ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Papa Bouba Diop

Reading the Daily Mail today, and we are linked with Papa Bouba Diop of Fulham. So let me get this straight: we are extremely close to signing one of the best young players in the world, who can attack an defend and has bags of skill and now we are linked with a move for a player who Fulham want rid of, whose red card record is abysmal, who has absolutely no 'craft' (which Moyes said we desperatly need) and who in my eyes is no better than what we have got in Neville and Carsley.

What is going on? And Kevin Nolan isn't the answer either. What we need is a midfielder from Europe that will bring the same excitement that Fernandes did. Will Diop or Nolan really take us to the next level. We need someone like Diego from Werder Bremen or Van der Vaart from Hamburg.
John Murphy, Liverpool Posted 28/08/2007 at 22:12:28

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

Van der Faart... now yer talking!

Nick Gordon
1 Posted 29/08/2007 at 01:13:47

Yes John I agree but we are not going to secure a big European signing between now and the end of the week - simply not enough time. Fernandes would have been a great signing but, guess what - he?s an arse. Someone flashed some more dollar in front of him and he was off - sod ?im.

Moyes will have to sign at least one midfielder for now and my guess is he will play safe, then try to identify a bigger signing for the January transfer window.

Nick Xenos
2 Posted 29/08/2007 at 02:03:13

After watching Australia struggle through the Asian Cup, one player particularly caught the eye from the Saudi Arabian team. His name is Yasser Al-Qahtani, youngest Saudi Arabian captain ever at just 24 and top goalscorer of this year’s Asian Cup, tournament. He is a very skillfull, mobile and versatile forward who can play either on the left wing, ’in the hole’ behind the front two or up front. Apparently, he is very keen to join a major European club and I reckon he is worth a look. He will not be too expensive either as he currently plays in the Saudi League with Al-Hilal.

Nick Veitch
3 Posted 29/08/2007 at 04:32:18

I figured i should continue the trend of ’Nick’s’ responding to this post.
With regards to the main post, I’ve seen Van Der Vaart play and he looks the goods. I’d say Moyes will keep the money and not be rushed into a last minute buy. This would give our scouts enough time you’d hope to have a real good look for a midfield boss.
With regards Xenos’ comment about the Saudi: Yeah, the Aussie commentators were raving on about this guy and would definitely be worth a look. Wouldn’t take much to buy him, nor would his wage be that sizable. Worth a punt i’d say.

Off topic, let’s hope the Yak’s appeal goes through and he signs today!

Lee Mather
4 Posted 29/08/2007 at 07:50:57

I’m worried about our previous experience with "Van Der’s" recently, AvdM looked good when we signed him (and he’s amazing on Pro Evolution Soccers 6) but alas it’s not to be.

I do like the idea of signing that Saudi fella though, but we will have to get in there before Big Sam Allardyce, he’s always signing players from countries where you wouldn’t expect good footballers to be

Steve Claringbold
5 Posted 29/08/2007 at 08:29:06

Van Der Valk.

Great programme.

arthur jones
6 Posted 29/08/2007 at 08:43:05

One option could be to move Mikel into centre midfield instead of where he’s wasted playing wide and then go for a natural wide player such as downing , matt taylor , or if he’d come here SWP or even joe cole , then with Yak and AJ up front to compliment each other and tiny tim and vaughany to return we’ll be back on course

Nick Xenos
7 Posted 29/08/2007 at 08:46:22

For those who haven’t seen or heard of Yasser Al-Qahtani, take
a look!

Great headed goal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXx2jd7hoWw

Assorted goals/skill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lkNhQVkrCA

44 goals in 55 internationals ain’t nothing to sneeze at.

Trev Clarke
8 Posted 29/08/2007 at 08:58:54

Just watched this guy on the u tube I must admit I have never heard of him before but he looks a very exciting player, quick feet and pacey and more important can score to, not sure how he would fit in midfield he appears to be a striker, he looks like he has the skill of arteta but more pacey and thats a massive plus in the prem but alas Everton wouldnt go for him and even if they did they wouldnt get him..

Matt Fearon
9 Posted 29/08/2007 at 09:21:05

This is a post that began with a rant based on a Daily Mail rumour and has turned into an amateur scouting show. Have we not learned anything from this close season? Also, Youtube is a great tool, but anyone could put together a 3 minute segment showing every single player in the premiership looking like Zindane.

Brian Wolf
10 Posted 29/08/2007 at 09:28:59

Who is this Zindane bloke then?

Tom Edwards
11 Posted 29/08/2007 at 09:47:31

Van Gough? Van Morrison? Van Den Plas? Van Hire? and of course, Vand Der Graf Generator. Quality, all of them!

J Fazak
12 Posted 29/08/2007 at 10:05:35

After watching Australia struggle through the Asian Cup, one player particularly caught the eye from the Australian team. His name is Tim Cahill, 28 and top goalscorer for Australia at this year?s Asian Cup tournament. He is a very skillfull, mobile and versatile forward who can play either on the left wing, ?in the hole? behind the front two or up front. Apparently, he is very keen to stay at a major European club and I reckon he is worth a look. He will not be too expensive either as he currently plays in the Premier League with Everton.

