109 thoughts on “Three Alternatives To Hanley

  1. Newcastle want £8.3m for Thauvin and Marseille apparent baulk at the asking price. Considering that’s almost half the price he was initially sold for, I’d say that’s more than fair.

    Cheers for the thread Andy. I think Hanley is the better buy. A leader, an international, loads of experience, still lots of time to grow into the PL. If we can’t get him, then dunk looks a good option. He was one of the top defensive performers last season.

    Another two players that did very well were Tim Less of Sheffield Wednesday and Tamas Kalas on loan at Fulham from Chelsea. Both valued under £3m (same price range as Hanley) I’d be happy enough with either of them.

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  2. Duck has always been my no1 but Chis won’t let him go,I would take Hendly like has good leadership quality in the making

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  3. This one mate, got muddled up this morning, apologies.

    #mondayblues

    Stuart79:
    What is happening? Which thread are we on?

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  4. Fair play, a lot of good options if I’m honest. With Lascelles and Mbemba already here, I think Hanley or Dunk to add some fierce competition would be enough IMO.

    Shamrock:
    Newcastle want £8.3m for Thauvin and Marseille apparent baulk at the asking price. Considering that’s almost half the price he was initially sold for, I’d say that’s more than fair.

    Cheers for the thread Andy. I think Hanley is the better buy. A leader, an international, loads of experience, still lots of time to grow into the PL. If we can’t get him, then dunk looks a good option. He was one of the top defensive performers last season.

    Another two players that did very well were Tim Less of Sheffield Wednesday and Tamas Kalas on loan at Fulham from Chelsea. Both valued under £3m (same price range as Hanley) I’d be happy enough with either of them.

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  5. Gino due at Liverpool to complete move,no word on fee to be payed,toon were asking 27 mil but don’t know how close to that figure

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  6. Andy you hit the nail on the head there. Fierce competition is what we have needed for a long time. It’s been too easy for players to hold onto their shirts and the result has been a total lack of effort.

    Ice I reckon it will be about £25m and I also reckon he will be a smash hit. It’s a shame but he came to us when we were a complete mess, there was no spirit in the camp and tufty was running us into the ground. Even then he still got into double figures and he is not even a striker.

    The fee should pay off what we have already spent and then we should hopefully have the Krul, Sissy and Janmaat money to spend on suitable replacements plus a bit in the bank for our return to the PL to get some top players through the door.

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  7. On one hand I see taking £25m for Gini as good business but on the other it really pisses me off that players get to just walk away after it was them who got us relegated in the first place. If it was was me I would make them stay and help get us back up.

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  8. Icedog:
    Gino due at Liverpool to complete move,no word on fee to be payed,toon were asking 27 mil but don’t know how close to that figure

    We better be getting over£20m for him and that’s cheap cause he’s a good player and they just sold the very inexperienced ibe for £15m

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  9. Stuart79:
    On one hand I see taking £25m for Gini as good business but on the other it really pisses me off that players get to just walk away after it was them who got us relegated in the first place.If it was was me I would make them stay and help get us back up.

    Agree in Gini’s case Stu but Sissoko can **** off

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  10. SHAM your dead right,he could have been a smash for us but for Penfold dithering over sacking SM and getting Rafa in to get us safe if he had another three games to go at he would done it,but that’s all ifs and buts now,two of the biggest meaning words in life “if only”
    Just a shame he doesn’t want to stay he would be a top player in PL with Rafa,Ime a bit like Stuart make him stay

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  11. I think I once named a team to get promoted on here that had Janmaat, Gini, Krul and Sissoko all missing.
    I’ll stand by that but with that kind of money coming in we should push the boat out for a couple of real class players. It’ll still be a problem getting some to step down but Ritchie and Gayle bought into it. I’m not really impressed by any of the CB options put forward so far but as they’ll be back up then who knows.

    Somebody mentioned a young winger coming in as part of the Gini deal – Oyo?

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  12. Gini wants away so I’m pleased it’s early in the window to avoid the mucking around. £20m plus will do nicely to continue the rebuild – but that money may well encourage Bburn to dig in even hard over Hanley.

