Andre Gray

[ClaretTony]

At the end of the day Gibson is a far better central defender than Gray will ever be

I've not seen either of them have a good game in claret and blue as a central defender

[Funkydrummer]

At the end of the day Gibson is a far better central defender than Gray will ever be

I'm a far better central defender than Gray will ever be.

Can you imagine Gray and Wood up front ?

Not for me thanks.

[Hopey1786]

Put that fishing rod away!

PS - Presuming that you're not being serious! You're not are you?????

Nope. Im not joking

[ClaretTony]

I'm a far better central defender than Gray will ever be.

I doubt I am

[Funkydrummer]

I doubt I am

Oh, I don't know.

[ClaretTony]

Oh, I don't know.

I do

[Grumps]

Given that was the name doing the rounds from before deadline day it was an easy one to call yesterday. I'm sure there is an interest but the info locally last week was that there was no suggestion of a swap deal at all.

Have to say I'm surprised how much he's struggled to get game time at Watford but from what I've picked up on visits to Vicarage Road, their fans don't like him. I thought he did a terrific job for us for two years.

Perhaps not living locally I hadn't seen it mentioned at all prior to yesterday, where was it reported

I agree totally, thought he was great for us.

[ClaretTony]

Perhaps not living locally I hadn't seen it mentioned at all prior to yesterday, where was it reported

I agree totally, thought he was great for us.

Was all over the internet last week when there were suggestions of Gibson going to Watford and that we'd tried to do a swap with Gray. I saw comments from people whose opinion I respect that there was nothing in it.

There could well have been an interest but I don't think we'd have considered swapping a defender for a striker when Gibson going would have meant us needing to bring in another central defender.

[bfcjg]

Little Mix Minx but I know what you mean

I bow to your superior knowledge of all things teenage culture

[icu81b4]

No thanks, if I recall he couldn't leave Burnley quick enough, but that was probably due to his lack of speed.

[evensteadiereddie]

I thought that's what Brownhill was,his goals/assists would definitely suggest as much.

Of course ! I meant we need another one. We need to begin the rebuild and not bring back duds.

[ksrclaret]

Thank Christ that swap deal never materialised.

I thought good riddance when he left, and I certainly wouldn't want to see him return.

[TVC15]

Aye other than being our leading scorer and a major part of getting promoted and then making a profit of £10m on him what did Andre Gray ever do for us ?
Good riddance indeed !

[aggi]

Aye other than being our leading scorer and a major part of getting promoted and then making a profit of £10m on him what did Andre Gray ever do for us ?
Good riddance indeed !

He didn't clap much I seem to remember.

[ksrclaret]

Aye other than being our leading scorer and a major part of getting promoted and then making a profit of £10m on him what did Andre Gray ever do for us ?
Good riddance indeed !

No issues with his contributions on the field, really, as well you know TVC.

But if you want to play the game I'll bite - in short, and without wanting to turn this thread into past debates, I thought his personality off the field was horrible. Some will say it's only what he does on the pitch that counts, fair enough, a valid opinion, but not one I subscribe to.

[TVC15]

No issues with his contributions on the field, really, as well you know TVC.

But if you want to play the game I'll bite - in short, and without wanting to turn this thread into past debates, I thought his personality off the field was horrible. Some will say it's only what he does on the pitch that counts, fair enough, a valid opinion, but not one I subscribe to.

I didn’t know him off the field - only saw him on it.
SD and his team mates seemed to like him.
You might know stuff about him that I don’t but I can only go off what I know.
I genuinely did not realise you were referring to off the field stuff - not sure how I could from what you posted. As you know there were plenty of people on this board who did not like him as a player.

[tiger76]

Of course ! I meant we need another one. We need to begin the rebuild and not bring back duds.

Oh! yes i totally agree we need to strengthen CM in the summer,even more so if Jeff goes,we should be able to trim our wage bill when the likes of Hart and Lennon go,and somebody of Gibson's calibre should attract interest and raise funds for us to reinvest in the squad,plus Vydra could fetch a tidy sum,so we have no excuse not to rebuild in the next window.

On Andre he was good in the Champ,and had an ok season in the Prem,but he's hardly been prolific at Watford,and the manner of his departure still leaves a sour taste,now Jay Rod's found his feet after his return,i can't see where Andre fits into our plans,and there's no point him coming back to sit on the bench.additionally his reported wages are well out of our budget.

[Woodleyclaret]

Gibson hasn't worked out and this swop makes sense
Delafaou is another Watford player I'd go for

[mdd2]

No issues with his contributions on the field, really, as well you know TVC.

But if you want to play the game I'll bite - in short, and without wanting to turn this thread into past debates, I thought his personality off the field was horrible. Some will say it's only what he does on the pitch that counts, fair enough, a valid opinion, but not one I subscribe to.

