Thursday deadline.

[Angry_Pirate]

Looks like both of Abel Hernandez and Nelson Olivera are available for "nothing" this summer, both strikers. Top end championship strikers brought into premiership teams on big money in the past. 

Wonder if they made any of Tony's lists...

That's the direction I went on FM after promotion anyway. ?

Quality wingers (in a 4-2-3-1) is still #1 priority IMO.

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, Angry_Pirate said:

Looks like both of Abel Hernandez and Nelson Olivera are available for "nothing" this summer, both strikers. Top end championship strikers brought into premiership teams on big money in the past. 

Wonder if they made any of Tony's lists...

That's the direction I went on FM after promotion anyway. ?

Quality wingers (in a 4-2-3-1) is still #1 priority IMO.

Both decent shouts. Good records in the championship. I think hernandez has a few injury problems though. On a free I would be happy with either though 

[JacknOry]

Abel Hernandez being linked with Leeds but would definitely be a good option for us. Wages might be a bit high though.

"Newcastle United, Wolves, Aston Villa and Celtic are also rumoured to be interested for the striker, as well as a host of Italian clubs such as Inter Milan and Torino."

With that lot apparently interested in him too, do not think we would have a chance.

Think Olivera is out of favour at Norwich with concerns about his attitude and workrate in training. Not really been banging them in at Norwich either - think id give him a miss.

Edited May 17, 2018 by JacknOry

[islander200]

23 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Both decent shouts. Good records in the championship. I think hernandez has a few injury problems though. On a free I would be happy with either though 

Hernandez 

 

29 minutes ago, Angry_Pirate said:

Looks like both of Abel Hernandez and Nelson Olivera are available for "nothing" this summer, both strikers. Top end championship strikers brought into premiership teams on big money in the past. 

Wonder if they made any of Tony's lists...

That's the direction I went on FM after promotion anyway. ?

Quality wingers (in a 4-2-3-1) is still #1 priority IMO.

Hernandez will want huge wages, no chance him coming here in my opinion. 

You sure Olivera is out of contract?I'm sure I read Norwich are willing to sell him and want 8 million?

[Stuart]

Can’t decide if I’m impressed with Mowbray or disappointed. He clearly wants to be here and will seemingly work with peanuts if that’s all they give him but I’m not sure I’d have come out with these comments as it means they don’t have to spend.

Unless he is being extremely canny, Machiavellian even, and it’s all part of a “trust me” campaign so that when he goes with List A and some promises he is more likely to be believed. I personally would believe him anyway.

For me, List A has to therefore be sold on the back of “it’s going to be tough but I believe that with these recruits we can reach the play-offs”.

As opposed to List B which means “midtable security and consolidation” and List C “this is the minimum to give us a chance of staying up - no fees but need to increase the wage budget”.

If List C has anything to do with keeping the same current wage bill just with freebies and he is having to put off a budget reduction (heaven forbid) then we really are in trouble. This must be below what Mowbray would consider acceptable to continue as manager.

 

[Oldgregg86]

32 minutes ago, Angry_Pirate said:

Looks like both of Abel Hernandez and Nelson Olivera are available for "nothing" this summer, both strikers. Top end championship strikers brought into premiership teams on big money in the past. 

Wonder if they made any of Tony's lists...

That's the direction I went on FM after promotion anyway. ?

Quality wingers (in a 4-2-3-1) is still #1 priority IMO.

Olivera is real quality. I would love to believe we could be in the market for a player of that Ilk. As far as suggesting players go I really don't know the market we are in and how attractive a proposition we would be to players like this. I'm hoping the trip to India gives a better indicator as to what level playing field where at because at the minute cherry picking league 1 players is as realistic as I can see. Holmes yet again impressed me last night. He would be a good addition

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, Stuart said:

Can’t decide if I’m impressed with Mowbray or disappointed. He clearly wants to be here and will seemingly work with peanuts if that’s all they give him but I’m not sure I’d have come out with these comments as it means they don’t have to spend.

Unless he is being extremely canny, Machiavellian even, and it’s all part of a “trust me” campaign so that when he goes with List A and some promises he is more likely to be believed. I personally would believe him anyway.

For me, List A has to therefore be sold on the back of “it’s going to be tough but I believe that with these recruits we can reach the play-offs”.

As opposed to List B which means “midtable security and consolidation” and List C “this is the minimum to give us a chance of staying up - no fees but need to increase the wage budget”.

If List C has anything to do with keeping the same current wage bill just with freebies and he is having to put off a budget reduction (heaven forbid) then we really are in trouble. This must be below what Mowbray would consider acceptable to continue as manager.

 

Valid points. My inkling though is that Mowbray is expecting to be backed. His comments leave things open, which will not have other clubs seeing us as a club they can squeeze more money out of.  Whatever the budget, it's in the clubs interest that as few people as possible actually know what it is. 

