Another who is about to enter the final year of their contract so wouldn't be surprised if we look to sell if we can't agree a new deal. We're well stocked in his position at the moment, feel like he would've already been a regular in the first team this time last year. Be a shame to see him go though, I like him a lot.
Interesting thoughts on Watson. Not sure id kind of banish him from the squad, we’ve left ourselves too short in that area after January and we’ll need him to make an impact, he might have more of a point to prove as **** as that sounds. Obviously wants the coin but i think a club like Brighton is an understandable move for a young player, just think he should have shown a bit more loyalty after all the years of investment in him. Don’t think the club could have done much with the timing, Brighton have form for early deals and this would of leaked in someway, best get it out there now and not say on the eve of the playoffs. Most important point is the academy continues to do wonders for the club. £20m for Henderson, £30m for Pickford and now £10m for Watson. Rigg may even beat all of them but 8 figures is pretty certain.
He’s come on a lot this year, but his all round game and finishing isn’t better than Wilson or Mayenda. Same poster mentioned they want his younger brother as well.
Doesn’t say mate but I’m assuming the scousers. Think the poster gets on here occasionally @Chucky Puddin ?
Yeh they're the ones I'd heard / read about back in January (I can't for the life of me remember where)
Wouldn't mind cashing in on Ballard. His injury history is a red flag and I don't think he's been great when he has played this season. Would be another boost to the transfer kitty from a player who hasn't played much this season and making Mepham a permanent would go a long way to replace him instantly. As others have said though too much squad churn would be detrimental in the short term and possibly the long term if recruitment isn't right.
The thing that I find frustrating and disappointing is that Watson is a local lad, who has come up through the academy and he should have been dreaming of playing for the club. I get that it's a short career etc but it's a short life too and there has to be more to life than chasing money. I don't care what anyone says bur Brighton aren't a bigger club than Sunderland. They are a well run machine who have benefited from good leadership and a ****load of sky money. The disparity between the champ and prem is getting obscene and frankly ridiculous. I don't think Watson will play much next season, if at all, and then who knows what happens. Playing games at this age is absolutely essential and he'd have gotten plenty of opportunities at Sunderland. I'm not so sure he will get the same development at brighton
If a players attitude is right then there is no reason to drop someone because of an impending transfer imo. His minutes may be limited as Mundle should be first choice on the left anyway, and we have backup in Le Fee (who I really hope starts playing centrally on his return).
Seems like a solid enough bit of business. We don’t know for sure how good the lad is going to be. Absolutely looks potentially great but there’s a string of wingers who have burst onto scene and then slid down the leagues. I’d be far more concerned to lose Mundle.
Think there are 2 schools (or maybe 3) to our model. The obvious one is buy obscure youngsters and sell them for profit (Hume could be an example of that), then there is the option to buy kids from the fringes of PL teams (Clarke, Ballard, Cirkin, Huggins, Alese) and sell for profit. Then there are the academy lads, some like Neil and Patterson will come through and establish themselves as 1st team regulars, but others like Watson & potentially Ogunsuyi will be sold based on potential.
I live big Dam but his pricing ceiling is 12-15, and he’d need to stay fit for 2 full seasons to get to that. £10million would be a good deal and again, putting cash in bank to improve contracts of those who remain etc, adding value later.
What I like about our business at the moment is that we have the likes of Seelt, Triantis and potentially Johnson who could step up into Ballard's place should we sell him. I know there was a lot of chat (and derision) last year about how we'd sell Clarke the Speakman would tell us that his replacement is "already in the building" but that turned out to be accurate. It's not impossible that the likes of the players I've mentioned could step up, nor is it impossible that Aleksic could be the new Jobe.
100% mate. And if you look at the evolution of Mayenda this season, any one of 5-6 could be the next big one. Seelt showed a lot before the injury, Hugh, high hopes there for me. Was already questions of ‘could he be first choice’ at times.
It’s great that the club are getting big wins out if the academy and with it they’re buying emerging talent like they did with Mundle and Aleksic. We’re well run and those criticising the club miss the big picture. It’s the same club that nail this. The lower wages will bite us but we are equipped to be resilient to most departures. I’d play Watson if Mundle’s injured or needs a rest to maintain form and fitness Daft not to. Other than that he’s not starting. I know the Ballard story’s from a ****e source but I expect a few to head off this summer and some of be happy to go because of impact or ability. Ballard and Cirkin are two of the regularly injured. Both class on their day but if you take in bad games suspensions and injuries combined they aren’t consistent. Add in Samed, Poveda and that’s a lot of games missed. I think Huggins is our best full back but he’s the same. I think having fit players has to be a consideration. A regularly fit version of Cirkin for example and we’re probably 6 points higher. Edit: started typing this then hit a tunnel on the train. About 5 people had said the same when it landed.
Mundle has a much higher ceiling for me his pace and power if used effectively could be devastating. Watson reminds me too much of Clarke not super quick or strong bit got a bit of a trick to beat a defender. This is much easier to combat by a decent defender than someone who can literally bulldoze through you. We've seen what's happened to Clarke this season. The grass ain't always greener.
I know I'll get called up on this (I can even guess who will do it!!!) but I can see Ipswich winning the league at a canter next season. I doubt they'll lost many (if any) of their squad. They basically bought a side that guarantees yo-yo'ing.