Summer '08: Ins and Outs

Gooch would be cheaper than expected because by many opinions of the English, he stunk it up in his short stint a Newcastle last season. Too bad for Newcastle, and Gooch, but possibly good business for Us.

 

Kris Boyd apparently is 'just a poacher'. That's apparently the main reason he doesn't play more for Rangers or the Scottish national team.

He's stronger than Healy though.

 

I dont understand the Gooch talk. We let Boca go and whenever the two are side by side it's usually Gooch making the costly mistakes - real or imagined (by the ref).

 

Gooch is at a disadvantage in the international game I think. He's too big and too physical. He probably can do the job in the EPL once he gets his bearings.

He's need to move to England now, if he's going to move... eveen if it's to Stoke or West Brom, or whomever.

 

Gooch would be a good fit in Scotland.

 

John Arne Riise anyone? I read he might go to Roma for $6 million. Fulham can afford that.

 

I like Riise too. Attacking player who I think would benefit from a change of scene and add to the goal-scoring potential at Fulham. The shots he sends in from behind the penalty box by themselves would create chances for goals. At his best, his shot is difficult for a keeper to hold on to (opportunities for a poacher). He would add another layer of threat to Fulham.

 

Riise is not worth $6 million. He lost his starting gig by half-way through the season and then had one of those historically bad moments in the CL where you never know if he'll ever be the same (too much money to gamble). Top that with going from Anfield to the other end of the table and it's a recipe for disaster. He needs a change, but if I was his advisor I would tell him to go to a different league.

 

Very interesting on the Paul Scharner front.

http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=339637

 

Will we be allowed to put them on a surf board to see if they can stay on?

 

John Arne Riise is worth $6 million, as that is about 50 quid these days.

 

Riise will be determined to prove a point at a new club. He's one of the players who has suffered from Benitez's approach. With a manager who values a hybrid midfielder/back with no fear of taking the fight to the opposition end, I think he'll prove his worth.

 

What little I remember about him while watching Wigan was pretty positive, although I can't really give any specifics. One thing I remember is that he was the single ugliest player in the Prem last year, the winner of the David Seaman award.

 

If I recall correctly, David Seaman wasn't tremendously ugly other than an awful mustache and an even more awful pony tail.

 

Niemi ready for a move

 

Pretty much why I said this on the first page of this thread:

Roy likes hybrid winger/fullbacks, and he likes Scandanavians...a perfect fit! He makes £30K a week, which I'm sure we can do.

 

And, don't forget, he's a ginger!!

 

Tough to blame the guy, after being supplanted by Keller and then (presumably) by Schwarzer. We owe plenty to him for how well he played in 2006-07, and if he doesn't want to stay here and be a backup then I hope he finds someplace where he can start and be successful.