Surely with FFP the club does have to disclose the transfer fees that are reported as undisclosed, so the press will eventually get hold of a price. Everything seems to have gone quite on the clubs who were going to sign Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon), Amorebieta (Espanol), and wonder who might go for Rodallega.
This afternoons gossip from the Cottage is we have had another bid for Brentfords James Tankowski turned down, 1.7m this time up from 1.4m. Saw this lad 5/6 times last season can play c/half or full back, very fast scored 8 goals last season and only 22. Any other fans seen him,and could comment on if he would fit into our formation
That’s way over the market odds for Tarkoswki. However, picking up on Silky’s earlier post about needing a CB and a DM if Kit persists in the Diamond, and in fact probably regardless of the system he plays, we do seem to have a focus on those positions. I think the first choice at CB was Richard Stearman, Wolves 29yr old captain standing at 6’ 2”. But the message was taken that neither Wolves and more importantly he, were interested in a deal. So, we are now into some kind of incremental bidding play-off between Brentford (James Tarkowski 23yrs old and standing at 6'3") and Brighton (Lewis Dunk 23yrs old and standing at 6'4") for a CB with proven Championship experience. At the moment, Kevin McDonald (26yrs old and standing at 6'1") is the only one on the radar for the DM spot and again we seem to be into a ‘tippy-tappy’ bidding process. Blow the treasure trove . Go and get them - there must be enough intel around to for Mr Rigg to know what it’ll take. That does of course still leave us with the troublesome LB position.
I'd be quite happy with Husband if we could sort a deal out, would be good to have back up although I think Kavanagh could develop into a decent LB - he'll find his chances in the middle quite limited now.
Cottager my reason for having a preference for Tarkowski is he is not exclusively a centre half, but has, and can play at full back, add to that his speed factor. 2m certainly wont break the bank, and of all the names mentioned he is the one who ticks my boxes
Silky - apologies. It was you not Surly who posted earlier; duly edited my post. Agree about Husband. Not all sure why we haven't made a move, especially since M'brough were apparently prepared to offer him to Ipswich as part payment in a deal for Darlyl Murphy (which was turned down). However no sooner said than done, again, but a newcomer has popped up - We are considering a move for the Aston Villa LB Joe Bennett, according to the Daily Mirror. please log in to view this image The 25yr old joined Villa in a £3m deal from Middlesbrough in August 2012, spent last season on loan at Brighton, where he made 41 first-team appearances, scoring one goal. He only has a year to run on his current contract with Villa.
I'm not so sure we need 2 new centre backs. The idea this year should be to get as settled a back 4 as we can with only injuries or lack of fitness being a reason to break them up. With Hutchinson, Bodurov, Burn and one new player I think we have enough, especially if Burgess, Donnelly and Casasola are still around as back up. Each of the 3 of Burn, Bodurov and Hutchinson have showed in patches that they have the quality to be successful at this level. All the chopping and changing didn't help last season. I think one of the current three + Dunk/Tarkowski is the way to go. As for left back, surely Husband is a no brainer, unless he doesn't want to come back but I doubt that's the case. Cheap, young, quality.
Wouldn't have Bodurov in my line-up FI. Too slow in mind and feet. Bringing those two in might be tough on Hutchinson and Burn short term but it's a long season in the Championship, something the Club failed to acknowledge/prepare for last season, and I'm sure they'd get their chance. Again agree. Small aside - there is bad blood between him and Tom Cairney - Cairney was out for 3 months after being crocked by Husband in a League Cup game (Hull v Doncaster). No reason at all why that should influence the Club however.
It was Bodurov's first season outside of Bulgaria and he came into an awful, ever changing defence and I think for a lot of the season was our best Centre Back. I agree that he was a bit slow in mind but that's forgiveable given the circumstances. He was always going to take time to adjust. I think he'll improve this season, he should be a lot sharper. Re: Cairney and Husband. I'd understand if it was the other way around. If Cairney had injured Husband I'd understand his reluctance. I think we just haven't gone in for him yet for whatever reason. Surely if he's not wanted at Boro the first place his agent would have come is Fulham. There is also the possibility that he doesn't fancy upping sticks and moving to London for the long term.
I would be interested to see how our current centre backs got on with a solid defensive mid in front of them. They didn't cover themselves in glory last season, and the number of goals we conceded was ridiculous, but in fairness to them they were between a midfield that had very little bite and a goalkeeper who was playing his first season for the club and can't really be called a natural leader or even vocal organiser at this stage, although he is talented. I hope we see Casasola come through but something makes me feel he isn't going to join that long illustrious list of South American defenders who've succeeded in a English football.
Casasola was kept out of the U21s last year by a player who was being released at the end of the season. He really hasn't developed anywhere near as much as I'd hoped.
I don't believe we need two centre backs either, I have said previously that all our centres backs have exactly the same weakness, Burn Bodurov Turner, Hutchinson, Burgess all a slight lack of pace, if we brought I a centre back who was quick I believe any of the above could play with them I'm just not sure about them playing together they get to exposed, especially as a lot of championship teams have pace upfront! Not sure how quick Dunk, Tarakowski or Stearman are
Jack Grimmer is nippy but not ready for a starting Centre Back role in the Championship yet. If we could get Jason Denayer on loan from City he would be a great addition. They're looking to loan him out to a Championship club. It's never going to happen though as he only has SPL, Europa League, Senior and Youth International experience and not the much coveted 'Championship experience' which is what we seem to be basing all of our transfer targets on.
The Club had already confirmed that Jamie O'Hara had been in pre-season training with the 1st team squad this week. Now the Mirror is reporting that he is having a medical today. His stats from last season were good and on a free at relatively low wages, he should be good back-up cover, at the very least. What is especially good is that the Club are trying hard to get “all the ducks in a row” before heading off to the Potuguese training camp. Roll on signing that CB and DM beforehand as well
I would be happy with O'Hara as long as his wages are not to high, the only major downside is his injury record, when fit he us a good player especially on a free transfer. If we sign O'hara , Dunk and Bennett in the next week or two would people be happy????? I think I would
Holding my breath, not counting chickens and all that stuff, but this Q&A session with Kevin McDonald is enough to give some optimism - http://www1.skysports.com/football/...ald-admits-his-future-may-be-away-from-wolves
According to Wiipedia Joe Bennett is already on the books - "Joseph "Joe" Bennett (born 28 March 1990) is an English footballer who plays for Fulham. Born and brought up in Rochdale, Bennett signed his first professional contract with Middlesbrough prior to the 2008–09 season and is comfortable playing anywhere on the left, although he usually operates as a left-back. He completed his move to Aston Villa on 29 August 2012 for an undisclosed fee.[3] He has been capped at U-19, U-20 and U-21 for England." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bennett_(footballer)
