[Archived] Sam's January Targets

[Majiball]

Apparently the home developed rule which the PL is bringing in is fine with the EU on the basis of encouraging training of young workers.

It is perfectly OK to of course to bring over 8 Romanians, stick them in the Academy for three years then graduate them to the first team squad and qualify.

Arsenal in particular will be perfectly OK as they have developed more youngsters through into the first team squad than practically any other club. Of course bringing your own home grown players into the squad during the season is allowed under the new PL rules so most clubs will have squads of more than 25 by the season end. It will put enbormous pressure on the draftees to retain their number for the next season and I don't know how the PL will deal with little Jimmy who has a lousy May and a brilliant August each season.

Incidentally, Pompey v Arsenal recently was the first PL match with NO English-qualified players involved.

the 25 only includes players up to 21 though, you can still have bigger squads as long as the rest are kids. Its going to be interesting times but they will do good in the long term.

The match the other day was a disgrace to english football and as Sam said god help us in 10 years if we don't get it sorted as it will be the EU premiership.

[Eddie]

Meriem is just about 30 now I think.

He is 30. To say that he is "very experienced" is also a bit of a push, he's been invovled in quite a few squads but he's been in and out of squads.

[Bobby G]

I think someone has deviously updated his wikipedia page. I could swear he's born in 1979!

[RoyRover]

In fairness though, that is probably because people would actually be playing on them a helluva lot. No offence to American football though, which is certainly on the rise.

I was thinking more along the lines of vandalism!

[Eddie]

He was. What does it say?

[joey_big_nose]

He was. What does it say?

Born 18 October 1981

How can you say someone who has 12 caps and played seven years in the French top flight 260+ games for Bordeaux, Marseille and Monaco is not experienced? Or is that wikipedia misinformation as well??!

[Eddie]

He has 4 French caps I believe and I think they were all as a sub. The numbers for top flight in France are probably correct, but he hasn't been an influential player for quite some time now.

[benhben]

Jamie O'Hara is on sky sports saying that if Pompey cant extend his loan he will be going elsewhere. He would be a good loan signing

[JAL]

He has 4 French caps I believe and I think they were all as a sub. The numbers for top flight in France are probably correct, but he hasn't been an influential player for quite some time now.

Seems his best days were before 2008. So looks another dud.

[alexanders]

Jamie O'Hara is on sky sports saying that if Pompey cant extend his loan he will be going elsewhere. He would be a good loan signing

I agree.

Ben Arfa Happy to stay with Marseille

Translated:

Hatem Ben Arfa Marseille should be good until the end of the season (Photo News-Sports). The midfielder is back 22 years to grace the Canebière since his performance against Auxerre (0-2, 22 December), and found his motivation. "This is not new, we told the club president Jean-Claude Dassier. Ben Arfa himself does not leave the club. "

However, a source close to the player hinted that Ben Arfa could go to England this weekend to visit the facilities. "For now, he is in Spain to Marseilles, he plays tomorrow at Perpignan, confirmed Dassier. We have received no offers, no more than Valbuena, but it is true that if a proposal for a club like Manchester or Real offer 45 million, they will think twice. But I do not believe it. "

"For the time being" thus, the former prodigy from Lyon to Marseille remains, but the door is not completely closed for a transfer: "Today, it remains, but tomorrow we do not know, tempers Dassier. The mercato lasts another month. "With John Ferreira.

[philipl]

We have taken a huge amount of time looking at Meriem and I guess this one will happen now.

Whatever his age, I doubt its as dodgy as Diouf's age of 28. It is clearly a career rescue job also but the lad has been useful in his time.

[alexanders]

I think we are about to see both Linganzi and Meriem at Ewood soon.

Would people be happy with only these signing during the January window?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I like O'Hara as well. Reminds me a bit of James Milner.

[gumboots]

I think we are about to see both Linganzi and Meriem at Ewood soon.

Would people be happy with only these signing during the January window?

If someone could start scoring with a better midfield yes, but there's no telling till it happens

[tcj_jones]

Sporting look to £1.5m Mendes as replacement for Veloso

SURELY we should be interested at that price? Exactly what we need.

[T4E]

Sporting look to £1.5m Mendes as replacement for Veloso

SURELY we should be interested at that price? Exactly what we need.

In theory he would be great for us. Unfortunately though he would fit in perfectly with his recent injury record.

Too much knee trouble recently I'm not sure how he'd get on with a medical these days.

Having said that if he left Rangers I'd want him at Rovers.

[ffan]

Erik Nevland could be let go in January, would be a good buy for most Premier League clubs and would probably be cheap too.

[tcj_jones]

Ah I didn't realise Mendes was still injured, though he did seem to fall off the radar.

Ffan, why are Fulham letting him go?

[Amo]

Three midfielders in? So who's out? Hopefully Reid, Pedersen and Diouf. Thank you, sir, may I have another.

[JAL]

We have taken a huge amount of time looking at Meriem and I guess this one will happen now.

Whatever his age, I doubt its as dodgy as Diouf's age of 28. It is clearly a career rescue job also but the lad has been useful in his time.

Diouf was more proven at this level however questionable that may be, so the risk here has to be more with Camel Meriem.

Though the low costs could sway it back in Camels favour but it doesnt look good philipl.

Meriem hasnt performed consistently for the last two seasons at a reasonable level.

[SergioPeter89]

Erik Nevland could be let go in January, would be a good buy for most Premier League clubs and would probably be cheap too.

If Nevland leaves Fulham, it wil be because he is heading home to Viking Stavanger.

[alexanders]

Apparently Olympiakos are after MGP.

[RovertheHill]

Apparently Olympiakos are after MGP.

How much do we need to pay them?

[T4E]

Apparently Olympiakos are after MGP.

Good work, Agent Derbyshire.

[mattjansen]

How much do we need to pay them?

Gamst was the one that gave us a chance against Villa last time out, he looks like he is improving so give him the spring and then let him go or tie him up. After Dunn he is the only one that can unlock defences right now in our squad.