It might not be of course, but there have been several clues as to the identity of the mystery striker left by journalist (a pretty reliable one at that), Mark Douglas on the micro-blogging network, Twitter, and Erdinç (or Erding or whatever) seems to be the one that fits the bill, especially when it’s gets said that “events over the weekend may have helped”. Would they be events such as a club signing a rival striker in the form of one Kevin Gameiro?
Quite possibly.
But who is Mevlüt Erdinç anyway? What’s his history like? What type of player is he? I’ve done some leg work and I hope to come up with some answers to those questions throughout this article.
Erdinç has dual-nationality and was eligible to represent both Turkey, through family, and France, through birth. He chose to represent the country of his family and has made ten international caps since 2008 scoring just the one goal in the process.
However at club level he is much more prolific. For his first club, Sochaux, he managed to bag what works out to be a goal every three games (25 goals in 84 appearances) during his time there. Not bad considering a lot of his appearances came from the bench for a team of perennial strugglers, and that he never really forced his way into the first team until the 2007/2008 season.
His performances earned him a €9 million move to PSG in the summer of 2009 which brought about an upturn in his goalscoring form. He’d scored 11 goals in each of the two seasons previously, but in his first season with PSG he managed 19 goals in 36 appearances. That is a much better return of a goal every (just under) two games which saw him win the PSG Player of the Season award for that season.
Last season wasn’t so prolific for him however as he only managed to plunder the nine goals in 36 appearances. The key thing to point out though is that his last season goes against the grain and generally he has always scored more than that.
So what type of player is he? Well he is the type of player I’d be happy with if he had a decent hold-up player working with him up front. I don’t think he is cut out for the rough and tumble of the Premier League so he would need someone to help him out. I’d class him as a second striker as opposed to a main striker. Think Craig Bellamy.
He has a bit of pace, a few tricks, and can finish fairly well, all for a price said to be in the region of €8 million. He wouldn’t be a bad player for us, if he was paired with the right striker up front.
Now we’ve just got to wait and see whether or not it’s him that is being talked about!
Erdinc/Strolla?
Newkie(Quote)
Isn’t it ironic that some fans had hopes of getting Gameiro but looks like he will be replacing our new target. 🙄
Oops negativity crept in there. Must have words with my PR person, she’s not doing her job! 😆
At least Erding got 9 goals in a season. Bobby Shinton was top scorer with 7 back in his hey day in the early 80s! 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Did bobby shinton ever really have a hey day? 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Well done toonsy! not sure about the player myself think we could look at a lot better strikers;
Cardoza, sturridge, and even some german lads like podolski
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I bet 9 goals is more than any of our strikers (excluding Judas Carroll who handed in a transfer request, twok’d Ashleys chopper & flew it himself as he was in such a rush to sign up for mo money mo money)
witters(Quote)
@toonsy
I remember being at school and he lived in Whickham at the time, like a lot of footballers did.
It’s now Darras Hall and the modern footballer wouldnt be seen dead in Whickham now.
Anyway I bumped into Shinton in the local shop during my dinner break.
I’m embarrassed to say I got his ******* autograph!!!!!! Noooooooooo!!!
What the feckl was I doing!!!!!! 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
witters 9 goals in the french league is alot easier than 9 in the premier league
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
He did have a hey day Toonsy…it’s now supposedly calling the shots on this blog!! 😆
witters(Quote)
Mmmmmm
Jurys out on this one!
Davey G(Quote)
He’ll do – sign him up
Fingers & Tops(Quote)
Liam
My poinmt exactly!
Davey G(Quote)
Liam, Podolski is polish…just another judas to his blood… 😆
Newkie(Quote)
You can see how this would fit into a strategic forward line plan for next year. Very quick, plays on the last man and seems predominantly right footed, this being very complimentary to Ben Afra. Also seems to be able to head the ball very well. For older fans, a quick, mobile version of Paul Goddard
Ken(Quote)
@witters
I must pull you up about your comments regarding Andrew Joseph Carroll.
This remarks are unfounded based on your own personal beliefs.
I am only saying this to protect you from a libel case of slander.
Bobby Shinton
(this post was edited by Bobby shintons PR team).
ORIGINAL DRAFT.
You absolute arrogant gimp witters!!! 👿 what the **** would you do if you were summonsed to SJP with a chopper waiting and the club are telling you they’ve accepted an offer!!
