Gray to Watford story

[BertiesBeehole]

Weakening ourselves and strengthening a relegation rival 3 days before the season starts. Yep. Great business.

Maybe we can sell Tom Heaton to Brighton for £25 million on Friday, you know, as another great piece of business.

Tom Heaton is 1st choice and as indispensable as they come. Gray certainly isn't.
I don't believe this will significantly improve Watford either.

All about opinions but I think it's great business.

[UpTheBeehole]

It's not difficult feeling superior when chatting to you most of the time.

If, with all your self-publicised woes, you feel superior to me than fair ******* play.

[Sidney1st]

If, with all your self-publicised woes, you feel superior to me than fair ******* play.

Yeah, especially when you're having a strop about the club doing it's usual trick of selling it's players like it's always done.

[Diesel]

Yes he most certainly is. Austin and Ings have done next to nothing since they left, both are crocks

I will give Gray 2 years maximum at Watford before he makes the step up to play for a top 6 club.

P1ssed out your brains before 13:00hrs, go on lad.

[cricketfieldclarets]

It's pretty common for clubs towards the bottom end of the ladder to sell players before replacing them - that's just the nature of the game. Beating the club with a stick over this before waiting to see the end result of the transfer window is as stupid as it is predictable.

Problem is we have sold him to a club who finished below us. One above relegation.

[Sidney1st]

Said club finished above us before then and pays better as a general rule of thumb.

Before last season when did we last finish above Watford?

[claptrappers_union]

They didn't have a replacement for Keane lined up.

I don't think we need a replacement for Keane, I think Tarkowski was always the replacement. I think we will bring someone in as backup to him

[cricketfieldclarets]

Said club finished above us before then and pays better as a general rule of thumb.

Before last season when did we last finish above Watford?

2013 2014
2014 2015
And most of our history

[Jenna]

'...The move comes after it was revealed that Burnley manager Sean Dyche blocked Gray's girlfriend from sitting in the directors' box despite being invited on more than one occasion, because she was too famous...'

brief article at link below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... nsfer.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Absolute clickbait - it goes on to say that Dyche wanted her to sit with the other wives and girlfriends rather than give her preferential treatment by letting her sit in the Director's Box. Considering the success of our squad is built on the team ethos,that hardly seems unreasonable...

[Claret Kitch]

Watford, Burnley, maybe West Brom is about Gray's limit. Not good enough for mid table Southampton, Leicester, West Ham etc. Top 8? Don't make me laugh!! If we replace him this month with a big signing (Holding my breath), Then I have no problem with this business. UTC!

[Woodleyclaret]

Sky are reporting a fee of just under £12m.this is in contrast to the £18 m in today's Mirror.
Either way it doesn't leave us much to play with 're replacements but I am confident Sean has someone in mind.

[Wokingclaret]

Brentford to get 20% of any profit

[Blackrod]

Why should she have preferential treatment. The Director's Box is primarily for Directors. Not sure his attitude has been right since he hooked up with this 'celeb'. Glad SD has a good control of things.

[Grimsby Claret]

Disappointing Gray is going to a small premier League club who will win nothing.
It seems despite all the backing he has had during his infamous tweets and long suspension Andre puts money first its pure greed.

[Sidney1st]

Disappointing Gray is going to a small premier League club who will win nothing.
It seems despite all the backing he has had during his infamous tweets and long suspension Andre puts money first its pure greed.

As opposed to staying at another small PL club and earning less money?

[claretspice]

I'm stunned by this, if I am honest. I started the morning believing that this was just paper talk and that Burnley would not countenance allowing Gray to leave until we had a direct or indirect replacement for him in the leaving - and certainly not for a relegation rival. Watford unquestionably are - or were - which makes this even harder to fathom.

I get some of the criticism of Gray, and perhaps the fact he's going to Watford rather than a top half team reflects his limitations. There is also a perfectly plausible argument to be made that as a squad, we've moved on from what Gray offers - with the right injection of pace elsewhere in the squad, Vokes is probably our best line-leading forward, and many of our better footballing performances (and lots of our better results) came with him rather than Gray leading the line.

