You know we need a tall striker? Me want!!!

[gibbs131]

Never heard of him...but gimme gimme! I welcome the pending distaster!!!

http://community.footballpools.com/blog/2009/02/10/marc-janko-top-scorer-in-europe/

The current top scorer in Europe was is not one of the biggest names in club football such as Samuel Eto’o of Barcelona, Luca Toni of Bayern or Nicolas Anelka of Chelsea. Instead the top scorer is a little known Austrian by the name of Marc Janko who has scored a staggering 30 League goals in just 20 appearances (18 starts) this season.

The 25-year-old has spoken of his ‘dream’ of playing in England. With so many clubs needing to bring in more firepower the Salzburg striker was expected to be on a number of teams hit-lists in January. However, his club Director Heinz Hochhauser announced to German newspaper BILD: “We are not prepared to let him leave at this point in time.”

The 6 ft 5 striker has been in simply sensational form this season. Janko has already broken Salzburg’s club record for League goals scored by a single player in a season with over half the campaign yet to play. His Roy of Rovers goal-scoring exploits include 5 hat-tricks already in the Austrian Bundesliga including the opening game of the season as well as 4 goals in a 4-3 win over bottom club Altach in October. Of those 30 strikes only 4 came from the penalty spot.The in-form hitman has openly spoken of his interest in a move to the Premier League.

“When I was about 12 years old, I was watching an English game on the television,” he told The Daily Mail.

“It was West Ham against Watford and everything about the game - the pace, the crowd, the atmosphere - was fantastic.

“I just turned to my father and said, ‘I’m going to play in England’, and now I want to make it happen.”

Austrian Star Eyes Premier LeagueHe added: “People will say the Austrian league is not so strong and, apart from Salzburg, Rapid and Austria Vienna, that may be the case, but you still have to put chances away and my record is comparable with the best.

“Also, France, Italy and Serbia don’t have poor defences and I have scored against them. It shows I can compete against the best.

“I know clubs are interested and I know I can play in England. It may take a little time to adjust to the tempo but I can handle the physical side that everyone talks about.

“I have a strong left foot, I’m good with my right and, as you’d expect at 6ft 5ins, I’m good in the air.

“I just want to get to The Premier League and show what I can do. The club have been good enough to say I can go, but they have to find a replacement soon too, so it’s important all round that something is tied up soon.

“We need to start talking to the clubs.”

Janko began his career with Admira Wacker making 13 League appearances and scoring twice before a move to Salzburg in 2005. Since his move he’s scored an incredible 48 goals in 60 League appearances but only in this campaign has he been a regular starter at the club. His form has also prompted a return to the national side where he possesses a record of 2 goals in 7 appearances. Importantly those goals were scored in the last 4 internationals against Italy in a friendly and Serbia in a World Cup qualifier. His performance this Wednesday against Sweden may well build on the striker’s growing reputation.

Scores Goals and Can Fly Too!The Austrian press has suggested both Celtic and Blackburn made offers in January which is unsurprising as he has the attributes to be a big hit in Britain with his physical size and aerial presence. He certainly seems a Sam Allardyce type of striker with his size and physique and with Roque Santa Cruz consistently linked with a move to Man City it would make sense. However, there are a number of Premier League clubs on the lookout for new strikers and with this player’s current form he may well be ideal. Harry Redknapp has a reputation for picking up bargains and may well make his move particularly as the Austrian has declared Spurs would be his preference. He said, “I definitely want to play in The Premier League. Tottenham are certainly among my favourite clubs.”

Redknapp has been bemoaning the size of his players and has been linked with the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Roman Bednar but the Austrian could be a cheaper alternative. Middlesbrough are also reportedly interested after Mido left the club last month though Everton may also join the chase depending on the performance and availability of Jo in the summer. Salzburg may be facing a struggle to keep their 6 ft 5 talisman if his incredible form continues.

Do you like the look of Marc Janko? Would he be with worth a transfer bid in the summer? Could he be the striker your club needs for the future? Let’s hear your views.

 

[gibbs131]

BTW I can't wait for the 16 million fee that is always latched on to Spurs targets.

 

[milkman]

I want to sign a striker known as 'gibbs131', only members of SC know of him.

 

[punky]

His name has come up before, but the general consensus is that scoring that many goals in the Austrian league is about as good as scoring it in Division 1 (and I don't mean the Championship). I don't really know much about him, but doubt he'd have the same impact at one of the toughest leagues in Europe coming from one of the weakest.

 

[Rackybear]

The smart ass who thinks Modric is shit wants to take a gamble on a random from the austrian league because he has scored 30 goals in 20 games.

Sounds like a potential Alfonso Alves; and you dont fail to amaze me at your retarded reccomendations.

