To Del, My Striker Suggestions

[Garland-sweden]

Many good players in east Europe. In Bundesliga there have been and are good players from the east. Maybe its difficault to scout there, but Im sure hey have good players. To learn them English its not a problem Imo. Many young people from the east nowadays speaks english.

[TRL]

After the Styvar signing the club said it will be a while before we explore the foreign market again.

Young hungry & cheap players on our door step we should to be going for.

Pack (Chelt) O'kane (Torquay) Sercombe (Exeter) Ayling (Yeovil) Ritchie (Swindon) Oshodi (Forest Green). Not on our doorstep but worth a look is - Judge (Notts C) Jacobs (Northampton) & Freeman (Stevenage).

Their's loads of talented younsters out their we just need a whole new scouting network to find them.....

If the club refuse to go foreign because of one mistake, then I am dumfounded! How many shite Scottish English, and Welsh players have we signed through our history! Just as well we haven't put a stop on signing these, or we wouldn't have a team.

Can you imagine where Man U, Chelsea, Man City etc etc would be without foreigners?!

If we are continuing with this non foreign strategy, then god help us, we will be left with a lot of talentless players to choose from.

Oh and if they go Scandinavian, you get players that can out British the British in terms of style of football, but with the added bonus of being able to trap a bag of cement and pass. Happy days!

[SecretSam]

[OldlandReddies]

Convinced Sandanza will be in a a City shirt next season.

[screech]

Wasn't Styvar a defender by rights. He just happened to be play upfront against Villa once upon a time and scored.

[The Fat Controller]

Wasn't Styvar a defender by rights. He just happened to be play upfront against Villa once upon a time and scored.

If he was, maybe he took a lot of penalties - he scored 30 goals in 57 games for MSK Zilina. (According to Wikipedia - I know, i know, not the most reliable source)

[Brizzle Jordan]

Convinced Sandanza will be in a a City shirt next season.

Hope not, such an overated player.

[Harry]

After the Styvar signing the club said it will be a while before we explore the foreign market again.

Young hungry & cheap players on our door step we should to be going for.

Pack (Chelt) O'kane (Torquay) Sercombe (Exeter) Ayling (Yeovil) Ritchie (Swindon) Oshodi (Forest Green). Not on our doorstep but worth a look is - Judge (Notts C) Jacobs (Northampton) & Freeman (Stevenage).

Their's loads of talented younsters out their we just need a whole new scouting network to find them.....

Mate - you are spot on, there is plenty of talent out there, we just need to have a scouting set-up that can go and find it.

Pack, O'Kane, Sercombe, Ayling, Ritchie & Oshodi are all right on our doorstep. Surely we must have looked at these guys, no? I'd be immensely disappointed if we haven't at least looked at Pack and Ayling. These 2 have the makings of being excellent players.

We also have the likes of Olenik down at Torquay. Hopefully we've had a little look at Jon Taylor not far up the road at Shrewsbury. You're right with people like Freeman & Laird at Stevenage. Freeman has certainly got ability. Judge is someone who started off at a Prem club and went down the leagues to prove himself and is making a name for himself now. There are plenty of good young players out there. I do sincerely hope Del has improved the scouting set-up that appears to have been non-existent for a number of years.

I posted the list of players below a few months ago. This has got to be the sort of players we're looking at. There are lots of good youngsters around, as well as a huge amount of untapped talent abroad - we need to be looking to foreign shores too, and I seriously doubt our scouting capability in the UK, let alone outside it!!!

Before anyone gives it the bertie big bollo*ks about Football Manager, I can 100% assure you none of the names mentioned come from any influence from that game. I do kind of get fed up with people writing off some posts with "you must have picked him up on FM" etc. These are players I either have a knowledge of myself or have heard about through the grapevine and conducted my own research into. Nowt to do with FM. Anyway, I do hope our scouting set-up is being revamped by Del, as it's not good enough at present.

Anyway - here's some more names previously mentioned :

Josh Thompson (Celtic - Chesterfield on loan) - 6 foot 4 inch centre half, 21 years old, previous England under 19 international and out of contract in the summer.

