Tom Cleverley

[Dutch Toffee]

I prefer to do a bit of fence sitting on this one as learned by @chicoazul . Not expecting a world beater, but also not the worst signing, especially on a free. Don't think for a second he'll become our new Arteta, but if he becomes the new Osman, than that's good enough for me.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Im very concerned that Martinez sees him as a number 10 or a left winger.

Lets be honest here, I've no idea what Martinez is thinking.

But I'd guess he sees Cleverley as someone to play the sort of role that McCarthy has played a bit in the second half of the season, through the middle, not exactly box to box, but something on those lines.

End of the day, Martinez likes him and he's available relatively cheaply so, as far as Bobby's concerned, it's a no brainer. I still think we'll only see Barry as a regular in the coming season at which point he'll either stick around and be happy to play less or push off to the States.

Martinez probably sees him as a natural successor to Barry so is happy to pay a signing on fee and wages to cover the next 12 months. The alternative being that we'd have to sign someone else in 12 months time for a fee.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Lets be honest here, I've no idea what Martinez is thinking.

But I'd guess he sees Cleverley as someone to play the sort of role that McCarthy has played a bit in the second half of the season, through the middle, not exactly box to box, but something on those lines.

End of the day, Martinez likes him and he's available relatively cheaply so, as far as Bobby's concerned, it's a no brainer. I still think we'll only see Barry as a regular in the coming season at which point he'll either stick around and be happy to play less or push off to the States.

Martinez probably sees him as a natural successor to Barry so is happy to pay a signing on fee and wages to cover the next 12 months. The alternative being that we'd have to sign someone else in 12 months time for a fee.

If he can't displace Barry we shouldn't be getting him. Our record without Barry is very good. Our record without Howard isn't bad either. It's not rocket science what needs to happen to improve this team.

 

[bluemangroup]

I said hes not better, hes probably on a par with a few and im not saying hes terrible, I watched him, after James McCarthyGate im being very careful and not judging players without actually watching them play, spent a lot of time scouting The Clev and overall I like what I see, hes hard working and can thread a mean ball, overall its a superb piece of business on a free.

I just have many, many concerns, not with this signing per-see, but with the direction in which this useless Spanish fraud is going.

Im willing to see out the window tho.

Think we need a bit more competition to the Barry-McCarthy axis and Gibson isn't up to it and Besic isn't there yet. It's solid business but we really need some better players for our Tom to pass the ball to this summer as well.

 

[Stanley Parker]

Does a player on a free transfer really cost less than one you pay for?

That's the theory.

There may not be an initial transfer fee, but surely a player on a free transfer takes the equivalent of the transfer fee himself in the shape of higher wages throughout his contract. Or have agents suddenly become philanthropists?

I don't think that are any great savings - if any at all - in the long term.

 

[boris]

Do people on here really see Tom Cleverley as a direct replacement for Gareth Barry?

Anyone thinking that is in for a shock & is clearly talking nonsense as they're is nothing in Cleverley's game to say he can do the same job for this team that Barry does.

There's only Besic or McCarthy who can fill in for him, although I'm not convinced McCarthy is right for the role Martinez wants Barry to play which is basically a 3rd centre half.

Barry is a shoe in to play cause he plays a specific role Bobby wants.

 

[Goat]

Think we need a bit more competition to the Barry-McCarthy axis and Gibson isn't up to it and Besic isn't there yet. It's solid business but we really need some better players for our Tom to pass the ball to this summer as well.

Of course Besic is there.

What sort of comment is that?

Clown.

 

[MACCA75]

Agree with that...difference is Cleverley is free. There is absolutely zero risk in this move.

The risk is he makes our midfield utter horse plop.

Let's get Cabaye instead.

 

[bluemangroup]

Of course Besic is there.

What sort of comment is that?

Clown.

He ain't. Not yet. He's had a good first year like but he's a work in progress.

 

[tim cahill]

Think we need a bit more competition to the Barry-McCarthy axis and Gibson isn't up to it and Besic isn't there yet. It's solid business but we really need some better players for our Tom to pass the ball to this summer as well.

When did Besic cease to be good enough?? When he played last season he was normally one of our best players.

 

[Goat]

He ain't. Not yet. He's had a good first year like but he's a work in progress.

@Woolly Blue @micknick

Deal with this.

 

[ilikecheese]

The risk is he makes our midfield utter horse plop.

Let's get Cabaye instead.

So we are worse with him in the squad? OK mate.

 

[bluemangroup]

When did Besic cease to be good enough?? When he played last season he was normally one of our best players.

Besic is a good holding player but against lesser teams we can't rely on Barkley and wingers just to break them down. We need more of a threat from deep and he isn't that.

@Woolly Blue @micknick

Deal with this.

Whaling to the authorities like the minke you are.

 

[Eggs]

...I see Cleverley as a creative midfielder, more in the mode of Osman or Pienaar type. For England he repeatedly hit the box which is an admirable attribute but despite getting in great positions his finishing was poor. I wouldn't see him in the Barry position. RM said a few times last season that we missed a player who could 'play between the lines', perhaps he sees Cleverley filling that void.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Do people on here really see Tom Cleverley as a direct replacement for Gareth Barry?

Anyone thinking that is in for a shock & is clearly talking nonsense as they're is nothing in Cleverley's game to say he can do the same job for this team that Barry does.

There's only Besic or McCarthy who can fill in for him, although I'm not convinced McCarthy is right for the role Martinez wants Barry to play which is basically a 3rd centre half.

Barry is a shoe in to play cause he plays a specific role Bobby wants.

What role is that? Slow cruise boat midfielder who constantly fouls people and passes it very slowly and very flat? He offers nothing to the side and when McCarthy doesn't play gets horrifically found out. Too old for 38 games a season now. He doesn't even use his experience, he plays more suicide balls and gives away more pens and fouls than anyone else.