You’re a disgrace !!! 😈
😆 😆 😆 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Is this guy any better than we have already got?? We really need an experienced Premier League scorer like Defoe or even Crouchy(??)
Scott(Quote)
Anyone but bloody petey crouch…Would take defoe, but that means big money and can’t see Ash splashing that much on someone with little resale value. 😕
Newkie(Quote)
@ken
I used to like Goddard.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Bobby…I’m gonna have to get myself a bigger boat (or chopper)!!!
Get in…I knew that would get ya!! 😆
witters(Quote)
True, but at least Defoe will make a quick impact and knows the Premier league inside out!! Look what happened when he was at Portsmouth and was played week in week out!!
Scott(Quote)
I am sure we could look at Sturridge – but we won’t get him – just like I can look at some lasses!!
BS9 -I remember that season when Shinton top-scored with 7! That’s why I thought last season was quite canny – some big wins and good results mixed in with the rest.
I think Shinton comes second to Tony Cunningham in my “plank” list – although there was also “Old Mother” Reilly in there! TC was a canny lad, tried his heart out – but could trap a ball further than most people can shoot!
Magpie6699(Quote)
i think he will bag us low teens every season and compared to strolla’s two goals last season i will take that. its like everything…i striker is only as good as his service. we have HBA and cabaye who can both do pint point passes and are full of tricks.
still want zogs though. Ba has done his medical so he is done and taylors agent has said he is done for us too. just get zogs in and we are all done and dusted.
oh and get shot of strolla, smith, nolan, jose, the cisco kid and ranger and loven. keep routledge as back up right wing and sign up joey on the deal he asked for and make him captain.
craig chisholm(Quote)
Fair point Liam but I’m not sure it’s that much harder…
FYI – Shola got 9 & Peter got 7 so when you take into account the french league is sh1te adjustment factor Erdinger scored less
witters(Quote)
@witters
It gets me the same way as praise for the scouse fans gets Toonsy. 😆
What’s your Achilles heal? I’m gonna have to review older posts and cast the rod again. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
I also liked Paul Goddard 😛
witters(Quote)
It’s been confirmed by Pardew himself earlier today, no doubt we’ll be going in with a lowball initial offer and raise it to around 5-6m later on.
Be surprised if we got him for 8-9m as quoted.
Thad(Quote)
Just keep posting Bobby…it will happen! 😆
witters(Quote)
I actually think Loven would get a fair few goals with Cabaye around to pick out his runs. At the very least, he scored 6 goals (only 2 less than Erdinc) in a stronger league last season, and that’s with our team pretty much engineered to play against his strengths.
Not saying he should be first choice or anything, but much happier with him on the bench than Shola. At least I’ve seen Loverboy run!
blip(Quote)
Or call me twitters or twatters…. 😆
witters(Quote)
strolla got 9 prem goals last year?? ffs.. not bad… or is that his career worth?
craig chisholm(Quote)
Is he any better than Best or Loven?
mark(Quote)
Do you ever see your good lady Toonsy?!
Well Erdinc, cant say I am all that enthralled. He is a LW on FIFA for what its worth. Obviously to counter the comments I dont base thoughts on a player from FIFA, but can he play wider if needs be? Could he easily fit into a 4-2-3-1 pronged attack with HBA and NZogbia and BA ahead of them for example?
raffo(Quote)
@magpie
Ha class! TC & and old mother Reilly! 😆
Were they not just Jack Charltons instructions to all his players though?
Whether you are trapping the ball, shooting or passing, just hoof the ******* thing as hard as you can!
😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Also, as much as I’m happy to see Pardew state he wants Cabaye +4, I think we need 1, maybe 2, more.
Those 4 look like being 2 strikers, Naylor (or at least competition for first choice LB) and ?.
Even if that ? is a winger, we need a couple of them challenging for places. Especially if we’re losing Routledge and perhaps Joey…
blip(Quote)
@witters
Aye we did some jousting back then and I’m sure we will in the future but at least you don’t take the thing seriously like some. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
In Carr we trust.
Apparantly Carr is ‘desperate’ to sign him so if you are happy with Carr’s record so far then jump on the Erdinc bandwagon!