Dick Fearon
13 Posted 29/08/2007 at 10:10:05

I van der terrible?

Shaka
14 Posted 29/08/2007 at 10:15:43

They call Diop wardrobe. How much is the wardrobe?? I wouldn’t pay more then £75 for a wardrobe. Ikea do good cheap wardrobes!!!

Nick Xenos
15 Posted 29/08/2007 at 10:20:26

Nice one Mr Fazak but these two players are totally different. Tiny Tim is not someone that can lead the line or take on a player with a step over or a slight jink of the hips...Al-Qahtani can. Apart from Arteta, name me a player in our current squad who has the ability to take on a man one-on-one? Maybe McFadden in about 1 out of every 6 attempts. Who else?

bob patterson
16 Posted 29/08/2007 at 11:13:39

which van would i choose to shoot up the wing,LEE VAN CLEEF.

Allan
17 Posted 29/08/2007 at 11:55:48

We’d be better of with Papa Smurf than that big lump of overated mahogany.

Jim P
18 Posted 29/08/2007 at 11:54:08

I heard that van Gogh guy’s meant to be a good impressionist. Could keep the squad amused. And he could keep his ear to the ground looking for new talent.

Steve Claringbold
19 Posted 29/08/2007 at 12:04:43

If we’re getting impressionists, what about Freddie Starr, Bobby Davro or Jim Davidson?

Mark Creevy
20 Posted 29/08/2007 at 12:15:32

I’d take any of them over Van der Meyde. His impression of a Premiership footballer is atrocious.

Jim P
21 Posted 29/08/2007 at 12:13:30

Steve C - a fair point - but I fear a lot would be lost in translation when Valencia gazzump us at the last second. Freddy, Bobby and Jim would have to think carefully then about whether they should do a Manny on us. Do Spaniards even know who Frank Spencer is? Was Franco’s last name Spencer?

Steve Claringbold
22 Posted 29/08/2007 at 12:28:19

Mark

Have you seen AVDM’s impression of a pissed up boozer.

It’s classic, oh how we laughed, he’s got it off to a tee.

Jason Broome
23 Posted 29/08/2007 at 12:50:49

We should save the money and buy a world class player in January!

I hate it when we get desperate!!

Paul-o
24 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:08:46

Just heard the rumour about Appiah on the Skysports website - hope this is true. (Next to this story is a picture of Southgate doing a wurzel gummidge impression)

Neil M
25 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:16:54

Fenerbahce’s Stephen Appiah would soften the blow from losing out on Fernandes. Very strong, creates and scores the odd goal. Apparently wants to come to England to because he wants his children to have an English education. I hope there’s some truth in this rumour from Sky.

Shaun Kinnair
26 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:25:50

Appiah.. its on the grapevine that both Everton and West Ham United are looking to capture this guy before deadline day...West Ham are fav to land him though as he’s already expressed a desire to move to West Ham. Decent creative player going forward and scores a good ratio of goals but would come at around 6 million.

James Elworthy
27 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:34:35

Appiah is an African playing in Turkey, less than 60 hrs to the transfer deadline, a 2 day medical and a work permit required, I dont hold out much hope for him at the 11th hour. Diop is Sengalese the usual work permit hiccup may cost him a game Saturday. Gravesen & Nolan could be brought in quickly subject to medical. Anyone else outside of England time is running out fast to complete the formalities.

nmerrill
28 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:38:36

Tom Edwards, you forgot our cockney sparra Dick Van Dyke.

Tom Sullivan
29 Posted 29/08/2007 at 10:54:56

I think Diop would be a good signing for Everton. I have rated him highly during his time at Fulham. It is not so long ago that he was being linked with the top sides in the premiership and for a lot more money than is being mentioned now.He is exactly what we need in our midfield of diddymen. Big strong and powerful. I would be happy to see Moyes put a bid in.

Simon Gemine
30 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:00:35

Stephen Appiah.... is he the creative midfielder we so badly need or is he just a better version of Papa Bouba Diop?

Rob Heaton
31 Posted 29/08/2007 at 13:30:30

Now we're linked to Appiah, what do people think? Anyone know at what time the Yak hearing is? Getting a bit nervous...

Adrian Carlton
32 Posted 29/08/2007 at 15:08:57

Let's sign this lad Stephen Appiah - he's just what we are looking for and according to wikipedia entry on him he's been looking to move all summer

james elworthy
33 Posted 29/08/2007 at 15:38:20

Just had a text from my mates uncle’s twin brother who is on holiday in Izmir Turkey, a man resembling Stephen Appiah accompanied by 3 men in dark suits briefcases and sunglasses just boarded a Fly Thomson.com flight to Liverpool. One of the guys in the suit paid for 4 tickets, 3 return and 1 was one way only. Total cost 432,000,000 turkish lira

Bob Bailey
34 Posted 29/08/2007 at 16:23:21

Well me mate is gay and he has a gay mate who is a trolley dolley on the thomson flight to turkey which just landed. He says he served Appiah, chicken and chips and when he said wud he be going to Garlands tonight big boy, he said no Goodison Park.

Dave Roberts
35 Posted 29/08/2007 at 16:56:08

You’ve all forgotten that great midfield destroyer, Van Da Lism.