Celtic's van Diijk looks a good young centre half and would not cost the earth. I am really looking forward to Bojan & Shakira in the same line up...but we still need a CB
Everton reported to be in talks with Yarmelenko according the BBC. After all the rumours throughout the summer that we were in pole position to sign him it now seems likely that he will choose the scousers and that smooth talker Martinez.
Sky sports reporting that SJW has handed in a transfer request. Another one on his way it would seem.
Nicky's favourite player. Great servant but not a player for the future - if we get money for him and he can negotiate a better deal elsewhere then it's good for everyone.
Interesting read! While Stoke City, who in years gone by were looked on as nothing more than bunch of long-ball playing ruffians, signed twinkle-toed Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri from Inter Milan for £12 million. In an era of 24-hour sports channels, where the statement of the transfer is as important as ever, there were none bolder this summer than the captures of Cabaye and Shaqiri. These were the moves that shook the window. The transfers that most had to reread to check that, as the news broke, they were not imagining things. These signings alone forced watchers to change perceptions of each club’s style, not to mention forecasts on where both teams would finish. Little more than two years ago, in their first match back in the Premier League, Palace had Owen Garvan, who recently signed for Colchester United, patrolling their midfield. Now they have a Ligue 1 title-winner and World Cup quarter-finalist. As soon as Cabaye’s arrival was confirmed, any lingering tag of Palace being plucky battlers evaporated and signalled that the Selhurst Park club are not only in the top flight to stay but are also upwardly mobile. In the summer of 2012 – when Shaqiri joined Bayern Munich, where he went on to win a league, cup and Champions League treble the following season – Stoke had brought in the likes of Michael Kightly and Maurice Edu – remember him?. Back then, even the most optimistic of Potters fans would have probably said there was about as much chance of Shaqiri turning up at the Britannia Stadium as there was of Kightly one day roaming the wing at the Allianz Arena. Shaqiri’s signing is indicative of the progress the Staffordshire club have made But Shaqiri’s signing is indicative of the progress the Staffordshire club have made since and finally achieved something that Mark Hughes has been slowly working towards – banishing the perception that Stoke are a long-ball team. This calibre of recruitment was shining evidence to those who take the dimmest possible view of the fact that Stoke have changed. Both moves are also illustrative of a window in which, at times, the so-called second-tier clubs within the Premier League upstaged their more illustrious compatriots. Read more at http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/...d-statements-of-intent-2/#z75URQ9vSDibA0mE.99
As you can see from my portrait ( look left ) I am wearing my Christmas Stocking on my head. But who will be in MH's January Window Stocking ? Anyone ? Will it be Ho Ho Ho time or will it be Bah Humbug time ? Will it be Santa Denise or Ebenezer Denise ? The first choice players are doing very well in the main , apart from not scoring enough , but the squad needs to be strengthend with better "cover" players than what we have at present. With less than three weeks 'til the "store" opens , I hope Field Marshal Hughes has readied the "call-up" papers of some top ranked battlers.
