CONFIRMED John Lundstram signs

[BushBlade]

Can't see him coming from Barcelona (B) to sit on the bench http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40643608

Oxford United have signed free agent and former Barcelona B midfielder Xemi on a three-year contract.

The 22-year-old playmaker impressed at UE Cornella before joining Barcelona B in December 2015, going on to make 46 appearances for the Catalan club.

Xemi, whose full name is Josep Miquel Codina Fernandez, is U's manager Pep Clotet's fourth summer signing.

"I have always thought about playing English football," Xemi told BBC Radio Oxford.

"My favourite players were [Steven] Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard."

He added: "I was looking to continue playing in the Spanish second division, but when Oxford appeared I was really interested in coming here.

"It's going to be more intense here, I think, and I will fit in better here than Barca."

I had no idea they'd got this Clotet as manager. On paper it looks like quite a good appointment.

 

[Pinchy]

Don't know anything about him tbh. But hope we sign him just to piss off the oxford fans, hate them lot

Yes, a very worthwhile reason for signing a player. All future prospective recruits should be measured according to the likely reaction from Oxford fans. It is a sound policy, both in football and financial terms.

Even better would be to apply the patented RugRon scalp angle test.

 

[Bladezz]

I have noticed that we are severely lacking in Centre midfield behind Fleck and Coutts.

Signing Leonard and Lundstram would give us some strength in depth.

Hopefully with the extra money from Walker we finalise the deals and have them in sooner rather than later.

 

[bertieblade]

I have noticed that we are severely lacking in Centre midfield behind Fleck and Coutts.

Signing Leonard and Lundstram would give us some strength in depth.

Hopefully with the extra money from Walker we finalise the deals and have them in sooner rather than later.

Reed is the potential replacement for coutts
Whiteman for Fleck

Both of whom need game time and experience before they step up to the plate, which will possibly take until next season however one of them may be ready earlier.

I would much prefer Leonard to lundstram as we need someone to put a foot in as required.

 

[Reedy1889]

Looks as though this could be a go'er as he isn't involved at all tonight for Oxford.

 

[TomTheBlade1889]

Just saw Oxford's line-up, he's not in there squad for there game at all tonight, could mean a bid has been accepted?

 

[bertieblade]

What does he offer that we do not already have?
We need a box to box midfield player who can put a foot in and a wideman with pace.
Leonard is the box to box guy, lundstram may be a good player but what does he offer that coutts, Fleck, Carruthers and Duffy do not?

 

[Reedy1889]

What does he offer that we do not already have?
We need a box to box midfield player who can put a foot in and a wideman with pace.
Leonard is the box to box guy, lundstram may be a good player but what does he offer that coutts, Fleck, Carruthers and Duffy do not?

I've seen him a little and he is a decent player, still quite young too so can improve. But also from fan views and various bits I have read his qualities are his passing and he isn't afraid in getting stuck in.

 

[TomTheBlade1889]

Oxford Mail just tweeted "Apparently Lundstram has been seen here tonight. Could be an innocent explanation (injury), but it would be a mighty coincidence. We'll see."

 

[Gin&Juice]

I can understand why Oxford United hate us... we did steal their player of the century







Bobby Ford

 

[Reedy1889]

Could be finalised as early as tomorrow!

Source - Pep Clotet - Oxford's boss

 

[Lard_Lad]

 

[Lard_Lad]

 

[Ricky]

Strange. Wilder indicated as recently as last night that we're still trying for Leonard.

Could it be that with the bonus money we've received we're after two central midfielders? I really doubt it TBH.

Leonard's probably become a smokescreen now. Shame.

 

[Reedy1889]

Strange. Wilder indicated as recently as last night that we're still trying for Leonard.

Could it be that with the bonus money we've received we're after two central midfielders? I really doubt it TBH.

Leonard's probably become a smokescreen now. Shame.

It could be possible. Flecks and Coutts aside who can slot into the middle two? Basham? Carruthers at a push? I wouldn't be too comfortable with the latter two in that position this season. I think we might possibly be going for both now due to the cash injection we've received.

