The Mail Bag
Do we need Rasmus Elm?
Comments (42)
Obviously YouTube aint the best place to do your scouting, but after watching some clips of Elm — I don't think we need him.
What was apparent from the Arsenal 'game' was that there was nobody in centre midfield who was able to take the ball, turn, then play a forward pass. All to often the ball was played sideways or backwards for someone else to hoof the ball upfield — straight back to the opposition.
Previously, I thought that we needed wingers, but this seemed our most pressing problem. Yes, we will have Arteta back at some point, but Neville and Cahill have their strong points and passing is nowhere near for either.
So, after watching Elm, the majority of the clips are either of him scoring or of him doing surging runs. This to me seems to suggest we'll be playing more hoofball — with the odd glimpse of football thrown in.
Please, please, please could we have a centre mid who is composed, able to turn and can pass the ball forward.
Andy Macrae, Posted 17/08/2009 at 09:45:10
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Tony Hale
2 Posted 17/08/2009 at 14:33:45
2 Posted 17/08/2009 at 14:33:45
Maybe someone could put together a YouTube vid of all of Osman's best bits and use him to sweeten the deal with Kalmar. But a vid of him getting subbed off wouldn’t even convince Bryan Robson to buy him!
Aidy Dews
3 Posted 17/08/2009 at 14:45:30
3 Posted 17/08/2009 at 14:45:30
Do we need Elm, pffftt,, here mate it's clear to see we need anybody right now. There’s no doubt we could seriously do with a RB, we clearly need a midfielder who puts himself about, gets stuck in, wins balls and can play, and I don't just mean backwards or sidewards either.
For me we should get rid of Lescott now. You could see before the game by his body language he wasn't in right frame of mind to play, even in line up before game when they shake hands you could see he felt a bit uncomfortable, didn't know where to look, couldn't even clap the crowd like rest of the players. His head's definitely somewhere else so Moyes might as well get shut of him and get some one else in before window shuts. And we definitely need a right winger or right sided midfielder to replace Osman in the team.
Peter Griffin
4 Posted 17/08/2009 at 15:08:24
4 Posted 17/08/2009 at 15:08:24
Apparently there have been a couple of players having medicals today. I was told 4, but no names. We will see.
John Talbot
5 Posted 17/08/2009 at 15:50:44
5 Posted 17/08/2009 at 15:50:44
If that's the case the Sky money must be in, as there will be no new additions until they have serviced the debt with the money from Sky. I agree Hibbert is finished but it doesn't sound like Elm wants to play for us anyway — not enough money in it for him!!
Ciarán McGlone
6 Posted 17/08/2009 at 15:58:27
6 Posted 17/08/2009 at 15:58:27
We do need a quality central player... we also need a winger as well!
I’d also like two wingers, play Pienaar in his real position and drop Fella and Cahill to the bench... use Cahill as an impact sub and Fellaini... well... I ’ve no idea.
Fantasy stuff though... we’ll get a couple of covers for the bench... and the same team will start on Thursday... with maybe Saha in for the hapless Jo.
I’d also like two wingers, play Pienaar in his real position and drop Fella and Cahill to the bench... use Cahill as an impact sub and Fellaini... well... I ’ve no idea.
Fantasy stuff though... we’ll get a couple of covers for the bench... and the same team will start on Thursday... with maybe Saha in for the hapless Jo.
Peter Griffin
7 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:08:21
7 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:08:21
For reasons unbeknown to anyone except for DM, when hibbert is fit he usually starts. However, on Thursday I think we may see him on the bench with Neville at RB and Rodwell in the midfield. Fingers crossed.
I also think there will be a new face on the bench, providing he’s registered in time.
I also think there will be a new face on the bench, providing he’s registered in time.
Benn Chambers
8 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:10:15
8 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:10:15
Ciaran,
Cahill is no impact sub, he is a lot better than that and you know it mate.
But, there is no doubt in my mind that them 2 cannot play in the same midfield, without cahills goal threat, he has nothing else. He is superb at what he does but right now, Felli is getting played in his position. Drop felli not Cahill. Cahill deserves his place when the formation uses him best.
Hibbert and osman though, words fail me.
Cahill is no impact sub, he is a lot better than that and you know it mate.
But, there is no doubt in my mind that them 2 cannot play in the same midfield, without cahills goal threat, he has nothing else. He is superb at what he does but right now, Felli is getting played in his position. Drop felli not Cahill. Cahill deserves his place when the formation uses him best.
Hibbert and osman though, words fail me.
