Pardew Confirms "No Striker in Jan"

Quite simply that is bollocks. For the first 6 or 7 games he was doing really well. His form dipped a little, he then got injured and now he looks off the pace. Benni should now be starting but to suggest Best has been poor all season is completely inaccurate.

 

Who was the player being discussed? Fifa's regulations say the only exceptions are when the seasons overlap (a player moving from the MLS to the Premier League for example).

It's article 5 in this: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/06/30/78/statusinhalt_en_122007.pdf

 

Best isn't poor mate, he's been rushed back after an injury to add aerial presence to our defence.

Best is a good striker that scores when he's relied upon, but he hasn't really been relied upon recently since Ba has been here.

He was good even when he wasn't scoring, and assisting players.

 

I wouldn't look into Pards quotes too much. All he is saying is 1. We need defenders first, which is true and 2. We won't be held to randsom in January when we could get a player cheaper if we wait until the summer. I think if the right deal for a striker is there in Jan we will take it, be that a permanent or a loan deal. The deal would have to be exceptionally good (e.g Ben Arfa deal) for Ashley to be interested though!!

 

Reading the comments, most of us here are being realistic. We don't have the money to spend big on lots of players, and defenders are in greatest need.

If we sign a CB and a LB I'll be happy.

Ben Arfa, Best, Shola, Lovenkrands and maybe Vuckic in CM give us adequate attacking options to cover when Ba is away, especially as Ben Arfa is nearing full fitness.

 

I thought Loverman was being shipped out? No striker either means no cash, or what's left over from the underground heating job is for Saylor stand in..

Imagine if Ba gets injured at Acon?......scary thought.

 

I think we should blood Sammi while Ba is away. I can see a bright future for that one

 

This.

Best has tried his best, but he is not a top class premiership striker, and never will be. Neither is Shola, nor Lovenkrands. Ben Arfa is a top player, but never a target man, strong in the air, like Ba.

So. Another transfer window will pass, with no significant investment in the squad. Ashley is playing a very dangerous game, as our squad is paper thin, compared with other top ten clubs.

If sod's law kicks in, Ba will get a serious injury, and we will struggle for goals till thee end of the season.

It seems to be a reoccurring theme, with each transfer window. First we are going to sign a striker, then something happens, and we dont get someone "over the line", but we will do so at the next window. Next transfer window, the same thing.

What are the chances that someone will come in with "crazy money", for Krul and/or Tiote, and Ashley will take it, like he has in the past?

I really hope I'm wrong, but I'm getting definite feelings of deja vu.

 

All those who think Best has been poor all season are clueless twats.

He may not have scored but for a decent run of games at the start of the season, he played well with the team, linked up very well with Ba and got assists also. He did a good job.

 

Ah, I'm not sure to be honest. It could well be that the player in question comes under an exception.

 

You are only as good as your last game, and his last THREE have been stinkers.

 

I really hope Ba comes back from the ACoN safe and sound or we will be in trouble.

 

Yes, but the people who say he's been **** ALL SEASON are talking ****e.

 

So 2 defenders then

jan vertonghen and Cissokho/Taiwo

 

We have plenty of cover up front, even if it is sub-par

#9 Best, Shola + Ranger will be back by ACoN
#10 HBA, Vuckic, Abeid

LB/RB and CB cover is Perch/Raylor...

 

Andy Carroll on loan?

 

Worrying thought, Best, Ameobi, Lovenkrands while Ba is away with ACoN.

Very few goals for us then, unless midfield chip in.

 

Who?

 

Hey Tash, here's an idea, lets give Raylor a chance up front and you can write an article like ' Should we give Ryan Taylor a chance up front until Demba Ba gets back from the ACON'

Then you can realise later after arguing the toss that it was actually a daft idea.....

 

If you're counting Ranger as striker cover you have to count Kadar and Ferguson as defensive cover. I'd rather see Ferguson playing LB than Ranger up front.