[DE.]

Looks like Burton have offered Hopeless a new contract, so fingers crossed he accepts that and we avoid any rumours of a possible return. Just need Birmingham to retain J-Lowe now.

[Stuart]

Just now, DE. said:

Just need Birmingham to retain J-Lowe now.

Unless they pay him off I just can’t see him going anywhere. Nobody wanted him on a free from us, we’d be daft to want him back.

He doesn’t really fit the mould of the kind of team I see Mowbray wanting to build. Unless as a first replacement for Evans but I’d sooner have Evans.

[Bigdoggsteel]

4 minutes ago, DE. said:

Looks like Burton have offered Hopeless a new contract, so fingers crossed he accepts that and we avoid any rumours of a possible return. Just need Birmingham to retain J-Lowe now.

So he has another year on his contract at Birmingham, is that confirmed? Please tell me that is official. 

[DE.]

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

So he has another year on his contract at Birmingham, is that confirmed? Please tell me that is official. 

Unfortunately he was only on a one year contract, and I don't think he's been offered new terms yet. Probably won't be either but one can hope.

[DE.]

2 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Unless they pay him off I just can’t see him going anywhere. Nobody wanted him on a free from us, we’d be daft to want him back.

He doesn’t really fit the mould of the kind of team I see Mowbray wanting to build. Unless as a first replacement for Evans but I’d sooner have Evans.

I'd sooner have Vince Grella on the middle of the pitch laying on a stretcher.

Think he's out of contract next month so will be a free agent once again. I'm sure he was only given a one year deal.

[Angry_Pirate]

39 minutes ago, islander200 said:

You sure Olivera is out of contract?I'm sure I read Norwich are willing to sell him and want 8 million?

Not sure, but he is likely to leave, be it on loan or for less than his market value, a loan would be fantastic if Norwich want him out but to raise his profile again first to get a bigger price in 12 months? (Don't know his contract obvs).

If Fulham can be loaning the likes of Mitrovic to this league, surely we can't be in the Rekeem Harper market again. 

The way i sounds to me from TM comments, is we buy quality with the promise of being a stepping stone if they out play our position, Olivera more then ticks that box. Dack might be the same in 12 months.

Example: Despite how sick I felt after we sold Bellamy for £6m to Liverpool after 1 season, we have to remember we only were able to sign him because the small release clause. Not a bad strategy in the Championship if you can do it financia - oh.

Edited May 17, 2018 by Angry_Pirate
I apologise for calling you "Shirley."

[Bigdoggsteel]

7 minutes ago, DE. said:

Unfortunately he was only on a one year contract, and I don't think he's been offered new terms yet. Probably won't be either but one can hope.

Ah Jesus, he is definitely going to be linked so. I am 99.9% sure we wont sign him, but I hate even reading about him being linked. Hopefully someone else signs him quickly 

[islander200]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

We dont need a right back. We have enough cover there unless Caddis move on. 

 

So you think Caddis is championship standard?Sorry Chaddy but no way is he good enough in my opinion.If he looked after himself and got in good condition then i think he would be but I don't see it happening.Released by Birmingham and failed to win a contract at Bury that's enough evidence to suggest he isn't the standard required.

Has Mowbray ever played Travis at right full back?I don't think he has so it looks like Mowbray see's him as a midfielder.

I can definitely see the argument for bringing in another right back but I would be starting Nyambe.Seems Mowbray feels the same if the rumours of us looking at that Mellor from Blackpool are true 

[Dryhorse]

Caddis was Birmingham captain for years in the championship he got released cos there skint and could earn better cash elsewhere which he has done

[chaddyrovers]

1 hour ago, JHRover said:

Managers are different to players when it comes to contracts. You don't need to dish out 3,4,5 year deals to keep hold of decent managers and any compensation received for a departing manager is much less than transfer fees demanded for players under contract.

Lots of managers in the Championship only operate on 12-24 month deals or rolling contracts. Mowbray has until at least this time next year, no rush to change that as yet. Lets see how things go and then re-assess the situation at Christmas.

well JHRover, I disagree, I think this is time we offer a new contract and back Mowbray after he has rebuild a club, fanbase and playing squad. 

Why re-assess the situation at Christmas? 

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

I'm not sure Caddis really comes into the equation unless he goes on some incredibly intensive pre season training. He looks badly out of condition. Putting that to the side, Mowbray didn't actually play him until promotion was secured this season, I can't see him being Mowbrays preferred back up to Nyambe next season. 

Travis and Bennett can play there, but I dont think we will get away with moving players into different positions on a week by week basis next season. Maybe Mowbrays sees Traviss future as specialising there or Bennett going forward. I would prefer the same situation as we have for left back though, two specialists in completion for the position. 