Benn Chambers
9 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:12:22
9 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:12:22
Peter, who is registered in time? You got some info? I heard 3 players were due in FF today for medicals then I heard is was bull shit. Is it true or not and how do you know??
Don't want names of sources like, I'm just clutching for any glimer of a transfer.
I hope it is Benega, is will be world class, can't see Valecia letting him go though.
Don't want names of sources like, I'm just clutching for any glimer of a transfer.
I hope it is Benega, is will be world class, can't see Valecia letting him go though.
Peter Griffin
10 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:14:33
10 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:14:33
I was told the players were sent home at 1 as two players were due to arrive for medicals.
Banega is one.
Taylor is due tomorrow and I can’t name one more I was told about, until maybe tomorrow.
From someone who told me about Saha last season and Beefy before it was in any press.
Banega is one.
Taylor is due tomorrow and I can’t name one more I was told about, until maybe tomorrow.
From someone who told me about Saha last season and Beefy before it was in any press.
Dave Whitwell
11 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:20:19
11 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:20:19
Quite a few on here have said that Cahill & Fellaini can’t play in the same side. I agree in terms of the Midfield, however for me, Cahill is a better striker than Jo, so I would play him up front with Fellaini in the hole. Bringing Rodwell into midfield.
Benn Chambers
12 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:24:29
12 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:24:29
If we get Bengea, I will cry tears of joy! He is awesome. Little and stocky and CLASS!!!! Better than Manny..... and I love him!
Peter Griffin
13 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:24:06
13 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:24:06
I think if Saha is fit enough to play 45 minutes, start him and drop Jo. The first goal is more important than the 7th!!!!
Gavin Harris
14 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:31:09
14 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:31:09
I find it difficult to imagine us buying two players as I’ve forgotten how it feels...
Seriously, having been a regular reader on here for many seasons I bet your bottom pound these deals do not happen.
Seriously, having been a regular reader on here for many seasons I bet your bottom pound these deals do not happen.
Peter Griffin
15 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:32:05
15 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:32:05
I’ve no reason to lie. I’d usually keep my mouth shut but after Saturday..... I think there will be at least 2 by Friday.
Benn Chambers
16 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:37:11
16 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:37:11
Peter, is Taylor coming regardless of the Lescott sale? And what happened with Senderos? Seriously, please go be Banega!
Gavin Harris
17 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:37:01
17 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:37:01
Ok then Pete, whats the score with Elm?
Peter Griffin
18 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:43:05
18 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:43:05
The Elm deal isn’t dead but there’s an alternative, can’t say who. I’m not taking the piss, but I can’t say too much.
Peter Griffin
19 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:53:16
19 Posted 17/08/2009 at 16:53:16
Benn- all I know is we will be having talks with Taylor today/tomorrow.
Keith Glazzard
20 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:00:08
20 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:00:08
The rumour mill bit about Manny Fernandes says that the Google ’translation’ suggests that Valencia don’t want to let him go.
What the original Spanish article says is that he is one of the discards for this season and that any offers for him will be considered.
What the original Spanish article says is that he is one of the discards for this season and that any offers for him will be considered.
Steve Callaghan
21 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:10:23
21 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:10:23
Lee Carsley anyone? Did you see his clearance off the line against Man U? Legend.
Iain Smith
22 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:14:46
22 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:14:46
I’d take Lee Carsley back at the drop of a hat. Someone with a spine who would shout at Hibbert and Osman to get off the pitch!
Lionel Luthor
23 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:13:49
23 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:13:49
Re: Peter.
Hope you’re right mate, God knows we need some positive news after these trying few months.
I too heard a rumour today, not too convinced about the validity of it’s source though, so i won’t post any details.
I’d imagine we’re all susceptible to these ’Chinese whispers’, especially those of us living in the City.
Hope you’re right mate, God knows we need some positive news after these trying few months.
I too heard a rumour today, not too convinced about the validity of it’s source though, so i won’t post any details.
I’d imagine we’re all susceptible to these ’Chinese whispers’, especially those of us living in the City.
Tony Williams
24 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:35:04
24 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:35:04
The way that shower played on Saturday, I would take a fucken Oak Tree instead. It would probably display more mobility in the midfield area.
James Stewart
25 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:44:02
25 Posted 17/08/2009 at 17:44:02
Ciarán McGlone — Spot on. We have a central midfielder with qualities PIENAAR! Play him in his natural position for god's sake! Neville, Fellaini, Cahill are not even half the center midfield Pienaar would be. CM should be Pienaar and when fit Arteta. Until then Rodwell would be my choice. Fellaini is a complete waste of space, and Cahill if played should be as a second striker, end of!
