Gray to Watford story

billyhamilton82 · Post by **billyhamilton82** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:20 am

"Not unhappy to see him go ....suspect he's a thoroughly bad egg"

I know he even started a riot on Saturday.

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:22 am

I said a few days ago that for £10 mil I'd rather keep him and let his contract run down (who would have thought we could ever say that?!).
For £15mil, I'd still have my doubts but for £20mil I'd seriously consider it. £18.5mil is a good fee for a player with only 1 year left on his contract. I like Gray in that he has pace and if given service will do well. However, if he wants to go then so be it. As soon as we signed him I had a feeling he'd be looking to move on at the first possible opportunity. He's not a player with any semblance of loyalty, in my opinion. I would strongly expect that we have a replacement lined up if we are ready to let him go. Plus, I'd want 2 strikers coming in. I already thought we needed 1 before this talk of Gray going to Watford.

Guich · Post by **Guich** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:23 am

This looks fine to me.

As fans we're much more split on Andre, than Defour for instance. And while they're different players I'd be more fearful if our defence was facing Jon Walters than Andre Gray.

It's all about opinions. But we could still bring in better before the month end. And Agyei could well be our next gem.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:25 am

So, £11.5m rising to £18m.

What if that extra £6.5m is based on Watford staying up. What if Watford stay up at our expense?

Is that good value?

What if they go down, and we go down, and we've only got £11.5m for him and have lost his goals and pace from the side?

Is that good value?

vinrogue · Post by **vinrogue** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:26 am

Taylor, Hendrick, Defour, Brady, Cork, Westwood, Walters, Bardsley and a keeper I can't pronounce or spell. They are all signings since roughly this time last year. Glass is still half full for me and about 3 weeks left to get some more signings into the club with the only likely loss of Andre.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:30 am

Unless you are Mohammed 69 (who will have been jerking himself stupid all morning on this news) then there is no way of putting a positive slant on this.

It`s 3 days to go before the start of the season ffs.

That said not sure what else we can do when a player refuses to sign a new contract and then the agents get busy like we know Gray`s agent has been all summer.

Timing is far from being ideal but we have 3 weeks to find a quality replacement and bring in 2 or 3 more players in addition that.

I am not sure Watford was his preferred destination either - it ticks the London box and also the double his wage box but not much else. I can only assume there were not many clubs that interested in him.

Hope we can move fast and had a plan B.

IndigoLake · Post by **IndigoLake** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:31 am

#BringBackJuke

kentonclaret · Post by **kentonclaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:32 am

Talk about "bigging up" Gray that is nothing compared to the "talking up" of Agyei by some on this board.

I fully expect a hat trick from the young lad on Saturday.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:34 am

joey13 wrote:Try reading the thread or at least my reply to the statement made .

I've read the thread, it's Burnley only fans on a message board debating matters based on opinion.

I really don't think it is the intention to elevate Daniel to first choice striker same as I don't even think Andre is first choice striker to be honest.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:34 am

There's Elton John's everywhere.

Guich · Post by **Guich** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:35 am

I bet Andre wouldn't have started on Saturday anyway.

You don't need a positive slant, just the ability to avoid panic.

Falcon · Post by **Falcon** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:35 am

For 18m I'll drive him there myself.

I like Gray but that's some seriously good money.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:38 am

Unless we act quickly ( we don't usually) they are strengthened from game 1 and we are weakened from game 1. We need to try and get points from the start and not September. Gray was always going to go though either now or September. A guy sat near me is going to have to find someone else to moan at all game now. We didn't really play to Gray's strengths but he is not irreplaceable.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:39 am

It's not about whether it's good money, Agyei will come good, Gray isn't first choice or that there's 3 weeks of the transfer window left.

This is how it should go for a club in our position........ Burnley FC sign so and so forward, then...... Watford are close to signing Andre Gray.

I don't believe that Gray has become the devil or the disease in the squad all of a sudden.

BertiesBeehole · Post by **BertiesBeehole** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:40 am

If he had no intention of signing a new contract and we get someone in befroe the window closes then this is great business for £18m

JPS71 · Post by **JPS71** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:40 am

I got the impression he didn't want to be here before the end of last season don'ty know why just a feeling.
Leave it up to SD & the board to make the correct decisions for the club.
I wouldn't be at all suprised if we already had a replacement lined up.

clive40golf · Post by **clive40golf** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:40 am

I've never posted on this site before, so Hello,
Has anyone thought of the possibility that we're having to sell Grey to help finance a better player (with a more substantial wage) coming here.

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:42 am

What have people seen of Agyei that makes them think he will be anything other than a squad member. I've seen him as a sub a few times and he looked raw and uncomposed. Where is this sudden transformation into PL performer coming from?

