Right then, who should we sign?

[Yellow Fever]

I also think Jerome will do well with us in the PL. At Stoke, he scored 10 goals in 18 starts and 38 sub appearances over 3 years. As a regular starter he's far more likely to score more regularly. I'd predict 10-12 goals if he's our regular striker this season. Grabban will do OK with his movement and he has the ability to play wide as well, which will be useful. Not sure whether Hooper will be willing to be third choice striker, but if he is then certainly one or both RvW or Lafferty will move on.

For me, a quality left-sided CB is what we need most.

 

[KeiranShikari]

Do you think Martin is better player than Bassong? 

 

[Baggie192]

Mulumbu will be an awesome signing. I was sorry to see him go

 

[morty]

Mulumbu will be an awesome signing. I was sorry to see him go

Why didn't he play much after he came back from the African cup last season? Hope this isn't going to be an issue.

 

[Baggie192]

Why didn't he play much after he came back from the African cup last season? Hope this isn't going to be an issue.

He did have an injury, but, truth is Pulis liked Yacob more

 

[KeiranShikari]

I think the signing of Darren Fletcher probably played some part as well.

Got the feeling looking at the West Brom forums that under the right manager Mulumbu would be able to reignite his career. I think we have that manager.

 

[Baggie192]

I think the signing of Darren Fletcher probably played some part as well.

Got the feeling looking at the West Brom forums that under the right manager Mulumbu would be able to reignite his career. I think we have that manager.

True, he dropped down the pecking order when Fletcher came as he took Mulumbu's role in the Yacob partnership. Put it like this, since, Mulumbu was at WBA. we've only been outside the prem once and that was the season he signed. Cracking player. I just wish the Takeover would get cleared up. So we knew where we stood

 

[Yellow Fever]

Not many teams carry 3 DM's, so something had to give at West Brom. I agree that a fresh start could give Youssouf a new lease on life, whether alongside Tettey against the big teams, or alongside Howson or Odjidja-Ofoe when we are being more attacking.

 

[Baggie192]

Not many teams carry 3 DM's, so something had to give at West Brom. I agree that a fresh start could give Youssouf a new lease on life, whether alongside Tettey against the big teams, or alongside Howson or Odjidja-Ofoe when we are being more attacking.

You've got a player who'll get his fair share of goals even though he's a DM

 

[Yellow Fever]

Agree with that, Baggie192, and I really like AN's take on it:

"The fact that we've been able to pick Youssouf up on a free transfer is a fantastic piece of business. He has vast experience of the Premier League but he's still at a good age. You generally say that a player comes into their peak between 27 and 32, and he's right in the middle of that. He's another fantastic player to add to an already-strong squad going into the Premier League."

 

[Suffolk Canary]

Latest rumour - Dieumerci Mbokani (good luck with that one Chris Goreham).   The Sun, the first to report on us going for Mulumbu, saying we've bid 5.5m for him.  He's 29 and wants to leave Dynamo Kiev to have a crack in the PL before its too late.  looking at his score rate, it would probably be worth the gamble. 

 

[morty]

Latest rumour - Dieumerci Mbokani (good luck with that one Chris Goreham).   The Sun, the first to report on us going for Mulumbu, saying we've bid 5.5m for him.  He's 29 and wants to leave Dynamo Kiev to have a crack in the PL before its too late.  looking at his score rate, it would probably be worth the gamble. 

Rumours like this throw up the question for me though, given recent experiences, how likely are we to gamble a bit on a player unproven in the Premiership? Are we actually a bit more likely to be looking closer to home? 

We don't really know Alex Neils style and thoughts on what he would be looking for in his first proper transfer window.

My hunch is that he would be looking for young, raw talent that he can mould, not journeymen.

 

[KeiranShikari]

If we were to sign another Congo player I'd hope it was the defender Chancel Mbemba.

 

[Suffolk Canary]

My hunch is that he would be looking for young, raw talent that he can mould, not journeymen.

It sounds perfect in theory, but the problem with that is that they're often unproven at higher levels of football and could end up being flops. And those young players who can genuinely do the job are often very expensive. Young players are much more of a gamble. For every Nathan Redmond there's two Jacob Butterfields.

Even if this guy only got 7/8 goals this season, that could be the difference between surviving or not. Especially in our first season up, we need people who we know will always do a job. Mulumbu and Dorrans are perfect examples of that. Players who will always give you 7/10 performances every week are what we need. 

 

[morty]

It sounds perfect in theory, but the problem with that is that they're often unproven at higher levels of football and could end up being flops. And those young players who can genuinely do the job are often very expensive. Young players are much more of a gamble. For every Nathan Redmond there's two Jacob Butterfields.

Even if this guy only got 7/8 goals this season, that could be the difference between surviving or not. Especially in our first season up, we need people who we know will always do a job. Mulumbu and Dorrans are perfect examples of that. Players who will always give you 7/10 performances every week are what we need. 

I think though, that we have enough Premiership experience within the squad to carry it. This is very, very different to when we went up a few seasons ago, when basically most of the first team squad needed upgrading.

 

[brhdodds]

If we were to sign another Congo player I'd hope it was the defender Chancel Mbemba.

Agreed. A really strong and powerful young centre back, I'd also take Cavanda the Lazio RB and Bolasie (although we couldn't afford him).

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Rumours like this throw up the question for me though, given recent experiences, how likely are we to gamble a bit on a player unproven in the Premiership? Are we actually a bit more likely to be looking closer to home? 

We don't really know Alex Neils style and thoughts on what he would be looking for in his first proper transfer window.

My hunch is that he would be looking for young, raw talent that he can mould, not journeymen.

Agree with this. Got our fingers burned splurging money at unproven players. We'd be better off trying to pick up bargains from abroad (like Swansea did with Michu) but splashing the cash on players proven at this level and in this country

 

[KeiranShikari]

BREAKING: Sky Sources: Norwich make enquiry to Blackburn over striker Rudy Gestede. #SSNHQ

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ)

June 26, 2015

This would be good.

 

[ZLF]

At least it is the better of the two strikers from blackburn.   Interesting it is an "enquired",  not offered for,  quote.

I am hoping for a striker clearly better than we have;  while he is a good champs striker I am not sure he is any or much better than jerome or grabban - which would be an expensive addition at £7m when those two cost under £5m between them.

But best bit is confirmation that we are looking to get a striker.

 

[KeiranShikari]

1 in 2 strike rate over 2 seasons in an average Rovers side. Scores lots of headers but gets the poacher type goals too. Could play the lone role but has proven he can link up well with another forward.

Could quite well be this season's Ulloa. Really hope it happens.