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So many rumours, but which are to believed? Firstly, let's deal with some known transfers: we've let a few go and among those, two stood out for me. Although it's probably best for both them and us, there will always be a place in the heart for two guys, one coming to the end of their career, and one at the beginning of his, who now needs some regular football. Carlton Cole and Dan Potts. Good luck to them both. Also, good luck to Jussi. Not much said about him, but, he did us proud for several seasons and was integral to getting us up and keeping us up. I don't know the goalkeeper replacement, Darren Randolph, who comes in from Birmingham but it seems a sensible "swap" for Jussi, allowing Adrian to continue centre stage. Basically, there are no transfer outs (so far) that feel particularly painful. Then we have Obiang coming in from Sampdoria, a Spanish U21 player. This is definitely exciting and without raising expectations too high too early, let's hope for another Kouyate. We also have some players coming back, all of whom are likely to be fringe, but with Europe considered they may get some more game time than last season. Mauro Zarate, Doneil Henry, Diego Poyet, and even Modibo Maiga. And now let's turn to the recent rumours. The strongest one seems to be Dimitri Payet from Marseilles. This would seem to be a real coup and by today's standards, good value too if just over £10m is true. Jenkinson seems likely to return on loan again at RB. If he doesn't, we really are struggling in that position so let's hope so. And can we possibly get Song back in for a bargain price? It seems possible and if (big IF) these guys all come in we really are assembling a high quality squad of both quality and quantity. I hope it's not too much to ask to retain Carroll and Downing, both rumoured to be heading back to the north east. I think they will stay and I hope so, because we need all the quality players we can get. Can I be greedy and ask for more, Mr Gold and Sullivan? I think we saw last season how much we struggle when Carroll and Sakho are injured. Maybe Valencia will be better in his second season but I think we need another striker with a goal record per game as good as Carroll and Sakho. Charlie Austin and Loic Remy have both been rumoured. I'd be happy with either of them, but would personally prefer Austin. I'm very excited about this season and I just can't wait for some of the rumours to start coming to fruition. Come on you irons!
Think you'll find it was Rob
Think you'll find it was Rob Green who was integral to getting us up, not Jussi.
He was more integral to
He was more integral to keeping us down
I too would slightly prefer
I too would slightly prefer Austin as he isn't out injured much, but would be happy if we could get Remy. Hope we get another good young right back in as Jenks will never be our player cus he's a mad Gooner. Very much doubt we will sell Carroll or Downing, at least not unless we can get high quality replacements. I'm hoping Valencia will come good this season if he's played as an out and out finisher, perhaps "IF" Payet signs he will get more chances.
Yippee
SSN Payet had his medical will sign today
Payet signs. Now official.
Payet signs. Now official.
£10m+ on a five year deal...
£10m+ on a five year deal... Hope he can bolster our attacking opportunities! I'm not familiar with the player at all really, who thinks this is a good signing??
Only Messi, Fabregas and
Only Messi, Fabregas and Hazard had more assists last year in the whole of Europe.
Looks pretty good!
Looks pretty good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qqX8nrMESQ
No doubting the boy is
No doubting the boy is quality, don't think Nobes will be taking many corners and frees this season! :-)
LOL
I'm not so sure about the corner part bully For all payets creativity and skills they kept this one quite LOL..https://twitter.com/GFN_France/status/503460899559309312
Hahaha... let's hope that was
Hahaha... let's hope that was the exception that proves the rule!
Yeah...I'm gonna put that
Yeah...I'm gonna put that down to the dodgy carpet :))
Yeah think a huge bit of turf
Yeah think a huge bit of turf came loose! :-)
I agree
With your thoughts, the one thing that worries me is the price of Austin, I would like him as a squad player but I think 10+ million is too much for a player that won't start every game.
I will probably be the only one, but as you say we need a player that would get the same games to goal ratio as Cole, I think we should take at getting Borini, he isn't going to get a game at Liverpool, and seemed to well enough at Sunderland, with Sakho, Valencia, Carrol, Zarrate, possibly Miagi still and Borini, I think we would be safe enough up front. The only position that I think we then really need another player would be center back, we have seen over the last two seasons what happens when Tomkins, Reid or Ginge get injured, and it is likely to happen again given the amount they throw their body on the line defending.
