The Absence Of Pienaar & Finding A Like For Like Replacement

micknick · April 23, 2015

Groucho said:
He's been ok when not injured though. Can't be a long term solution though, obviously.

No I mean his replacment from this season when he has hardly played could be him next year. He will be pushing 33 then though so like you say not for much longer.

Groucho · April 23, 2015

ijjysmith said:
Thought so. Think we need a younger version of Pienaar. Even Diego who I mentioned is like 30.

Door unlockers are a rare breed.

Older than Hibbert, mate.

I'd say Aaron Lennon is the maximum age we should be signing, late twenties.

micknick said:
No I mean his replacment from this season when he has hardly played could be him next year. He will be pushing 33 then though so like you say not for much longer.

Sorry, I understand now.

Dithering Dougie · April 23, 2015

Lewis Holtby looks a natural successor to Pienaar and Osman, he'd be relatively cheap and seeing as he's been out on loan for the last 18 months you'd imagine he'd be available. He also comes with the added bonus of being young but having plenty of experience in the league.

Between him and Cleverley and patched up Pienaar and Osman combo we'd have the link player sorted that Martinez likes and we could then go for a dynamic winger for the opposite flank.

Groucho · April 23, 2015

Lennon, Cleverly and Deulofeu seem to be the three most talked about names here currently.

Boss_Blue · April 23, 2015

Groucho said:
Lennon, Cleverly and Deulofeu seem to be the three most talked about names here currently.

If we signed these three (even Cleverley) I'd be made up.

In fact just Deulofeu.

ijjysmith · April 23, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
Lewis Holtby looks a natural successor to Pienaar and Osman, he'd be relatively cheap and seeing as he's been out on loan for the last 18 months you'd imagine he'd be available. He also comes with the added bonus of being young but having plenty of experience in the league.

Between him and Cleverley and patched up Pienaar and Osman combo we'd have the link player sorted that Martinez likes and we could then go for a dynamic winger for the opposite flank.

Any idea what style of play Holtby likes mate?

Dithering Dougie · April 23, 2015

ijjysmith said:
Any idea what style of play Holtby likes mate?

He's a hard working skilfull player with a good progressive passing range who can play in a number of midfield postions and likes to play on the front foot, like I said a good replacement for Pienaar an Osman.

Have you never seen him play?

ijjysmith · April 23, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
He's a hard working skilfull player with a good progressive passing range who can play in a number of midfield postions and likes to play on the front foot, like I said a good replacement for Pienaar an Osman.

Have you never seen him play?

Never mind mate.

Dithering Dougie · April 23, 2015

ijjysmith said:
Never mind mate.

Did I miss something?

Bungle · April 23, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
Did I miss something?

He's a blue but likes Arsenals style of play.

daz4matty · April 23, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
Lewis Holtby looks a natural successor to Pienaar and Osman, he'd be relatively cheap and seeing as he's been out on loan for the last 18 months you'd imagine he'd be available. He also comes with the added bonus of being young but having plenty of experience in the league.

Between him and Cleverley and patched up Pienaar and Osman combo we'd have the link player sorted that Martinez likes and we could then go for a dynamic winger for the opposite flank.

Holtby has really struggled in the premier league with spurs and Fulham.

Woolly Blue · April 23, 2015

messymascot said:
.. an inverted left winger ...

I'm not totally sure what this means, but I'm going to start throwing it into footie conversations from now on.

Cheers mate (y)

Dithering Dougie · April 23, 2015

daz4matty said:
Holtby has really struggled in the premier league with spurs and Fulham.

He did well at Fulham but didnt get much of a lookin at Spurs because they were going for fast wingers on either flank and big powerful central players in midfield under AVB. I was surpised Pochettino let him go out on loan actually as he's the sort of player he favoured at Southampton, but really Spurs have been the death of many a promising career in the last 5-10 years so I wouldn't hold it against him.

daz4matty · April 23, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
He did well at Fulham but didnt get much of a lookin at Spurs because they were going for fast wingers on either flank and big powerful central players in midfield under AVB. I was surpised Pochettino let him go out on loan actually as he's the sort of player he favoured at Southampton, but really Spurs have been the death of many a promising career in the last 5-10 years so I wouldn't hold it against him.

I agree with you about spurs ruining players.
But from what I have seen of holtby I don't really rate

catcherintherye · April 23, 2015

I think we missed a trick with Kagawa to be honest. I think for next season we will go with Osman and Peinaar again as unless we sell we won't be able to afford such a player.

Although not like for like I think Deulufeu is a player that can unlock defences and would be a great addition.