January 2015 transfer window ( No GIFs allowed )(Nor fish puns ffs)

[alpha1]

If we want a keeper then Marshall will be a lot cheaper than Begovic so would be my choice there.
What about Butland?
Would be tempted to go for Nastasic at £5m too. Along with Alderweireld.
Quite liked that Corchia from Lille for right back.
Then Perisic and Anya or Redmond for the wings.
Lastly, Soriano or Guidetti for up front.
So that's 7 positions filled at a cost of up to £50m (maybe) which should be attainable over the next 2 transfer windows.
That's my view anyway and I'm sure I'm probably on my own with it! Oh well. I tried.

 

[Danny1986]

I agree I would have took Marshall when Cardiff got relegated

 

[Neiler]

Marshall is a shout.

Moweett at Leeds looks a player.

In defence id go no further than Southampton, Alderweireld and Fonte have been very impressive. Been impressed with Craig Dawson at WBA this season also.

Sakho at West Ham has something about him also.

 

[PhilM]

In defence id go no further than Southampton, Alderweireld and Fonte have been very impressive. Been impressed with Craig Dawson at WBA this season also.

Sakho at West Ham has something about him also.

I genuinely find it difficult to comprehend why people believe the likes of Alderweireld and Fonte would currently leave Southampton for us?

Look at their current situation: they're second in the table; playing attractive football; full of confidence; a relatively injury free squad.

Foremost, I doubt Southampton would be willing to sell, yet I cannot see the players having a desire to move unless it was a top four club.

Maybe in the summer when things 'peter out' or situations are different, but right now it is unfortunately nothing more than a pipe dream.

Sakho would be the same I would presume. West Ham are having a purple patch and he seems happy; a quick move is unlikely.

Marshall is somebody I would be interested in, however I doubt replacing Robles is at the top of Martinez's current priorities.

 

[EverBlue86]

Isn't Alderweird only on loan to Southampton? Think he's still at Atletico. Think they could outspend us for him though problem is our fans can see talent why can't our scouts?

Alderweird
Tadic
Bony
Song

4 players off the top of my head that we could have in our squad had we actually gone in for them.

 

[Lmc92coyb]

I rate Nathaniel Clyne the most out of their back 4, but don't think he would quit regular first team football to carry Colemans water

 

[PhilM]

Think he's still at Atletico. Think they could outspend us for him though problem is our fans can see talent why can't our scouts?

Alderweird
Tadic
Bony
Song

4 players off the top of my head that we could have in our squad had we actually gone in for them.

Many fans from other clubs are probably thinking the very same thing. However, the truth is that it isn't as simple or clear cut as that.

Bony for example cost £12m and came from the Dutch league, which is notorious for masking a players potential. Players can shine over there and come here and be atrocious; equally others can shine there and be very good. That's the problem: taking players who succeed in the Netherlands is a risk. Martinez had just signed for the club and we didn't have a significant transfer budget, thus went for players he knew or believed could rely on without a huge risk. A gamble could have paid off, but that's with hindsight. With regards to this summer? Well, we've spent a lot on a player who has relatively proven himself in league (for both us and WBA) and was wanted by a significant percentage of the fan base. Was it the right option? Could the money have been better spent? The jury is still out. However, I doubt we could have afforded both and simply saying we should have bought Bony doesn't take into consideration all of the above.

Tadic is much of the same for Bony. Well thought of in the Eredivisie, but that doesn't always mean much and was he a priority for us?

In hindsight he could have been a fantastic buy, yet hindsight is hindsight. It's easy to say afterwards we should have done this and that etc.

Song probably boiled down to his relatively well known poor attitude, possible wage demands and the fact that isn't a weak position for us.

It is easy to look at a successful transfer and remarks, "We should have gone for those! Our scouts are poor etc...".

The hard part is getting the right transfer in the first place and making it succeed. I'm not saying you're wrong by the way, or our scouts are perfect. I think our transfer dealings could be better, but it isn't as simple as some may wish it to be.

 

[toffeejack]

I genuinely find it difficult to comprehend why people believe the likes of Alderweireld and Fonte would currently leave Southampton for us?

Look at their current situation: they're second in the table; playing attractive football; full of confidence; a relatively injury free squad.

Foremost, I doubt Southampton would be willing to sell, yet I cannot see the players having a desire to move unless it was a top four club.

Maybe in the summer when things 'peter out' or situations are different, but right now it is unfortunately nothing more than a pipe dream.

Sakho would be the same I would presume. West Ham are having a purple patch and he seems happy; a quick move is unlikely.

Marshall is somebody I would be interested in, however I doubt replacing Robles is at the top of Martinez's current priorities.

because possibly they're overachieving? let's see if they can keep it up, we've been consistently getting top 7 for a fair few years now, they're 2nd after a 3rd of one season. we're a bigger and better club and have more chance for regular european football.

 

[TheAlmightyFloater]

David Marshall would be a great replacement for Howard for a few years while we look for an adequate long term replacement (sorry Robles...).

