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They need a manager first.

Think it's best for both player and club for him to move on this Summer. A great contribution over the past 4 years but we have to get higher quality players in now.

Been a huge part of what we have achieved. A great Championship player but we need to upgrade for the PL. He works hard and was always good for a goal but that has dried up.

He could still do a great job for a club with real aspirations to get out of the championship. He's been there, done it (twice) and has bags of experience, a wonderful work ethic and a good deal of skill. Sunderland won't be the only club seriously looking for players who have proved themselves at that level previously. There might be an opportunity for us to have somebody's trousers down here and get a belly chuckling fee.

With only a year left on his contract and his lack of profile we'd be lucky to get 4-5 million for him.

Current market to a club with decent resources 4 million is the minimum of expect. He's an experienced PL player, with loadsa Championship knowhow

I wonder which was the better outfield free signing, him or Jones?

His contribution has been fantastic but I agree, time for him to move on.

For his attitude on and off the pitch, probably one of my favourite players of the Dyche era. If not my favourite.

MiltonKeynesClaret93 wrote:For his attitude on and off the pitch, probably one of my favourite players of the Dyche era. If not my favourite.

Totally agree.... and then there's the added extra of a special goal at Deadwood

Don't know why anyone would join Sunderland, I suspect it will be a long while until they get back to the PL

The only reservation I have is that we can't afford to get rid of too many players who know our system really well. It takes time to gel for any new player and if they get injured we need other ones who can slot in straight away.

Didn't we already rehearse this scenario by buying Robbie Brady in January for £13 million and putting Arfield on the subs bench... only to reverse those roles by the end of the season after a terrible run? So be careful what you wish for lads. I certainly don't want him to leave. Fits, nay, personifies, the Dyche system, reliable & consistent performer, and approaching his peak age.

suggestions that we could pick up a fee anywhere near £4m for Arfield leave the makers in line for a place at Rampton or even Broadmoor...

Although Arfield has made a major contribution to our previous promotions
he hasn't been able to do as much in the Premiership - one goal and one assist I think.
The same could be said for Boyd, although possibly to a lesser degree.
Both could still make a contribution to an aspiring Championship team and that is
where they might best be suited.

It will be interesting to see whether Dyche tries to replace them, if they leave,
with like for like players but with more to offer offensively. And whether such players
actually exist?
Personally I think Dyche will need to be more flexible with his systems and formations
next season as although 4-4-2 has served us reasonably well in the past it hasn't done so the
last 15 or so games.

Surprised the Chronicle have gone with that story given it all came from a less than reliable web site, although there could be something in it. Not sure where they got the Arfield out of favour from either.

If he isn't in the first team, he's a terrific reserve. If he wants to go and the fee is in millions, then maybe he will; but there's no point selling for peanuts when he will play a valuable (backup) role if we keep him.

ClaretTony wrote:Surprised the Chronicle have gone with that story given it all came from a less than reliable web site, although there could be something in it. Not sure where they got the Arfield out of favour from either.

I would imagine the paper and the fans are desperate for any morsel that indicates progress after the torrid season they've just been through.

I thought he was really good in the 'don't f**k this up' game at Palace when the pressure was on.

I like him, always have. He did seem to play his best football in the earlier Dyche seasons where we pressed more though. Despite that I actually think he's one of our better players for trying to get the ball on the deck and run at his man, and it's important to notice that none of our wingers have really preformed this year either. The main problem for me is that he's a little too in-between for what we need now, and a lot of our wingers have similar attributes.

I don't think 3-4 million is being unrealistic, I think at the very least he will go for 2m+. Regardless of how some rate him: he's played quite a bit of premier league football, he's the right side of 30 and he's been promoted from the championship on a few occasions. In today's market I think he could be a bargain for someone.

Not good enough at this level but he's a great player in the Championship. Would be a good addition for them.

Given Dyche's ability to get the best out of players I would suspect we will see a much improved Brady next season. With the utmost respect to Scotty, I think you would have to be a tad naive to think he has more ability than Brady

He's been great whilst he's been a claret, but we can all see if we are to move forward and become a well established PL side, we need better than Scotty i'm afraid.

His work ethic is superb, and for "that" goal he will always be a legend. No room for sentiment though i'm afraid. Not quite at the right level for where we are and where i'd like us to be. Still a good player, and theres many Championship sides - good sides - that would want/like Arfield to boost their chances.

He'll always be remembered as a hero to me.
Not just the goal against them, but against Leeds 2014.
My lad's first game, and many a time Scotty would pop up with a winner or late equaliser when he went on.
I think his time is definitely coming to an end though.

Great servant to the club and what great value we got\get from a free transfer .

They can have him

He wont play much for us again

Great player for us and as his record shows in terms of assists and goals scored would be a great signing for any top championship club. Even with year left on contract would still be hoping for a decent fee for him. Although equally wouldn't be unhappy to still see him part of our squad next season.

You're all talking truth but it's still a bit sad. Mee, Arfield, Boyd, Barton, Jones, Marney, Heaton, Trippier, Vokes, Barnes - players that just 'get' Burnley. Arse on the line, job for the team, win together and lose together kinda thing.

Gray, Austin, Ings, Grant, Shackell - none of that.

If we lose Arfield, Boyd and Barnes (as rumoured), along with Barton, then it's too much too quick. IMO. Just because you can afford caviar doesn't mean you should throw the cheese pie in the bin.

Well said , I for one will be sad when the core of the team is no longer.
I know if we want to get better we need a better standard of player, but it will be sad to see those players leaving.

Would be concerned if Boyd and Arfield both left.

Neither Brady nor JBG are anywhere near as effective at the pressing game - or protecting their full back. Expecting next season to be tougher than the one that's just finished and there are bound to be occasions when we need to revert to what we do best to grind out results. Arfield and Boyd personify what's required to achieve that.

If he goes I hope he does better than Sunderland. Unless they make an inspired managerial appointment they are likely to have a season much like the one Villa have just endured.

Two promotions, Premier league experience, got to be worth at least 8m in today's market.

Will forever be remembered for the sublime strike at the blackburrrrn end (that left the chin dribblers behind the goal in no doubt their gloating days were well and truly over) and his mad pitch length dash to celebrate in front of the Darwen End. Go on Scotty lad, foo kin get in !

UTC NNN

Spijed wrote:The only reservation I have is that we can't afford to get rid of too many players who know our system really well. It takes time to gel for any new player and if they get injured we need other ones who can slot in straight away.

My thoughts exactly. Would be happy to see Arfield be still part of our squad next season