Happy new year Reds fans; I know it's a bit late but I wanted my first blog of 2012 to include our first signing of the year. Alas, 11 days into 2012 and we're still waiting! There has been rumours galore, both good and bad, but still nothing.
It's been reported that every player the Reds have approached has declined with the exception of Popo and Takahara. Yes, Mr No-Goal Takahara returning to the Reds and 35 year old Popo are our reinforcements? I know these two guys have consistently scored against us this past few years, but I can't imagine them scoring for us. Takahara has proved that in the past!
Strikers Tadanari Lee and Mike Havenaar has moved to Europe, joining Southampton and Vitesse respectively, which doesn't give us much of an option for fresh striker. Is Ranko going to be the answer? Only if he brings is "cup" form to every game.
The latest rumour has been Tomoaki Makino joining the Reds on a year long loan. Makino joining the Reds have been on and off over the last couple of weeks, but according to 1.FC Koln manager says that the loan is almost official (Link). But is another defender what we need? With Petrovic 2.0 known for playing a 3-6-1 formation, having a back three of Spiranovic-Nagata-Makino wouldn't be a bad thing, plus we still have Hamada.
Who else have we been linked to? Yuki Abe. Having his presence in the midfield will be good for the Reds, but the possibility of Abe returning very slim. Wouldn't you rather see Abe in the Premier League?
Moving in the other direction; Mazola's year long loan has ended (so he's back at Sao Paulo), Hiroyuki Takasaki has gone to Ventforet Kofu in the J2 (possibly to replace Havenaar?), Satoshi Horinouchi has been released (reported to be going to Consadole Sapporo) and Shunsuke Tsutsumi has also been released.
Of the four, losing Mazola and Takasaki would be the biggest. By saying that though, neither of the two impressed me that much in 2011. Mazola started well, but for some reason didn't make it on the field as often as I would have expected an "import" and Takasaki, J2's top scorer in 2010 couldn't deliver consistently in the J1 (the reason he's returning to the J2?).
Besides waiting for our first signing, I'm also waiting for the Reds 2012 jersey. Well here's a look at my Reds jersey collection (5 years in the making...). Only thing I'm missing is my two goalkeeper jerseys.
So the next time I blog hopefully I will be reporting on our first signing. Until then...
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