[Confirmed] Britton back to Swansea?

[Jim Chimmerney]

Kightly has been crocked for so long that I'm not sure what sort of player he will be. If he's anything like he was in the Wolves promotion season then it's a great move.

3 starts since March 2009 and was left out of their 25 man squad. Broken foot, dodgy ankle and knee-op doesn't bode well. There's an article on Sky where McCarthy wanted him to prove himself by the end of this month so he could be included in their squad, if not, out on loan so I guess it's a possibility. The only problem is that if MM doesn't think he's fit enough to be in the squad, would he be worth the risk ?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Rumours of Brown, Kightly, Reid, Kezman and Soares.

Soares it is then.

Soares and Reid would make me quite happy especially if Britton stays.

Can't see Reid coming though, nor Brown nor Kightly

 

[Oreyt]

Soares

Has he been relegated with 3 different clubs?

 

[ghandi]

Soares and Reid would make me quite happy especially if Britton stays.

Can't see Reid coming though, nor Brown nor Kightly

I can't see Reid coming back he seems settled at Charlton.

 

[Kenilworth]

Britton aint no Modric though is he? Similar stature when not playing - chalk and cheese when on the pitch.

 

[Pinchy]

Pinchy, you've said before that balance is important and you too have highlighted the need for athleticism. Even under Blackwell and Warnock we didn't have many big, strong players, actually it was more the opposite with very few teams having so many small (but often tenacious) players as us. I think the defensive midfielder's position is an ideal position to have a bit of height and strength in, to protect the centre backs, to go for headers in midfield and help us out in both boxes at set pieces. And no he doesn't have to be a donkey who hoofs it out of touch every time he gets the ball

It's about getting the balance just right and having the right players for the right roles. That I want someone who can give us more than the non-scoring, non-assisting and defensively poor Britton in a defensive midfield role doesn't mean I don't want us to have skilful, exciting players. Actually if we have a strong, well balanced central midfield maybe we can see proper attacking threats in the wide positions, rather than the steady options like Calve, Willamson or Quinn doing a job to make us solid enough.

Yes, I agree. I could live with Britton's departure provided he was replaced by the sort of player you have in mind. A powerful presence who can actually play a bit as well. The fellow at Kilmarnock sounds interesting, though I hasten to add I have never seen nor heard of him!

I think you appreciate what I was getting at. This depressing notion, currently doing the rounds, that we are somehow prohibited from playing attractive football and it is wrong to even aspire to such an outrage.

 

[raul]

At our level you have to blend different players with different strengths. A team full of Brittons will win nothing. But get him in the same deep midfield role we used to have McCall in, and ask him to feed quicker, stronger players in front of him and you're onto a winner.

Blaming Britton for us not creating just isn't fair. McCall had Tonge, Brown and Nuddy in front of him. Who does Britton see when he looks up?

Everyone elses socks.

Sorry....

 

[Bergen Blade]

Yes, I agree. I could live with Britton's departure provided he was replaced by the sort of player you have in mind. A powerful presence who can actually play a bit as well. The fellow at Kilmarnock sounds interesting, though I hasten to add I have never seen nor heard of him!

I think you appreciate what I was getting at. This depressing notion, currently doing the rounds, that we are somehow prohibited from playing attractive football and it is wrong to even aspire to such an outrage.

Eremenko's prefered role would be central just behind the striker(s). He's got great skill and talent, but sometimes get criticised for being lazy and moody. For the defensive midfield role I'd consider Aston Villa's Isaiah Osbourne, whose contract is up in the summer.

 

[broomhillblade]

Eremenko's prefered role would be central just behind the striker(s). He's got great skill and talent, but sometimes get criticised for being lazy and moody. For the defensive midfield role I'd consider Aston Villa's Isaiah Osbourne, whose contract is up in the summer.

Sounds a bit like Glyn Hodges?

 

[SESKU Blade]

For the defensive midfield role I'd consider Aston Villa's Isaiah Osbourne, whose contract is up in the summer.

That's a good call Bergen, Though I'd expect there to be a few clubs in for him.

 

[Ollessendro]

When I first saw this my intial thoughts were 'let him go back, good riddance, he's done bugger all', but then I had a little think and I don't want to see him go.

No excuses, he has been poor. He has disappointed and I would not lose sleep over him leaving the club. However we have seen he has real ability. He is comfortable on the ball and can pass. That puts him ahead of 3 of our main midfielders (Quinn, Monty and Ertl) is half of his job.

I would like to see him given some time under Adams. I'd like to see him in a midfield with Williamson for a few games and see how they do. It might not work, but it may. I fear that Adams will let him go as being surplus to requirements. He may not be that useful this season, in a battle where we play direct football. I hope that Adams has the vision to keep him and use him more longer term. If Adams changes the philosophy (even a little) Britton could be handy. Then again, Britton is probably on a decent wage and Adams may want to sell him to bring someone in who he deems is more important fr survival (i.e. a big, strong, experienced centre half).

One important factor not considered (although mentioned above) that could be pivitoal is if he really is homesick. If he wants out and his heart is not in it then he should go.

 

[beechblade]

One important factor not considered (although mentioned above) that could be pivitoal is if he really is homesick. If he wants out and his heart is not in it then he should go.

Totally agree if he isn't settled and this is whats effecting his performances in Red and White then he should go.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

My opinion of Leon Britton is that he's a steady player. I dont think he is as good as he was made out to be prior to coming here and that has shown in his performances. He's comfortable in possession and wont make many mistakes but that is because he doesnt impose himself upon a game. He sits in midfield and plays safe passes without really making any impact.

