Walters fee agreed

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:59 am

As stated before. He's a low risk, low fee signing. He is more robust, direct and has goals in his locker. He can play wide behind or up front. He's more savvy than Boyd and will give us a bit more bite. Happy enough but agree we do need players to compliment him.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:10 am

Rather have seen some young potential talent come in for that money.
Hopefully he will pay his way but no more senior citizen signings

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:43 am

fidelcastro wrote:73 appearances eh?

Not bad for a player that isn't a Dyche player.

In fairness, I never said he isn't. But whether he is or not, if he scores roughly a goal every 2 games then he is doing the job the manager asks of him.

vinrogue · Post by **vinrogue** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:50 am

ablueclaret wrote:You don't buy 34 year old attackers if you want to progress.

I would suggest that you believe Mourinho got it wrong to sign a 35 year old attacker who went on to be Utd's top scorer. If 3 million gets us the vital goals that secures another year at the top table of football then he could be 44 years old for all I would care. Sign an unproven lad like for example Bamford and discover he isn't up for the fight that we will surely be in and its money wasted. We need a balance of experience and potential and this imo is what Walters is pure PL experience and a fighter.

Blyclaret · Post by **Blyclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:51 am

So we buy all young up and coming talent with no premier league experience.
You will see very quickly where that will get us in premier league
Bottom three all season and guaranteed to go down.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:53 am

vinrogue wrote:I would suggest that you believe Mourinho got it wrong to sign a 35 year old attacker who went on to be Utd's top scorer. If 3 million gets us the vital goals that secures another year at the top table of football then he could be 44 years old for all I would care. Sign an unproven lad like for example Bamford and discover he isn't up for the fight that we will surely be in and its money wasted. We need a balance of experience and potential and this imo is what Walters is pure PL experience and a fighter.

And that seems to be the difference between us & Huddersfield. We are looking at players who know their way around a pitch at Premier league level whereas they seem to be speculating on players who might be a success, or equally, struggle at this level.

Blyclaret · Post by **Blyclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:54 am

Charlie Taylor youth talent sell on value
Walters bags of experience at this level a leader hard as nails and fit.
Let's move on quickly chaps.

Blyclaret · Post by **Blyclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:57 am

You dont read ablue posts if you want to stay sane.

billyhamilton82 · Post by **billyhamilton82** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:45 am

A good read and excellent analysis of what Walters brings to a team.

Great signing

https://www.theguardian.com/football/bl ... y-football" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:59 am

I think he would be a good asset to the squad.

claptrappers_union · Post by **claptrappers_union** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:19 am

£3m shows that football has gone mad... or its shows how much he was valued at Stoke.

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:33 am

Good signing. A better player than Boyd or Arfield, so he represents an incremental improvement to the squad, which is how Dyche works.

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:46 am

Some comparisons have been suggested regarding Ibrahimovic and Walters and their ages. Fair enough point,I think but this then begs the question of what the Swedish international did for Man. Utd. but more especially his manager. He bought him time that enabled him to remain in the manager's chair a bit longer. Three trophies won, none of which particularly exciting in the eyes of the Utd. faithful but more than enough to give him breathing space for a 'crack' at other prizes this season. Sean Dyche's prize this coming season is much more straightforward and doesn't require me to spell it out here. So, all this pre-judging by some posters re:Walters is far too premature. He's not Ibrahimovic but we're not Man. Utd. and our prize is still to be competing with them in 2018/2019. That'll do for a start.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:55 am

vinrogue wrote:Personally I just don't get the negativity about his age, the big daft Swede Man U had last year, was older than Walters and he ended up top scorer for Man U, if Walters is our top scorer next year would it matter how old he was?

That would depend on the goal tally a bit.

AGENT_CLARET · Post by **AGENT_CLARET** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 12:45 pm

Walters will play on the right wing cutting in helping the forwards out and not a out and out forward

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 12:48 pm

I'd like to bet Walters isn't far off being our player of the year.

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 12:49 pm

When you look at the fees flying around at the minute I'd say £3m is an absolute snip.

As someone said a few pages ago, this is a low risk, low fee signing. If he bangs in 10+ goals this coming season I'd consider it a great success.

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 12:50 pm

Quicknick wrote:I'd like to bet Walters isn't far off being our player of the year.

Bold statement seeing as the season hasn't started!

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:00 pm

ExistentialWanderer wrote:Bold statement seeing as the season hasn't started!

Always been extremely impressed with him when I've seen him. He's fit, looks after himself etc etc.

Watch this space ...

