Defensive Mid

[DoublePivot]

I don't like Poulsen. I feel that he tends to disappear late in games.

Palombo would be immense. He would be my top hope as he can tackle, conduct and has leadership.

But this is all academic. Our choices should be restricted to the Championship and Ligue Un because that's the only place we seem to scout these days. Forgive my pessimism, but I am just extremely concerned that we are going to have another summer of duds. I pray to be proven wrong.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Palombo, I'm really not sure if he is good enough to take us to another level. He is a decent player but has been a bit withdrawn this season, certainly in compared to last season when he was more influential. Maybe it is because Cassano stole the limelight (yes VP he plays for Doria, not the Viola) but he has really been fairly average, and in a couple of games I saw away from home he has been non-existent. To put him in the bracket of Gattuso is stretching it.

Would still love Gattuso if we can steal him, but Makoun would be a decent acquisition. Would also love a DM who can pass the ball a bit, such as an Alonso or even better a Jeremy Toulalan.

 

[Spurs_Q8]

Robbo didn't turn shit over night. Our midfield weren't providing enough cover for our defense. No matter what keeper we sign, if we dont get in a decent DM we'll leak goals and this time next season we'll be blaming the keeper again.

AGREED 100%

 

[Locotoro]

I don't like Poulsen. I feel that he tends to disappear late in games.

"This is nail biting stuff from Sevilla...1-0 up here at the Nou Camp, with 3 minutes of normal time remaining.....Barca win the ball back through Puyol...now Messi comes forward with the ball...wait!...whats this!?? Poulsen seems to be running for the bench...oh my god he's run off down the tunnel!!!"


:wink:

 

[whendayearendsin1]

Diarra from real would good but don't think we could get to the lane

 

[van_Pommel]

Palombo, I'm really not sure if he is good enough to take us to another level. He is a decent player but has been a bit withdrawn this season, certainly in compared to last season when he was more influential. Maybe it is because Cassano stole the limelight (yes VP he plays for Doria, not the Viola) but he has really been fairly average, and in a couple of games I saw away from home he has been non-existent. To put him in the bracket of Gattuso is stretching it.

Would still love Gattuso if we can steal him, but Makoun would be a decent acquisition. Would also love a DM who can pass the ball a bit, such as an Alonso or even better a Jeremy Toulalan.

Oops, got my Italian team nicknames mixed up. Imagine if some Italian came on here and started calling us the Gooners, they'd get shot!

Xabi Alonso or Toulalan would be awsome signings. I think Toulalan would have his choice of clubs if he left Lyon though. I do however really believe Xabi is possible, especially if they get Barry.

 

[gavspur]

I actually feel that Spurs are waiting to see if Liverpool go for Barry, as Xabi Alonso would be perfect for our team and I would have thought that a) Juande would know the player well, and b) that we could realistically attract Alonso to us, ie being in the Prem and having Spanish Management.. I would love us to sign Alonso, really would, and my Liverpool supporting mate thinks that most people in Liverpool wouldn't mind him going either.. I'd also love us to get Veloso, but i fear he may have slightly higher hopes for himself ( if he were to leave, it'd be Barca/Madrid/ManUtd etc).. Anyhoo, overall, Alonso is perfect, he speaks Spanish (helps Juande) and English (helps everyone) and is not only suited to the Prem but has proved it over the past so many yrs..

Go get Alonso!!

 

[thetallaghttiger]

Marquez has lost whatever legs/pace he had. He's not cut-out for playing in the middle of the park anymore. Though he is the type of player we need, but with more mobility.

Personally, I think we should be strongly looking at Zaragoza for players, they've just been relegated and have players who have good pedigree:

Aimar
Milito
Zapater
Sergio Garcia

They're only 4 players that I know of, however I'm sure if they've any good players who would suit us, Ramos won't sit around while a good deal possibly goes to waste.

Have to say, I've complete faith in what he choose's to do, so let's wait and see what he comes up with!

 

[michaelden]

Appiah - Cheap and very good
Muntari - possibly already looking at him
Veloso - huge potential

 

[PLTuck]

Appiah - Cheap and very good
Muntari - possibly already looking at him
Veloso - huge potential

I wanted us to sign Appiah last summer and am pleased I'm not the only one who rates him. There was another poster who also wanted him. Joey55 I think.

