The Squad

[Kingdawson]

Without meaning to sound funny, Im not sure it matters how much you rate him. Look at how has (not) been used.

Pienaar has (2 games aside) made NO impact to our team. Redknapp hasnt used him at all and clearly doesnt want to.

On that basis alone, we havent lost out - because its more than likely Pienaar was simply not going to play regardless.

Look at Redknapps comment last night, Pienaar was going because Krasic was coming in (incidentally not a defensive type winger to my knowledge), then Pienaar wasnt going because Krasic deal was off. Then Pienaar went anyway. I think it was just never going to happen for him here.

All of that said, as I pointed out above - we have tactical changes to compensate as well. A midfield 3 from Modric, Huddlestone, Parker, Sandro, Livermore can cope with just about anything IMO with an attacking three from Adebayor, Defoe, Saha, VDV, Dos Santos, Kranjcar to do the business...

He's been injured and we luckily haven't had many long term injuries on the wings (yet).

 

[nayimfromthehalfwayline]

Do you genuinely think he stood a chance of ever being a regular?

Seems clear to me Redknapp had written him off a long while back

 

[papaspur]

I just do not think that the players have been there to sign during those windows. Have any of our close rivals (apart from Emirates Marketing Project who we cannot compete in the transfer market with) improved their front line during that time?

Well, all the players we wanted would have been risks (or at the very least, unproven in the Premiership): Llorente, Rossi, Damiao, Falcao.
I believe those players wouldn't have broken our wage structure, but the types of players that would bring us to the next level most certainly are on at least 100k wages. Maybe even a few from the development team will make their way to the first team.

Other clubs like Saudi Sportswashing Machine have taken a few chances with their forward players. I'd be curious to see how Cisse will do, especially partnered with Ba.
Either way, I definitely see some big things happening in the summer. [-o<

 

[milo]

Well, all the players we wanted would have been risks (or at the very least, unproven in the Premiership): Llorente, Rossi, Damiao, Falcao.
I believe those players wouldn't have broken our wage structure, but the types of players that would bring us to the next level most certainly are on at least 100k wages. Maybe even a few from the development team will make their way to the first team.

I lose track, have any of those players switched clubs during the last four windows?

 

[Kingdawson]

Do you genuinely think he stood a chance of ever being a regular?

Seems clear to me Redknapp had written him off a long while back

When fit he was coming on ahead of Niko AND Gio so if either Azza or Bale are injured, you'd assume he'd be the one to replace them (much like last season where he was favoured). How do you assume that Redknapp had written him off? if anything he rated him above the other 2 imo (or rated his contribution to the team above the other 2).

 

[nayimfromthehalfwayline]

Being ahead of Kranjcar and Dos Santos is hardly an endorsement, they are also forgotten men

 

[DHSF]

Im a bit upset we let Charlie and Bassong go - especially as we are light in those areas (although I am pretty sure they were desperate to leave)

I think if we are in CL next season ie finish third we will splash the cash to strengthen the first eleven and also the squad as a whole. We need some strength in depth considering also that the likes of gallas I am sure will be off.

 

[papaspur]

I lose track, have any of those players switched clubs during the last four windows?

Only Falcao. Those were just the ones off the top of my head. I guess Remy is a new target we're looking to sign, and possibly Hazard.

 

[Kingdawson]

Being ahead of Kranjcar and Dos Santos is hardly an endorsement, they are also forgotten men

But it shows that he was 3rd choice which means he plays an important part in the team should Lennon or Bale get injured. You might not rate him but losing him makes the squad weaker and gives us less options from the bench. That's my point.

 

[nayimfromthehalfwayline]

It doesnt, thats my point. Agree to disagree.

 

[yiddo2786]

Affy, evacuation is spelt with a 'c'

 

[glorygloryeze]

Good thread AS.

I hve to say I think we have taken a big gamble in letting Corluka and Pienaar go.

We have no recognised RB other than Walker now. I know people can point to others being able to 'do a job' there but, for example, would any of you trust Livermore or Sadro at RB against Liverpool next monday if Walker doesn't make it? Would you really want to move Kaboul there?? I don't think so. It's round pegs in round holes that Redknapp is famed for - after all if Ramos started doing it I'm sure what most now would think.....

Pienaar has been a disappointment for sure, but as others have said who in the thread, who do we have in the squad who could come on in a game a play a rugged defensive wing role protecting either of the full-backs? I remember when Niko came on for Pienaar in the San Siro against AC Milan and I noticed straight away how easy they found it to ghost past our left midfeild, which was where Pienaar had started. Plus he could play along the midfield as well and add bite. Not having a go at Niko, btw, but just showing that Pienaar did add something to the squad, despite the fact he wasnt used.

I like the Saha signing; when fit, he has the strength to hold the ball up, plus he's probabaly better than Ade in the air and has a better shot from range.
Ryan Nelson? Well, did we really need another CB crock??

