Mensah + Campbell

Clueless · 9th July 2010, 11:32 AM

I think that it is fair to say that Sol Campbell has not featured in any of this board's recent considerations of centre-back recruits (Westermann, Onuoha, Upson, Mensah, Vorsah).

What has featured a great deal is the understandable concerns over Mensah's fitness and hence availability over the course of a season.

Along with many others, I have had some real concerns about the potential signing of Campbell. However, looking on the positive side, I am reconciling myself to treating Mensah and Campbell as, potentially, complementary signings, who can hopefully be managed in such a way that the club gets 20 - 25 games out of each player. Having a backstop like Campbell available may be just the reassurance Bruce, Quinn and Short need to make the Mensah transfer happen.

Even a salary cost of £1.5m per season for Campbell (which may be able to be partially negotiated away as a discount on any fee to Lyon), the fact that this could effectively facilitate the signing of Mensah should make it eminently 'do-able'

As I have indicated on previous threads, I think the signing of Mensah would be a massive statement of intent by SAFC. By the same token, Campbell would bring a huge amount of experience (624 club games and 73 international games) to pass on to the club's younger players.

As a side issue, I would expect Da Silva to play a similar number of games this season, to reflect the changed tactics and formation away from home and as cover for any injuries, suspensions and/or loss of form by Turner.

Perm any one from three (Ferdinand, Nosworthy and Killgallon) as the fifth centre-back in the squad, with the other two leaving before the start of the season.

AlpineExile · 9th July 2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clueless

I think that it is fair to say that Sol Campbell has not featured in any of this board's recent considerations of centre-back recruits (Westermann, Onuoha, Upson, Mensah, Vorsah).

Aye, right.

I guess that's why his name is mentioned in five of the thread titles on the first page of the PF.

DurhamBoy · 9th July 2010, 11:37 AM

I agree, Campbell and Mensah together almost make one centre half, leaving the money that would have got spent on a good centre half to be spent on creative midfielders. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have one permanent top class centre half than Campbell and Mensah, but with a finite amount of money to spend if Campbell and Mensah can be got on reasonable deals then it might not be a bad thing, if it leaves us free to get N'Zogbia and a centre midfielder (Ireland please).

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineExile

Aye, right.

I guess that's why his name is mentioned in five of the thread titles on the first page of the PF.

I assumed he meant that Campbell wasn't one that we were talking about before yesterday.

9th July 2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clueless

I think that it is fair to say that Sol Campbell has not featured in any of this board's recent considerations of centre-back recruits (Westermann, Onuoha, Upson, Mensah, Vorsah).

What has featured a great deal is the understandable concerns over Mensah's fitness and hence availability over the course of a season.

Along with many others, I have had some real concerns about the potential signing of Campbell. However, looking on the positive side, I am reconciling myself to treating Mensah and Campbell as, potentially, complementary signings, who can hopefully be managed in such a way that the club gets 20 - 25 games out of each player. Having a backstop like Campbell available may be just the reassurance Bruce, Quinn and Short need to make the Mensah transfer happen.

Even a salary cost of £1.5m per season for Campbell (which may be able to be partially negotiated away as a discount on any fee to Lyon), the fact that this could effectively facilitate the signing of Mensah should make it eminently 'do-able'

As I have indicated on previous threads, I think the signing of Mensah would be a massive statement of intent by SAFC. By the same token, Campbell would bring a huge amount of experience (624 club games and 73 international games) to pass on to the club's younger players.

As a side issue, I would expect Da Silva to play a similar number of games this season, to reflect the changed tactics and formation away from home and as cover for any injuries, suspensions and/or loss of form by Turner.

Perm any one from three (Ferdinand, Nosworthy and Killgallon) as the fifth centre-back in the squad, with the other two leaving before the start of the season.

