The Crow - Voronin

[El Jefecito]

Could explain Voronin though.

[jonesie]

27-year-old, proven international, decent international scoring record, can play in a couple of positions, strong, played for a good club like Leverkusen, not costing us anything.

Nothing wrong with that in my book. Get him in.

[disco]

The most likely explaination is that Voronin is a straight replacement for Fowler who's leaving/retiring. A replacement 4th choice striker who's versatile, on a free, an international and who's got a decent goalscoring record, and Rafa does like possibilities. If he works out nobody will complain.

I mean how many top clubs have 4 strikers who should be starting. I can't think of one.

Is that true? I agree that most teams have a clear 'ranking' of their strikers, but Man U and Arsenal certainly play 4 strikers interchangably.

We apparently only use Fowler as a sub

[Chris]

We apparently only use Fowler as a sub

Thats because he cant run anymore im sure he'd of had more games if he could run properly

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Is that true? I agree that most teams have a clear 'ranking' of their strikers, but Man U and Arsenal certainly play 4 strikers interchangably.

We apparently only use Fowler as a sub

Do they?

The scum's first choices are Rooney and Saha, with Larsson and Solskjaer as backups - albeit excellent ones.

Chelsea have Drogba and Shevchenko and not much else.

Arsenal do have good depth in this area, but are you honestly telling me that for example Baptista - a brazilian international - is happy sitting on the bench for most games?

And have we even signed this lad yet?

Lets also not forget that we have Luis Garcia who can also play up front, where he's best IMO.

I think it makes sense. Why waste money on a 4th choice forward when you can sign a decent one for nothing, and save what transfer money you have for your top targets. Because not for one minute do I think we'll be spending £70m, £80m this summer as has been suggested.

[disco]

Whether a top player is happy being not guaranteed a starting place is a different matter, although a fair point.

As you've said though, fact is Arsenal and Scum have those 4 players

Whether we will also IF this guy joins/has joined I really don't know - I'll have to watch him in the 2nd leg

[captainfog]

this story in all over bbc website as well,

his goal per game ration looks quite unimpressive......really don't why we are signing him. If he is 4th choice then why not get a youngster? by the time we get this Veronica bloke he will be 28......Also, Rafa can't surely be thinking of making him first choice?? I admit I know very little about him, but the stats suggest he won't improve our current front line, therefore, why bother?

a nothing signing......Parry and Rafa, please try harder.

[disco]

Whether a top player is happy being not guaranteed a starting place is a different matter, although a fair point.

As you've said though, fact is Arsenal and Scum have those 4 players

Whether we will also IF this guy joins/has joined I really don't know - I'll have to watch him in the 2nd leg

Unless anyone has a Youtube video of him

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZp8O3kAak

[Chris]

According to soccernet, his record in the Bundesliga since signing for Leverkusen in 04 is 64 starts + 16 sub appearances, 28 goals. Is that that disastrous? Looks good to me. Rather than Voronin having a lack of ability I think some are just worried that this means we wont sign a top striker and I dont think that'll be the case at all, Rafa clearly has doubts about playing Bellamy at Anfield which is obviously not what you want in a striker, will Crouchy stay? Who knows but I dont think this signing rules out getting another one in, to be honest it could be a marvellous piece of wheeling and dealing.

Get this bloke for free, Keep Voronin, Kuyt, one of Bellamy/Crouch, sell the not wanted one and put that towards an improvement on one of them. Rafa said in the Echo about a week ago that its good we'll have more money as we only need top players to improve the team, he knows the score.

[disco]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZp8O3kAak

Nice goal, but I have to see a compilation to be sure

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Nice goal, but I have to see a compilation to be sure

Doesn't have one.

Must be ****e then. :whatever:

[Redlife]

ALRIGHT! A UKRAINIAN STRIKER!



....high fives all round!

[Parm]

having read the stuff you guys posted about him, i'm not sure about this guy. He seems to be some sort or Ukranian James beattie.

[Sir Bob]

the worrying thing for me about voronin is that he's been in Germany for 10 seasons yet the really big German teams have never bought him.

You can't help but think that if he was all that good Bayern or Dortmund would have had him by now. For a 4th striker I prefer a really top class player who is a bit past their best. United do this perfectly in Larsson & Solsjkaer. At their best both were top class and can still do a job but only for a limited period in games. I just think Voronin has never been at that level in his career.
I'd have gone for someone like Montella, on loan at Fulham. Top class in his day but probably past his best. however, would still be happy not to be 1st choice at a big club but still has great ability when required.