But he's a very fast (forget those who claimed he's not quick, or had lost his pace - that's nonsense), powerful player whose goalscoring record last season was really rather good last season given the number of chances we created and the games he played. His pace gave us a genuine outlet and made it possible for us to get up the pitch lots of the time and without him we become a rather pedestrian team - a team playing a rugged brand of football without the raw athleticism to make it fully effective.

The bottom line is he needs replacing one way or another and I find it incredible that we've allowed ourselves to end up in a position where we will be replacing him after the event rather than before. Even if we can excuse strengthening a relegation rival at all - and that is moot - allowing that rival to be strengthened whilst we are even temporarily significantly weaker is bonkers. There's just no need to sell him before the closing of the window, if at all.

[Rick_Muller]

Disappointing Gray is going to a small premier League club who will win nothing.
It seems despite all the backing he has had during his infamous tweets and long suspension Andre puts money first its pure greed.

This is why I'm not fussed by him going (if he does go). He could be better than he is, but let's himself down with his attitude and application. He won't be half as good at Watford

[Lancasterclaret]

Get all that Spice, which is why I'm sure we are almost ready to confirm his replacement.

[Reecey1987]

Get all that Spice, which is why I'm sure we are almost ready to confirm his replacement.

With who ?

[Pearcey]

If he doesn't want to be here then he's got to go. We'll replace him, we always do. Good goalscorer but can't say I've been a massive fan of his.

[claretspice]

Get all that Spice, which is why I'm sure we are almost ready to confirm his replacement.

I hope you're right, and I hope you're implying that you know something that gives you reason to believe this is the case rather than relying on blind faith.

But either way, given the capacity for football transfers to unexpectedly go wrong at the last minute (see Grosicki last summer) it would be inexplicable to allow Gray to complete a deal to a direct rival without his replacement being through the door. Perhaps my faith in the club from this morning won't be misplaced after all, but we shall see.

[Lancasterclaret]

Sadly no more than the fact that I'm realistic enough to know that we can't afford not to replace him.

He's clearly been after a move for a while, so I'm sure we've been looking for replacements for a while as well.

[Bin Ont Turf]

It won't look like good business when opposition centre backs are just sitting on Vokes, Barnes or Walters 15 yards further up the pitch because they know we haven't got owt to get in behind.

[Belgianclaret]

I'm stunned by this, if I am honest. I started the morning believing that this was just paper talk and that Burnley would not countenance allowing Gray to leave until we had a direct or indirect replacement for him in the leaving - and certainly not for a relegation rival. Watford unquestionably are - or were - which makes this even harder to fathom.

I get some of the criticism of Gray, and perhaps the fact he's going to Watford rather than a top half team reflects his limitations. There is also a perfectly plausible argument to be made that as a squad, we've moved on from what Gray offers - with the right injection of pace elsewhere in the squad, Vokes is probably our best line-leading forward, and many of our better footballing performances (and lots of our better results) came with him rather than Gray leading the line.

But he's a very fast (forget those who claimed he's not quick, or had lost his pace - that's nonsense), powerful player whose goalscoring record last season was really rather good last season given the number of chances we created and the games he played. His pace gave us a genuine outlet and made it possible for us to get up the pitch lots of the time and without him we become a rather pedestrian team - a team playing a rugged brand of football without the raw athleticism to make it fully effective.

The bottom line is he needs replacing one way or another and I find it incredible that we've allowed ourselves to end up in a position where we will be replacing him after the event rather than before. Even if we can excuse strengthening a relegation rival at all - and that is moot - allowing that rival to be strengthened whilst we are even temporarily significantly weaker is bonkers. There's just no need to sell him before the closing of the window, if at all.

Correct, which is why I would be astounded if we have no replacement sorted.

