Alves or Mancini

[El Jefecito]

You've only got enough money left for one or the other. Who would you go for?

For me this is a tricky one. There is no doubt in my mind that Alves is the better crosser of the two his 16 assists attest to that. He's very similar to Beckham in the way that he can cross from deep without having to beat a man. His goalscoring record is pretty weak though something like 3 goals last year.

Mancini on the other hand is almost the opposite he has a good goal record 12 last year and 6 assists. TBH I haven't see much of him, but I hold the opinion that adapting from Serie A would be easier than from La Liga.

The thing that really swings it for me is that I don't think we are setup to take most advantage of Alves crosses we are too weak in the air.

That said though Alves would be perfect if we are looking to play wing backs, he's more flexible as he can play in more positions.

Damn, I don't know

[NICKZS]

The main aspect from me, which you didn't speak about, is their primary positions in relation to where we need to be looking to improve. I think Pennant has shown that he is capable of making the right side his own during the second half of last season. People may disagree, but to me he looks like one of the best creative players in the squad when he is on form.

The left side, however, is different in that we have no outright first-teamer on that particular wing. Kewell, whilst being a talented player and one I like to watch when he is on his game, cannot give us any guarantee that his fitness woes are behind him. Gonzalez is out the door and Zenden isn't playing football for us anymore (was he ever?), so for me, this is the main area of concern after the CF spot.

So Mancini would be my preferred signing, although I suppose if there is any dough left after we sign him and Torres I wouldn't be adverse to a bid for Alves

[El Jefecito]

The main aspect from me, which you didn't speak about, is their primary positions in relation to where we need to be looking to improve. I think Pennant has shown that he is capable of making the right side his own during the second half of last season. People may disagree, but to me he looks like one of the best creative players in the squad when he is on form.

The left side, however, is different in that we have no outright first-teamer on that particular wing. Kewell, whilst being a talented player and one I like to watch when he is on his game, cannot give us any guarantee that his fitness woes are behind him. Gonzalez is out the door and Zenden isn't playing football for us anymore (was he ever?), so for me, this is the main area of concern after the CF spot.

So Mancini would be my preferred signing, although I suppose if there is any dough left after we sign him and Torres I wouldn't be adverse to a bid for Alves

Pennant was great at the end of the season BUT we don't have anyone in the middle to make the most of his crosses AND more importantly he doesn't score. Midfielders scoring is what Rafa's approach is all about.

Pennant is a good backup, but that is all he is. A backup.

[Howard_lfc]

Alves for me.

Kewell, JAR and Aurelio will provide enough from the left hand side. A decent right sided player will force SG back into the middle and remove the need for Pennant.

[Fowler_God]

I'd choose Mancini just because he has a bit more individual skill. Something that can help turn them tight games................... Although i would prefer Silva out of any of them

[NICKZS]

Pennant was great at the end of the season BUT we don't have anyone in the middle to make the most of his crosses AND more importantly he doesn't score. Midfielders scoring is what Rafa's approach is all about.

Pennant is a good backup, but that is all he is. A backup.

I disagree. Top-notch performances against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan prove that Pennant can cut it with Europe's elite. It is simply a matter of consistency. JP is a difficult player to discuss because everyone has such a differing range of opinion on his ability/mentality etc. but I am now more optimistic than I was at the half-way stage of last season that Pennant could be a very good player for us.

As for players making the most of his crossing, surely the reason we are bringing in a top striker is to do just that. Also, if we are taking that approach then I refer you to your initial post stating that Alves is a great crosser and seldom scores which should conclusively tell us that Mancini would be the better purchase

[El Jefecito]

I'd choose Mancini just because he has a bit more individual skill. Something that can help turn them tight games................... Although i would prefer Silva out of any of them

Silva is history. Have you seen much of Mancini? I haven't, I have hopes for him though!!!!!!!!!

