Realistic Transfer Targets January 2011

[Dokko]

Barton isn't a winger, never has been, never will be.

 

The criteria was that we needed someone for the right who can cross.

 

It was right winger who cross, not a makeshift right midfielder who can cross.

[lovejoy]

Who's this right winger we have who can cross?

 

We have on for the left in HBA.

 

And that's helpful atm how exactly?

 

Im not saying it's helpful right now, but we don't need to sign one as he's back relatively soon. We don't have a right winger who's good enough, that's a fact.

 

Barton has deputised well but he isn't a winger, and I'd rather have him in the middle.

[Dave]

Barton isn't a winger, never has been, never will be.

 

The criteria was that we needed someone for the right who can cross.

 

It was right winger who cross, not a makeshift right midfielder who can cross.

 

What's the difference? Same question, what else are you looking for?

[Yorkie]

Confused by this tbh. I'd have absolutely no issue with Someone-Tiote-Nolan-Barton being our midfield for the rest of the season. I like Jonas but if there's anywhere in the midfield in dire need of an upgrade it's down the left. The right-wing's more that satisfactory imo.

[lovejoy]

Prett sure I said winger mind.

 

You specified crossing, that's all I responded to. What else are you looking for?

 

This is pretty pointless mind. But I said a right winger who can cross, you said we had one. We don't. Not that this matter s at all.

[wormy]

Forgetting the pedantry, if Barton's happy to continue on the right, I say keep him on the right, even if just for this season. Focus on trying to get an upgrade on Jonas. Safe to say that we're not getting another CM in so stick with Tiote and Nolan. My dream would be that HBA would fill Nolan's slot in the centre. But I suppose a dream is what it will stay as.

 

LW and ST in January are musts for me. cheap back up LB if we're feeling really adventurous.

[Mowen]

Who's this right winger we have who can cross?

 

We have on for the left in HBA.

 

And that's helpful atm how exactly?

 

Im not saying it's helpful right now, but we don't need to sign one as he's back relatively soon. We don't have a right winger who's good enough, that's a fact.

 

Barton has deputised well but he isn't a winger, and I'd rather have him in the middle.

 

Possibly, but he's been better for us on the right recently than he's ever been for us in the middle.

[Ronaldo]

Barton is at his absolute best when he can avoid the individual battles in the middle of the park and simply concentrate on receiving the ball and spraying it around.

[Dokko]

Difference is a proper winger and someone not playing out of position, pretty self explanatory IMO 

 

Bartons effectiveness in that areas only highlights the need for real quality, not that we've found our solution.

[Dave]

Prett sure I said winger mind.

 

You specified crossing, that's all I responded to. What else are you looking for?

 

This is pretty pointless mind. But I said a right winger who can cross, you said we had one. We don't. Not that this matter s at all.

 

Eh?

 

All I'm asking is what else you think we need from a right winger other than decent crossing. I'm not being funny, I genuinely don't get it.

[lovejoy]

We have an upgrade on jonas in HBA though do we not?

 

I realise he's out for a few more weeks but surely people don't want nor expect us to strengthen that side further?

[lovejoy]

I'm postage from an iPhone do can't he arsed quoting etc.

 

From a winger I want pace, a trick, ability to cross, some defensive capability.

 

Barton has deputised well there, no doubt, but I personally think he looked very good in the middle today and I'd rather him him there. Thus the need for a winger.

[Dave]

Btw the context to all this is our probable budget in January. We already have a player for the right who can cross in Barton, who coincidentally is playing some of his best football in years out there. We have backup in Routledge.

 

Now, who do we have for the left who can cross? Who is his backup? Mr Broken Leg doesn't count, unfortunately. We don't even know if he'll be any good when he's back in about three months from now.

 

It's about priorities.

[Dave]

I'm postage from an iPhone do can't he arsed quoting etc.

 

From a winger I want pace, a trick, ability to cross, some defensive capability.

 

Barton has deputised well there, no doubt, but I personally think he looked very good in the middle today and I'd rather him him there. Thus the need for a winger.

 

Cheers.

[Ketsbaia]

What are we gonna do with Gosling when he returns? I'd like a Barton-Gosling-Tiote-Jonas midfield until HBA comes back.

[Dave]

Forgetting the pedantry, if Barton's happy to continue on the right, I say keep him on the right, even if just for this season. Focus on trying to get an upgrade on Jonas. Safe to say that we're not getting another CM in so stick with Tiote and Nolan. My dream would be that HBA would fill Nolan's slot in the centre. But I suppose a dream is what it will stay as.

 

LW and ST in January are musts for me. cheap back up LB if we're feeling really adventurous.

 

Agreed.

[JH]

We'll be lucky to see HBA back before April IMO.

 

Routledge and Barton will do for the right (Gosling can play there too can't he? When's he due back?) Whilst CF is the absolute priority, LM is not far behind.

[wormy]

Just don't see how it's a particular thing we should try and improve upon on January tbh. He's doing a good job there, even if we just keep him there for the season like I say. I can see where people are coming from on the no need to upgrade on the left either, as they expect HBA to replace Jonas there in a few months. I admit I'm dreaming of HBA taking the centre role of Nolan's.

[lovejoy]

As much as I don't like jonas, I see a greater need on the right than left (granted this is because i have the blind hope that hba will return the same player) Simply because I see jonas as the lesser of two evils between him and routledge.

 

Take the point on Barton and priorities though. Was just so frustrated with the wingers today, coupled with being impressed by Barton in a central role, that I'm desperate to see us recruit in that area.

[lovejoy]

If it's April for hba, then we're having a very different conversation btw. I'm basing my priorities on a feb return.

[JH]

The last two times Routledge has started, he's outshone Jonas. He's not good, but he's more effective than Jonas IMO

[Dave]

If it's April for hba, then we're having a very different conversation btw. I'm basing my priorities on a feb return.

 

Not a chance IMO.

[wormy]

When the media talk about HBA's return, I think they're making it sound better than it is and they're really meaning full training return. Then for him to get to match fitness, get maybe a few reserve games under his belt, sub appearances, and then to start a game. He'll have very few games left to play this season. And even then he'll take a while to capture any sort of proper form.

 

I refuse to get excited about HBA tbh, pessimistic it may be, but I consider this season a write off for him.

 

(What on earth just happened to the forum?? My heart stopped )

[Ronaldo]

The last two times Routledge has started, he's outshone Jonas. He's not good, but he's more effective than Jonas IMO

 

In his last 2 starts at home he's been just about our best player.

[Nobody]

Honestly can't believe how unpopular Routledge is here. He was certainly one of our best players in the Championship, he proper took the piss out of that league and he was good against Chelsea and even better today. People seem to be basing their opinion of him from a few games at the start of the season when he was playing in front of Perch.

People are saying it's madness to "play two players out of position" when I suggest we play Routledge LW and Barton RW, but considering Barton is putting in great performance after great performance on the right, why would we want to change that? And with Jonas getting worse by the game, Routledge needs to be given a chance on that side. He would have to do a fucking terrible job there to be worse than Jonas atm.