 

[marsh blade]

Strange. Wilder indicated as recently as last night that we're still trying for Leonard.

Could it be that with the bonus money we've received we're after two central midfielders? I really doubt it TBH.

Leonard's probably become a smokescreen now. Shame.

We do need cover in centre mid .

 

[MobileBlade]

 

[Ricky]

It could be possible. Flecks and Coutts aside who can slot into the middle two? Basham? Carruthers at a push? I wouldn't be too comfortable with the latter two in that position this season. I think we might possibly be going for both now due to the cash injection we've received.

I just don't see it. We haven't got that much room in the squad, and Carruthers and Basham can both play there. So can Lenihan if we get him. Then there's Whiteman to come back.

But one thing that could support the possibility of signing both is that we might not sign an attacking midfielder due to Brooks' emergence. Funds possibly freed up to spend in another position.

 

[Blade58]

Looks like one down, 2 or 3 to go

 

[dazzlingblade]

sounds like a done deal then

 

[sheffielder]

22:06 - SkySports

BLADES EDGE CLOSER TO LUNDSTRAM

Oxford United manager Pep Clotet has confirmed club captain John Lundstram is on the verge of joining Sheffield United.

The transfer fee is expected to be in the region of £500,000 and could be completed on Thursday.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Boo .. where's the undisclosed principle gone ????

 

[Matthew the blade]

When I posted this rumour I legitly thought it was a load of bull shit, based on no evidence. But looks like we are signing him. Just goes to show u, believe all the shit rumours with know evidence. Ignore the ones that have credibility

 

[Kabba Kabba Doo]

I suspect Lundstram may be instead of Holmes as opposed to Leonard, which allows Carruthers to play further forward and not be cover for Coutts and Fleck, meaning we probably have room for 2 more deeper midfield player, hopefully Leonard will join Lundstram soon!

 

[Matthew the blade]

I wonder if this means that Ryan Leonard is off to milwall

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Can't see we need 2 more defensive minded midfielders. Suspect he's got fed up of the Southend chairman. Seems odd tho give what wilder said last night - unless we have decided to bulk up the squad win the sell on money.

But next time McCabe needs a lesson in how to keep a want away player he should look no further.

Someone can prob tell he who's the better player but it didn't sound like this guy was quite as athletic as Leonard

 

[SUFCinks]

I suspect Lundstram may be instead of Holmes as opposed to Leonard, which allows Carruthers to play further forward and not be cover for Coutts and Fleck, meaning we probably have room for 2 more deeper midfield player, hopefully Leonard will join Lundstram soon!

Homes and lundstram are totally different players lundstram is instead if leonard for sure!

 

[Keen Blade]

I just don't see it. We haven't got that much room in the squad, and Carruthers and Basham can both play there. So can Lenihan if we get him. Then there's Whiteman to come back.

But one thing that could support the possibility of signing both is that we might not sign an attacking midfielder due to Brooks' emergence. Funds possibly freed up to spend in another position.

Brook's emergence ? Ha ! Not if McCabe's got anything to do with it.

 

[Stretch]

Good signing this, looks like a commanding midfield presence. Passing, tackling and lots of energy.
Although personally bored of the whole Leonard saga now I wouldn't rule out signing him as well. We were very lucky with injuries last season, and may not be this time. We only need to lose Coutts (for example) to a long term injury and then Fleck picks up a knock leaving us a bit bare in the centre.

As said by others we could be looking at Duffy, Brooks and Carruthers as options behind the striker.
Then we have Thomas as the natural winger, with Duffy and Brooks as alternatives.
Fleck and possibly Leonard as the box to box options, with Coutts and Lundstrum as the holding / deep lying playmaker options.
Bash steps in only in the event of a deep injury crisis but otherwise stays at CB for me .

Without Leonard that's a fairly deep midfield squad, with him absolutely solid. Would like to see another out and out winger though.

 

[Luke1993]

I agree that this looks like instead of Leonard. But I wonder what Lundstram thinks about being the 2nd choice after the Southend chairman basically said piss off.