Non Spurs January Transfers

[Reece]

How many games has Borini played in the league again this season to give you such an informed opinion that he can already be wrote off with such certainty? How may games have you watched him play 90 mins this season? He's been out most of the season. He's looked better since coming back from injury. His off the ball movement in-particular has been great.

Most LFC fans wrote off Lucas but after a few seasons, when Mascherano left, he became a very good and reliable DMC. We were lost without him last season. I imagine you will feel similar in regards to Sandro missing the rest of this season, so you can imagine how we felt last season.

We also all wrote off Henderson last season but he's been so much improved this season with Lucas struggling after his big injuries to the point if he isn't picked to start against Arse, there will be outcry from Liverpool supporters!

Lets not all be so quick to judge players who have only been playing in this team for a very short amount of time. We simply haven't had enough games/time to be writing off Allen and Borini as wasted money. This really grinds my gears,

I certainly haven't wrote off Dempsey/Siggy as "poor signings" or thought LFC "dodged a bullet" like many LFC fans are saying. Mainly because I watch a lot of Spurs (and Swansea as I enjoy watching both teams play football) as we rarely play the same times these days, and I have seen there are signs with both players that they could become very successful, especially CD, but, most importantly, its just FAR too soon to write anyone off yet.

Sorry about the rant, but the lack off patience in modern football, and how quick fans are to totally write off players/Managers really grinds my gears, especially when its from fans of other teams (not just Spurs fans by the way) who, most of the time, have seen very little of the player/team, outside M0TD or just when their team have played them.

Considering the price, and the important goals that Dempsey has scored already I don't see how he could be classified as a 'poor signing'.. but I agree with your general point. I'm sure we all suffer from judging people too quickly from time to time.

I went to Uni in Swansea and saw a few games live - Borini looked a cut above championship level for sure.

 

[Toela65]

I have seen lots of Coutinho since Rafa brought him in the Inter team. I stared following Inter then and carried on after he left as I enjoyed Italian football, although the in thing now seems to be to laugh at it and write it off, so can make a fairly informed decision on his signing. I have seen a lot of Holtby too, as have really fell in love with Schalke the last 2 years.

Right now, before we've seen them in England, my opinion is that Holtby represents better value for money as he is either free or going to be a very low fee due to his contract status. I actually think had he had a way to go on his contract he would of cost around £8-10m based on what I've read since following him/Schalke.

If I had to say right now, I think Holtby has the bigger chance of being the better success as the Bundesliga is more like the PL than Italy, obviously, but he is better built for it and the way he plays he has that English way about him, grit, determination, physicality and is further along in his development than Coutinho. Looks like he'll fit in well here.

The only issue with Holtby is, as Schalke fans have been saying during this affiar, is where is his talent ceiling? How much better can he become> How much more potential does he have? Majority of the English Schalke fans I speak to online seem to think he is close to that ceiling already and won't get much better and for then Julian Draxler is the real Gem they want to keep. I don't necessarily agree with this and think it will come down to how he is coached, system he plays etc, but I understand their views.

Coutinho offers pure flair, skill, dribbling ability and creativity. He is weak on the ball though and I'm not certain how well he works off the ball as he is so focussed on what he does with it (and LFC struggle off the ball more than on it). Will he work hard and press high up the pitch trying to win the ball back straight away all through a game? Dunno, we'll see.

However, he can create a goal out of absolutely nothing and can unlock park-the-bus defences with quality thru-balls which will be a HUGE benefit for us as creativity like this in the final 3rd is something we've lacked for years. He plays at a fast tempo too and can pass the ball so quickly and get out, or pass out of the most tightest situations where he really be dispossessed.

His development has stalled at Inter and not really progressed as well and as quickly as many hoped, mainly due to several changes in Coaches and him not getting enough time in the first team. With regular first team football however, imo, this can be remedied and I really believe (not just because we've bought him) that with the right Coaching their is an Oscar-like player just waiting to be uncovered and unleashed.

