Ben Whiteman deep in talks with Preston according to SSN. Claims we held talks but player wants to stay in North. EDIT: Somewhat predictably, Leventhal now saying exactly the same. https://twitter.com/adamleventhal/status/1346775510102077441?s=21
I assume any failed 'transfer rumour' in which we had 'initial discussions' will have an excuse instead of the true 'would cost money' or 'player views us as a poxy little outfit' reason. 'Wanted to stay in the North' 'Prefers to live in Bedford' 'Was a Borehamwood fan all his life' 'Couldn't find the exit on the motorway' 'Lost his mobile last night' 'Was abducted by aliens'
Not quite, says he's set to stay in the North but not that geography is a factor in his decision. If Preston is seen as a more attractive option that's a damming indictment of where we are - wonder if they're offering more. Edit: just saw he clarified that it is one of the factors in a follow up tweet although in a pretty wishy-washy way that makes it sound like he saying something from a position of insight but isn't really!
Here's AL's take on it:- Adam Leventhal @AdamLeventhal 21m Transfer latest Preston favourites for Ben Whiteman (Doncaster) signing as talks progress. #WatfordFC had initial discussions but Doncaster didn't like the yellow coloured jelly beans Watford offered, QPR in mix but highly regarded mid (24yrs, thro ranks at MUFC pre SUFC, 150+ apps / 25 gls in LG1) set to stay in north of England.
No worries. reporter on SSN definitely suggested it was a factor, that’s where I took it from. I know better than to take anything Leventhal says as gospel these days!
And let’s be honest - these players must want to go to a club where the manager might last more than a few weeks ..
We usually consider a few possibilities for a position - just because we supposedly "held initial talks" doesn't necessarily mean he was a priority.
Yes. I also think people are undervaluing geography, too. Here’s a guy who has lived and worked in the North his entire life, is settled there and has his friends and family there. Some players might be keen to move down to/near London, some aren’t. These players are people too and Preston is a nice convenient move.
Indeed. After a comprehensive and rigorous selection process, involving considering and contacting numerous talented options, it'll turn out the best fit is some bloke festering in Udinese reserves. Fancy that!
Just stupid if we lose out to Preston for Whiteman. He’s exactly what we need. Absolute ******** that he wants to stay in the North. Leventhal just being the Pozzo puppet. Yet again our board just being cheap! Fuming! #pozzoout
There will always be some players like that but I'd suggest they are few and far between given the short span of a professional's career. If the choice was really "do you want more money at a club who are aiming to go straight back up with better facilities and a better squad or are you happy to join some mid table plodders for less money?" I'd imagine the vast majority of footballers would take the former. Of course, the equation changes if the team whose stated ambition of promotion are actually offering you less money as they are completely hamstrung by a raft of underperformers on massive wages and still need to drastically cut costs...
Well yeah. Our "initial talks" will most likely be generally along the lines of: "will you accept Andre Gray and a twix?... no?? Ah crap, that's us out".
Just be happy that we at least considered him - some posters hold out the belief that we're completely blind to the lower leagues.
I think you have to take into consideration that we already have 3 regular senior internationals 1 England under 21 and Kabasele who whilst not a regular international still has a couple of caps for Belgium and in my opinion, is as good as any centre half I have seen at this level. With the number of options we have, it would daft to pay him loads anyway.
I think he was talking about Whiteman but fair comment about Davies although maybe we are looking to move some on? Of course this is all Sky rumour talk .
Fair point. Our record under the Pozzos of signing *checks notes* one up and coming player for the first team squad from the lower leagues in 16 transfer windows is impressive. And of course, we sent Ben Wilmot out on loan twice before he was a properly integrated into the squad.
Because our club puts out the same **** every transfer window. Our board know most our fan base is dumb enough to believe it every time. It’s so predictable. I’ve posted on this before. Every window when there is a position that we need desperately, the club leaks a little info to puppet Leventhal. They know the majority of the fan base will lap it up like the good little puppy dogs they are and accept it. When in actual fact, we didn’t try at all. However, they will tell Adam to tweet that “we tried, many options being looked at, player wanted to stay up North etc.” Only fornthe transfer window to “slam shut” and we have signed either, a) no-one or b) a Udinese reject. The Board will then tell us how this player from Udinese was our number 1 target all window and that they are excited to have him in the ranks. Meanwhile actual cheap talented players like Ben Whiteman go to clubs like Preston, Anyone with any football brain will know that Whiteman would choose us over Preston if we were seriously interested in him. Money talks, there’s noway Preston can offer what we can, so it’s clearly all ********! Yet again our owners are not serious about promotion this season. They are treating good fans like you as a massive joke and utter disrespect. #pozzoout
Yes. I was referring to Whiteman. When discussing interest in a player, particularly a foreign player, we often cite or recognize that Watford has a natural geographic pull. That works both ways. I think if we were in the EPL then we'd be more clearly a better/richer option. But we're not.
Look. I think if he moves to a championship club outside the North (and many are interested) and we don't bring in a good alternative, then you're absolutely right. I would imagine/hope that neither will be true. Here's a guy who grew up in Rochdale, then moved to Sheffield, then to Doncaster and may now be hoping to move back to the Northwest. It's possible that he has lived/will live in Manchester the whole time given that its fairly near both. He may value being close to home. He'll also be given a bit more time and have less competition at Preston.
Location isn’t the first thing a football player looks at when deciding his next move. A player will move wherever if he likes what he's told and he likes what he’s going to get paid. Location only becomes a thing if when he’s been told and offered is almost same. So then yeah, why move. So it’s embarrassing from us that we can’t compete with Preston. Also competition? Haha we have fecking Chalobah starting and can only take corners Garner. There’s no competition. He will be guaranteed a starting spot. This is nothing but a press spin put out by the board to look like we are trying.
oh yes because all players choose the same thing and none ever value location. It's all very well saying it's press spin from the club via Leventhal, but it seems that Sky reported this stuff about wanting to stay in the North before he did. Also, I don't think he is yet headed anyway given this update from a Doncaster reporter: https://twitter.com/liamhoden/status/1346804313734193162 (basically, no one has yet offered or suggested they will offer Doncaster's valuation thus far). Wouldn't surprise me if the initial discussions were merely scoping out how much Donny wanted and then balking at an ask of over 5m (especially if anticipating a fee in the 2m region), Finally, re competition, yes we would say anyone would be better than our options right now, but Whiteman, who would be stepping up a league would see Will Hughes, 2 former England internationals, and a (supposed) top youth talent from United - his evaluation of those competing for his position may be different from yours. Either way, I don't think there's much point going into meltdown on the back of a tweet merely suggesting that Preston are favourites. Nothing has happened yet. I think Whiteman looks a top player but I am not convinced he'd be a good fit to play alongside Hughes or Cleverley in a midfield two as well. He's a good all-rounder, but his ball-winning (critical in a midfield two in my opinion) seems not as strong as his use of the ball in possession.
Looks like no one is “set to sign him “ https://mobile.twitter.com/liamhoden/status/1346804313734193162 Ofcourse who is to say we are really that interested ? You are right though - the club do know any half decent transfer rumour is lapped up as much be true by people. Staff working there (not senior ones ) have a right old laugh about it apparently!
Following that link Preston's record transfer is about £2m? Don't see them breaking that in pandemic time, whether Donny are willing to accept less than that is the question I guess (they say they want big money, like £5m+, but we'll see!)
