Blues target Al-Habsi in James jibe

June 28, 2005

CITY transfer target Ali Al-Habsi is determined to land a move to Eastlands - because he believes David James is past his best, according to a report.

The Omani keeper, who is also attracting the interest of Bolton, is regarded by many as the best keeper from Asia, and is the only member of his national side to play in Europe.

Al-Habsi had trails with both City and Bolton last season, with the latter having a £400,000 bid turned down by his club last term.

With City having Nicky Weaver unavailable through injury again, and Geert De Vlieger's fitness being questionable after he spent most of last season recovering from foot injuries, Pearce may be looking for back-up.

Al-Habsi, currently at Lyn Oslo, told the Dail Express: "James is getting old and probably only has a year or so of good football left in him.

"I must think of which club will offer me the biggest chance to secure a first-team place.

"It is not all about the money - I want to be playing."

Should City move for Al-Habsi? Have your say

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Blue Tiger, USA (28/06/2005 at 10:16)

With Weaver injured will he ever get back to his old self again?.
MCFC need cover for James, if Al-Habsi is good enough?.
What about our up and coming young Kasper ?.

Ant and City, Kippax Street (28/06/2005 at 10:17)

Good to hear that a footballer is actually putting playing the game ahead of money for a change.

dave, croydon (28/06/2005 at 10:21)

Dont know anything about him but speaking out about a possible team mate being past his best is not good so I'd say stay away! We do need some cover though.

Chris, Chorley (28/06/2005 at 10:32)

We have four keepers in the senior squad. Until a couple of weeks ago, we had five. We don't need another wage earner who'll never play. So what if Weaver is injured, his injury is not a recurrance of his previous injuries, it is completely unrelated. Kasper needs reserve games now, with three keepers between him and the no. 2 spot, we might as well let him go now. If we are planning to cash in on DJ, then maybe, but at 34(?), how much would we get, anyway, he's been more of an asset than a liability, this lad would have to be very good indeed to replace him.

Jeff Jones, Office, hot and annoyed (28/06/2005 at 10:40)

The lad is obviously a fool. How do you show that you are a team player before signing? By slagging off a player who is an England player and who helped us to one of the lowest goals-against totals in the Premiership. MUPPET! Hope he goes to Bolton and spends the rest of his days in the reserves, playing at Horwich, or wherever!

Pete, London Blue (28/06/2005 at 10:58)

Kaspar is still a couple of years too young for the premiership, and much as I want Weaver to get back we cant go into a transfer freeze out with one decent keeper. I would have thought until I heard this quote he would be great, as he has a good rep, but its a bit stupid to be saying things like that if you want to move. However, he is on a free I believe, so he will be the best we can get right now. Take him.

nick, bradford blue (28/06/2005 at 10:59)

who cares unless he can play in midfield or upfront........who cares..........put a story out when there is some truth to it and it is with regards to a striker or midfielder..........otherwise dont bother doing anything its all drivel

Liam & Noel, Burnage (28/06/2005 at 11:13)

I will guarantee his true comments were lost in translation!!

KosmosBlue, Oslo (28/06/2005 at 11:24)

I watch him play almost every week, and I really hope Pearce gets Al-Habsi. A very talentet keeper. I think he has the ability to be one of the best shotstoppers around.
No offence, but in my opinion he is in a different league than Weaver. Could very well be the future no1 at COMS.

Rick, Glos (28/06/2005 at 11:31)

If DJ plays like he did last season for the next few seasons, then nobody will get near his number 1 shirt, i thought he had a top season.

Bobster, Konstanzer Blue (28/06/2005 at 11:38)

Personally i think we already have one keeper too many.

Anthony, Plymouth via MCR (28/06/2005 at 12:20)

Since James has come to City, he has plugged a gap. It is no coincidence that Dunne and Distin have flourished as a defensive partnership- because of the influence and presence of Jamo has been pivitol to this. Take any three out of the triangle and we will miss them. Lets lhave a look at what James his attributed since he came to City. 1) He is a class Keeper, 2) He shouts at the defence (much needed), 3)he is a big presence in goal- 4) save of the season against Chealski, 5) He has a brain (most noticble in interviews, 6)He loves the club and the fans, oh did I mention that he kept us up the saeson before last by saving several crucial penalties! James is our out and out NO1 and this new geezer on the horizon sounds a little too arrogant to be a team player to me. Alarm bells are ringing. Plus Jamo is class upfront!!!!!
CTID

CTID, LEEDS (28/06/2005 at 12:26)

Rick and Bobster i agree. DJ had a nightmare for England but was absolutely outstanding for the blues. I don't know anything about this new kid but i'd have thought 3 keepers would suffice never mind 4 or 5. Please sign a striker soon Psycho.

