I think 9mil for Gray is a bit too rich, but just the type of player we need. jelavic has the experience not to be bullied, hernandez has the size and has been around tough football, but with both been going soon we need a player who can knock around centre halfs and stand ip for the youngsters.
If Hernandez and Jelavic are still here after the transfer window closes then the only way they can get out in January/next summer is by playing well. Akpom has looked very good, albeit immature, and we know that Aluko can take the Championship apart. I'm still hopeful of a good season - but then I have been optimistic at this stage of the season for the last 50 odd years!!
Who knows what they're thinking? I'm pretty much resigned to the Gray deal not happening now, if it does it'll be a surprise and a massive bonus. I understand that it makes commercial sense to move Jela and/or Abel out before splashing the cash on Gray, but it doesn't make any footballing sense, once he's gone he's gone. Thinking commercially, and as a comparison, Fulham spunked £11M on a forward last season, they didn't get promoted but the odds are that they could get that money back if they decided to sell him, so where's the risk Ehab? It may or may not affect whether we climb out of this league this season, it's a gamble, but one with minimal long term cost. That is, of course, unless he absolutely bombs like Abel did, and maybe that's why the Allam's are being a bit more careful on this occasion. Either way I can't see it pleasing Bruce!
This 'Big Vern' thing is about as funny as the Krankies, Little and Large, or death. Please stop, it's ****ing embarrassing.
Tom Barclay @TomBarclay_SUN My understanding is the fee for Andre Gray to #BristolCity is £6m plus add-ons. It could reach £9m if they go up. Another blow for #Bees
Surely we are able to match that. Thats nothing really is it.. he's worth about £6m and the extra £3m for promotion is nothing when you get £120m+ for going up... come on now, if we dont at least match that deal there's something wrong.
We haven't got any FFP issues at all, we're about £17m up on player trading at the moment and that's likely to increase.
Then, if this is true, clearly we didn't offer £7m plus add ons. In other words we are all panicking and gobbing off about things we have only a vague knowledge of. How the **** would some second rate journo know what we and Bristol are bidding? Only from someone at Brentford, and they have an interest in spreading misinformation.. How about we wait till we have some verifiable info from a reliable source. I see the Dwight Gayle to Hull City exclusive has fizzled out, maybe the Gray to Bristol one will as well.
And you know what all of our players wages are do you? A 40% decrease still means our players will still be the highest earners in the league.
Hes just a good keeper, why do I have to prove it to you? In fact, why does everything require justification with you? Just accept it. He's good and he'd cost next to nothing. What's not to like?
As things stand currently, we could sign five players on £50k a week and still not breach the FFP rules.
I knew it wasn't what you meant... But you were quoting Ehab. But part of the clubs aspirations are to achieve a business model that is sustainable without heavy subsidy. So increased prices are not just to fund aspirations of promotion, but also to fund aspirations of sustainably. Yes, it's stretching the point, And I am sure it wasn't what Ehab meant literally, but it does fit into tightening up the business and revenue streams. I agree the increase was a disgrace when it became clear we were going down, but then i guess the club had already gone too far to reconsider.