Josh Walker (Watford - S****horpe on loan) - 23 year old midfielder, former Middlesbrough youth (good set-up) captained England at u-16, u-17 and u-20 level. Described by Boro scouts as the most two-footed player they've ever seen. Set piece specialist. Out of contract this summer.

Luke Ayling (Yeovil) - 20 year old right back who can also play all across the back line and as holding midfielder, currently earning rave reviews at Yeovil. Intelligent, organised, quick, a leader. Probably make a better centre-half although maybe too short at 5-11. Out of contract in the summer.

Marlon Pack (Cheltenham) - 20 year old midfielder making a name for himself up the road in Cheltenham. Scored some spectacular goals and will move on to better things in no time. Get him now while he'll still be relatively cheap.

Paul Dixon (Dundee Utd) - I'm shifting to the Scottish theme just because it'll be DM's most familiar market. 25 year old Left Back out of contract in the summer, broke into the Scotland squad in 2010.

Murray Davidson (St Johnstone) - Whilst on the Scottish theme, why not tap into DM's old club. Highly rated 23 year old Centre Midfielder now broken into Scotland squad and courted by Rangers before their demise. Out of contract in the summer.

Moving on to foreign lands -

Semir Stilic (Lech Poznan) - 24 year old Bosnian Attacking Midfielder with previous Premier League suitors, but out of contract and could be lured into a move to England.

Dudu Biton (Charleroi - Wisla Krakow on loan) - 23 year old striker, Israeli international with a fantastic strike rate in Belgium and Poland (32 goals in 55 games, including 3 in 6 in Europa League). One year left at Charleroi and keen to further career.

Gervasio Nunez (Wisla Krakow) - 24 year old Argentinian Left Winger. Out of contract in the summer.

Nuno Reis (Sporting Lisbon - Cercle Bruges on loan) - 21 year old Portuguese Centre Half, former under 20 captain.

Mathieu Peybernes (FC Sochaux) - 21 year old Centre Half capped for France at u-18, u-19 and u-20. Out of contract in the summer.

Aljaz Struna (Koper) - 20 year old Slovenian Right Back. Ipswich were sniffing after him last summer. Snap him up now he's out of contract.

Jimmy Durmaz (Malmo) - 20 year old Left Winger, now a member of the Swedish squad. Out of contract in the summer.

Allan Loureiro (Vasco De Gama) - 20 year old Right Back/Midfielder, Brazilian u-20 international. Worth a look, surely.

Ben Kantarowski (Newcastle Jets) - 20 year old Defensive Midfielder, one of Autralia's current brightest talents and stars of the future. Touted by Bayern Munich when he was 17, but their interest has waned and a move to England would surely suit him. I'll stick my neck out on this one and say get this guy now, he'll be a great signing.

[Swede]

So we need to replace Maynard and although I like Pitman, his lack of pace irritates me. So here are my new Maynard suggestions that are less well known. All are from EU so will get work permits. Any more non british striker ideas?

Artjoms Rudņev

Club: Lech Poznan

Goals: 11/12: 22

Apps: 11/12: 29

Contract: 2 years remaining

Age 24

Jérémy Perbet

Club: RAEC Bergen Mons

Goals: 11/12 25

Apps: 11/12 35

Contract: ?

Age: 27

Sanharib Malki Sabah

Club: Roda JC

Goals: 11/12 25

Apps: 11/12 33

Contract:?

Age: 27

I think I've got some cream for the first and third and wasn't the second a liberal MP?

[EmissionImpossible]

Before anyone gives it the bertie big bollo*ks about Football Manager, I can 100% assure you none of the names mentioned come from any influence from that game. I do kind of get fed up with people writing off some posts with "you must have picked him up on FM" etc. These are players I either have a knowledge of myself or have heard about through the grapevine and conducted my own research into. Nowt to do with FM. Anyway, I do hope our scouting set-up is being revamped by Del, as it's not good enough at present.

Firstly, How do you have this knowledge and why should anyone listen to you? Have you been involved in football ? With these players? Is the grapevine you refer to professional scouts or team mates of the players in question? Im genuinely interested. Secondly, Why are you conducting your own research? Are you are in the process of becoming a scout or agent?

[Who Shot JR?]

Why always look abroad?

