Summer Transfer Rumours 2012

[Stu]

Anyone else worried about the distinct lack of experience among the players we're signing, Holden being the exception

Yes, yes, yes and bloody well yes.

[chestersaddler]

Each to their own, mate. I'd imagine those signings took up a fair chunk of their budget, whilst ours (maybe Holden aside) won't have. I get the feeling we're planning something, as it just doesn't make sense otherwise. The trialists would generally be inexpensive and we've obviously lost the likes of Macken and Ledesma, who would have been on fair whack... let alone the compensation from Sheffield United (Westlake), Notts County (Smith) and Tank (Wolves). Naive probably, but there SHOULD be room in our budget for a marquee signing of sorts (and I doubt we're paying all of Flo's wages) in the ilk of Hayter (?).

I do hope you are right.

[worzel999]

but there SHOULD be room in our budget for a marquee signing of sorts.

But one marquee signing surrounded by div 2 standard players doesn't seem like the basis for any success.

If the marquee player is 2 yards faster in thought than the rest of the team, then he'll look an idiot for passing it to where the runner should be, time and time again. Or when he's had enough and tries to do too much and loses the ball, you can just hear the terraces.

This is mirroring last year imho.

[WFC_Rob]

It's all relative though, as things stand. We're still about 5 players short for me, yet looking around, I'd imagine there are a fair few sides at our level in a similar situation.

The transfer market still hasn't got into full swing just yet, probably thanks to two international tournaments taking place this summer. Over the next couple of weeks, we'll see a mad rush of signings. I think Smith recognises the fact that the best signings aren't likely to be the sort of players you bring in on trial first.

[saddler_nic]

Not sure if this is really relevant and there's probably nothing in it, but Sam Mantom has change his Facebook profile pic to a picture of him playing for us. Given the tat I've seen in the two friendlies, I'd be happier than ever to see him back. I think he would be a real coup given his partnership with Flo. He could be even better this time around as for me, we saw his best form before Ledesma re-signed.

A target man with experience is still vital though!!!

[JonnyOwen]

Mantom and Cuvelier combo again would be sweet 8)

[Blackheath Saddler]

Mantom posted the other night on FB saying something like " Nothing changes back to how they were before" there loss is someone elses gain?

[Darth Vader]

What I've put as our first team anyways, positions left blank cause I think we can do better in that area. Don't know if Hemmings and Paterson can play on both wings but put it nevertheless.

[Exile]

Doesn't look too bad like that, as long as we're planning on new players for the gaps.

[Darth Vader]

All know it won't be like that though, Grigg will probably partner Brandy, Holden in Cb...

[Ken Barlow]

From the players we know are at the club right now (not including Featherstone or Taylor as they are yet to be confirmed, this is the starting XI we have got.



Compare that to the starting XI against Leyton Orient last season.

[JonnyOwen]

They both have the problem of Grigg.

[Neil Ravenscroft]

Last season stronger at the back, this far stronger in midfield

[NEWPORT SADDLERS DAD]

Scrub taundry and replace with the other Chambers.

[Darth Vader]

Last season stronger at the back, this far stronger in midfield

Well we might be stronger at the back yet seeing as we're still a few players short.

Would replace Taundry with James Chambers, but has he even signed?

[Neil Ravenscroft]

Last season stronger at the back, this far stronger in midfield

Well we might be stronger at the back yet seeing as we're still a few players short.

Would replace Taundry with James Chambers, but has he even signed?

That's why I don't see any point in panicking yet.

[Darth Vader]

Me neither, but our next signings now shouldn't be youth, we need some good experience.

[WFC_Rob]

Whether it's Mantom or not, we need another midfielder anyway. Two isn't enough, especially if we want to play 4-5-1 / 4-3-3, which I suspect we will at some stage.

Looking at the team that's been posted, I still reckon we need the following:
Centre half
Left back
Centre midfielder
Striker - who MUST have some sort of physical presence and experience

I don't think we're miles away from having quite a balanced side. Whether than side ultimately ends up being good enough remains to be seen, but I'd like to think Cuvelier and Hemmings in particular are considerable improvements on their equivalents from this time last year.

