Can't complain about a free transfer in my opinion. I still have a feeling we might go for Danny Simpson though, I know it's a lazy journalism link but the difference is that Newcastle are stalling with a new contract and they are after Debuchy. Will have to wait and see. But Whittaker = solid signing
I feel similarly to how I did when we signed Bradley Johnson...willing to wait and see and feeling it is worth a go as he is a free transfer.
Just read that lawyers are brig brought in to block the player's move to claim they are a free agent. Hopefully there won't be any problems there. Also seen that Reading have signed Guthrie which seems like a good move for them.
There must be a question about whether the legal advice to the players rejecting transfer to the new Rangers is sound or not? There hasn't yet been a definitive ruling on this as far as I know. Could take some time to finalise such a deal. [Edit] http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18658805 This is about Lafferty, but also refers to Whittaker. Maybe McNally knows something the BBC doesn't.
I think he'll maybe make the squad better, I'm a bit wary of the fact that a right back is 6'1" as well as being Scottish, not exactly the attributes I like to see in that position. Still, OK for a freebie
I don't understand your criteria misgivings! If he was 4 foot 1 inch and a goalie maybe, but why would height and nationality limit his ability as a right back?
Scottish players are generally all blood and thunder (which I don't like) and technically even worse that the English. I don't generally respect players who are tall playing anywhere other than in goal or at centreback. 6'1" is Ok for a target man but not really for a right back, it sends out the wrong message. It is a generalisation and he maybe fine but I have a thing against the over reliance on the traditional English and Scottish sensibilities of pride and passion.
I personally believe an adequate squad addition but dont think he will be good enough for starting XI! We need to be looking to try and sure up our defence abit more and he doesnt really give me the sense that hes bringing those attributes to the starting XI. Another RB and CB for defence please Mr.Hughton
I like the signing of Whittaker. He has pace and experience (including internationals for club and country) and scores goals as well. Naughton is an excellent prospect, but I thought he got caught out at times. Sometimes his pace allowed him to recover, but too often it led to goals. With many young players already, I'm glad of his experience and versatility across the back and possibly as a DMF player as well. Chris Hughton should know a good FB, IMO, plus lots of money left in the budget for this year! Well done Mr Hughton!
My one problem with Naughton is too many times he got caught out by wingers cutting inside. I.e the two Hoilett goals
It may indeed be flawed, but neither we nor the media are in a position to say whether it is or not. The SFA thinks Green has enough of a case to prevent them issuing international clearance; they invited him to lodge objections, which he has done. The players are simply relying on the advice of their PFA. To be honest, for a number of reasons I'm a bit surprised we have involved ourselves.
i think people have to be realistic. to get a player on a free who would normally have cost about £3-4m is excellent business and he obviously still fits in our wage structure or he wouldn't have joined. we aren't going to sign top players but whittaker is a top scottish player. i worry a little about him defensively but overall he'll be a good signing and carrabuh's nonsense about his height is laughable
Bigger players aren't generally as quick on the turn or as reactive as smaller players. How many great tall full backs are there, the vast majority of the better ones are slight, just like the wingers they are up against. I find it a bit strange that you don't recognize it when you know as well as I do it's true. The size of the player denotes the style of the player, especially players from these shores (where it is like the Indian Caste system). Now I probably wouldn't pigeon hole him but for the fact he is British. But he is free so I'm not complaining, I just don't like tall players where they are not needed, it does send out the wrong signal.
And to top it all your worried about him defensively, when he's a defender (probably because he's 6'1") but say overall he's a good signing. Where is the sense in saying that? You can't have it both ways.
Ah yes I forgot about Ronaldos training as a youngster for the Edinburgh youth team, and that he was a stalwart of the legend which was their defence. Sorry, you were right. Right backs are renowned for their height.
6 foot 1 inch is not ridiculously tall if he were 6'7" then you may have a point! i worry about tierney and naughton defensively, i worry about ashley cole defensively... full backs these days seem to be better going forward than they are at the back. this is really not worth arguing with you over because you've obviously made your mind up as usual that he is not norwich quality, just like you did last summer when you argued with me that pilks and bennett were poor signings because they'd only ever 'played against monkeys'. sometimes you're very misguided in your remarks and you are again here. i wonder if you just say the opposite in order to get a response.
