Howe says he intends to bolster his squad for the Prem by buying proven British talent. Given that the cost and supply of British Premier stars would make this impractical, it is likely that he will seek talent from the lower leagues. This makes us a prime target for any clubs new to the Premier League, so it looks like we could have a battle on our hands to hang on to players like Freeman, Smith and Bryan. Keep solid Sir Steve, and sort out your contracts early…..
I don't think any of those mentioned would fit the description of "proven talent". None have even played any sort of game time in the Championship, let alone the prem. I do hope Bournemouth survive up there and don't become just another QPR. Too much money on players could end up seeing them follow in the footsteps of their south coast neighbours from Fratton and that would be a huge shame.
Despite the season we've just had, I cannot see any of our players making the jump from L1 to the Premiership
This business of clubs who are promoted wanting to boost their campaign for the challenges of a higher division is understandable but somewhat mysterious to me. Watching QPR get humiliated at Man City on the weekend was a case in point. When the commentator said that there will be a lot of clubs, specifically those promoted, looking to take on the Premiership experienced players that may be cut adrift at the end of the season by the Loftus Road outfit. Now please remind me but weren't they relegated and some of their players have been there before? It's somewhat akin to players saying, when their team is relegated, that they deserve higher level football than their current employer can offer despite the fact they were instrumental in the failure. Agents (use any expletive you want) are also a similar blight on our game and Carlo Ancelloti told Gareth Bale's agent to keep his comments to himself and rightly so. They will be raising their heads above the parapet in the next few weeks and we will see their uselessness in all it's glory unfortunately. In the same commentary it was mentioned that many players listen too much to the wrong people and end up as drifters when things could have been much better if they had accepted the fact that they should have stayed where they were. Wright-Phillips was their example, and regrettably some others will decide that their future lies elsewhere and regret it in years to come. Enjoy the antics that are coming our way and let's hope that not too many of our players fall in to the same honey trap, but if some decide to move on to legitimately further their careers then good luck to them.
'Honey trap' is a good description. Many of the lower league players lured by the big boys end up benchwarmers at the very best (albeit at more money a week than I earn in a year). Basically it's **** or bust - either they are brilliant and find their way to the spotlight or 'retire' at that point to graze their days away on the fringes of greatness.