You could be a scout, but maybe for a blue square north side, spursking can be your assistant.

 

[hodspurs]

think blackburn were after him...they want about 9m..

 

[gibbs131]

The smart ass who thinks Modric is shit wants to take a gamble on a random from the austrian league because he has scored 30 goals in 20 games.

Sounds like a potential Alfonso Alves; and you dont fail to amaze me at your retarded reccomendations.

You could be a scout, but maybe for a blue square north side, spursking can be your assistant.

And you lie. I said Modric was a good player, never said he was shit at all.

Just said he wasn't what we needed at the time (when he signed) and wasn't any better than Malbs.

Lets face it, I was right. Decent player, didn't help push us to the next level at all.

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30471

And this was while Malbs was STILL with us. I stated Modric would force him out and not be any better, I was right.

 

[diegooners]

He's a lot better than Malbs. If you don't admit that now mate your a loon.

 

[RobinLeonard]

We need strong quality players - not necessarily tall ones. Pekhart is tall still the management was not interested in playing him.

 

[gibbs131]

He's a lot better than Malbs. If you don't admit that now mate your a loon.

Malbs has 8 assists in the Prem. Modric only has 2. Malbs destroyed us when Sunderland played us at home and Modric was playing opposite him.

Malbs has the HIGHEST assist rate in the prem for a midfielder. Ironically Berbs is the only one on par with him.

I suggest people watch more games that don't invlove Spurs to gently re asses our transfer dealings.

I claimed ALL OF THIS BEFORE WE ENDED UP BOTTOM OF THE TABLE!

Oh look, Modric hardly scores, gets knocked over easy and hardly ever creates for us in the league. But yeah I am wrong..haha. Oh look Malbs did leave us like I predicted way back.

(Kevin Keegan voice) "I LOVE it when people bring up the Modric thread..LOVE IT"

 

[AngerManagement]

The smart ass who thinks Modric is shit wants to take a gamble on a random from the austrian league because he has scored 30 goals in 20 games.

Sounds like a potential Alfonso Alves; and you dont fail to amaze me at your retarded reccomendations.

You could be a scout, but maybe for a blue square north side, spursking can be your assistant.

Spursking is no mans assistant!!! :bowdown:

 

[gibbs131]

Spursking is no mans assistant!!! :bowdown:

I like Spursking. He sticks his neck out like I do.

And in football, if you are not a superstar, at least be a character

 

[Rackybear]

Malbs has 9 assists in the Prem. Modric only has 2. Malbs destroyed us when Sunderland played us at home and Modric was playing opposite him.

Malbs has the HIGHEST assist rate in the prem for a midfielder. Ironically Berbs is the only one on par with him.

I suggest people watch more games that don't invlove Spurs to gently re asses our transfer dealings.

I claimed ALL OF THIS BEFORE WE ENDED UP BOTTOM OF THE TABLE!

Oh look, Modric hardly scores, gets knocked over easy and hardly ever creates for us in the league. But yeah I am wrong..haha. Oh look Malbs did leave us like I predicted way back.

(Kevin Keegan voice) "I LOVE it when people bring up the Modric thread..LOVE IT"

Ok fair point.

Now do me a favour and take into account both players age, the fact that one has near a decade's worth of experience more in the EPL, whilst one is coming fresh from the croatian league and in his first EPL season.

Ask yourself, was Malbranque as good as Modric is at the age of 23?

Furthermore, Modric has potential to grow, huge potential. Once he hits the same age as Malbranque, he probably wont be plying his trade for sunderland, but a much bigger club.

Another thing...Malbranque is a consistent player, he will have 7/10 performances most weeks. Modric on the other hand is capable of playing at a level higher but also a level lower. Once he becomes more custom to the league, matures and gains life experience, Modric will be a 8-10/10 player every week. Thats the difference between class and world class.

One of them has always been a "decent" player, one will become a worldwide phonomenon. Now tell me, who would you prefer at spurs? A 23 year old who will go onto become a fantastic little player, or someone who is only going to get worse.

In saying all this, its as if im saying that Modric isn't quite their yet, but the thing is, he is still turning in some really influencial and great quality performances. If you're going to make a comparison, then make it fair, to someone say like Nasri who is in a similar position / age / experience in EPL. Co-incedentally, who was better on Sunday, o yes, it was Modric. Nasri hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

 

[gibbs131]

Ok fair point.

Now do me a favour and take into account both players age, the fact that one has near a decade's worth of experience more in the EPL, whilst one is coming fresh from the croatian league and in his first EPL season.

Ask yourself, was Malbranque as good as Modric is at the age of 23?

