That maybe true, but dont forget last season. We had a very good team for scoring goals, but the defence was so poor held us back. Let's be realistic, we haven't a hope in hell of getting the quality of Graham, Cowie and Buckley on the budget the club have now. In my mind, selling Mapps would only weaken the team further, even if we got £2m plus for him, because as we already know, it's almost impossible to get quality players at the club.
The same sky sources that reported the bid for Ward and Pearce no doubt. What's the betting they've just seen the stories in the papers yesterday about Newcastle's interest and they've run a story this morning saying a bid has been made? I hope it's another piece of sky bulls**t and that Newcastle guy ITK is right.
Also, it seems that Pardew simply wants cover for the rest of the season until he can sign a first choice centre back in the summer. I hope Aidy's talent doesn't go to waste sitting on their bench.
Sounds like another example of the arrogance of the Premiership. Little Watford will accept £700k and be grateful. We will take their best player and use him to clean Williamson's boots.
Pah! 700k? Tell them £4 mill, nothing less. If they refuse tell Marriapa to sit tight till the Summer.
I know! Their fans are saying he'll be a 'useful backup' until the Summer after which they can sell him on for double what they paid for him! Stay here until the Summer Aidy and get the move you deserve.
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9487427.Newcastle_set_to_bid_for_Mariappa/ "Newcastle United are set to make a bid for Hornets defender Adrian Mariappa, the Watford Observer understands. Mariappa has arguably been Watford's most consistent performer this season and Newcastle are understood to have enquired about the centre back. The Magpies are away in Tenerife this week on a training camp but manager Alan Pardew has told his board that Mariappa is one of his main transfer targets. The 25-year-old, who has made 244 appearances for Watford since graduating from the club's academy, has 18 months left on his contract."
Know where you're coming from hornetboy1, but think Taylor wouldn't weaken us THAT much, as to ruin us at the back. IF we can get in a couple of decent signings with the money then I'd take 4m-ish if we have to sell. If not, then don't.
If they want him, he's clearly one of the Championship's best CBs. He's only just 25, and his contract isn't alarmingly short. For us, probably nearer 3/3.5m, but for any other club in a better position than us that'd be the price roughly.
A toon fan on twitter 'Wow, Big signing for Newcastle soon, Adrian Mariappa from watford, 5th worst defence in Championship, is Ashley taking the ****?????????????' :doh:
Been told the Newcastle bid is around the £3million mark. This is a crucial time for the club, as the bid is not an insult and will make the board think about it.
Under the terms of the deal between Baz and Ashcroft, we can only spend 40% of player receipts on new players. However if Baz pays off the bonds he will have a free hand.
Are you sure about that mate? As long as the bond payments are met on the due date, I think Baz can do what he likes with player receipts.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11686/7449958/Toon-make-Mariappa-move Sky seem to think they've officially made an offer.
If we get £4m for Aidy, we should sell Newcastle all our defenders. Doyley would still be worth £20m. I know it would be a question about ambition, but with those sorts of funds, we could build a Champions League squad.
4 million would be a good deal in someways if we got the money to spend on new players but then would you trust Dyche to do that well?
I think you're right to question Dyche's judgement. To my mind there is certainly a question mark over our scouting set up also. The days where we were signing hit after hit have gone. Players like Graham, Cowie, Buckley, McGinn & Conway were easy to find. I would say only Hogg has been a bit of a find out of all the incoming players, so that's not a very good success rate.
I have to say, it's a lot more exciting signing younger players such as Buckley and McGinn rather than Yeates and Iwelumo. There is some good talent in Leagues One, Two and even the BSP. If we do sell Mariappa or Sordell this month obviously we'll need proven players to help us for the rest of the season but lets get some young, hungry players for seasons to come as well.
I would argue that Nosworthy is a good signing too, and some of the others may not be tearing up trees, but are not too bad!!! The real Duds are Iwellumo, Walker, Gilmartin and probably Mirfin IMO!!! (Did Dyche sign Gilmartin & Walker though?)
Yes Hogg has been the top signing by miles...****inson started well and clearly Nosworthy is a decent purchase but the others are pretty average or worse. IN Garner's case we haven't really seen him get a chance.
I didn't mention Nos, as he is clearly an excellent signing, but was a proven player already. A former Sunderland player of the season, so I don't give the scouting setup too much credit for that one. Gilmartin and Walker were Mackay signings.
