Free agents we should bid for this summer with a reasonable chance of things paying off. Here's two I'm aware of and fans of.. David Nugent (Portsmouth) - Not a big striker, holds the ball up well, been a fan for a while and scored his 13th in the season yesterday. Great partner for Fryatt backed up by Simpson who I think is capable of good things next season with the work rate of McLean and number 4. Neil Danns (Crystal Palace) - Tough tackling central midfielder, wouldn't be the biggest midfield partnership next to Evans supposing that deal is done but it'd be creative and one that wouldn't be scared of getting in the faces of the opposition midfield. Other Suggestions.. & opinion on Nugent please..
I heard a few weeks ago that we was in for Owen Hargreaves. I seriously doubt it, especially with his injury record, but you never know.
Sebastian Larsson (Birmingham) will be a free agent. He will probably go to another lower PL-Club, but you never know
Maybe Keiron Westwood from Coventry, I think he's out of contract at the end of this season and a top keeper at this level. Dennis Eilhoff, had a trial with us earlier this season. Don't know if he impressed but watching a few videos on youtube, he looks a great back-up to Mannone (if that deal goes ahead) if not, I think he'd be a solid no.1 Nugent is a good player but I think he's too similar to Fryatt and there wouldn't be much variation in attack with these two playing together. I'd definately take him on board, but i'd prioritise a fast or big striker first.
Danns I'd definitely like to see at the club. We're crying out for someone like him in the middle of the park who can both break up the play of the opposition and spray the ball across the midfield. Eilhoff I also wouldn't mind seeing coming in as back-up on a free, I don't imagine he'll cost much in wages. Westwood is a very good keeper at Championship level, he'd certainly be a good acquisition in my mind on a free. As for Nugent though I'd leave him well alone. He'll cost quite a lot in wages I expect and also he's too similar a type a player to Fryatt as mentioned above.
I'm sure there are a few Blackpool players who's contracts are up in the summer, read this a while ago though so don't know if they've signed contracts since then.
Tbh, I don't think Nugent would be out of our wage budget. He's at Pompey at the minute and they're in financial ****, we've got more quality at our team and more money so a deal should be do-able.
He's probably on around 20,000 at Pompey, so I imagine even if he takes a cut he'll still want around 15,000. Pearson won't give him that.
Just mentioned on the other thread that the contract of David Murphy of Birmingham is expiring in the summer. Could be a potential new left back but I imagine a newly-promoted Premier League team is more likely to sign him than us. (edit) just found that last year he returned from a 13-month injury nightmare from a knee injury. We don't want another Jimmy.
Neil Danns is supposed to have agreed a deal with us already. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/new...rystal-Palace-s-Neil-Danns-article722445.html
Arca from Boro. I know Boro want to hang on to him but as far as i know he's not signed a new contract yet.
Bogdanovic, Henderson or Ched Evans from Sheffield United....all big lads and would probably be quite cheap as the Blades try to cut their ã12m wage bill for Lg1, so not free but may aswell be. Evans would be my choice....young and has a strong shot on him apparently.
lee bowyer was rumoured to be not goetting a new deal..might not be the age bracket pearson usually goes for, and he might have played for tws..but would be a cracking signing for any championship club..
Pearson still goes for the occasional veteran to help the younger players though.. Koren and Greening to name a couple. He also still plays Barmby and Dawson, for example, so it's not all about youth with him.
I don't think ched Evans is a bad shout actually. I do rate him quite highly in spite of the relegation this season. As mentioned, sheff utd will be keen to cut the wage bill so I do think he'll go elsewhere
I cant remember Ched Evans ever doing anything. Bogdanovic was held in high stock before he moved last season. I dont think he would be what we want. I think Billy Jones (Preston) is available in the summer - always been a decent larker when Ive seen him. Can play in midfield and at full back I think
Arca from Boro was originally a LB when they signed him (from sunderland i think?) but think he either plays left of midfield or CM for them now. Either way he would be a decent acquisition IMO, especially if he could provide cover at left back.