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:01 pm

nil_desperandum wrote:I nearly always agree with much of what you write, but I'm not really with you on this. I would agree that in his first season, we had a spell of trying to utilise his pace by playing the ball through the channels, but I don't recall us scoring too many goals with that tactic.
More often than not he has been receiving the ball with his back to goal, and being asked to hold the ball up, (something he is not the best at), and when you look at player ratings for the past seasons it was often commented that he was running his socks off but not getting the service he required (i.e. balls to run on to).
In general I would say that we have played too much long ball up to the head of either Vokes or Barnes, or our build up through midfield has been too slow to take advantage of his pace.
I would also put forward the suggestion that Dyche has never been entirely sure exactly how to get the best out of him within our framework, (and that's not really intended as a criticism)

I think you're remembering a bit too much about last season, when we didn't get the opportunities to slide him through with through balls, and not enough the year before when I'd guess Gray got about 15 goals from through balls. But in any event, I think there are two separate questions:

1. Did we adapt our style to fit Gray in and did we value and use his pace - the answer to which is clearly yes, because we played a lot of balls into the channel for Gray to chase down, and we did certainly leave him on the last shoulder and look to spring him in behind (reflecting the fact that folk used to complain he got caught offside a lot - that was Dyche's instruction to him) and he scored lots of goals as a result.

2. Does Gray perfectly fit the way we play/the other forwards at our disposal - to which the answer is probably not, which is partly because of Gray's limitations and partly because of the limitations of the team. Its this that I think you are really highlighting in your posts, but the question you've asked is the first one above.

AGENT_CLARET · Post by **AGENT_CLARET** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:08 pm

Squad starting to take shape

Heaton

Lowton - ??? - mee - Taylor

Walters - Defour - Hendrick - Brady

Grey - Barnes

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:22 pm

AGENT_CLARET wrote:Squad starting to take shape

Heaton

Lowton - ??? - mee - Taylor

Walters - Defour - Hendrick - Brady

Grey - Barnes

I hope we are seeing some changes to that before the season start / end of the window.

It omits the likes of Vokes, Westwood, JBG but we need more adaptability and pace. As it stands it's looking quite one dimensional, although Walters would provide some more flexibility.

I'd say we are at least four players short presently.

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:34 pm

Quicknick wrote:Always been extremely impressed with him when I've seen him. He's fit, looks after himself etc etc.

Watch this space ...

I was being facetious. I generally agree.

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:36 pm

AGENT_CLARET wrote:Squad starting to take shape

Heaton

Lowton - ??? - mee - Taylor

Walters - Defour - Hendrick - Brady

Grey - Barnes

Whose this Grey bloke ??

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:41 pm

is he the one out of them 'kinky' books?

HiroshimaClaret · Post by **HiroshimaClaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:53 pm

If Gudmundsson isn`t in the starting 11 vs Chelsea I will be very disappointed.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:56 pm

HiroshimaClaret wrote:If Gudmundsson isn`t in the starting 11 vs Chelsea I will be very disappointed.

Has he really shown enough to for it to be a disappointment if he doesn't start the game? Definite potential but not as yet one that I'd have as a guaranteed starter.

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:56 pm

dpinsussex wrote:Whose this Grey bloke ??

Dunno but he's shady!

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:58 pm

HiroshimaClaret wrote:If Gudmundsson isn`t in the starting 11 vs Chelsea I will be very disappointed.

If I don't get a blow job off my missus by 5.30pm I'll be disappointed. We're married, it ain't gonna happen

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:02 pm

First use of the term " blow job" on here ?

bumba · Post by **bumba** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:10 pm

AGENT_CLARET wrote:Squad starting to take shape

Heaton

Lowton - ??? - mee - Taylor

Walters - Defour - Hendrick - Brady

Grey - Barnes

Why would you drop our top scorer?

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:11 pm

randomclaret2 wrote:First use of the term " blow job" on here ?

I find that quite astounding if true. Do I get bonus points?

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:19 pm

Let's see if if anyone can provide evidence to the contrary first...

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:34 pm

randomclaret2 wrote:Let's see if if anyone can provide evidence to the contrary first...

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... ob#p225658" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Case closed

HiroshimaClaret · Post by **HiroshimaClaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:35 pm

DCWat wrote:Has he really shown enough to for it to be a disappointment if he doesn't start the game? Definite potential but not as yet one that I'd have as a guaranteed starter.

I would suggest he has shown a darn sight more than the likes of Brady and Westwood, who I both suspect will be given starting berths. Who knows!!!???

taio · Post by **taio** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:38 pm

HiroshimaClaret wrote:I would suggest he has shown a darn sight more than the likes of Brady and Westwood, who I both suspect will be given starting berths. Who knows!!!???

Westwood has done well since he arrived. I'm sure Brady will improve next season.

Belgianclaret · Post by **Belgianclaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:40 pm

Not a long term option but certainly a good, solid & experienced player who has a good eye for the goal.

We now do need an extra injection of pace though

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:42 pm

taio wrote:Westwood has done well since he arrived. I'm sure Brady will improve next season.

Let's hope so - he needs to step up a gear or two. He has shown glimpses but a full pre-season should really help him.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:49 pm

Mark Hughes has said he'll be happy if Walters stays there - from today's Sentinel

Mark Hughes says Burnley are offering Jon Walters a level of security that Stoke weren't prepared to match at this stage of his career – but he'd still be delighted if the deal fell through.

Walters, who turns 34 in September, is set for a medical at Turf Moor after the clubs shook hands on a £2m transfer fee that could rise to £3m.