If not, we really haven't learnt a lot

[IndigoLake]

It makes me wonder if there is something in Daily Mail's Zapata link. Big, strong guy with a turn of pace. He'd easily manage on his own upfront.

[quoonbeatz]

Been going on all summer this. You only need to look who gray's agent is to know he'll likely be moving clubs every few years, that's what Mendes does.

Gray wants to go so it's only really been about sorting out a fee. That's player power folks. I strongly suspect we have a replacement lined up.

[pushpinpussy]

18.5 million. this is the equivalent of winning the lottery. cant pass or control a ball and is offside more than anyone else.

[cricketfieldclarets]

It makes me wonder if there is something in Daily Mail's Zapata link. Big, strong guy with a turn of pace. He'd easily manage on his own upfront.

I really hope so he is exactly what we need. Cant see it though.

[Vino blanco]

If we don't replace him immediately, it's bad news for Burnley. We need pace up front and a very good center back very quickly.

[Dyched]

Player power?? How? He signed a contract here and has a year left. It's now up to the club if they want to risk losing a fee by keeping him or make a profit on him. Andre Gray doesn't have to sign a new contract.

[Spijed]

When WBA or Stoke first came up who did they have who was quick enough to get behind defenders, or did they rely on a strong forward line, like we now have with Walters, Vokes and Barnes?

[Bacchus]

If Gray wants to go then it's a choice between replacing him now with £18m or replacing him next summer with nothing (and potentially in the meantime pinning our hopes on a sulking striker scoring the goals to keep us up.) It's hardly ideal, but I'm not sure it's something to be beating the club up about. Rather than judging this in isolation, the time to judge is at the end of August when we see how the squad looks without him.

[Herts Clarets]

I didn't expect Gray to be with us come the end of August. Just hope that those in power at the Turf had the same view and have taken steps to deal with it.

I am hoping we don't reach the 'happy with the group of players we have' position that usually follows fruitless attempts to sign identified targets....

[UpTheBeehole]

When WBA or Stoke first came up who did they have who was quick enough to get behind defenders, or did they rely on a strong forward line, like we now have with Walters, Vokes and Barnes?

Stoke: Ricardo Fuller got more goals in Stoke's first season up than any of our strikers last season. He was quicker than our strikers, by a distance.

WBA: Which time? Odemwingie. Rapid. Earnshaw. Rapid. Ellington, Rapid.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Potentially fantastic news.

I say potentially because Gray has obvious attributes that need replacing, but he stifles our play with his poor hold up play, constant offsides and desire to roll the defender every time he has his back to goal. I have always called him a flat track bully and penalties aside, he got a few goals last year, but his record against the top 30 clubs in the last 2 years is very poor. Walters will get as many in open play, as will Vokes, and they offer more in other ways too.

EDIT - 2 goals in 2017 from open play, replace "as many" above with "more".

I would be amazed if Dyche didn't want to upgrade him, more always goes on than meets the eye, and we simply have to have someone better at the above.

Time will tell, but we have a space upcoming that hopefully will be filled by a much more effective player.

[Claret Kitch]

Over the last few seasons when have BFC let you down? We'll be signing a replacement.

[Spijed]

Stoke: Ricardo Fuller got more goals in Stoke's first season up than any of our strikers last season. He was quicker than our strikers, by a distance.

WBA: Which time? Odemwingie. Rapid. Earnshaw. Rapid. Ellington, Rapid.

Fair enough.

Btw, have you EVER posted anything positive about the club, players or manager? If so, I'd like to see a particular example.

[Claretforever]

If Gray goes to Watford then that's a sideways move without a doubt, so it has to be for a sizeable wage increase.

As has been stated above, he can't control a ball at any kind of pace, and our style doesn't suit him greatly because he can't head it, can't read a defence so is always offside, but he does have quite a bit of pace and is strong.

