Ian Maatsen

[AfloatinClaret]

I recall plenty on here saying he couldn't defend.

I was one of those and my expectation is that IM hasn't significantly improved in that department during the six months he's not been playing regularly at Chelsea. While we could play without 'real' fullbacks in the Championship, that isn't the case in the EPL so Ian Maatsen is not the answer, most especially at >£30 million.
While we've a few players who have yet to justify their transfer fees, I remain optimistic that some/all of them still will (whether they do so soon enough to keep us up is a separate issue) but I don't think IM has done/shown anywhere near enough ability to justify the figures bandied around in the summer, unless 60-70% of that figure was 'add-ons'

[CoolClaret]

I was surprised when we only received 10 million for Nick Pope .. I understand we needed trim the wage bill but was that the best we could get ?

'Older' Keeper - not that long left on his contract...

Preferred getting the business done early than haggling and holding out for more - meant we could get our guys in earlier and ready for the season.

One of them

[dougcollins]

We were absolutely spanked on the Pope deal.

Though I believe Newcastle were a bit hard up.

[Leisure]

We were absolutely spanked on the Pope deal.

Though I believe Newcastle were a bit hard up.

As they were on the Wood deal!

[dougcollins]

No argument there!

[bfcjg]

Re Pope, it might have been contractual, get to ten and off he goes nothing we could fo perhaps ? Still amazed that there wasn't a bidding war though from say the likes of Tottenham.