General News

[ivoralljack]

Is not Downes one who is likely to be sold this window?

The 'big four' possibilities are supposed to be Piroe, Downes, Grimes and Cabango and any number of those could go....... especially if the price is right. Last season was supposed to be one of transition but if we sell our best player/s then we look set for another season of transition. Cooper was supposed to have one of those at Forest but his idea of transition was to take them straight to the play-offs from near the bottom of the table.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

If best players habitually leave then we're going to continue to be in transition ... resolved ultimately through relegation not promotion.

I am hoping that we have set contract termination limits on our players that are obscenely high so that we can reap some financial benefit for immediate reinvestment.

Andy Pandy had a transition period with us but in two seasons attained playoff status and improved. In retrospect, Andy Pandy to Martin is looking like a silly move. It's super frustrating. We railed on Andy Pandy because we held high standards and aspired to higher. Martin has crashed through the floor on those standards and aspirations and done some remarkably silly things - player wise - in the process. I mocked Andy Pandy's demeanor - in retrospect disrespectful and off-point - but with data to support the debate, I and others criticized Andy Pandy's approach and tactical switches during the season. However, what was delivered this season was woefully inadequate. Club owners and execs will not publicly express but surely behind closed doors there has to be a strong sense of disappointment in the backward step in league standings (and financial shortfall as a result) that the idea of a transition doesn't begin to excuse or come close to patching up.

The transition season transitioned us to what exactly ... we blew 46 leagues games to end 15th versus 4th and a playoff final fighting chance at promotion in the previous season to achieve what on the field. Looking at the data what do we have going into next season that is in any way positive except for some individual diamonds that are potentially going to be stolen from us. Those diamonds were not developed by Martin, they were acquired and would have flourished irrespective of coach - Andy Pandy, Martin, A.N.Other - as those players had nascent quality.

 

[ivoralljack]

Just read that Cardiff have secured young Ollie Tanner one of the hottest youth products in the country. He was getting offers from all over the place and, in fact, turned down a contract with Spurs to sign for Cardiff. Seems he's a 6ft 1" winger/striker who's strong, excellent in the air with a thunderous shot. Meantime, our parasites are only intent on flogging our best players to line their pockets and leaving us with peanuts to sign dross.

 

[ivoralljack]

Interesting list of free agents some of whom might suit us. They include:-

Alfie Mawson - could kickstart his career at our club where he did well.

Gary Cahill - been top class and could be a useful mentor for a season or so.

James Chester - probably not but does have Premier League and international experience he could pass on.

Charlie Austin - has always got goals and might thrive on the end of our footballing game.

Steven Fletcher/Tom Ince - a pair of 'maybes' from Stoke.

Andy Carroll - the epitome of a Plan B and he's quite useful on the deck for a big man. Martin has admitted that we are a lightweight team lacking in physicality and height. Carroll would bring that both in defence and attack.

There are many others and we have to remember they are being let go for a reason. But that doesn't necessarily make them bad players. Just like Russell, other managers have their favourites and sometimes a player's face just doesn't fit and he could do a good job elsewhere. What do you guys think? Take a look here: Every Championship player being released this summer who are up for grabs

 

[Yankee_Jack]

The list doesn't include Joe Allen - contract expires 6/2022. Has he resigned with Stoke?

Here's a list of current free agents: Free agents

Here's a list of contracts ending: Contracts expiring

 

[JackBarSteward]

Allen is happy to eat a chunk of his salary to come back but nothing seems to be happening, I wonder why.

Andy Carroll gives me vibes of Danny Graham and an inflated wage request unfortunately.

Alfie jumped ship at the first port of call regardless of how good he was. Now I don't know the reasoning behind it, it was during the fire dale period. I'd rather a Cahill for a season playing bit parts and mentoring Cabango et al but I don't think he'll fit in to Martin's circus.

 

[JackBarSteward]

Nathan Wood from Boro signed apparently.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

And another young journey man defender through the minor leagues - Wasiri Williams

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I'd like to think that we have an eye for spotting talent but frankly I wouldn't bet money on it some I don't see either of these two acquisitions as game changers to power up promotion hopes. We have Joe Allen almost pleading to come back and after his performance against Ukraine clearly demonstrating that he's got plenty to offer us, why isn't he a priority.

 

[The Blobster]

Wood looks a strong and athletic figure , he played for boro 1sts at the age of 16 so must have some talent. Williams was on trial with the under 23s at the end of last season so they must have seen something good in him to offer him his first pro contract.

That's our 2 central defenders in , now what else is in the pipeline ?

 

[ivoralljack]

Wood looks a strong and athletic figure , he played for boro 1sts at the age of 16 so must have some talent. Williams was on trial with the under 23s at the end of last season so they must have seen something good in him to offer him his first pro contract.

That's our 2 central defenders in , now what else is in the pipeline ?

I'd like to give young Ben Woodburn a chance. I know he's not set the world on fire recently, partly due to injury problems, but he came through the Liverpool academy and a few years ago was considered to be a red hot prospect. He's gone backwards on loan - sometimes a face doesn't fit and he's been demotivated. He would be a free signing and his wages should be affordable. I'd take a chance - he obviously has talent but it needs nurturing at the right club. Perhaps that could be us and, if Martin could get him firing, we'd have a class player on our hands.

 

[CroJack]

Williams was on trial with the under 23s at the end of last season so they must have seen something good in him to offer him his first pro contract.

Who is Williams?

 

[The Blobster]

Wasiri Williams, signed one year contract from non league football last week .

 

[CroJack]

Wasiri Williams, signed one year contract from non league football last week .

From non league?

 

[CroJack]

Do these two new centre-backs have any pace?

 

[The Blobster]

Wood has pace, a 12 sec 100m , he was also a high jumper in his youth .. I know nothing about Williams only that he trialed with us last season .

 

[ivoralljack]

Reading that Burnley want Lati who was with new manager Vincent Kompany at Citeh. A fee of £500k is mentioned and, whilst I know that Lati is far from the finished article, that seems low to me. Are we being shafted again or do you guys feel that's a fair price?

 

[ivoralljack]

Wood has pace, a 12 sec 100m , he was also a high jumper in his youth .. I know nothing about Williams only that he trialed with us last season .

Nathan Wood is 6ft 2" in height. Not the tallest but decent enough to challenge the crosses and even more when he muscles out as he gets older. He's pretty quick as Blobs has mentioned and did a 100 metre sprint in a fraction over 13 seconds when he was just 13 years old. So pretty athletic then, which is what Martin is looking for.

 

[CroJack]

Reading that Burnley want Lati who was with new manager Vincent Kampany at Citeh. A fee of £500k is mentioned and, whilst I know that Lati is far from the finished article, that seems low to me. Are we being shafted again or do you guys feel that's a fair price?

A bit low. According to Transfermarkt he is worth €700.000 = £600.000

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I would move Lati on. I haven't seen enough in him over the last two years to warrant any more effort. I see more value in Brandon Cooper - would rather invest resources in developing Cooper. There is no mention of what we paid City for Lati, if anything, so if Burnley have a hard on for him, let's raise the price until they scream and back off a tad.