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  13. Well done Andy mate. I am concerned we’re spending too much time chasing Hanley. Let’s set a deadline and then move on.

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  14. Can’t see going beyond 8 M for Hanley Sharpy mate. Even that is generous. What would a decent offer for Dunk be I wonder?

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  15. GeordieTwo:
    Can’t see going beyond 8 M for Hanley Sharpy mate. Even that is generous. What would a decent offer for Dunk be I wonder?

    Chis won’t part with him mate,pity

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  16. All the defenders listed by me and Andy above are valued at just under £3m with the exception of the unattainable Ayala. In light of that, I’d say £6m-£7m is a fair price and anything over that should be sidelined.

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  17. Do we not need 2 new CB’s ? i reckon going into the new season with only Mbemba and Lacelles plus only one new one in is leaving us short in a 46 game season. Apparently the new lad from Arsenal is penciled in for the DM spot .Gini out the door voor anything above 20 million is good news i think . No point keeping players not commited too the cause and if Rafa is allowed too reinvest all incoming transfer money i believe we will have a team too walk this league just like Hughton’s team did.

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  18. Gini is valued at £17m so £30m is a fair price imo. Any lower is being g ripped off as he is on a long term contract and is proven at PL level already.

    Sissoko is valued at £11m, so £22m-£25m is a fair price. As many have said, he has no end product, so we can’t expect mega bucks. Gini is the better player so I’d expect more dosh for him.

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  19. I don’t know to much about Hanley to comment really. 8 million does seem a lot of money considering his been tested at PL level.

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  20. This whole CB thing is getting annoying now. We need one badly. It has to be top priority. Overpaying a bit is the way it works now. Look at the valuations people mention for Wini and Sissy. If we get anywhere near that amount for either of both of them 8M for Hanley is going to look like pocket change.

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  21. I think we could get Dunk for the right price ice mate. They will need money to do some business as well.

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  22. How good is Hanley? That’s going to be the main criteria for how much we should pay for him.

    Having said that we have Mbemba, Lascelles, Haydn and Dummet. We’re not totally forlorn in centre back options for the Fizzy.

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  23. Such a bizarre player Sissy is. So powerful on the run up the pitch. And then you see he has no finish and often doesn’t get rid of the ball at the right time. Anyone can have him for 25 M for me.

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  24. GeordieTwo:
    Can’t see going beyond 8 M for Hanley Sharpy mate. Even that is generous. What would a decent offer for Dunk be I wonder?

    No mate, as much as I champion Hanley, I can’t say he’s worth as much as £8m.
    I wonder how much QPR want for Caulker coz I think Rafa fancied him as well.

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  25. Life is Black and White:
    Do we not need 2 new CB’s ? i reckon going into the new season with only Mbemba and Lacelles plus only one newone in is leavingus short in a 46 game season. Apparently the new lad from Arsenal is penciled in for the DM spot .Gini out the door voor anything above 20 million is good news i think . No point keeping players not commited too the cause and if Rafa is allowed too reinvest all incoming transfer money i believe we will have a team too walk this league just like Hughton’s team did.

    Yes mate, 5 keepers and only 2 CBs don’t really add up at the moment really does it?! 😆
    I would like to see 2 new CBs brought in as we’ve lost 3 really in Colo, Willo & Saylor.

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  26. Stuart79:
    How good is Hanley? That’s going to be the main criteria for how much we should pay for him.

    Having said that we have Mbemba, Lascelles, Haydn and Dummet.We’re not totally forlorn in centre back options for the Fizzy.

    Stu – Rafa appears to rate him having made 3 improving bids for him. The good news is that it will be Rafas decision to pursue the lad or sack him off if he thinks it too much.

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  27. GeordieTwo:
    Satka plays CB as well doesn’t he Stewie mate?

    G2 – we’ve also just taken on a young lad on a free from Celtic, but God knows how good he is?! 😕

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  28. Whitecaps play Palace here tomorrow. I’ll try to give a match report afterward. We’re 8 hours ahead so you’ll get it Wednesday morning.

