Reconstruction time again: the summer 2018 transfer thread

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

It's also possible people are guessing at Marney.

[palindromeofbolton]

Nixon "reveals" that it's Stephen Ireland we're interested in.
https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/ ... midfielder

[TANGODANCER]

Nixon "reveals" that it's Stephen Ireland we're interested in.
https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/ ... midfielder

I hope we don't go with that one. Never liked the bloke without knowing him, Can't say why, though he sure could play football at one time. Not the best press of him

[Harry Genshaw]

A bloke who's career just gets worse each season. I suppose it's the market we're shopping in. Hopefully all his relatives are well

[Bruce Rioja]

Nixon "reveals" that it's Stephen Ireland we're interested in.
https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/ ... midfielder

I hope we don't go with that one. Never liked the bloke without knowing him, Can't say why, though he sure could play football at one time. Not the best press of him

He can bugger chickens in his back bedroom for all I care. If he can improve us then I'll have him.

[mullayo]

A bloke who's career just gets worse each season. I suppose it's the market we're shopping in. Hopefully all his relatives are well

What happened to him?
He was always a bit of a nice person BUT I've seen him in early Citeh days be an unstoppable force at times at Prem League level. Hell of a passing playmaker if you give him free reign. The ultimate luxury player in front of an air tight defence.

Was always a Johnny Big Bollocks, prolly got lazy with the training...? Get him fit and see?
Alf would love playing off this guy.
Though IIRC wages were an issue signing his like when we were in the Premier League. let alone now...

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Chungy was on 25K a week at Palace. I'd forget about him unless nobody has bitten come end of August. I'm hearing we can go to about 12K a week max for one striker. Rest have to be sub 10K.

It came out during the last TW that Madine was on £6kpw. I would imagine that is our standard given Madine was considered pretty much a standard first team player when he signed his contract with us last summer?

In general it seems the free transfer market is pretty difficult this year. There doesn't seem as many quality players available this summer. It is going to be a massive challenge to make the improvement we need to make. The likes of Sonny Bradley who we have been linked with are starting to look like important signings for us to make.

Losing Ameobi will be a big blow for me. His goals/assists would be way better if he was playing with better forward players. He has issues that may prevent him reaching the top, but last year was his first full season playing regularly. He will improve a lot. If/when he does go, I wonder if Parky will play Oztumer (assuming our apparent confidence in getting him isn't misplaced) out wide in Ameobi's position? It would solve the problem of remaining solid in midfield. Although it begs the question: Shouldn't we have enough quality/energy in the two deeper midfielders to allow us to play what is likely to be our main attacking threat in his most productive position? Perhaps we can take a horses for courses approach based on the opposition?

However difficult things appear, personally I understand it is the nature of our financial predicament. Ken has a hugely difficult job. We have to make the best of it and enjoy the challenge. COYW.

[irie Cee Bee]

My first post on here for about 7 years.

Personally I'd be very disappointed if we lost Ameobi as I think he'd likely improve for playing in a more technically minded team. I'd also see it as a worrying sign if we're not able to offer reasonable wages to a player like him, as it would seem a strong indication that we are not going to be in a competitive position this season.

Me too. Right wing is now a position that has gone backwards. Ameobi was a gamebreaker that could dribble and crack defences. Morais mainly on the field for his deadball skills was expendable, especially if Oztumer comes in.
What is happening with the Turk? Wages holdup? Will it happen?

At the moment we've arguably only upgraded defensive mid.

Seems like he is on holidays but has committed to us from all appearances. Will probably sign when he returns if no one hijacks him an the way back.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Ireland has made some mistakes and played the flash harry so it's about the attitude. We'd have to trust Parky to judge that correctly. And of course he'd be an man of very reduced means, so some humility might help.

Curious to see how he and Oztumer would fit in the same team. Ireland's not exactly a lazy No.10 so it's possible Parky has considered a triangle of Lowe (tackler) and Ireland (passer) behind Oztumer (dribbler). Would need the wide men to dig back and work hard, but all of ours do, not least Ameobi.

[mullayo]

I wonder if Parky will play Oztumer out wide in Ameobi's position? It would solve the problem of remaining solid in midfield.

