Discuss the Goat - Midfield enforcer

[Yiddo1982]

Poulson had a £7 million release clause last summer. Wonder if he still has it.
I'd prefer Diarra though. Maybe we could poach one of liverpool's CMs. They have Lucas, Xabi Alonso, Mascherano and, obviously Gerrard. Alonso would be the one to leave, if any.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

- L Diarra (as opposed to the Madrid one I'm assuming?) will never happen, we've turned down the chance to buy him twice now.

quote]

hi Dan - you come certainly come up with a lot of great info - so we turned down 'the Portsmouth Diarra' - why the hell did we do that - I always thought it was that CFC and was it AFC too wouldn't sell to us?

please I'd love to know more about this - surely this was an absolute massive mistake - especially given that we bought KPB for similar money? (can't remember the prices aTM)

For a few years (since Arnesen) we've been doing psychological profiling of all transfer targets - it's far from the be all and end all but it's another factor that contributes to decisions. Diarra has scored especially badly on these and it is our judgement that he'll very likely end up a Bowyer/Dyer or worse wasted talent, who will never fulfil his potential and will also tend to have a negative effect on the rest of the team he's in.

This isn't the only factor (Chimbonda was another who unsurprisingly scorered badly for instance) - playing wise it was thought he might be a stop gap for a season but not the long term answer. Personally I like him and don't agree with that, especially when we could have had him instead of Zokora or Tainio at DM this season.

The story about Arsenal not selling to us is nonsense btw. The club did not get on well with Dein (but then who did?!) but Levy and Hill-Wood have a more than cordial relationship.

 

[C0YS]

Gattuso still has a few years left in him. And he has been hailed as one of the best players in Milan by Italians (apart from this season). And most importantly we need EXPERIANCE!!

 

[Krafty]

M Diarra would be a fantastic signing. He does an excellent job for Madrid but isnt liked in the same way Makelele wasnt. I would be ecstatic if we got him.

With regards Tiago, I feel he is ok, but not that much of an improvement on Jenas, a bit average and not an enforcer/general that we need

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Has everyone forgotten about Tiago? We where heavily linked in Jan, he's played in the EPL, has experience and at only 26 still in his prime, I think he could be what we're looking for

Tiago isn't really a DM either though. I like him but he's just a perfect midfield utility player, not a first choice ACM or DCM. Be great to have him on our bench but I'd rather we bought two first choice CMs first.

 

[SpurSince57]

That didn't stop Hill-Wood throwing a strop when Levy invited Dein for boardroom drinks (presumably the sherry that nice Mr Kemsley brought back from Spain) at the league game at the Lane in September.

 

[CrazyConrad]

Veloso of Sporting (Dharmabum!) and Kompany of Bremen would be my first two choices by quite some distance.

Would love to see Kompany at the lane!

 

[DC_Boy]

For a few years (since Arnesen) we've been doing psychological profiling of all transfer targets - it's far from the be all and end all but it's another factor that contributes to decisions. Diarra has scored especially badly on these and it is our judgement that he'll very likely end up a Bowyer/Dyer or worse wasted talent, who will never fulfil his potential and will also tend to have a negative effect on the rest of the team he's in.

This isn't the only factor (Chimbonda was another who unsurprisingly scorered badly for instance) - playing wise it was thought he might be a stop gap for a season but not the long term answer. Personally I like him and don't agree with that, especially when we could have had him instead of Zokora or Tainio at DM this season.

The story about Arsenal not selling to us is nonsense btw. The club did not get on well with Dein (but then who did?!) but Levy and Hill-Wood have a more than cordial relationship.

cheers again for the info Dan - I must say you really come up with some excellent insights

and yep if we did pass up on Diarra then as you imply and I certainly think - we've missed out big-time there

but hey one door closes - maybe we'll get someone as good this summer - kinda doubt it though

 

[SpurSince57]

One doesn't need psychological profiling to work out that Diarra's a dickhead.

 

[dvdhopeful]

cheers again for the info Dan - I must say you really come up with some excellent insights

and yep if we did pass up on Diarra then as you imply and I certainly think - we've missed out big-time there

but hey one door closes - maybe we'll get someone as good this summer - kinda doubt it though

Spot on DC - you do a great job Dan, always interested to read your posts.

Are your suggestions for Kompany and Veloso based upon personal preference of something more Dan?

 

[Yiddo1982]

One doesn't need psychological profiling to work out that Diarra's a dickhead.

:grin:

It must be quite frustrating though being a French regular but not getting a sniff at Arse or the Chavs. Maybe that's why he couldn't get near the starting XI at both

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Spot on DC - you do a great job Dan, always interested to read your posts.

Are your suggestions for Kompany and Veloso based upon personal preference of something more Dan?

Cheers.

No, just my opinion (sadly).

 

[DC_Boy]

Spot on DC - you do a great job Dan, always interested to read your posts.

quote]

Hi DVD your posts are good too

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

Hi DVD your posts are good too

Nah they're not. Silly Ed.

Booooooooooooooo :wink:

 

[SpurSince57]

It really depends on whether Ramos sticks with 4-4-2 or—as some believe he might—switches to a 4-2-3-1, doesn't it?

 

[sloth]

Still the wrong place, so I've deleted it

 

[AW?]

Cambiasso?

Ok perhaps not.