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  29. I’m not overly concerned, but it’s a real shame that the transfers have slowed down for us.
    I know he has to get rid of players too, but so far we’ve only spent a net of around £3m, so we should have cash there to keep bringing in.

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  30. Sharpy: I don’t think we will spend all of the money that comes in as we will need a bit to cover the shortfall from dropping out of the PL. Once we have a big sale of either Gini or Sissoko I do expect Rafa to tie up any remaining business before our first game. I am hoping he can use his contacts in Spain and Italy to get us a couple of relative bargains as PL players are just too expensive at the moment.

    We are not looking at the top tier players whose values are insane. Maybe we can get the best player from a team in the lower half of Serie A or La Liga. Rafa would be the main draw but we could still probably double or even triple their wages.

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  31. I also see quotes saying Liverpool may use players as makeweights in a swap for Gini. Has that ever happened in the history of the PL? I can’t recall a single instance, even though the press seem to like the concept and mention it now and again.

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  32. The defence has badly needed addressing for so many seasons now, it’s staggering that we can’t seem to sort it out properly. You expect haggling over forwards and taking time to land one but not so much defenders. They need to put up as much as they are prepared to pay and if it’s refused move on to plan b pronto, the season kicks off in 3 weeks and whom ever comes in needs time to gel.

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  33. Maybe stuff is dependent on certain players leaving, remember Mike said the cupboard was bare and we’d have to sell to fund incomings.

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  34. That must be the case Kimtoon mate. They will get a large lump of money for Wini and Sissy. Most of it should be spent on the defense for me. Another striker wouldn’t hurt as well so we can move Rivi on and I hear Armstrong is injured again, along with Aarons.

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  35. Eric Sykes:
    I also see quotes saying Liverpool may use players as makeweights in a swap for Gini. Has that ever happened in the history of the PL? I can’t recall a single instance, even though the press seem to like the concept and mention it now and again.

    I know Rafa likes Lucas, but unless we get rid of Tiote I don’t think we need him. I’d happily include Danny Ings in the deal.

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  36. Kimtoon:
    The defence has badly needed addressing for so many seasons now, it’s staggering that we can’t seem to sort it out properly. You expect haggling over forwards and taking time to land one but not so much defenders. They need to put up as much as they are prepared to pay and if it’s refused move on to plan b pronto,the season kicks off in 3 weeks and whom ever comes in needs time to gel.

    Kim – totally agree. We’ve got a busy & tough start to the season and defenders need to gel.

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  37. Kimtoon:
    Maybe stuff is dependent on certain players leaving, remember Mike said the cupboard was bare and we’d have to sell to fund incomings.

    He cannot lie straight in bed mate,it’s like that article I put on earlier has my mind churning

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  38. Eric Sykes:
    Sharpy: I don’t think we will spend all of the money that comes in as we will need a bit to cover the shortfall from dropping out of the PL. Once we have a big sale of either Gini or Sissoko I do expect Rafa to tie up any remaining business before our first game. I am hoping he can use his contacts in Spain and Italy to get us a couple of relative bargains as PL players are just too expensive at the moment.

    We are not looking at the top tier players whose values are insane. Maybe we can get the best player from a team in the lower half of Serie A or La Liga. Rafa would be the main draw but we could still probably double or even triple their wages.

    Eric – I agree that we won’t need to spend the money from both Gini & Sissoko – but certain all from one of them. If we then get rid of Krul & Janmaat, then I think I’d like to see that money spent.
    The thing for Rafa is creating squad space as well though – getting shot of that deadwood.

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  39. Lucas is a proper player. I’d take him all day long and move somebody out to accommodate him. He’s better than any DM we have.

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  40. Sharpy: I don’t really see that much dead wood. You certainly cannot call Sissoko, Gini, Krul and Janmaat deadwood, and I know you are not.

    That leaves Gouffy, Riviere and some of the loan players. I am probably forgetting someone but I think that Gouffran might do OK in The Championship and maybe even Riviere with his pace. I doubt any of this lot are on a ton of money so I don’t see it is as absolute priority. Just a bit of housecleaning towards the end of the transfer window.

