Can somebody add ALTBOULI's keyboard to the list? Or, at the very least, what's left of ALTBOULI's keyboard after he has it wrapped around his head...
Sounds good to me... well except for Defoe but I'd be very happy with the other two even if Sturridge is a bit of a twat.
I like the fact that he scores, and that he can dribble. But eventually a lot of people including me noticed he just doesn't pass. I guess that could change...
I'd be happy with Ade, Sturridge and Defoe. I'd be happier without Sturridge. Defoe doesn't seem to get a lot of love, but he scored a lot of goals last year, and I'd like him to do the same thing next year.
In my opinion the writing's on the wall for Defoe. I wrote him off after his two goal season and he did well last season but he's not happy when he has no chance of starting when everyone's fit and as he doesn't even suit our system I can't see him pulling off another season of pitching in a good share of goals.
JD - He thinks he's far better than he is, he can't adapt to different styles, bling lifestyle has to be a distraction, some players focus on the next game! and wouldn't last 5 minutes at a bigger club with his ego, thats if they would be interested in him in the place...they haven't yet! He is no way the top club no1 striker he thinks he is, he's handy to have in the squad, but you just get the impression he's not content with that.
Well he has a choice, pitch in when he can for us as a substitute and in the smaller games, and contribute to a team which has a hope of challenging for things, or piss off to Villa, Sunderland, Fulham or one of the other also-rans.
it appears that it could be reading. Apparently they are very interested according to multiple sources. Great signing if that's the case. He's the sort of player that will get them the goals they need to stay up. I do find it amazing how someone who has scored about 1 in 3 for us (often from the bench), has so many fans that don't approve of him. amazing how it's possible really. he should be our Solskjaer! But yet, I can completely understand the views of those who aren't overly fond of him. how is that possible, eh?! (I hope I haven't completely contradicted myself there, but I know what I mean, even if I'm alone on this one!! ) oh and by the way, JD is the top scoring premier league player from the bench. (20, out of his 79 goals)
I just can't see why he'd want to go to Reading and get himself embroiled in a relegation scrap at this stage in his career. I seem to remember him saying, when we re-signed him from Portsmouth, that he would never leave us again and would finish his career here. I think it would be the wrong time for him to leave, he's 30 this year and probably has 5 years of Premiership football left in him, the sensible thing to do for me would be to spend the next 2 seasons with us and then move to a smaller club for the last couple of years of his career, where he can be guaranteed starts.
Defoe is a plain footballer, gifted with an instinct to score, but always suspect in his choice of scoring opportunities. In life and on the pitch he is too often found offside.
even though i mentioned "keeping reading up", I don't actually think it'll be a relegation scrap for them. They play good football and could easily do a "Swansea". - they've done it once before, as well! I don't think JD would choose to leave us, its probably going to be about whether he's forced out/ made to feel not wanted. Reports might suggest that AVB wants him, but who knows what the truth is? He's been so patient not getting games and has shown a brilliant football attitude in the last year or so with his voluntary training etc. however, if that is thrown back in his face, he might just think the time is right to go. - and I wouldn't blame him. replacing his goals might not be as easy as we think though, and for all of JD's faults, he has some good qualties. to replace him, might come as more of a cost than we think. grass greener an'all that.
Roo, the 1 in 3 is statistically impressive, but there are some holes in it. A goal in a game we've already won, and lot of goals against weak teams, when does he score the winner against a top side? Michael Owen never scored more than 20 in a season hovering around 15, but they were 15 important goals that influenced big games.
But its 6 of one, half a dozen of the other notso. If he's only getting used in games where we're winning or being used against weak teams so he gets a run out... How can he do what Owen did?( to use your example. )
Roo, come on mate, how long has JD played for us! he's been no.1 striker here and not maintained it, who's fault is that, surely not the strikers since who've been better. I appreciate his goals don't get me wrong, if its not on this thread, I said it on another, I hope he's happy to stay as an impact/cover squad player and be the main man in Europe and the Cups. To get the best out of him does require a dramatic change in style with him being limited at what he can do. He still needs balls into feet to produce his favourite goal out of nothing, lack of goals against top teams would suggest he's predictable and easy to nullify, thats why I think if he applied himself he would do well in Europe against defenders who've not seen him before. The mood around the place is to push on and these things need to be discussed, I shall continue to point out all our players weaknesses, because these little differences are what makes the difference to challenge at the top.
notso, I don't disagree with you, nor am i trying to be argumentative. i hope it doesn't come across like that. As for facts about goals in big games, I cant comment on that, because I can't remember the goals in which JD has scored in enough detail. all i was getting at originally, is that it's ludicrous for us to sell defoe right now. he's a good, prem experienced striker with goals in him, who we'd struggle to replace without spending a fortune. some of the names mentioned, IMO, were pointless signings who would cost more and offer nothing different. I don't think he should start games, no. the amount he's offside is enough to send me insane if I've got to watch it for 90 mins! However, i don't believe we should be disrupting our strike force too much just yet. There's already new names coming in and players need to settle. an overhaul of the srtikers could be lethal. we've seen that before.
