So we should play him in a position I don't think he's ever really played before (only ever known him as an RB) so we don't have to play Rusty out of position at CB (even though he's played there virtually all last season)? I like it, sounds like a stroke of genius to me.
According to a year-old Daily Mail article, and the BBC, he "grew up a centre back, playing on the left side of defence", and has made a couple of appearances for Liverpool there, but over the last couple of seasons has been used almost exclusively at RB. All his senior experience has really come at full back, so you'd expect that to be the position in which he's most developed. Apparently he's not the best going forward, but is a solid defender. That sounds like he'd be a nice contrast to Whittaker. He offers depth at CB though, perhaps allowing us to get rid of Turner or Miquel and risk not signing someone should a deal for a proper CB fall through. I don't think we'll be considering CB his main role in the squad though.
Wouldn't it be more likely for Whittaker to cover at LB if needed, as he's played there a fair amount for ourselves and Scotland. It's useful that Wisdom can do a job at CB in an emergency if needed, but I think that would be the only time.
Irish Independent reporting a €10m fee for Brady, and that we're doubling his current salary. He'll be unveiled on the pitch tonight. Paddy Davitt reckons it's a three year contract, with an option for another. They also reckon we've won the race for Lambert.
It is indeed finally over, Brady has signed a three year deal which will be announced later this evening. Now confirmed our end.
Well CH of course, and AN and PL were DMs so would know a bit about what's needed at CB. Not NA, but Mike Phelan did, so I'd say they all did so backed by reasonable judgement.
Are we also about to sign Ricky Lambert as well, if you believe what you read. http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...ter-sealing-10m-norwich-switch-31410678.html?
Paddy Davitt on Twitter says no unveiling of Brady tonight after contacting the club. No mention of Lambert either, so take that with a grain of salt as well.
Okay my views on RM at CB are well known and I've been quiet clear that I think we need to sign a premiership quality CB who is of better quality than what we already have. So for me Van Dijk or someone of similar quality would be ideal. VD (or another) & Bassong would be our first choice pairing with Martin competing with Whittaker for starting RB and providing cover at CB. But whats the alternatives 1) Martin & Bassong are our first choice CB pairing and if one or both of them get injured we manage with Turner, Bennett & Miguel. 2) Martin & Bassong are our first choice CB pairing and we purchase another CB who is better or of the same standard as Turner, Bennett & Miguel, but not better than Martin & Bassong
Just seen this tweeted by James Nursey A couple of snipets from this evening: #NCFC set to sign Andre Widsom on a season-loan and #WBA closing in on free transfer of Bakary Sako
Interesting that AN mentioned Wisdom's ability to play in a variety of positions. It strikes me that if he and Brady both come in, we'll have at least 2 players at every position with additional options as well (Whittaker and Wisdom at RB with EB as another option, for example). One player will have to leave to make room for Wisdom (Miquel on loan perhaps, or one of the strikers). It could also be O'Neil, but he played so well last night, that it'd seem a shame to lose him. Obviously if a CB or striker comes in, that would mean another CB or striker leaving, which would still leave a full 26 man squad with additional options. Of the young players, Toffolo could obviously have a role at LB behind Olsson and Brady, and the Murphys could provide additional options on the wings and Loza up front. I suspect that McGrandles and Thompson will probably go out on loan. That would still leave a very healthy looking squad.
Was reading some comments about Wisdom yesterday which I now can't find, but it was discussed that he saw his future at CB, but it's easier to get playing time at full back so that's where he's been used. Whether he'll get a chance there or not I don't know, but he's at least as prepared to cover that role as Miquel is, whom I can't see a need for around our squad at all. Latest club for Hooper to be linked with is Nottingham Forest, on loan. It feels like he's been linked to half of the championship by now. Apparently in this case the "ITK Twitter account" is quite reliable, but I'm still not convinced we'd be willing to part with him, particularly without a significant fee.
Interesting read in SkySports about the whole business of a transfer from scouting to signing on. It all takes much longer than we think! http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ansfer-works-from-the-scouting-to-the-signing
