I'd guess it's just a matter of time. After all the rumours we rejected a £5m bid in the summer, I can't imagine we'd let his contract run out unless there was a serious reason for it. I guess his recurrent injuries that prevent him completing a full season could be a reason if I was desperate to find a reason, but if we weren't planning on keeping him into 14-15, surely we'd have sold him when we had the chance?
Very happy with that. I hope when Tettey and our wingers are back to full fitness that Howson gets to roam more freely again. He's been good in the more disciplined defensive role with the 2 strikers but clearly is most effective when playing further forward.
Perhaps I'm being a little sluggish here, but exactly how does a thread merely relaying a club twitter announcement warrant five stars on the rate-o-meter?? Genuine question?
I've never understood the star ratings either, some people go around the forum rating things positively/negatively for little reason. I believe you get "points" for it.
Please don't laugh when I say this - But is it right that clubs could offer Pilkington a pre-contract in January so that he joins them at the end of the season? The reason I say don't laugh and the only reason I am asking is because it happened to me on FIFA with Pilks (he joined Derby on a free) - that'll teach me for not checking the contracts Just wondering if this was just a FIFA thing or not?
It happens in the real World too, any player can sign a pre-contract with another club during the January of his final year!
And, as if by magic, a case in point turns up Half way down, opposite the photo of Thomas and his father Paul. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25428652
That's true of any under 24 transfer, it's why we got money fron Villa For Jed Steer even though he was out of contract!
I find the Pilkington situation interesting especially as I do not rate him as highly as many others do. Has he already got one eye on next year thinking it might be an ideal time for him to get himself a good contract elsewhere and progress his career? By next season Redmond will have a years Premiership experience behind him and Bennett and Snodgrass will be fit again. In addition there is the big imponderable - what to do with Murphy. We obviously have some good youngsters coming through with Murphy seeming the most advanced. CH has given Redmond his chance at Birmingham and here and other Premiership Clubs have no hesitation in giving youth a chance if they are good enough. I suspect that Everton gave the likes of Rooney, Rodwell and Berkeley their chance when they were the same age or younger than Murphy will be next year and the same applies to Arsenal with Walcott, Ramsey, Wiltshire and others. I know we could send Murphy out on loan but surely if CH thinks Murphy is good enough it would be better to give him his chance in the yellow and green. Is Pilkington thinking - where will that leave me?
