so quickly - It may be down to our more secure financial position, being able to pay close if not the asking price in fees and wages. The squad gets stronger and stronger, will be intersting to see who goes though. Definately aquiring a squad capable of a swift return to premiership. Bring it on..... The Orns are going UP!!
Aquiring two expereinced players in key positions is very good - two year deals - one to get us up, the other to keep us up, then we flog em for millions Still need the most important player - a midfielder who can tackle and pass and score a few. The front line will be fine as it is - even Kabba may score a few for the reserves if he stays. Hope we keep Hendo and big Dan - Jay can go to Foolham for £2 million plus HH. Macthemuff for £500k is a fair deal if we get him and we can gift wrap Kabba in the deal as well.
I seem to remember Aidy saying that he was after a goalkeeper, full-back, winger and striker- no mention of a centre-mid. He did sign a centre-back, which he hadn't mentioned before, though that could just be because of Jay's changed situation.
It appears easier to get players to join a club that's going to be winning games against a club that's expecting to lose loads.
Still the rumours circulate of three key players from the first team leaving though. King Mahon and depending on who you talk to Dan or Jay.
I dont want Shittu to go he will be class in this league. Mahon really can go though, we have better options than him in the middle of the park. But I think Aidy will keep him just for his 'experience' :doom: It's good we are getting the signings in earlier, because we can get them settled into the squad quicker. It's the first time Aidy's had the luxury of getting players in early which he must be loving. hurry up jobi. na na na na na na na :]]
I'm pleased with the standard of player coming in. It looks like Aidy is back on track after a nightmare January. Jackson is a good solid pro, and Poom is as good as we would have ever got.... It really depends on which striker he brings to the club. It looks as though only a nominal fee has landed both Jackson and Poom.....so we've still got the best part of £15 million. If we are serious about going up at the first attempt we need to bring a player of King's standard. Players such as Helguson or Earnshaw have been mentioned and would be ideal.
I agree, we need a quality striker to partner King and we need quality in the other areas he wanted to improve, Winger and Full-back. McAnuff would be just the Jobi (sorry i had to do that! :dismay for the winger...now for the quality full-back to play on the right (pref a quality player who can play either side, someone like Billy Jones at Crewe).
Its really good to see a bit of balance and experience and strengthening so early on.... Aidy knows they've got to hit pre season running in order to start well and im well pleased he's recognised this and is dealing with it. As jobby says about the guys possibly going, we need that sorted before pre season too.. If King does leave (and I think he will) that needs wrapping up by the end of June. Sharp and Earnshaw would be nice.
KJ i doubt any news on anyone going will be heard for a while, they want the season ticket money first
I really cannot believe people are STILL talking about King leaving in the summer! HE HAS SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT ON IMPROVED TERMS TO KEEP HIM HERE!
Thank you. some people do not understand, so lets make it bigger HE HAS SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT ON IMPROVED TERMS TO KEEP HIM HERE!
IF we do get another striker it will have to be some one who can head the ball. Marlon isn't the greatest in the air, OK but not in H's league or that of Hendo. If he is going to play with 2 out and out wingers rather than a target man he'll need a Joe Jorden style player
Jobr is 100% accurate. Paddy, two 35 year olds and Poom is not great, how is this positive? Danny Shittu will be gone - fallen out with Aidy. Gav is not happy that the club will not extend contract. Not sure about Marlon. Every club moves on and outlasts the players but Aidy still needs to bring in some quality. Were the Russos so wrong?
I think the signings are alright, though it seems strange to bring in somebody of Malky's age and for him to sit on the coaching side only. Must have really not wanted to play anymore. GK situation is alright. By what was said in the other thread it was a case of Arsenal keeping talent in their ranks to disadvantage everyone else as usual. Would have lilked someone younger, but I don't think it is bad. Does anyone actually have any reports of interest in/from H? I think it is just us getting all excited about an ex-'orn. Earnshaw would be good, but to be honest it would show little faith in the players that apparently have 'potential'. Has anything been said about Boozer?
Kieran Richardson from Man U is a target but it is a battle between us and Sheffield United for a years loan, Mahon is on his way out, King , Shittu and DeMerit all stay, Source is from a Director at WFC
What was a director doing at your place at 3am Birdy :]] :]] :]] Are you sure that all this info did not come to you in a dream :]] :]] :]] Or maybe you burgled Aidys office in the night :]] :]] :]] Seriously mate, how do you know this guy, is he a member at your golf club
Richardson is a donkey, but apart from that, all mentioned is pretty good news. Although Mahon is a great part of the club, in terms of playing ability, he will not be missed. Id like a loan of scott sinclair or ben sahar rather than richardson
Its the experience that is required - so two players are 35 -the squad is very young and inexpereinced. Poom has vast experience and Jackson has held his own in the premiership. For a couple of years contracts this is a good move for the club. Poom, better quality than bozo, Jackson better quality than Jay/poo2/Clarke.
