It was the same for him at Wimbledon. He’ll go test the market to get himself the best offer. As long as he gives his all in the shirt while he’s here, we can’t really ask for much more.
The argument there are 20 players at London clubs with no chance of "playing regularly" for their first teams this season who would get a game in our current team is probably valid but the January transfer has operated largely with the same disciplines for several years.
Just what is our likely recruitment market? Take a look at the League Tables.
In the Championship. - clubs within 3 wins of the play offs go down Derby in 15th - clubs within 3 defeats of relegation with Wigans' game in hand go up to Middlesboro in 17th
In League 1 - clubs within 3 wins of the play offs go down Shrewsbury in 16th - clubs within 3 defeats of relegation go up to Accrington in 17th
The clubs in either scenario are not going to simply write their season off by releasing first team or even key squad players without a suitable replacement lined up (which creates a chain effect)or an over inflated price unless they have a major financial need, the club is operated by Roland Duchatelet and/or the player is out of contract in 6 months.
Across the two divisions it leaves you with the choice of the Reading Squad.
If you want to focus on the players with expiring contracts go look at the list of "Out of contract players 2020" on Transfermarkt in the Championship or League 1.
It is not necessarily totally accurate but nor is it an over inspiring list or indeed a specific criteria on which you can judge availability. It lists Grant Hall at QPR for example who features regularly and is the team captain
What churn there will be is because clubs and managers have injuries and/or like to freshen their squads but in virtually every scenario nobody is likely to pull the trigger until the end of the month, if for no other reason than protecting their own arse.
Deadline day plays to such agenda by literally showing "it was the best deal I could get in the timeline".
It is extremely frustrating because of our exceptional needs but the reality is you only get to spend the money once.
Lets all hope it will play out to our advantage over the coming days.
We signed the likes of Williams and JFC (not quite London), even Page, from premier league clubs in league 1. They were in the last year of thier contracts. In those 3 there was a 6 month contract and more long term deals. No one likes not playing, clubs help by paying them out, they put them selves in the shop window. It's some times win win.
Page was young though and had already been on loan to a club in the same league. Brighton were a champ club.
The point was there are players, probably many locally, that are 6 months away from being out of contract.
They have no future at thier current club (see all 3 examples) and would welcome the guarantee of a contract (JFC and Page) or the opportunity to play/put themselves in the shop window. The former would only cost a small up front fee, as they would be released in the summer anyway, the later may even get paid out so we could compete in wages.
Compare Maddison and Williams. Peterborough want a fee, he wants a signing on fee and good championship wages, I don't blame either of them.
Palace on the other hand paid Williams up and allowed him to join us on a six month deal so he could play and put himself on the radar of other clubs.
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple won’t be here next season.
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple might not be here next season.
Fixed it for you, no guarantee that Taylor will leave... Especially now Bowyer is tied down
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple might not be here next season.
Fixed it for you, no guarantee that Taylor will leave... Especially now Bowyer is tied down
True. My point being Bowyer will probably know. The time to replace those players is if/when they leave, not now. Certainly don’t need another 2 strikers when we have Taylor, Bonne and Hemed aswell as Green, Davison and Aneke.
Although it will cost some serious money, Getting Lyle on a decent contract and managing to secure the services of Cullen permanently would go largely under the media radar I think, largely because they are already here.
Part of me thinks/hopes that ESI have money but are trying to avoid the circus that it generates when you spend it.
I think the pair of them would be very sound investments.
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple might not be here next season.
Fixed it for you, no guarantee that Taylor will leave... Especially now Bowyer is tied down
True. My point being Bowyer will probably know. The time to replace those players is if/when they leave, not now. Certainly don’t need another 2 strikers when we have Taylor, Bonne and Hemed aswell as Green, Davison and Aneke.
Green isn't a pure striker, Davison really should be learning his trade at a lower level while Aneke isn't a pure striker either and made of glass
Bonne is currently injured, no guarantee he'll be back for Barnsley and Stoke. Personally I'm not convinced by Hemed anyway, he was a last minute signing from when we were scraping around in the bargain bin, he'll do a job but is a massive step down from Lyle
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple might not be here next season.
Fixed it for you, no guarantee that Taylor will leave... Especially now Bowyer is tied down
True. My point being Bowyer will probably know. The time to replace those players is if/when they leave, not now. Certainly don’t need another 2 strikers when we have Taylor, Bonne and Hemed aswell as Green, Davison and Aneke.
Green isn't a pure striker, Davison really should be learning his trade at a lower level while Aneke isn't a pure striker either and made of glass
Bonne is currently injured, no guarantee he'll be back for Barnsley and Stoke. Personally I'm not convinced by Hemed anyway, he was a last minute signing from when we were scraping around in the bargain bin, he'll do a job but is a massive step down from Lyle
agree with pretty much all of that but if we keep Lyle I still don't think we need to sign more than 1 striker. The summer could see a lot of change in that area however.
