29 Jul 2015 09:54:45
Despite what I thinks been a pretty good transfer window, I'm still concerned with regards to CB and ST. I think Darmain will be a very solid RB which we have lacked since Neville finished. Schneiderlin ( best transfer IMO ) will be a quality signing, very good player, good engine and again something we've lacked for years even under Fergies last 3/4 years. Schweinsteiger is a good signing in terms of his experience and being able to control the game. Hopefully his experience and fight will rub off on some others. Depay is raw, I'm not expecting 20 goals from him like last season. New league, news surroundings, more pressure yet I think he's capable of getting 8-10 goals. The lad looks strong and well suited to the PL. I think in a couple of years he would be one of the best players in the league. Romero I haven't seen a lot of but expect him to be back up regardless.
My issues lie with CB and ST. For me it's critical to get a top CB in. You can't win the league or Europe without a solid defence and as much as the midfield should help to a degree, we have no leader at the back. Smalling in the one I'd partner with a top CB. This should of been a priority this window. I've said from day one Ramos is playing us, I hope we don't waste time chasing him. There are plenty more, Otamendi, Godin, Laporte, Miranda, Garay, although some have now moved. I'd also move Evans on. I don't think at the right price he would be hard to sell. He's a good, mid table team player. Next summer i'd move jones on if no improvement. I think he's stagnated and is far to clumsy and wreckless to become top class.
I also think we're lightweight up top. i'm not convinced Rooney will get 25/30 goals. We all know his tendency to come deep looking for the ball. If he's off form or injured or suspended we will be relying on Wilson who in my opinion needs a season loan in the PL. I would have made sure a replacement was in before selling RVP. If not I'd rather have RVP on the bench as an option. If as the eds have said Lewandowski is available, then for £30m ish I'd go all out for him. Top quality striker. Not too many around.
I know there's still a month of the window and transfers can take time, so I'm not doom and gloom. But I think if we're going to challenge for league and Europe this year, we need both these positions filled. Otherwise I think it will be top 4 battle again this year.
Good work so far Woody. Just a couple more and were good to go!
29 Jul 2015 10:14:30
Agreed.
However, I believe LVG expects everyone to contribute with goals far more than before so it does take a bit of pressure off Rooney.
Having said that, obviously I'd be happier with an additional top class striker.
It's going to be interesting to see how this all pans out!
29 Jul 2015 11:03:57
I must be one of the few that does not want a new striker? Only because as Rooney is a shoe in to start when fit it annoys me when he's played out of position, and keeping him up top should be better for the likes of Mata and Herrara.
I'd rather 2 centre backs than a centre back and centre forward. Or maybe a centre back and someone to do what ADM was bought to do.
29 Jul 2015 11:38:00
So if rooneys bang out of form it doesn't matter? He should keep his place regardless? Or if he picks up a 3 month injury, what then? It's ridiculous to go into the season with the strike force we have IMO
29 Jul 2015 11:44:41
so if rooney got injured you would be happy with wilson/hernandez as number 1 striker??
29 Jul 2015 12:26:10
so we need a better number 2 striker to cover for rooney
29 Jul 2015 13:35:36
Or one to compete for rooneys place??
29 Jul 2015 15:31:10
I think Hernandez is a higher quality backup forward than Evans, Blackett etc are backup centre backs, plus Jones is made of glass, Rojo yet to convince and Smalling has only had one half of a season where he's looked like he's not stealing a living.
And regardless of opinions, we all know Rooney is LVG's man and he's not dropping him.
So, yes I'd rather we upgraded the 11 at the back than the bench up front if it came to a choice between the two.
29 Jul 2015 17:06:32
Why would it come to a choice of either or? We can sign two more players if we like. We didn't score enough last year and Mark my words, if we don't sign a striker we won't challenge for the title. Simple as that imo
29 Jul 2015 18:35:26
We scored 11 fewer than Chelsea last season. Less than 0.3 a game.
Will Rooney in his best position instead of a misfiring RVP or RF + the additions of Depay, BS and MS bridge and exceed that gap? Maybe it will, maybe it won't - but I don't think it's as much of a foregone conclusion as you paint it to be.
On my original reply I did state I'd rather 2 centre backs or a centre back + a replacement for ADM. 3rd on my list would be a centre forward, but as backup/rotation so as to keep Rooney in his best position most of the time.
I don't want to open up the Rooney debate and am not even offering my stance on it other than to state that I hate seeing him try and be Roy of the Rovers in midfield. But whatever each of us think re: Rooney LVG has selected him as captain and stated he's first on the team sheet, so I'd rather he's in his best position. If we signed an Ibrahimovic type they'd want to start up top and - rightly or wrongly - LVG would probably sacrifice someone like Herrara to fit Rooney in - that is my issue/concern with signing a centre forward.
I seem to be in the minority, but I don't mind that.