Although it begs the question: Shouldn't we have enough quality/energy in the two deeper midfielders to allow us to play what is likely to be our main attacking threat in his most productive position? Perhaps we can take a horses for courses approach based on the opposition?

Ozmidget is very left footed. Do you play lefties on the right? Is that a thing now?

Like DSB I like the triangle for Ireland. Lowe and Vela with Ireland at the point behind ALF up front maybe. Oz on one of the wings.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Ozmidget is very left footed. Do you play lefties on the right? Is that a thing now?

Been a thing for a while. Phil Neal played inverted wingers toward the end of the 1989/90 season, switching (IIRC) Stuart Storer and Scott Green mid-match.

Got popular about a decade ago – it's what Adam Johnson used to be famous for – as one way to halt the rise of the overlapping full-back.

[mullayo]

Ozmidget is very left footed. Do you play lefties on the right? Is that a thing now?

Been a thing for a while. Phil Neal played inverted wingers toward the end of the 1989/90 season, switching (IIRC) Stuart Storer and Scott Green mid-match.

Got popular about a decade ago – it's what Adam Johnson used to be famous for – as one way to halt the rise of the overlapping full-back.

Yeah I never really understood it. Some players like to cut in or have a move better on the opposite side but surely it hampers their crossing?
As for the Wizard of Oz, in his highlights I've seen him sometimes shoot from the right but only cross from the left. Mostly shooting from central edge of the box positions.

I didn't see any defense in his highlights and given his stature I suspect he's crap at it. So if we try and play this FOOTBALL with Ireland,Oz, Alf Morais (or more preferably Ameobi) we are basically leaving the D to the back four and designated hacker Lowe.

Are they anywhere near good enough?

Are we getting ahead of ourselves going from bottom of the barrel to Barcelona with 3 FREE signings?

[mullayo]

Ozmidget is very left footed. Do you play lefties on the right? Is that a thing now?

Been a thing for a while. Phil Neal played inverted wingers toward the end of the 1989/90 season, switching (IIRC) Stuart Storer and Scott Green mid-match.

Got popular about a decade ago – it's what Adam Johnson used to be famous for – as one way to halt the rise of the overlapping full-back.

Yeah I never really understood it. Some players like to cut in or have a move better on the opposite side but surely it hampers their crossing?
As for the Wizard of Oz, in his highlights I've seen him sometimes shoot from the right but only cross from the left. Mostly shooting from central edge of the box positions. I didn't see any defense in his highlights and given his stature I suspect he's crap at it.

1) So if we try and play this FOOTBALL with Ireland,Oz, Alf Morais (or more preferably Ameobi) we are basically leaving the D to the back four and designated hacker Lowe.

2) Are they anywhere near good enough?

3) Are we getting ahead of ourselves going from bottom of the barrel to Barcelona with 3 FREE signings?

[palindromeofbolton]

Good news from Iles this morning - Ozzy could be announced today.

WANDERERS could wrap up the signing of Erhun Oztumer today after winning the race for the playmaker’s signature.

The 27-year-old midfielder is poised to become Phil Parkinson’s second signing of the summer after turning down an extended deal with League One Walsall.

Oztumer has attracted plenty of attention – with Preston North End, Blackburn, Sunderland and Bradford all linked with him over the past few weeks. But it is understood Wanderers have seen off the competition, with a formal announcement on his signing expected shortly.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... r_signing/

Iles also reinforces that any move for Ireland is at the early stages: "looking to speak" with him "about a potential trial".

[mullayo]

TS Graham likely a no-go but another Championship team striker on LOAN?

Bristol GK Fielding unlikely too.

27 year old OZmidget highly likely.

25 year old Jon Flanagan a maybe wants to get his future sorted early doors

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wa ... __for_now/

[JJ4bwfc92]

Stokey lad at work said Ireland's last stoke contract was only £5K a week for last 2 years due to historic injury problems but was full of praise otherwise, assuming similar wage expectations wouldnt be worst signing if able to keep fit

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Ozmidget is very left footed. Do you play lefties on the right? Is that a thing now?

Been a thing for a while. Phil Neal played inverted wingers toward the end of the 1989/90 season, switching (IIRC) Stuart Storer and Scott Green mid-match.

