January Transfer Window 2013 (General)

[Shaggy]

Remember this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4792270.stm

Pardew questions Arsenal policy

West Ham boss Alan Pardew has hit out at Arsene Wenger for not fielding an English player in Arsenal's Champions League win against Real Madrid.

"I saw a headline saying Arsenal are flying the flag for Britain," he said.

"I kind of wondered where that British involvement actually was when I looked at their team.

"It's important that top clubs don't lose sight of the fact that it's the English Premier League and English players should be involved."

Pardew added: "Foreign players have been fantastic. We have learned from them and from foreign coaches.

"But, to some extent, we could lose the soul of British football - the English player.

"We have a young team at West Ham and we are proud we have so many Englishmen.

"The soul of this team will remain with at least three or four English players as long as I am West Ham. I think that's important, I really do."

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "It's an English club but not an English success, it's probably a greater reflection of youngsters from France and elsewhere in Europe.

"It's hard to say that it speaks volumes for English football when none of the players are homegrown."

Taylor said of Arsenal's victory against Real Madrid: "It's tinged with disappointment. Arsene Wenger chooses the team and has got them through and the quality is there for all to see.

"However, it would be more enjoyable if we saw Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell as part of it.

"It's a bit odd to look for the silver lining being England's players being fresh for the World Cup."

[dww]

They did some great buys like Cabaye, Tiote or Ben Arfa.

No reason not to continue with that.

Aren't all those players still there and they are a bit **** now? I can't help but feel that people over rated their recent recruitment last season. They are good players but not spectacular and several like Ben Arfa have continued their struggle for consistent fitness and/or form.

[Chris]

Their Cheif Scout Graham Carr did some great buys like Cabaye or Ben Arfa.

No reason not to continue with that.

Yeah though Tiote was from Holland.

[Mostar]

Aren't all those players still there and they are a bit **** now? I can't help but feel that people over rated their recent recruitment last season. They are good players but not spectacular and several like Ben Arfa have continued their struggle for consistent fitness and/or form.

They had been injured and suspended and really rarely played together this year.

They are not superstars but all 3 are very good players and all of them could bring in 3 times as much or more Newcastle paid for them.

[Gibbo]

Cabaye was one of the best signings of the last few years. He was a bargain for the price.

[Mostar]

Yeah though Tiote was from Holland.

Yep. He was.

[dww]

I'm not so sure about that profit thing - they are on bigger wages now and all have shown that they are as injury prone as their cheap fees suggested their former clubs thought they were. At best they are good but fragile. I guess 'a bit ****' was an exaggeration but they aren't the CL level players many made out IMO.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I'm not so sure about that profit thing - they are on bigger wages now and all have shown that they are as injury prone as their cheap fees suggested their former clubs thought they were. At best they are good but fragile. I guess 'a bit ****' was an exaggeration but they aren't the CL level players many made out IMO.

I think both Cabaye and Ben Arfa are easily CL level players, Tiote is arguable and so is Krul but their defense have been awful. Debuchy looks a good signing though and Cisse is hit and miss.

[Chazza]

Ben Arfa is not consistent enough and seems to cop the dog on a regular basis.

[Assassin]

Poor Neil

[Fosterbloke]

I'd have Cabaye and Cisse in our team for sure.

[MrMichael]

I think both Cabaye and Ben Arfa are easily CL level players, Tiote is arguable and so is Krul but their defense have been awful. Debuchy looks a good signing though and Cisse is hit and miss.

Their defence is truly bad, Williamson is among the worst players I've ever seen in the Premiership

I think Tiote is **** though. Seriously seriously over rated, the guy is a complete liability in possession and this season has spent more time kicking people than he has actually winning the ball. The Geordies I know were praying some fools would offer them good money for him last summer, can't see anyone buying him after how he's been playing recently

I'd have Cabaye and Cisse in our team for sure.

Cisse? Pfffft, another over rated player. Everything he hit went in last year but his overall play, ball control etc is very average. I would much rather have Sturridge.

Cabaye is pretty decent though and I rate Ben Arfa, think he could be excellent in a better team.

[ric.williams]

Cisse? Pfffft, another over rated player. Everything he hit went in last year but his overall play, ball control etc is very average. I would much rather have Sturridge.

Ive seen him play a bit and he has no idea about the offside rule. its laughable at times

[Lee]

Their defence is truly bad, Williamson is among the worst players I've ever seen in the Premiership

I think Tiote is **** though. Seriously seriously over rated, the guy is a complete liability in possession and this season has spent more time kicking people than he has actually winning the ball. The Geordies I know were praying some fools would offer them good money for him last summer, can't see anyone buying him after how he's been playing recently

Cisse? Pfffft, another over rated player. Everything he hit went in last year but his overall play, ball control etc is very average. I would much rather have Sturridge.

Cabaye is pretty decent though and I rate Ben Arfa, think he could be excellent in a better team.

I've liked Krul for years now but he's hardly a world class keeper. Arfa is class though and Cabaye is okay. The rest of them are merely average.

Can't see why people wank themselves silly over Newcastle's scouting network.

[Captain Stu]

They're taking a lot of risks recruiting so heavily from a weaker league.