I was kind of hoping this year's signings and a slightly different style might suit him more, but if it is in fact £18m then that's great business from Burnley with his contract the way it is. The timing is awful though, and reminds me of when Austin went. I'm not sure he'd have started at Chelsea anyway, but we definitely need to bring someone else in next week.

So we've sold £41-48m of players, shipped out what, about 10 on loan or permanent? How many have we brought in and what do we need?

[taio]

Wires crossed

[Bacchus]

If Gray goes to Watford then that's a sideways move without a doubt, so it has to be for a sizeable wage increase.

That, and location, I'd guess. He's spent most of his career around the North London area and I'd imagine his girlfriend's career dictates that she spends a lot of time down there too.

[UpTheBeehole]

Fair enough.

Btw, have you EVER posted anything positive about the club, players or manager? If so, I'd like to see a particular example.

I've wondered for a while what you contribute Spijed.

[Sidney1st]

Stoke: Ricardo Fuller got more goals in Stoke's first season up than any of our strikers last season. He was quicker than our strikers, by a distance.

WBA: Which time? Odemwingie. Rapid. Earnshaw. Rapid. Ellington, Rapid.

WBA have been up and down a few times in all fairness, I think its 4 promotions they've had.

Earnshaw - 12 goals in 43 games confirms he's toss.
Ellington is worse with 15 in 60 games for WBA.

Pace is great until they cant hit a barn door...

[bfc1984]

The reaction to all this is astonishing! He could score 30 goals but it was always his First touch.I really like him,but now we can get that 6 goal a season striker with a wonderful first touch.Seemed people liked him after all reading the posts you fibbers

[UpTheBeehole]

WBA have been up and down a few times in all fairness, I think its 4 promotions they've had.

Earnshaw - 12 goals in 43 games confirms he's toss.
Ellington is worse with 15 in 60 games for WBA.

Pace is great until they cant hit a barn door...

You do realise that Earnshaw's rate of 12 in 43 is miles better than any current Burnley player has ever got in the Premier, yes?

I note you papered over Odemwingie getting 15 in a season, and then Lukaku came in for them and scored 17.

[brexit]

£10 million and we get Isaac Success

[Sidney1st]

You do realise that Earnshaw's rate of 12 in 43 is miles better than any current Burnley player has ever got in the Premier, yes?

I note you papered over Odemwingie getting 15 in a season, and then Lukaku came in for them and scored 17.

I haven't papered over Odemwingie because you were right about him and Fuller.
If you need me to pat you on the back when you're right this is going to make things long winded.

So 12 in 43 is miles better than any current player in the PL for Burnley?
If that's going to help you get into the smug zone then crack on, but Gray got 9 in 32games.

In theory he'd better 12 in 43 if he spent the rest of the season.

[fidelcastro]

You do realise that Earnshaw's rate of 12 in 43 is miles better than any current Burnley player has ever got in the Premier, yes?

I note you papered over Odemwingie getting 15 in a season, and then Lukaku came in for them and scored 17.

There's the solution then!

We just call up Man U and tell them that we want Lukaku!

[ClaretTony]

Don't know if this has been posted on the thread but there is an interesting take on who gets what of any fee if Gray goes to Watford.

From Sky

Sky Sports News understands Brentford are owed 27.5 per cent of any fee in excess £9.75m that Burnley receive if Andre Gray is sold. We also understand Luton Town are entitled to 15 per cent of that in turn. It means if Watford sign Gray for £18m, Brentford stand to make £2.27m minus £340,500 Luton are eligible for.

From Luton Town Football Club

Hatters chief executive Gary Sweet has confirmed that the club won’t receive any more money should former striker Andre Gray complete his reported multi-million pound move to Luton’s arch rivals Watford.


Sweet is obviously correct as he's been right through from the moment we signed Gray. If Luton are getting nothing then that surely means Brentford aren't getting any more.

[fidelcastro]

SKY on the money as usual!

[Dyched]

There's the solution then!

We just call up Man U and tell them that we want Lukaku!

He cant trap a bag of cement either