CONFIRMED Ricky Holmes

[seanbeenstattoo]

Definitely.

I'm not sure about you, but I'm glad were going for someone in that position.

The one thing I think this team needs most after a CB is a central midfielder who's athletic, breaks things up and has a bit of bite (and yes, of course they have to be able to play football).
I'm not saying Fleck and Coutts aren't good, they're great. My worry is that they have been playing against less talented players, with plenty of possession and space. There will be plenty of games where we're up against it and we will need someone to steady the ship.

I don't think that's pessimistic by the way, there are some very talented players and good teams in the championship (I hope we'll become one of them.)

Someone like Cody was?

 

[Ricky]

I'm not saying you haven't shown you're working out, I'm saying I don't particularly agree based on what Knill has said.

I will admit that it's rare I disagree with one of your posts though

I'll grant you ONE disagreement.

But I'll predict now that we'll sign at least another 5.


If it was to be just 4 then we'd have to keep Long, then either keep Wilson and only sign one CB (a convincing one, not EEL), or sign 2 CBs and not sign another striker/attacking player.

Another thing I've not mentioned is that his comments may also be factoring in that Done's still here, even if he is transfer listed.

 

[Chali 2na]

You mean a Leonard or a Jackson Irvine?
I wouldn't worry about the names that are banded about on here too much. It seems we are after 5 of the same type of player if you do.
I haven't followed the Championship that much recently but if it's like what I remember we 100% need a coady type player to support and defend Fleck (as tough as the little fecker is).

I haven't seen Irvine play to be fair, Leanord has looked good when I've seen him

Someone like Cody was?

I rated Coady, I wouldn't mind that at all.

I'll grant you ONE disagreement.

But I'll predict now that we'll sign at least another 5.


If it was to be just 4 then we'd have to keep Long, then either keep Wilson and only sign one CB (a convincing one, not EEL), or sign 2 CBs and not sign another striker/attacking player.

Another thing I've not mentioned is that his comments may also be factoring in that Done's still here, even if he is transfer listed.

Fair enough. I completely understand your logic and I hope we do sign 5/6, I'm not entirely confident that we will though.

And by the sounds of it, Done may be hard to shift: he's earning a lot more money with us than he would anywhere else.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

I'm sure they've understated the number of signings we're after previously. We ended up with more players last summer than Wilder indicated he wanted, and not only as a result of our poor start.

As was the same under, eg, Clough. This is a likely scenario, I'd suggest, given that unforeseen circumstances and opportunism are always important elements in any transfer window. Players who you don't expect to be available, and who you really can't ignore, suddenly become available (for a whole stack of reasons) and in you go.

Like several others on here, I'll say again that we remain short of the pace and power that might make us a top-half Champ team. From where we are now, I'd say addressing that means at least 4 signings, possibly more.

 

[Blade58]

As was the same under, eg, Clough. This is a likely scenario, I'd suggest, given that unforeseen circumstances and opportunism are always important elements in any transfer window. Players who you don't expect to be available, and who you really can't ignore, suddenly become available (for a whole stack of reasons) and in you go.

Like several others on here, I'll say again that we remain short of the pace and power that might make us a top-half Champ team. From where we are now, I'd say addressing that means at least 4 signings, possibly more.

I'm guessing, but I think we may have added some pace within the 4 signings we've made

As for power tho, possibly not

 

[Mouth of the South]

There are obviously clues in what AK says (inc. the additional 3-4 signings is in line with what McCabe said earlier in the week) but you can't take what he (or any manager) says as gospel, especially at this time of year There will be a huge amount of game playing, bluffing and double-bluffing going on and it would be unwise (to say the least) for anyone to show their true hand.

If another CM is signed I think there should be sufficient quality. My main worries at the moment are (i) who will partner Sharp (Clarke, Evans, Lavery, Hanson) and whether any of them be up to it and weigh in with enough goals, (ii) central defence - I like EEL more than most on here it seems and he & Bash can cover the RCB role if he joins but another CB General type is definitely required as it's no guarantee that Wright will be good enough and Wilson almost certainly won't be (iii) GK competition/cover - Long will definitely cost goals & points if anything happens to Moore and he has to play. IMHO he is simply not good enough and having missed out on Etheridge, I only hope Smith (who intriguingly still appears to be without a club!?!?) or someone of equivalent has been lined-up.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

There are obviously clues in what AK says (inc. the additional 3-4 signings is in line with what McCabe said earlier in the week) but you can't take what he (or any manager) says as gospel, especially at this time of year There will be a huge amount of game playing, bluffing and double-bluffing going on and it would be unwise (to say the least) for anyone to show their true hand.