Good point above deluded hammer
Forgot it was Rob Green that got us promoted at the time, not Jussi. Seems a long time ago now. Great to see Payet sign. Let's hope there's more to come. Agree with your comments Bully. Austin priority number one as a guy who looks reliable, or at least he was last season. And I don't like being held to ransom by Arsenal with Jenkinson. Easier said than done but we need to unearth another Cresswell.
Rumours in Telegraph that
Rumours in Telegraph that Downing has been put up for sale - with Leicester intrested in buying for 7m... I cant believe that, he had a good season, a bit up and down but worth hanging onto. If he goes he will be the player who scores against us every game and has a blinding season
Sorry mate...
Posted mine just as you posted this!
Haha... lets hope the paper
Haha... lets hope the paper talk is just paper talk!
Downing and Carroll and CBs
There remains a lot of paper talk about Downing. £4m offer now increased to £5m, with Sunderland and Leicester apparently both interested. He's reportedly on £80k per week and is 30 years old. What do people think about this? At another time I think it would make financial sense to cash in, but, he played well last season, and, this season we will need all the players we can get and keep. I hope he stays. As for the continued Carroll rumours, I just don't see it and think it is just Newcastle propaganda to appeal to their fans. We can't let go of our main striker and he is still the first pick when he is fit. The fact he's just had a baby with his newly married Essex girl makes it even more unlikely that he wants a move away. Finally, we are supposed to be signing a high calibre CB. Angelo Ogbonna from Juventus is one mentioned, although Everton are interested. Aymen Abdennour from Monaco also mentioned. I have to confess I don't know European football well and I've heard nothing of either of these guys until now. Any views?
Downing is an odd one: I've
Downing is an odd one: I've never been a fan of his and was under-whelmed when we signed him, he seems sulky and is a tackle bottler. BUT he did have that fantastic run of form when the side was playing really well; he seemed pretty much Sam's first name on the team sheet, and probably does more work than I give him credit for. We need all the experienced players we can get this season, so wouldn't sell him unless we had a player of equal quality at least to step right in and replace him.
I don't see us selling ANY of our top players unless it's part of a deal to upgrade on what we have, that includes Andy Carroll, although I'm a bit doubtful about you saying he is our first pick striker: I think he will have to be carefully used or we risk another major injury, which might just end his career to all intents and purposes. I expected Sam to use him that way when he last came back, and look what happened when he tried to play him in every game.
Haven't seen Ogbonna or Abdennour. Interesting though that DG posted a photo of Ogbonna by mistake, so maybe he is a target.
I can't see Bilic echoing
I can't see Bilic echoing last season's tactics with Carroll, "alright son, stand up t'other end and we'll start pumpin balls up to ya. Jump for em all, get your head on em and knock em down for ma mate Kev. they'll be nothin inter yer feet so keep yer head up at all times. Support'll be lacking too cos we gotta defend the draw for all we're worth if we want t' play Prem footy in OS. Good Lad! off yer go"!
Bilic will have different idea's and maybe a plan B or even C&D.
Great point Bully
I forgot it was Ogbonna who Gold posted on Twitter by mistake! Be funny if it's true. Totally agree on Carroll. I think he is our best striker when fully fit but it's so important to have a manager that plays him only when it's right. He needs rotating. I couldn't believe Sam playing him week in and week out before Christmas, because at that point we had both Sakho and Valencia fit. Really poor management. I hope for better from Bilic.
Carroll
if fully fit will benefit from the delivery of Payet as he whips the ball into the box, unlike Matt 'Pitching Wedge' Jarvis!
Borini rumoured
Really? Not exactly Charlie Austin or Loic Remy is it?
Cresswell signs a new 5 year
Cresswell signs a new 5 year contract! Good news for the club to secure him from being poached away by the big boys, although I wonder how much extra we have had to pay? Hope he continues to do great for us though
5 years with an option for 2
5 years with an option for 2 more. That basically keeps him here for life unless somebody wants to pay a PILE of cash for him.
Good news. If we can get
Good news. If we can get Jenks back on a deal and start blooding Burke a bit more in the squad to get them all familiar with each other we could have the best defence in the prem in a season or two and I believe we will have the future England back 4 in our team!