Campbell and mensah should just about be able to see through a season with turner as the evr present. If mensah is missing at least Campbell has come quality compared to the rest available.

andy78 · 9th July 2010, 11:43 AM

Bruce said today that he still wants to sign Westermann. Whatever happens, I think, by the time the transfer window closes, we will have the best group of centre backs I can ever remember the club having (presumably 4 of Turner, Da-Silva, Mensah, Campbell, Westermann, Onouha, Upson, Ferdinand and Kilgallon).

Clueless · 9th July 2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineExile

Aye, right.

I guess that's why his name is mentioned in five of the thread titles on the first page of the PF.

I meant prior to his surprise emergence onto the radar yesterday

Aleem Dar · 9th July 2010, 12:29 PM

I think I must be in a minority of a few when thinking Campbell would be a fairly decent signing for us. His experience will guide Turner through what could be a crucial season for him and us, he still has quality and his experience might help the youths out as well. Bearing in mind that when Keane brought Yorke back we heard a lot about him being an experienced head helping out the young lads, Campbell could do the same.

Fair enough he is older than we would hope to be looking to sign; but I think he would be a shrewd signing for a year with the option of another.

Smiter · 9th July 2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clueless

I think that it is fair to say that Sol Campbell has not featured in any of this board's recent considerations of centre-back recruits (Westermann, Onuoha, Upson, Mensah, Vorsah).

What has featured a great deal is the understandable concerns over Mensah's fitness and hence availability over the course of a season.

Along with many others, I have had some real concerns about the potential signing of Campbell. However, looking on the positive side, I am reconciling myself to treating Mensah and Campbell as, potentially, complementary signings, who can hopefully be managed in such a way that the club gets 20 - 25 games out of each player. Having a backstop like Campbell available may be just the reassurance Bruce, Quinn and Short need to make the Mensah transfer happen.

Even a salary cost of £1.5m per season for Campbell (which may be able to be partially negotiated away as a discount on any fee to Lyon), the fact that this could effectively facilitate the signing of Mensah should make it eminently 'do-able'

As I have indicated on previous threads, I think the signing of Mensah would be a massive statement of intent by SAFC. By the same token, Campbell would bring a huge amount of experience (624 club games and 73 international games) to pass on to the club's younger players.

As a side issue, I would expect Da Silva to play a similar number of games this season, to reflect the changed tactics and formation away from home and as cover for any injuries, suspensions and/or loss of form by Turner.

Perm any one from three (Ferdinand, Nosworthy and Killgallon) as the fifth centre-back in the squad, with the other two leaving before the start of the season.

So we are basically going to pay over 3 million a year to fudge 2 Centre Halfs into making 1?

I'd rather we just payed a decent fit 1 60 grand a week to be honest, I'm happy enough with Kilgallon, Da Silva, and Ferdinand as back up. I've no problems with bringing Mensah back and having the others as back, but I see little point in signing 2 players who wont make it through the season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleem Dar

I think I must be in a minority of a few when thinking Campbell would be a fairly decent signing for us. His experience will guide Turner through what could be a crucial season for him and us, he still has quality and his experience might help the youths out as well. Bearing in mind that when Keane brought Yorke back we heard a lot about him being an experienced head helping out the young lads, Campbell could do the same.

Fair enough he is older than we would hope to be looking to sign; but I think he would be a shrewd signing for a year with the option of another.

There is 1 big big difference here in the job Yorke was able do do in a holding midfielder position, as to what Campbell would need to do as a Centre Half.

rocky · 9th July 2010, 12:37 PM

I'm slightly encouraged by the way the Arsenal fans talk of Campbell, they seem to think he'd do a decent job for them.

As long as another centre half is bought as well as Campbell I think it may be a shrewd move.

Also I'm not Turners biggest fan so the more competition he has maybe we'll see the best of him.

Junior Birdman · 9th July 2010, 12:46 PM

I'd love to get Westermann like, as I'm sure everyone would. However, if it was a choice between Upson at £6/7m or Campbell for free, I'd take Campbell everytime. Much better defender, as he proved at the end of last season. I also think his experience would help bring on the likes of Turner, making them better players. Christ, Paul Butler looked ok with Steve Bould alongside him.