I think 4.4 million for Solly and Stephens would be decent enough business.
No chance. Even with the silly prices some players go for I'm surprised at the size of the opening bid for Stephens. Our best hope is Bolton stay in the game for as long as possible to push the eventually price WHU will pay up BUT this leaves us with very little time to re-invest whatever (if any) is given back to Chris. I fear another Andy Reid situation coming on.
Exactly, but Chris Powell is no idiot. If he is going to be given money to spend then he will be looking at replacements/new signings so if they go and we bring in replacements plus another 1/2 on top then it will be good business IMO
I know that we have business requirements to be met and that a portion of monies received will be used to pay off debts. But going back to league 1 wouldn't exactly help the coffers would it! Some of the money would have to go back in to allow the Quinns / Hammills / Youngs etc to sign, so we can build a successful Championship club.
The rumours were that Oldham would have written thr sell on clause off in exchange for Leon Clarke. Be annoying if we end up giving Oldham 100-140k and let Clarke go on a free.
As people are saying - it isn't so much the money but the replacements. I would guess Solly would be easier to replace than Stephens in terms of what is out there and with the money brought in, but SIr Chris can't be put in the position where he his squad is exposed at the last minute- Villa and West Ham should be told, meet our valuation today or go away.
If this isn't handled right you could see Sir Chris leaving at th eearliest opportunity.
If the way we have played so far this season will continue I would rather Solly go than Stephens. Solly has been left exposed so although sound defensively we haven't seen anywhere near as much of his attacking threat as we saw last year, which is the reason he is worth the money being mentioned. If we could get £2m+ for Solly we could replace with an older head at right back who is not expected to get forward as much and either an extra body in central midfield or use the money to help sure-up the club's finances.
Stephens offers what our other midfielders do not, and that is composure, an eye for a pass and discipline. For me, he reminds me of Matt Holland, I would frequently sit there thinking that he has done NOTHING all game, but when watching him specifically you see that he is always looking for the ball and setting up plays. Not putting the final ball in but enabling the final ball to be played. I think it is that reason that he gets marked down, because unless you are watching him specifically he can appear annonymous. IMO he is our most important midfielder.
Surely if we're being "exposed defensively" we need to keep our best defenders? A slightly attacking midfielder would be the least of our worries.
I didn't say we are being exposed defensively, I said that Solly is being left exposed which is dampening his attacking threat. We could bring in a more defensive and experienced RB for less than we get for Solly leaving the extra money to be invested as the board sees fit.
The positive news I have heard is that both bids are unwelcome. Of course every player has his price, but if they want their players, it seems West Ham and Villa are going to have to pay it.
Judging from all our signings thus far, don't think that either SCP or our Board are naive when it comes to transfers (Clarke and Alonso aside). Suspect that if there's a will/need to sell either or both of Solly and Stephens, other players to replace them will already be lined up, albeit with cost benefits to the club with a view to addressing any budget shortfall this season. Harsh reality of football without super rich investors/owners willing to fritter away some of their hard earned fortunes. SCP will get the most out of whatever he's got, of that I'm sure!
Surely I'm not the only one thinking this? .......we signed a lot of players this time last year. Several of those involved transfer fees, with the initial installment paid upfront to the selling club.
Now 12 months later, the next installments of those transfer fees are due. And we can't pay all of them.
Comments
Exactly, but Chris Powell is no idiot. If he is going to be given money to spend then he will be looking at replacements/new signings so if they go and we bring in replacements plus another 1/2 on top then it will be good business IMO
If this isn't handled right you could see Sir Chris leaving at th eearliest opportunity.
Bolton and West Ham obviously don't realise that @cjsolly will not go anywhere without Waggy
Several of those involved transfer fees, with the initial installment paid upfront to the selling club.
Now 12 months later, the next installments of those transfer fees are due.
And we can't pay all of them.
Could be another reason we need cash right now.