If another CM is signed I think there should be sufficient quality. My main worries at the moment are (i) who will partner Sharp (Clarke, Evans, Lavery, Hanson) and whether any of them be up to it and weigh in with enough goals, (ii) central defence - I like EEL more than most on here it seems and he & Bash can cover the RCB role if he joins but another CB General type is definitely required as it's no guarantee that Wright will be good enough and Wilson almost certainly won't be (iii) GK competition/cover - Long will definitely cost goals & points if anything happens to Moore and he has to play. IMHO he is simply not good enough and having missed out on Etheridge, I only hope Smith (who intriguingly still appears to be without a club!?!?) or someone of equivalent has been lined-up.

Agree with all of that, except the EEL comment.

I think the CB and forward positions are the hardest to fill with the right quality so will be late in the window. The keeper ought to be sooner assuming Long accepts a move elsewhere.

 

[Ricky]

I've got quite a strong feeling that we're ready to sign Adam Smith as soon as Long departs.

It's all quiet on him and Forest, one of the clubs previously linked, are after Adam Bogdan.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

I've got quite a strong feeling that we're ready to sign Adam Smith as soon as Long departs.

It's all quiet on him and Forest, one of the clubs previously linked, are after Adam Bogdan.

Hope you're right.

 

[Mouth of the South]

Hope you're right.

Me too - he was my second choice after Etheridge.

For what it's worth, the Spanish Accountant reckons a GK is lined-up so, if true, let's hope it's him and also that some other club is daft enough to offer Long a contract.

 

[FTPE]

I've never really thought about it but maybe the bids we are putting in for players also indicate our priorities for that position.
We didn't particular hold back when we went in for Moore (and A keeper was on the top of of everyone's wishlist at the time).
We got Ched on the cheap because we have Sharp and Lavery. Maybe we aren't overreaching with Holmes because we have Duffy and Carruthers.
I could be naive but the biggest portion of Wilder's war chest could be lined up for his number 1 targets ie centre back and midfield general.

 

[chipsncake]

Hope you're right.

Hope he's not.
Smith has looked decidedly dodgy on the couple of occasions I've seen him.

 

[sheffielder]

Hope he's not.
Smith has looked decidedly dodgy on the couple of occasions I've seen him.

Smith is very dodgy. He got away with it when they romped the 3rd, however was found out a bit more last season. Totally overrated. We should get a young loanee to fill the spot if Long goes, like Blackman (Chelsea) who was on loan at Wycombe. No need to waste money on a backup keeper

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Being the main threat in a team that ran out of steam after 20 minutes isn't exactly anything to shout about though is it? I thought you of all people would've expected better from a football team.

He, and Charlton ran us ragged for 20 minutes. Then CW changed our formation to a diamond with Basham man marking Holmes. That nullified pretty much everything Charlton had (despite odd threatening moments from Holmes). Not a great reflection of them as a team but a compliment to him that we had to adapt our system to man mark him. He’s clearly a good player at League 1 level. Let’s hope he can make a further step up.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

I've shown my working out.

First of all, it's logical to assume 3/4 means 4 - Leonard, Holmes, and 2 CBs - we've admitted interest in EEL, and we wouldn't make him our sole CB signing. That would be stupid.

Then if Long leaves that's 5 because we'd replace him.

The 6th is questionable, but again logical. He already referenced Holmes and I think he'll be talking about a different attacking player. It's also widely agreed that we could do with more up front. Wilder will see that too. And his budget may yet receive a boost with the Walker sell on.

Lastly, I'm sure they've understated the number of signings we're after previously. We ended up with more players last summer than Wilder indicated he wanted, and not only as a result of our poor start.

I agree with all of that except your comment on Holmes. I suspect he is the attacking player referred to and if it doesn’t come off, we’ll look for a different attacking midfielder/ winger. So, 2 X CB, CDM (Leonard or similar) and AM/W (Holmes or similar). Then if Long goes, a replacement for him. If we offload a forward such as Hanson, we might look to bring a striker in but I suspect that if we do, that will be near deadline day after the season has started having had a look at the options we have.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Someone like Cody was?

