We’re coming up to the second third of the January transfer window and already Big Sam and co have managed to get three players on our books and possibly another two or three in the near future. We also haven’t sold anyone, which in a way, worries me. With fringe players like Frederic Piquionne and in my opinion, Gary O’Neil, George McCartney, Joey O’Brien, Matthew Taylor, RVT and probably most controversially Modibo Maiga. Our wage budget is probably taking a huge hit with these, very average players. I’ll come to those players later, right now I’m going to focus on the in-comings.
Joe Cole – Oh yes, he’s back. And with a bang, against Man Utd he bagged two assists and a bump on the nose. Our Joe is home. I think this is a good piece of business on our side. With us reportedly paying him 40k a week and his former club Liverpool paying him the rest. I’m happy with his signing as are probably most of you, BUT. I think Big Sam is going to waste him. Joe is without a doubt a top, top player great flair, ability and can pick out a pass. But I don’t think he has the engine to run up the down the wings like we saw last Saturday against Man Utd. Cole is known for playing behind the striker, providing link-up play and the key passes in the final third. Which is currently occupied by our “Captain Marvel” Kevin Nolan who, even on a bad day, let’s face it. Isn’t going to get dropped. So he shouldn’t! He’s our top scorer why would we? I just think that even though, fair enough he got two assists from a wide position, he won’t be able to keep up. I’d much prefer a natural winger to bomb down the right than Joe Cole. I hope he proves me wrong and does do the business on the wing but we’re not gonna see him in his favorable role for a long time which is quite saddening.
Marouane Chamakh – Now this, this one excites me. I don’t know why after a torrid time at our rivals Arsenal I find this guy our key to a top-table finish. I knew him vaguely before Arsenal, at his time in France and he was scoring quite regularly. I was excited to see him play for Arsenal but he couldn’t adapt to their style which made him look rather rubbish but I’m adamant Big Sam can help him re-find his form. He suits our play like a glove. Sometimes he in the air, this guy can head. Sometimes on the floor, this guy can link-up. He’s got a nice turn of pace as well and is slippery. He’s on-loan which is fine. But I want him permanently. With Jarvis and probably Cole whipping the ball in, this guy WILL finish the moves off. Not like Carroll who isn’t providing the goods at the moment. My only concern is when Carroll is back that Chamakh will find it tough to get in the first-team. Sam loves Andy which is a problem because I think Marouane deserves a chance first. If given this chance. He’ll bag 8-10 goals this season guaranteed.
Sean Maguire – I don’t know much about this kid. At only 18 he’ll probably play in our development squad. His former chairman said he reminds him of Messi, which is good? I guess? I think he was joint top scorer in the Irish league which is pretty good. I hope to see him play in the future but with Big Sam in charge I can’t see him featuring for a long long time. Only because Seani is a goal poacher and as we all know, there is no space for a poacher in our current game. This lad looks decent so I hope that Sam see’s the light and gives him a few games next season and prove that we can perform at the highest level.
Wellington Paulista – It first broke on Saturday I believe, that we reached an agreement with Cruzeiro for this 6 foot 1 Striker/Winger Brazilian. At first. I was very excited, most players I’ve seen from Brazil are very good. But then I think he might not be able to adapt to the physicality and tempo of the Premier League. I don’t know why it’s taking ages to get this deal sorted but I can’t see him having much of an impact on the team. He’ll probably be a sub and come on at the end of a few games. Or, start on the wing. I can’t see this guy playing our lone striker with the three C’s ahead of him. He’s currently got 29 goals in 54 appearances for Cruzeiro which is a good sign but I can just see him being a massive flop, a flop I really hope proves me wrong and shuts me up.
POTENTIALS
A few players names crop up here like, Martin Olsson, Graham Zusi, Rinor Nushi, Danny Simpson.. the list goes on. If I was to choose two It would be Olsson and Simpson just because I think our full-backs are very average. George McCartney and Joey O’Brien bore me on the left side and don’t offer too much. But I think Olsson would arrive on the scene with a bang. Tirelessly running up and down the wings, overlapping with Jarvis.. my mouth is just watering at the prospect. Blackburn reportedly want 6 Million for Olsson which I don’t think we’d pay and we will eventually snap up this exciting full-back. I picked Simpson because once again our right back is average. Don’t get me wrong, Demel looks decent going forward but I just don’t think much of him. The guy can’t even take a throw-in properly. I think Simpson is a much better player than Demel, apparently we’ve already held talks with Danny and we’re his preferred destination but until Olsson is sorted, he could be snapped up by Fulham or QPR.
OUTS
Yes, as I mentioned earlier the players like Frederic Piquionne, Gary O’Neil, George McCartney Joey O’Brien, Matthew Taylor, RVT and Modibo Maiga. In my opinion, they need to go. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want us to sell all these players at once, only because our squad is so thin and if injuries struck us again we’d be in big trouble. I’m just saying to possibly get rid of these players OVER TIME. But here are the reasons, personally, why I think they should leave. I have no idea why Piquionne is still at the club! I haven’t seen him in ages. Does he even exist anymore? Gary O’Neil does get up and down a lot which I admire but he’s not EPL quality, the same goes for Vaz Te. He’s exciting to watch! In the Championship. He hasn’t done it for me this season and I think he needs a kick up the backside to improve his performances. Both McCartney and O’Brien as I said earlier, bore me. They’re solid but we need class full-backs if we want to be contending for Europe in a few seasons time. Taylor again, average. Got a good left foot but isn’t worth the wages he’s on. Now onto Maiga. I expected big things from this 5 Million pound man as much as you guys probably did. But, he’s failed to secure a first-team position and is wasted out on the left! He takes one step forward and two steps back! It’s abysmal. He’s got a tidy finish but he doesn’t even care about wearing the Claret and Blue. Just offload him, I heard Newcastle we’re interested, I doubt we’ll make a profit on him but it’s better than him chewing our wage budget to pieces.
So, there you have it! My thoughts on our transfers so far. I hope Big Sam can bring Olsson and Simpson to the club, we’ll be a much better team with them! I’m excited what these next few days bring!
COYI!