From the Post.... Colchester United midfielder John-Joe O'Toole remains Ward's preferred target â although he faces competition from Southend United after their manager, Phil Brown, confirmed an interest over the weekend. Southends manager Phil Brown said: "John-Joe is a player we're in for and one I'm interested in bringing to the football club, but there are other teams in for him, too. We're in the ball-park for him, but when it comes to the finances I think we might get ousted by the other clubs we're competing against." League One side Gillingham are another club reported to have an interest in signing the midfielder." So fellow League 2 club Southend have required O'Tooles services but admit they cant compete financially with other sides which we know is us and League 1 side Gillingham. O'Toole said he wants to play higher level.... Well Gillingham is higher than us so is that over now for us or will we offer more money than Gillingham and make O'Toole decide?
Hopefully he won't go to Southend that will embarrassing for us but how much longer will JW hold out the season starts in a few weeks I'm hoping he has a plan B for a Midfielder as we are seriously still lacking in the centre of the park.
well we will be offering more money than southend but what they can offer is locality. southend is more local for him meaning he dont have to move. if he turns down gillingham and its out of us and southend (maybe more) then more money (rovers) vs locality (southend). the hassle of moving or travelling long distance daily will cost maybe the same in the wages he would be down by if joined southend. tricky!
If he's ambitious, he might consider that he's got more chance of winning something with us next year rather than simply earning a bit more at Gillingham. And if he's part of a successful team, he's much more likely to make the leap to a Championship club or a club on the up just as Carayol, Hoskins and Lambert did. We'll see if he really is ambitious or whether he wants a bit more money in the short term.
I'm beginning to think that we won't get him - especially as the Gills are in for him. JW needs to cast his net a bit wider and get a decent CM sooner rather than later.
Frankly I don't have a clue what's going on here! Except that JJ has a year left on his contract at Colchester. I believe he has not entered a transfer request, so if Colchester give him the boot, I believe he will be entitled to compensation of a year's salary. JW says he has made clear to Colchester and JJ that he wishes him to be in our team. If JJ didn't want to come, he must have made that clear to JW and all this discussion would be over! Colchester have said they are in no rush until the end of July to off load their excess of midfielders. So IMO it must simply be down to finance, either as a transfer fee with compensation taken into consideration or whichever club makes Colchester and JJ the best offer. Meanwhile, unless JW has magically spotted something/someone which/who can step up, we still have an alarmingly big hole in the middle of our team!!!!
To be honest the whole thing has turned into a bit of a bore. I say JW should set a deadline and be done with it.
The Colchester manager said these players were hanging on until the last minute to maximise their pay before they cut loose. But I can't really understand JJ wanting to miss pre season.
Not seen a report anywhere in our local press or from the club to say that they want to off load JJ, personally I would like him to stay here at Colchester, he has the ability, just needs to put his head down and earn his place.
john ward has on several ocassions said out in public that a contract has been offered to o'toole and o'toole is considering his options. apparently o'toole was told last season by your manager (while he was with us on loan) that although he has a year left on his contract he is free to fond a new club in the summer
A Midfielder of equal quality will not be found though I am afraid. At least not without spending a large fee on them
i think JW is falling into the same trap that MM did last season... We will have a major problem in midfield if this saga continues i feel! If JJ not 100% for a move to the gas then we should move on ASAP and pick up another strong midfield player before it to late. Im finding this whole situation very frustrating as i watch other teams in our league very active in the transfer market and we seem to be sitting back! As the team we have at present would be lucky to end up mid table at best.. we should have signed at least 2 new players by now, to give them a chance to gel in pre season training ..
We have signed 2 players already who are great signings for any league 2 side...... Mildenhall and McChrystal. We have the same squad apart from O'Toole, who ended up being in such great form that saw us being a top 3 side in the form table for the whole of the 2nd half of the season. We have got rid of a few deadwood and I mean no disrespect to them players such as Virgo, Bevan, Anyinsah etc. We have promoted quite a few youth players who should be gunning for a chance to play. Then add players like Gill, Harrold, Kenneth who will be like new signings. Clucus and Woodards to come back as well. So with the deadwood gone, players back from long term injury and more players due back, signing Mildenhall and McChrystal along with some new youths, we have a squad to compete - apart from a CM like O'Toole. I can see why Ward hasnt gone for more players. We can always get loans if needed. Personally I would rather be safe and get 2/3 playets in now and not rely on loans though but can see Wards thinking. I agree waiting for O'Toole is a big gamble and I really hope thus ainy the same mistake as McGhee wiyh Constable last season. Think we have given enough time so move on to other targets.
We've got a decent defensive unit and attacking players who can do some damage. I think Gill will probably be ok in the middle. But he just won't be as good as JJ.
God it must be exciting for you lot waiting for a player to sign who doesn't even want to come to you!!
