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Seems strange to me that Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd haven't (as yet) added to their defence during the transfer window. Whilst Arsenal have gathered a promising winger to add to their already great midfield, Chelsea have also added another midfielder in Scott Parker (who plays pretty much the same way as Lampard, doesn't he?), and Man Utd have increased their attacking options with Saha.
But really, wouldn't all of these teams have benefitted from having another experienced centre-back in their squad?
Manchester United's back four without Rio will likely be Neville, Brown, Silvestre and O'Shea. At least the full backs have experience in the centre, and there's Phil Neville or Quinten Fortune to move to a full back position if necessary, but still, I'd rather have a more experienced man in the centre, given Brown's track record with injuries, you can't gaurentee he'll be fit for the rest of the season. People say Keane will fill in at the back, but he's not playing every game this season, and would be more effective in the centre anyway.
When Chelsea left out John Terry against Watford in the cup, they were awful. Now they face the prospect of three weeks without him after he ran into another player during training (or something). Given that they've got money coming out of their ears (it's a popular place to keep it in Rusia, they don't trust the banks) you would have thought they would have added another centre back? They're going to need to replace Desailly t some point anyway, and who else do they have, Gallas, any others? Cou7ld really do with more at the back?
Arsenal certainly suffered from a lack of defenders at the tail end of last season. Sol Cambell is good, and Toure has done well this season, but with Keown aging, and Cygan worrying, I can't help but think that some of the transer fee for Reyes would have been better spent at the back? Especially as it's being said that the transfer money for Reyes will mean that no one comes in this sumemr either.
There's a few days to go yet before the window closes, but there aren't even any rumours about these teams stregthening at the back. What do you think, do they need to? Or are they thinking about doing it the Real Madrid way, spend heavily on the front and midfield, and have a defence that can cope, but nothing too expensive...?
But really, wouldn't all of these teams have benefitted from having another experienced centre-back in their squad?
Manchester United's back four without Rio will likely be Neville, Brown, Silvestre and O'Shea. At least the full backs have experience in the centre, and there's Phil Neville or Quinten Fortune to move to a full back position if necessary, but still, I'd rather have a more experienced man in the centre, given Brown's track record with injuries, you can't gaurentee he'll be fit for the rest of the season. People say Keane will fill in at the back, but he's not playing every game this season, and would be more effective in the centre anyway.
When Chelsea left out John Terry against Watford in the cup, they were awful. Now they face the prospect of three weeks without him after he ran into another player during training (or something). Given that they've got money coming out of their ears (it's a popular place to keep it in Rusia, they don't trust the banks) you would have thought they would have added another centre back? They're going to need to replace Desailly t some point anyway, and who else do they have, Gallas, any others? Cou7ld really do with more at the back?
Arsenal certainly suffered from a lack of defenders at the tail end of last season. Sol Cambell is good, and Toure has done well this season, but with Keown aging, and Cygan worrying, I can't help but think that some of the transer fee for Reyes would have been better spent at the back? Especially as it's being said that the transfer money for Reyes will mean that no one comes in this sumemr either.
There's a few days to go yet before the window closes, but there aren't even any rumours about these teams stregthening at the back. What do you think, do they need to? Or are they thinking about doing it the Real Madrid way, spend heavily on the front and midfield, and have a defence that can cope, but nothing too expensive...?
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Cygan hasn't really been worrying at all this season, and Keown's done well when he's played. With Touré able to fill in for Lauren and Cliché being a fine replacement for Cole we practically have two back fours. I don't think Chelsea have much to worry about either, what with Gallas, Melchiot blah blah backed up by the likes of...that young kid who's name escapes me so forget that point.
That's what some of the papers were quoting a month or so back when United were apparently showing interest. I thought it was a bit low myself.
£10 million? Are you sure? Surely he's better than ten.
I don't know why Fergie didn't go for Carlos Puyol. He's a great defender and was apparently available for around 10 Million a price United could easily afford. He could play in the center of defence or on the right and would be excellent cover for Ferdinand who shouldn't even be banned in the first place.
Cygan is doing better and we have somebody called Toure (practically a new signing)
When Jaap Stam was around his main partner at the back was G.Neville because Johnsen was injured most of the time.
I think he's experiance along side Silvestre can be a key for us, he actually played better in that position than when he plays at right back! :)
That would allow O'Shea to play at Right back & Fortune at left back.
I believe Wes is a great defender and he showed that last season but as you say he is prone to injury and the odd mistakes such as the one against Wolves which was cost us dearly.
I would have hoped Fergie brought someone on Loan at least, Man City are in talks with Van Buytan on a loan deal, someone who I know Fergie admires, why couldn't we have gone for him on loan?
I think he's experiance along side Silvestre can be a key for us, he actually played better in that position than when he plays at right back! :)
That would allow O'Shea to play at Right back & Fortune at left back.
I believe Wes is a great defender and he showed that last season but as you say he is prone to injury and the odd mistakes such as the one against Wolves which was cost us dearly.
I would have hoped Fergie brought someone on Loan at least, Man City are in talks with Van Buytan on a loan deal, someone who I know Fergie admires, why couldn't we have gone for him on loan?
Spose meka dragon.
Roy Keane's versitality is just one reason why Nicky Butt IS still needed as part of our first-team. If Keane drops back, who will we have in the centre of midfield?
Yes, Phil Neville has done well... But, I still don't believe he would've done so-well, had Keano not been alongside him. And so, he'd still need someone, like Butt, to work-with. Otherwise, things would just fall-apart, if a Djemba-Djemba or Kleberson was to be given the role, now.