Mr Wiskas (28/06/2005 at 12:52)

Anthony from Plymouth you missed 7) His positioning is terrible especially for corners and free kicks 8) He cant catch the ball 9) More often than not when he saves a ball he always seems to push it outwards towards an attacker 10) He has only played for England because the alternatives are worse 11) His art is bad

Peter, True Blue Scandinavia, Oslo, Norway (28/06/2005 at 13:07)

Al-Habsi is the best gk in Norwegian premiership. He is a great shootstopper, comunicator and he comands the area well.
He is only 23, and comes for free.. He's got a huge potensial!
Sign him!
Blues should also sign Oliver Ocean, a pacey canadian striker...

mark, chesterfield (28/06/2005 at 14:19)

This is exactly what Keegan would have done. Bought another goalkeeper. I was joking about it to my mate the other day, saying that our first signing this summer would probably be a goalkeeper. Come on Pearce, forget about him and concentrate on getting a couple of forwards, a creative midfielder, and that's it. Another day gone by, and no signings made. Are we actually interested in anyone?.

tony the blue, manchester (28/06/2005 at 14:24)

another goalie we just got rid of 1 now we gonna sign 1 what aload of rubbish.DJ is doing ok 4 now then weaver or casper could take over . casper is looking like a good goalie lets not waste money (again) get what we need thats 2 mid 1 creative mid and 1 or2 forward players CTID

Mike, Spain (28/06/2005 at 14:31)

Mr Wiskas, you missed...(12) we wouldB4ve been relegated in 2003/04 had it not been for James

Mr Wiskas (28/06/2005 at 14:50)

Would we have not had more points had he not give goals away earlier in the season therefore not putting us in a relegation position, did the rest of the team not save us from relegation or did he do it all on his own. David James has always been a great shotstopper i cant deny that but as goalkeepers go he isnt in the top ten in the premiership. When he played for Liverpool, Aston Villa & West Ham everyone always thought we had a chance of scoring with calamity in net suddenly he joins City in the twighlight of his career and he becomes a world beater. Somebody said James loves City and the fans James is a proffesional footballer who is after the most he can get from a short career as are most of footballers very few give a damn about the club they play for and would jump ship at a minutes notice if a better offer came along.

The Kippax Kid, Irlam (28/06/2005 at 15:29)

Mr Whiskas, firstly, it wasn't David James that conceded goals early on in the 03 to 04 Season, it was a chap called David Seaman. You might remember him from the 2002 World Cup when we were playing Brazil. Secondly, you say it was the team that kept us up which to an extent I agree with, after all, this is a team game however it was the team that gave away a few penalty's and when it comes down to a penalty it is no longer a team game, its between the striker and the goalie. In these instances DJ saved our necks, as well as KK's! Thirdly, look at the stats for last season. One of the best defences in the Premier League and that doesn't happen if you have got a liability in net. DJ has been one of KK's better buy's and I think there are a few more seasons in him yet. You also say he doesn't care about the club, was it not David James that led the revolt againtst KK in the 03 to 04 Season and said that things weren't right and changes need to be made. These changes were made and we stayed in the Premiership. I for one am very happy with DJ.

Andrew, Brentford (28/06/2005 at 15:31)

Mr Wiskas, there is no denying it, his saves and Anelka's goals/assists kept us up the season before last. And he won us a few points last season too, notably against Chelsea away. The point is, with Weaver only supposed to be out for the short term, de Vleger recovered and Kasper Schmeichel coming through, do we need yet another gk and the answer to that has to be no unless we sell one of the existing players in that position. Is this new guy any good? We don't know but opinions are favourable from those in the know. Will he replace James? No chance at the moment so he'll be basically in a three way split with de Vleger and Weaver for the bench. Is it good to bring in a player who, before even signing for a club, has a pop at the player whose place he is playing for? I doubt it! Nothing wrong with competition but I'd be not happy if I was DJ and had a young player coming in who is basically saying I am past it! Not clever! Let Bolton have! He'll have the same problem there as with us. Now if was to replace Juussi Jaskelainnen and we were to sign him on a free, that would be a different matter because he is a class keeper!

Jim, Furness Vale (28/06/2005 at 15:49)

Sign him up and release De Vleiger and if Weaver cannot stop being injured then release him at the end of the season, as he will then be 28. Weaver has picked up wages for the last three years and done nothing. This guy is on a free ! While we are debating about this keeper the club should also forget about Crouch for 7 million (?) and buy Ashton for about 5 million. We need better players than the ones we have released not worse ones !

bluemoon, portsmouth (28/06/2005 at 16:03)

its right to say that james is past his best but he is as good as we are going to have at the moment.
we do not need yet another keeper if we do he needs to be a lot younger british and posses authority in the box.
or we go for some one like hislop released by portsmouth so available for free and is still a quality stand by if needed.

dave, Croydon (28/06/2005 at 16:09)

Guys we are drifting away here because we all recognise the problem its at the other end of the pitch and without selling SWP which is the last thing I want we are looking for free bees so who the hell is out there that can score the goals we need that is free. We dont want to end up like Leeds but surely we can keep our players and find a few mil. to get a decent striker. Cant believe that would'nt push the club over the edge.

Johno, Manc (28/06/2005 at 17:03)

And just how good is this fella up front?

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