Braindead · Post by **Braindead** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:43 am

clive40golf wrote:I've never posted on this site before, so Hello,
Has anyone thought of the possibility that we're having to sell Grey to help finance a better player (with a more substantial wage) coming here.

Hi Clive, I would have hoped, with the money that we have banked, that this scenario is not an issue. Bearing in mind Gray is still on the deal he signed when he joined us in the Championship, I would imagine his wages were nowhere near the top earners at the club.

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:45 am

Austin, Shackell and now Gray. I see a pattern.

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:46 am

Quicknick wrote:Austin, Shackell and now Gray. I see a pattern.

What pattern would that be?

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:47 am

Falcon wrote:For 18m I'll drive him there myself.

I like Gray but that's some seriously good money.

You do realise you will have to use your own car?

I'm not sure if they will offer you the £18m either, more like minimum wage x number of hours + a lunch voucher

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:47 am

Braindead, I'm 100% sure that Andre got a wage boost from promotion, and one for staying up last year.

We should still have a fair bit to play with though, certainly enough to sanction replacements for Keane and Gray.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:47 am

clive40golf wrote:I've never posted on this site before, so Hello,
Has anyone thought of the possibility that we're having to sell Grey to help finance a better player (with a more substantial wage) coming here.

Has anyone thought if he was available Watford would have just gone for him?

claptrappers_union · Post by **claptrappers_union** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:50 am

Ive not read the whole thread and the I'be just read the story on BBC Sport - but I think this transfer will open the door to more incoming signings now.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:51 am

clive40golf wrote:I've never posted on this site before, so Hello,
Has anyone thought of the possibility that we're having to sell Grey to help finance a better player (with a more substantial wage) coming here.

What a good opening post! I hope you are right.

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:51 am

claptrappers_union wrote:Ive not read the whole thread and the I'be just read the story on BBC Sport - but I think this transfer will open the door to more incoming signings now.

Do you really believe that mate, are you saying it more in hope than expectation?

Cooperclaret · Post by **Cooperclaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:52 am

Yet again fantastic bit of business from the club.

For a guy who can't head a ball - how many headers has he scored ? One is it at MK Dons ??? No first touch and frustrates the life out of the gaffer - to get 18 m tops the Wayne Thomas deal 20 fold !

He must be a real frustration to our wingers and with players like Cork and a much more happier Defour feeding our STRIKER - who I did not want to be Gray against Chelsea then our team looks better with either Vokes, Barnes or Walters.

3 weeks to go also chaps so leave the best manager we have ever had to do his job !

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:59 am

It's okay to keep slating him for his poor first touch, lack of heading ability et al BUT when played to his strength he is pretty lethal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htmUVKWZRkU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rileybobs · Post by **Rileybobs** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 11:59 am

£18m for a bottom end Premier League player with one year left on his contract is a good deal. It's a shame to see Gray go as he's our most exciting striker, but he's proved himself as no more potent than Vokes at this level, although granted he does have more room for development.

As always with these things it comes down to who we replace him with. Comments suggesting that the club's intention will be to replace him with Agyei are ridiculous. We have a huge 2-3 weeks coming up now as in my book we need a centre back with Premier League experience and a striker with pace who is likely to score 10+ goals. They good news is we have a huge war chest to play with.

It's pretty common for clubs towards the bottom end of the ladder to sell players before replacing them - that's just the nature of the game. Beating the club with a stick over this before waiting to see the end result of the transfer window is as stupid as it is predictable.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:03 pm

Down_Rover wrote:Sunderland?
Boro?
Leeds?
Portsmouth?
Wolves?
Wovers?
Notlob?
even Newcastle

Are you serious? This list contains clubs that survived for years in the premier league maybe 40 seasons worth between them.

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:04 pm

BertiesBeehole wrote:If he had no intention of signing a new contract and we get someone in befroe the window closes then this is great business for £18m

Weakening ourselves and strengthening a relegation rival 3 days before the season starts. Yep. Great business.

Maybe we can sell Tom Heaton to Brighton for £25 million on Friday, you know, as another great piece of business.

BabylonClaret · Post by **BabylonClaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:05 pm

Well this blew up quickly.! At first glance it looks really poor to let him go for a base 11.5m (with add ons which arguably you would like them not to cash in seeing as finishing sbove them should be a priority)

However. Lets just rhink a bit here. I fully expected Andre ti kick on this season but his overall contribution has been a bit disapppinting especially since January. When you consider tbe gaffers comments (often saying 'hes still learning') and rhose stats posted higher in the thread showing Andre only scored in 5 games and in those games his goals only actually secured 4 points (he score the second against pool and palace where we would have won anyway without those (which i have to admit surprised me a bit - although those 2nd goals help cement points so arent worthless) then maybe we are thinking he wont be thay much of an addition to a rival after all.

