My the way we talk about Ings you’d think he wasn’t our top scorer. We would be relegated without his goals. He may not be a youngster and has been injured but he’s the best striker we have had since Pele and Rickie.
Yeah this is the worry. Premier league goals are very, very hard to come by. Especially when you have no money. As good as Che is, (love him and he is still improving), we can’t rely on him to keep us up. Big conundrum to solve.
Recruitment is obviously key, and if we sell Ings and Vestergaard to other PL teams we should be looking at getting somewhere around 40m for the pair. This could be a **** ton of money this summer as teams on the continent will be way worse off financially than PL teams due to Corona. Just have to identify the 3/4 players we could get with that money (and whatever else we had set aside for the window anyway) If Ings and Vestergaard go this summer then I’d be looking at getting in: 1 x full back 1 x CB 1 x CM 1 x AM/winger (Maybe Ely, and if Redmond/Djenepo go then another one aswell) 2 x Striker With the right acquisitions I’m sure we could be better if these positions are addressed than we were last season.
I think we will end up worse if we spread the money that thin. To have any chance of replacing ings goals we will need to spend a fair chunk of money
I don’t think we will get a striker of the quality of Ings regardless, I’d be targeting spreading his goals about. He got 12 last season, if we follow the breakdown above we could be looking at 4 each from the new strikers and attacking midfielder, which should be doable, or 6 from each of the two strikers. I think pumping most of our money into trying to find a like for like replacement for Ings would be far riskier than spreading the money out over multiple signings. If the one player doesn’t fire straight away we could be in real trouble
I agree to an extent, but I think this is a bit simplistic. The obvious counterargument, is that without Ings in the team, there would have been a replacement. Sure last season we didn't have anyone decent to fill his boots, but with 25m+ and two months left of the window, we should be confident of getting a player in who can get at least 80% of the goals Ings scored. Villa bought Watkins for around the 25m mark last summer, and he scored the same amount of goals as Ings. Newcastle bought Wilson for 20m, and he also scored the same number of goals as Ings (and in fewer games played). Chris Wood of Burnley has reached double figures for the past four seasons running. Even Benteke reached double figures last season and he is usually ridiculed on this forum. Incidentally, I think Ings is a much better Premier League striker than either Rickie or Pelle. He's the best we've had since promotion, but with his injury issues, and the fact that his head is elsewhere these days, I'd say it's time to cash in.
A couple things, though. One, if we sell Ings for 25m, we won't have 25m to spend on a replacement. We'll get 20m after giving Liverpool their cut, and then you have to factor in signing-on bonuses (and paying up the remainder of any loyalty bonuses owed to Ings, oddly; players generally receive those even if sold, so long as they haven't formally submitted transfer requests). So at the end of the day, selling Ings for 25m probably allows us to buy a 15m striker and have it be close to even financially (probably a slight loss with tax thrown in?). We might be able to replace his goals, although it's iffy, but replacing his link-up play and his goals is more of a challenge.
Think we definitely need two strikers if we sell him. Still don't think Che is a natural goal scorer at this level and putting all our hopes on Armstrong hitting ground running sounds like a recipe for relegation.
Shame it is Spurs in for Vestergaard as Levy is a tight bastard and won't want to pay much with just 1 year left on his deal. We have been unlucky with Vestergaard. He was crap for 2 or 3 seasons, has 1 good year then leaves for cheap due to a short contract.
Ings must know exactly who is seriously in for him. It`s maybe fantasy on my part, but maybe he wants the club to get a decent fee for him rather than go for nothing. And the club makes noises to the effect that they are doing all they can to keep him to appease the fans. Cash in now and move on. It`s the Vokins and Long situation I can`t quite figure out. Give them both new contracts, then ship them out on loan ? Vokins should get plenty game time (and defending to do!) at Ross County - but couldn`t he get a Championship or League One club to take him on nearer to home to monitor him ?. Inverness airport is the nearest to Dingwall, and it`s not best served.
Precisely, so that's one problem position sorted. Next, striker, possible CB and midfielder. Baby steps.
£65k per week for someone who has hardly played in the PL? In contrast, Ings' current deal is about £80k per week.. You can see why we have no chance in keeping our best players. What a ridiculous wage. **** off United.
