Mate, he does the exact same thing Woods does. He’s a deep-lying playmaker. He’s not physical at all. Don’t let his height fool you either. He’s a long streak of piss and any Derby fan will tell you the same. He’s also more one-footed than Cairney was when he was here. As a replacement for Woods and long term replacement for Seri, it’s a decent signing but don’t expect him to protect the back-four like a defensive midfielder would.
I think you need that to play as one of Rosenior’s deeper players. Bird took on that responsibility for Derby last season as Hourihane provides even less defensive cover. Let’s hope it’s the side of his game he carries on improving
Yep we were. He was one of the ones I hoped Acun would do his magic with. Bit of a theme here… Rosie’s input seems to be limited to his knowledge of ex derby and Brighton players. I guess he didn’t do a lot of networking when he was in his previous roles
I’m just saying, mate, if you think the Seri and Woods partnership was bad, don’t expect a Seri and Bird one to be that much better. All of these players are too similar and do the same thing. At least with Simons, you’ve got a player who actually has the physicality, mentality and legs to protect the back-four. Rosenior clearly wants to replicate Brighton on the pitch and Simons is the closest type of midfielder we have to Caicedo.
I thought it wasn’t unusual for managers to have favoured players that fit their ethos. Elmo played under Bruce at how many clubs?
Erm, they are. Whiteman has one year left on his deal and hasn’t signed a new contract and Blackburn need cash for some of their assets due to money issues. Millwall had a bid rejected for Travis earlier this summer because it was only £800k but £1.5-2 million would probably get him. We’ve probably bid that for Bird.
Didn’t quite realise Travis was that good at winning the ball back. Whiteman would replace Seri though imo not partner him.
Seri is 32 he’s probably got a bit part season left in him then he’s done. So Bird is a good signing.
Whiteman’s quality and is both a ball-winner and deep-playmaker. He’s good at tackling, interceptions and generally recovering the ball but he excels at what he does when he gets the ball back. He could partner Seri but could equally partner a more box-to-box player like Slater anyway. Travis is more of a traditional defensive mid. Great ball-winner for this league and a competent passer but not really creative.
He’s probably one of those players who wouldn’t want to leave Preston to play for an inexperienced manager like Rosenior if what @Howdentiger2 said about Rosenior lacking pull for quality Championship players is true, yes. That’s probably also why we’re looking at Bird because he’s someone Rosenior knows and gave the vice-captaincy at Derby. There might also be an element of truth to what Howden’s Derby-supporting mate said about Rosenior not liking experienced players at this level who are outspoken in the dressing room, which I imagine both Whiteman and Travis are. Overall, we probably could afford the transfer fees and wages for either Whiteman or Travis but neither of them may not want to play for Rosenior and Rosenior may not want to sign them because they’re both experienced leaders at this level and Rosenior wants young, impressionable players who he can mould in his own image. All speculation of course.