[Cheesebag]

Benning IS good enough to be our Left back and get other Chambers in at right. xxx

[JJunior9]

James Chambers would be a very solid signing - an experienced full-back (predominantly on the right), although he played on the left for Cardiff City on loan, earlier in his career. I think his signature would also bring out another 10% from Adam - at a push, James could even slot in as a defensive midfielder which would help shore up the team in the last ten minutes of a game (where we lost a bundle of points last season). I think it could be amusing for opponents and referees who might get confused with both of them ratting about in midfield (particularly if one is on a booking - which Adam often is).

Adebola has been linked and he is very old but if he was on a 'pay as you play' deal, I would welcome him as an addition to the squad - however, we have lots of young, hungry strikers at the club so it would have to be a short-term deal (one year contract maximum).

Mantom would also be a cracking signing - those three could really help to balance the squad.

Looking at the Orient 11 from the opening game of last season, I actually think we're better than that - particularly in midfield.

A decent centre-half alongside Butler would be nice - Hriedderson has been linked - another experienced old-head.

That said, I would still like to see Akinfenwa in a Walsall shirt (and would take Clarke Carlisle too)

Realistically though, I think four or five new faces are still needed in addition to Connor Taylor (which seems like a done deal).

[Darth Vader]

Wouldn't mind a bit of Adebola in the side, 6 ft 3, experienced old head like Macken was, him and Brandy would be a nice little partnership.

Not much of a goalscorer but we can never sign up goalscorers for free anyway...

[WFC_Rob]

Wouldn't mind a bit of Adebola in the side, 6 ft 3, experienced old head like Macken was, him and Brandy would be a nice little partnership.

Not much of a goalscorer but we can never sign up goalscorers for free anyway...

IF we can play Cuvelier in an attacking role and bring in a robust target man to play alongside him, I reckon Bowerman can score 10-12 this season. My worry at the moment is that we don't have anyone to hold the ball up front, which is an absolute essential with attacking midfielders like Cuvelier, Paterson and Hemmings breaking from midfield.

[JonnyOwen]

Anybody think we should of kept Macken? Or can we get a better and bigger target man for less?

[IHTC.]

Anybody think we should of kept Macken? Or can we get a better and bigger target man for less?

No, too old and legs are shot. As much as I appreciated his efforts we need to somehow find someone whos going to be alittle bit more prolific in front of goal

[Ken Barlow]

Adebola is on trial at Burton.

[Fray Bentos is God!]

Anybody think we should of kept Macken? Or can we get a better and bigger target man for less?

No, too old and legs are shot. As much as I appreciated his efforts we need to somehow find someone whos going to be alittle bit more prolific in front of goal

I agree.

[JJunior9]

He's training with Burton because they have a bunch of injuries among the strikers right now and had a friendly against Derby County over the weekend - if the Brewers want to sign him, this proves that he is happy to remain in the area after being released by Hull; if Zola stays over the summer and regains fitness, they are unlikely to keep both. I think he's only there because he's an old mate of Gary Rowett. Surely, the lure of Division One football, our training facilities and a comparable wage to Burton could help convince him to join the Mighty Saddlers. That said, Derby have been linked with their other striker, Billy Kee (ironically, Grigg has been mentioned with the Rams too) so there are a lot of permutations.

The sticking point is the fact that he is 37 though!

[JJunior9]

Mark McCammon is four years younger than Adebola, a year younger than Macken and has a point to prove.

Maybe worth a phone call as he looks to re-launch his career:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... s-tribunal

[IHTC.]

Mark McCammon is four years younger than Adebola, a year younger than Macken and has a point to prove.

Maybe worth a phone call as he looks to re-launch his career:
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... s-tribunal

Please tell me you are not serious?

262 app
33 goals
= 1 goal every 8 games

He makes W. Grigg look like an international with tho's stats, oh wait......

[saddla]

Ricardo Fuller is looking for work. :mrgreen: