Transfer Deadline Day

By: Daryl | November 21st, 2008

Managing: Newcastle
Date: August 31st
Progress: 12th in Prem after three games.

After struggling to a 0-0 draw and a win on spot kicks against Coventry in the Carling Cup, my boys got absolutely taken apart by Man City. In my defence this is a Man City team that’s been rich since July, so they had not just Robinho, but also Yury Zhirkov, Andriy Arshavin and Marek Hamsik too. 3-0 to City and my lads were horribly outclassed. But I learned a lesson: Don’t attack away from home when you’re outgunned. Schoolboy error.

Good news is that with the transfer deadline approaching it’s time to spend some money.

Here’s who I’ve brought in recently:

Leonardo (click for screenshot) from Ajax for £1.2 million. 25 year old Brazilian/Dutch left left winger. He’s not perfect (work rate: 2, teamwork: 5) but he’s got 20s for technique and dribbling, 19 for first touch, 18s for creativity and flair and 17 for passing. Worth a gamble I reckon.

Jozy Altidore on a season long loan from Valencia. The kid wasted multiple chances vs Coventry and was the only player to miss his spot kick, but nice to have another striker on the books and he could still come good.

Mascio – 17 year old Italian centre mid, found him playing for Italian Serie C2 side Cisco (he’s previously been with Lazio) and snapped him up for £50,000 Won’t do anything for me short term, but will be nice to have some youth to nurture.

I also managed to sell Alan Smith to WBA for £3.5 million, just to give me a little extra money to play with. His stats weren’t horrible, but he seems like one of those players it’s best to get rid of. Have tried offering Damien Duff to other clubs, but no one seems interested, even at £500,000. So I’m stuck with paying him £65,000 a week and having at least two left wingers who are better than him (N’Zogbia and Leonardo).

So, my total transfer kitty (which I increased by lowering the wage budget following Michael Owen’s departure) now stands at £6.6 million. Not great, but plan is to spend it all on the last day of the season.

I need an attacking mid. Have loads of defensive and central mids, but not a lot of creativity. Would love to sign someone like Standard’s Axel Witsel because his stats make me drool, but seems it would take at least £10m (I’ve bid as high a £9m, just to test the water, and no dice) and there just isn’t that much wonga in the coffers.

Genuine transfer options with just 24 hours until the window closes:

Roger Guerreiro(ski) – the Polish Brazilian of Euro 2008 fame. Can get him cheap (have had a £1.5m bid accepted) but not sure he’s quite good enough.

Mohamed Abou Trika – 29 year old Egyptian playmaker who lit up the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Looks like he might be able to do the business in the Prem, more so than Roger. Currently waiting on a response from my £2.9m bid.

Sebastian Abreu – big Uruguayan striker currently without a club, as suggested by ish in the comments here. He’s 31, but he’s 6′4″ and even without playing he has a jumping attribute of 16, heading of 17, finishing 15 and off the ball 16. Offered him a low paying contract and he went for it, so just waiting on a work permit now. Will be nice to have a big striker who’s not Shola Ameobi. Thanks ish.

If anyone else has any tips for players within my budget, please let me know in the comments and I’ll try and snag them before the transfer window slams shut.