I know I have mentioned this lad a few times in threads on these boards before, but after his double at the weekend it seemed a good time to discuss him a little more. I know attacking midfield is an area where we already have a bit of depth, but I think we should be keeping a close eye on this lad. He was at Liverpool due to his dad's connections but was never given a look in. He has gone on to Blackpool where Holloway has shown a bit of faith and reaped the rewards. He is quick, he is tricky and he has an eye for goal. He is still only 20 and for me is one of the brightest young english talents outside the top division. I'm not sure how much he'd cost, and with him being English he could well be over priced but I think he is a top division player. I like the other lad there Matt Phillips but I think Ince is the better player. Technically he is very good. I still think its worth looking at home despite our successes abroad but obviously it will need to be at the right price. I think the likes of him, Zaha and Rhodes are evidence there is young british talent outside the top division worth taking a punt on.
Ince, Zaha and Rhodes all look like canny players, but they'll all be overpriced. Holloway is a bit of a nob in transfers. He reckons he should have got 30m for Adam lol I'd rather sign a foreigner for a portion of the price, that one of the scouts has spotted. Ones from the English leagues will cost a bomb. I can't see any of the 3 players going for less than double their value.
Yeah Holloway is no mug, Ince looks a serious talent but I can imagine Ian would have a '£10m or get lost' policy if we went for him. For the sake of his development he couldn't be anywhere better right now.
I do think price would be an issue hence the one rider I put in there. It always is when buying at home. To be honest I agree with Scott Dann too that he is in a good place for his development. I just think the lad is a bit of a talent who has slipped under the radar, and even we did purchase maybe an immediate loan back would be the way forward. With his age I could see him improving again this year and then any deal will get way too rich for us. Holloway always plays his games but the truth is he'll have little say in what he goes for. He tried it with Adam and is clever with the press. But wave enough under any chairmans nose and the managers thoughts become inconsequential these days.
Matty has been tapped up by someone illegally hasn't he? Sunderland, Villa etc were apparently in for him. Tom and Matty are brilliant little players, and I hope Blackpool don't lose them both because I think they should come up again this year. Always going to have a soft spot for them. For us, you can never have too many good players, but with Marvy (who hopefully still has his dummy in his gob) and Obertan, Ferguson and Ryan Taylor, we've already got copious back-up players who can play out-wide, so I personally think if we're going to strengthen it'll be somewhere else. Obviously, if Mr Bubble's predictions (or dreams) come true and we sell one of our quality players like Ben Arfa or Jonas, looking at these pair isn't a bad idea.
