Gary Cahill will go. I hope for ?16m +. I would like to see two quality fullbacks, robbie keane and another magic loanee.

Reflect on a fantasic season where financially we have punched well above our weight.

Stu Holden back and expecting much from Lee

Happy days!

Larsson's no worse than Lee.

Sell lee and replace with Larsson on a free. Use the Lee money to strengthen elsewhere.

Larsson is a good player. He knocks in a few goals and his crossing is decent. His touch and technical ability are not as good as Lee's (and Lee retains the ball far better because of this), but he's fully accustomed to the league and has more experience at this level. He'd be a good signing on a free. I think Lee has more potential though, but that's something we'll only find out with time.

 

Coyle has a lot of work to do this summer. We'll start next season without our three best players from this season (Cahill, Holden and Sturridge) and replacing the spine of a decent side is next to impossible without major investment - which we don't have.

 

We need a goal scorer up-front, a midfielder who can dictate the game, a creative player on the left and an intelligent centre back. All hard to find.

Can't believe I've just seen a suggestion that to replace Chungy with Larsson.

 

Chungy is twice the player. Twice the skill, twice the pace, twice the flair... and more than twice the amount of goals.

 

It can be no coincidence Chungy has been linked with the likes of Liverpool whereas there's only ever been interest by anyone in Larsson because he's free.

 

Don;t get me wrong, I'd have him here on a free too... but only as back-up to Chungy.

Larsson is essentially Matty Taylor with more pace and skill. Given that the problem with Taylor in our system is his lack of pace and ability to beat a fullback, that would seem to make Larsson a decent shout. We could use competition for Lee down the right.

Larsson is essentially Matty Taylor with more pace and skill. Given that the problem with Taylor in our system is his lack of pace and ability to beat a fullback, that would seem to make Larsson a decent shout. We could use competition for Lee down the right.

 

I agree. Larsson is still fairly slow for a wide midfielder, but certainly quicker than Taylor - but then again, so's my Mum.

 

He'd be a good signing to give Chungy competition. Currently, if Chungy is injured we're screwed.

 

Trouble is, he's going to want big bucks, hence him not signing a new one at Brum. He'd want more than we'd be willing to pay for someone to sit on the bench.

Can't believe I've just seen a suggestion that to replace Chungy with Larsson.

 

Chungy is twice the player. Twice the skill, twice the pace, twice the flair... and more than twice the amount of goals.

Skill and flair are difficult to quantify.

 

However, I'll show my arse if Chungy is twice as fast as Larsson, and basic maths tells me he doesn't score more than twice the goals.

Skill and flair are difficult to quantify.

 

However, I'll show my arse if Chungy is twice as fast as Larsson, and basic maths tells me he doesn't score more than twice the goals.

 

 

Okay, but I was near enough. It's not far off twice the goals. Also assists are pretty much double.

 

Tell me, if Larsson is so good, why's he been at Birmingham for 5 years and been allowed to run his contract down?

 

He's a decent enough player, but mid-table quality at best.

Edited May 4, 201115 yr by DazBobParr

Our major problem for next season is goals. We have no real goal-threat in the squad, aside from Sturridge. The other striking options don't fill me with confidence and there is no regular goal-threat in our midfield.

 

It's a major problem.

Our major problem for next season is goals. We have no real goal-threat in the squad, aside from Sturridge. The other striking options don't fill me with confidence and there is no regular goal-threat in our midfield.

 

It's a major problem.

 

Agreed again, which is why I'm so surprised that I see people suggesting we get shut of our only decent goal threat from midfield.

Our major problem for next season is goals. We have no real goal-threat in the squad, aside from Sturridge. The other striking options don't fill me with confidence and there is no regular goal-threat in our midfield.

 

It's a major problem.

 

Correct.

 

Elmander, Davies & Klasnic are very similar, in that they don't make runs or enjoy possession of the ball unlike Sturridge.

Dont be suprised if we sign Derek Riordan on a free from Hibs. Coyle was after him at Burnley and with us needing a few strikers he might see him on a free as a decent option for the squad.

I know our goalkeeping situation has been done to death but;

 

OC this morning - 'Al Habsi went to Wigan because I felt he'd been understudy for too long.. He will come back to Bolton at the end of the season.. The best player will get the shirt and it's up to them to keep hold of it..'

 

Could well be seeing Al Habsi starting next season.

