We are a rising, successful side, top of our league and we are soaring high.. With success we get noticed, get noticed and we have recognition, we have a lot of class acts playing for us and the rule of the jungle says the bigger teams must or might go after them, money talks. Who do you think will leave our team for the big buck in the next transfer window, this could divert our promotion plans or will Mr Lansdown refuse any big profit making deals and allow us to contend and maybe win promotion?
I think we should stick, at the end of the season start from scratch and offer 3 year contracts to those players we wish to keep.
Promotion is a must,especially with a big new fancy stadium coming. None will want to leave, as they will be in the championship next season. Not unless they are going to the prem.
However good we believe our squad is and consequently the individuals that make up that squad, for any to jump up two leagues in January would be unrealistic in my opinion. Maybe Premier clubs would be prepared for them to mature for a season or two in their reserve teams? But as we all know, clubs do not have reserve teams like those of olden days, so promising players bought are then loaned back to whence they came. I can imagine some of our squad may be attracted by the bright lights and bigger pay packets, but winning a league must still be a big attraction for third tier players and should encourage them to be patient for another four months before thinking of moving on.
Agree with RR none will leave unless a prem team comes knocking and thats not going to happen! If we don't gst promoted then i can see a few being pinched like Freeman, Smith, Agard... but hopefully we're in the championship again next year and our boys make us proud against bigger teams. With 2/3 additions we have a strong championship team. Will be interesting too see if we do a Brentford or a Rotherham next season.
Leicester walked the championship last year followed by Burnley. QPR won the play offs- Who occupy the bottom 3 places in the Prem at the moment. It goes to show the gulf between the two divisions- Our top goal scorer last year has failed to make any significant impact at a higher level. League 1 players would have to be exceptional to get a start in the Prem. That said, for me, Joe Bryan is the most likely to be in this position given his ability, age and potential. Ayling is another who I feel would be comfortable at a higher level.
Equally there are certain types of players that thrive in the premiership (Bolasie) who don't seem to fit so well lower down, and there are players who are constantly improving and have the type of ability that will work in the Prem. I am afraid Freeman, Bryan and maybe Ayling will fall in to that category and it is almost certain that the bigger eyes are already watching.
We don't need to sell but every player has his price. For example if someone offered silly money (like £5m) for Korey we would be mad not to take it
Wigan offered £2m for Dave Cotterill and we snapped their hands off. Quite right too. I agree with GDNAC that Joe Bryan looks like just the kind of player a team could take a punt on. But would £1 million be enough to prise him away? Surely someone in the Prem would shell out £8-10m for Assombolongo, or Will Hughes, or even Patrick Bamford, rather than risk £5m on Korey Smith.
Promotion is a must, no transfers unless a better or equivalent player replaces them. Summer transfer window is better for selling rather than January.
Knowing our inept board, we will probably go for neither!! When was the last time we made a good profit on a player?? Ade Akinbye, cannot think of anyone since.
Sam Baldock would be the obvious one. Albert Adomah, Nick Carle, Dave Cotterill, Leroy Lita, Jim Brennan all sold for £1m+ having been signed for less so. Very few clubs at this level make massive £2m+ profits on transfers.
As I recall we paid Arsenal £500k for Cole and another £500k as a sell on fee, netting us only £500k on the deal and we got no sell on hen he went to Man Utd for £7 million.
