Transfer Window

[Big E]

There's a bit of speculation about the likes of Owen/Henry, but there's other areas need looking at.

 

So what do people think we need in January? How much will we get to spend? And who could we actually get?

 

I reckon Pennant will go if we can get rid, and I could handle Yossi or even Babel going if we got a good replacement. I reckon £5m from the Yanks, if anything.

 

I think our right side still looks weak beyond Kuyt (who's played well but needs to continue his goalscoring), though I'd like to see Babel get a go. And we're short of goals with the defence unlikey to contribute. We're relying on Gerrard/Torres/Keane really, and another striker means we're replacing Keane probably and not adding goals in another position. Riera/Babel are ok for the left, tho short of goals again. The LB won't be changed, Dossena has to get a chance, and prob the same for the RB's.

 

So it's a goalscoring wide player really, who could also play up front or allow Kuyt to go there occasionally. Exactly what we needed in the summer. I have no idea who we could get, if Babel lived up to his potential we'd be ok. A striker would be useful, but only as cover really.

[Gunga Din]

i'd get Wayne Bridge in. Or put in a bid for Clichy. that left back position is a major weak spot, Aurelio cant stay fit and Dossena is bobbins

[Benzo-13]

That Valencia from Wigan was someone we looked at.

Wouldn't be bad at all depends on whether Fat Head would sell him to us over Slur.

[New York Red]

i'd get Wayne Bridge in. Or put in a bid for Clichy. that left back position is a major weak spot, Aurelio cant stay fit and Dossena is bobbins

 

How on earth could we have gotten it so wrong with Dossena? That's a ton of money to pay for someone who looks like he'll fail for us.

[Benzo-13]

How on earth could we have gotten it so wrong with Dossena? That's a ton of money to pay for someone who looks like he'll fail for us.

 

He probably scouted correctly, was on the upgrade in Serie A but just doesn't fit to the league when on the pitch.

 

It does happen. Some players look the part and don't make it here.

 

E.g. Morientes.

 

I'd swap him for Vargas from Fiorentina if they were mad enough to do so.

[Sion]

i'd get Wayne Bridge in. Or put in a bid for Clichy.

 

You're crazy if you think Chelsea would sell us Bridge.

Even crazier with Clichy.

[New York Red]

Not that much quality around at left back.

 

Getting rid of Pennant and Benny and getting a really solid replacement at right midfield would make me feel much better about the stretch run.

[Sion]

Not that much quality around at left back.

 

Getting rid of Pennant and Benny and getting a really solid replacement at right midfield would make me feel much better about the stretch run.

 

I'd cut our losses on Dossena and raid A.Madrid for Lopez, if they won't sell for a reasonable price i like the look of Belhadj on loan at portsmouth, but that might have to wait till his loan's finished.

Would like another option on the right if we sold Benayoun and Pennant, but no idea who.

Don't think we need another forward at all.

[Swagger]

You're crazy if you think Chelsea would sell us Bridge.

Even crazier with Clichy.

 

Agreed.

 

I wonder whether Rafa has given up on Dossena. We should know sooner rather than later as Rafa has been pretty ruthless in the past, even with players he had brought in himself.

[Swipe]

Yup, agree that LB is the obvious weakness. Dossena started the season but quickly fell behind Aurelio.

 

Could be indication Rafa is ready to cut his losses on him already. He's dreadful.

[Paul]

It always seems difficult to pick up decent players in the January window so our options will be fairly limited.

A left back is a definitely priority, Dossena isn't going to work out and we can't rely on Aurelio with his injury record.

 

A striker on loan would be nice - another Ronny Rosenthal?

[carrafan]

I've always been interested to see how Agger would do at left back. Skrtel is supposed to be back before Christmas and even if it takes a month to be match fit we are looking at either Martin or Dan sitting on the bench in most games which would be a shame. Centrebacks neednt necessarily make good fullbacks as a lot of things are different in those positions but if push comes to shove it wouldnt be the worst idea in the world.

 

We could then look at a Pennant replacement if we manage to sell him. I'm sad about Pennant, i thought he'd provide us good width and a great option on the wing when we signed him. Has anyone seen him that boy Kuba play? I saw two Dortmund games this season and this bloke is seriously direct and quick but is more of a kick and run player than a dribbler. But to be fair to him, he was coming back from an injury and hence might not have done well when i saw him.

