If you honestly think that will be good enough for next season then we are in trouble. Maybe ben will be able to move into the middle in a few years time, but in no way is he a good enough relacement for ash, that would not be stregnthening our side, We will probably end up signing 2 central defenders if ash goes. This is just my opinion. He obviously sees him as a left back for next season. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-rivalry-between-neil-4007511
Didn't say I honestly thought that was good enough - just if we couldn't find a comparable Central Defender, remember the horror at the beginning of the season with Ben stepping up to replace Taylor! Would be great to sign a CB as good as Ash but have to admit that we may not be able to afford someone - if we do, then happy days!
I worry that there will be a time when other clubs stop allowing us to buy at such great deals, how exactly has HJ managed to do this thus far?!
There are plenty of CB out there for tidy money. there is no way we will go into the start of the season without at least 3 or 4 CB's. That may include Bartley, chico and 2 others. I hope.
I can't figure out the Bartley situation either. He had a great game alongside Chico against Arsenal; seems a good shot to play alongside Ash in the final, plays alongside Monk in that debacle at Liverpool then disappears. I would think he and Chico would form a good pairing at the back - both tall players, both tidy in the air but not dominant, both excellent with the ball at their feet. Bartley was also more of a threat when attacking corners than Ash, having hit the bar a number of times in the games that he played with headers. Not fussed about Ash .... I wonder what HJ will make of this - I find it a little presumptuous that Arsenal would agree terms with the player before they get the nod from HJ. Now he can be really bloody-minded about the price.
Hmmm but no quotes on there one way or the other, they said that Huw said no contact, but when did he say that exactly ?
Ash has been a great player for us but its quite apparent that he hasnt been focused during the last couple of months and has been found wanting and let the opposition in. If that transfer fee is correct that would be a good sale for us - good news for Ash too at £60k per week - any idea what he is on now? I could also rent him my spare bedroom as its only 10 mins to the London Colney training ground from my house - I wonder if Ash would settle for £10k per week for the room with full grub options and the Mrs would do his washing! I'd even get Sky multi-room installed!
Have there been any quotes from Arsenal to confirm this story? The likelyhood it that ash will be going and Arsenal are the main chasers of his signiture but for goal.com to come out with this as an exclusive with no quotes is stretching it a bit. The story from the evening post is just as accurate as the goal.com one is.
Arsenal are reportedly close to agreeing terms with Swansea for centre back and captain Ashley Williams. The Daily Mail suggests that the Gunners made an initial enquiry for Williams back in January but are expected to renew their interest in the opening weeks of the transfer window. They also suggest the move could be hastened as Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen could be shown the exit door after suffering from a season of poor form. The Gunners skipper spent the final two months of the season sat on the bench as Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker firmly established themselves as Wenger's preferred central defensive partnership. Vermaelen is settled at Arsenal and ideally wants to stay and fight for his place next season. But the 27-year-old is concerned he could be forced out of the club if Wenger signs a new central-defender during the summer transfer window. Just heard of my mate that ash has agreed to join the gunners on £60k/basic weekly wage....I suppose he has to really if he can earn close to £100k with win bonuses per week.....Its not such a disappointment than say losing someone like michu....
Check http://www.clubcall.com/swansea-city/swans-on-williams-move-claims-1593720.html http://arsenallatest.com/news/914-ashley-williams-swansea-chairman.html http://gossip.ladyarse.com/arsenal/2013/05/24/swansea-respond-to-williams-to-arsenal-story/
On a lighter note, check this out http://www.footballfancast.com/football-news/cardiff-city-look-to-land-sunderland-striker
My sources so No Dai so we'll just have to watch this space. If he does go then so be it, I'll miss him, he's been a great servant for us both on and off the field.
clubs will swear blind they have not had any contacts with other clubs just like jinks did with rodgers. he reckoned rodgers and the club have not been approached and the next day Rodgers was wearing a red tie as the new liverpool manager.........clubs are the last people to believe...
Does it matter when they tell us ? I prefer to listen to only the official word as at least I know it's true then. All the rest of it is just speculation and should be treated as such
Categorized | Probably True Swansea respond to Williams to Arsenal story Posted on 24 May 2013. Tags: Arsenal, ashley williams, Swansea Written by: Lee Hurley on May 24, 2013. Not that I like to say ‘told you so’ but earlier today we kind of rubbished Wayne ‘EXCLUSIVE’ Veysey’s reports that Arsenal were close to agreeing terms with Swansea for defender Ashley Williams but it seems as if this might be, yet again, another EXCLUSIVE of his which comes to absolutely nothing, lost forever in Premier League Fantasy land. Speaking to the press, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins told This is South Wales that the club have had no contact from Arsenal in regards to the player. Colour me shocked! Of course, this doesn’t mean that Arsenal won’t be in touch and it could mean that Jenkins is lying and that Veysey is telling the truth. I know where I’m placing my money if I have to bet on which one is lying. It is being reported that Arsenal want to sign Williams to replace Thomas Vermaelen who many claim is looking to leave the club. The Telegraph, however, reported that Arsene Wenger would prefer that Vermaelen stays and fights for his place and is looking to add to the centreback quota rather than replace. With Squillaci out of contract this summer and Djourou likely to leave, Arsenal currently only have three first team centrebacks plus Ignasi Miquel. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to guess that Arsenal will be looking at defensive reinforcements and Williams is one of the hottest names around in the Premier League at the minute. Any of us can take those facts and put them together to make up a rumour. That doesn’t make it an EXCLUSIVE Wayne. It just doesn’t.