[redcherryberry]

Firstly, How do you have this knowledge and why should anyone listen to you? Have you been involved in football ? With these players? Is the grapevine you refer to professional scouts or team mates of the players in question? Im genuinely interested. Secondly, Why are you conducting your own research? Are you are in the process of becoming a scout or agent?

Your full of questions aren’t you fella.

As Harry said in his original post – this is his own research from knowing the game. Nothing to do with FM.

Why should anyone listen? From what i can see he’s not holding a gun to anyone’s head he’s merely giving his own recommendations of selected players he’s come across.

Why is he conducting his own research? Strange question. I would imagine he’s a football lover like the majority on here.

As far as Harry being a scout or not I have no idea but it’s fair to say his knowledge of the game globally is impressive.

Im sure he’ll be on at some point to answer your questions in more detail.

[EmissionImpossible]

Your full of questions aren’t you fella.

As Harry said in his original post – this is his own research from knowing the game. Nothing to do with FM.

Why should anyone listen? From what i can see he’s not holding a gun to anyone’s head he’s merely giving his own recommendations of selected players he’s come across.

Why is he conducting his own research? Strange question. I would imagine he’s a football lover like the majority on here.

As far as Harry being a scout or not I have no idea but it’s fair to say his knowledge of the game globally is impressive.

Im sure he’ll be on at some point to answer your questions in more detail.

Thanks for your considered reply.

I am curious, thats all.

No futher questions your honour.

[Harry]

The owner is handing back the Jets license so he won't have a club.

The A league is like the blue sq north.

He's pant's.

Don't even bother. And yes I have seen him play.

Fair enough fella, it's good to get insight from someone who's seen him in the flesh.

I think he's got a lot to come though, he's only just 20 and has had a while out with knee surgery.

But I'd say he's definitely got pedigree.

[I Am A Cider Drinker]

Can we sign falcao please?

[Harry]

Firstly, How do you have this knowledge and why should anyone listen to you? Have you been involved in football ? With these players? Is the grapevine you refer to professional scouts or team mates of the players in question? Im genuinely interested. Secondly, Why are you conducting your own research? Are you are in the process of becoming a scout or agent?

Hey fella.

Firstly, I have what I consider to be a pretty decent knowledge of football and it's very easy to keep in touch with leagues around the world these days with the power of the web. Since I was a young lad I always read World Soccer magazine and fortunately there are a million websites nowadays where I can keep up to date. As well as listening to Dotun Adebayo's excellent weekly World Football phone-in on 5live (Saturday mornings 2am til 4am).

Via all of these outlets, it's easy to keep in touch with players, clubs, the politics etc.

I've not been involved in football aside from playing at a decent amateur level, although those days are past now! I am not an agent or a scout, but just a genuine City fan who takes a keen interest in world football, and in particular in up and coming young players. I like to try to spot talent and see if they can reach their potential.

I also have a few friends who are equally in touch with youth talent, particularly in the local area, and we share our thoughts on the likes of Butland, Pack, etc. In fact in a recent discussion we recalled how one of us had recommended Guy Whittingham to City years ago when he was down at Yeovil (who were a non-league team at the time). City didn't bother looking at him and he went on to score hundreds of goals for Portsmouth (and yet, in conversations with Whittingham himself, he always said he never understood why City didn't speak to him). It's these sort of things that frustrate us about our scouting set-up.

One of my mates is going to the Cheltenham v Torquay game on Sunday for the sole purpose of having a closer look at Pack & O'Kane. Will anyone from City be there watching them??

The reason I mention such things on this forum is to share it with other City fans like yourself (just like everyone else comes on here to share their opinions), and I'm not asking anyone to take any particular interest if you don't want to, but for me, I feel it is very important.

Me and my mates honestly and truthfully believe that the scouting department at City has been a massive failure for a long long year! We constantly miss out on the best talent in the region when we should be THE Club that youngsters in the whole of the South West should be eager to join. If we want to produce players through the academy on a more regular basis then we need to scout properly at a younger age, coach better when they're here, and give assurances to lads and their parents that they've got a chance of breaking through to the first team if they're good enough.

