rodriguez has already stated he expects to leave this summer. rhodes will definitely leave if huddersfield don't go up. my guess would be £6m would have a chance of rodriguez, £3.5m-£4m rhodes. the latter is the bigger gamble
I'd love either of them, but both have more than a whiff of bidding war about them. We know we won't get sucked into that, so I'm afraid I think they're both likely to end up elsewhere.
Read earlier that Swansea trying to buy Gunter and Reading snapped up McCleary, both city targets I wonder if Lambert might go to the continent to sign players would be interesting.
I didn't mean they were on high wages at there current clubs, what i was trying to say is that the offers they will get will probably be more than we can offer them
It depends on how much the club/manager wants a specific player really! ie lambert maybe prepared to offer 1k more than another club as the other club thinks its to much of a risk and also money is not everything when a player decides who he wants to play for. A lot of championship players may well look at how players like howson, Bennett, pilks etc have done and think I wana be part of that.
One thing is clear in all this Lambert is focused on us !!! Or you would think the club wouldnt let him release players.
Many people thought that the £3m+ spent on Ryan Bennett in January was questionable - for an 'unknown' ex-Grimsby player. I bet they (we) all feel smug having seen him ease into top flight football - with much more still to come Lambert has a brilliant success rate when new players arrive, let's hope - and assume, that's going to continue.
I believe both Rodriguez and Rhodes only have one year left on their current contracts, so it may be a case of Burnley and Huddersfield will sell them as they don't want to risk losing them on a free and missing out on a transfer fee, if not now then in January.
Agreed! We would definately have to pay over the odds for both of them. Can't see Lambert or McNally going for it. I've not heard the Mohammed abdalloue link from anyone except ICBH but he looks pretty good from my extensive scouting on Wiki and Youtube!
I've heard the Abdalloue link a couple of times now and not just from ICHB. Looks like a decent player
Back to the thread. I would like to put a big word in for Russell Martin. Not the most popular signing when he first joined us but potentially, IMO, one our best signings under PL. He had a God season in the Championship and I was disappointed for him when he didn't start the season in the team. However, subsequently, his performances at full back have not really been what is required in the Prem Yet on both occasions he was recalled to the side as a CB, he was outstanding. In fact, I would go so far a to say, his performances solely as a CB would have put him in the frame as POTY. Alongside Bennet, he is the most athletic of the CB's, and can tackle cleanly. He is a useful goalscorer, and is not afraid to venture into the middle of the park to make an interception. Whether we spend more money on CB's will probably depend on whether Barnett and/or Ward figure in PL's plans but I for one would be quite happy to see Bennet and Martin as 1st choice pairing.
So long as he is the manager he is going to act as the manager. Speculation or approaches won't change what he does as he may not get the job. To think he will stay as he released these players isn't right. However, I think and hope he will stay anyway
Think Russell Martin has played better than anyone at centre back this year. His reading of the game has been Baresi-esque at times. Put in a brilliant performance at both Old Trafford and Emirates playing and centre half and if he can play in that position at them two places I think we should consider him as a serious contender for centre half.
Every team needs a Russell martin Full stop, he's invaluable. Irreplaceable, stepped up and was counted big time Don't forget he battled through illness not so long ago while putting in some amazing performances. What a pro
Here's a test the water suggestion Cash+Chris Martin for Rhodes or Rodriguez??? Bargaining chip, I think pilkingtons influence over Rhodes could be a tool we can use also
Where do I sign? Excellent Idea...sure Martin would be an attractive proposition, considering the cash would also be used for a few more players. Rhodes
I like it. Huddersfield get a striker proven in the championship, we get rid of a player none of us believe to be in Lambert's plans, and save some money in the process.
Or as a stronger chip, Vaughan? Pay even less money and get rid of a liability? His £2.5m value is now like £2m max. We can then trade Snodgrass for Martin + Cash?