Summer 26 Transfer Rumours

GA said he would be speaking with Powell by this weekend. Hopefully we will hear publicly one way or another by Monday

 

GA said something about speaking to him or sorting it by the weekend. GA talks him up and in the interview I posted on the previous page he says he's been training at the same level as everyone else, so that's positive.

 

I think we have the money to do that one big midfield signing we crave however I also think we have missed out on several targets for various reasons possibly beyond our control like players signing for others clubs or pricing themselves out of a move at this stage.

Listening to Sharpe and Sparks previously we supposedly had Plans A B and C for players this summer. It would be interesting to see at what stage we are at because it looks like Plan A and maybe Plan B are long gone.

It is also clear BEESLEY was Alexander's prime target regardless of what other positions we needed but I do wonder with him and. Phillips coming in we have overstretched a little so other areas have been a bit neglected.

I am convinced from what I have been told we definitely spoke to Odin Bailey but once Pompey came in we never stood a chance.

Now I don't mind us bringing in another young midfielder let's say Rodney from palace as an example but if we are relying on Sarcevic and Connolly as the two experienced midfielders in that role yet neither has played there enough or for a while then that's a big concern. Cartwright I think will be an astute signing but is he ready now to become a regular starter?

We are definitely in need of a Smallwood/Power type player. If we somehow got Morsy Rodney Lewis and Welch signed up then I would say it's be a decent enough summer.

I fully expect a couple to go as well and depending who they are will depend on whether we to replace them as well.

I would fully expect Alexander to pick is starting 11 for Peterborough against Salford today providing everyone is available. That should give us some indication of who will play where.

 

Alexander will not be looking past next weeks game.

 

Why is Philips not in the conversation when talking about our options for the central pairing? I thought he played there for Barnsley?

 

Nope, played in the 10 for Barnsley. They tried him a few times in midfield but he doesnt track back or tackle. Their new manager plays a 442, he was only for sale because he can't play any role in their new system from the sounds of their lot.

 

Been told this morning we were turned down by Matt Smith, and Humps and Lapslie and Joe Wright aren't expected to be here by the end of the window

 

Shame if that's the case as I do really like all 3

 

Me too although Humps frustrates the living daylights out of me

 

Could go in strong today due to us having our first competitive game next week ...........

 

All are replaceable. Like Wright the most out the bunch but he did have a shocker in the locker every 5 or 6 games.

 

If those 3 aren't replaced by 'Starters', I'd think what would be the point.

 

If

If it's the same Matt Smith that I'm thinking of, didn't he retire two years ago?
Will be 37 now, or have I got the wrong one?

 

Mid

Midfielder from Wigan currently on trial at Lincoln as he wants champ football. Came through arsenal academy played for Charlton and Swindon too I think. Good playmaker and if he was consistent hed be a decent player in the Championship.

 

I'd be disappointed if he didn't sign up. I think if his time is managed he could be a real asset this year. He's an intelligent player and see him as a very useful finisher for games

 

Given GA’s track record of playing players out of position, the Smallwood-Pattison comparisons and the fact that we are very short in that department, it would not surprise me in the slightest if GA plays him at CM and it crashes very quickly

 

Lapslie no real loss. Good squad player but will want first team football, which he wont get here
Wright a bit of a surprise. Our most natural CB and a goal threat, but useless with the ball at his feet and probably wants regular first team football as well
As for Humps, id like to keep him. Offers good competition for Pointon and provides a different outlet on the left flank

 

Humphrys was a big part of the reason we came 4th last year. He'd be a big loss for me. I'm not saying he should be a starter but having him as a fringe first team player would be wise. I think he's vastly under rated.

 

There is no doubt 2 other key factors have impacted the window:

• The World Cup meaning Premier League clubs are keeping hold of more u21 players than they would normally do, this is being shown by Liverpool and Chelsea both cancelling an u21 pre-season friendly in the last week due to lack of players
• New financial rules: clubs can't spend more and hope they get it back later as they can only spend now what they have now or have guaranteed coming in. This has limited spending in the Championship which has a knock on impact further down.

I am fully expecting once the Premier League starts the window will get very busy with loans going down which will free up other loans or players who will be allowed to leave as their club has cover for them.

Also for us we're shopping in a different market to what we were 12 months ago, last summer for certain players like Tilt, Humphrys, Metcalfe we will have been near the top of their options in terms of wages etc as we were competing with the clubs who came up with us and teams like Burton, Wigan who had similar or lower budgets to us. This season we're competing against Huddersfield, Plymouth, Luton etc, possibly even some lower end Championship clubs who have bigger budgets than us and the player we need to improve the team, they also want.

 

Cheers Goose, must be losing track, thought it was the old Salford lad!!!
Matron is coming soon so I'll be back to normal