dlblue

It's not so much their game time that concerns me, but they were in training and were part of the group, as are Gibson and Oviedo. 5 familiar faces out of the door, 2 new with 1-2 more maybe.... Captain has been dropped and rumoured to be leaving soon too. It shakes the foundations of the group shuffling about so much in such a short amount of time.

Good!!! About time it all changed, we havnt won anything for years for a reason. I dont want the club to lose its soul (so to speak) but we have needed a ruthless manager for years. This was always a year to set the foundation, 7th maybe 6th up for grabs and really push on next year. so if things are going to change it needs to be this year. better players attract better players and bring the best out of other players on the pitch and in training. this is all positive.

We tried to sign him in the summer on deadline day. wouldn't be surprised to see him here.

AC Milan agreed a deal with Watford for £13.5m. Quite a step down if true.

Apprantly PSG have had a 25m bid (euros) plus bonuses turned down.

I cant see this happening at all, even on a free.

Koeman seems to be trusted the youngsters more and Ivanovic is no better cover than Jags.

Agreed but I think we can catch Man U and Man C are having a serious wobble so I wouldn't rule out 5th yet.

Agree, hopefully we can but a bit of breathing space doesnt hurt.

The gap between our last game and this worries me, it might break the great momentum we've got going at the moment, don't get me wrong it will be great for the players to have a short break after a hectic winter period.

I think it could help tbh, refocus and recharge. Give Schneiderlin time to get fit too. Hopefully Koeman can keep the momentum going.

Even a loan deal to get him off the wage bill would probably be a bonus.

Great player for us, will be missed but time to move on.

All true but I am now looking at the teams above us.

So am i but if 7th is what gets us Europe and makes people take us serious agian then a gap between us and the teams below us would be nice.

Didn't he shun us a few years ago?

I think so but it was for AC Milan so cant really hold it against him.

A win would put us 11 points ahead of Stoke, WBA go to Middlesborough and West Ham play City so a win could potentially put some good distance between us and the teams below.

 

this for me. he ruined his career and reputation at Valencia, they were terrible and had some quality players. he should have never went there.

It was Real Sociedad, which made his decision to go even more strange for me.

Anyway im sure a Jags/Moyes reunion would suit both parties at this point.

I think we will have one more in this week, then a last min dash on TDD.

I wouldnt be surprised for movement once Geri's transfer fully goes through. 3 off the wage bill this week.

Didn't want to leave the north west area apparently, hence why he has turned out for a pub team near mine a few times with hibbo.

 

Yeah, Moyes was defo told he would have a lot more money to spend, however that amount he does have will be more than when he started at Everton. I still think United broke him, he was a half decent manager when he left us ( I say half decent because the next season Shy Talks favourite person smashed through the glass ceiling Moyes seemed to think Everton had reached,) but he was certainly still good enough for bottom half / mid table Prem teams, since he left United he hasn't been anywhere near the same level.

Different times now though, he has peanuts to spend in todays market.

I think he should have jumped at the Celtic job when it was available, few easy years in the Scottish league, win some trophies etc and play in the Champs League. His worst move was going to Spain after UTD.

I hope he keeps them up and i think Jagielka may offer some stability to Sunderlands defence, no longer good enough for us but he may be the difference between a loss and a point for them.

Begovic on his way to Bournemouth apparently. Funny that none of the clubs chasing Europe aren't in for him.

Be interesting to see how he does. Been benched for pretty much 2 seasons.

Good buy for Bournemouth, i think he's missed his opp for a top club.

He did, Osman turned it down so I've heard. Speaking of Sunderland, they are apparently signing Lescott, Moyes has to be phoning these old players saying "We're getting the band back together"

Surprised Osman turned it down, ha yeh he probably is. Feel sorry for him a little bit, i dont think he's in the Job that was sold to him tbh.

Im surprised Moyes hasnt really pushed for him although knowing how he works i imagine it will be a TDD 11pm signing. Gibson going to Sunderland too wouldnt surspise me either, tbh im shocked Moyes didnt offer Osman some kind of contract too.

Had a good turn and shot at goal.

Also had a shot that hit the second tier directly between the goal and the corner flag.

He was terrible when he came on. Willing but that was it, i dont even think Hull is his level tbh.

My gut feeling is Koeman knows players have to leave before others come in! That's why he's wielding the axe on players like Gerry and Jags!

 

All of his signings are still MEH! For me. Middle of the road players, with the exception of Lookman who looks like an exciting player.

Come off it, Schneidelrin is Quality it just didnt work at UTD but at Saints he was superb, great signing. Gana has been expectional and our defence has been much better since Williams came in.

There is a reason Geri hasnt made it, Barca werent prepared to stick with him and Sevilla didnt want to keep him either. He was great for us in his first spell but he needs to offer more than what he does.

Interesting from Sevilla's Sporting Director

http://www.barcablaugranes.com/2015/4/13/8405643/sevilla-are-unhappy-with-gerard-deulofeus-attitude

Signed to Lyon. All confirmed now.

 

I have a feeling that might be his level, similar to balotelli and Hatem Ben arfa.

 

Probably right about Depay, i would have liked him here. A loan deal sounded right until he proves himself.

Harsh on Ben Arfa, he was class just treated poorly at Newcastle. In the right team he would have been awesome.

Exactly, the players we are bringing in now are going to be on, or close to 3 figures wage wise. We have the likes of Niasse, Gibson, Mcgeady, Cleverley, Kone to name but 5 who are probably on 50k each a week or there abouts.

 

That's 200k a week. If you add 3 players on 100k that 500k a week in wagers and 5 of those aren't contributing.

 

I've not explained this very well but you get the point - hopefully

Ha i know what you mean. Geri is probably one of those too, be interesting to see if he goes do we sign someone the next day. that will probably prove the point.

Interesting with Depay that our interest has gone, epecially with Koeman saying he wanted him months ago.

I'd loan him out next season, see how he handles a full season in the PL as a number 1 choice keeper.

Totally agree, I'm glad that the arrangement is if Koeman says no it's a no regardless of Walsh opinion.

 

As you say, he trains and picks the team. I'm not too fussed we missed out on this lad.

same, too many negative reports about him. seemed an odd one from the start.

A wide player who produces game after game? is there one? - maybe robben, ribery, Ronaldo, bale..... so yeah essentially you are talking mega money.

 

wide players are notoriously hot and cold - George Best was the ultimate for that. On their day a defenders nightmare and the fans hero - off their day a sub waiting to happen.

 

So lets not get carried away with the criticism of Bolassie - one thing is for sure he never hid - not once. To me that is a massive plus in a player.

 

Unorthodox but effective I thought. His crosses never got the responses they deserved - his ability to hit a deep dipping ball that looked like it was going out but came back in was brilliant, no one tended to read them though. Given time they probably would and his effectiveness increased.

I dont think anyone was? bit ironic though? there is a 200+ page discussion about how much you dont like Lukaku