Thought we could chat about some of the other news in the Prem now Pellegrini to City.....probably a good move. They need somebody with some common sense after Sparky and Mancini! Rooney...Is he just spitting the dummy because RVP is number one these days? Now he wants peace talks....attention seeker? See Giggs and Moyes met with Rooney. Giggs will be manager there one day. Like to think we could give him a run at Cardiff in the future. 20 years of SAF should have taught him something. QPR want Scott Parker! Shouldn't we have a sniff around that? 32 is not too bad for a guy who can pull the strings.
Parker appears to be turning into a bit of a sick note. He has always been prone to the odd mistimed tackle and as he gets older this could increase. His team could find themselves a man down at any time.
49 starts at Spurs in 3 seasons is not promising. Is that all down to fitness or is he considered 2nd eleven there?
Parker is first choice when fit but is increasingly injury prone and missed much of the first half of the season through injury. However, while Sandro, in Parker's position, was having a great season he got injured just as Parker was getting back to fitness. From what i have seen on tv, Parker has not been so effective or influential this season. Wouldn't be surprised if he rejoins Harry at QPR to see out his career.
Cheers Blue. I used to really admire his work ethic and ball skills. Pity he will wind up forgotten really.
The reason I mentioned it on the transfer thread is I expect Bridcutt to play PL football next season, it'd be great if it was with us.
i rate parker for what he is, a good old fashioned water carrier who gets the ball and gives it to the people who can play. he is vastly over rated in that sense, and would provide no value for money for a club of our size and budget. as for mancini, i'm not surprised he's gone. he has come up short whilst having a squad of players that individually are the best in the league. successive pitiful performances in the champions league, whilst ending up 15 or so points behind united too. strange to give him a long improved contract a year ago, when it was clear to me that he'd not last another 2 years, let alone 5. as for rooney, unless he goes to barcelona or real madrid, it will be a step down, a club like PSG or chelsea just arent at the same level and i dont see the need for a move. he would be the key striker for chelsea, but i doubt he'd win the league almost every year and win as many trophies.
Bit hard on Parker I reckon Swamp, though I admit I am probably going way back to his Newcastle/early West Ham days when I am thinking off him as a very good player.
Scott Parker would be seen as the sort of player you'd bring in to keep you in the Prem, not try to win it - let's face it, that would be the first priority. Still think his best years are behind him and I'd expect our very own Gunnar to step up into that role next season anyway. Not saying we couldn't do with another enforcer, but not Scotty for me.
I'm with Swamp on this on one. I'd much rather we signed up and coming players who should be hungry and have something to prove. Parker type signings are the first step to becoming the QPR imo. I know I championed D Kuyt but he's hardly ever missed a match in his entire career!!
Actually, that is very true. Gunnar does have many of the qualities that Parker had. Another enforcer who can play away at Old Trafford and the Emirates without being overawed.....maybe Parker, but I imagine there are other options. And if he is injury prone that rules him out anyway. As for Kuyt, just don't like him so I am biased
for me the worst thing you can do as a promoted club is squander all the money on signing age 30+ free transfers on big wages, thus leaving the club no better off when you get relegated. you are effectively taking the sky money and handing it to a load of mercenaries, when what you should be doing is buying players who will serve the club for the next 3-5 years. the likes of hull did that, and they almost ceased to exist because of it. blackpool on the other hand are a much stronger club as a result of the PL money which was invested wisely. it may be seen as defeatist to always have one eye on what happens if you are relegated, but its the right thing to do. oh, and if any new players refuse to have a relation reduction in wages clause, tell them to **** off.........
We have a couple of "old" heads in the team already. Huds and Bellamy should (between them) be able to offer the advice on the pitch. MM in the changing room. Parker is too vulnerable to injuries (I know Bellamy is the same) but we have a decent enough midfield and Huds usually sorts them out. Kim, I am sure, will also be able to dictate what happens in the midfield. I reckon look at someone coming into their prime (if we can get them) and not the 30+ brigade.
As mooted previously, we'll need a blend of ages, a couple young guns and a couple been there done that players. We have some good youth in the team, on the fringes and in the development squad. Ralls could be a youngster who would step up, but would rather him play alongside and established player like Parker (not saying I'd take him, but someone similar) than Bidcott who's not played at that level (not saying I wouldn't take him either). If we're looking for a two full backs and a CB, a youngster to cover for Taylor and a more mature RB (mid 20s?) with an established CB (late 20s -30) to cover Huds. Not sure Baby Ben and Big Ben are mature enough as a pair. I'd also like to see a back to goal striker with Prem experience. Yough and experience all over the park is what we need. Bellamy won't play a full season (though he held up well last season) so an experinced midfielder as cover for when he's out. Not necessarily to replace him, possibly a centre mid with Noone out wide. 2-3 experienced players a couple players with potential and a couple of speculative youngsters would be a nice mix with what we already have.
They've got a much richer owner as a result of promotion.......... I completely agree with Swamp about the one eye on relegation. Boiing, Boiiing Baggies are the perfect blueprint of how to build a PL squad without risking the future of the club. If you can sign the right players to stay up without spending a fortune then thats obviously even better, but any player signing next season should be ready to fight to get us back up the following season if the worst does happen.
Malky said we needed at least 4 or 5 players to give us a chance on MOTD 2 the other night. Doubt he'd include youngsters in those numbers.
