Non-Rovers Transfers

[Speedie Dived]

Heard Super Stuart Ripley on the radio tonight giving his take on recent events at Liverpool. He's of the opinion that Kenny's simply trying to build a team in our '95 team's image : somebody(s) in midfield to win the ball, give it to either of two good wingers who take on defenders and get decent crosses into a strong centre forward. Worked for us and it looks like he's persuaded the American finance folk he can simply repeat the trick.

If only it was that simple. I think he will go with a 4-3-3. Gerrard, Henderson and Adam in the middle (Lucas away from home) and Suarez and Downing playing wide off Carroll.

[davulsukur]

Heard Super Stuart Ripley on the radio tonight giving his take on recent events at Liverpool. He's of the opinion that Kenny's simply trying to build a team in our '95 team's image : somebody(s) in midfield to win the ball, give it to either of two good wingers who take on defenders and get decent crosses into a strong centre forward. Worked for us and it looks like he's persuaded the American finance folk he can simply repeat the trick.

Sounds like he is replicating Rovers team of the second half of the 2010/2011 season. Ball winners in the middle, N'zonzi and J.Jones, out wide to pacey tricky wingers Junior and Olsson, upfront to strong centre forward, Jbob.

[DE.]

£105M spent by Liverpool now isn't it? Crazy. Especially considering a fair wedge of their Torres money went on Carroll and Suarez in Jan.

I still think it'll be 4th/5th at best for Liverpool this season. Kenny's track record after he left us was nothing special, the chances of him winning nothing with Liverpool are higher than the chances of him winning something IMO. They've got a chance in the FA/League Cup, but no chance of the Premiership.

[Hughesy]

United, City & Chelsea still have far better squads.

Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool similar standard

[Speedie Dived]

United, City & Chelsea still have far better squads.

Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool similar standard

Agree with that statement. However, there have been big losses at United and question marks over their replacements (not replaced Scholes yet at all), Chelsea have a new gaffer (highly rate him though) and a centre forward who looked completely shot last year. City are very very strong and have strengthend their defence even more.

I think Liverpool will be closer this year, got 2 great young full backs in Robinson and Flannagan and the best of the lot Martin Kelly who will come through fully this year.

Spurs and Arsenal are fighting to keep their best players which is always unsettling. Obviously 6 does not go into 4 but have a feeling it won't be Spurs and Liverpool missing out this year

[Kelbo]

Agree with that statement. However, there have been big losses at United and question marks over their replacements (not replaced Scholes yet at all), Chelsea have a new gaffer (highly rate him though) and a centre forward who looked completely shot last year. City are very very strong and have strengthend their defence even more.

I think Liverpool will be closer this year, got 2 great young full backs in Robinson and Flannagan and the best of the lot Martin Kelly who will come through fully this year.

Spurs and Arsenal are fighting to keep their best players which is always unsettling. Obviously 6 does not go into 4 but have a feeling it won't be Spurs and Liverpool missing out this year

Extremely impressed with Kelly, they switched Johnson to left back so he (Kelly) could play at right back, going to be a real good one.

[Speedie Dived]

Extremely impressed with Kelly, they switched Johnson to left back so he (Kelly) could play at right back, going to be a real good one.

I think he will dislodge Johnson from the England side next year, barring injuries. They say he is a future centre half, but the way he gets up and down the right hand side is top drawer for me, extremely comfortable on the ball.

[LeChuck]

Kelly is a natural centre back so I imagine he'll play there when Carragher retires. Kyle Walker looks the most likely to dislodge Johnson for me.

[K-Hod]

Kyle Walker is a cracking player, been highly impressed with him each time I've seen him play. As much as I think Downing is a good player, I do think that if Villa pick up N'Zogbia, and play him and Albrighton on the wings, they won't lose out too much!

[Kelbo]

I think he will dislodge Johnson from the England side next year, barring injuries. They say he is a future centre half, but the way he gets up and down the right hand side is top drawer for me, extremely comfortable on the ball.

Agree 100%

[ben_the_beast]

I think Kelly is Irish. Or N.Irish. One of the two.

[tcj_jones]

Liverpool's offensive additions will make them a real threat next season. They now have both quality and depth to their squad.

They may have over-paid at times (Downing is a good player, but never worth £20m), but they've bought a good calibre of player and strengthened in areas they desperately needed to. The Torres sale is also looking more and more like the deal of the century too.

With the likes of Downing, Kuyt, Gerrard, Adam, Suarez, and Carroll, one thing's for sure - they will score plenty of goals.

