January 2014 - HCDAJFU

[Lighthouse]

Just over a week until the January sales open. I think recent results have shown up a few holes in our squad. Hopefully the powers that be have some ideas lined up already.

 

I think we need to look at

'keeper - Boruc is the only one I regard as being Prem quality. I'd get someone else in and loan Gazza out.

LB - Not just cover, someone good. We can't expect a teenager to play 38 games a season.

AM - Our bench is lacking someone to come on and change the game. Having said that we should be looking at players better than we have.

 

The CB situation I think can wait till summer. Personally I still think Yoshi is a decent player, just lacking match practice.

 

 

Begin suggesting random Slovenian teenagers who are good on FM13.

[Give it to Ron]

Shay Given was on Sunday Morning Sky and saying he goes back to Villa 1st January - rumour has it Swansea are interested in him.

We need experience and although he is 37 will certainly do a job for us this season.

[Window Cleaner]

Shay Given was on Sunday Morning Sky and saying he goes back to Villa 1st January - rumour has it Swansea are interested in him.

We need experience and although he is 37 will certainly do a job for us this season.

 

 

Ah yes Vorm is out for a while i think.

[Smirking_Saint]

We need another CB desperately.

 

Perhaps a LB and a keeper

[stevy777_x]

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyama of Lille

Steve Mandanda of Marseille

Stephane Ruffier of Saint Etienne

 

All 3 are excellent goalkeepers and also at the right age.

Would give excellent competition to Boruc.

 

Defender: Aymen Abdenour of Toulouse strong central defender that plays on the left hand side.

 

Attacking midfielder: Yohan Gourcuff of Lyon

On his day one of the best attacking mid in Ligue 1. Has had a lot of of injury problems, but I m confident that with our medical staff they can sort with out because he really is a class player.

[Window Cleaner]

We need another CB desperately.

 

Perhaps a LB and a keeper

 

 

How abouta LB/CB, Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia, we may have been in contact I think.

[Dig Dig]

Shay Given was on Sunday Morning Sky and saying he goes back to Villa 1st January - rumour has it Swansea are interested in him.

We need experience and although he is 37 will certainly do a job for us this season.

 

Given was dropped for Villa after a very bad run of form and he has barely played since. No way can anyone say that he would certainly do a job for us.

[Window Cleaner]

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyama of Lille

Steve Mandanda of Marseille

Stephane Ruffier of Saint Etienne

 

All 3 are excellent goalkeepers and also at the right age.

Would give excellent competition to Boruc.

 

Defender: Aymen Abdenour of Toulouse strong central defender that plays on the left hand side.

 

Attacking midfielder: Yohan Gourcuff of Lyon

On his day one of the best attacking mid in Ligue 1. Has had a lot of of injury problems, but I m confident that with our medical staff they can sort with out because he really is a class player.

 

 

Eneyama yes yes yes, Ruffier won't be coming, asked him myself, Mandanda I'd give a miss. Gourcuff won't sign with Lyon again but his dad is wrapping it in at Lorient in June and may be going to a club Yohann would fancy, probably not strong enough for the PL anyway and way out of our salary range, 120K euros a week..

[Convict Colony]

Am still going for Banega, Valencia are about 10th in the league but his strengths would dovetail nicely.

 

On the valencia forum they are saying that his agent has been touting him to Italian clubs and he could leave in Jan ??

[Give it to Ron]

Given was dropped for Villa after a very bad run of form and he has barely played since. No way can anyone say that he would certainly do a job for us.

 

You didnt see him play for Boro on Saturday like I did then. Compared to Gazza he is like Gordon Banks

[Dig Dig]

You didnt see him play for Boro on Saturday like I did then. Compared to Gazza he is like Gordon Banks

 

We should all have learned that great GK performances in the Championship don't equate to the same in the prem. And using Gazza as a bench mark would lead you to probably think that I good do a job for us!

[Smirking_Saint]

Banega would be excellent but I dont think we will move for him unless someone decides that the game is up for Gaston who looked lively yesterday.

 

We need a youngish keeper I think, gazza is terrible and Davis/Boruc are the wrong side of thirty. Enyeama is decent but is also past 30 isnt he ? What about Ter Stegan from Gladbach ?

 

Also yes, a left sided CB is possibly the answer, Clyne can cover LB when required, surely one of the academy lads can make a better fist at playing there then Fox ?

 

We desperately need a CB, Jos was never good enough in the prem and I have no idea whats happened to Yoshi.