John Martin
26 Posted 17/08/2009 at 18:07:28
26 Posted 17/08/2009 at 18:07:28
Just what does our €15 million midfielder bring to the team apart from the occasional goal? I try and compare him to other quality central midfielders like Gerrard/Lampard/Barry/Carrick to see what role he does. But I can't see another player like him. He doesn't tackle, he doesn't knock passes about. He’s not quick and for someone so tall doesn't win many headers that lead to anything.
Palacios was fantastic yesterday, a true box-to-box player for a similar amount we paid. If we were scouting him for 2 years, our scouts should be sacked and Moyes bollocked for wasting so much money on him. We need a class central midfielder play Rodwell until Arteta gets back and in the mean time hope for the best because thats about all we can do after a 2nd successive summer transfer debacle.
Keith Glazzard
27 Posted 17/08/2009 at 18:23:53
27 Posted 17/08/2009 at 18:23:53
Had Fellaini’s excellent attacking header not been cleared off the line, who knows? - we might have made a game of it.
Doesn’t tackle? He’s been consistently booked for one foul. Arshavin fouled Baines 3 or 4 times from behind - card? No chance.
The midfield is very badly set-up and the back four was badly exposed. Personally, I’d put Pienaar into the middle and play Jo as left midfield. Whatever, something very serious has to be done for Thursday.
Doesn’t tackle? He’s been consistently booked for one foul. Arshavin fouled Baines 3 or 4 times from behind - card? No chance.
The midfield is very badly set-up and the back four was badly exposed. Personally, I’d put Pienaar into the middle and play Jo as left midfield. Whatever, something very serious has to be done for Thursday.
Simon Kirwan
28 Posted 17/08/2009 at 18:44:38
28 Posted 17/08/2009 at 18:44:38
Jack Rodwell? I wouldn't mind seeing midfield line-up, Gosling Osman Rodwell Pienaar.
Osman is far better centre mid and his passing is good. He is also composed and will show for the ball from the fullbacks. I'm not saying he is Arteta but he’d do a far better job than Cahill and Neville. Bang Cahill up top with Saha. Anything's better than a Cahill Neville midfield with Osman and Hibbert.
Osman is far better centre mid and his passing is good. He is also composed and will show for the ball from the fullbacks. I'm not saying he is Arteta but he’d do a far better job than Cahill and Neville. Bang Cahill up top with Saha. Anything's better than a Cahill Neville midfield with Osman and Hibbert.
Peter Griffin
29 Posted 17/08/2009 at 19:35:10
29 Posted 17/08/2009 at 19:35:10
If Arteta, Pienaar and Osman are all better in the middle then who do we play out wide? With Cahill, Fellaini, Rodwell, Neville added to these three then the midfield is massively unbalanced.
Neville will play right back when we bring players in but at the moment Pienaar is needed on the left. He went into the middle second half against Arsenal and looked good and Moyes said in pre-season he can see him playing in the middle.
Neville will play right back when we bring players in but at the moment Pienaar is needed on the left. He went into the middle second half against Arsenal and looked good and Moyes said in pre-season he can see him playing in the middle.
Luke Berry
30 Posted 17/08/2009 at 20:14:44
30 Posted 17/08/2009 at 20:14:44
Fernandes or this Banega kid... both are class acts.
John Martin
31 Posted 17/08/2009 at 20:52:06
31 Posted 17/08/2009 at 20:52:06
Keith, do you think Fellaini getting booked a lot means he can tackle? I don't... it means he can't. We need a player who can win the ball and do something with it; he does neither.
Most of Fellaini’s bookings came last season early on when he made stupid attempts at pulling players back or tripping them up as they were running away from him. I’ve never seen him win a bone-crunching tackle so, if he isnt a tackler, he should be a creative player and he’s not creating much and certainly doesn't dominate midfield lie a Gerrard or a Fabergas... so what exactly did we waste €15 million on?
If we were to transfer him today, how much do you think we’d get?
