Rousseau

2 minutes ago, buster. said:

You glance at the backstory, consider the success rate of loan signings, look at the expectations.........

 

I'd say realistic rather than harsh.

 

You can't give a new inexperienced manager too many projects/challenges with individual circumstances/ outside bets and expect too much.

 

You need to give him some relative proven quality, at least down the spine of the team.

 

If this lad is to be a squad filler more than first team starter, I don't think it makes much sense as we'd be better giving Hardie the berth and put more money toward a starter.

If this lad is to be a squad filler, the move doesn't make much sense from his perspective.

 

 

But if he signs then good luck and we'll see what happens 

There's only so many times I can say it: You're equating 'quality' with a specific image of a 'striker', i.e. a goalscorer. He's not a goalscorer, he's a target-man. In that regard he gives the required quality; he gives options -- a rookie manager needs options. 

Just now, buster. said:

Maybe he'll surprise us but his record suggests he's not going to make a significant difference/improvement.

 

Put simply, IMO we need a better quality of forward if we want to seriously challenge.

3 minutes ago, Darthter said:

based on Busters numbers....that's not very encouraging for a forward/attacking player - we get more goals than that from our right-back!!!!

We should be bringing in someone (ideally) that is scoring in about 50% of games played on average.  Someone that is at least getting into double figures for a season.

Again, you're seeing 'striker' and assuming he has to give X to be any 'good'. This guy will give Y. He's just a different type of striker. 

We need different options. 

Was Bergkamp a poor striker because he didn't score goals? Fernando Llorente was in-demand a few years back when he left Bilbao, but he barely scored -- even Spurs signed him last year, not to score goals but to give them another option in attack.

We could question his overall quality, but I don't see an issue: he was signed by Roma for £2M, and was on loan at Serie A sides. He's still young too, so I would n't expect the finished product.

i think you're being a bit harsh, and quick to judge. However, we can only wait and see. 

5 minutes ago, buster. said:

Bologna........ 229 minutes / 0 goals

Torino............226 mins / 0 goals.......option to buy, not taken.

NAC................621 mins / 5 goals

 

This is what I'd term another outside bet.

 

SG is a rookie manager, not a magican.

 

What are you expecting, though? A goalscorer that'll get 25 goals? He's not that type, as his record shows. 

He's a target- and link-up man. He's good on the break too. He gives us options, so in that sense it's not an "outside bet", he's just giving a specific skill-set that you are overlooking. 

IMO.  

2 minutes ago, buster. said:

Uninspiring record over a number of years.

Few appearences

Few goals

 

Journeyman Loanster

That's harsh: he's a youngster making his way, so it's not unusual to see a few loans. He's certainly not a natural goalscorer; more a target man, so there won't be many goals.

He looks ready to kick on now. 

When you beat @ian1964 to a transfer tweet...

When you're watching the game next to some Argentina fans...

Most gained points for the France game, while very few gained any for the other two. 

Interestingly, those that got points for the Denmark-Australia game picked up a Correct Score: Rousseau, lenny, Gonzo, Yorkie, buster and UKCrazyhorse - Whosthedado picked up 1 point for the Correct Result.

Everyone bar two gained points in the France-Peru game, with Gonzo picking up an extra point for applying his joker. No Correct Scores.

In the Argentina-Croatia game, Gaffer, Barebear, UKCrazhyorse and Malangsob picked up 1 point for the Correct Result. No Correct Scores, or Joker points. 

There's a bit of a gap opening up at the top, but it's a close mid-table. 

Latest Standings:

Argentina went with a 3-pronged attack, but there was no shape to it...  

Flanagan played Left-back for Liverpool. I can't see him replacing Tavernier, but I can see him replacing John.

Apologies everyone; I've not had time today, so I'll write up today's scores tomorrow. 

A quick glance shows I have a Correct Score...

Zabaleta speaks better English than me...

1 hour ago, buster. said:

Just saw part of the 1st half between France and Peru.

 

France look like a team who aren't far away from clicking into a higher and going forward, formidable gear.

 

Pogba goes from the unforced error to the sublime very quickly but his version of the latter can change a game.

Then you look at the rest of the attacking talent 

 

 

 

 

Ironically, I actually missed this game. 

They have undoubted talent, so if they click, they'll be formidable.

3 hours ago, craig said:

Unless his name is Windass it would seem.....

When @Gonzo79 gets a Correct Score...

12 minutes ago, Gonzo79 said:

The only thing consistent about Windass is his ability to disappear for long spells.

10 minutes ago, buster. said:

You can't help but feel that this WC is up for grabs to a wider potential spread of possible winners than has been the norm.

 

Early days but none of the pre-tournament favourites have shown up well. 

 

Spain are vulnerable at the back and aren't as fluid middle to front as they were when winning tournaments.

 

Only one game but......

Argentina just aren't good enough.

Something doesn't seem to be quite right with Germany.

Brazil looked mediocre.

 

For those three, we'll see how they react to the pressure in their 2nd game.

 

 

Note. I didn't see any of the French game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The French were not much better than the above, if at all. 

Well, everyone gained 1 point for the Correct Result in the Iran-Spain game. 

Whosthedado and Lenny gained an extra point for applying their joker.

Latest Standings:

13 hours ago, craig said:

Was about to say I was the only one to get the result wrong as I never got any points in that round... but, no, I am now "THAT" guy.... I picked Uruguay to win 4-0... but somehow got zero points despite them winning.... Hmmmmm, stewards enquiry on this prediction league malarkey

No, you got your points -- or point, in that case.

Were you looking at the previous table? It updates them all when I post the latest one. 

Or perhaps, you're counting the Spain game, which I haven't tallied up yet?

Another predictable result, but very few getting the Correct Score; tighter than we anticipated.

Everyone bar one picked up points -- I won't name them, but give it a few minutes and buster will 'out' you, whether you want it or not...  

Whosthedado and UKCrazyhorse gained 3 points for the Correct Score.

No one had a joker applied to this match.

Latest Standings:

Just now, buster. said:

No shame in a brave selection that nearly paid off.

 

Very few of those who selected Portugal thought it would be tight.

The 'shame' was for you for outing him...  

Hindsight is 20/20, but looking back I don't know why I went with 2-0; they don't concede many, generally, but they don't score many either, generally. I think it was the 3 they scored in the first game that confused us all.

2 minutes ago, buster. said:

It was Bluedell and he was very unlucky,...Morocco should have scored.

 

Nearly a masterstroke but nae cigar !

You just couldn't let it lie...

Is he good enough to start for us? I'd say yes. He's versatile too, being able to play both sides. In footballing terms, it's a good move.

The question is whether his off-field issues overshadow this. I don't know.