[Give it to Ron]

We should all have learned that great GK performances in the Championship don't equate to the same in the prem. And using Gazza as a bench mark would lead you to probably think that I good do a job for us!

 

Can you come off your line? I have watched our under 16 keeper several times lately and would play him instead of Gazza!!

Given would at least talk to our defence and help them out.

[Turkish]

Banega would be excellent but I dont think we will move for him unless someone decides that the game is up for Gaston who looked lively yesterday.

 

We need a youngish keeper I think, gazza is terrible and Davis/Boruc are the wrong side of thirty. Enyeama is decent but is also past 30 isnt he ? What about Ter Stegan from Gladbach ?

 

Also yes, a left sided CB is possibly the answer, Clyne can cover LB when required, surely one of the academy lads can make a better fist at playing there then Fox ?

 

We desperately need a CB, Jos was never good enough in the prem and I have no idea whats happened to Yoshi.

 

Alex McCarthy for the young hungry and guranteed to improve keeper.

[Smirking_Saint]

Alex McCarthy for the young hungry and guranteed to improve keeper.

 

I thought gazza was young, hungry and guaranteed to improve ?

[Saint 76er]

Alex McCarthy for the young hungry and guranteed to improve keeper.

 

Swap him for Gazza + Billy Sharp ... Adkins should be happy with that.

[Window Cleaner]

Swap him for Gazza + Billy Sharp ... Adkins should be happy with that.

 

 

could be, apparently the Russian bloke has thrown in the towel and they're waiting for "new investment" so perhaps they have no money and would fancy a swap. They must be running on empty again and Madjewski must be subsidising them.

[Wade Garrett]

Alex McCarthy for the young hungry and guranteed to improve keeper.

 

i mentioned McCarthy on another thread. Would be a good signing.

[Saint Garrett]

Would take McCarthy, decent keeper. Not sure he'd come here though to sit on the bench.

[Saint 76er]

could be, apparently the Russian bloke has thrown in the towel and they're waiting for "new investment" so perhaps they have no money and would fancy a swap. They must be running on empty again and Madjewski must be subsidising them.

 

There you are, I've done you a favour and found a way to get Gazza out of the club for you ...

[Badger]

Swap him for Gazza + Billy Sharp ... Adkins should be happy with that.

 

Could we throw Hoiveld in as well ?

[UpweySaint]

Would take McCarthy, decent keeper. Not sure he'd come here though to sit on the bench.

 

No but come to compete for no1 jersey in an improving prem side with a keeper who may not have too many more quality years ... maybe.

[Pastor Patrón]

Casillas, Rhodes and Ronaldinho still.

[Smirking_Saint]

Casillas, Rhodes and Ronaldinho still.

 

[Saint Charlie]

We won't be signing anyone so kind of pointless thread...

[Badger]

i mentioned McCarthy on another thread. Would be a good signing.

 

Agree totally, I also put his name forward during the summer HCDAJFU thread. Serious question though, does anyone know how he has done this season ?

[Pastor Patrón]

 

It's ok, I am entirely the type to say I told you so, so I don't blame you for finding it uncomfortable to acknowledge that I was correct all along.

[Smirking_Saint]

It's ok, I am entirely the type to say I told you so, so I don't blame you for finding it uncomfortable to acknowledge that I was correct all along.

 

[110_Persaint]

We won't be signing anyone so kind of pointless thread...

This. Unfortunately.

 

Mopo

[stevy777_x]

Eneyama yes yes yes, Ruffier won't be coming, asked him myself, Mandanda I'd give a miss. Gourcuff won't sign with Lyon again but his dad is wrapping it in at Lorient in June and may be going to a club Yohann would fancy, probably not strong enough for the PL anyway and way out of our salary range, 120K euros a week..

 

Window Cleaner, do you know Ruffier personally?

As we both watch Ligue 1 extensivelly, what are the names you would put forward for Saints in our problematic positions?

Goalkeeper, centre back, left back and attaking mid (numero 10)?

[Window Cleaner]

Window Cleaner, do you know Ruffier personally?

As we both watch Ligue 1 extensivelly, what are the names you would put forward for Saints in our problematic positions?

Goalkeeper, centre back, left back and attaking mid (numero 10)?

 

 

I am ever so slightly involved with the ASSE, less that I was at one time though. Went to their Museum Opening, got an invite, spoke to a couple of lads I knew from once upon a time.

 

Keeper: Well I'd go for Areola as we already have a Number 1 that I'm fairly happy with, PSG won't sell him though, we should perhaps try for a loan next season;

 

Left Back: Faouzi of course or Kurzawa from Monaco but failing than Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia who can play both.

