[Archived] Summer Transfer Window

[Martin]

I think Rev is right, I'd say getting into the top 6 looks very difficult - although not impossible.

The top 4 will be the top 4 no question.

Spurs very close behind in fifth.

So that leaves one position (sixth) up for grabs. Everton, West Ham, Newcastle, City, Villa and even Pompey will all think given the money they have spent they should be looking at this type of finish. Although I expect Reading and Bolton to drop out of the top 8 or 9 completely.

The one thing we have that many others don't is continuity. We have a settled squad (nearly). My only gripe would be if MGP gets injured - Segio doesn't look up to it and I'd doubt Berner has the same attacking ability.

Sign Santa Cruz today or tomorrow and I'll be happy for the window to shut.

[mattyboy6000]

i wonder if spending money on the players is enough thesedays, especially after the linesman's performance aginst west ham home

[b12_simon]

I think Rev is right, I'd say getting into the top 6 looks very difficult - although not impossible.

The top 4 will be the top 4 no question.

Spurs very close behind in fifth.

So that leaves one position (sixth) up for grabs. Everton, West Ham, Newcastle, City, Villa and even Pompey will all think given the money they have spent they should be looking at this type of finish. Although I expect Reading and Bolton to drop out of the top 8 or 9 completely.

The one thing we have that many others don't is continuity. We have a settled squad (nearly). My only gripe would be if MGP gets injured - Segio doesn't look up to it and I'd doubt Berner has the same attacking ability.

Sign Santa Cruz today or tomorrow and I'll be happy for the window to shut.

You've hit the nail on the head there, Martin. With everyone else chucking silly money at any player with a pulse* we've a big advantage in the early weeks of the season.

I wonder if clubs like Fulham and Man City will manage to put out a settled and properly gelled side by xmas.

* Hey Premier League clubs, I play a bit of 5-a-side and don't smoke that much. I'd fill a gap in someone's back 4 for £thousands a week

[SuperStella]

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Cruz is coming to town

He's scoring some goals,

Not once, but twice;

Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice

Santa Cruz is coming to town

He sees when your defences are sleeping

He knows when they're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake!

O! You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Cruz is coming to town

Santa Cruz is coming to town

[mac]

BRILLIANT !!

Dig out the Santa Hats !

[Finch]

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Cruz is coming to town

He's scoring some goals,

Not once, but twice;

Gonna find out Who's naughty and nice

Santa Cruz is coming to town

He sees when your defences are sleeping

He knows when they're awake

He knows if you've been bad or good

So be good for goodness sake!

O! You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Cruz is coming to town

Santa Cruz is coming to town

Quality stuff S-Stella! You've been working on that for a while in the hope that we would sign him I'll bet

[USABlue]

As things stand at the moment I would say we have little or no chance of a top 6 finish.

We only finished tenth last season when all's said and done, and have since gone backwards in comparison with most other clubs who have been adding to their squads.

Sides we won't finish above:

The usual big four, Spurs, Newcastle, West Ham

Sides it won't be at all easy to finish above

Portsmouth, Citeh, Everton, Brum, Sunderland, Fulham, Villa

I think if the season started tomorrow with squads as they are now a top ten finish would be fairly unlikely. Another couple of good cup runs might be feasible though.

So about 15th with the hope of a good cup run, hell I may as well give up now. So because teams have bought players that's a guarantee of them being more succesful? Jeez Rev you really know how to ###### on a fella's Cheerios.

Never the less I'll hang in there, reflecting on last season I feel we could have done better had we a full squad, even for some point in the season and there will always be those teams that will flatter to deceive.

Santa Cruz, I am totally underwhelmed by this signing but I will reserve judgement until I actually see him.

[RoyRover]

It seems that we will be signing Santa Cruz and if not him, certainly another striker. I would still like to see another centre midfielder added to the squad and preferably a creative one. Tugay is the only player that we have in that position that can open teams up and he can't play in every game. Granted that Steven Reid and Robbie Savage will be our first partnership at the moment, it would still be worthwhile to add this sort of player to the team.

