Ashley fletcher

[Luke1993]

A younger Leon Clarke is a good way to describe him.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

Think it’s a punt we should go for. It’s got a Deano feel about it .

Tend to agree and our options are quite limited

 

[Ricky]

Wouldn't surprise me now if we did go for two strikers, because...

1. Stevens has started the season well
2. Boro are struggling to sign a winger to free up Johnson

Either way, it seems we're going to be very reliant on Boro making signings.

 

[Luke1993]

Wouldn't surprise me now if we did go for two strikers, because...

1. Stevens has started the season well
2. Boro are struggling to sign a winger to free up Johnson

Either way, it seems we're going to be very reliant on Boro making signings.

We won't be relying on them for Fletcher, they've got hugill, assombalonga, braithwaite, gestede and Fletcher. Plus I still think we will and need to sign Johnson. I don't think it's a coincidence that his name came out and suddenly Stevens starts performing. He didn't have competition last year, that's why his standards slipped. At the beginning he might have thought I've got to keep Lafferty out, but then realised, he was playing regardless of his form. Boro will get a winger.

 

[Eric Cartman]

Fuck me, no.

He is dreadful. If he’s a ‘proven championship striker’ so am I.

Both Boro and Sunderland fans last year couldn’t wait to get shut.

 

[Blade58]

Nixon just tweeted we’re after him and Hogan still ... says keen on one maybe even both.

There's a doubt regards Tammy Abraham going to Vilal. Apparently, TA not keen. Wants to fight for his place at Chelsea

That being the case, perhaps Hogan won't be allowed to leave and therefore Fletcher could be instead of Hogan, rather than with Hogan?

 

[Pinchy]

Nixon just tweeted we’re after him and Hogan still ... says keen on one maybe even both.

Wilder made it clear that he wanted two from the outset. The only question was whether he regarded McG as one of them or an unexpected extra.

 

[YES Blade]

I’d be happy with this if it’s a permanent deal, we need some young strikers that are up and coming which we can develop whilst providing good competition straight away.

But I’m guessing this would probably be a loan so I’m not so keen about that. He’s unlikely to have a big impact straight away so we’re just helping Boro develop their player and covering his wages for them. But needs must and we need a striker.

 

[Chali 2na]

Unlike Norwood, who I had seen a lot of, (and who I couldn't believe we were actually going to sign), I have to admit i know just next to sod all about Ashley Fletcher.

What sort of a player is he? Young or old, any good?, big potential?, pacy ? good in the air?

He rings no bells with me.

Don’t know much about him but when he came on against us other week he looked like he couldn’t trap a bag of sand

22 - 6’ ish. Yorkshire lad born in Keighley but I think grew up in Manchester. Was a youth player at Manchester United then went to West Ham before Boro. I think had spell at Barnsley on loan (I’m sure someone will correct me if wrong). From the little I know got pace but seems to be someone who has yet to live up to his potential. Probably count as a punt if we went for him but has the attributes to be really good. My Boro mate says never really had a proper look in there so hard to judge him either way.

I've seen him for Barnsley several times, he's a tremendous athlete; quick with great strength. He's also fairly raw; his touch and awareness can let him down.

Whether or not this would be a good signing would depend on the circumstances. I don't think a temporary loan would be much good to us: he's clearly lost his way, it would be a shame for us to turn him around, only for him to be playing elsewhere next season.
If it's a loan to buy, then I'd be much happier. However, as Ricky says, he's probably on a fair wedge, if signing him means breaking the wage structure, it wouldn't be worth it, IMO.

One things for sure: he's got incredible potential - he wouldnt have got his big moves otherwise. At 22, he's at an age where a lot of strikers begin to show their consistency and kick on.

 

[FriethBlade]

Hogan and Fletcher would make for a very good week ! However with Boro top of the league and with a rich owner I don't see why they'd need to let anyone go on loan to a side who may challenge them for.promotion ?

 

[Maidenhead]

Hogan and Fletcher would make for a very good week ! However with Boro top of the league and with a rich owner I don't see why they'd need to let anyone go on loan to a side who may challenge them for.promotion ?

Because no matter how rich your owners are you still can't lose more than £39m over a 3yr period, and there are limitations on what the owners can do to offset losses with capital injections.

On that basis they won't want to be paying "dead" wages any more than we do.