A two-year contract with the option of a third is on the table for the popular forward, who has 12 months left on his current deal at the bet365 Stadium.

Hughes, while being prepared to sanction a switch, admits he would be more than happy for Walters to stay.

He said: "It seems that maybe Jon could take the option of a move to Burnley.

"I haven't had the opportunity to speak to him about it. I think it's something that maybe he wants to make happen – but irrespective of that, if it falls through we would be more than happy because Jon coming back to the club would be fine.

"Maybe at this point of his career Jon feels that he needs a bit more security in terms of length of contract which maybe we weren't prepared to match what he's got on the table.

"If he does go, we will look back on his time here with fond memories. He's been a huge part of the success of the club in the Premier League and his contribution will never be underestimated."

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/mark-hug ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:49 pm

HiroshimaClaret wrote:I would suggest he has shown a darn sight more than the likes of Brady and Westwood, who I both suspect will be given starting berths. Who knows!!!???

JBG has an identical record to brady, in terms of goals/assists, despite 280 more minutes on the pitch.

from watching the games I'd say brady has been more effective anyway but at least in terms of quantifiable stuff, nobody can say that JBG has shown more.

westwood is a central midfielder so is irrelevant.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 2:54 pm

quoonbeatz wrote:JBG has an identical record to brady, in terms of goals/assists, despite 280 more minutes on the pitch.

from watching the games I'd say brady has been more effective anyway but at least in terms of quantifiable stuff, nobody can say that JBG has shown more.

westwood is a central midfielder so is irrelevant.

And Westwood was excellent when he came into the side once Joey was unavailable

ExistentialWanderer · Post by **ExistentialWanderer** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:01 pm

ClaretTony wrote:And Westwood was excellent when he came into the side once Joey was unavailable

A lot of people didn't see the subtleties of Westwood's play. He was like a Rolls Royce engine in a Cortina. Best £5 million we spent by a mile. You just have to do the simple stuff well. Westwood does. No he's not Xavi but he's way ahead of some of our players. WAY AHEAD!

KefkaClaret · Post by **KefkaClaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:20 pm

Westwood did well when he came in but I have my doubt on whether him and Hendrick can work as a partnership.

taio · Post by **taio** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:24 pm

KefkaClaret wrote:Westwood did well when he came in but I have my doubt on whether him and Hendrick can work as a partnership.

Will have to see how that partnership plays out next season. Until then we can only judge based on what we've seen to date, which for me means I have no concerns because they've looked good together. Need to sign another CM though

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:28 pm

My hangup with a Westwood/Hendrick central midfield is that it's soft as sh*te.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:31 pm

Just at the moment, three million is f**k all to us.(imagine saying that when we were rattling the David Reeves bucket.)

No risk signing that could just prove to be a bit of genius.

ClaretFelix · Post by **ClaretFelix** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 3:44 pm

taio wrote:Will have to see how that partnership plays out next season. Until then we can only judge based on what we've seen to date, which for me means I have no concerns because they've looked good together. Need to sign another CM though

I think someone with a bit of bite, who's not totally useless with the ball is what's needed. Someone like Clayton from boro. Genuine box to box with aggression and purpose, not just playing the ball side to side without moving up the pitch. He would allow us to be flexible in our approach; comfortable in a two, but if we want to accommodate Defour in a middle three to support a lone striker, he could anchor alongside Hendrick.
I wouldn't be averse to gambling on somebody like Baker from Chelsea, he's not yet played for the first team but been productive in two seasons in Holland. Key part of the under 21 setup

Conroy92 · Post by **Conroy92** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:48 pm

I still hope the early rumours on Delph had an element of truth. Would add bite and athleticism. Imagine...

Heaton
Lowton New/Tarks Mee Taylor
Hendrick Delph Westwood/Defour
Walters Gray/New Brady

4-5-1 to a 4-3-3. Hope we'll explore this kind of formation!
I can dream!!

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 4:59 pm

ExistentialWanderer wrote:A lot of people didn't see the subtleties of Westwood's play. He was like a Rolls Royce engine in a Cortina. Best £5 million we spent by a mile. You just have to do the simple stuff well. Westwood does. No he's not Xavi but he's way ahead of some of our players. WAY AHEAD!

We'll still have some fans saying they'd rather have Barton though. It's all opinions obviously but I thought Barton was pretty awful last season, certainly in his last half dozen games. He simply didn't retain the ball well. Westwood was a class above once he got in the team. He's like a really good, more mobile version of David Jones. Terrific little player. He'll be key this season.

taio · Post by **taio** » Thu Jul 06, 2017 5:16 pm

Conroy92 wrote:I still hope the early rumours on Delph had an element of truth. Would add bite and athleticism. Imagine...

Heaton
Lowton New/Tarks Mee Taylor
Hendrick Delph Westwood/Defour
Walters Gray/New Brady

4-5-1 to a 4-3-3. Hope we'll explore this kind of formation!
I can dream!!

Stoke in for Delph