Moreno(Quote)
@raffo
Dont worry about Mrs Toonsy. Batty keeps her company when Toonsy is at work., 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
been a while since i posted, but i have been keeping up to date with all the posts etc as per. from the dennis wise scouting video i think erdincing looks quite a neat finisher with head and feet and the comparison to bellamy was fairly appropriate. whther he has the work rate of bellamy remains to be seen, but if this is who the club want (and no doubt carr has been following this lad for some time) then i will support him and wish him all the best. i think a trio of best, erdinc and maybe ba could propel us up the league from 12th to the higher echeleons.
rambo87(Quote)
So the club have turned Gervinho down and cwarr is furiously back peddling. Ha
Moreno(Quote)
I did in the beginning Bobby but I do enjoy your crack nowadays 😆
witters(Quote)
To be fair the lad does have pace but with 9 goals we could do better hope he isnt pardews main target i reckon he has others up his sleeve….
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
I agree with a lot of the comments on here, this type of player would thrive on through balls from Ben Arfa, Cabbeye and of course, Zog if we got him back. I would far prefer this style of player than the hoof it forward to Carrol.
On Paul Goddard, I was at the game where he scored for the eighth game in a row, saved our bacon that year. Still a record I think
Ken(Quote)
@Rambo
I will go along with that. So far Carr has proved he has a good eye and until that changes then we have to back his judgement., 😉
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Moreno, am surprised Colin has gave up yet and revealed it’s all ****, we all know it but yet he still goes a long with it….
dan4toon(Quote)
hasn’t*
dan4toon(Quote)
@BSn9
exactly, he has picked up some gems and no doubt he will pick up some duds along the way as well, but as long as the cost is minimal then its not a massive gamble. yes its gutting we missed out on gameiro and gervinho, but never mind. if they dont want to play at SJP then screw them, maybe cabaye can show gervy the 4-4 game 😆
rambo87(Quote)
@witters
Let’s not get too familiar with each other. It makes me uncomfortable. 😆
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
From the clips of the lad on youtube he looks very Craig Bellamy like.
Lets be honest; last year there were only 2 players in the PL who scroed 20 league goals. Why is that….??????
20 goal strikers are hard to find. Only a handfull of them exist and they exist at the very top clubs. At present we are not a top club.
If we can find a striker to score 10-15 league goals next season then we will hve done very well. If we can find a pair of strikers that score 20-25 goals between them even better.
I’m pretty f@#ked off by some of the doom and gloom merchants who are already slating this lad as not good enough or not prolific enough. You lot can all go suck on bananas. You probably don’t attend many matches anyway.
Reality check people. Even if we were to spend big; which i’m assuming we won’t; the top players do not want to come here; unless they have baggage (i.e. ben arfa) or are unknown gems (i.e. tiote).
If we bring in this lad who looks decent; perhaps bring in Ba…F@#k me even charlie and a new left back then we will have done very well.
Thats where we are right now people…we have to be positive!!!
Northern_Jedi(Quote)
@Rambo
I always maintained Gameiro and Gervinho would demand big wages which we don’t pay .
That’s where our policy falls down. We’ll reach a certain level and unless we step up the wage cap then we will not progress.
I still maintain Ashley is trying to get rid of all high earners, get in young lads on long contracts in order to sell.
In my humble opinion, that is what all this is about.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
According to the Chronicle Bobby, the wages ain’t the issue…
Moreno(Quote)
@northern Jedi
I thankyou very much for your post and appreciate your strong views.
All I ask is that you tone down your foul language and do not direct comments to those who believe they are being realistic when assessing the current state of our great football club and kindly refrain from calling them doom mongers.
I thankyou for your cooperation.
(this post was edited by Bobby Shintons PR team).
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
@Moreno
I failed to mention our PR guru, Derek Llambias’ comments about aiming to break the top ten and backed up by Pardew.
Nothing wrong with saying that if it’s the truth but don’t expect ambitious players to stay or join.
Bobby Shinton number 9(Quote)
Think Erdinc prob fits into Ashleys transfer strategy as in cheap and young and wouldn’t demand massive wages – no chance of sturridge coming to toon under this regime, he’ll be out of our transfer / pay league
4411(Quote)
Reports yesterday that chelsea wants 20M for Sturridge. I would say that’s insane but so is 35M for Carroll and 50M for a waning Torres.