Right, now I think Holtby just edges it in terms of chances and level of success of the transfer, but if Coutinho doe's everything right and has the right attitude, he could become a fantastic player and become a Brazilian International regular. Its upto how much he wants it, and if he fits into BRs system as well as the Scouting and Transfer committe thinks he will.

I don't think anyone can say Coutinho for £8m, of which £2m will only be paid if he is a success, is a massive gamble or a poor signing, especially compared to signings under Comolli.

 

[Qualsonic]

Don't get the fuss about Coutinho. I've watched him dozens of times for Inter. Has the odd moments of genius in between half hour spells of being a spectator. Similar to Taarabt. He could prove good but I'm not worried about missing out.

Spot on, does some good things, but he is by no means a game-controlling midfielder.

 

[gibbospurs]

Spot on, does some good things, but he is by no means a game-controlling midfielder.

he is 20 years old!! How many 20 year olds run midfields in any top league?

 

[Qualsonic]

he is 20 years old!! How many 20 year olds run midfields in any top league?

That Holtby lad at Schalke!

But seriously, you're right, I'm being harsh - he's a good signing for Liverpool (is it actually confirmed?), but not necessarily one that worries me.

 

[gibbospurs]

That Holtby lad at Schalke!

But seriously, you're right, I'm being harsh - he's a good signing for Liverpool (is it actually confirmed?), but not necessarily one that worries me.

Holtby is 22, and has played only 20/30 games more. Not sure its completed, just fee agreed,

 

[SugarRay]

My issue with Borini and Allen, especially, is based on what I see from them before joining Liverpool. They simply aren't £26m worth of talent. More like half that.

Sturridge. Decent player and another option at least but again, a very 'meh' deal for me.

I do agree that modern football is far too knee jerk and 'now, now, now!' I can only judge what I have seen though. Seen plenty of Sturridge and Allen. Borini, not as much, granted.

 

[Pete Spur]

I have seen lots of Coutinho since Rafa brought him in the Inter team. I stared following Inter then and carried on after he left as I enjoyed Italian football, although the in thing now seems to be to laugh at it and write it off, so can make a fairly informed decision on his signing. I have seen a lot of Holtby too, as have really fell in love with Schalke the last 2 years.

Right now, before we've seen them in England, my opinion is that Holtby represents better value for money as he is either free or going to be a very low fee due to his contract status. I actually think had he had a way to go on his contract he would of cost around £8-10m based on what I've read since following him/Schalke.

If I had to say right now, I think Holtby has the bigger chance of being the better success as the Bundesliga is more like the PL than Italy, obviously, but he is better built for it and the way he plays he has that English way about him, grit, determination, physicality and is further along in his development than Coutinho. Looks like he'll fit in well here.

The only issue with Holtby is, as Schalke fans have been saying during this affiar, is where is his talent ceiling? How much better can he become> How much more potential does he have? Majorityof the English Schalke fans I speak to online seem to think he is close to that ceiling already and won't get much better and for then Julian Draxler is the real Gem they want to keep. I don't necessarily agree with this and think it will come down to how he is coached, system he plays etc, but I understand their views.

Coutinho offers pure flair, skill, dribbling ability and creativity. He is weak on the ball though and I'm not certain how well he works off the ball as he is so focussed on what he does with it (and LFC struggle off the ball more than on it). Will he work hard and press high up the pitch trying to win the ball back straight away all through a game? Dunno, we'll see.

However, he can create a goal out of absolutely nothing and can unlock park-the-bus defences with quality thru-balls which will be a HUGE benefit for us as creativity like this in the final 3rd is something we've lacked for years. He plays at a fast tempo too and can pass the ball so quickly and get out, or pass out of the most tightest situations where he really be dispossessed.

His development has stalled at Inter and not really progressed as well and as quickly as many hoped, mainly due to several changes in Coaches and him not getting enough time in the first team. With regular first team football however, imo, this can be remedied and I really believe (not just because we've bought him) that with the right Coaching their is an Oscar-like player just waiting to be uncovered and unleashed.