Well I met him in Tescos in Stockport when in his second season with us around Easter time and I had a chat over about 5 minutes and he was charming polite and seemed a really nice fella, not giving anything away about his contract or the club as players should do. On that brief meeting -top bloke

[Giftonsnoidea]

We need to search out better players in different markets, he doesn’t get in Watford’s team for a reason

[aggi]

Oh! yes i totally agree we need to strengthen CM in the summer,even more so if Jeff goes,we should be able to trim our wage bill when the likes of Hart and Lennon go,and somebody of Gibson's calibre should attract interest and raise funds for us to reinvest in the squad,plus Vydra could fetch a tidy sum,so we have no excuse not to rebuild in the next window.

On Andre he was good in the Champ,and had an ok season in the Prem,but he's hardly been prolific at Watford,and the manner of his departure still leaves a sour taste,now Jay Rod's found his feet after his return,i can't see where Andre fits into our plans,and there's no point him coming back to sit on the bench.additionally his reported wages are well out of our budget.

I don't really remember anything about him leaving sticking out (I don't remember much about it at all to be honest). I seem to remember he was keen to go to Watford where he'd been offered a hefty pay rise but what left the sour taste?

[tim_noone]

He was a great signing for us.

[tiger76]

I don't really remember anything about him leaving sticking out (I don't remember much about it at all to be honest). I seem to remember he was keen to go to Watford where he'd been offered a hefty pay rise but what left the sour taste?

I think it was the timing it was just days before the start of the season,and his crazy wage demands which he and his agent must have known weren't realistic for Burnley to meet.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/3911684/ ... -demands/

[aggi]

I think it was the timing it was just days before the start of the season,and his crazy wage demands which he and his agent must have known weren't realistic for Burnley to meet.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/3911684/ ... -demands/

I guess I just viewed that as part and parcel of football. If a player can double his wages you can't really blame them for wanting their current employers to match it or to leave.

[Funkydrummer]

Didn't he start cupping his ears to the fans in his celebration routine ?

[tim_noone]

Didn't he start cupping his ears to the fans in his celebration routine ?

Lots of players do...don't they?

[Funkydrummer]

It was construed by many as a defiant gesture, as if to say "let's hear you criticise me now" sort of thing, if you get my drift.

I usually duly obliged.

[tim_noone]

It was construed by many as a defiant gesture, as if to say "let's hear you criticise me now" sort of thing, if you get my drift.

I usually duly obliged.

I thought it was let's be silencing the opposition tbh...and make some noise,never saw it as anything else really.

[Funkydrummer]

I just recall him being criticised for it at the time, rightly or wrongly, as it was directed
at our fans.

[warksclaret]

Can't believe the outrage about this guy. He cost us circa £7m and but for his performances for us and goals in the Championship we might never have made the PL.He is also the only player to have scored a hatrick for us in the PL. Then we made a nice profit on his sale. I am no longer his biggest fan but I will always appreciate his contribution whilst with us

[Hopey1786]

Cant believe some on here think barnes is a better player than gray

Need their heads banging

If barnes had have been playing wed have never got to the prem in the 1st place

[aggi]

Didn't he start cupping his ears to the fans in his celebration routine ?

I can't say that's something I get very excited about.

[Funkydrummer]

I can't say that's something I get very excited about.

Me neither, just contributing to the thread with what I recall from his time here at the club.

[Andy J]

I mean he is quick, and he did well for us... but... his touch! For the love of God, won't somebody think of his touch! Ball control is not one of his finer skills.

Agree. Couldn’t trap a bag of cement!

[aggi]

Fair enough. I think he got stick for his perceived character from what people saw in the papers, etc rather than the reality.

[ElectroClaret]

Always be grateful to him for putting away the peno that saw off the Undead last time they were on the Turf.
Look, if the boss wants him and thinks he'd still do a job, that's fine by me.

[LeadBelly]

I'll always remember him v fondly for that goal he scored (pretty much in front of us away fans) at Selhurst Park towards the end of 2016/17. We were hanging on to a 1-0 and trying to get our first away win of the season to help secure survival (and get one over on BFS). He came on as sub for Barnes and scored fairly soon after using his pace to get clear onto a through ball & banged it in.
Like a few others above, I believe he did a good job for us before we sold him for a profit.

[Blackrod]

Did a good job for us and got a good fee for him. We developed him as a player. Can’t see how there are any issues on either side. Should we go back for him ? Not sure about that one. Think we may have had the best he can offer but wouldn’t be the worst signing as an alternative. Thought he wanted to be near London though to be near that bint from that awful band. I couldn’t face another season of the man behind me having a go every time he gets the ball though. In fact he’d shout ‘FFS Gray’ when our goalkeeper had the ball. I nearly had to change seat because if it.

[Jakubs Tash]

There's no doubt that a forward in the mould of Gray (quick and strong) would be a welcome addition to what we already have. I'm just unsure whether Gray is the answer or whether he would even want to return himself. But as mentioned by a few others, if the manager wanted him back then that would be good enough for me.