I would be happy with any of Appiah, Alonso, Muntari.

Never seen Veloso or Palombo so can't comment.

 

[miles_64]

Appiah - Cheap and very good
Muntari - possibly already looking at him
Veloso - huge potential

After "Appiah - Cheap and very good" I skipped straight down to 'looking'. Does this mean I am gay? Eek


PS - yes, I agree that he is a very good player.

 

[joey55]

Makoun, Appiah and De La Red are my current CM choices. I'm not too bothered about the whole DM aspect, i just want two quality, allround CMs. Makoun is known as a DM, but he can also pass the ball around and I feel will be a more reliable and cheaper choice than Veloso. Appiah is like JJ with balls and Del la red is just a very talented CM with good all round ability.

 

[Kendall]

Makoun or Appiah would be fine by me. If we're buying players like Dos Santos and Modric and good, strong, no nonsense DM is an absolute must.

 

[van_Pommel]

Makoun, Appiah and De La Red are my current CM choices. I'm not too bothered about the whole DM aspect, i just want two quality, allround CMs. Makoun is known as a DM, but he can also pass the ball around and I feel will be a more reliable and cheaper choice than Veloso. Appiah is like JJ with balls and Del la red is just a very talented CM with good all round ability.

I like the look of Makoun, he has a great engine and really gets stuck in, and as you say he can pass. My only worry is that being the type of player he is he may have the same problem as Diarra and Makelele. I was praying we didnt sign Diarra as he's a proper holding midfielder like Makelele who is the expert. When Chelsea play with Makelele holding he has 2 CM's in front of him and he performs his job excellently. However you put him on a flat 4 midfield and he struggles to make the same impact. I worry that Makoun may have the same problem, and I cant see us changing from a 442.

 

[thejames]

I know it's not popular, but if we were to pick up someone like Dunne, then King (if fit) could do a job at DM.

 

[joey55]

I like the look of Makoun, he has a great engine and really gets stuck in, and as you say he can pass. My only worry is that being the type of player he is he may have the same problem as Diarra and Makelele. I was praying we didnt sign Diarra as he's a proper holding midfielder like Makelele who is the expert. When Chelsea play with Makelele holding he has 2 CM's in front of him and he performs his job excellently. However you put him on a flat 4 midfield and he struggles to make the same impact. I worry that Makoun may have the same problem, and I cant see us changing from a 442.

I've said the same thing and had the same issues with signing a Makelele type. But the key difference is the Makoun can actually spray the ball around. The main reason, for me, Makelele struggles in a 442, is because by playing his simple intercept it and pass it game, it makes the team very predictable and they end up playing close together and therefore the opposition don't get stretched and can maintain their shape. But Makoun has the ability to move the ball quickly and his a very good range of passing. I saw Comolli describe him as similar to Paul Scholes and they do have similarities. I think we'd play at a much better tempo with someone like Makoun and with a far more expansive game, than we could with a Makekele type. I'd prefer him to Veloso because, though Veloso is technicaly superb, he still isn't anywhere near as solid as Makoun. Also, if we are signing Modric and Dos Santos I think we need a real steadying influnce in CM. Veloso is hugely talented, but young and needs to develop further. I just think he's a hugely gifted player we may be better off avoiding, not because he isn't good enough, but because at this stage in his development he isn't right for us.

 

[joey55]

I know it's not popular, but if we were to pick up someone like Dunne, then King (if fit) could do a job at DM.

If the CBs work well without King, then why not. You are right it isn't popular, but King is a very good CM. The only time he's had a bad game was aginat Riquelme and when Riquelme is on that sort of form there is no one better and he is close to unplayable. Anyone who saw the Copa America can vouch for that.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I think Toulalan would have his choice of clubs if he left Lyon though.

I would imagine you are right. I think Lyon are having a changing of the guard and they will build the new team around Toulalan and Benzema.

I still think we need two central midfielders. I would take almost any of the players mentioned in this thread.

 

[bryanabutler]

What about. Veloso and Moutinho seems Sporting may sell both .:hump:

 

[the_king]

King is the answer, with Super Daws returning to form next to Woody.

That would be awesome.