Right, now I think Holtby just edges it in terms of chances and level of success of the transfer, but if Coutinho doe's everything right and has the right attitude, he could become a fantastic player and become a Brazilian International regular. Its upto how much he wants it, and if he fits into BRs system as well as the Scouting and Transfer committe thinks he will.

I don't think anyone can say Coutinho for £8m, of which £2m will only be paid if he is a success, is a massive gamble or a poor signing, especially compared to signings under Comolli.

I agree with most of that and believe Coutinho will be a good signing for Liverpool. I just don't think he's close to being one of Inters best players. Definately has potential but so did GDS when we bought him and he ended up not having the right mentality or work rate to succeed at the top in England. Holtbys best attributes seem to be all which Gio lacked including his adaptability and recycling of the ball. Definately an AVB style player. Coutinho wouldn't get the playing time at Tottenham as Bale and Lennon are both beast and way ahead of him in development. LFC on the other hand have needed pacey wingers for fucking donkeys and now with Sterling coming through and Coutinho you lot might actually beable to stetch teams again from time to time. My main concerns with Coutinho would be his mentality and workrate but I guess we'll have to see how he adapts I wouldn't get my hopes to high though but I guess he's a young Brazilian attacking player so the masses of numpties in scouserland will be going mental lol

 

[carpediem991]

My issue with Borini and Allen, especially, is based on what I see from them before joining Liverpool. They simply aren't £26m worth of talent. More like half that.

Sturridge. Decent player and another option at least but again, a very 'meh' deal for me.

I do agree that modern football is far too knee jerk and 'now, now, now!' I can only judge what I have seen though. Seen plenty of Sturridge and Allen. Borini, not as much, granted.

26m pounds? We paid less for Dembele& Vertonghen/ Lloris....bazinga!

 

[YiddoBirdy]

Anelka is close to joining Juventus on loan till the end of the season. Could of been a good bit of business for us as I have always rated his ability and could do a decent job till the end of the season.

 

[Shadydan]

3 goals in 22 appearances for Shanghai

Reeks of desperation.

 

[tobi]

Drogba to Galatasary rumoured on Twitter (Eurosport).

 

[Davo99]

3 goals in 22 appearances for Shanghai

Reeks of desperation.

Desperation? They've just signed Llorente for next season, already have Matri, Vucinic and Quagliarella, get goals from all over the park and have a 3 point lead in the league.

I don't think they're are acting in desperation mate.

 

[Shadydan]

Desperation? They've just signed Llorente for next season, already have Matri, Vucinic and Quagliarella, get goals from all over the park and have a 3 point lead in the league.

I don't think they're are acting in desperation mate.

Maybe desperate was the wrong word to use but it's more needless if anything. Moratta has been under pressure for some time to bring in a consistent striker who they can rely on on a regular basis.

Those players that you mentioned plus Giovinco and are all good players but are not reliable which is why they've signed Llorente for next season but Anelka is supposed to be a short term fix to a long term problem but it's no upgrade on what they already have, less said about Bendtner the better.

 

[Rick Nash]

Drogba to Galatasaray is done.

 

[Syn_13]

Maybe desperate was the wrong word to use but it's more needless if anything. Moratta has been under pressure for some time to bring in a consistent striker who they can rely on on a regular basis.

Those players that you mentioned plus Giovinco and are all good players but are not reliable which is why they've signed Llorente for next season but Anelka is supposed to be a short term fix to a long term problem but it's no upgrade on what they already have, less said about Bendtner the better.

Sorry meant to hit reply and not dumb.

Totally agree about the strikers not being reliable enough, most the goals come from midfield. Juve needed to sign Llorente now rather than Anelka in on loan

 

[DubSpurs]

Drogba to Galatasaray is done.

Jesus he's looking very stiff isn't he. What happened to him in China? He's all boxey and is moving weird!

 

[tototoner]

what an ugly strip that Galatasaray one is

 

[Gbspurs]

Drog and Sniejder are great additions to be fair. Wages must be massive though

 

[tobi]

Seems like Balotelli has gone to Milan, I'll miss him in the EPL, I hope he forms a great partnership with El Shaarawy.