Also worth pointing out the seemingly short memories that many have of Gray.....I urge you to get on youtube and watch the goals he scored for us. Whilst he might not be the most technically gifted footballer, he was excellent for us!

[RVclaret]

No thanks.

[Grumps]

Was all over the internet last week when there were suggestions of Gibson going to Watford and that we'd tried to do a swap with Gray. I saw comments from people whose opinion I respect that there was nothing in it.

There could well have been an interest but I don't think we'd have considered swapping a defender for a striker when Gibson going would have meant us needing to bring in another central defender.

Hopefully it wasn't The Athletic, Tyrone Mings has shown them up today for false reporting.

[deanothedino]

Might also be people adding up 2 + 2 because of the Gibson link to Watford - we have got to be looking at releasing the likes of Gibson, Vydra and a few others to release the wages we need to bring in quality.

Don't understand this logic, if you sell Gibson you need to replace him with someone who is likely earning similar money

[claretandy]

Nearly 30 now, time to move on.

[TVC15]

Don't understand this logic, if you sell Gibson you need to replace him with someone who is likely earning similar money

I doubt very much the club manages its overall wage budget based on individual incomings or outgoings.
The logic I was using in this case was around releasing players on big wages who seem to have no future at the club to bring in quality who are competing for first team places or being bought to develop for the future
....if that means for example replacing Vydra & Gibson and freeing up say £80k a week and bringing in Gray on say £60k a week and a good young centre back on £20k a week to cover / eventually replace Mee or Tarks then that would seem like better business than paying 2 players who appear to have no future at the club.

The reality of the situation is of course that we have a lot more decisions to make than potentially just Vydra and Gibson and we are probably looking at 4 or 5 players on “big” money (for us) who could be released.

[deanothedino]

I doubt very much the club manages its overall wage budget based on individual incomings or outgoings.
The logic I was using in this case was around releasing players on big wages who seem to have no future at the club to bring in quality who are competing for first team places or being bought to develop for the future
....if that means for example replacing Vydra & Gibson and freeing up say £80k a week and bringing in Gray on say £60k a week and a good young centre back on £20k a week to cover / eventually replace Mee or Tarks then that would seem like better business than paying 2 players who appear to have no future at the club.

The reality of the situation is of course that we have a lot more decisions to make than potentially just Vydra and Gibson and we are probably looking at 4 or 5 players on “big” money (for us) who could be released.

Does Gibson have no future or has he just not had his opportunity? As long as Mee and Tarks are here the likelihood is anyone will sit on the bench. But they have to be up to the job if one is out for an extended period, hence why you probably wouldn't end up with a cheap CB coming in. Long is the 4th choice, and the cheap option.

[TVC15]

Does Gibson have no future or has he just not had his opportunity? As long as Mee and Tarks are here the likelihood is anyone will sit on the bench. But they have to be up to the job if one is out for an extended period, hence why you probably wouldn't end up with a cheap CB coming in. Long is the 4th choice, and the cheap option.

I have heard that Gibson and SD have not spoken for months. Gibson’s tweet on transfer deadline week outside a job centre might have been a bit more than tongue in cheek too.
But honest answer is that I haven’t got a clue whether Vydra and Gibson have a future or not at Burnley but it would seem that in both cases they have had more than enough time and opportunities to break into the team if SD thought they were good enough and it’s not clear to me why that would change in the future.
SD is now in a position of being 4 or 5 players short at the end of this season and being told that there is little budget available to buy players so the only option left is to wheel and deal with his current squad members and I would imagine Gibson and Vydra are top of the list of players in contract who SD would be happy to leave to release funds - but as probably happened in January if letting Gibson go does nothing but reduce his squad then SD will stop any deal if he can.

[BOYSIE31]

No thanks

[CombatClaret]

Nearly 30 now, time to move on.

* Nearly 29

[deanothedino]

I have heard that Gibson and SD have not spoken for months. Gibson’s tweet on transfer deadline week outside a job centre might have been a bit more than tongue in cheek too.
But honest answer is that I haven’t got a clue whether Vydra and Gibson have a future or not at Burnley but it would seem that in both cases they have had more than enough time and opportunities to break into the team if SD thought they were good enough and it’s not clear to me why that would change in the future.
SD is now in a position of being 4 or 5 players short at the end of this season and being told that there is little budget available to buy players so the only option left is to wheel and deal with his current squad members and I would imagine Gibson and Vydra are top of the list of players in contract who SD would be happy to leave to release funds - but as probably happened in January if letting Gibson go does nothing but reduce his squad then SD will stop any deal if he can.

I would understand Gibson being annoyed, I was just saying I'd expect Dyche would replace him with a similar player who would be capable of stepping in for Mee or Tarks if they suffered a serious injury and wouldn't necessarily save any money.

[Funkydrummer]

I couldn’t face another season of the man behind me having a go every time he gets the ball though. In fact he’d shout ‘FFS Gray’ when our goalkeeper had the ball. I nearly had to change seat because if it.

Sorry about that.