Edit* just checked there. Caddis is only 30 according to wiki,is that right?? I thought he was around 36

Yes Caddis is only 30 years old

1 hour ago, Angry_Pirate said:

Looks like both of Abel Hernandez and Nelson Olivera are available for "nothing" this summer, both strikers. Top end championship strikers brought into premiership teams on big money in the past. 

Wonder if they made any of Tony's lists...

That's the direction I went on FM after promotion anyway. ?

Quality wingers (in a 4-2-3-1) is still #1 priority IMO.

Hernandez is looking for 40k a week and that's is out of our price region imo. On Oliveria, Norwich want to sell him and for me isn't the striker we need. only scored 8 goals in 37 games last season. never been impressed by him. 

45 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Valid points. My inkling though is that Mowbray is expecting to be backed. His comments leave things open, which will not have other clubs seeing us as a club they can squeeze more money out of.  Whatever the budget, it's in the clubs interest that as few people as possible actually know what it is. 

I think Mowbray will be back with some money but not millions after millions. I would say 6 or 7 signings we need. so might be a couple of free transfers, 3 cash buy and 1 or 2 loans signings. 

[Hasta]

We don't need a right back but if we can upgrade efficiently anywhere then we should do. It's not about having bringing players in for cover, it's about improving the first XI.

We didn't need Friedel when we had Filan. We didn't need Le Saux when we had Alan Wright etc...

Whilst we've had a great season and the team have done well, practically every player with maybe the exception of Dack could be improved upon.

What I don't want to see is journeymen who have played for 5 clubs in 5 years coming in because they once had a bit of a reputation (Gladwin etc..)

Edited May 17, 2018 by Hasta

[chaddyrovers]

Just now, islander200 said:

So you think Caddis is championship standard?Sorry Chaddy but no way is he good enough in my opinion.If he looked after himself and got in good condition then i think he would be but I don't see it happening.Released by Birmingham and failed to win a contract at Bury that's enough evidence to suggest he isn't the standard required.

Has Mowbray ever played Travis at right full back?I don't think he has so it looks like Mowbray see's him as a midfielder.

I can definitely see the argument for bringing in another right back but I would be starting Nyambe.Seems Mowbray feels the same if the rumours of us looking at that Mellor from Blackpool are true 

I agree that Mowbray see Travis as a midfielder. 

Maybe Caddis will sort his fitness out this summer. maybe the sports science staff will be sorting this out I don't know

if we are going to another right back then we need to move Caddis on, unless you want 35 man squad ?

[chaddyrovers]

Rovers linked with Peterborough winger Edwards

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/peterborough-united-fend-interest-bristol-1577614

[islander200]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

I agree that Mowbray see Travis as a midfielder. 

Maybe Caddis will sort his fitness out this summer. maybe the sports science staff will be sorting this out I don't know

if we are going to another right back then we need to move Caddis on, unless you want 35 man squad ?

Oh I agree Caddis should be moved on but if not we still need better cover than him.I highly doubt he will get his fitness sorted it's due to that he was let go from Birmingham as he was captain before he let himself go 

[DE.]

Caddis wasn't even good enough to be right back backup for us in League 1 - Mowbray used Bennett instead - so why would he be anywhere near good enough in the Championship? We were stupid in giving him a two year deal (or arguably any deal), so we may have no choice but to keep him on for another year, but realistically he isn't good enough. The likes of Travis should really be going out on loan to get first team experience in the leagues below, not waiting around as back up here. 

[islander200]

4 minutes ago, Dryhorse said:

Caddis was Birmingham captain for years in the championship he got released cos there skint and could earn better cash elsewhere which he has done

So nothing to do with the fact he has let himself go and looks like a pub player now?

I highly doubt he is on better money here than he was at Birmingham and apart from that he only had a short spell at Bury who again where no way paying him as much as he was on at Birmingham

You don't have to defend everything Scottish you know 

Edited May 17, 2018 by islander200

[Dryhorse]

The Scottish that is in your mind not mines I couldnt care less were he came from fact is he is a leader who can easilly play that level go count the number of seasons he has had there he even got capped not to long ago 

[JHRover]

3 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

well JHRover, I disagree, I think this is time we offer a new contract and back Mowbray after he has rebuild a club, fanbase and playing squad. 

Why re-assess the situation at Christmas? 

 

If the summer goes well and we then reach Xmas in a healthy position then with 6 months remaining on his initial deal it would make sense to think about extending and improving his contract.

If the summer doesn't go well or we make a horrific start to the season and we reach Xmas in the bottom 3 then we don't give him a new deal, at least not until safety is secured.

You don't give him a bumper new deal now when there's so many plates still spinning. He doesn't know what backing (if any) he'll get this summer or remotely what sort of squad we'll be going into next season with. I presume he'll have had a bonus for promotion so he'll have been rewarded for that success.