Tomkins?

The men in white coats are on route. They'll storm your door and sedate you if they have to, so I'd just go of your own accord.

 

I've always been quite impressed by him tbh. Obviously not a brilliant player, but will get better.

 

That's the thing I suppose, we'd be buying on what they think he might be. I suppose Rio and Terry were pretty error strewn at 21 also to be fair! He just had a torrid time in the PL, was **** week on week. To be fair that West Ham side lacked heart and its tough to ask a 21 yr old to be a mainstay of the defence under that kind of scrutiny. He was no better for the 21's either though and my heart sank when he got a late call for the summer tournment when they got injuries. Obviously we saw the very worst of him at St James (one of the worst defensive displays I've witnessed at this level if truth be told) and there must be something there for all the interest. However over-hyped their young players are, you can't argue with a system that has produced what they have in recent years.

 

Let's not forget as a young lad learning his trade he was always going to struggle to stand out in such a poor West Ham defence last season. You need an intelligent, experienced partner (ideally) as a young centre half and he didnt have that at West Ham. I think you might be right Warm Pouch, we are in greater need of a ball playing centre back than another header winning centre back.

As for Perch, I can see what you mean, oddly. He looks far more comfortable at DM than he ever did in defence and if he does show some promise there he might just be able to stay as a reserve DM.

 

Think when they were in Prem, he did well a lot of the time like. A lot of players crumble when they come to St James' to play. Remember Dunne last season haha. He was literally like a Sunday league player.

 

My wife works in mental health so she could save the men in white coats a job...

 

You must have seen different games to me, I couldn't believe how bad he was last year and I couldn't understand why they kept throwing him into the fire. I suppose they are benefitting now though if he is doing well in the fizzy pop. I think relegation in a funny way is a good experience for a young player. I look at Saylor and he plays like he never wants to experience it again every time he pulls on the shirt. He has done since we went down.

Nevermind Dunne, what about Cieran Clark, he had an even worse game! Mind again he is very young and has been very good this year supposedly, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares this time round. Carroll marmalised them in that game, he was unplayable. He wants to hope Demba is not back for their game though, cause he's just as unplayable in different ways!

 

Looking more and more likely now

 

From all accounts Pardew takes a special interest in the defenders and defensive training at the club, he knows Tomkins from WHU days. Think Pards is going to take him under his wing and mentor him, could actually be a good signing. Plus I bought him for my first couple of seasons on FM

 

If we sign him he will do well, name our last bad signing, even Perch has a role in our squad

 

All this talk of Perch and a possible role in the squad is freaking me out. Please can all of you confirm you are not serious.

 

Came on against Utd in holding role when Cabaye went off, which is where it stems from, can't remember who else was on the bench that could have done the role in that situation with Man U banging at the door. Someone's got to do the holding job for the next 6-7 games while Tiote's away, personally hope Guthrie will be back soon (never thought I'd ever say that)

 

I never thought I'd be praying for Guthries return. Fair play he looked alright in his short stint this year. Problem is he's one game away from his next injury all the time. Perch is just god awful. I honestly think he'd struggle at fizzy pop level and can see why Forest never played him. I'd honestly play Smith ahead of him and I think Smith is turd. At least he looked quality in the fizzy pop. Perch is worth three goals a game to the oppo when playing centre half, but he is not much better in centre midfield. I think we'll sign someone, particularly if they can move Smith on

 

Agree with this, just ask Norwich

 

how do you figure?

he was doing a 'buy three get one free' deal i suppose.


Also, i like the sound of some of the other CBs we've been linked to over Tomkins; the guy from Sheff U/the guy from Boro (and there was another one, cant remember what team though)

 

Some Finnish bloke?

 

Ober!!!!!

 

aye thats the guy. His name was something like Heskey, except he can Finnish

 

Or Chelsea or West Brom. Its guaranteed. He is ever so slightly better in midfield where there is another of defence before Krul is left helpless. These rumours of us signing Benjamin Courjet or whatever his name is made me wonder whether we might be trying to do a little more business than has been muted.

 

Sol Campbell.