I assume you mean he wanted to be near London, because the last time I looked, Bristol is further south than Luton.
The Smallwood to Ipswich links are interesting. While I completely understand why they'd like him, I did expect him to stay with us this season and I'd like us to keep him. He's a great character and played a huge part in our success this season. However, his minutes will be limited for us next season and with Ipswich trying to throw round the cash, if they offer him a 2/3 year deal on better money, it would be hard to stand in his way. We brought him in to get us promoted, he's done that so as long as we've already got sufficient replacements in, it's a decision I could understand.
They want him for the same reason we did, leadership and a tough tackling midfielder, I can't blame them for wanting him. I think Jones has the better engine for the Championship, while Doc and Honeyman will obviously be the other two in the midfield.
I agree, if we get Slater in, we would be well-stocked in that area. It's a tough call to make though to let him go
That's the good thing about him though, he looks comfortable in both positions, which is good news if injuries start to bite.
Slater was supposed to be announced this week, not sure what's held that up. But yeah, with him in you'd expect that to be our CM positions well covered. Hopefully Honeyman has recovered well.
I think we need cover for Honeyman. We struggled when he wasn’t playing last season and nobody came close to being as effective.
See I think Crowley would be decent cover, but I'm not sure he'd come somewhere where he wouldn't be first choice. Toral has been released by Birmingham, I'd take him back on a one year deal.
I think the only deal Toral will get, is a pay as you play contract and then it will have caveats of being injured warning up or completing 2/3rds of a full game...
Crowley seemed to slow our play down too much. Good player no doubt, but over complicated play sometimes.
He had a decent run in the team in his final season and he looked pretty good, obviously his wages were an issue but short of going back to Spain I think he'll struggle for anywhere higher unless, like you say, he signs a pay as you play deal.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned Tom Lees, released by Sheffield Wed, as a good centre half replacement. Still available, but Nigel Pearson would like him at Bristol City apparently. Won’t be many better options for free.
If we were just filling the gaps in our squad with frees: GK: Jayson Leutweiler or Jordan Archer DF: Murray Wallce, Yuri Ribiero MF: Alex Mowatt, Joe Rothwell WG: Jodi Jones, Kazenga Lua Lua FW: Marley Watkins Obviously we'll pay for a few players, I like the look of Jamie McGrath at St Mirren who's scored ten from the wing in a pretty crap team. I'd also look at putting some money into getting Luke Jephcott from Plymouth. Didn't look much of a threat against us, but he's a really good forward who can play anywhere along the front line, which would fit in with McCann's philosophy.
