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Buying
From Our Premiership Rivals - Bolton Wanderers |
4th May 2005
Index:
Arsenal
Aston
Villa
Birmingham
City
Blackburn
Rovers
Bolton Wanderers
Charlton
Athletic
Chelsea
Crystal
Palace
Everton
Fulham
Liverpool
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Middlesbrough
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion
Europe
Conclusion?
So Graeme Souness wants to bring in players who have Premiership experience
or who can perform in the League, then? Well lets take a look at our
Premiership rivals and see who is available, who could be available
and who we could potentially attract.
Buying from Bolton Wanderers?
If Shay does go then there aren't many better, suitable and more realistic
targets to replace him than Bolton's Finnish international 'keeper
Jussi Jaaskelainen who's contract expires at the end of next
season.
The 31 year-old, Bolton's longest serving player, is an exceptional
shot-stopper, one of the best and he's more commanding of his area
than Given I would say. He doesn't read the game or sweeps up as well
as the Republic of Ireland man does of course but looking at the list
of possible candidates should wor Shay depart, Jaaskelainen would
be a very able replacement in my opinion - up their with the best
in the League.
At his age, having cost Big Sam just £100,000 8 years ago and
with just over a year left to run on his current deal I couldn't see
him costing an arm and a leg neither and I couldn't see Bolton nor
the player himself turning down a move to St. James' Park should that
opportunity arise, unlike his manager. We could face competition for
his services however with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United
all rumoured to have expressed an interest.
Should Given leave though, I'd welcome interest in the player from
Newcastle and would be happy with the Finn in goal if the dreaded
does happen. At just the right age and with the right experience he
would enable us to look for a young up and coming 'keeper for the
future while in the meantime safe in the knowledge that we'd have
a top-class 'keeper between the sticks for at least 3-4 years.
Moving on, and this is where I come over all News of the World, I've
heard that Graeme Souness has had Euro 2004 winner Stylianos
Giannakopoulos watched a few times this season. Whether there
is any truth in this I don't really know but it wouldn't surprise
me. A Blackburn fan informs me there were similar rumours flying around
when the Scot was in charge at Ewood so who knows.
Stelios as he is known as, took time to settle at the Reebok after
his free transfer from Olympiakos in the Summer of 2003 but he has
came into his own this season like his team themselves. The bald headed
midfielder has been one of the Trotters better performers and his
goals from midfield, 9 in all competitions, are one of the reasons
why Bolton are flying high in the Premiership and on course to qualify
for Europe next season.
Hard working, an eye for goal, quick and tricky feet and with a powerful
shot on him, Souness could well see the Greek man as an ideal replacement
for Lee Bowyer who if reports are to be believed, will be on his way
once the season ends.
At 29 however he's not at an age where he will improve further and
although a good, decent player, he reminds me of placid Temuri Ketsbaia
somewhat with his at times erratic play and his tendency to drift
in and out of games. Not for me, but I wouldn't be surprised to see
our name linked with him in the Summer.
Other than those two, I can't see any other player in the Bolton squad
that would realistically take our fancy or who could realistically
do a job in the positions we need to strengthen.
Next up, a look at who is available, who could be available and who
we could potentially attract from Charlton Athletic.
Write In... Who would you like Newcastle to sign
in the Summer? Write in with your suggestions, reasons for your choices
and what these players would bring to the squad and we will publish
your thoughts on these very pages. Send in your suggestions using
the below e-mail form:
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