Rumoured on newsnow http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/pilkington-set-to-join-stokes-irish-brigade-29233681.html
Oh Ipswich fans, seeing as you spend more time on our board than our own, you might like to know the article suggests Daryl Murphy is likely to join you for free this summer. On the topic of Pilks, I'd rather not see him go, but he'll only go if Hughton deems him surplus. We don't need the money, so Stoke certainly won't get him cheap, and it might finance moves for 1 or 2 wingers Hughton supposedly wants. Tricky one, as he hasn't been as good this season as last either, but I'd still want him on the pitch saturday if fit.
Doesn't seem to fit into the "current" CH style of play. I think he likes to attack and get forward but it seems the wide players role is rather more defensive these days. To be honest, I don't know whether he would be a loss or not.
would be a loss imo as he is still young. has gone awol in some games though, but still time to develop if this would happen it would imply Hughton doesn't rate him
or that he has someone better lined up. the price quoted for Pilks is £4m, if that is what Stoke are offering, then he would probably go for around 5m if we want to sell. but, hey, when has newspaper gossip been proved right.
I wouldnt sell Pilks, If we do change our style of play slightly next season I dont think we could improve too much without paying considerably more than what we get for him. Pilks certainly has something about him but has gone off the boil a bit this season. I htink partly due to injuries and tactics.
To be fiar Pilkjs did exactly the same last season. He had a purple patch where he was excellent and then turned invisible as the season wore on. I don't think that CH's tactics suit his style of play and I would not be shocked to see him go although I would be a bit disappointed as I think that on his day he is top notch and Markmemo does make a good point that I don't think we'd get much better unless we spent a hell of a lot of money.
Think it'd be shame to see someone who is comfortable with both feet, can play on both wings and can get goals from out wide go. 8 goals in your first season in the premiership coming back from a serious injury is some record. I really hope we don't let him go as I think he worked extremely hard on his defensive play earlier on this season and still has 4 goals before his injury problems.
I have to agree on the both feet, very unusual to see people as comfortable with both anymore. Can hit a good freek kick, can score from out the area and can deliver quality. He is still young and if he could add some consistently I really dont think we could get much better to our club and that the money would be better spent in other areas.
Maybe selling Pilks would create a space for Nathan Redmond who has worked with CH before ? I'd prefer to keep Pilks myself as on his day he is a potentail match winner - Man Utd, Sunderland and Wigan at home this year testify.
In my humble opinion and from what i have seen of him you would be mad to get rid, he is one of only a couple of players that you have that could make something out of nothing.
We've missed him when free kicks have been awarded with the gola on the right. Anyone remember the opener he scored at villa park last season??? I'd prefer him to stay and change tactics slightly, so that he can ge forward more!!!
I don't think we should let him leave, even if he isnt in Hughton's plans at the moment (personally i think he is just being eased back from injury). If we are going to invest in a winger or 2 in the summer he would be a brilliant back up. Personally i really like him, hes good with both feet, and when allowed to push forward he is a real attacking threat from midfield and that is something we have been lacking this season (Snodgrass excluded).