I think we may have made big assumptions about finishing 3rd here; perhaps even given up hope of challenging for the title (annoying, but understandable), but if we don't make top 4 we will look back at this window as YET ANOTHER missed opportunity.

I think the Liverpool game will really give us a view as to how we cope from herein: they WILL be VERY motivated after we wiped our arses with them in September, and we cannot afford to go there seemingly unprepared like I felt we were in the first half against Stoke. In fact it's a game where I'd want a 'specialist' starting in every position - none of this 'we can put him here as he can do a job' nonsense.
In fact the match is little bit like Brazil vs Italy: we being Brazil (loads of flaur, playing instintively and off-the-cuff), whereas they are Italy (methodical, defensive, very tactical, always looking to nullify the oposition first, but often very effective given their means).

If we beat Liverpool away (VERY possible, base on our 2nd half near full comeback against City) then we shouldn't fear anybody from now on.

COYS

 

[thfcsteff]

A good window.
Pav is doubtless a great talent but he is also a lazy, unmotivated player. A waste really. With a bit more effort, he'd have got plenty of games and goals. Saha has won big trophies, can finish, needed a new club to recharge his batteries and fits nicely into Ade's spot if/when Ade needs a break. I'd say the two could also play together if need be.
Bassong, a really good player IMHO, is another example of a player who needed a new club to recharge; for whatever reason, he was never going to find the form he used to have for us, so getting in Nelsen, international experience, a leader, and someone who can play CB or RB, is a good short-term move.
Charlie...a shame really, but I really do think this is as much about being decent to the player as anything.

I firmly believe Levy did not want to spend on Krasic, etc, because this summer we can access better players for not much more money if in the CL PLUS we do not yet know who our manager will be!!!!!!!!!

p.s. Nelsen and Friedel played together, thus I have no doubt Friedel was involved in recommending him...

 

[Jordinho]

Throwing this in here as it's probably more suited for this thread:

Going by TransferMarkt:

2012: Gomes, Cudicini, Saha, Adebayor, King
2013: Gallas, Friedel, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Dos Santos, Jenas, Naughton, Caulker
2014: Kaboul, Lennon. VDV, Defoe, Bentley, Bassong, Corluka
2015: Dawson, Pienaar, Bale, Huddlestone, Parker, Rose
2016: Walker, Modric, Sandro, Livermore

 

[7percent]

Squad List Updated

From the Official Site:

1 – Heurelho Gomes
3 – Gareth Bale
4 – Younes Kaboul
6 – Tom Huddlestone
7 – Aaron Lennon
8 – Scott Parker
10 – Emmanuel Adebayor
11 – Rafael van der Vaart
13 – William Gallas
14 – Luka Modric
15 – Louis Saha
17 – Giovani Dos Santos
18 – Jermain Defoe
20 – Michael Dawson
21 – Niko Kranjcar
23 – Carlo Cudicini
24 – Brad Friedel
26 – Ledley King
29 – Jake Livermore
30 – Sandro Cordeiro
32 – Benoit Assou-Ekotto
33 – Ryan Nelsen
36 – Bongani Khumalo
38 – David Bentley
42 – Simon Dawkins

U21 List:

25 – Danny Rose
28 – Kyle Walker

[It's 25 players eligable to play in the Premier League + the under 21 players]

I'm probably being dense but Bentley and Khumalo are still on loan, right?

 

[EJG]

It's strange as Jenas and Bentley both got big injuries while out on loan. Jenas seems to still be officially on loan at Villa, but Bentley seems to have come back from his West Ham loan. Maybe West Ham had an option to end the loan in January if they wanted?

Shamefully I haven't been following what's been going on with Khumalo.

 

[Mumorn]

I think the main question should be. Simon Dawkins is still here?

 

[papaspur]

I thought we had to bring Bentley back from his loan due to his injury to his knee. I think Khumalo's loan was terminated by Reading.

 

[7percent]

It's strange as Jenas and Bentley both got big injuries while out on loan. Jenas seems to still be officially on loan at Villa, but Bentley seems to have come back from his West Ham loan. Maybe West Ham had an option to end the loan in January if they wanted?

Shamefully I haven't been following what's been going on with Khumalo.

Should have put this in the first post; it's the 25 players who we have submitted to the FA for use in Premier League matches. We'd be wasting a spot on Jenas as he won't be fit.

We'd also be 'wasting' a spot on Bentley if he's at West Ham. Though it might just mean we have nobody else we want in the squad.

 

[7percent]

I thought we had to bring Bentley back from his loan due to his injury to his knee. I think Khumalo's loan was terminated by Reading.

So Bentley's in the squad as he should be fit before the end of the season? Jenas misses out as he won't be fit before the end of the season and we're all getting 'Saha 15' on the back of our shirts?