- Aug 25, 2010
- 55,361
- 100,849
To quote Stewart Lee, "Well..you can prove anything with facts can't you..."
exactly - in fact it totally reinforces the notion that stats don't even tell half the story.
To quote Stewart Lee, "Well..you can prove anything with facts can't you..."
I'm a big fan of Dembele but I do wonder if he has the kind of tactical intelligence that AVB would be looking for in that area of the pitch. I'm not sure that he has the smarts to dictate a game in the way that Luka or Moutinho can, nor the discipline to sit back and read the play when Sandro makes his surges forward.
On the upside though Dembele and Sandro would give us a fantastic drive and physicality through the middle of the park. Dembele is also the only candidate being mentioned as a potential Modric replacement that could provide us with that elite level ball carrying ability that Luka does.
A million times agree with this. I know pinky and others are sucking him off big time at the moment and dem does have some excellent attributes but intelligence and composure aren't his strong points. My biggest problem with him is his propensity to hang onto the ball and take people on when he has players in better positions to receive the ball. Mod for all his guile and wonderful control in tight spaces, moves the ball around wonderfully and is an excellent pass and move footballer. Playing centrally he doesn't glide past people very often at all nor does he need to.
I prefer a system where the team and especially the midfield move the ball around quickly and attempt to isolate wingers against full backs and THEN drive or trick their way into good positions. It's one of our strengths with Lennon and especially Bale. I'm not against midfielders doing this sometimes but it can slow play down - a passed ball moves quicker than a dribbled one. Dem as a squad player would be good, dem as a Mod replacement (in whatever system AVB plays and let's face it, it won't be hugely different offensively to Harry's 433) is a bit underwhelming to say the least. He's talented but he's nowhere near mods class technically or mentally.
A million times agree with this. I know pinky and others are sucking him off big time at the moment and dem does have some excellent attributes but intelligence and composure aren't his strong points. My biggest problem with him is his propensity to hang onto the ball and take people on when he has players in better positions to receive the ball. Mod for all his guile and wonderful control in tight spaces, moves the ball around wonderfully and is an excellent pass and move footballer. Playing centrally he doesn't glide past people very often at all nor does he need to.
I prefer a system where the team and especially the midfield move the ball around quickly and attempt to isolate wingers against full backs and THEN drive or trick their way into good positions. It's one of our strengths with Lennon and especially Bale. I'm not against midfielders doing this sometimes but it can slow play down - a passed ball moves quicker than a dribbled one. Dem as a squad player would be good, dem as a Mod replacement (in whatever system AVB plays and let's face it, it won't be hugely different offensively to Harry's 433) is a bit underwhelming to say the least. He's talented but he's nowhere near mods class technically or mentally.
Whilst losing RVP would be a HUGE blow to the scum, it hasnt actually happened yet..... and to me actually looks less likely to happen this window than the Modric transfer.
Giroud was Ligue 1's top scorer last year, so at 10m is pretty decent purchase.
Podolski reminds me very much of RVP, he did fail at Bayern but has been pretty successful everywhere else. Again at approx 10m is certainly an upgrade on Chamakh & Park.
With Carzola & possibly Sahin coming in, even if they lose RVP they dont really looker any weaker. In fact overall squad wise.... they will probably be stronger! and god help us if they manage to keep RVP too!!
As everyone knows we need strikers, but really starting to get worried as I cant see who we realistically can sign who is even going to keep us at the level of last year..... let alone improve!!!
I don't get this Sahin loan to Arsenal business, what good does it do RM - is this part of a deal to bring in Van Pussy which then enables us to part exchange Modric with Higuan??
Everywhere else refers only to Cologne. He hasn't been anywhere else. Was horrible in the Euros and Germany was better when he wasn't playing. Completely overrated.Podolski reminds me very much of RVP, he did fail at Bayern but has been pretty successful everywhere else. Again at approx 10m is certainly an upgrade on Chamakh & Park.
I don't think RM is in for RVP. Sahin isn't going to get any playing time if Modric comes in so he needs to go out on loan if he wants to play. AVB doesn't seem to want him and we just have to accept that.I don't get this Sahin loan to Arsenal business, what good does it do RM - is this part of a deal to bring in Van Pussy which then enables us to part exchange Modric with Higuan??
I don't think RM is in for RVP. Sahin isn't going to get any playing time if Modric comes in so he needs to go out on loan if he wants to play. AVB doesn't seem to want him and we just have to accept that.