Dave Hewstone
32 Posted 17/08/2009 at 21:00:48
32 Posted 17/08/2009 at 21:00:48
Oh my God guys..!! Honestly, one horrific result and we’re all ’the best manager in the world!’ We all know that a) we can’t compete with Man City, Chelsea etc. on transfer fees, b) we have a tiny squad that needs adding to, c) we need investment etc. etc. etc. I was at the game on Saturday and yes, that was a horrific performance. However, we forget, for the first 15-20 mins we competed, a magical strike by Denilson, yes two giveaway goals but will be please get off Moyesy’s back! 7 years.....I say 7 years he’s been here and words cannot describe the transformation he’s done in poor circumstances. We need to SUPPORT the team, not come on here with comments about "get him out, get him in". It makes me sick to read some of these comments. SUPPORT YOUR TEAM!
Keith Glazzard
33 Posted 17/08/2009 at 21:24:32
33 Posted 17/08/2009 at 21:24:32
John - Fellaini was given cards for nothing until the club challenged Keith Hackett to say why he was being booked, well past the second half of the season. Next to nothing after that.
Dominating midfield - Gerrard? If he has to work for a living, as on Sunday, he is found very wanting.
Bone crunching tackles - Gerrard? Do you go to the same night clubs as him? He has his qualities, but not those you think Fellaini should have. And he’s cerainly not the diving cheating bastard that Gerrard is.
Fabregas? Skilful, hard, cultured. I would compare Fellaini to him rather than Gerrard. Our lad did well for us last season. He’ll do the same this year.
Dominating midfield - Gerrard? If he has to work for a living, as on Sunday, he is found very wanting.
Bone crunching tackles - Gerrard? Do you go to the same night clubs as him? He has his qualities, but not those you think Fellaini should have. And he’s cerainly not the diving cheating bastard that Gerrard is.
Fabregas? Skilful, hard, cultured. I would compare Fellaini to him rather than Gerrard. Our lad did well for us last season. He’ll do the same this year.
Paul O'Hanlon
34 Posted 17/08/2009 at 21:50:18
34 Posted 17/08/2009 at 21:50:18
Some lad called Cadamarteri just banged in 2 goals for Dundee Utd. Sign him up!
John Martin
35 Posted 17/08/2009 at 22:22:07
35 Posted 17/08/2009 at 22:22:07
Keith surely you are not trying to mention Fellaini in the same breath as Gerrard or Fabergas both are world class midfielders. They tackle, run all day score goals and dominate games. I may not like Gerrard as a person but as a midfielder he vastly superior to any player we have.
Ciarán McGlone
36 Posted 18/08/2009 at 08:54:59
36 Posted 18/08/2009 at 08:54:59
Comparing Fellaini to Fabregas... now that is funny.
Alan Clarke
37 Posted 18/08/2009 at 08:59:28
37 Posted 18/08/2009 at 08:59:28
Fellaini looked fucked on Saturday. I thought he had a good 20 minutes to start with and always showed for the ball. He always makes himself available which is a lot more responsibility than a lot of other players took on Saturday. To me, he’s not fit enough either becuase of this virus he’s had or Moyes hasn’t worked him hard enough pre-season.
Kunal Desai
38 Posted 18/08/2009 at 11:02:10
38 Posted 18/08/2009 at 11:02:10
Peter, Are you now able to name the other player as you said in your post yesteday "Taylor is due tomorrow and I can’t name one more I was told about, until maybe tomorrow". Cheers.
Zaid Omar
39 Posted 18/08/2009 at 11:08:27
39 Posted 18/08/2009 at 11:08:27
Kunal, its unlikely anyone of quality will be signed this week. Moyes will get back up players. Quality players (Benega and Elm) cost money — which is something we don't have.
Also, Moyes said on Friday that a couple of players will be added to the squad within 48 hours... 48 hours have long since past and we still waiting.
Also, Moyes said on Friday that a couple of players will be added to the squad within 48 hours... 48 hours have long since past and we still waiting.
Kunal Desai
40 Posted 18/08/2009 at 12:14:22
40 Posted 18/08/2009 at 12:14:22
It would appear then that Moyes is now being influenced by BB to smoke the same pot which he’s been smoking the last 10 years!
Gavin Harris
41 Posted 18/08/2009 at 12:25:31
41 Posted 18/08/2009 at 12:25:31
I’ve seen so many posts over the last few seasons about new players arriving today or tomorrow and none were true. Even the club have made such comments and nothing ever happens.
Same with these stroies; nothing will happen this week.
Same with these stroies; nothing will happen this week.
John Martin
42 Posted 18/08/2009 at 18:37:15
42 Posted 18/08/2009 at 18:37:15
We won't sign anybody., The club must love us gullable fans. Get your season tickets paid for 3 months earlier than pre-BK days because we are going to get players in early... hahaha. BK loves that one.
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1 Posted 17/08/2009 at 14:27:20