Ben Marshall

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Well-Known Member
May 2, 2011
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Royal Borough of Greenwich
It seems, according to Udders Advertiser, that both Udders and ourselves have put in an offer of £500k for him. Stoke have offered him a new contract but he seems unwilling to sign it so they may be forced to sell him this week rather than go to a tribuneral. Wendies may make offer if Stoke talks break down or may be holding out for another loan deal?

If he came to us then Jacko could move into centre midfield which is his best position and we would have the best attacking threat in L1 on the left with Wiggins and Marshall.

That would be it for me except for a replacement for the Doc during the summer I would be happy with the present squad (with two changes above) for the Championship. Having our squad ready in June would be a big plus next season.

<cheers>

AllHell
 
Wouldn't want Jackson in the middle, as that would mean either dropping Hollands or else having two left-footed CM's on the pitch - personally I believe the balance we've had in that position (one left and one right footed CM) has been fundamental to our success.

Then again, a £500k bid would be quite a lot of money for a player to warm the bench/be an impact sub. Yet JJ is our captain and I can't see him being dropped.
 
Probably not, but I'd feel the same if Hollands was dropped for a right-footed CM. Similarly to how I was fairly anxious about Morrison at LCB at the start of the season, because he seemed reluctant to use his left foot.

Perhaps I should actually just use Morrison as a case in point of how two left footed CM's might not be a bad idea though <laugh>
 
He appears to be ready for a step up to the championship now- so the player himself is not in question.

I think if we were to go in with a 500k offer, that would very much be eating in to next seasons money. Perhaps the board are confident of promotion and are happy to take a risk. I or one second don't believe they would offer that money for anyone if they thought we would be in league one next season.
 
Trouble is it would make our midfield even more overloaded, especially when Stephens is fit and even Mikel(no maybe not) and we,ve also got Hughes who can consider himself a bit unlucky and Russell so I'd leave well alone for now.
 
I am not an enthusiast for fixing things when they ain't broke and, reading between the lines of his recent interviews, I think CP is beginning to fret a bit at having to leave so many good players out of the squad each week.

However, Marshall is the one player I would like us to sign if we can afford him. Firstly, he excels at this level and could clinch our promotion, which is worth many millions. Secondly, for all our big squad, we do not have an orthodox left-winger (whereas we have two right-wingers). Thirdly (and sorry if I sound like Acworth here), it would stop one of our promotion rivals strengthening their team.

If we did sign him, I could accept one of the following going out on loan if that was one of the conditions which our board made to CP: Pritchard, Wagstaff or Evina. They are all good young players who need more games than they are getting. (OK, Pritchard is not that young, but he is in league experience, and, while his is playing now, he won't be in the team once Stephens gets match fit).
 
Agree completely with eddiefirmani's analysis here. Paradoxical though it may be we are assembling a very impressive squad, both from a quality and quantity point of view, but a significant number of them will not be good enough for the next level and will eventually leave. By common consent, Marshall would appear to be good enough for the championship so I'd go for it.
 
Based upon Mr Slaters comments on Chalrton Live last night, i dont think there is going to be a mass inflow of players for next season regardless of what League we are in. I think that 500k and maybe 2/3 players is going to be our limit.However, its quite obvious that Mr Slater is a very shrewd man, and if he believes the player is value and will be capable of improving our squad for the Champs then he will make the money available for Marshall.One thing that is likely to happen, come the end of season or maybe earlier, is a trimming of the fringe players who are deemed of not being of Champs standard- so, i would expect an exodus of players of the likes of Waggy,Hughes,Doc,Alonso,Yado,Benson etc. to supply the funds necessary to accommodate 2/3 players and their wages.
To me, you only have to look at our squad now to what we had this time last season, and all, supposedly, for no net outlay to know ,'In Chris we trust'.
 
We have to sign as many players as we can because we're not allowed to sign anyone next year, don't you read the papers you muesli spinners, that's why we're buying everyone who's not nailed down, we need to buy people this year so we have people to sell next year, otherwise we we'll never get in the PL ever again, this is our only chance, don't knock it you turkey bowlers, I love Michael Slater not like that I'm not gay lol!