I think spending a lot on a striker is a proposition. Rather see a few cheaper signings there or a free or two- then see what you got.
MDS(Quote)
Here is a better video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cETnkGXnkB8
Fast, strong, tricky, good head and a tidy finish. Looks good enough to me! PSG player of the season too. Worth a punt for under £10m.
KillyMag(Quote)
I meant spending a lot on one striker is a “risky” proposition 😳
MDS(Quote)
We should and could have broken the top 10 the season gone IMO… 😀
I think realistically we should be aiming for top 8 and at least mounting a challenge on the Euro spot.
‘IF’ we can sign Charlie boy, I reckon we will have the best midfield in the league….bar none.
HBA, Jonas, Charlie, Cabaye, Barton, Nolan and Cheik. Gosling and Guthrie backup.
Write down any midfield in the league and that line up is better or just as good….even without The Zog….
Moreno(Quote)
@Moreno,
It lacks much backup in the wide positions. Not sure Pardew will blood Fergie and Lua Lua readily, even if they are ready (not saying one way or the other, myself).
blip(Quote)
blip,
Agree with that, but how many other premier league clubs can say they have great wingers as backup?
Man Utd have Bebe and Obertan….
Moreno(Quote)
Bobby Shinton I am sorry for wanting to ban you from our blog,me being a democrat and all.This is nothing new with me,once I get sufficiently worked up,all good intetions and high ideals fly out the window. This blowout however brought a good end result,since I no longer feel any resentment towards you !And since you’re obviously not the supersensetive type I guess everything is ok?If so my only worry now is that sweet dreams of megastrikers will turn into an Ashly nightmare.
arrowhead(Quote)
Moreno-agreed there, our midfield will be a force to be reckoned with, and providing we don’t lose a bunch of them we’ll have a wonderful strength in depth…wow, Newcastle with strength in depth…been a while like. 😀
Newkie(Quote)
Moreno-you slag off Obertan now, but when Usain Bolt is on the other wing ManU will run every team ragged…won’t score mind, just run around a lot
Newkie(Quote)
Plus, Benny can play in either wide position,
Pards has already given Fergie a chance and the boy has proved himself
Barton can play wide, as can Raylor.
Moreno(Quote)
Moreno, I was saying that about our midfield to a Sunderland fan and his response ‘Well we have Sessegnon’ 😆 🙄
dan4toon(Quote)
Moreno- even without the injuries we may have made it to 8th position this year. with the proper squad addiitons that should be a very realistic goal IMO.
Moreno- I wonder tactically whether Pardew cares about pace in wide positions. Other than gervinho, we’re in our second window of not really being linked with any pacey wingers, and he let our paciest winger (Rout) go last year.
MDS(Quote)
dan 😆
They are going to be battling relegation this season with bagpuss in charge like
Moreno(Quote)
Every summer for the last five year all I hear off them is ‘we need massive overall for our squad’.
It will catch up to them sooner rather than later.
dan4toon(Quote)
From SSN we are competing with mackems for Craig Gardner, its on the breaking news
bobby(Quote)
@ post 50…how about i just call them mongs then???? Because some of the posts i read are unbelievable.
Northern_Jedi(Quote)
Has routledge left the club yet? Why are we never linked with Charlie Adam he is one of the best midfielders in the premiership and would certainly put bums on seats. A throw back to the jinky Jim Smith and Tony Green days.
Freddie Shepherd(Quote)
Bobby, I don’t think he will come to us, we wouldn’t be able to give him first team football.
dan4toon(Quote)
Aye, we already have that position completely overswamped..
Newkie(Quote)
Northern_Jedi
The world is a rich and diverse place when you step outside your front door.
It’s teeming with life and guess what? Everyone is different!
Some have similar views, some have exactly the same views and they are entitled to express them without being called mongs.
That’s your first warning pal.
Moreno(Quote)
I was also a huge fan of Paul Goddard. Maybe the club should get back in touch with him – he is Connor Wickham’s agent!!!
seanp(Quote)
Northern_Jedi
By the way….you only get one….
Moreno(Quote)
based on pardew’s acknoweledgment of inrerst in ba and erding, would anyone people be dissapointed if our incomings this window were:
N’zogbia, Cabaye, Taylor, Erding, Ba?
MDS(Quote)