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  41. Shamrock:
    Lucas is a proper player. I’d take him all day long and move somebody out to accommodate him. He’s better than any DM we have.

    Sham – I think he’d be happy to hook back up with Rafa as well mate, despite the drop. I don’t think he features in Klopps first team plans at all

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  42. Is Thauvin deadwood? I think we don’t know yet as Mcclaren was the one judging him and we all know how that turned out for every other part of the NUFC organisation.

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  43. Eric Sykes:
    Sharpy: I don’t really see that much dead wood. You certainly cannot call Sissoko, Gini, Krul and Janmaat deadwood, and I know you are not.

    That leaves Gouffy, Riviere and some of the loan players. I am probably forgetting someone but I think that Gouffran might do OK in The Championship and maybe even Riviere with his pace. I doubt any of this lot are on a ton of money so I don’t see it is as absolute priority. Just a bit of housecleaning towards the end of the transfer window.

    No mate, the first 3 you mention I don’t class as deadwood coz clubs will want to buy them & we’ll get decent money for them.

    I’m thinking players more like Vukic, Sammy, Bigi for example – I know they don’t take up much wages, but they take up places in a limited squad & who buys them?.

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  44. Lucas is 29 and only has a year left on his contract. I don’t think the fee would be a problem but I am not sure what wages he would want. Sell Colback to make room?

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  45. Eric Sykes:
    Is Thauvin deadwood? I think we don’t know yet as Mcclaren wasthe one judging him and we all know how that turned out for every other part of the NUFC organisation.

    Not for me mate, coz I think we could get decent money back for him.
    But personally I’d like to see him get a crack at it under Rafa. I don’t think McClaren wanted him so didnt really do much with him.
    I’m interested in what’s going to happen with him & Saivet.

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  46. Sharpy: the 3 you mention have no future at NUFC but they are an afterthought at the moment. Someone will take them on a free if it comes down to that.

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  47. Everybody mentions Thauvin being lightweight but that hasn’t stopped some others. Here are a few examples: Payet, Pires, Silva, Ozil, Mahrez, Luarent Robert. There are numerous others, think about Giggs when he first burst onto the scene, he was about 9 stone soaking wet.

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  48. It so funny watching bloggers touting senior premier league players as good players to come to the toon. HELLO….we are in the championship, and a wee club from up north with a top manager but a massively lopsided squad… No serious senior pros worth there salt will drop down a league to slum it with the toon !
    It looks like Kloppo’s favourite Götze is heading back to Dortmund, so Liverpool will pick up the next best thing, Wijnaldum, who will prove to be a great signing for Liverpool, 22 million, and kerching Ashley has made money on him, ditto the deal with Sissoko.
    We’ll move heaven and earth to persuade average Championship players to join us, but will fail, whilst still having a massive surplus in the bank from the sale of our ageing senior pros, Wijnaldum and sissoko. We should still have enough about us to gain promotion though…

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  49. Eric Sykes:
    Sharpy: I don’t really see that much dead wood. You certainly cannot call Sissoko, Gini, Krul and Janmaat deadwood, and I know you are not.

    That leaves Gouffy, Riviere and some of the loan players. I am probably forgetting someone but I think that Gouffran might do OK in The Championship and maybe even Riviere with his pace. I doubt any of this lot are on a ton of money so I don’t see it is as absolute priority. Just a bit of housecleaning towards the end of the transfer window.

    Eric i have a feeling Rafa will use Riviere as first Back-up for Mitrovic ,we all know Mitro will pick up cards and get suspended for games . Riviere could come in usefull for the champioship as you say he has pace and he can hold the ball Well . He is never going too be prolific but maybe could become an outlet for bringing others into play .

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  50. LIBAW: I think Riviere will be more effective in the Championship where his pace will scare a few of the slower players. He may even find his scoring boots. He has never really had a run in the team or been played where he was not the only one up front which obviously doesn’t suit him.

    I am not willing to write anybody off apart from the ones who failed on loan like Sammy.

