The combative and experienced player thread:

[gavspur]

With the links to Lass being knocked about, I can totally see the need for this kind of player in our current team.. So who would be candidates for this role? We've had Naybet, Davids, and Parker who have all come in and had this role which on the part of all three mentioned, were very successful signings.. I'd say Parker stands out for me personally, as his first year he was absolutely superb, he was also a gent and leader with it all..
I can't think of many, so I'll give it a stab, and pass it on for discussion:

Lass (29, experienced, not sure if the right mentality tho)

De Rossi (yeah I know, roll eyes, would be ideal for me, but chances are slim to non existent - 31 too)

Cattermole (ooh, gonna get shot down for this one, he can play tho, has the strength in character and body, and his CM partnership with Wilson Palacios was a reason why so many were looking towards Wilson, but Cattermole was the other half, obviously being a nutter may scupper all this, but I think we have too many nice guys in our team, so I'd put him as a choice)

And I'm done

 

[VegasII]

He's not combative, but Michael Carrick? Could be handy for Mason to learn from.

There seems to be an absence of players like Parker, Naybet, Friedel and Davids these days.

 

[Drexl]

He's not combative, but Michael Carrick? Could be handy for Mason to learn from.

There seems to be an absence of players like Parker, Naybet, Friedel and Davids these days.

And Gallas, he made mistakes for us but a man who won titles and had played in CL final was invaluable mentality wise

 

[DaSpurs]

I still think we need a couple more technical players, but I'd love to see us sign James Milner and Ryan Shawcross. Genuine leaders each in their own right, one just a flat out top notch professional and the other a player who we know will have nothing of heads getting down. I honestly believe if those two were our only acquisitions this January, we would assuredly improve.

 

[danielneeds]

Yeah, I loved Cattermole's experience and fight the other week... You know, when his team got dicked on 8-0, he could certainly strengthen the towel throwing ability we already have in the squad.

 

[mpickard2087]

We already have a Cattermole type in Stambouli.

 

[jurgen]

I still think we need a couple more technical players, but I'd love to see us sign James Milner and Ryan Shawcross. Genuine leaders each in their own right, one just a flat out top notch professional and the other a player who we know will have nothing of heads getting down. I honestly believe if those two were our only acquisitions this January, we would assuredly improve.

People have often turned their nose up at the idea of Milner, but who is to say he'd want to join us??

 

[DaSpurs]

Fuck Cattermole. Seeing him prance about the pitch with his shirt tucked in after Chiriches clearly gifted him his goal at the Lane last spring like he had scored a worldie was nauseating. Doesn't have the technicality we need, nor does he have real fighting spirit.

 

[DaSpurs]

People have often turned their nose up at the idea of Milner, but who is to say he'd want to join us??

I can't argue with you as I can't assure anything, but I like to think he would be open to the idea of being brought into a big club as a leader instead of constantly playing second fiddle at a club that clearly has no appreciation for English talent. You ask any footballer, "hey, come in and lead us with your valued experience," it's hard for any of them to say no.

 

[SandroClegane]

I still think we need a couple more technical players, but I'd love to see us sign James Milner and Ryan Shawcross. Genuine leaders each in their own right, one just a flat out top notch professional and the other a player who we know will have nothing of heads getting down. I honestly believe if those two were our only acquisitions this January, we would assuredly improve.

Milner yes, Shawcross fuck no

 

[DaSpurs]

Milner yes, Shawcross fuck no

Tbh I expected just a response similar to this, and I don't blame you. Shawcross is thick and has an impressive card collection, but for me I think we desperately could use a player of his character. Also, I think we need to bring in a few more players who actually appreciate us as a big club rather than a favorable stepping stone.

 

[Marty]

I still think we need a couple more technical players, but I'd love to see us sign James Milner and Ryan Shawcross. Genuine leaders each in their own right, one just a flat out top notch professional and the other a player who we know will have nothing of heads getting down. I honestly believe if those two were our only acquisitions this January, we would assuredly improve.

Not Shawcross. Never Shawcross. More than anything because I don't want us to have one of those players who if refs had some stones would give away a penalty at every single defensive corner. He and Skrtel are by far the worst offenders in the league for that. Regardless of ability and character I can't support a player like that.

I'd love Milner though, think he'd star as a centre mid.

 

[DaSpurs]

Not Shawcross. Never Shawcross. More than anything because I don't want us to have one of those players who if refs had some stones would give away a penalty at every single defensive corner. He and Skrtel are by far the worst offenders in the league for that. Regardless of ability and character I can't support a player like that.

I'd love Milner though, think he'd star as a centre mid.

For sure, Milner would be a superb CM for us.

So who do you propose then instead of Shawcross? Milner provides leadership through professionalism, but we're still lacking that "****" who can keep his teammates in line and focused.

 

[Marty]

For sure, Milner would be a superb CM for us.

So who do you propose then instead of Shawcross? Milner provides leadership through professionalism, but we're still lacking that "****" who can keep his teammates in line and focused.

I really don't know, Ron Vlaar is the only name that springs to mind but that's only because of how he played in the World Cup, not what he's done for Villa. Although he managed to marshall a defence including Hutton and Senderos to a bunch of clean sheets early season so there's definitely a leader there.

 

[DaSpurs]

I really don't know, Ron Vlaar is the only name that springs to mind but that's only because of how he played in the World Cup, not what he's done for Villa. Although he managed to marshall a defence including Hutton and Senderos to a bunch of clean sheets early season so there's definitely a leader there.

I like Vlaar's attitude, but I think he may continue our same problems with balls being played in behind and being incapable of reaching them. Shawcross is a gargantuan ****, but he's also very competitive and uses this ****iness to get to these plays. Yes, he does foul a bit too often, but I do have to wonder how much of that has to do with the reputation of Stoke. Whether refs deny it or not, reputation comes into their decisions. See the ridiculous diving calls on Bale in his last spring with us for an example. Some absolutely stunning decisions in many of those instances, some so poor I think the club deserved public apologies for some of the calls.

 

[guy]

Definitely Milner, but he's doing well for city this season so they wont let him leave

Harking back to the good ol' days, someone like Sneijder also would provide much needed experience and winnng mentality.

He's only 30 (wow), and scored 17 goals and assisted 7 last season for Gala. Yes he's no world beater anymore but its the experience we'd be buying

Another who's always impressed me, and the weekend game just enforced it, Moussa Sissoko. Fuck me he never stopped running and never gave up. At 25 he's got a good level of experience, and of course the national squad experience too. He is one combative mofo

 

[whitelanefever]

A longshot but ye never know unless you try for them, Pepe ( complete nut-job I know) but at 31 he might be one of the players Real let go next summer to raise money for transfers.. he'd definitely add experience.. I'd play him in the holding roll in midfield to protect the defence. The other I'd at least try for is Mascherano again unlikely but you can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket.. nothing to lose in making a bid next summer. Mario Suarez of Athletico would be an option too also think James McCarthy would add something to cm.. good passer, tracks runners very well ( which we are awful at doing)

 

[Gassin's finest]

Shawcross is a massive ****. No thanks.

I've rated Milner since his Leeds days.

 

[danielneeds]

For me we could go two ways, look for some experience or clear out the squad of some of the "big names" and get in more younger academy and leader known players who'll have the willingness to run and run for Poch. If we go experience, then try and get some veterans who've played for Bielsa, Pep or other pressing gurus.

 

[Indacupfortottenham]

I'd take Alex Song at the end of the season, if Stambouli doesn't cut it.