 

CB perhaps Sané from Bordeaux

 

and at AM that old troublemaker from PSG Menez wouldn't be so bad, I also like Payet, wasted on those knobs down south..

Edited 23 December, 2013 by Window Cleaner

[LatvianTolix]

Just over a week until the January sales open. I think recent results have shown up a few holes in our squad. Hopefully the powers that be have some ideas lined up already.

 

I think we need to look at

'keeper - Boruc is the only one I regard as being Prem quality. I'd get someone else in and loan Gazza out.

LB - Not just cover, someone good. We can't expect a teenager to play 38 games a season.

AM - Our bench is lacking someone to come on and change the game. Having said that we should be looking at players better than we have.

 

The CB situation I think can wait till summer. Personally I still think Yoshi is a decent player, just lacking match practice.

 

 

Begin suggesting random Slovenian teenagers who are good on FM13.

 

CB is a vital addition to our current situation, especially if we want to push for Europe or top-8. Totally agree on adding top quality GK and LB. Would add excellent striker as well. we cant rely on Gallagher as a back-up, when Dani or other striker are out.

[BlakeySFC]

Keeper, Left back, Centre Back.

 

Simples.

[max_saints]

see alot of foreign based players being mentioned however I feel we should be signing proven players in this league who can make an immediate impact and help us improve on our final league position. don't want to end up with the scenario whereby the player takes the rest of the season attempting to adapt to the style of the league and becoming another forren. that should be left to the summer window where signings get a proper preseason and a whole season to slowly adapt and make an impact gradually. all IMO of course

[BlakeySFC]

see alot of foreign based players being mentioned however I feel we should be signing proven players in this league who can make an immediate impact and help us improve on our final league position. don't want to end up with the scenario whereby the player takes the rest of the season attempting to adapt to the style of the league and becoming another forren. that should be left to the summer window where signings get a proper preseason and a whole season to slowly adapt and make an impact gradually. all IMO of course

 

Yeah Lovren was a terrible buy wasn't he...

[max_saints]

Yeah Lovren was a terrible buy wasn't he...

 

so... you just proved my point? read the full post...

[Smirking_Saint]

so... you just proved my point? read the full post...

 

Umm.... How ?

[Wrensup]

I read it back 3 times and still don't understand how?

[stevy777_x]

I read it back 3 times and still don't understand how?

 

He wants to sign english based Players in January and foreign based ones in the summer.

[Convict Colony]

I just think we are muddling through in the middle position behind the striker with Jay Rod on left and Adam on the right, we've tried JWP, SD in there who aren't massively creative which then is putting pressure on Adam and Jay Rod. Either give Gaston some time in there as his through ball to Adam was excellent the other day and by all accounts has been working hard behind the scenes, have Dani in front and then I think we could see a truly creative front 3 behind Dani = more chances.

 

If Gaston is on the way out then Banega or someone similar who has played the press with their current team.

[Wade Garrett]

I just think we are muddling through in the middle position behind the striker with Jay Rod on left and Adam on the right, we've tried JWP, SD in there who aren't massively creative which then is putting pressure on Adam and Jay Rod. Either give Gaston some time in there as his through ball to Adam was excellent the other day and by all accounts has been working hard behind the scenes, have Dani in front and then I think we could see a truly creative front 3 behind Dani = more chances.

 

If Gaston is on the way out then Banega or someone similar who has played the press with their current team.

 

I would definitely give it a go.

[david in sweden]

Banega would be excellent but I dont think we will move for him unless someone decides that the game is up for Gaston who looked lively yesterday.

 

We need a youngish keeper I think, gazza is terrible and Davis/Boruc are the wrong side of thirty. Enyeama is decent but is also past 30 isnt he ? What about Ter Stegan from Gladbach ?

 

Also yes, a left sided CB is possibly the answer, Clyne can cover LB when required, surely one of the academy lads can make a better fist at playing there then Fox ?

 

We desperately need a CB, Jos was never good enough in the prem and I have no idea whats happened to Yoshi.

 

Goalies.

I've been watching football for over 50 years and to my mind, keepers don't get to be good until they're over 30. If Joe Hart is the best English keeper, then I'm not impressed.

The only (Saints) exceptions that come to mind are Tim Flowers and Eric Martin. I won't go on about Shilton, because he was unique, but more recently both Antti Niemi and Paul Jones DAJFU.

 

keeping goal requires a whole mass of skills that outfield players don't need. A good pair of hands for a start, having the ability to come for a cross and being quick to get down to ground shots.

