Kyle Bartley

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

Daily Telegraph linking us and Newcastle with him.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Newcastle will smash us on wages, even if they're in the championship

[TheFamilyCat]

But if he wants to play in the championship he may as well stay at West Brom.

[jojomk1]

30 in a couple of months

Not exactly a player with much potential for the future

[djemba-djemba]

30 in a couple of months

Not exactly a player with much potential for the future

Needs a couple more years to develop before he comes here.

[Bosscat]

But if he wants to play in the championship he may as well stay at West Brom.

Or Newcastle

[Local cricketer]

No thanks. If that’s the best we can manage then we are in deep trouble

[claretonthecoast1882]

30 in a couple of months

Not exactly a player with much potential for the future

Younger than Dawson who I am sure you would have been happy with

[joey13]

No thanks. If that’s the best we can manage then we are in deep trouble

It is the best we can manage , contrary to popular belief ,our new owners have no money

[Rileybobs]

30 in a couple of months

Not exactly a player with much potential for the future

We already have Thomas and Dunne who look like promising players for the future. If Tarks leaves in summer then ideally we need a replacement ready to step straight in. I haven’t seen enough it Bartley to judge whether he’s of the required standard, but his age wouldn’t put me off.

[dibraidio]

We already have Thomas and Dunne who look like promising players for the future. If Tarks leaves in summer then ideally we need a replacement ready to step straight in. I haven’t seen enough it Bartley to judge whether he’s of the required standard, but his age wouldn’t put me off.

Dunne is out of contract isn't he?

[Rileybobs]

Dunne is out of contract isn't he?

You’re quite right. Do we know whether an offer is on the table or is he looking to move on?

[NewClaret]

I had a quick look at a Toon fansite's response to the Telegraph article and they were scathing about the prospect of a move. It read: A club like Newcastle should be able to bring in someone of quality. If there is any truth in this report it stinks of lack of ambition". Take it they're not keen

Personally think players of Bartley or Dawson's experience is exactly what we need whether Tarks leaves this summer or not.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Newcastle fans have never been the most realistic bunch to be fair.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

It is the best we can manage , contrary to popular belief ,our new owners have no money

Yes they have. They’ve emptied the dry powder store.

He’s not bad and alongside Ben Mee he will be better. He also grabs a goal or three which we could do with from our back 4.

[CaptJohn]

From what I've seen of him I think he would be an excellent addition to the squad. He has a considerable physical presence and a competitive intensity about him.

[DCWat]

As competition / back up, I think he’d be a half decent option. If he was any more than that, I’m not convinced.

I suppose this could be the sort of needs must signing that we might have to go for, having not recruited a player to step in as the one ahead moves on.

I’d hope for a little better to be honest.

[rufus lumley]

Is he out of contract ?

[Conroy92]

Replacing Tarks is a bit frightening to be honest! Unlikely that we will get someone as good in. Personally I still think Jones at United could be a good fit but fitness is my worry. That being said, we don't actually have to get someone as good as Tarks in as long as we improve the team elsewhere. If we can sign a Bartley for a modest sum and then use most of the Tarks fee to improve other positions then while we may be slightly weaker at the back, we could be a lot better going forward.
Obviously our system is built on a strong back 4 so the balance has to be right.

As a scenario, Tarks leaves for 30-40m. (I think around 30m will be enough with his contract). Jones is deemed fit enough and signed for 10m. We then sign two other players (maybe a RM and a CM/ST) for 10m a piece.
In your opinion are we weaker, stronger or much the same?

[claretonthecoast1882]

I think some are hoping for someone as good as Tarks, younger and within our budget.

I think some are going to be disappointed

[jojomk1]

From what I've seen of him I think he would be an excellent addition to the squad. He has a considerable physical presence and a competitive intensity about him.

And he's been at the centre of a defence that has the highest number of conceded goals, even more than Sheff Utd

[claretonthecoast1882]

And he's been at the centre of a defence that has the highest number of conceded goals, even more than Sheff Utd

The keeper must be poor as well then ?

[jojomk1]

The keeper must be poor as well then ?

No, he's had to have been class because the rest are so bad
God knows what the goals against tally would have been without Johnstone

[Bigvince]

And he's been at the centre of a defence that has the highest number of conceded goals, even more than Sheff Utd

Didn’t Tom heaton concede a vast amount of goals when Bristol city got relegated? That didn’t turn out to badly. A defence is more than one player!

[joey13]

Tom Heaton isn’t a centre back

[Bigvince]

Tom Heaton isn’t a centre back

I’m glad you pointed that out, I wondered why he got away with so many handballs!

[jojomk1]

I think some are hoping for someone as good as Tarks, younger and within our budget.

I think some are going to be disappointed

Have faith

Recruitment will be different this summer

We have the new scouting app with Mattster as back up

[claretonthecoast1882]

Have faith

Recruitment will be different this summer

We have the new scouting app with Mattster as back up

We will shortly find out, lets hope those who demanded the previous owners were gone so we could reach this next level are rewarded for being correct.

[warksclaret]

Whether you like Bartley or not, he is without doubt SD's type of NO NONSENSE defender

[joey13]

I’m glad you pointed that out, I wondered why he got away with so many handballs!

No worries, sometimes the obvious is staring you in the face

[Spijed]

I think some are hoping for someone as good as Tarks, younger and within our budget.

I think some are going to be disappointed

If West Ham are still interested in James Tarkowski I wonder if there might be the possibility of Craig Dawson coming here as that could satisfy all concerned.

Erik Pieters has been a great signing so age isn't really a problem for defenders.

[Cubanclaret]

If West Ham are still interested in James Tarkowski I wonder if there might be the possibility of Craig Dawson coming here as that could satisfy

Is Dawson a West Ham player? I thought he was on loan from Watford (but he might have signed).

Despite WBA’s troubles, individually their defenders have looked quite good players at times, the fullbacks Townsend and Furlong both look good coming forward. I have to say Bartley looks a Dyche type, but if Fulham do get relegated I think I’d rather be looking at Tosin and Andersen as longer term replacements.

[Spijed]

Is Dawson a West Ham player? I thought he was on loan from Watford (but he might have signed).

I thought he'd signed permanently, but obviously not.

[KRBFC]

Didn’t Tom heaton concede a vast amount of goals when Bristol city got relegated? That didn’t turn out to badly. A defence is more than one player!

80+ I think, Trippier, Ings & Michael Keane were also relegated from the Premier League with us.

[jrgbfc]

I thought he'd signed permanently, but obviously not.

He's on loan but looks like he's going to play enough games to trigger an automatic 2 year deal, starting this summer.

[Bigvince]

80+ I think, Trippier, Ings & Michael Keane were also relegated from the Premier League with us.

That’s a very good point KR