January transfer window...

[TKIZ!]

See above Officer, B(E)N suggests it £2m or just over as does Sky Sports. Coyle has denied it though

[Mar]

David Wheater being the right buy?

I wasn't convinced with him when he was at Middlesbrough and i'm still not convinced he's the right man for the job now. I'm sure Coyle can give the lad a bit of confidence and get him playing better but I wouldn't think he's an improvement to what we've already got.

Personally I think this is probably a good bit of business on our part. We're looking at getting a player with Premiership experience on the cheap which can step into the CB slot now Andy O'Brien's out the exit door and would also give us the ability to have cover should we happen to sell Gary Cahill.

[malcd1]

See above Officer, B(E)N suggests it £2m or just over as does Sky Sports. Coyle has denied it though

Owen was interviewed by GMR (Or whatever it's called now - Citey FM?) after the match. He was asked straight if we were signing Wheater and he was non-committal. Refused to confirm or deny we are signing him but said we are not planning on selling anyone. Hopefully bringing a couple of new faces in though.

I can't say that I have seen a lot of Wheater but what I can remember is that he is similar to Knight. OK when the ball is played long or direct to the attacker but he is no good if the ball is played behind him. Turns like a bus.

[TKIZ!]

See above Officer, B(E)N suggests it £2m or just over as does Sky Sports. Coyle has denied it though

Owen was interviewed by GMR (Or whatever it's called now - Citey FM?) after the match. He was asked straight if we were signing Wheater and he was non-committal. Refused to confirm or deny we are signing him but said we are not planning on selling anyone. Hopefully bringing a couple of new faces in though.

I can't say that I have seen a lot of Wheater but what I can remember is that he is similar to Knight. OK when the ball is played long or direct to the attacker but he is no good if the ball is played behind him. Turns like a bus.

He can't have been that bad when Wenger was thinking about spending money on him 2 years ago and was frightened off by the price (£8m for a 21 year old in his first season in the Premier)

[Tombwfc]

He is very much (as I suggested when signing Wheater was first muted) 'the white Zat Knight'.

Actually, I should say was. I honestly haven't seen him play properly since 'Boro were relegated, so I can't really comment.

Either way, he's young and he's obviously got something. If Coyle can sort him out we're looking at being able to sell him for five times what we paid. It's exactly the type of deal we should be making at this point.

[thebish]

He can't have been that bad when Wenger was thinking about spending money on him 2 years ago and was frightened off by the price (£8m for a 21 year old in his first season in the Premier)

no - can't be that bad.. famous as Wenger is at picking out Centre Backs!

[Choppers]

...would also give us the ability to have cover should we happen to sell Gary Cahill.

You say that, but if we sell Cahill we're right back to having 2 centre backs and a full back as cover!

[TKIZ!]

Vermaelen wasn't that bad until injured. But to be fair there have been a few he's picked that are pi$h

[seanworth]

Vermaelen made quite a few howlers I thought but had a good shot on him.

[officer_dibble]

...would also give us the ability to have cover should we happen to sell Gary Cahill.

You say that, but if we sell Cahill we're right back to having 2 centre backs and a full back as cover!

Aye but we'd buy another one with the £17 million

Not all of it I'd hope!

[Ianmooreslovechild]

We'd have to.Two big slow centre halves would get ripped apart. Ideally you want one commanding guy who can attack the ball and one with pace mobility and a brain. Where is Paul Jones now?

[hisroyalgingerness]

We're effectively replacing O'Brien with Wheater. So the question is has the squad improved? The answer would have to be yes?

[jaffka]

We're effectively replacing O'Brien with Wheater. So the question is has the squad improved? The answer would have to be yes?

spot on, a positive move replacing the outgoing with better

[Choppers]

We're effectively replacing O'Brien with Wheater. So the question is has the squad improved? The answer would have to be yes?

I really don't know the answer. O'Brien had a great game for Leeds yesterday and I never remember him letting us down dreadfully.

Wheater on the other hand I know very little about. I have vague memories of him, but I can't say I've seen him play in well over a year.

If the question is : Has the squad average age been reduced? The answer is yes.
If the question is : Has the squad improved? I honestly have no idea.

[Ianmooreslovechild]

We're effectively replacing O'Brien with Wheater. So the question is has the squad improved? The answer would have to be yes?

True enough, O brien had his good days (like yesterday) but he's getting older and never looked confident the last few games he played for us. Wheater is definitely progress

[Bruce Rioja]

O'Brien had a great game for Leeds yesterday and I never remember him letting us down dreadfully.

Bolton Wanderers 1 - 3 Fulham 14/3/2009

O'Brien was that bad it defies descripton and will live with me forever!

[hisroyalgingerness]

Yes, and the Tottenham FA Cup Replay. He needs games to settle into form, and he wasn't gonna get them

[TKIZ!]

Andy Johnson ran him ragged that day, I think he even lifted the ball over his head to skin him for one of his goals?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

We're effectively replacing O'Brien with Wheater. So the question is has the squad improved? The answer would have to be yes?

Squad has improved, bank balance hasn't. That said, Wheater could be an excellent signing, although I do fear he's a touch too much like Zat - which is fine for competition, not for a potential partnership.

Two big slow centre halves would get ripped apart. Ideally you want one commanding guy who can attack the ball and one with pace mobility and a brain. Where is Paul Jones now?

We have a fair approximation, as good a ball-playing back-fourer as I've seen in a White shirt, and plenty on here want shut. Set up as we are with an attacking midfield, I'd rather have a Cahill type alongside Knight/Wheater. Although he's got a lot to prove, I'm genuinely intrigued by the idea of Curtis Davies. He'd need some work but he just might be exactly what we need.

[TKIZ!]

I don't know though DSB, he can be a liability can Curtis, maybe Villa want more than we can afford for him and are happy to have Wheater as a replacement?