Edited November 29, 2008 by carrafan

[Chili Palmer]

I've always been interested to see how Agger would do at left back. Skrtel is supposed to be back before Christmas and even if it takes a month to be match fit we are looking at either Martin or Dan sitting on the bench in most games which would be a shame. Centrebacks neednt necessarily make good fullbacks as a lot of things are different in those positions but if push comes to shove it wouldnt be the worst idea in the world.

 

 

I remember seeing him get man of the match for Denmark playing at left back against England about a year before we signed him. He would do well imo.

Edited November 29, 2008 by Chili Palmer

[R A Softlad]

I remember seeing him get man of the match for Denmark playing at left back against England about a year before we signed him. He would do well imo.

 

Agreed, it would also help with keeping Skrtel and Carra happy and Agger loves getting forward.

[Joxer]

I dont know about Agger at left back, for some reason I have my doubts.

Maybe its his height or something that makes him not fit the bill of a full back, then again Babbel was one of our best full backs in recent history.

Edited November 29, 2008 by Joxer

[smicer07]

I think we need belief from the terraces.

[Alonso]

I like the look of Fabian Monzon for LB and Emanuelson at Ajax is good going forward even if he's not the best defensively.

 

Santi Cazorla for RW would be good as well but he'll be very pricey and he turned down a move to Real in the summer as he wanted to learn his trade at Villareal.

[Saintslfc13]

I think we obviously need an attacking wide player. Not so much because Kuyt has been poor because anyone who watches can see he's been one of our best players all season, but because I would like to see Kuyt get a run up front, especially if we have to play Babel there for any length of time due to Torres hamstring problems.

 

Like it or not the hamstring is one of the worst injuries an athlete can get, not so much do to severity but the fact that it takes time for it to heal fully and can recur. I agree with Rafa that Spain is the problem but I don't see a fit Torres denying himself the opportunity to play for his country.

 

All that being said I'd like to see us make a run at Jesus Navas of Sevilla. I've seen him play when watching the spanish league a few times and I think he's brilliant. He can beat players, has pace, and scores some great goals. I've heard he's homesick though and he's probably their best player at the moment so it might be hard to get him in January but if not then hopefully we definitely make a run at him in the summer.

 

Of course this all depends on where we are financially at that time.

[floyd the barber]

definetly a left and right back.....also i feel we need another striker, with the worries over the fitness of torres...we need a back up striker who can hold the ball up...and would be happy to be back on the bench when torres is fit..

[Cam]

1) A first-choice leftback. Bridge is a decent shout.

2) Albert Riera's right-footed, long-lost, out-of-contract twin brother.

3) A rightback. First-choice or cover? Dunno yet.

4) An out-and-out goalscorer; cover for Torres but also a different option from the bench.

[Scapegoat]

That Valencia from Wigan was someone we looked at.

Wouldn't be bad at all depends on whether Fat Head would sell him to us over Slur.

 

Excellent shout that. Pacy, athletic, good on the ball, takes on players, works his nads off too, so definitely a "Rafa" player. Possibly send Pennant the other way, he's worked with Bruce before?

Edited November 30, 2008 by Scapegoat

[Zoob]

I don't even think it's a case of having to 'break even' in the transfer market. I expect we need to be making a profit during the transfer window - wasn't Riera bought with the assumption we were gonna sell Pennant before the Summer window closed?

 

Either way, regardless of what we want and need, I don't think we're gonna see much happen unless we can shift a few players, and with selling players there's always the problem of the buying club not willing to match wages, which often results in our dropping price to compensate for this (i.e. so that player doesn't take too much of a wage cut, and buying club pay less to compensate for having to pay higher wages.)

[Dmitch]

a RB another CF and Garry Mac!

[goodrobotusses]

Torres to stay fit, Aurelio to stay fit, Keane to either play less (so we can play 4-2-3-1 most games) or simply remember how to play.

[Swagger]

Excellent shout that. Pacy, athletic, good on the ball, takes on players, works his nads off too, so definitely a "Rafa" player.

 

Good player, definitely one to consider, but I would expect Bruce to hold out for silly money.