- (even Shilton was at fault when we lost that infamous Poland WC qualifier at Wembley in 1973). The vast majority of top keepers have been in the 30 plus age bracket, when at their best.

 

Of course they have to start somewhere, and many kid-goalies may look good ....when playing junior / lower league football in their teens, but there have been very many who never made the grade.

 

Bart started well, but after his first season, he made me nervous every time he had to play ....a bit like the way I feel about Gazzaniga now...and we can be glad we never had to call upon the services of that brilliant former Spurs talent ..Tommy Fourpast. Sorry, but I don't think we have the time to " break in " yet another young keeper, whilst we drop points left, right and centre.

 

Just find a good, seasoned international (from any country in FIFA's top 30) and that'll be a better deal.

Edited 25 December, 2013 by david in sweden

[redkeith]

If a top class CB is available, like Astori, it would move Fonte to 3rd choice centre back which is good depth for anyone but Man City or Chelsea. It would also give us the option of moving Lovren to Left Back in an emergency, and maybe even to play 3 at the back when teams try playing 2 up front, like Chelsea and Spurs have recently.

 

Also would like another keeper, but I don't know who, as Caesar and Given are on Mental wages.

[the saint in winchester]

Shay Given was on Sunday Morning Sky and saying he goes back to Villa 1st January - rumour has it Swansea are interested in him.

We need experience and although he is 37 will certainly do a job for us this season.

 

Yes I like that idea. Shay Given or Brad Friedel would be my shortlist.

[stevy777_x]

Goalies.

I've been watching football for over 50 years and to my mind, keepers don't get to be good until they're over 30. If Joe Hart is the best English keeper, then I'm not impressed.

The only (Saints) exceptions that come to mind are Tim Flowers and Eric Martin. I won't go on about Shilton, because he was unique, but more recently both Antti Niemi and Paul Jones DAJFU.

 

keeping goal requires a whole mass of skills that outfield players don't need. A good pair of hands for a start, having the ability to come for a cross and being quick to get down to ground shots.

- (even Shilton was at fault when we lost that infamous Poland WC qualifier at Wembley in 1973). The vast majority of top keepers have been in the 30 plus age bracket, when at their best.

 

Of course they have to start somewhere, and many kid-goalies may look good ....when playing junior / lower league football in their teens, but there have been very many who never made the grade.

 

Bart started well, but after his first season, he made me nervous every time he had to play ....a bit like the way I feel about Gazzaniga now...and we can be glad we never had to call upon the services of that brilliant former Spurs talent ..Tommy Fourpast. Sorry, but I don't think we have the time to " break in " yet another young keeper, whilst we drop points left, right and centre.

 

Just find a good, seasoned international (from any country in FIFA's top 30) and that'll be a better deal.

 

Or we could find a goalkeeper that will challenge Boruc and be our number one for years to come.

This is a goalkeeper that is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in France at the moment and he is at a perfect age 28, has Played over 250 games with champions league experience: Steve Mandanda

Here is a video of him from last season.

 

[Mowgli]

Keeper, Left back, Centre Back.

 

Simples.

 

Goalkeepers and centre backs tend to develop a little slower so strengthening with signings until Gazza, Turnbull and Stephens are reay is not a bad strategy. But we have plenty of options at left back. Fox is ok but not in the same tea as Jos. Targett is closing in but chambers and Clyne can both cover in that position.

 

I think MP has rightly talked down the January transfer window as there will not be a lot of activity but I feel sure there will be one in at least. Maybe a fringe player running out his contract on loan too.

[GAS]

I`d go for Julio Cesar. Isnt he only number 2 at QPR? Would be great cover and would push Boruc for 1st team.

[igsey]

I`d go for Julio Cesar. Isnt he only number 2 at QPR? Would be great cover and would push Boruc for 1st team.

No chance he'd take the cut in wages we'd require - he went to QPR as a mercenary, only in it for the money, he's more than happy to sit on a bench whilst raking it in.

[david in sweden]

Or we could find a goalkeeper that will challenge Boruc and be our number one for years to come.

This is a goalkeeper that is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in France at the moment and he is at a perfect age 28, has Played over 250 games with champions league experience: Steve Mandanda

Here is a video of him from last season.

 

 

I like an acrobatic keeper, not one whose feet are glued to the goal-line and is afraid to come for a cross.....however, its a long way from a YouTube video like this (nice)...to the signing of such a player.

[SuperSAINT]

Anyone we want?

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2526485/Ings-Ince-Schmeichel-10-Football-League-players-snap-January-transfer-window.html?ico=sport%5Eheadlines