Transfer Rumours Summer Transfer window

Not buying it. Not getting carried away. No chance.

Unless...

 

Some of the current Xl defo need upgrading and you’d have to go for the ones with the lowest ceiling and I’d put Neil in there. We’ll have plenty of the younger lads like Hume, Cirkin, Mundle, hopefully Bellingham etc playing but need some solid players around them who can help carry them if need be because they’ll undoubtedly have poor games it’s only natural. If there’s nobody to take the game by the scruff of the neck then we know what happens.

 

No way he stays to be a backup option. In my opinion. Why would he? I think folk are getting way ahead of themselves thinking some of our starters from this season will hang around to be secons fiddle next season. Footballers want to play.

 

I think the lad is saying he doesn’t rate Mepham to be anything other than that so he’d take him if he would be a 3/4th choice

 

Agree with all of that. I understand the points about wanting to keep this group together but some don’t realise the gulf in class IMO

 

Mepham good enough to play PL for me. Most of his career has been at the level and he was quality for us most of the season. Unfortunate to be down the pecking order at Bournemouth but they signed some quality CB’s

 

I really don't like being pedantic, but most of his career has been in the championship both in terms of seasons and games - I think he would be useful to sign and compete with Ballard to play as the RCB and gelled really well with our group but in terms of ability can maybe do better.

 

Footballers also live in the real world and will back themselves to get into the team. I’m hardly suggesting we sign players and tell them they’re 4th choice. Mepham would jump at a premier league offer

 

That only really happens with GKs anyway

 

exactly. I’m saying he’d likely be 4th choice. Not that he is to be told that’s the pecking order. “4th choice” doesn’t even exist.

Much in the same way a preferred 11 doesn’t exist. Dan Neil isn’t going to be suddenly told “sorry mate you’re a sub from now on”. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be a sub first game and that doesn’t mean he won’t start the next one.

 

It’s from 225foot. If that doesn’t make you believe, nothing will.

 

Probably down to his lack of pace which was starting to be exposed towards the end of the season. His positional play which is a level ahead always kept him on top of everything and give him more time. He wouldn’t get that in the premier league.

 

Jobe and Watson going should mean we can cover upwards of 7 £20m players incoming. Season one we'll be absolutely fine.

 

Mepham is one I’m not particularly fussed about

If he signs then fine he’s done well here, if he goes elsewhere then it’s no massive less

 

Yeah hes tidy enough but think he might have just been here to push us over the line, done that now.

 

How much?!

 

Suppose he could do the same for Southampton now and he’d be close to home. Shame on the lad like if he knows he’s become that player.

 

Weird one with strikers. I’d probably like us to limit ourselves to only one added. Means we need to be clear about what profile we need I guess.

 

I think the majority realise the gulf in class, anyone whos kept the slightest bit up to date with the prem will see that. Spurs finishing 17th and Man U 15th says it all.

What I think people might overestimate is how far £100m actually goes. We've already spent £20m on ELF. Neil is possibly valued in excess of £10m and a lot will think he needs upgrading, if hes worth £10m, a true upgrade will be at least double that, then you are talking about near half of our budget just to replace Jobe and upgrade Neil and thats without even getting another to accommodate ELF.

The club will have to find some unreal deals in the £10m range and then be near perfect in the £20m range for us to have a decent chance. Hell of challenge for Speakman coming up.

 

I’d probably limit our centre halves to one. Make it a left sided player but clear starter quality. I’d also not bother with keeper competition. I don’t think it really exists if I’m honest. Teams just don’t rotate keepers. See if Patta settles in the early part of the season and then roll the dice till January. Basically assign a first choice and stick with it. Everything else is just wasted wage for me.