Kyle Bartley

[Vegas Claret]

various news outlets reporting we want him to replace Keane, jus'sayin'

[FactualFrank]

If it annoys Leeds, then that's a bonus.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football ... ael-keane/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[taio]

Yes saw this. Apparently a couple of others are reportedly interested too.

[FactualFrank]

What must Tarkowski be thinking - I can't see him sticking around for another season if he's hardly playing.

[BFCmaj]

What must Tarkowski be thinking - I can't see him sticking around for another season if he's hardly playing.

Have you ever heard of a squad?

[taio]

What must Tarkowski be thinking - I can't see him sticking around for another season if he's hardly playing.

I doubt he gives a toss what the Sun is reporting and in any case I'm sure he'll be expecting us to sign a centre half if Keane leaves. Can you imagine the reaction if we didn't

[FactualFrank]

Have you ever heard of a squad?

Woooahh. Calm down kid. Engage brain before replying.

He's just spent this season on the bench. Do you think he'll be happy with Dyche buying a replacement for Keane and him spending the majority of next season as backup? Squad is fine for offensive players in terms of morale - not a central defence where you're looking for a partnership for the season.

[FactualFrank]

I doubt he gives a toss what the Sun is reporting and in any case I'm sure he'll be expecting us to sign a centre half if Keane leaves. Can you imagine the reaction if we didn't

I'm not on about reports. I'm on about if it did actually happen.

[taio]

I'm not on about reports. I'm on about if it did actually happen.

Me too. If Keane leaves we need to sign a replacement. Simple as that.

[Let'sChaseTheDragon]

I think you might be taking the article a touch literally, Frank. When Keane is sold, JT will come into the starting line up- and another signing will replace JT's squad place.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

And who's to say Tarka wouldn't become 1st choice with Bartley as required back up?

[ksrclaret]

Does anyone know if Tarkowski is the type to cry in his car?

[FactualFrank]

I think you might be taking the article a touch literally, Frank. When Keane is sold, JT will come into the starting line up- and another signing will replace JT's squad place.

I know what you're saying, but can you see Bartley coming here to spend next season on the bench? I can't. Especially when you have the likes of Stoke and Bournemouth interested. We won't be the only club interested as he's had a good season with Leeds. And if he's being signed as a replacement, I don't think Tarks will take another season on the bench.

It's difficult in that position, as what you want is a partnership for the season. It's the most important partnership in a team.

[djt2006]

What must Tarkowski be thinking - I can't see him sticking around for another season if he's hardly playing.

Quite remarkable that we have gone a whole season with the Keane / Mee partnership. If one or the other had been injured or suspended then Tarks would have got his chance.

[KRBFC]

Having watched Leeds on sky quite a few times I'd rather have his defensive partner Pottus Jansen

[Let'sChaseTheDragon]

I know what you're saying, but can you see Bartley coming here to spend next season on the bench? I can't. Especially when you have the likes of Stoke and Bournemouth interested. We won't be the only club interested as he's had a good season with Leeds. And if he's being signed as a replacement, I don't think Tarks will take another season on the bench.

It's difficult in that position, as what you want is a partnership for the season. It's the most important partnership in a team.

Possibly, possibly not. Just say we attach any credibility to the article- would he not have the same issue at Stoke or Bournemouth with regards to the risk of being sat on the bench? Is Kyle Bartley's stock so high that he should expect anything other than to fight for his place, if he wishes to be at a Prem club next year? I think that answer to that is "no"- particularly given that he has been unable to command a place in the team of the most porous defense in the league.

I'm not thinking too much about whether he's coming at all- never mind investing the energy to consider whether he would be happy to sit on the bench. When we consider the quality of the source / depth of the article (I've only briefly looked at the one linked),- it's in The Sun, has no quotes- and even ticks the grammatical error box- I think it's too tenuous to be worrying about what JT must be thinking : ).

Agree it's the key Partnership. We'll be well served there- even when Keane leaves- and given the way we know our Manager operates, I'm sure he'll ensure that the next man in has the capability (as JT's understudy).

[FactualFrank]

Quite remarkable that we have gone a whole season with the Keane / Mee partnership. If one or the other had been injured or suspended then Tarks would have got his chance.

Possibly, possibly not. Just say we attach any credibility to the article- would he not have the same issue at Stoke or Bournemouth with regards to the risk of being sat on the bench? Is Kyle Bartley's stock so high that he should expect anything other than to fight for his place, if he wishes to be at a Prem club next year? I think that answer to that is "no"- particularly given that he has been unable to command a place in the team of the most porous defense in the league.

I'm not thinking too much about whether he's coming at all- never mind investing the energy to consider whether he would be happy to sit on the bench. When we consider the quality of the source / depth of the article (I've only briefly looked at the one linked),- it's in The Sun, has no quotes- and even ticks the grammatical error box- I think it's too tenuous to be worrying about what JT must be thinking : ).

Agree it's the key Partnership. We'll be well served there- even when Keane leaves- and given the way we know our Manager operates, I'm sure he'll ensure that the next man in has the capability (as JT's understudy).

You both make excellent points and I guess that's the challenge. How do you sign a central defender who's played so many games recently, to be a backup - or how do you ask another central defender who's spent the whole of the season basically sat on his arse, to do it again. There's money of course, but it must be an extremely difficult position to fill with quality when you're talking about the squad.

[k90bfc]

Mark Roberts at Barnsley,also on the radar,Sean knows best!

[Let'sChaseTheDragon]

You both make excellent points and I guess that's the challenge. How do you sign a central defender who's played so many games recently, to be a backup - or how do you ask another central defender who's spent the whole of the season basically sat on his arse, to do it again. There's money of course, but it must be an extremely difficult position to fill with quality when you're talking about the squad.

JT is the heir to Keane's throne- I'm as certain of that as I can be, given that I'm not Sean Dyche. So then it just comes down to preference- ours, and that of any player that we go in for.

If we have made any inquiry for KB, it will be to let his agent know that he's in our thoughts, come the end of the season. By then, we'll know what division Leeds and Swansea will be in next year, which is obviously relevant. Let's say Leeds don't get promoted and Swansea get relegated- so we're relatively attractive. We speak to Bartley's agent, and inform him he'll be fighting for his place with 2 other center backs for 2 positions (I'm assuming Keane is sold and Kevin Long is our 4th choice, in this scenario). Some players will fancy that- some won't. As a club, we'll have identified a portfolio of options- we'll be talking to 2 or 3 others. If KB really values certainty of playing, maybe he'll stay at Leeds in the Champ. If he likes the prestige of being at a Prem club, backs his talent to break into the first team and enjoys Sean's omelettes, then he'll consider signing. If not, we just pursue our other targets.

In all scenarios- I don't think it's that far fetched that if we really want him, we'll sign him.

[Vegas Claret]

Having watched Leeds on sky quite a few times I'd rather have his defensive partner Pottus Jansen

Pontus has been booked 14 times this season, Southampton are after him too apparently so we can forget it

[FactualFrank]

It was never a case of being to far-fetched, but I think from what you've said, you've nailed it...

If he likes the prestige of being at a Prem club, backs his talent to break into the first team and enjoys Sean's omelettes, then he'll consider signing.

[minnieclaret]

Calm down guys. We're playing 3 at the back next season.

[Goobs]

Pontus has been booked 14 times this season, Southampton are after him too apparently so we can forget it

Not if he wanted to stay living where he is now?