Baines or Smith?

[FCConnecticut]

Good article, if a bit dated since it makes no mention of Pienaar but... if we only have one good signing in us and Baines is going to take 6mil OR we can sign Smith for say 7mil who do you go for?

Me, I'd take both! But... it is obvious to me that a complimentary striker is a bigger need right now than another left back. I also realize that when Vaughn was healthy we seemed to have plenty of strikers, especially on team that likes to line up only one but it does seem true that we need to take some pressure off of AJ and we need to improve goal scoring in general. Certainly some new wingers may make a big difference in that area but other than AJ we don't have any proven strikers.

Smith may cost more but frees up BT and we can recoup a few mil assuming Moyes is prepared to lower his valuation.

Another possibility is we can get Baines for 4.5 and sign Smith and sell BT and only have spent about the 10mil I think we have to play with.

 

[chicoazul]

I would go for Baines as we need a left back more than a striker.

Tell you who I do like, that twelve year old Barkley in our youth team. He's gonna be a player.

 

[FCConnecticut]

I think we tend to discount ( or not account for) Cahill's roll in the attack. Despite not being a striker he sure plays like one and provides that 'relief' I spoke of.

Still, any deal that sends BT packing seems pretty good to me 'cuz every time he is on the pitch I get this feeling we are playing short handed!

 

[Blue Wiz]

Tough question.. but I'd go for smith, for a few reasons...

1. Vaughan is injured for 4 months and might need a few weeks more to get match fit, so say he returns to matchfitness for the christmas/New year bunch of games.

2. That makes him return shortly before we loose Anichebe to the African Cup for another month.. so in reality we're down one striker until mid/late February.

3. Neither McFadden nor BT have shown a reliability in front of goal.

4. Smith has international experience with clubfootball that we might need.

5. Would enable us to cash in on either BT or McFadden in the january window if we want.. or in the next summer.

6. We already have 2 good LB players even though Lescott would prefer to play in the middle he have shown he can play there well.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I myself have Baines over Smith also but if we could I think both would be good business. Boro is hot on Smith's trail at the moment. I think Vic and James are fine but if AJ went down and Vic looking at the African Nations duty after the new year Smith would be a shrewd acquisition just to solidify our squad. Not trying to be negative but AJ will be missing in some games it just makes sense for ample cover. We really all know BT just can't do what AJ does he is a different type hitman. So there you are. One thing I do know is this has already been talked about in the backrooms and we will see what becomes of it. I have this feeling that both could be wearing our colours this season.

 

[Blue Wiz]

I have this feeling that both could be wearing our colours this season.

Me like that feeling..

 

[Axlswhk]

Riquelme for me!

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Aye I forgot about him. Maybe a shrewd loan move wouldn't be out of the question. Need to move some Argentinian ladies with him so he won't feel to homesick.

 

[1878efc]

I hope we go for Baines, bit more quality competition for the left side of defence, I dont think Smith is much different from Big Vic or Vaughny, so wouldnt add much!

 

[neonleon]

Smith as Neville, Lescott, Boyle and Valente can play at left back as has already been mentioned.

The Smith deal would necessitate shipping Beattie somewhere else which could only be a good thing.


He's look like a shadow of a striker. Unfit, unresponsive, lacking in confidence, touch etc. He looks like he retired before the start of last season.

I read somewhere the Baines deal relies on Wigan letting him go for 4.5m or he walks for free in two years time. And (of course) we want to pay the 4.5m in installments.

All this also depends on no-one else coming in for Baines and offering him mega-daft money (which Spurs, Newcastle and West Ham if not Villa, will be tempted to do.). And depends on the Wigan chairman needing the money which he doesn't. Still, we can dream, I mean there's more chance of getting him if we have made a bid than if we didnt.

Maybe we can get Smith and Baines. Vogel on a free , and to top it all off, Fernandes on loan for the season as well.

here's hoping.

 

[chicoazul]

I would be made up if Moyes had a Fernandes loan move thing up his sleeve.
​

But he wont

 

[Axlswhk]

Smith is too similar and cost too much. We need a striker like zola to compliment AJ. Not another with similar style and run their socks off for 90 mins trying to chase hopeful ball from time to time.
Having said that, the work around for this problem is to have a very creative and good passing midfield, and we'll see our striker running onto goal scoring passes more often than not.
RIQUELME!

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

I am inclined to agree on that one Chico. Our fernandes this year is Pienaar.

Vogel would be nice. I still feel a surprise is due.

 

[chicoazul]

Agreed mate. I believe they have one uber ace signing at least.

Well, I hope.

 

[1878efc]

Baines

Smith as Neville, Lescott, Boyle and Valente can play at left back as has already been mentioned.


I'd rather see Lescott pushed in the middle, but if Stubsy is still on form it will be great tussle for the centre back position. Boyle looks a good prospect but I cant see moyse putting him in unless there is severe lack of defenders (Or a league cup match). Valante has the qaulity but hasnt shown it fully with us. I think bringing Baines in will be great and help bolster the left side, which to me has been probably the weakest part of our team for a while, unless Micky Arteta is out there of course.