Some more transfer speculation

See link
http://www.uptheclarets.com/watkins-is- ... yer-linked

Nicely done with the photo choice

26 is a bit late to be breaking on the PL scene but looks to have a bit about him and others courting him.

If he signs can we call him Bob?

Garnerssoap wrote:Nicely done with the photo choice

Once seen, it had to be used.

There were a lot of fans disguised as empty blue seats on that photo, I see.

He scored against Rovers? Sign him up!

"Watkins started with Cheltenham"

So did Michael Duff and what a gem he was.

26 Is a bit late? He's quite possibly got 10 years left at the level having not been burnt out. Some players develop much later than others, and vice versa; look at all the wonder kids Manure have produced that have dropped out of the league before 30.

If we're signing him as a winger lets up he has the key qualities needed and can defend, track back and run all day.

I'm not sure about this one, Gudmundsson seemed like a much better investment in comparison. If he comes in I'd be expecting maybe both Arfield and Boyd to leave considering we'll be probably looking for at least one first team improvement on the wing anyway. I don't like the idea of signing a lower league 26 year old though, even to sit on the bench.

He scores in hooped socks too.

Similiar attributes to Jon Walters and very similar career trajectory.

boyyanno wrote:I'm not sure about this one, Gudmundsson seemed like a much better investment in comparison. If he comes in I'd be expecting maybe both Arfield and Boyd to leave considering we'll be probably looking for at least one first team improvement on the wing anyway. I don't like the idea of signing a lower league 26 year old though, even to sit on the bench.

Where was Vardy playing before he joined Leicester? What age was he when he made the move?

Not that I'm a Vardy fan, but he's one example of talent emerging (or being given their chance) a little later than others.

UTC

Whilst there are the odd few out there this lad is not going to realistically step into the starting line up. If, we upgrade out wide for the first team (which looks likely), I'd rather have a young talent on the bench, does this lad offer anything we don't have? Gudmundsson had a far better statistical rate, in a higher league and at a younger age.

I'd probably rather keep Arfield to be honest.

Is our knowledge of players that poor that we barely deviate from the championship?

No right winger

How do you know this is true as it stands it's just a rumour you never know we could be speaking to lots of League 1 and 2 Clubs.

What really struck me is that photo.....top tier of the stand empty....every one of those seats a person who was glad and smug to sit there and lap up the glory......and now nowhere to be seen....

Tssrs.......

Linked to us on here before is interesting Norwich:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/39786983" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(7:35 am)

.......I think 7:35 am is my time - 15:35 UK?

Norwich 'very interested' in Watkins

Our colleagues at BBC Radio Sheffield are reporting that Norwich City are very interested in signing out-of-contract Barnsley forward Marley Watkins.

The 26-year-old scored 15 goals in 76 league games for the Tykes, but rejected a new deal at Oakwell.

Seen the lad a few times when he was at Chelt, was a bit of a 'wonderkid' who was probably played too soon, clear talent but way too lightweight for L1 (at the time) and played in a poor team. Since then he's bulked up a lot so not surprised he's gone on to better things, but can't see him improving the team, good back up espec as would be free...

CT has never been keen on Transfer Rumours before!

IanMcL wrote:CT has never been keen on Transfer Rumours before!

Not a rumour, it's been reported in the media.

Did he just sign a two yr contract or has he a year left and Barnsley want to get money for him; or is he now OOC

ClaretTony wrote:Not a rumour, it's been reported in the media.

Yes....a rumour! All the rumours are reported by some media.

Another rumour re: us and Barnsley is defender Marc Roberts.
( Mentioned by the R/lancs commentary team at Bournemouth inc. Chris Boden).

IanMcL wrote:Yes....a rumour! All the rumours are reported by some media.

No - rumours are the things you put up on here without substance.

ElectroClaret wrote:Another rumour re: us and Barnsley is defender Marc Roberts.
( Mentioned by the R/lancs commentary team at Bournemouth inc. Chris Boden).

The Roberts one has been running since January

Another 'rumour' is Josh Brownhill from Bristol City.


http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/foot ... ours-61749" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seen a rumour that West Brom are after Stuart Armstrong from Celtic. Think I remember us being linked to him before he went to Celtic. In any case he's looked class whenever I've seen him, we should try get him.

Rather have Ollie Watkins at Exeter .

Ollie Watkins has another two goals tonight in the play offs

Looks like we are fighting against some big teams to win his signature...

Hopefully free transfers from the Championship won't be the top of our agenda. If he signs good luck to him but we need some pace and Premier League experience in my opinion but we definitely need some new wingers.

Marley Watkins looks almost certain to be joining Norwich

ClaretTony wrote:Marley Watkins looks almost certain to be joining Norwich

There's a couple of twins at norwich who are tipped for the top - jacob and josh Murphy, particularly Jacob. Both in the Ings type mould. Quite possible Watkins is being signed to replace one of them if they move on, and they would be the right sort of player for us to be interested in - top Championship prospects with real raw materials to work with.

I've not seen much of the Murphy brothers but they've been getting good reports. Do they not come as a pair like the Futchers did?

Suggested Jacob Murphy a few weeks ago. As you say a good prospect. In fact my list of suggestions was superb even though I do say so myself

Jacob Murphy is a top player. He's pushed on this year whereas Josh has stalled a bit. Seen them a few times this season.