Got popular about a decade ago – it's what Adam Johnson used to be famous for – as one way to halt the rise of the overlapping full-back.

Yeah I never really understood it. Some players like to cut in or have a move better on the opposite side but surely it hampers their crossing?
As for the Wizard of Oz, in his highlights I've seen him sometimes shoot from the right but only cross from the left. Mostly shooting from central edge of the box positions. I didn't see any defense in his highlights and given his stature I suspect he's crap at it.

1) So if we try and play this FOOTBALL with Ireland,Oz, Alf Morais (or more preferably Ameobi) we are basically leaving the D to the back four and designated hacker Lowe.

2) Are they anywhere near good enough?

3) Are we getting ahead of ourselves going from bottom of the barrel to Barcelona with 3 FREE signings?

Assuming those four do play in the attacking positions then it would be:

--------------------Alnwick--------------------
Little-----Wheater-----Beevers-----Taylor
-------------Lowe-----------Vela--------------
--Oztumer--------Ireland----------Morais--
----------------------ALF-----------------------

In terms of quality it doesn't look that bad. Vela has tons of energy and his main asset is pressing and harrying so the defence would have some protection. I do agree there would be a much reduced defensive cover from the attacking three, when compared with Ameobi and Vela being in the attacking three. Ironically we would have gone from a team of 6 footers to quite a short team. My big worry with that kind of team would be defending set pieces. For all their height Wheavers are pretty static and it was shown after Madine left that we have problems at set pieces with just Wheavers as our main headers. Obviously it is early days, and we will sign more players....

[mullayo]

1) So if we try and play this FOOTBALL with Ireland,Oz, Alf Morais (or more preferably Ameobi) we are basically leaving the D to the back four and designated hacker Lowe.

2) Are they anywhere near good enough?

3) Are we getting ahead of ourselves going from bottom of the barrel to Barcelona with 3 FREE signings?

Assuming those four do play in the attacking positions then it would be:

--------------------Alnwick--------------------
Little-----Wheater-----Beevers-----Taylor
-------------Lowe-----------Vela--------------
--Oztumer--------Ireland----------Morais--
----------------------ALF-----------------------

In terms of quality it doesn't look that bad. Vela has tons of energy and his main asset is pressing and harrying to the defence would have some protection.

I do agree there would be a much reduced defensive cover from the attacking three, when compared with Ameobi and Vela being in the attacking three. Ironically we would have gone from a team of 6 footers to quite a short team.

My big worry with that kind of team would be defending set pieces. For all their height Wheavers are pretty static and it was shown after Madine left that we have problems at set pieces with just Wheavers as our main headers. Obviously it is early days, and we will sign more players....
[/quote]

Set pieces and front half of the field defensively frail. Little is 6ft1 but Taylor and Vela are only 5ft 11in and 5ft10in respectively. So two tall lummoxes and Lowe and Little as six footers. Even Ameobi would help.

I assume you've inverted the wingers to crowd the pitch employ a stumbling-block traffic-cone defence.
That can be our lineup until we get a goal then we bring on the lumbering TS to shore up our D.

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Set pieces and front half of the field defensively frail. Little is 6ft1 but Taylor and Vela are only 5ft 11in and 5ft10in respectively. So two tall lummoxes and Lowe and Little as six footers. Even Ameobi would help.

I assume you've inverted the wingers to crowd the pitch employ a stumbling-block traffic-cone defence.
That can be our lineup until we get a goal then we bring on the lumbering TS to shore up our D.

If we could do the following:

- Sign two better central defenders, who have some pace meaning we could push a bit further up the pitch.
- Get Antonee back
- Sign a physical striker, preferably two.
- Add cover in midfield and cover for Alnwick

Then I could see us in mid table. There would be a lot more pace and energy and potentially decent amounts of quality. It would be lovely to have Ameobi in there. Assuming what BWFCI said is correct, I might be tempted to offer Ameobi the £12k pw and get a cheaper striker. I can't think of many decent strikers who would come here on a free for £12kpw. We could go for a Clayton Donaldson type who would likely fit in our 6kpw level, and maybe another loan striker.

[The_Gun]

We badly need some pace by my reckoning. The only successful teams that get away with not having fast players are the likes of Spain who are full of technicians.