We definitely need one decent striker and one decent box to box midfielder, and do think we missed a trick in not bringing in another loan player earlier in the month.
We definitely need one decent striker and one decent box to box midfielder, and do think we missed a trick in not bringing in another loan player earlier in the month.
Yeah I think Taylor and Bonne can be a good partnership. Chuck in a decent third option, Green's pace and Hemed and it looks capable of winning games.
We need two midfielders, Gallagher certainly needs to be replaced. I think we will sign a midfielder on loan and two permanents, I hope we stretch to a CB too.
We definitely need one decent striker and one decent box to box midfielder, and do think we missed a trick in not bringing in another loan player earlier in the month.
In addition, I also think we would benefit signing a commanding '1st ball' CB. Especially one that had quicker feet than Pearce and didn't cause us to defend such a deep line.
Having said that, Pearce has attributes which could prove valuable in a relegation scrap.
As others have said, combine Sarr and Pearce and you'd have an excellent player. As it is, Sarr's defensive "instinct" sometimes goes missing, while Pearce can be a bit "lumbering" at this level now.
We do miss Bauer, he was better than any of our current CBs
As others have said, combine Sarr and Pearce and you'd have an excellent player. As it is, Sarr's defensive "instinct" sometimes goes missing, while Pearce can be a bit "lumbering" at this level now.
We do miss Bauer, he was better than any of our current CBs
We certainly miss Bauer but i'd say Lockyer definitely gives Bauer a run for his money.
As others have said, combine Sarr and Pearce and you'd have an excellent player. As it is, Sarr's defensive "instinct" sometimes goes missing, while Pearce can be a bit "lumbering" at this level now.
We do miss Bauer, he was better than any of our current CBs
We certainly miss Bauer but i'd say Lockyer definitely gives Bauer a run for his money.
Nowhere near as dominant in the air though, you do need someone taller alongside him
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple won’t be here next season.
Definitely do - once Hemed goes in the summer alongside what looks like Taylor. We have 1 senior striker in Bonne.
We can’t have a squad of 35 to cover the players going in the summer. I agree we will need to replace people like Cullen and Taylor in the summer but we don’t need 7 odd strikers now just because a couple might not be here next season.
Fixed it for you, no guarantee that Taylor will leave... Especially now Bowyer is tied down
True. My point being Bowyer will probably know. The time to replace those players is if/when they leave, not now. Certainly don’t need another 2 strikers when we have Taylor, Bonne and Hemed aswell as Green, Davison and Aneke.
Green isn't a pure striker, Davison really should be learning his trade at a lower level while Aneke isn't a pure striker either and made of glass
Bonne is currently injured, no guarantee he'll be back for Barnsley and Stoke. Personally I'm not convinced by Hemed anyway, he was a last minute signing from when we were scraping around in the bargain bin, he'll do a job but is a massive step down from Lyle
Had a bet with someone last night that Williams will score for us before Hemed. Saying that i think Hemed looked alot more interested last night and i would like to see Taylor and Hemed start together against Barnsley. Probably lose my bet but not bothered.
Strikers are expensive from the English leagues. I would love Toney, but North of the border Sam Cosgrove or Laurence Shankland maybe much better value.
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However, if the owners are serious about pushing this club on I can't think of anyone better to be at the forefront of it.
They have no future at thier current club (see all 3 examples) and would welcome the guarantee of a contract (JFC and Page) or the opportunity to play/put themselves in the shop window. The former would only cost a small up front fee, as they would be released in the summer anyway, the later may even get paid out so we could compete in wages.
Compare Maddison and Williams.
Peterborough want a fee, he wants a signing on fee and good championship wages, I don't blame either of them.
Palace on the other hand paid Williams up and allowed him to join us on a six month deal so he could play and put himself on the radar of other clubs.
Is that a reflection of circumstances or ability?
Part of me thinks/hopes that ESI have money but are trying to avoid the circus that it generates when you spend it.
I think the pair of them would be very sound investments.
Bonne is currently injured, no guarantee he'll be back for Barnsley and Stoke. Personally I'm not convinced by Hemed anyway, he was a last minute signing from when we were scraping around in the bargain bin, he'll do a job but is a massive step down from Lyle
We need two midfielders, Gallagher certainly needs to be replaced. I think we will sign a midfielder on loan and two permanents, I hope we stretch to a CB too.
Especially one that had quicker feet than Pearce and didn't cause us to defend such a deep line.
Having said that, Pearce has attributes which could prove valuable in a relegation scrap.
We do miss Bauer, he was better than any of our current CBs