I'd be tempted to try and get Patrick Roberts on loan from Man City

ClaretTony wrote:I've not seen much of the Murphy brothers but they've been getting good reports. Do they not come as a pair like the Futchers did?

Unfortunately i think on a joint ticket they would probably cost nigh on 30 million, which may be a tad too much for us, even with our new found wealth!

Ive seen bits if Murphy and he's eye catching - he's quite tricky like Ings but with the stockier build of Gray. Raw as hell absolutely ive not seen enough to know if he's consistent enough, but as I say he's certainly the sort of profile i'd like us to be interested in.

Vegas Claret wrote:I'd be tempted to try and get Patrick Roberts on loan from Man City

Don't see loaning young creative players as a good option for us. Most arent used to the physical demands of the Premier League, especially the work rate required without the ball. The problem with a loan is youve got loads to do to get them up to speed, and then you lose them again. Much rather go and pay for a talent in the Championship and work with them over a couple of years then sell them on.

MrTopTier wrote:Rather have Ollie Watkins at Exeter .

He played as a loan striker tonight and I thought he played very well and as already said scores two goals.

Solid on the ball (hard to knock off) and has more then a few tricks in his locker.

Seems to improve in different areas of his game every time I see Exeter play.

claretspice wrote:Unfortunately i think on a joint ticket they would probably cost nigh on 30 million, which may be a tad too much for us, even with our new found wealth!

Ive seen bits if Murphy and he's eye catching - he's quite tricky like Ings but with the stockier build of Gray. Raw as hell absolutely ive not seen enough to know if he's consistent enough, but as I say he's certainly the sort of profile i'd like us to be interested in.

£30M? Hahahahaha I think you're getting carried away.
Josh Murphy can't even get in the Norwich side, why on earth would he cost the same amount that Mkhitaryan cost Man Utd after winning the Bundesliga POTY. He was on loan at MK Dons last year, not great, his career has gone backwards, he looked a good prospect when I saw him for Norwich's youth team in the Cup a few years ago. Jacob is better than him, but £30M? 4x more than Gray? more than double what we paid for Brady? Crazy talk. I wouldn't like us to sign either for £15M, never mind £30M.

We need to be looking at other markets other than the championship. Would rather take a chance on some prospects from Europe who don't cost too much than splurge tens of millions of pounds on prospects from the championship. You can buy Bonafide internationals on the continent for a lot less than a prospect from the championship.

If we're looking in the Championship I'd hope we're looking at better than the Murphy twins, that's for sure.
Helder Costa is a much much better player than the 2 Murphy brothers combined, he's around the same age and cost £13M in January. I think Costa has scored more goals this season than the other 2 combined in a worse team too. £30M is a laughable fee. Jota is another I'd prefer over the other two. Always thought Sergi Canos was one we should have looked at in the summer, moved to Norwich for £3M, didn't work out, banging them in since his return to Brentford.

claretspice wrote:Don't see loaning young creative players as a good option for us. Most arent used to the physical demands of the Premier League, especially the work rate required without the ball. The problem with a loan is youve got loads to do to get them up to speed, and then you lose them again. Much rather go and pay for a talent in the Championship and work with them over a couple of years then sell them on.

That'll be the Patrick Roberts that starred for Fulham in the Championship, has starred for Celtic both domestically and in Europe - maybe Man City want to see if he can cut it in the PL rather than in Scotland

Right_winger wrote:You can buy Bonafide internationals on the continent for a lot less than a prospect from the championship.

Defour for instance ?

Wasn't Jacob Murphy the one who was caught mocking Blackpool on Twitter whilst being on loan at the club?

KRBFC wrote:£30M? Hahahahaha I think you're getting carried away.
Josh Murphy can't even get in the Norwich side, why on earth would he cost the same amount that Mkhitaryan cost Man Utd after winning the Bundesliga POTY. He was on loan at MK Dons last year, not great, his career has gone backwards, he looked a good prospect when I saw him for Norwich's youth team in the Cup a few years ago. Jacob is better than him, but £30M? 4x more than Gray? more than double what we paid for Brady? Crazy talk. I wouldn't like us to sign either for £15M, never mind £30M.

I think you need to read posts properly before going on a rant. I said it would cost NIGH ON 30 million to buy them BOTH. Which means im probably valuing them at roughly the same level as you.

Vegas Claret wrote:That'll be the Patrick Roberts that starred for Fulham in the Championship, has starred for Celtic both domestically and in Europe - maybe Man City want to see if he can cut it in the PL rather than in Scotland

He played 19 games for Fulham, lots of them from the bench, and completed 90 minutes once. So lets not get carried away with his "starring" for Fulham. And whilst he's done very well by all accounts at Celtic, playing in a team that beats all comers easily doesnt really address the things i mentioned. Going into a team like Burnley, where we have to work phenomenally hard, and effectively, off the ball - and making really good decisions when we do get our chances - is a completely different equation. That is the problem. Im not saying loans from top clubs arent an option, but as a general rule i suspect theyd spend quite a lot of time on the bench.

claretspice wrote:I think you need to read posts properly before going on a rant. I said it would cost NIGH ON 30 million to buy them BOTH. Which means im probably valuing them at roughly the same level as you.

I know what you said which is why I mentioned both. I never valued them at £15M each, I said I wouldn't like us to sign them for £15m nevermind £30m.