It's a genuine question but if you're talking about CMs who are defensive minded and can play that role we've got enough for me. If anything we could do with replacing Pritchard.
Realistically I don’t think he’s worth more than £15m but in todays market it’s anyone’s guess and also we have to factor in his sell on clause we’ll owe Spurs. As you’ve mentioned it’s all good beating championship defenders but he was chasing shadows down the left against the mags. The step up to the PL is huge. The full backs can’t only defend much better 1v1 they’re also much fitter and stronger than we see at this level.
What I’m really looking forward to tomorrow is when the teams are read out for the United game, Amad isn’t in the squad and all the fans lose there **** Then at 33 minutes the camera pans to him in the crowd at molineux in United tracksuit and big jacket
Its all about levels. Trippier marked him out the game and was too good for him. But he's an elite player tbf. Might take him a while to adapt to Premier defenders but sure he can and perhaps even go again to an even bigger club. He seems to have a great attitude and is very brave on the ball so his ceiling is high. I'd be interested in your thoughts @Scout73
It's a weak basis to judge any of our players on that one game. Newcastle are frequently dodgy but when they're on it they can give anyone a game, as PSG will tell you, and they were on it against us. It wasn't evidence that Clarke can't be a premier league player.
Cheers mate, I hope things are good for you, those bloody personal circumstances always get in the of your life don't they! I always wonder who's just reading and who's no longer able to post for whatever reason ... ... whatever the case the club, and supporters, are a big part of our lives in one way or another and something that can take our minds off things for a while. Let's hope we have a good run that keeps us interested as we did last season ... ... Ha'way Sunderland!!!
Wharton going to Palace for £22m means I value Clarke at close to £25m-£30m. I know they’re different positions, but Clarke is a better player. I think even Neil is better than Wharton, so I’d value Neil somewhere around the £22m-£25m mark based on what a Premier League team are willing to pay.
If we're honest, 5th is the ceiling this year and the floor is about 14th. Even if we finish in the playoffs, there will be 2 of that top 4 in there who would be overwhelming favourites. Whilst promotion would be possible, the percentages aren't worth a big financial gamble to try and achieve it. Using Rusyn will allow us to have a definitive answer on him by the summer. At the minute, I still don't think we know if he's good enough. I'd also rather we play Rigg more than buy another midfielder. Come next season, we could easily lose one of Neil/Ekwah/Jobe and Rigg having 15 games under his belt (even from the bench) will benefit him and get him ready to start more.
Going by the price prem clubs are paying for champ players who IMO are not as good as Clarke. I would say start the bidding at 25m
Not what people want to hear but that's about as sensible and accurate as it gets imo. People just wanting us to 'bring in a big lad up front' are missing the point, it would take us back to the McGeady/Wyke way of playing. It might just allow us to scrape into tte playoffs but there'd be three tough games as you say. And in the meantime we've thrown away what we've built and not given Rusyn a chance as you've rightly said. With the manager change, the Ross Stewart saga and all.the injuries this season has been too messy to really progress imo ... ... but with a good close/pre season, a good window and our injured back I think we'd have a better platform. And I think we've currently as much chance of 6th with what we have as throwing in the two new players many want. Some are saying it's a disaster, by Speakman, if we don't bring them in but I think that's extreme. There's no guarantee it would work and might do more harm than good.
Clarke can def make it at PL level, he has the ability to beat a player n scores goals - both are qualities teams cry out for He has to improve his decisuon making at the next level and his passing can be careless at times so he needs ti really improve in this area. Last season i thought he was really strong at tracking back defensively for us but hes been poor in that area this yr, lets fullback get away from him easily - can not do this at PL level as will get destroyed I think his ceiling is a mid table team tho, if I'm looking at teams that he could play for West Ham would probably be the best he could play for I do think he is worth 25 million, having a great yr in front of goal and hes english, english players always seem to go for more Out of our current team i still think itll be dan neil that plays at the highest level out of everyone (Rigg could fall into this camp as well as his potential is off the charts but need to judge his true potential ovrr next few yrs)
