Transfer Rumours Summer Transfer window

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Mackem74 said:
Football is the most fickle game in the world. We are all raving about these new lads in midfield but it's two games into pre season, we haven't played a competitive game yet. Are these boys better than Neil? Probably but we are judging them on a small.sample size. it's a squad game now and Neil would be really important over a season and knows the club. I think he can kick on and use these signings as fuel to improve his own game. Same with Rigg. Noone is talking about him starting games but he's potentially one of the best product we've had in decades, if not ever.
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I’m judging Neil on 2/3 of last season. The few times Jobe dropped back he was better than Neil. So I’m judging his ability to play a level above when for the majority of the season he was bang average a level below.
 
CR17 said:
Phil Smith has also said we are wanting...

a GK

Winger who can play both flanks

CB maybe 2

Midfielder

Chance of a ST
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I'd imagine if DN was to leave, we'd be looking at bringing another cm in.
 
Neil has been great for our club and he should hold his head high and always be proud of what he has achieved here. We are seeing now with the new guys in midfield that we’ve just gone up a few levels from last season and as a club we are probably starting to outgrow him, now.

I never understood the claims that he could play for Liverpool and England. He’s a decent, tidy, championship player. I still think he’ll sign for Southampton or Ipswich.
 
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Jambezz said:
Worth saying too that Neil knows his role in this team very well, having started almost every game under RLB. I'd imagine he could pretty seamlessly slip back in at CDM alongside 2 of the 3 who have started so far.
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But you play your best three surely and he is not in it
 
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FellTop said:
On Neil specifically. I am trying to put myself in his shoes a little bit here. Forget money for a minute. I suspect the lad is going through a bit of emotional turmoil right now. He was captain last season, of the club he supports in the same way any of us do. Imagine how that must feel. Now it looks like he is not even going to be in the first 11, let alone captain. We as fans can all have an opinion whether he should be or not. But for him, to live that experience, must be killing him mentally. I suspect he is a little bit heartbroken. I am not sure anyone in that sort of circumstance could ever realistically be expected to stay, it could never really be the same again for you when it is your club. The feelings run far too deep.
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Surely he wants to stay and fight for his place if he thinks he’s good enough though mate? You can’t issue wage demands if you want to jump ship as soon as we bring in some quality to compete for your place. For what it’s worth I’ve said for a while I don’t Neil is as good as some make out, he could prove me wrong and be a great PL player and I hope he does. I’d like to think he’d not want to leave because we’re improving the squad around him, we had to and that will make him a better player.

He’s also well within his rights to demand what he thinks he’s worth though so it’s a two way street. If he thinks he’s can go and play first team football for another PL club on X weekly wages and there’s an offer there then he should be asking for that to stay. It’s a business at the end of the day and both club and player need to look after themselves.
 
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Scout73 said:
He will only give up that honour if he chooses to not sign a contract tho, he's been offered a new contract so the club wants to keep him. He still has a chance to be 1st choice, he's up against 4 very good players (the 3 that starter yesterday and Rigg) and he should improve by playing with players like Le Fee and Diarra

It's up to him to then decide whether we are best for his future or not, I'm fine if he goes as long as he thinks it's what's best for him - id personally be gutted but as long as he is leaving on his terms I'd be fine with that

It is a huge honor to lead the team out at Wembley and 1 thatll live with him forever

No matter what he will go with my well wishes
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Do you think he is named 1st team captain if he signs his contract today?
 
rowley said:
Representatives. Plural being the notable word there.

Agents too often see what is good for them first, player second. This player is by no means the only one.

Too many of them exert a svengali like influence on the players, who often make very bad decisions on the back of their "advice".
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I remember something similar happening when I was a kid. We went to sign someone, everything was agreed in principle only for it to collapse late on because of the agent screwing it up. If I remember right it was John Byrne a couple of years before we did sign him.
 
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I think some are over-critical of Neil and as a result some are then over-defensive in understandable retaliation / defence. The answer is somewhere in the middle for me.

Neil was brilliant at times last season but also at times bypassed fairly easily. And I have reservations as to whether he's ready to fulfil an important role in a Premier League midfield. But there were times he made the role look easy.

I'd love him to stay, and step up with us. But his contract situation and seeming desire for a new experience puts pain to that.

I think he could thrive under a fresh start in a new environment where he doesn't have the pressure of being the homegrown captain or to live up to the expectations that sometimes come with being a homegrown talent. I also think his style is better suited to Italy or somewhere like that, than the Premier League.
 
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Scout73 said:
If he is upset that players are coming in and competing with him then that is massively disappointing to me

Players want to play with the best players possible as it often raises their game

If Neil has thrown his toys out because we've signed 2 quality CMs then that's pathetic imo

I've spoke to Neil a few times and that isn't him imo, he's a fighter and I think he will relish the challenge of competing with Enzo, Diarra and Le Fee for a starting place. No one is guaranteed a game, they earn that on the pitch and the training ground

My understanding is he wants a new challenge, sounds like he isn't against staying but is open to a new challenge as well
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I think the part of him leaving for a new challenge depends on who actually wants to sign him. cannot see many decent Premier League clubs wanting to sign him and make him first choice cm. could possibly go abroad but again don’t think many of the Big teams will be interested in him as he was only slightly above average in the English second division
 
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