IMO, we cant afford to have players like that because we're a struggling side lacking quality. He serves no purpose in this team and because his very basic qualities cant be utilised fully, he brings very little to the table.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful to the lad because he does try and he is reliable for what he does. I just dont see any reason to hang on to him if we get a decent offer. I feel a lot of Blades got carried away with this idea of playing tippy-tappy football and saw Britton as the key to it all.

If moving him on would mean we can bring in a well rounded box-to-box midfielder then I think it would be an excellent move. Playing him with Monty clearly doesnt work as they both want to sit deep and playing him with Willo would be an awful idea IMO. We would be far too lightweight down the centre and powerful sides (so most of the division) would crucify us.

Pros of selling him far outweigh the cons IMO.

 

[SwissBlade]

I was shot down in flames earlier in the season when I said that although Britton was steady, I was yet to see what the big deal was with him.

Sure he's very good with the ball at his feet, but what does he actually do?

For me the role he plays needs to be as such

- A ball winner - A no nonsense Monty-esque player who breaks up play and just simply gives the ball to the "better" midfielders to do stuff he can't.

Or

- A Makele type - takes the ball off the centre halves and full backs, is always busy and pushes the midfield forward. Either by decent distribution or by making the runs with the ball himself. He needs to be the link man, the orchestrator

I don't think Britton has (so far) been either of these. He's obviously more suited to the second type and many would want him to do this job, but he seems to rarely pick the ball off the back four and is often too deep. The rest of the midfield push on, but he sits too deep rather than using his undoubted passing ability in areas when it hurts the opposition.

Whether this is himself, the players around him or perhaps the way he's been coached at United, he never quite fits in.

I just don't think he has what we need... just now. I'd like to keep him as he could come in useful once we're out of this mess.

 

[BerksBlade]

I want to like Britton as he can clearly play but as Swiss says - what does he actually do?
He likes to sit deep, but is a bit lightweight to do the Monty role of breaking up play.
Doesn't seem to want to get forward to be the fulcrum of the attack either.
So if he plays, we'd need a Monty to screen the back 4, and a box-to-box player - Willo? - alongside. Might work with 2 wide players in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
To sum up - right player, wrong time. But if we can afford it I'd like to keep him because I think there's potential - much more so than Quinn for example.

 

[sitwell]

Homesick for South Wales ? fuck me

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Homesick for South Wales ? fuck me

Swansea is a shithole, but the Gower has some of the loveliest countryside in the UK, and probably the best beaches. I'd happily live there.

 

[sitwell]

Mumbles.......

---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:41 PM ----------

Full of friggin taffs

 

[alcoblade]

I spent lots of time in South Wales working. The people were generally fantastic. Most people who slag the place off have fallen for the stereotype. Coming from Worksop Sitters, I thought you'd recognise this..

UTB

 

[sitwell]

I don't come from Worksop ,never never never I am just passing through ,I hate the place. There is no stereotype here ,people really do have short legs, six fingers and asbos. I also work quite a bit in Llanwern and Pontedawe ,Worksop with a bad accent ,more unemployment and derelict steel plants ,a bit like a run down Middlesboro.

 

[davidpinder]

Add him to the list of failed midfielders we get all excited about when they join. Hopefully we'll get some cash for players???

 

[Ollessendro]

Strong rumours on Radio Shef that he is on his way out.

With the signing of Bent (presumably on decent wages) then you would expect big earning players who are surplus to requirements to be on their way out. Britton (hihgly rated and signed on a free contact) will no doubt be earning a decent salary and has underperformed. Williamson is better and hence I expect Adams to let him go. Most importantly he is not settled. I am sure Adams has sat him down and spoke to him. He's probably watched huis performances and him training and assessed his desire to play for SUFC. If his heart is not in it then he should go. It will be a shame to lose someone with real footballling ability (more than can be said for Monty, Quinn and Ertl) who can play in the middle of the park. If Williamson gets injured again we could be in real trouble.

 

[Oreyt]

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sport/SWANS-CHASE/article-3116472-detail/article.html

On a free!?

 

[creswellblade79]

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sport/SWANS-CHASE/article-3116472-detail/article.html

On a free!?

I seriously doubt it will be on a free. If he does the board want battering with a big shitty sticky

 

[Yossarian]

I've got the board figured out. Letting him go on a free is their way of claiming that they have invested 100% of the transfer money back into the playing staff during this window.

 

[Torrix1889]

They surely can't let him go for nowt.

 

[SwissBlade]

A free would be just daft.

Supply and demand ! Come on United don't fcuk this up

If we have to sell him, then at least get decent deal for him... 500k would do... then go get Andy Reid!

 

[Ollessendro]

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/sport/SWANS-CHASE/article-3116472-detail/article.html

On a free!?

A free??? Wtf????

He just signed during the summer (on a 3 year deal) and we're willing to offload him after 6 months for free. Birmingham bid 750k for his last season (and Swansea turned it down) and when we signed him we beat Boro and Wiagn to his signature. He might not have played well for us, but he is quite hihgly rated. We could defiantely command a fee. (As Swiss says) at least 500k. Only a lunatic would let him go for nowt.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

Much was made about the finances involved when Britton left last summer, but it is believed he did not receive a signing-on fee or a major pay rise as part of the move.

That is absolutely remarkable if true - the whole perk of leaving via the Bosman rule is to surely get a higher signing-on fee than a club would normally be prepared to pay for someone they also need to pay a fee for.

I've mixed views on Britton. I've seen games where he's been involved and looked a really important part of the team, and others where he's looked like Paul Thirlwell.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

He wont go for free. The club could be accused of a lot of things regarding football decisions, but being charitable (or stupid) is not one of them. If they want him back they can pay for him. I think Olle's figure of 500k is about right, letting him go for much less would be veyr weak on our part. I dont think we could ask for much more than that though, we got him for nowt and it hasnt worked out.