New Players from United

From what in know I believe De Lawton will be solid if not spectacular.

James however is a different prospect. I believe he was a little inconsistent at Preston but in his day exceptional. If he can find this form on a regular basis I'm quite excited by this signing. Dare I say it, I think he might be the defensive midfielder I've wanted so long. He's not your Nigel de Jong type player, more your Neil Lennon but I hope he can come in and give the protection in front of the back 4.

Mind you, I've said the same about o e of our signings every year or the last 3!!

Justed checked out the JA606 Man U site, have a look, it makes very good reading for both players, although there are concerns with James in respect of recent injuries - but someone on there rates him higher than Cleverley - could be two very good captures - Maybe our odds are right (only having a laugh)

I think I prefer players who have something to prove from excellent parent clubs. Teams like Man U, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool etc don't bring youngsters through the system from 11 if they aren't showing potential. It's no disgrace in not quite making it at these clubs, but they will probably turn out to be excellent Championship players. Big money signings on huge salaries don't always give their all as we have seen this year.

Yeah, there is a thread about these 2 on the Man Utd board. I aksed for opinions and so far have only got positive ones.

Yes shot I noticed you contacted them, as far as potential is concerned I liked the bit about there being the possibility of a buy back clause for James in the deal, obviously not so good if he turns out to be a world beater. But it does show that MU haven't given up on him completely. It certainly cannot be easy for these boys trying to compete with the pick of the best in the world and sometimes it's not about talent but if your face fits

I'm more excited about the James signing rather than the de Laet signing.

As Madness points out, de Laet has been on loan to half the country, done OK by all accounts but not spectacular, and no team has ever tried to sign him as far as I can tell.

James did look very promising at Preston and he's a player I've been keeping my eye on, been injured from what I've been able to gather, but believe he had a loan spell somewhere at the back end of last season. Good young player who will of course know Drinkwater well - could be our future CM partnership if their chemistry and balance is right.

My big concern right now, though, is that we are signing/trying to sign players for tomorrow (James, de Laet, Blyth, Vardy) and there doesn't seem to be much emphasis on buying players for today. And this at a time where we needed promotion yesterday.

Haven't we got alot of players with experience (who didn't really perform las year, however)

Defenders
Konchesky
Morgan
St Ledger
Bamba

Midfield
Wellens
Danns
King

Forwards
Nugent
Beckford
Vassell

All of these with a crop of good youngsters will surely be a decent blend

"My big concern right now, though, is that we are signing/trying to sign players for tomorrow (James, de Laet, Blyth, Vardy) and there doesn't seem to be much emphasis on buying players for today. And this at a time where we needed promotion yesterday."

I'm not sure why it should be a concern at the moment, when the window hasn't even opened. It's clear we won't know who Pearson is going to sign up until around the time it happens. Even if there is an argument that we aren't buying players for 'today' (which I don't agree there is), ultimately we have no idea what 'emphasis' Pearson is placing on his signings.

There is also the argument that maybe we don't actually need a huge overhaul of players who have the 'experience' to get us promoted asap - i have this nagging feeling that we tried this quite recently...

Re; De Laet - some Norwich fans were raving about him at the start of the season before he got injured. And Drinkwater like Ritchie, was sent out by Man U to four teams on loan prior to signing for us, I don't remember this being an issue.

Senior signings - Morgan 28, Drinkwater 22, De Laet 23 and James 20.

I don't really think there is a real argument to say Pearson is buying under developed players for future seasons - 3 of these have reasonable to good experience at Championship level combined with a lot of potential by all accounts.

I know a Man U fan (who actually go to games, watches reserve matches, etc) who stated that, initially at least, James looked like he could be the next big talent to come through in the Man U midfield and he is quite shocked that the player was sold.

I forgot to add Marshall as well!

"James looked like he could be the next big talent to come through in the Man U midfield and he is quite shocked that the player was sold."
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Did I read somewhere that Man Utd had inserted a buy back clause or was that my imagination?