My feeling is that he will be sold. Ashton did say that we would make 2 major sales, Delap is 1 and Omari is likely to be 2. Think the issue with Brentford was that they wanted to pay in multiple installments whilst we wanted a larger fee up front. Unfortunately, I think it will happen - just hope it’s soon rather than right at the end of the window
We had similar with Gnonto on relegation year, there was so much turmoil going on with loan exit clauses he was told knuckle down. Personally I would always be tempted to have a word with the player, give them an agreement that if they want to leave come January then they will be sold if the valuation is met. They want to be in the shop window so put in the effort, if you are top by a few points they might feel they want to stay and if not, you get silly January fee's instead, not to mention the player has hopefully been a help if achieving a good league position
It's good to see a few players coming in the door especially midfielders, but does that now mean that the move for Cajuste is now dead and buried ?
Good evening Ristac. While we would all be delighted if Omari stayed and helped our 'new' team settle and thrive, he will almost certainly agree a deal by January. And we wish him well. We will have lost the heart of our amazing promotions team, but must move on and turn a page. Mckenna has work to do!
Fans amaze me one minute its 'these players are ****/not trying/over-rated' the next when the squad is changed its 'they are ripping out the heart and soul' make your bloody minds up you don't have to have such volatile opinions, in fact try being quiet and just enjoy the ride every now and then.
I’m not sure signing Cajuste was ever on the cards but until he signs elsewhere there’s always a chance.
Good point Topbunk, I think most on this forum appreciate we have enjoyed one helluva journey, the like I have not witnessed in 65 yrs! Other forums I occasionally check are more volatile! Time to move on and I guess the 1st item on new players selection criteria is physicality.
I hope Hutchinson stays with us. He was a real force in the second half of our promotion winning team and I think he's well placed to develop into a Premier League quality player. I get that he's ambitious and feels he should be playing Premier League football week-in, week-out though. With the minimum fee clause now expired, we're in a stronger bargaining position to ask for more money up front and get in some percentage of profit clause in any agreement. I get the feeling Brentford might now move on to other targets - in which case I hope he isn't unsettled. I'd expect there to be some interest from a couple of Bundesliga clubs, as he fits the profile of young English talent which can fetch a massive profit a few years down the line. If we can keep hold of him, I'd feel more comfortable about our promotion chances. If he departs, we're well stocked regardless down the right (Burns, Ogbene, Philogene), but will arguably need to bring in a number 10 to cover for Chaplin.
I'd like to see Hutchinson stay although we are blessed with talent in his position best position which for me is on the wing and probably on the right side. Plus given his performances last season £35 million sounds like a great deal!! I thought his decision making in the 10 position last season was very poor. I'm not sure he's got the awareness or vision to play there. Just let him run at the full backs and give them a hard time. The thing that did impress me however was despite his stature I felt physically he dealt with the PL probably better than any other forward we had. His fitness, strength and pressing for someone of his size was superb.
For England he was incredibly effective on the left. Why not play him there with Burns or Ogebene right, Szmodics and Hirst in the centre. And occasionally play the SAF trick of inverting the wingers for that element of unpredictability.
Well I can finally hand back that 2.1 Sports Journalism degree and watch it get ripped up in front of my eyes. TWTD reporting Brentford very close to confirming the Hutchinson transfer, after Mbeumo moves to Man United for initial £65 million. Hopefully we've managed to get somewhere near or beyond the £40 million mark with a sizeable sell on clause. It leaves us with Burns and Ogbene down the right. Both players coming back from long injury lay offs - which hopefully hasn't impacted their game. I guess we've got Philogene able to play on that side too. Chaplin in the number 10 role with potential cover from Szmodics. Arguably a position where we need an extra body. Not sure if it's just me, but I'm getting a little concerned we're three weeks away from the new season and we've not fully addressed the increasing squad gaps. Several key players from last season (including the returned loan players) have now departed with only two first teamers coming in. I've got faith we'll bring in the right profile of player, but I'm really hoping we can announce a couple more incomings over the next week.
I read something entirely different. The Man United deal unlocks the funds and says they need a replacement, but wasn’t that always likely to happen anyway? Brentford have to come back with an improved offer. Although the terms didn’t match the release clause that clause has gone now so Town might want more than the £35m too. Then if Town agree a deal then Hutchinson also has to want to move to Brentford under a rookie, Keith Andrews. That sounds far from close to me. Equally, if Brentford do improve terms and Omari wants away it seems implausible that we wouldn’t cash in. I’m equally concerned, and to be frank if Omari were to leave then there’s very little, if any, exciting talent to speak of left at the club. Philogene and Clarke have been underperforming.
The report suggests Brentford will definitely come back with another bid and they have a contract lined up, waiting for him. But yes, I did overreact a bit by saying there's a fresh bid on the table, as that doesn't seem to be the case ... yet. I hoped Brentford will move on to another target, but reports seem to point to them really wanting Hutchinson, even with the £35 million clause expired. I'm come around to thinking he's an almost guaranteed departure now. I imagine Hutchinson will back himself at a more settled Premier League side. He's an ambitious player, coming off the back of U21 international success and a rise in profile. I won't begrudge him a move back to the Premier League. He never quite made an impact at that level with us, but he's a young lad and a season back in the second tier shouldn't appeal to someone with his goals. With the outgoings at Brentford and the departure of Thomas Frank, I agree Brentford will be in for a challenging season. However, they've consistently recruited well over the last several years, so I imagine they'll have a squad able to comfortably stay up again. Andrews as the manager is a strange one though, that could easily go wrong. I think Philogene and Jack Clarke will perform much better in the Championship than the Premier League, even with the squad we've got. All the players in the squad that got relegated have a strong track record at this level, with many of them having several successful seasons at this level. Promotion is far from guaranteed though. Currently, I'm not confident we have the strength in depth required for a gruelling 46-game promotion run. I also hope that motivation and morale is high enough. Last time, we had the momentum coming up from League One. This time, we've gone down with a bit of a whimper. The appetite has to be there from matchday 1, a tough away trip to Birmingham (who could be dark horses for a play off spot, considering their financial power and momentum of their own).
Lets all hope KM,MA and the club are keeping their cards close to their chest. Not many fish in the frenzied waters of thr Prem and EFL left. Lets find another overseas talent, or two.
If we can keep the squad largely fit (....if!) then I think we're in a better position attacking the Championship this Season than when we were promoted from League One.I think we're going to have to be patient,though,as it will take time to build the momentum and team spirit we had then.Ideally I'd have liked us to have retained Morsy but I don't begrudge him seizing the opportunity for him and his family of such a lucrative contract abroad.
On £5000 a week, at a guess, I suspect he has put a significant amount away over his professional career. At his age, 38? a change of scene, culture is good as a complete break from the EFL. We shall miss him. Wouldnt mind an invite to his farewell party!
He's 33,so got a good couple of years in him yet given that he gives the impression of being switched on about his health/fitness.
Tbh, I'm more than happy for Hutchinson to go, I don't rate him as a 10 and I think we have decent cover out wide. As long as the money is reinvested, then I'm not overly concerned. After all, I did say I thought Hutchinson looked too lightweight in the Prem, so not gonna be hypocritical and start crying.