Furthermore, Modric has potential to grow, huge potential. Once he hits the same age as Malbranque, he probably wont be plying his trade for sunderland, but a much bigger club.

Another thing...Malbranque is a consistent player, he will have 7/10 performances most weeks. Modric on the other hand is capable of playing at a level higher but also a level lower. Once he becomes more custom to the league, matures and gains life experience, Modric will be a 8-10/10 player every week. Thats the difference between class and world class.

One of them has always been a "decent" player, one will become a worldwide phonomenon. Now tell me, who would you prefer at spurs? A 23 year old who will go onto become a fantastic little player, or someone who is only going to get worse.

In saying all this, its as if im saying that Modric isn't quite their yet, but the thing is, he is still turning in some really influencial and great quality performances. If you're going to make a comparison, then make it fair, to someone say like Nasri who is in a similar position / age / experience in EPL. Co-incedentally, who was better on Sunday, o yes, it was Modric. Nasri hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

Can't argue with that.

But, we are on the brink of relegation. So as it stands, it is a HUGE risk to play the wait and see game.

I am a little fed up of not seeing players stick with us when they are in their prime. Malbs is 29. We could have had 7 seasons of him playing a Scholes role for us only to waste him in utility positions.

We sold Berbs and Carrick in their prime. At least we are starting to rethink that by getting Robbie and Defoe back.

 

[PT]

If this is to be a willy - waving contest, it's going to be locked - rather it be a decent debate about the merits of a potential Premiership target in the summer.

 

[SelbYido]

The smart ass who thinks Modric is shit wants to take a gamble on a random from the austrian league because he has scored 30 goals in 20 games.

Sounds like a potential Alfonso Alves; and you dont fail to amaze me at your retarded reccomendations.

You could be a scout, but maybe for a blue square north side, spursking can be your assistant.

I've disagreed plenty of times with 'Ole Gibbsy':wink:, particularly his dogmatic insistence that he is 'right' on issues where consensus is conspicuous by its absence. However, there's no need to be insulting about it. Disagree by all means, but your post was little more than a personal attack.

Do you think that Janko would actually be shit? Who would you prefer as a big target man? I'd rather hear your views on that than your crude & witless attacks on Gibbsy & Spursking...

 

[jurgen]

"Didn't help push us to the next level at all" does that mean you assume Harry will listen to you and dump him, and thats the last we'll ever see of Luka, or does it mean you dont think this team has any scope to get better the more they play together and Modric has and will forever more have failed - both are wrong.

I think selling Steed was a big mistake personally, but then he got what, 6 assists and 6 goals over 2 seasons for us, meaning Luka with 3 of each is well on course to pass his average still having a third of a season left. He's taken on a different role at Sunderland which probably says more about how they play to his strengths and has produced a prolific spate of assists which he's never had for us even when we were playing a lot better than we are now.

As for the hold up striker we need, it'd probably be better to go for someone technically good rather than some big lump who keeps outjumping championship level footballers to score a lot of goals.

 

[gibbs131]

"zzzip"

 

[Rackybear]

Can't argue with that.

But, we are on the brink of relegation. So as it stands, it is a HUGE risk to play the wait and see game.

But we did not expect to be in this position, it would be different had we taken a risk on Modric and sold Malbranque when confronted with such a situation. We bought Modric in the hope he would help fill a creative void in our midfield (which he has done imo) and take us into the top 4, but other circumstances (Ramos, Keane, Berbatov) meant we had a shit start and that idea was scrapped.

We are in a relegation battle, but what do you want us to do, sell Modric and re-buy Malbranque? I dont think so.

We dont need to play the wait and see game, we have seen enough in him to know that he is a special player and will only get better over time. We will avoid relegation, and Modric will become the focal point of our team, the team will be very much built around him - im pretty confident of that.

 

[gibbs131]

"Didn't help push us to the next level at all" does that mean you assume Harry will listen to you and dump him, and thats the last we'll ever see of Luka, or does it mean you dont think this team has any scope to get better the more they play together and Modric has and will forever more have failed - both are wrong.

I think selling Steed was a big mistake personally, but then he got what, 6 assists and 6 goals over 2 seasons for us, meaning Luka with 3 of each is well on course to pass his average still having a third of a season left. He's taken on a different role at Sunderland which probably says more about how they play to his strengths and has produced a prolific spate of assists which he's never had for us even when we were playing a lot better than we are now.

As for the hold up striker we need, it'd probably be better to go for someone technically good rather than some big lump who keeps outjumping championship level footballers to score a lot of goals.

RE Modric, I think he will improve with players like Palacious along side him.

RE strikers, I really want Kanoute back. But the idiot in me wants us to sign this 6 foot 5 dude who is almost certainly going to be a Raisak if we sign him.