Chelsea consider he hasn't developed into the player we thought he would and has a poor attitude. I think we'll let him leave if we can get replacements. Personally i think Walcott would be a better signing of the 2.
Was only messing mate. He was a good prospect at the time and still is. However, we won't be signing him as a prospect. We'll be signing him a first team starter who is expected to come in and make a difference.
I think he would be a good signing for a club in your current position (say outside C.L places but top half of the league) but I don't think he will take you to the next level where you want to be (i.e C.L footie).
I don't rate Sturridge at all and im hoping we don't waste money on him. He think's he's Pele but play's like Heskey.
as a reply to the chelsea fan; the "nuetral" veiw of sturridges is very simlar to what you've outlined. poor attitude is abundantly clear but perhaps you are looking at a higher standard due to the mega bucks spedning done again. he is still much better than most prospects in the prem. wellbeck or long for example. if i'd to pick i'd take sturridge over walcott any day but if i had a free choice i'd not take either and risk more on a foreign import. This is beacuse i totally agree that he'd not be the one to push us back up the table.
Ok. My stance is... a) I don't want Theo Walcott; b) I don't want Daniel Sturridge; c) I want us to get rid of Stewart Downing; and d) I want us to get rid of Joe Cole. If a or b result in c or d, I am game. Otherwise, no deal to a and b
