Sunderland reject Liverpool offer for striker Jones

[keniget]

Yeah, I don't really like the guy either, but seeing as Rafa likes to play with a second striker, he'd be a pretty good Jan buy. I don't think Barca would put up much of a fight, if any, to keep him and the fee would be relatively low. What's more, he's miles better than Kuyt.

[einar]

Crouch's first touch and technical ability is excellent. They are without doubt his best attributes. There's no way that this Jones fella is better in that department. As for being quicker and a better header of the ball....well that's not really hard is it.

And if 'you're not sure about this player' but reckon he's still better than Crouch you must really think Crouch is complete and utter crap.

I would agree that those are Coruch´s best attributes. And I admit I have not seen much of Jones, but I would not be surprised if Jones is better in that department.

And what I said was that IMO he is a better footballer then Crouch, virtually all his physical abilities are better. There are other things to consider like attitude and work rate that I am not sure about.

What I feel is often the problem with both Crouch and Kuyt is the play tends to really slow down when the ball has to go through them. I dont think that would happen with Jones.

[einar]

Anelka or Gudjohnsen would be my choices as well if we were in the market for a striker in January. I think Gudjohnsen and Torres could dovetail brilliantly together.

I would agree with all that. But would not both these be at least 10m

Maybe the fact is that no one is prepared to pay 10m cash for Crouch. So if Rafa rates Jones at 6-7m then this could be a good solution?

[einar]

Completely agree.
We do need class, not another "option".

If we are not minted, Eidur is a good shout imo.
Gudjohnsen is a top link striker with an eye for a pass, but who can also score. A lot of people here scream about his acting to get Alonso a yellow, but forget that, he is a good footballer. Even if all the Icelandic fans on here say he is a ******.

He is IMO a far better footballer then Kuyt or Voronin. But he is pushing 30 and his behavior while injured or on international break has apparently been less then professional.

[tomasjj]

I would agree that those are Coruch´s best attributes. And I admit I have not seen much of Jones, but I would not be surprised if Jones is better in that department.

And what I said was that IMO he is a better footballer then Crouch, virtually all his physical abilities are better. There are other things to consider like attitude and work rate that I am not sure about.

What I feel is often the problem with both Crouch and Kuyt is the play tends to really slow down when the ball has to go through them. I dont think that would happen with Jones.

Very important point. But sometimes Crouch needs to hold the ball up for our team to move up the pitch, other times it just slows our play and thus render us less dangerous.

[keniget]

I would agree with all that. But would not both these be at least 10m

Maybe the fact is that no one is prepared to pay 10m cash for Crouch. So if Rafa rates Jones at 6-7m then this could be a good solution?

Barca only paid 8M for Gudjohnsen and he's not considered an important player there. They won't demand an exhorbitant fee for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he went for around 6-7M Euros.

As for whether Jones would be a better solution because he might be cheaper?

Crouch - bought as a cheaper option... now we are looking to sell two years later.

Bellamy - bought as a cheap option... sold a year later.

Morientes - sold 18 months later.

Kuyt - *needs* to be sold...

Do you see a pattern emerging here?

[einar]

If Rafa is after that kind of player then he should be looking to sign Huntelaar.

They are surely very different players. Would work well together. Both can operate as target men, but isnt Huntelaar more of a fox in the box kind of player?

[einar]

Very important point. But sometimes Crouch needs to hold the ball up for our team to move up the pitch, other times it just slows our play and thus render us less dangerous.

From what I saw yesterday Jones if far better at holding the ball up then Crouch. He hardly made a mistake all game.

[einar]

Barca only paid 8M for Gudjohnsen and he's not considered an important player there. They won't demand an exhorbitant fee for him. I wouldn't be surprised if he went for around 6-7M Euros.

As for whether Jones would be a better solution because he might be cheaper?

Crouch - bought as a cheaper option... now we are looking to sell two years later.

Bellamy - bought as a cheap option... sold a year later.

Morientes - sold 18 months later.

Kuyt - *needs* to be sold...

Do you see a pattern emerging here?

According to the news up here a few teams are looking at Gudjonsson and the fee mentioned is always between 10 and 12m pounds.

Yes I see the pattern and like you I hope to God that we will not be doing that anymore. I just have a sneaking suspicion that Rafa sees more in this player then we do. ( I still realize the news could be just crap )

[cobain]

Give them Kuyt not Crouch

[einar]

Give them Kuyt not Crouch

I agree.

[tsb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXYeiYVx1w

He's not bad at all. Scores loads with his head and comfortable shooting with either foot. Not £10m but worth a punt in the window (if we're still in Europe!).

[Harv]

Gudjohnsen would be a great buy IMO.

As Keniget said he would cost bugger all, and we know what to expect from him.

Ive seen Jones a couple of time, and to be fair he does look a decent player.......he's not worth the gamble at £10m though.

[Harv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXYeiYVx1w

He's not bad at all. Scores loads with his head and comfortable shooting with either foot. Not £10m but worth a punt in the window (if we're still in Europe!).

he certainly got some vertical leap on him.

Heading ability looks good too, he knows what do do.

Im not sure what he could do with our piss poor delivery into the box though.

[einar]

Gudjohnsen would be a great buy IMO.

As Keniget said he would cost bugger all, and we know what to expect from him.

Ive seen Jones a couple of time, and to be fair he does look a decent player.......he's not worth the gamble at £10m though.

Not according to news in Iceland.