[Reds08]

Neither. Contact Leverkusen and inform them that Voronin is so good we feel obliged to pay a decent fee for him, out of contract or not.

[peekay]

I disagree. Top-notch performances against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan prove that Pennant can cut it with Europe's elite. It is simply a matter of consistency. JP is a difficult player to discuss because everyone has such a differing range of opinion on his ability/mentality etc. but I am now more optimistic than I was at the half-way stage of last season that Pennant could be a very good player for us.

As for players making the most of his crossing, surely the reason we are bringing in a top striker is to do just that. Also, if we are taking that approach then I refer you to your initial post stating that Alves is a great crosser and seldom scores which should conclusively tell us that Mancini would be the better purchase

Pennant when on form has been very good this season.I will give him that.But I would like to have a winger who when on form causes the opposition defenders to **** in their pants.The sort of player when on fire causes a buzz on the ground as soon as he gets the ball. Pennant has not reached that level yet.But if he continues to improve the way he has he can reach that level.

[Fowler_God]

Silva is history. Have you seen much of Mancini? I haven't, I have hopes for him though!!!!!!!!!

I have seen Mancini's Match of the day moments (youtube). I suppose anyone looks decent when its just clips taken from a whole season. But from what the clips show, he does have something we lack in the squad, i.e someone with good close control and good a dribbling.

The only concern about Mancini is that he is 27 now and has not established himself as a world star. Is he just a one trick pony, one season wonder or is he a late bloomer?

Alves to me does not offer something drastically different from what we have. (he is better than Pennant, but we could get by with Pennant for another season) He would have to play right midfield because he is far to indisciplined for right back

[NICKZS]

Pennant when on form has been very good this season.I will give him that.But I would like to have a winger who when on form causes the opposition defenders to **** in their pants.The sort of player when on fire causes a buzz on the ground as soon as he gets the ball. Pennant has not reached that level yet.But if he continues to improve the way he has he can reach that level.

Exactly, and I hope will next season.

[Rehan]

Tricky one, both are class players, mancini would probably be a little cheaper and more realistic option.

Mancini can beat his man, has more skill. while alves is more of a energy player, pass and move type and has got a decent cross on him.

Mancini would edge it for me just.

[El Jefecito]

I have seen Mancini's Match of the day moments (youtube). I suppose anyone looks decent when its just clips taken from a whole season. But from what the clips show, he does have something we lack in the squad, i.e someone with good close control and good a dribbling.

The only concern about Mancini is that he is 27 now and has not established himself as a world star. Is he just a one trick pony, one season wonder or is he a late bloomer?

Alves to me does not offer something drastically different from what we have. (he is better than Pennant, but we could get by with Pennant for another season) He would have to play right midfield because he is far to indisciplined for right back

If we play him @ right back, then I have to say he is MUCH better than Finnan going forward. If Carra can be trusted to cover for him, then he will be a great contributor.

[dww]

If we play him @ right back, then I have to say he is MUCH better than Finnan going forward. If Carra can be trusted to cover for him, then he will be a great contributor.

I think that in Rafas ideal team the fullbacks would be athletic but ball playing - like Alves. Contributing as much in attack as defence.

I would currently rather us get Mancini than Alves as I don't see Alves giving the goal threat we lack at right mid and I think it is midfield which is the current priority. I've not seen a lot of Mancini but a lot of people seem to rate him and he seems to score goals - so for those reasons I would like to see him rather than Alves come into our squad.

[El Jefecito]

I think that in Rafas ideal team the fullbacks would be athletic but ball playing - like Alves. Contributing as much in attack as defence.

I would currently rather us get Mancini than Alves as I don't see Alves giving the goal threat we lack at right mid and I think it is midfield which is the current priority. I've not seen a lot of Mancini but a lot of people seem to rate him and he seems to score goals - so for those reasons I would like to see him rather than Alves come into our squad.

What if Alves got his 16 assists from Midfield / RW?