 

[FriethBlade]

Yeah I can see that Maidenhead, maybe there's no other clubs interested in him but if I was Pullis I'd be looking to loan him to a Rotherham or Ipswich. Then the fans can't come back and say why the #### did you loan him to the Blades who pipped us to promotion due to his 25 goals

 

[Stretch]

If Chris thinks he has the potential then I would be more than happy to see him come in, along with Johnson. Both would add some energy and pace to out attack. But in all seriousness, would Boro allow 2 of their players to come to us?

In any case I am also holding out some hope of a surprise before next Friday, ideally another rough diamond from league 1 or 2. Seems our best option under the circumstances.

 

[Chali 2na]

Yeah I can see that Maidenhead, maybe there's no other clubs interested in him but if I was Pullis I'd be looking to loan him to a Rotherham or Ipswich. Then the fans can't come back and say why the #### did you loan him to the Blades who pipped us to promotion due to his 25 goals

I have a feeling that Boro don't see us as direct competitors.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Fletcher and hogan would make sense with wilder talking about 2/3 last week (assuming another one is Johnson)

Would be keen on this one as a potentially attainable target with different attributes to what we have.

Gone for big fees in the past too.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

I have a feeling that Boro don't see us as direct competitors.

After the game at their place I’d be shocked if they do!!

 

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

After the game at their place I’d be shocked if they do!!

All part of the plan

 

[Speedracer]

I would be really pleased if Fletcher is actually a target for us, he looks a very good athlete which is becoming more & more important as the game moves on. He really could be a rough diamond, I feel no team before has 100% believed in him enough to give him a run of games without fear of being dropped & he certainly has qualities we could use, go get him Chris.

 

[robbiez666]

I think he's a far more realistic target that Hogan tbh.

 

[Pinchy]

I think he's a far more realistic target that Hogan tbh.

Do you think Tufty would have maintained an interest in Hogan for so long if it were not realistic?

 

[Booker4]

I have a feeling that Boro don't see us as direct competitors.

Underestimate us at their peril though. We might not be the bookies favourite but nor were Cardiff and I wouldn't rule us out of the hunt for the top 2 - which Boro are clearly going for. I know its unlikely we'll push top 2 but with two more decent signings I can see us up there, certainly top 6 contenders. The Norwood signing has transformed us from midtable ish to pushing play off quality.

 

[mattbianco1]

Could be a diamond in the rough this guy. Never really got going with his career.

Left Man U for West Ham as a very highly rated player. Never managed to nail down a 1st team role. Moves on to Boro and has spent time out on loan at Barnsley and Sunderland (not the best 2 teams to play for if you want goalscoring chances).

 

[sheffielder]

Do you think Tufty would have maintained an interest in Hogan for so long if it were not realistic?

Has Tufty admitted interest in Hogan? Must have missed that or are you quoting Nixon?

 

[Mouth of the South]

Yeah I can see that Maidenhead, maybe there's no other clubs interested in him but if I was Pullis I'd be looking to loan him to a Rotherham or Ipswich. Then the fans can't come back and say why the #### did you loan him to the Blades who pipped us to promotion due to his 25 goals

Or looking at it a different way FB, M'boro may feel Johnson and Fletcher would help Utd take points off teams they feel are more likely to be their promotion rivals e.g. Stoke, Derby, Villa. Would Ipswich or Toytown have much chance of doing so even if they are loaned both players?

To be honest I'm against teams being able to loan players to other teams in their own division because of that very reason - being able to indirectly influence results of other teams.

 

[FriethBlade]

MoS they under estimate us at their peril ! Looked this lad Fletcher up and he's got all the tools to be a big success...plus he got 12 GCSEs at grade A or B so is a smart lad too which ought to mean he s willing to learn and work hard (no guarantee I know !).

I'm hoping he's the wild card, young un , with room to improve. Him and Hogan and we'd be well set !

 

[spongebobblade]

Has Tufty admitted interest in Hogan? Must have missed that or are you quoting Nixon?

No he hasn’t but in radio Sheffield interviews when the reporter has mentioned Hogans name (on more than one occasion) he has never denied his interest when he’s had ample opportunity to do so

 

[Bladezz]

To think we will sign Hogan and Fletcher shows people been on the sauce too much this bank holiday.

If we got one I would happy.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Is he as good as joao ?

 

[sheffielder]

No he hasn’t but in radio Sheffield interviews when the reporter has mentioned Hogans name (on more than one occasion) he has never denied his interest when he’s had ample opportunity to do so

All part of the game

 

[Pinchy]

Has Tufty admitted interest in Hogan? Must have missed that or are you quoting Nixon?

Not openly but there are too many straws in the wind. We’ll know soon enough...