Yes, Phil Neville has done well... But, I still don't believe he would've done so-well, had Keano not been alongside him. And so, he'd still need someone, like Butt, to work-with. Otherwise, things would just fall-apart, if a Djemba-Djemba or Kleberson was to be given the role, now.
I know he is struggling with fitness, but Wes Brown hasan't been too reliable.
He could throw Keane at the back I suppose. But he is sooo much better influencing the team in midfield. And playing O'Shea centre half is a bit risky with his inexperience. Perhaps putting him right back and Neville center but Neville can be out-jumped and is prone to O.G.'s.
He could throw Keane at the back I suppose. But he is sooo much better influencing the team in midfield. And playing O'Shea centre half is a bit risky with his inexperience. Perhaps putting him right back and Neville center but Neville can be out-jumped and is prone to O.G.'s.
I don't really know about Arsénal or Chelski, but I can't believe Sir Alex Ferguson hasn't taken so-much as a single-step towards bringing in a new centre-back, given the fact that Rio Ferdinand's 8-month ban has begun, the hectic schedule that lies ahead of us, and those other points you mentioned - and the deadline's tommorow evening!
It really amazes me... Perhaps the over-powering board of unknowlegable directors are just saying 'No!' because they feel an extra £6m could be better spent "elsewhere"... (on the club itself, of "course"!).
Yes, we've needed another striker for a long-time now, but even after the addittion of Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea's development into the first-team, we still haven't looked quite as-strong at the back as we were in the days or Bruce and Pallister. We were doing well with Jaap Stam... But then, he left, and, to me, he has never really been properly "replaced".
It's taken time, but we do now (when all are available) have a back-four (and 'keeper) seemingly capable of stopping any frontline in the country. And now, it's being taken apart again! Yet, nothing's being done about it...
WHY???
As with all big-money transfers (like the Reyes one), you can always argue that part of that fee could've been "better spent" elsewhere. However, i don't think Arsénal have it quite as bad as us. I mean, while only Campbell, Cygan, Keown and Toure may be their main centre-backs, they still have players like Gael Clichéy to fill-in. Maybe they are lacking a little experience also, but there are still the Ashley Cole's and Lauren's around to help them through it.
And, besides, Arsénal are the kind of team that always plays in numbers. Whenever Arséne Wenger's team attacks, they don't neccesarily opt for the "2 upfront", like other would. They go forward in numbers; they go back in numbers, too. And so, they are THE most-consistent team in our league (it's not, neccesarily, ALL down to Thierry Henry).
Chelsea have a fair few options too. While their obvious choices may be the likes of Melchiot, Terry, Bridge and Desailly, there are several others (like Bogarde) who have been forced back into the reserves and the land that time forgot, thanks to Abramovich and his wild-spending.
Scott Parker should be a great addittion to their squad, if he is given the games to impress in (unlike Joe Cole). As much as I hate to see him join the Chelski revolution, he's just got to make it happen. But displacing Claude Makelele in the starting-eleven won't be an easy task at all. We'll just have to see how he does... And hope that he, unlike Terry, Lampard and Cole, isn't "affected" by the rediculous sums of money involved.
Honestly, though, I think he'd be better sticking with Charlton. Either that, or moving to a club like Leeds (if they had any money!) or Newcastle.
It really amazes me... Perhaps the over-powering board of unknowlegable directors are just saying 'No!' because they feel an extra £6m could be better spent "elsewhere"... (on the club itself, of "course"!).
Yes, we've needed another striker for a long-time now, but even after the addittion of Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea's development into the first-team, we still haven't looked quite as-strong at the back as we were in the days or Bruce and Pallister. We were doing well with Jaap Stam... But then, he left, and, to me, he has never really been properly "replaced".
It's taken time, but we do now (when all are available) have a back-four (and 'keeper) seemingly capable of stopping any frontline in the country. And now, it's being taken apart again! Yet, nothing's being done about it...
WHY???
As with all big-money transfers (like the Reyes one), you can always argue that part of that fee could've been "better spent" elsewhere. However, i don't think Arsénal have it quite as bad as us. I mean, while only Campbell, Cygan, Keown and Toure may be their main centre-backs, they still have players like Gael Clichéy to fill-in. Maybe they are lacking a little experience also, but there are still the Ashley Cole's and Lauren's around to help them through it.
And, besides, Arsénal are the kind of team that always plays in numbers. Whenever Arséne Wenger's team attacks, they don't neccesarily opt for the "2 upfront", like other would. They go forward in numbers; they go back in numbers, too. And so, they are THE most-consistent team in our league (it's not, neccesarily, ALL down to Thierry Henry).
Chelsea have a fair few options too. While their obvious choices may be the likes of Melchiot, Terry, Bridge and Desailly, there are several others (like Bogarde) who have been forced back into the reserves and the land that time forgot, thanks to Abramovich and his wild-spending.
Scott Parker should be a great addittion to their squad, if he is given the games to impress in (unlike Joe Cole). As much as I hate to see him join the Chelski revolution, he's just got to make it happen. But displacing Claude Makelele in the starting-eleven won't be an easy task at all. We'll just have to see how he does... And hope that he, unlike Terry, Lampard and Cole, isn't "affected" by the rediculous sums of money involved.
Honestly, though, I think he'd be better sticking with Charlton. Either that, or moving to a club like Leeds (if they had any money!) or Newcastle.
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