Phillips didnt have the ridiculous hype that Wickham has behind him. Hes only being set up to fall here. Like Henderson going for 20 million, if he doesn't justify that tag with world beating performances, he will be crushed by expectation. I also fear he could be intimidated, whilst he may have had a swagger about himself in the Championship, up against world famous players in the PL, I fear he may struggle.
If Liverpool , amongst others, are interested - even at this price, then he has to be worth a punt. x
His goal scoring record doesnt look that impressive. But when you compare it to other players around his age it aint too bad. Rooney had about 15 goals in 67. Wickham got 6 in his first season and 9 this season just finished. Carroll at his age got 1 in 9 at Preston and the following season 3 in 10 for the scum. He is still only 18 Still allot of money though He could be another Stokes. But then again we could spend it on a bigger name foreign player, and they could be another Flo.
Bald - he has been kept as a youngster and brought through, in my opinion, the right way (slowly) - not injury prone but kept in the background for his sake more than anything (from what I can tell) but I have seen him play at Championship and the England U21 level and always been impressed (other than 1 or 2 appearances) - good movement and good eye for goal and looked sharp - personally I rate the lad very highly
The Sunderland Echo runs with the title "Ipswich agree fee for Connor Wickham" then if you read it they say we havn't agreed a fee. Plot to sell papers or a typo. I fwe do sign him 9 million is a lot for an unproven player, who could fail. (then the add ons wouldn't kick in). However this lad has been touted for 2 years now and the big clubs are keeping an eye on him. So those in the know must think he's good enough. Do the big clubs think 13 million too steep for his development at this stage or do they stump up to save them paying us 25 - 30 mil if the boy does good. I think this a very bold move by the club and I kinda like it. His wages shouldn't be too high either imo.
This lad has surely shown enough that 13 million quid for his signiture is a gamble worth taking. I think he'd be a terrific signing and i think he'd force himself into the starting 11 sharpish. Unfortunately, i think a few other clubs may just be biding their time before they come in and trump us. Shane long (another player we're linked with) on the other hand doesn't seem to have anythign special about him, from what i've seen.
I don't get why you guys aren't putting in a bid for Sturridge if you're paying £13mill for a completely unproven 18 year old. Surely Sturridge wouldn't go for that much more and at least it's proven that he can score goals.
I think Bruce, like most PL managers, intends to create a strong competitive team (probably reliant on set-pieces) rather than a team with ability and flair. I think he's had the chance to create a team that will play expansive attacking football but has decided to go down the more typical route. However, we don't know that he hasn't been in contact with chelsea/sturridge and either chelsea or sturridge has said it's not going to happen. If we, Sunderland, can't have Welbeck nor sturridge, Wickham has to be a good alternative. Plus, what's to say that Wickham won't go on to achieve bigger and better things than either of Welbeck or Sturridge. As well as being a strong lad, Wickham has fine feet. If Man United get Cavani, we may well get Welbeck back on load anyhow.
This lad is hot property for a damn good reason. However, it will be a few years down the line before he reaches his best, so I hope both the club and the fans will show a little patience with him should he sign.
I do have to agree with Chappaz, Sturridge or Welbeck would cost little more, and have EPL experience. It could be though that this kid is potentially better than both, when Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs are all chasing the same lad, you know he's got summat. When we signed Welbeck i was mortified, if we signed him tomorrow, i'd cartwheel the length of the Costa Del Sol. I'm a wee bit uncertain on Whickham, through lack of knowledge, but Welbeck had been on loan at Preston the previous season and been ****e. Some players are better in the top tier, Welbeck was, let's hope Whickam is, if he signs.
Thought about it and think Wickham will be a good signing if, and only if, we invest heavily in wingers. Actually out and out wingers. Not Richardson/Reid esque players.
Just had a wee chat on the Ipswich board. Apparently under Keane he struggled, as did the whole team, so he lacked any decent service, and missed a good chunk through injury. The interesting part for me, when Jewell came in and the results improved, he was used on the wing, bagging 9 in 20. Sometimes more to stats than meet the eye.
