The OFFICIAL Transfer Rumours Thread

[David Kelly 1245]

Difficult to properly judge Anita when he's been pissed about with so much since he arrived.

All I can judge him on is a string of poor performances.

[David Kelly 1245]

Sorry mate I can't get on board with this at all. Did Scholes have physicality (not sure what this means really), Gascoigne, Makelele?

 

Putting Anita up against Toure and Pogba is a mismatch physically obviously, but is also a mismatch is footballing ability (probably because Anita is 7 Million signing and Pogba is being touted at 10x that). Putting them against Xavi and Iniesta is also a mismatch physically, but footballing wise which of the pairs would you have had in their prime?

The players you're naming there are all among the best in the last 20 years (or longer in Gazza's case but he was never small so I don't see where he comes into this). They were/are exceptional which is exactly my point.

Anita doesn't have the strength to hold bigger players off or the pace to allow himself not to need to. That's what I'm talkling about in terms of physicality.

[David Kelly 1245]

If he doesn't rate Abeid, there's really not much hope for him.

 

It's the one thing me and JC agree on!

[Alex 35079]

All I can judge him on is a string of poor performances.

I think he showed some signs early in his career here that he could be a player but even when he did well Pardew would put Tiote or whoever straight back into the team. I think now he's at the stage where his confidence has been affected by that. Probably one to move on either way. Would suit all parties.

[strawb 4249]

But the bigger players you mentioned are also world class..

 

Its pretty obvious to most that Anita isn't in the bracket but its nowt to do with his physicality.

 

Just smacks of the old school "run, try, strength, height, power" nonsense that has ruined creativity, flair and actual footballing ability in the english game.

[David Kelly 1245]

I think he showed some signs early in his career here that he could be a player but even when he did well Pardew would put Tiote or whoever straight back into the team. I think now he's at the stage where his confidence has been affected by that. Probably one to move on either way. Would suit all parties.

Maybe. I stuck with him for a long time but last season for the most part he was hopeless. Would have helped him of course if he was playing with better players. He only ever really gets a game when we're struggling. That never helps any player.

[The Fish 10857]

It's the one thing me and JC agree on!

 

 

No accounting for the-ability-to-accurately-gauge-the-current-and-potential-ability-of-a-player, I suppose.

[Ayatollah Hermione 13863]

I think he showed some signs early in his career here that he could be a player but even when he did well Pardew would put Tiote or whoever straight back into the team. I think now he's at the stage where his confidence has been affected by that. Probably one to move on either way. Would suit all parties.

 

From what I remember, his better performances came when he was in a midfield 3 with Tiote and Cabaye but they were doing the donkey work. Then again, you watch Anita against West Ham last game of the season and he looked head and shoulders above Colback who people seem to rate because he's the best of a shit bunch. You're right about him being fucked around like and that's why I tend to give some of these players less stick than normal. Some of the management of the likes of Abeid, Anita, Riviere, Cisse etc. has been comical.

 

I think there's a player in Abeid; look at the way he ran the show against Liverpool but it looked like Carver rushed him back, his performances suffered and Carver decided he was shit on the back of it. Yet he persisted with Gouffran up until about May. He's only a young lad as well.

 

We definitely need another central midfielder like. I'd rather see Sissoko further forward (if he stays) but fuck knows how we're going to play him, Cabella and De Jong without one of them being shunted out of position.

Edited July 6, 2015 by Ayatollah Hermione

[David Kelly 1245]

But the bigger players you mentioned are also world class..

 

Its pretty obvious to most that Anita isn't in the bracket but its nowt to do with his physicality.

 

Just smacks of the old school "run, try, strength, height, power" nonsense that has ruined creativity, flair and actual footballing ability in the english game.

I was suggesting the reason those bigger players were world class was because of their physical attributes rather than their skill that's the only reason I mentioned them. There is of course a lot of much more physical players who aren't that good but they all have more success in this country.

I'm not wanting to sound like I think it should be all about kick and run and I'm not denegrating the style of play in other leagues. But the way football is played here is different and needs different things.

[Christmas Tree 4725]

This is the sort of transfer gossip I like

 

[Meenzer 15525]

The Woman's Own of sports literature.

[Howay 12496]

[Ayatollah Hermione 13863]

Definitely not after a bit of attention

[Christmas Tree 4725]

Definitely not after a bit of attention

If I was after attention I would post this .

 

 

But I'm not, so I won't.

 

That said I've spent all day with a puking bairn and Alex's onslaught so a bit of attention would be nice.

 

It's either that or Hairspray.

 

Oh, and it's real ale night.

[Ayatollah Hermione 13863]

I meant him like but fair enough.

[Christmas Tree 4725]

Adam Campbell completes move to Notts County

[Christmas Tree 4725]

I meant him like but fair enough.

 

I'm having a sensitive day

[strawb 4249]

I was suggesting the reason those bigger players were world class was because of their physical attributes rather than their skill that's the only reason I mentioned them. There is of course a lot of much more physical players who aren't that good but they all have more success in this country.

I'm not wanting to sound like I think it should be all about kick and run and I'm not denegrating the style of play in other leagues. But the way football is played here is different and needs different things.

 

The first bold bit is just wrong mate sorry.

 

The second bold bit. The reason football in this country is different is because of the kick and rush nonsense of previous generations, the lack of investment in kids football, lack of quality coaches/opportunities for coaches and a culture that demands instant success. Not because in England football is inherently a game played by big strong people.

 

Lets put it this way. I think Anita is a better footballer than Colback, yet Colback plays every week because he "grafts". Anita plays a good game, two average games then is benched for 8 weeks or whatever. I think playing Colback over Anita is a false economy and it would bare out if both played a full season.

[Christmas Tree 4725]

Sammy gone as well.

[Happy Face 29]

so we let someone who made 27 league apps for us last year go out on loan for a year

 

makes sense

The same day mcclaren demanded the board should not allow anyone to go unless we've signed replacements.

 

The board he's the second most powerful member of.

 

Apparently.

[toonotl 2978]

Not surprising in the least. The only unknown quantity in this situation is whether McClaren is an ass licking doormat like Pardew or someone with self-respect like Keegan. Time will tell.

[Kitman 2204]

I kind of agree with Ameobi going on loan. I don't think he's going to amount to much as a bit part player coming off the bench. Of course we need to replace him with someone better to improve squad depth, which probably won't happen but I don't think its a bad idea otherwise.

[Happy Face 29]

I kind of agree with Ameobi going on loan. I don't think he's going to amount to much as a bit part player coming off the bench. Of course we need to replace him with someone better to improve squad depth, which probably won't happen but I don't think its a bad idea otherwise.

 

Same with Gutierrez... and Ryan Taylor...

 

Think McClaren's concern is that's a lot of first team appearances walking out of the door without being replaced, irrespective of ability, they were the best we had available and were needed to make a contribution.

[toonotl 2978]

Yeah definitely Kitters. But as you pointed out the problem is getting these players replaced. Sammy isn't good enough to play for a PL side aiming for a top half finish, the problem is we are looking like relegation fodder the rate we're going, and for that quality of side Sammy would be useful.

[Dr Gloom 21917]

It's basics really isn't it. You don't let players go until you have their replacements signed. Our (total lack of) transfer strategy leaves us in real danger of starting the season with another weak as piss squad.