[SuperStella]

TRUST HUGHES

[FourLaneBlue]

I personally think that signing a central midfielder is much more important than a new striker right now. Currently, we do not have a holding midfielder who is secure defensively and has excellent/good passing ability. I cannot believe that Hughes thinks that Tugay and Mokoena will suffice. My only answer is that Hughes plans to play Reid and Savage together and shackle Sav into playing a more conservative role and allowing Reid to make the breaks forward.

The only reason I can see for us making signing another striker the priority is if either Roberts or McCarthy are leaving.

It doesn't really make sense otherwise...Roberts, Benni, Derbyshire, Righters, Santa Cruz...with Gallagher and Jeffers still hanging in there. European run or no, just how many strikers do we need? Especially as Benni has to play almost every game or won't be happy.

[krislu]

When we talk about strikers, Hughes just love signing them. How many strikers have Hughes bought since he came to the club?

Kuqi, Jeffers, Djorkaeff, McCarthy, Bellamy, Rigters, Derbyshire, Roberts and now Santa Cruz... did I miss someone?

[pleasure]

he also signed jay bothroyd on loan, krislu.

[SuperStella]

TRUST HUGHES

[DanLad]

When we talk about strikers, Hughes just love signing them. How many strikers have Hughes bought since he came to the club?

Kuqi, Jeffers, Djorkaeff, McCarthy, Bellamy, Rigters, Derbyshire, Roberts and now Santa Cruz... did I miss someone?

He didn't buy Kuqi, Djorkaeff, Derbs (before MH's time?) or Jeffers.

So he's bought McCarthy, Bellers, Rigters and Roberts. I haven't heard an announcement about SC.

4 new strikers. 2 top notch, one looks v. good and a promising youngster.

I don't think that's bad at all?

[greggyk]

nope, that was Souey---(talking about Betty)

[b12_simon]

he also signed jay bothroyd on loan, krislu.

Nonda on loan, too.

[DanLad]

he also signed jay bothroyd on loan, krislu.

That was Souness?

[mattym]

I have it on top authority that Santa Cruz is at Brockhall right now undergoing a medical !!!!!!

[stuwilky]

I have it on top authority that Santa Cruz is at Brockhall right now undergoing a medical !!!!!!

The other thread? :ph34r:

[pleasure]

That was Souness?

you're right, my apologies.

[USABlue]

When we talk about strikers, Hughes just love signing them. How many strikers have Hughes bought since he came to the club?

Kuqi, Jeffers, Djorkaeff, McCarthy, Bellamy, Rigters, Derbyshire, Roberts and now Santa Cruz... did I miss someone?

He didn't buy Kuqi, Djorkaeff, Derbs (before MH's time?) or Jeffers.

So he's bought McCarthy, Bellers, Rigters and Roberts. I haven't heard an announcement about SC.

4 new strikers. 2 top notch, one looks v. good and a promising youngster.

I don't think that's bad at all?

And defenders? Ooyah, Nelsen, Samba, Warnock, Berner, Henchoz? So it looks like he likes defenders too. Or perhaps he just like to strengthen his squad. Not an undue amount of strikers, he's not exactly Neil Warnock is he?

[RoyRover]

Not an undue amount of strikers, he's not exactly Neil Warnock is he?

Or Harry Redknapp.

[SuperStella]

http://www.brfcs.co.uk/mb/index.php?showto...mp;#entry531369

[RoyRover]

The only reason I can see for us making signing another striker the priority is if either Roberts or McCarthy are leaving.

It doesn't really make sense otherwise...Roberts, Benni, Derbyshire, Righters, Santa Cruz...with Gallagher and Jeffers still hanging in there. European run or no, just how many strikers do we need? Especially as Benni has to play almost every game or won't be happy.

Roberts, Benni, Derbyshire, Righters and Santa Cruz will be our main strikers. With us competing in the league, F.A Cup, Carling Cup and Uefa Cup and given our luck with injuries I would imagine these strikers getting plenty of playing time. Jeffers is a none factor and should leave, while Gallagher will only play when other players are rested. So we will have 6 strikers, 5 of which will be fighting for the 2 starting spots. I think we have the right number and will need all of them, if we are to do well this year.

[Ozz]

I hope he brings his bird with him!