Whilst I think Coady has a lot of good qualities (and I’d be delighted if he returned), I would consider him more attacking than a Leonard type. He loved a late surge into the box or to run beyond the main striker onto a through ball and chipped in with a fair few goals. Saying that, I think he’s played at right back recently so has perhaps adapted his game to be more defensive minded since his move to the championship. I’d be delighted to see a midfield 3 of Fleck, Coutts and Coady being pushed by the likes of Duffy and Carruthers.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

Me too - he was my second choice after Etheridge.

For what it's worth, the Spanish Accountant reckons a GK is lined-up so, if true, let's hope it's him and also that some other club is daft enough to offer Long a contract.

I don’t think a club would be daft to offer Long a contract. He has some ability. It’s whether he can overcome the mental issues that affect his game what will determine what sort of career he has. I don’t see him doing it here so he’ll need a fresh start somewhere. Might need to drop to League 2 to get the regular games he needs to develop.

 

[Ricky]

As expected...

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...line-if-it-means-snaring-top-target-1-8623409

 

[Mouth of the South]

I don’t think a club would be daft to offer Long a contract. He has some ability. It’s whether he can overcome the mental issues that affect his game what will determine what sort of career he has. I don’t see him doing it here so he’ll need a fresh start somewhere. Might need to drop to League 2 to get the regular games he needs to develop.

And therein lies the problem. I doubt m/any L2 clubs would be willing or able to afford his current wages unless Utd subsidise them to some extent. I just hope this doesn't mean Utd are stuck with him for another season resulting in a better replacement not being able to be brought in.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

And therein lies the problem. I doubt m/any L2 clubs would be willing or able to afford his current wages unless Utd subsidise them to some extent. I just hope this doesn't mean Utd are stuck with him for another season resulting in a better replacement not being able to be brought in.

True. I can see him going out on loan to a league 2 club.

 

[Snowman]

Well it's

As expected...

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...line-if-it-means-snaring-top-target-1-8623409

So it's not today then dad?

 

[Blade58]

As expected...

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...line-if-it-means-snaring-top-target-1-8623409

Wonder if his plan B targets are also proving difficult hence putting back plan A targets?

 

[Mouth of the South]

True. I can see him going out on loan to a league 2 club.

Or possibly the Scottish Prem

 

[Ricky]

And yet another attacking midfielder is linked with Charlton...

 

[mattbianco1]

Being the main threat in a team that ran out of steam after 20 minutes isn't exactly anything to shout about though is it? I thought you of all people would've expected better from a football team.

Look at it another way...

The team that ran out easy title winners were run ragged by this guy so ended up changing their shape and game plan to deal with his threat.

 

[sheffielder]

Look at it another way...

The team that ran out easy title winners were run ragged by this guy so ended up changing their shape and game plan to deal with his threat.

And how did he combat our change in game plan.

 

[Davalon]

And yet another attacking midfielder is linked with Charlton...

Think he could do a job for us?

 

[Ricky]

Think he could do a job for us?

Decent player, a versatile right footed winger, which we lack. Definitely a good free transfer. Would be a good squad player but not an alternative to Holmes, slightly different position and his EPO levels aren't high enough.






(EPO - End Product Output. My clever invention.)

 

[LJBlade]

Look at it another way...

The team that ran out easy title winners were run ragged by this guy so ended up changing their shape and game plan to deal with his threat.

I don't agree that he ran us ragged. He looked good but it was no better than Duffy had been for us during parts of last season.

Even with us nullifying Charlton as a team there's no excuse for his set pieces being so terrible. He also had two good chances to get a shot on goal and hit the top tier with both.

 

[BushBlade]

I don't agree that he ran us ragged. He looked good but it was no better than Duffy had been for us during parts of last season.

Even with us nullifying Charlton as a team there's no excuse for his set pieces being so terrible. He also had two good chances to get a shot on goal and hit the top tier with both.

Doesn't it worry you then that CW wants to sign him? If he's a shit as you say that would indicate CW isn't a good judge of players. Perhaps he's out of his depth at this level?