SAF on a striker: "But we do need experience." - Berbatov?

lao

It starts with the first name of our most promising keeper, continues with the letter of the hero whose servant shares the same name as a quick Valencia right winger who was left out of the Spain squad, and ends with something rhyming on the capital of Peru.

GlastonSpur

Nothing that's consistent: mixed messages.

I wouldn't assume 100% that Berbatov is actually going leave.

GlastonSpur

They are better you say, yet you don't want them. Do I then take it that you don't want any new striker at MUFC?

While I'm at it, I've noticed there are very few (if any) polls on this site - the click-an-option-and-see-a-bar-chart-graph type of poll.

Why is that? I have a feeling that if you put Eto'o, Villa and anyone else you cared to name in a poll alongside Berbs and asked which one CAFtards would like most at MUFC, then Berbs would win head and shoulders.

lao

I like how you keep on referring to United objectively as MUFC. Go on mate, admit it. Step out of the closet, we know there's a mancunian in there.

GlastonSpur

He's not available. I asked about who you could realistically get who is better than Berbs.

In any case he'd be a much riskier proposition: not experienced and proven in - or adapted to - the Prem and England (unlike Berbs). He might prove to be a hugely-overated flop - there's no guarantee he wouldn't.

Brwned

We wouldn't need an immediate impact, if we got Benzema he would only be 20 and we could get a lot of quality years out of him, once he's adapted. Berbatov would only give us 3 or 4 good years.

GlastonSpur

Nah, it's just quicker to type.

Brwned

Yeah, that's true. Other than the fact that he already has more ability than most strikers in the world and he is young enough to be able to adapt. Benzema is a much better option than Berbatov. Argue all you like, you are overpricing Berbatov and everyone can see that.

Younited.7

5-7 years easily.

He is a top striker and in his prime so around 25 million (win clauses obviously included) so i would not say that he is overpriced.

Maybe we dont need immediate impact, but, if you want to be the best you need to keep improving and be one step ahead of the game. It was an area of major weakness this season, Ronaldos goals carried a lot of the burden that our strikers should have shouldered, that is not an ideal situation.

So i would say that yes, we do need somebody to make an impact immediately and no Benzema is not ideal as he is not available. We cannot wait for the gravy train that will not necessarily stop here, Spurs will do business so it is not incorrect to say that he is the best option available.

And...

Why are you going against what Ferguson has already said?

Height

Experience

Benzema is a luxury, great if it came off, but it is highly unlikely that it will.

GlastonSpur

I hope we are. It fits with the club has said in the few public comments it's made about the player recently, namely that if he wants to go he can, but only if an astounding offer is made.

You want a monkey? Then pay peanuts.

You want one of the very best players there is? Then pay a very best price. It's that simple. Basically it's saying to other clubs: put up or shut up. Well done Levy.

PS. Don't assume - with Modric in the bag, dos Santos ours in all but official anouncement and others on the way that Berbs has no doubt been told about - that the player is champing at the bit to leave. He may well still go of course, but just maybe he won't.

Younited.7

I would not have your optimism wurzelspur, but, i would be excited to see how you go into next season minus Berbatov. He is a great player, but i feel his time has come and deserves his chance at the big time, maybe in a few years you could offer it but he cannot wait forever, which you must sympathise with.

KingEric7

Fair fucks to Spurs, then. If Ronaldo does indeed want to leave United (subject to debate) then we are doing no different. If you had a player as good as Berbatov on your hands, you're not going to let him go easily.

giggs-beckham

Im in a fucked off mood today.
Benzema doesnt want to come to us, ronaldo wants to go we cant even secure the signing of ramsey.
Were the european and prem chamions for fuck sake.
Hopefully ill feel better tomorrow.

lao

Tomorrow Ronnie signs a new contract, Benzema, Ramsey and Alves are officially signed, Manucho gets his work permit and Saha lifts his fork without breaking his arm.

You have Cristiano's word on it.

Red Devil 26

I think we're all waiting in anticipation, considering how out of the blue the Anderson and Nani signings were; especially Anderson.

I hoped we'd get deals done before the Euro's cos of the obvious price inflation...but it remains to be seen.

GlastonSpur

Depends on who we sign with the money added to our war-chest if Berbatov goes. Give me a top goalie, Coloccini as CB cover for Woodgate/King, Veloso as DM and another wing option (Capel maybe) and I'd be delighted to see:

----------- New GK --------
Hutton - Woodgate - King - Bale
-------- Jenas - Veloso -------
Lennon --- Modric - dos Santos
---------- Bent --------

With Keane, Capel, Gilberto, Coloccini, Taarabt and Huddlestone on the subs bench.

I do sympathise. But 'a few years' is an assumption that perhaps Berbs doesn't share, given Ramos at the helm and the new players now arriving. Also, he is far more loyal than many realise: not your average mercenary glory-hunter.

BTW, would you sympathise if Ronaldo leaves for R.Madrid ?

KingEric7

That could be rather good in a few years.

Brwned

That is the reason most teams are reluctant to sell, price inflation at the Euro's.

Younited.7

Shit comparison...

Ronaldo would be leaving for the sun, not the football.

He waited last season, when everybody could see he was head and shoulders above the rest of your team. Fair shout, most players would not. His talent deserves the oppurtunity to compete for medals, which realistically you wont in the next two or three years considering how much others are spending and how big the gap is between you and us. That would take him to thirty, possibly on a big contract still, most clubs would not pay what you would like when he is that age.

I just did a massive post, deleted it accidentally.

Bape

You do realise we've just won the Premier league and the CL..we are the kings of europe, it does not necessarily mean it's a step up for Ronaldo if he moves and therefore there is nothing to sympathise with.
Where as Berbatov moving to bigger club than yours is actually a step up..he will be challenging for the league title and also would be in the champions league.

GlastonSpur

If he goes to RM, isn't it likely that he regards them - whatever you may think - as a step-up from MUFC?

Brwned

He doesn't regard them as a better team, just that he has grown up admiring them.

Bape

Possibly, I think he may well do actually. But that's irrelevant, step up or not..he's already won the CL, and the La Liga title would only be the equivalent to the premier league (which he has won twice) in Spain. Berbatov moving though would actually mean he has the chance of wining something apart from mickey mouse cups.

Say, as a spurs fan, (and presumingly, Berbatov fan) from a genuine perspective..surely theres a small part of you that would want him to prove himself on the biggest of stages? If he is going to move, do you prefer to see him go abroad or at one of the big 4's in england?

Sam#1

In other words, they haven't got a clue.

GlastonSpur

Is every cup apart from the CL a 'mickey mouse cup'? I don't believe so. Spurs have as good a chance as anyone of winning the FA Cup or UEFA Cup next season.

Nor is it reasonable to say that Spurs have no chance of finishing in the top 4 next season. Otherwise the bookies would offer odds of squillions to 1 in order to attract punters - they don't.

Yes, but preferably with Spurs the season after next in the CL

First and foremost I would want the most money possible, but all things being equal I'd prefer him to move abroad - Barca ideally - because I don't want to see a top 4 rival strengthened: however small our chances of making top 4 are deemed to be, it's still the aim and we need every edge we can get.

GlastonSpur

Well, they're right about dos Santos