Why did someone like Butland end up at Birmingham? He's from Clevedon! We're supposedly interested in Scott Laird - why was he never on our books anyway - he's from Taunton! Martin Cranie is from Yeovil! We desperately need to improve our academy and pick up the likes of Butland, Laird, Sercombe, Mason etc before others get hold of them. Look at Cardiff and Southampton, they've piled players out of their academies, why are we not competing for the same players?

Anyway, in summary, the scouting at our club is poor, and whether or not anyone listens to the fans or indeed this forum, I feel it is right of me to share my knowledge with others. I'm not saying all of the players I've mentioned will be viable targets or indeed worthwhile targets, all I'm saying is why are the club not looking at these type of players, because I would pretty much guarantee that they're not!

In answer to your final question, no I'm not in the process of becoming a scout or agent, but I would certainly love to be!

[redcherryberry]

Hey fella.

Firstly, I have what I consider to be a pretty decent knowledge of football and it's very easy to keep in touch with leagues around the world these days with the power of the web. Since I was a young lad I always read World Soccer magazine and fortunately there are a million websites nowadays where I can keep up to date. As well as listening to Dotun Adebayo's excellent weekly World Football phone-in on 5live (Saturday mornings 2am til 4am).

Via all of these outlets, it's easy to keep in touch with players, clubs, the politics etc.

I've not been involved in football aside from playing at a decent amateur level, although those days are past now! I am not an agent or a scout, but just a genuine City fan who takes a keen interest in world football, and in particular in up and coming young players. I like to try to spot talent and see if they can reach their potential.

I also have a few friends who are equally in touch with youth talent, particularly in the local area, and we share our thoughts on the likes of Butland, Pack, etc. In fact in a recent discussion we recalled how one of us had recommended Guy Whittingham to City years ago when he was down at Yeovil (who were a non-league team at the time). City didn't bother looking at him and he went on to score hundreds of goals for Portsmouth (and yet, in conversations with Whittingham himself, he always said he never understood why City didn't speak to him). It's these sort of things that frustrate us about our scouting set-up.

One of my mates is going to the Cheltenham v Torquay game on Sunday for the sole purpose of having a closer look at Pack & O'Kane. Will anyone from City be there watching them??

The reason I mention such things on this forum is to share it with other City fans like yourself (just like everyone else comes on here to share their opinions), and I'm not asking anyone to take any particular interest if you don't want to, but for me, I feel it is very important.

Me and my mates honestly and truthfully believe that the scouting department at City has been a massive failure for a long long year! We constantly miss out on the best talent in the region when we should be THE Club that youngsters in the whole of the South West should be eager to join. If we want to produce players through the academy on a more regular basis then we need to scout properly at a younger age, coach better when they're here, and give assurances to lads and their parents that they've got a chance of breaking through to the first team if they're good enough.

Why did someone like Butland end up at Birmingham? He's from Clevedon! We're supposedly interested in Scott Laird - why was he never on our books anyway - he's from Taunton! Martin Cranie is from Yeovil! We desperately need to improve our academy and pick up the likes of Butland, Laird, Sercombe, Mason etc before others get hold of them. Look at Cardiff and Southampton, they've piled players out of their academies, why are we not competing for the same players?

Anyway, in summary, the scouting at our club is poor, and whether or not anyone listens to the fans or indeed this forum, I feel it is right of me to share my knowledge with others. I'm not saying all of the players I've mentioned will be viable targets or indeed worthwhile targets, all I'm saying is why are the club not looking at these type of players, because I would pretty much guarantee that they're not!

In answer to your final question, no I'm not in the process of becoming a scout or agent, but I would certainly love to be!

Top post Harry. Agree with all that.

I once recommended John McGinaly when at Yeovil to the club likewise Kevin Miller and Scott Hiley when at Exeter. Fell on deaf ears.

Young cheap hungry talent on our doorstep is what we should be going for.

Pack is now attracting much attention elsewhere (Cardiff being one) likewise O'kane. Sercombe being tracked by Chelsea. These names have been mentioned on here for a while now. I bet these players sadlly are not even on our radar!

Appalling scouting network at this club.

[Ron]

It's very easy to say (in fact it's pretty much taken as red on here) what isn't happening purely because you don't know about it.

[simon uk]

Top post Harry.