    I is hard to judge anybody when they have played in a team with no confidence under Carver and McClaren. Look at Sissoko, we saw what he did under them, he underachieved massively. But clubs are now looking at him based on his France performances and wondering what if he was surrounded by good players, in a system that suited him with a manager who knew how to get him focused.

    Unfortunately, NUFC had none of that under Carver and Schteve and Pards tried to turn every wide player into fullbacks.

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  51. Yeah Eric..as people might know, I’m not Thauvinss biggest fan, but if he’s given a run by Rafa this season then he gets a clean slate from me – along with anybody else Rafa shows trust in. McClaren really was awful and the dressing room must have been toxic. There must be more to a lot of our players that we did not see last season.

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  52. Eric, just a realist mate. I know its tough to digest but it will sink in sooner or later ?

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  53. I think a few of us may be in for a shock with the coming season. Whilst I do feel we will go up it will not be a walk in the park, championship teams are a lot stronger since we last dropped. I have only seen games here and there like but the standard of some games was very good. We could of done with keeping Townsend and Gini really as they would of been the difference in a lot of our games.

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  54. Brilliant piece of business by the toon regarding Wijnaldum, bought for 14 mill, sold for 20 all in the space of a year. A success story this toon style, sissoko next, then Perez…. kerching….

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  55. Kimtoon, dead right, we may have a large squad of big league players, but i’m curious to see how Rafa has managed to get the players to gel at the end of the day… Plus everyone will be aftr our scalp, Leeds, Sheff Wed etc plus the two other relegated teams…

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  56. I don’t really get it when people say our squad was really too good to go down but are now not good enough to go back up, even with 5 quality additions. The narrative here and elsewhere has been that if only Rafa was given a few more games we would have survived and yet with his hand-picked additions we might struggle to go up straight away.

    I know it is a demanding schedule and supposedly a more physical league. But it is also a slower league with far fewer quality players and still a lot of journeymen pros who our expensively assembled team should own. Not to mention we have a world class manager who is known for setting up teams in an organised fashion.

    Even if Gini and Sissoko leave I bet we could put an 11 together where every single selection would be chosen for the first team of any other Championship club. Maybe Leeds or Brighton have one better forward that Gayle, but then he would replace someone else there.

    The rest of the division have one or two internationals in their teams, we have them all over the park. You may say what good did it do us and I will reply – Carver and McClaren.

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  57. What I am saying is let’s pick a NUFC first 11 and then ask any other team in the division to take any one of them and see if they would not be an automatic pick for their own team? Or, if money was no object would you swap your Manager for the NUFC Manager?

    We will walk The Championship.

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  58. Eric, I think we went down because of a number of things mate. Poor Managers,poor tactics, a lopsided squad, very poor defence and a few players who simply weren’t trying enough or had no heart. We saw when Rafa came in that a number of underperforming players suddenly pulled their socks up and the defence was better organised too, but it was all too late by then ofcourse. Now we have an injection of fresh faces who seem very happy to be with us and we still most importantly have Rafa. I’m thinking we’ll go up but we still need additions, particularly in defence.

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  59. We won’t have a poor squad, a poor manager, a lop sided squad, bad team spirit or mercenaries looking to leave by the time the season starts. For that reason I say we will walk it – but won’t reach the points tally Hoots achieve.

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  60. Kimtoon: we will get another central defender. That seems to be the priority. I would also like any players who leave to be replaced like for like, except Krul who has already been replaced. As I have said before, I am sure that Rafa will have some ideas from Italy or Spain once we know for certain who is leaving and the coffers are filled up.

    Not having imbeciles as manager will also help. I don’t class Pards as an imbecile. He was just an arrogant ***** who took all of the joy out of the game and had every player, no matter what their skill-set, play in his image.

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  61. Pardew was also hamstrung by a bying policy that did not reflect his own idea of a squad make up. He was a ***, but no doubt he would have done a lot better if he were not working with one hand tied behind his back. Tufty had a lot more sway than Pardew did, but he was awful compared to Pards.

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  62. Sham: I have actually lightened up a bit on Pards after seeing what came after him 🙂

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