Get real mate! Richardson may not be the first name on Fergies team sheet but he is a Man U first teamer. If that makes him a donkey then I hope we sign a whole herd of them. If it does come down to a competition between us and the blunts I'm hoping that Fergie remembers how well we treat Ben during his two seasons with us.
Agree. Richardson isn't top 4 class, but he will do a good job for a lower premiership or any championship team, i'd welcome him, good midfielder imo and he was one of the main reasons west brom stayed up 2 seasons ago
Paddy, The real test will not be in attracting two 35 year olds who are not playing first team football - albeit in the Prem - but getting and keeping the youngsters. From Hertfordshire Today please see the story below about Harry Forrester; this is much more important (obviously there is a lot of Wobbly influence but still worrying). Rising star may spurn Hornets Exciting prospect: Harry Forrester. Picture: ACTION IMAGES WATFORD are sweating over the future of Harry Forrester, their hottest young prospect. The England Under-16 star is yet to sign a scholarship form and is understood to be considering his options. Forrester was all set to move down to Watford from his family home in Stony Stratford at the end of the school year and sign a two-year scholarship deal with the Hornets. But sources in Northampton claim the 16-year-old, along with a number of the club's younger players, are believed to be upset by the sacking of Chris Cummins, the assistant Academy coach who has overseen Forrester's development since he joined the club as a schoolboy and has become something of a mentor for the youngster. Cummins was sacked in January, two weeks before Ashley Young was sold for a club record fee to Aston Villa, and he is believed to be taking legal advice. It is understood Cummins claims his contract entitled him to two per cent of the £8m - rising to £9.65m - fee Villa paid to take the Under-21 international to Villa Park. During his ten years at the club, Cummins harnessed the talents of Young, Hameur Bouazza, Adrian Mariappa, Al Bangura, Lloyd Doyley, Jordan Parkes, Alex Campana and Theo Robinson, who have all progressed through the ranks to feature in the first-team. Forrester clearly features in Aidy Boothroyd's long-term plans. The manager gave the youngster a taste of the first team in pre-season friendlies against Northwood and Wycombe Wanderers last summer and also included him as part of the travelling squad to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in January. His possible departure would represent a huge blow and a number of top Premiership clubs would be alerted to the availability of a player who is highly thought of by England at youth level. He has been a regular for the Under-16's this season, featuring in the triumphant Victory Shield team, an international friendly tournament in France where he scored the winner in the semi-final and the recent international against Spain at the new Wembley Stadium. When questioned about Cummins' claims last month, chief executive Mark Ashton said: "It would be inappropriate to comment upon the employment terms existing between the club and its staff, past and present".
if can keep bouzza,i think a midfield of bouzza,francis,rinaldi and smith could run riot in the championship.i hate to say it but i don't think mahons up to scratch,he gines the ball away with sloppy passes and free kicks around our penalty box.
Calm down dear, I didnt say that he was a bad player, he is a good player (not manu standard, but still good) its just that hes a donkey. He'd increase the quality at the club, but i dont think it will happen
Good though they can be, who in that quartet will be the ball winner? Francis goes missing in action too often. A strong opposition midfield would demolish them. I would sympathise with the view to cut out the heart of our midfield (Mahon/Francis) and start again. I like Gav but I have waited for years to see someone who can partner him effectively. I am not sure it will happen at this club.
Hiya Berko - I hear what you say and the article is very revealing but how much truth is there in it. I would imagine a player like Forrester - may already be thinking on the lines of Lee kebab cook and david cunninglingusly and why sign for a second rate club when you are a sought after young bright prospect. The other side to teh coin is that he may be a greedy yong canut like many others and using CC's sacking or the papers inking etc etc etc. Either way there is uck all we can do about internal politics etc etc etc every time there is a disruption or something negative, it isn't going to make me worry unduely. It would be great if Forrester signed acadamy terms, but it wouldn't suprise me if he doesn't because of a better offer. Would we be entitled to any fee or compensation?
I think we would be entitled to compensation, although i believe it would be a fairly minimal sum although there might be various clauses regarding future sales and appearances. My basis for this is thinking back to Chelski nicking Scott Sinclair from Bristol Rovers and those young lads from Stockport and Gillingham.