 

Poll in the BN has Al Habsi on 70%.

I don't think we can keep both Jussi and Ali, unless Jussi is looking at a coaching role. Bogdan is being brought through and we have Lainton in the reserves who is well-regarded.

 

We either sell Jussi or Ali.

OC this morning - 'Al Habsi went to Wigan because I felt he'd been understudy for too long.. He will come back to Bolton at the end of the season.. The best player will get the shirt and it's up to them to keep hold of it..'

 

No doubt about it, if he really means what he says then Al Habsi will be between the sticks for us next season.

 

Can't help wondering if Jussi has spat his dummy over this, hence him being dropped last weekend.

I hope people don't expect Ali to be world class if he starts next season. He's a superb shot-stopper, but a limited 'keeper in other areas. He also makes errors. He's a good 'keeper, but not great. If people expect him to come in and be perfect, then he's going to get a lot of stick when they realise he isn't. He's similar to Jussi at that age. Superb one-on-one, but doesn't command his box.

 

Hopefully he'll get the support of the fans, even if he makes an horrific error (as he has for Wigan at times).

I hope people don't expect Ali to be world class if he starts next season. He's a superb shot-stopper, but a limited 'keeper in other areas. He also makes errors. He's a good 'keeper, but not great. If people expect him to come in and be perfect, then he's going to get a lot of stick when they realise he isn't. He's similar to Jussi at that age. Superb one-on-one, but doesn't command his box.

 

Hopefully he'll get the support of the fans, even if he makes an horrific error (as he has for Wigan at times).

 

When Jussi first started with us he did command the box. It was coached out of him!

Okay, but I was near enough. It's not far off twice the goals. Also assists are pretty much double.

 

Tell me, if Larsson is so good, why's he been at Birmingham for 5 years and been allowed to run his contract down?

 

He's a decent enough player, but mid-table quality at best.

Chungys's scored 9 since we signed him. Larsson has scored 9 in the same period.

 

But yes, near enough.

 

I wasn't suggesting Larsson is a world beater, or even that he's a better player than Lee.

 

Just that you were talking shit.

Yet you conveniently ignore when I said, "Tell me, if Larsson is so good, why's he been at Birmingham for 5 years and been allowed to run his contract down?"

 

Or would you prefer to stick to insults?

Yet you conveniently ignore when I said, "Tell me, if Larsson is so good, why's he been at Birmingham for 5 years and been allowed to run his contract down?"

 

Or would you prefer to stick to insults?

 

Why have bolton allowed their top scorer and record signing to run his contract down?

 

Brum have offered contracts but larsson hasn't signed them.

Why have bolton allowed their top scorer and record signing to run his contract down?

 

Brum have offered contracts but larsson hasn't signed them.

 

Simple really, because there's no way we will offer him the same wages that we signed him on as he's, on the whole, been shit. Elmander will be looking now at his last big contract and certainly won't want to take a pay cut.

 

Larsson on the other hand is presumably looking for a big rise from the contract he's on at Birmingham due to him actually being a fairly decent player. Also, with him being 25 years old he should be coming into his prime in the next couple of years.

 

I'd say the two situations are vastly different.

 

Anyway, my point was that if Larsson really is 'all that' then why haven't any bigger clubs come in and tried to sign him for a transfer fee - even when they got relegated he played for them in the Championship.

Edited May 5, 201115 yr by DazBobParr

Yet you conveniently ignore when I said, "Tell me, if Larsson is so good, why's he been at Birmingham for 5 years and been allowed to run his contract down?"

 

Or would you prefer to stick to insults?

 

Larsson and Chungys stats are very similar for the last two seasons. How can you call one shit and the other one good? Both players are better than each other at a couple of things but both have produced very similar returns.

 

So everybody who runs their contract down is shit? He has run his contract down because he wants to play for a better team. Brum have rejected offers for him before so now he has decided to run his contract down so he can have a choice of where he wants to go.

Larsson and Chungys stats are very similar for the last two seasons. How can you call one shit and the other one good? Both players are better than each other at a couple of things but both have produced very similar returns.

 

So everybody who runs their contract down is shit? He has run his contract down because he wants to play for a better team. Brum have rejected offers for him before so now he has decided to run his contract down so he can have a choice of where he wants to go.

 

Where have I called Larsson shit?

 

I've said they're both good players, but IMO Chungy is the better player who offers more. That's all.