doddisalegend

Found the website for these Football Observatory guys http://www.football-observatory.com/?lang=en They actually have a footballer valuing calculator so you can work out the value of any player also shows the criteria they use http://www.football-observatory.com/transfer-value

Best at what? conceding goals? making the most mistakes per game?

Errrrrmmmmm because he is an attacking midfielder (just not a goal scoring AM) and the other three are Defensive midfielders I know Ronald likes it tight at the back but I don't think even he wants to play 3 holding/defensive midfielders. If Davis is dropped it will be to play another attacking midfielder, which we don't really have, so it's either JWP (possible) or Gaston (pretty unlikely). Alternatively Koeman plays another attacking player like Juanmi or Mane in the number 10 but the early games we did that in we were to open so Koeman may not want to do that again. Really as a squad we are short a good defensive AM so I can see Davis playing a lot this season due to a lack of a better option.....sorry about that.

Except he doesn't seem to be an automatic starter which means someone else has to be up to the task. Tadic's penalties aren't the most convincing if I'm honest. Surprised Pelle doesn't have a go at taking them most strikers are up for taking penalties.

LOL I was using it as a silly example to make the same point you just have...... but with out the big words

One of the main criteria seems to be the players age so I'd guess any player around 30 or older will be consider less valuable due to their lack of future worth after 30 players value generally only goes downhill.

well according to the article CIES estimate transfer value by looking at a player's age, position, contract situation, international status, experience and performance. These factors are then magnified or diminished based upon the level of competition the individual is playing at, their team's results and their individual achievements. like I said it's all a bit arcane sums. If Morgan scores 40 goals this season he'd have been worth every penny (if not more). I always take these things with a pinch of salt but find them interesting anyway.

Article in the Mirror. After doing some arcane sums some one has come up with 20 players who clubs paid to much for this summer. No saints buys on the list but apparently Morgan was the 11th most overpriced player in Europe this summer (so good job Les and co I guess). Interesting to see some signings other PL teams made as not being seen as not good value although, I guess, if those players perform well they won't be seen as over expensive. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/summer-transfer-windows-20-most-6398792

He works his socks off closing down and pressing the opposition usual he is pretty good at retaining possession and finding a pass. What lets him down is the more dynamic side of the game going forward plus literally no goal scoring ability.

The bbc had Rickie down as Motm despite coming on as a sub so clearly he is not quite finished yet.

I think the reason some young players aren't perceived to do well at Arsenal has more to do with arsenals seemingly endless ability to injure players. Ramsey, Walcott, Wilshire and Oxo all seem to have had a horrendous amount of injuries as young Arsenal players which can't be good for their development.

Really can't believe anyone thinks PL footballers are underpaid

No but then I wouldn't want Jose Fonte (or any other footballer) trying to care for me during a serious medical incident either. One kicks a footballer around the other does an actual job of importance HTBH.

LOL let me dry my eyes. All PL footballers (and probably most in the three other English leagues) are overpaid. A world were footballers get paid more in a week than a nurse gets in a year is ****ed up IMO. Still that's a soap box for another day.

I thought some of it was used to pay off nicky's loans and spiralling training ground costs...I could be wrong though.

Jesus last summer you were melt down central every time a player was sold. If investing to match our aims makes you happy then the club were pretty clear last year they budget to finish 10th but hope to do better on that criteria I think were doing very well with squad investment. The big problem here is the fans dreams/hopes aren't necessarily the same as the clubs aims thus the meltdowns every time we flog a good player or don't spend shed loads on that players replacement.

So what do you actually think the club should do? From your posts I can only deduce you want the club to never sell any players (assumingly letting them walk for free at the end of their contracts) and invest a shed load of cash on new players every summer.

erm I think Martina fits that category pretty well bet none of the big clubs (or any PL club) thought about signing him. TBF though I doubt any strategy the club has is set in stone sometimes you just need a player to fit a gap in the squad (Long would fit that profile to). In Martina's case I'd guess there isn't a RB in the academy felt to be good enough and we needed a cheap back up for Cedric that fact Martina can (allegedly) play CB and LB makes him a useful squad utility player.

edit for you.

You are asking the wrong people the only people at the club who know what we can and can't afford will be the owner and her inner circle. It's easy for fans to look at tv money and players sales and think we made this much money so we should spend that much money but I doubt it's that simple in reality

What 8 million for a back up?

How long are you going to use that one to justify lallana's greatness as a footballer? Didn't get any where near the team of the year last season did he? It looks increasingly like Adams last season with us was a bit of a purple patch that he won't replicate again especially as he seems to be getting more injury prone as every season goes by.

Think he looks solid enough no world beater but as cover for right back or possibly an emergency centre back he will do. Sometimes you just need a player who is solid and unspectacular and doesn't mind getting splinters in his arse.

Well that makes sense if they are going to sack him that early in the season they might as well of canned him in the summer and let the new bloke have a full pre-season. Personally hope Rodgers is there for some time to come I reckon he is good for a few more giggles yet.

Doesn't really matter how much they offer that close to the end of the window because we wouldn't have time to get in a decent replacement......unless Spurs were suggesting we play Townsend as a holding midfielder:?