janu

Mine's better Goalkeeper 1012 Ricardo Portugal 3.3 Defenders 2005 W Gallas France 4.1 2026 Lucio Brazil 3.7 2012 J Sorin Argentina 3.9 2113 A Lopez Spain 3.1 Midfielders 3005 Kaka Brazil 4.3 3039 Xabi Alonso Spain 3.4 3096 F Malouda France 3.1 Strikers 4017 Ronaldo Brazil 6.0 4011 H Crespo Argentina 6.6 4002 T Henry France 8.5

I've never really understood why if a player signs on a free this usually means they are on increased wage. 144641[/snapback] Well, that's the way it works in Football Manager If a player can leave on a "free" (no transfer involved) he's in a better position to negotiate a contract with the new club => increased wages.

It's not about fees, but wages. We could probably get two decent players in for Bowyer's wedge. 144602[/snapback] Very simplictic mathematics. Getting rid off Bowyer, Butt and Dyer, who are on something like 150k per week together, would reduce the annual wage bill by something close to 8m. All those players have contributed very little to first team fortunes over the last years. So the money was more less thrown out of the window. Those players can get easily replaced by players who earn much less. And the saving in wages would actually help to fund the transfer fees for these players. 144604[/snapback] I get your point, and while I would be thrilled if THAT happened and we got £8m to spend on new midfielders, I don’t think it’s that simple. Seriously, do you really think we will get rid of Dyer this summer? If not, that’s £4m (70-80k per week) to take off that calculation. My point is that we can’t afford to let Bowyer go because: 1) We don’t have enough cover in central midfield as it is - selling one more isn’t going to help - unless you're a big fan of Faye. 2) Our transfer-budget won’t allow us to spend big on midfielders – our attack and defence must be sorted before anything else. Would love to hear what players you have in mind?

It's not about fees, but wages. We could probably get two decent players in for Bowyer's wedge. 144602[/snapback] Any suggestions?

Why make a paper-thin squad any thinner to make a silly profit of 500K? That would be extremely bad business IMHO. As I see it we only have Parker, Emre (injury-prone), Faye (on his way to Pompey), Clark (way past his best), Dyer (no comments), Pattison (young and unexperienced), Butt (???), Milner (on his way to Villa), N'Zogbia (much better as a winger) and Bowyer capable of playing in the centre mid. We need to get our attack (2 new strikers) and backs (left and right) sorted before we strengthen the midfield. And NO, we don't have £30m to blow in the summer!

What's up with that "We back England's finest"-logo?! :lol:

Easy tbh.

From nufc.com

From ESPNsoccernet Discuss

Mind games? No way Jose... "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes..." 133021[/snapback] "Mr Mourinho, is that your car getting towed?" 133161[/snapback]

I see your point Leazes, but for me a midfield of Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard and Downing simply doesn't offer the defence enough protection against world-class sides. The only positive I can take out of the Rooney situation is that we might see a player like Carrick or Ledley King (if fit) employed in the holding role. This would free up Lampard and Gerrard to play to their full potential. 131819[/snapback] I think you're right Doc Sure it's a major blow that Rooney is out, but it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise... IMO Gerrard would be excellent in the Rooney-position just behind Owen. With Carrick and Lampard in the centre mid, Cole on the left and Beckham on the right, the midfield would be strong and have a very good balance. 131864[/snapback] Yep, thats exactly what I would do. It's up to the Swede now to show us why he's worth £5million a year. 132151[/snapback] So would Alan

Mind games? No way Jose... "Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes..."

Steven Carr MOM

Chops off Clark in...

Carr sent off!

YES 1-0 TOON!!

Stunning right-foot volley!

Bramble!!!

Wigan 2-1, sorry 2-2 Spurs 1-1

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Celestine Babayaro, Amady Faye, Titus Bramble, Craig Moore, Nolberto Solano, Emre, Shola Ameobi, Michael Chopra, Charles N'Zogbia. Subs: Steve Harper, Robbie Elliott, Jean Alain Boumsong, Lee Clark, Matty Pattison. CHELSEA: Lenny Pidgeley, Glenn Johnson, Paulo Ferreira, Maniche, Robert Huth, Ricardo Carvalho, William Gallas, Lassana Diarra, Joe Cole, Arjen Robben, Damien Duff. Subs: Carlton Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Mancienne, Jimmy Smith Ref: Mike Riley.

Considering Palce got thumped 3-0, Johnson might be an option. Had a good debut season in the prem but hasn't exactly set the championship alight. My worry is his fee will be greatly exaggerated. 132617[/snapback] You've probably seen more Championship games than any of us this season Brock. Who's stood out for you? 132649[/snapback] Kevin Doyle and Dave Kitsons obviously, but they won't be going anywhere, nor do they want to I believe. Cameron Jerome - Cardiff David Nugent - Preston Ashley Young - Watford Matthias Ostlund - Southampton (played against NUFC in the cup) Lee Camp (GK) - Derby Off the top of my head. All would be good signings (I rate Camp more highly than Rob Green and Scot Carson) for NUFC and not too expensive. 132661[/snapback] I think Jerome would be a very good signing for us. What about Joleon Lescott or Phil Jagielka? They've both had great seasons, but i'm not sure they're ready for PL-football yet...

Just wondering how many goals he's actually scored this season? Think he's scored twice in the league - took him ages to get off the mark. Personally, I think Ronaldinho would be a decent signing. Eto'o a reliable replacement for Shearer too. 132608[/snapback] His stats in all competitions this season are: 6 goals in 43 games (coming on as a sub in 31 of them). I think that's acceptable considering: 1) He's only 19 years old 2) This is his first season in England; he made his first full debut in april 3) Big Sam has used him as a midfielder in many games 4) He's got 31 sub-appearances this season I think he would give us: 1) Good cover in both attack and midfield 2) An extra dimension in attack - I would consider him as our 3rd or 4th choice striker, and bringing him on as a sub in the last 30 minutes of games, his pace and skills would trouble most defenders 3) A excellent future prospect – I’m sure Roeder would love to develop his game 4) Good value for money - I reckon he's in the £ 2m-category right now (could be £ 8m in a year or two) I agree Sammy Eto'o would be a decent replacement for Big Al

That's my feeling too. 132512[/snapback] Yeah i can't see excessive spending, though i'm sure we'll find some money, we have to. But it will be good if we can get something close to decent money for a few players who we suspect are on their way out! But whatever we have to spend, we really have to buy 2 strikers, a LB and i think most people want a CB, and we would also have to replace people leaving and our squad is already on the small side. 132523[/snapback] Solution: Sell Owen (14) and Luque (6) = £ 20m