I would also suggest Stephen Dobbie if Blackpool don't sign him.

[Ron]

Sorry,I don't understand.

Has something happened to our scouting set-up or are we in for a player that you know about?

It was more of a general point, sorry for ambiguity.

[EmissionImpossible]

Hey fella.

Firstly, I have what I consider to be a pretty decent knowledge of football and it's very easy to keep in touch with leagues around the world these days with the power of the web. Since I was a young lad I always read World Soccer magazine and fortunately there are a million websites nowadays where I can keep up to date. As well as listening to Dotun Adebayo's excellent weekly World Football phone-in on 5live (Saturday mornings 2am til 4am).

Via all of these outlets, it's easy to keep in touch with players, clubs, the politics etc.

I've not been involved in football aside from playing at a decent amateur level, although those days are past now! I am not an agent or a scout, but just a genuine City fan who takes a keen interest in world football, and in particular in up and coming young players. I like to try to spot talent and see if they can reach their potential.

I also have a few friends who are equally in touch with youth talent, particularly in the local area, and we share our thoughts on the likes of Butland, Pack, etc. In fact in a recent discussion we recalled how one of us had recommended Guy Whittingham to City years ago when he was down at Yeovil (who were a non-league team at the time). City didn't bother looking at him and he went on to score hundreds of goals for Portsmouth (and yet, in conversations with Whittingham himself, he always said he never understood why City didn't speak to him). It's these sort of things that frustrate us about our scouting set-up.

One of my mates is going to the Cheltenham v Torquay game on Sunday for the sole purpose of having a closer look at Pack & O'Kane. Will anyone from City be there watching them??

The reason I mention such things on this forum is to share it with other City fans like yourself (just like everyone else comes on here to share their opinions), and I'm not asking anyone to take any particular interest if you don't want to, but for me, I feel it is very important.

Me and my mates honestly and truthfully believe that the scouting department at City has been a massive failure for a long long year! We constantly miss out on the best talent in the region when we should be THE Club that youngsters in the whole of the South West should be eager to join. If we want to produce players through the academy on a more regular basis then we need to scout properly at a younger age, coach better when they're here, and give assurances to lads and their parents that they've got a chance of breaking through to the first team if they're good enough.

Why did someone like Butland end up at Birmingham? He's from Clevedon! We're supposedly interested in Scott Laird - why was he never on our books anyway - he's from Taunton! Martin Cranie is from Yeovil! We desperately need to improve our academy and pick up the likes of Butland, Laird, Sercombe, Mason etc before others get hold of them. Look at Cardiff and Southampton, they've piled players out of their academies, why are we not competing for the same players?

Anyway, in summary, the scouting at our club is poor, and whether or not anyone listens to the fans or indeed this forum, I feel it is right of me to share my knowledge with others. I'm not saying all of the players I've mentioned will be viable targets or indeed worthwhile targets, all I'm saying is why are the club not looking at these type of players, because I would pretty much guarantee that they're not!

In answer to your final question, no I'm not in the process of becoming a scout or agent, but I would certainly love to be!

I have to say, I am very impressed by everything you say. Well informed and knowledgeable.

[Rob k]

The most informed post I've ever read on this forum, top stuff Harry, let's hope the club look at this and call you in for a chat at some point.

[redcherryberry]

'Our' Pete (Johnson) had a 40k a year job sat at home simpy watching Youtube clips of players so why not let Harry get out their scanning potential targets for us? He done the same last summer i remember. Posted a list of targets that many said to send in to the club.

Sounds like he has already got a 'team' in place what with his mate going to watch Chelt v Torquay to keep an eye on Pack & O'kane among others.

HARRY for scout.

[123456789000]

It's very easy to say (in fact it's pretty much taken as red on here) what isn't happening purely because you don't know about it.

Agreed, since DM took over he's been slowly changing the club staff, he seriously knows what he's doing. Its not coincidence that when Spink joined, Gerken went on a great run of form. He's slowly but surely improving our staff and I'm sure our scouting network is on his list of things to sort out. He seems to have a very clued up knowledge on Scottish players, and now that he's down here, his attentions will slowly turn to local talent and I expect to see a big improvement in local lads joining City in the near future.