We're favourites apparently! http://www.barnsley-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/butterfield_announcement_on_monday_748397/index.shtml?
this does seem promising. must admit they've kept the whittaker deal very secretive and this one too if true
Good stuff, some very encouraging signs that Hughton has been very active despite being 'on holiday'.
No offense Dorset this isn't really directed to you, but why has there been so much attention on Hughton's holiday this summer? I don't get it, people seem to think he is not entitled to one!! To be honest I don't know enough about Butterfield to comment, not seen a lot of him but seems to have impressed in his career so far.
I completely agree. The guy deserves a holiday with his family so he can come back fully charged and raring to go. It's not like he isn't doing anything either. By the sounds of things I'm sure he has been watching that set of videos from last season and been making enquiries judging by our transfer activity that is now emerging into view for us all to see. He probably had precious little time with his family after Brums mammoth season last year. Cut him some slack just because you don't know exactly what he is doing for NCFC 24/7!!!
Whittaker seems to be in same mould as Whitbread and would be a great replacement. Do I take it that he comes on a free transfer? Butterfield lad from Barnsley could be another Vaughan in that he has suffered a big injury and may not be able to take the knocks on offer in Prem. Vaughan did not played much last season so I only hope we don't take on a lad with promise who is still feeling the effects of injury (out for 6 months?) Two signings for what appears to be for relatively little money - seems to be the NCFC way.
There's a huge difference between Vaughan's injury history and Butterfield's. Vaughan has consistently had niggling injuries alongside several major ones, he is clearly a big risk because of the frequency of his injuries. Butterfield had one major injury due to some brutal tackling from ?Leeds players. Think of Butterfield as closer to Pilkington- he came to us recovering from a horrendous injury and has done fantastically (or not that well according to Carrabuh...) So Butterfield is a risk in a completely different way- that he just might not be as good after such a major injury. Vaughan was a risk because we knew there was a high chance that he would get injured repetitively. Ps- Yellow Little- I think that was the point Dorset was making as he put quotation marks round 'on holiday'. People have been banging on too much about it, when there really is no big deal.
i'm not too sure about his crossing ability, which may be a problem for you, but to be fair yes, he is neat and tidy on the ball
I smell a rat here. Sorry and all that. Why would be be looking at signing another midfielder - the area where we currently have the most/sufficient depth, unless there is some truth in the Howson on the way out rumour? A CB I could understand, or an additional striker whether or not Holt stays, or even a winger who can deliver crosses (shudder ) and deputise for Pilks or E. Bennett if required - but why another mid?
cromer, i think some people get into the mindset that a manager should address his problem areas first during a transfer window. this is nothing to worry about at all - i'm pretty sure hughton will be identifying a centre back, striker and maybe even another winger too. we have good options as it stands in midfield but this kid is very, very good and a different player to howson. it will have nothing at all to do with any potential move for him. if a cracking player comes along then we should try to sign him.
I'm not convinced we've that much strength in depth in central midfield anyway. If we play 4-5-1, we'll have a combo of Johnson, Wes, Howson, Fox and Surman making up the middle three. If one or two get injured or sold, we start to look a bit light-weight and seriously lacking in variety. If Butterfield brings a completely different style, then that will be great. FAOD I think Crofts is now, unfortunately, out of his depth and Korey Smith is not quite ready.
i think we currently have better options in midfield than in defence but i totally take your point. should add we need a holding midfielder too
Fair comments. I know nothing about Butterfield (be better if he was called Butterworth ) but agree totally with the above comments about Crofts and Korey. It's just that with player transfers and wages being so damned expensive, I'd have thought Hughton would have earmarked his kitty for 'priority' positions on the field rather than duplicating where we already seem to have adequate cover.
i think he'll look to bring in about 7 players to be fair! absolutely nothing to worry about - he's already saved us a few million by getting a freebie at right back