With a month still to go in the window, I see Arsenal and Spurs taking 5th and 6th spots respectively, Liverpool taking fourth, and Man United, Chelsea, and City challeneging for the title.

A hell of a lot hinges on who United bring in for CM, and whether Tevez and Fabregas stay though.

[LeChuck]

I think Kelly is Irish. Or N.Irish. One of the two.

Not sure which Kelly you are thinking of (Steven?) but Liverpool's Martin is definitely English, he plays for the U21s.

[philipl]

The sale of Tevez from City to Corinthians marks a seismic shift in football power between European and South American clubs.

They have taken on Europe's richest club and won.

[Hughesy]

The sale of Tevez from City to Corinthians marks a seismic shift in football power between European and South American clubs.

They have taken on Europe's richest club and won.

No they have bought a trouble maker mercenary with their new TV money, whilst City will go out and replace him with the same quality, if not better.

He isn’t worth the fuss with the amount of drama he causes. No doubting the lad has talent but he’s on mega money and is never happy.

[LeChuck]

The sale of Tevez from City to Corinthians marks a seismic shift in football power between European and South American clubs.

They have taken on Europe's richest club and won.

Hmm...stick the accounts and takeovers Philip!

Tevez wants to be near his daughters who still live in South America. He's been trying to get away from City for a while.

It is Tevez that won against Manchester City, not Corinthians.

[philipl]

Brasil is already the 7th largest economy in the world, has 2 of the 20 largest companies in the world and is rattling along at 8% growth.

For sure there are special circumstances with Tevez but this does mark a significant change in the football world's economy.

[Commondore]

Brasil is already the 7th largest economy in the world, has 2 of the 20 largest companies in the world and is rattling along at 8% growth.

For sure there are special circumstances with Tevez but this does mark a significant change in the football world's economy.

Not really. Brazil might have huge potential and I for one would be glad to see the status quo of football economics shaken up, but Corinthians wouldn't even have gotten near Tevez if he hadn't specifically requested a move back to South America. You don't see Flamengo trying to buy Maicon from Inter or Cruzeiro muscling their way into a deal for Pato, and players like Neymar and Ganso are still fodder for European leagues all the way from Russia to Portugal.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

If Man City really wanted to make him stay, they probably could have.

It just makes sense to get a load of money for a player who doesnt want to be there and invest in players who are equally as good and want to play for the club.

I noticed that Shay Given has moved to Villa. Arsenal should have signed him last season, maybe they might be in a better position to try and keep Nasri & Fab.

[joey_big_nose]

Not really. Brazil might have huge potential and I for one would be glad to see the status quo of football economics shaken up, but Corinthians wouldn't even have gotten near Tevez if he hadn't specifically requested a move back to South America. You don't see Flamengo trying to buy Maicon from Inter or Cruzeiro muscling their way into a deal for Pato, and players like Neymar and Ganso are still fodder for European leagues all the way from Russia to Portugal.

While Phillipl has, as is his want, exaggerated and used hyperbole the basic point is correct. Brazillian teams have been paying more and more in wages and fees these last few years and for any club to drop 39m on a player is enormous. There are probably only six clubs in the world who have spent that sort of money on a player.

A lot of it comes down to raw numbers. Brazil is a country of 200m - roughly the same size in population as the UK, France and Germany combined. It is totally and utterly obsessed with football. Plus the economy is growing rapidly as Phillipl says - however obviously still well behind the developed world per capita. Yet in the same was as clubs from 'poorer' european economies - Spain and Italy - punch well above their weight in buying players, so could these Brazilian clubs.

Will be interesting to see what happens. I wonder who will be the first big name european player to head over there....?

[sweet]

Breaking news on sky sports news is that Everton have turned down a 10 million pound bid for phil jagielka from arsenal

[Emge]

Breaking news on sky sports news is that Everton have turned down a 10 million pound bid for phil jagielka from arsenal

I hope he turns in a transfer request, and Arsenal bids maybe 11-12 mill pounds and sign him. Then, Samba will be safe with us, unless Spurs comes sneaking

[slough_rover]

The sale of Tevez from City to Corinthians marks a seismic shift in football power between European and South American clubs.

They have taken on Europe's richest club and won.

The sale? Slightly premature weren't you Phil.

[John]

Isn't the sky payment due soon, may kickstart things.

[Billy Castell]

I thought we signed Barry Ferguson again as I half heard something on the radio. He has in fact moved to Blackpool, which is a bit nearer to Glasgow than Brum.