If he wants to go (and he clearly does) then lets bin him off and focus on getting in someone better.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:05 pm

It's simple 11.5m crap deal. 18m good deal.

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:05 pm

Some people would compliment Dyche's rhythm and stamina if they caught him in bed with their wives.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:05 pm

Fact is we probably need a record signing to replace the amount of goals Gray could have brought this season. The fact Agyei is even being mention on here in that respect is laughable

Braindead · Post by **Braindead** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:05 pm

280 odd posts and nobody yet has mentioned dry powder??

Rectified.

Jamesy · Post by **Jamesy** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:06 pm

Cooperclaret wrote:Yet again fantastic bit of business from the club.

For a guy who can't head a ball - how many headers has he scored ? One is it at MK Dons ??? No first touch and frustrates the life out of the gaffer - to get 18 m tops the Wayne Thomas deal 20 fold !

He must be a real frustration to our wingers and with players like Cork and a much more happier Defour feeding our STRIKER - who I did not want to be Gray against Chelsea then our team looks better with either Vokes, Barnes or Walters.

3 weeks to go also chaps so leave the best manager we have ever had to do his job !

Wingers???

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:07 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:Some people would compliment Dyche's rhythm and stamina if they caught him in bed with their wives.

I'm a Dyche defender but that was funny

claptrappers_union · Post by **claptrappers_union** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:11 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:Do you really believe that mate, are you saying it more in hope than expectation?

I think so. I don't think we'd be looking to sell Gray if we didn't have a replacement lined up already. Burnley don't NEED to sell him. We will have to spend £20m on a replacement anyway (thats the cost the cost of a half-decent Premier League quality striker). I suspect there is a contact ready to be signed and the Gary transfer can make it happen.

IAmAClaret · Post by **IAmAClaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:15 pm

Hopefully like yesterday, with Legzdins arriving and Mitchell confirming the move to Chester. Lets hope as soon as the Gray deal is confirmed, an 'incoming' is announced too!

Murger · Post by **Murger** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:16 pm

claptrappers_union wrote:I think so. I don't think we'd be looking to sell Gray if we didn't have a replacement lined up already. Burnley don't NEED to sell him. We will have to spend £20m on a replacement anyway (thats the cost the cost of a half-decent Premier League quality striker). I suspect there is a contact ready to be signed and the Gary transfer can make it happen.

They didn't have a replacement for Keane lined up.

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:16 pm

I'm disappointed that Gray is so keen to make such a sideways move. I could understand West Ham or Brom, a perennial mid table side. But Watford who finished beneath us and always seem to have an air of chaos as they change managers annually.
Makes me think it could be for the money which is sad.

BabylonClaret · Post by **BabylonClaret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:16 pm

claptrappers_union wrote:I think so. I don't think we'd be looking to sell Gray if we didn't have a replacement lined up already. Burnley don't NEED to sell him. We will have to spend £20m on a replacement anyway (thats the cost the cost of a half-decent Premier League quality striker). I suspect there is a contact ready to be signed and the Gary transfer can make it happen.

Hmm. I hope thats true bur there has been so little speculation i would be surprised if this is the case. I think we will be playing catch up here but on thr plus side i think he will be hot and cold for Watford as he was for us last season.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:17 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:How about if someone defends the club at all costs to create and maintain a feeling of superiority over a fellow message board user?

It's not difficult feeling superior when chatting to you most of the time.

claretblue · Post by **claretblue** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:17 pm

'...The move comes after it was revealed that Burnley manager Sean Dyche blocked Gray's girlfriend from sitting in the directors' box despite being invited on more than one occasion, because she was too famous...'

brief article at link below:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... nsfer.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:18 pm

Use the gray money to finance a season long loan for Wilfred bony. Simples.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:18 pm

I think it's easy to spot the people who'd be complaining if Gray left for nothing next summer.

They're pretty much the same people having a strop about him being sold this summer.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:19 pm

Rileybobs wrote:Better than Ings and Austin?

Yes he most certainly is. Austin and Ings have done next to nothing since they left, both are crocks

I will give Gray 2 years maximum at Watford before he makes the step up to play for a top 6 club.

MarkGreen · Post by **MarkGreen** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:22 pm

Top Claret wrote:Yes he most certainly is. Austin and Ings have done next to nothing since they left, both are crocks

I will give Gray 2 years maximum at Watford before he makes the step up to play for a top 6 club.

Both suffered injury's that ruled them out for some time, and both had a harder battle becoming first choice in top teams!

Id be happy withe either of them back here over Gray!