 

[PhilM]

because possibly they're overachieving? let's see if they can keep it up, we've been consistently getting top 7 for a fair few years now, they're 2nd after a 3rd of one season. we're a bigger and better club and have more chance for regular european football.

I agree on all points.

We are a bigger club. They may be overachieving. It may be only small scale success. We may have more chance at regular European football.

On the flip side: they're currently doing well; they're happy; European football at the moment appear more likely for them than ourselves.

As I said in my earlier post, currently I doubt we would be able to tempt them. In the future maybe when things change, but not right now.

"Fonte lad, fancy coming down here to maybe get Europa league and fill in our injury depleted squad?", asks Martinez.

"Not right now Bobby laaaa, we're going for Champions League and we're doing boss", replies Fonte.

 

[Neiler]

I genuinely find it difficult to comprehend why people believe the likes of Alderweireld and Fonte would currently leave Southampton for us?

Look at their current situation: they're second in the table; playing attractive football; full of confidence; a relatively injury free squad.

Foremost, I doubt Southampton would be willing to sell, yet I cannot see the players having a desire to move unless it was a top four club.

Maybe in the summer when things 'peter out' or situations are different, but right now it is unfortunately nothing more than a pipe dream.

Sakho would be the same I would presume. West Ham are having a purple patch and he seems happy; a quick move is unlikely.

Marshall is somebody I would be interested in, however I doubt replacing Robles is at the top of Martinez's current priorities.

Alderweireld is on loan mate - he has a buy out cluase of 7mill, Fonte would have went to Cardiff in the summer if they met the 5mill Saints were asking - hes 30 though tbf.

I suspect Sakho is currently is on a hit and hope contract, if he doesnt sign another one, then an improved deal could turn his head.

All transfers are pipe dreams mate, there all just shouts really.

 

[davek]

Box to box midfielder to cover for Barkley is what we desperately need. We lost our way early in the season because of that and haven't got back up to speed yet.

Fundamental to get that sorted out. Anywhere else we can just about cope until the summer.

 

[Neiler]

Box to box midfielder to cover for Barkley is what we desperately need. We lost our way early in the season because of that and haven't got back up to speed yet.

Fundamental to get that sorted out. Anywhere else we can just about cope until the summer.

I wouldnt say Box - Box mate, McCarthy for me is one of the best around, i do think we need someone who can play in the hole and drop deep to make a 5 when we dont have possesion and invaribly cover for the 15 odd games a season Barkley doesn't play, someone who can assist and score - could do worse then getting Shaun Maloney for a nominal fee as cover/fatiuqe relief.

Shout out for Van Djik at Celtic, will be a good PL centre half.

 

[PhilM]

Box to box midfielder to cover for Barkley is what we desperately need. We lost our way early in the season because of that and haven't got back up to speed yet.

Agree about a number ten role. Not a box to box, but a supporting player.

We seem to shoehorn players into the number ten role, sometimes successfully (Naismith, Eto'o), but Osman is no longer a suitable backup.

A player who will challenge/support Ross would add to our consistency, while letting Naismith and Eto'o challenge for or play in other roles.

Still, I think our main worries are centre backs and genuine wide players who offer pace and movement.

The former because two are either crooks or an OAP, the latter as again we seem to be regularly putting square pegs into round holes.

 

[Dutch Toffee]

Many fans from other clubs are probably thinking the very same thing. However, the truth is that it isn't as simple or clear cut as that.

Bony for example cost £12m and came from the Dutch league, which is notorious for masking a players potential. Players can shine over there and come here and be atrocious; equally others can shine there and be very good. That's the problem: taking players who succeed in the Netherlands is a risk. Martinez had just signed for the club and we didn't have a significant transfer budget, thus went for players he knew or believed could rely on without a huge risk. A gamble could have paid off, but that's with hindsight. With regards to this summer? Well, we've spent a lot on a player who has relatively proven himself in league (for both us and WBA) and was wanted by a significant percentage of the fan base. Was it the right option? Could the money have been better spent? The jury is still out. However, I doubt we could have afforded both and simply saying we should have bought Bony doesn't take into consideration all of the above.

Tadic is much of the same for Bony. Well thought of in the Eredivisie, but that doesn't always mean much and was he a priority for us?

In hindsight he could have been a fantastic buy, yet hindsight is hindsight. It's easy to say afterwards we should have done this and that etc.

Song probably boiled down to his relatively well known poor attitude, possible wage demands and the fact that isn't a weak position for us.

It is easy to look at a successful transfer and remarks, "We should have gone for those! Our scouts are poor etc...".

The hard part is getting the right transfer in the first place and making it succeed. I'm not saying you're wrong by the way, or our scouts are perfect. I think our transfer dealings could be better, but it isn't as simple as some may wish it to be.

Agree on the level of the Dutch league, disagree that you can't spot if certain players won't make it here. Tadic and Bony were both special talents over here. Not trying to pad myself on the back, but I've been singing their praises long before they moved to England. On the other hand there are players like van Wolfswinkel, De Jong and Castaignos of whom I'm fairly sure they wouldn't cut it in the PL.