Reconstruction time again: the summer 2018 transfer thread

[mullayo]

I say we look for these.
We can fix keeper and left back in the loan market.
Several teams are feeling the FPP squeeze (Owls and Birmingham) and Forest have - for Insane and Prufrock - overstocked their roster, and desperately need a salary dump.
So for me, today is about exploiting that pressure, exploring mutiple options and picking up bargains. A chance to get a couple of younger players on permanent deals to form a nucleus for next year. Another Luke Murphy or two.

The other thing to keep an eye on is the transfer chain issue. For example, Villa just signed a new midfielder who plays exactly the role that Gardner does. So that could trigger Gardner moving today. There are a number of similar deals poised to go over the top today.

Good point. This is what you wanted Ghost a chance to build for the future and moving up the ladder. Snaffle some talent that would have been snapped up at the start of the transfer window. Get them on two or three year deals.

Villa got McGinn so get in there Ken and get us a Gardner.
Then next year our midfield will have Lowe, Murphy Vela and Gardner already there. We can chase young players instead of gap fillers.

[GhostoftheBok]

Well, it's a little more complicated than that. Given the situation the club is in, you have to hope that your players do well enough to attract sizeable cash offers. One issue we have at the moment is that we lack players with obvious resale value. Gardner is unlikely to solve that problem, but maybe someone like Sissako would offer that potential.

I'd love to see us sign a player like Sissako AND someone like Gardner. You've then got proper depth and different options right through the midfield positions. Hard to see it happening though, from a financial point of view. We could easily end up with nobody at all today and then pick up some free agents and loans.

[GhostoftheBok]

There are a lot of goalkeepers who are available, but it depends how desperate clubs are to do deals. We let Amos go very cheap, because we were desperate. Shoe may be on the other foot this term. Jed Steer would be a shrewd signing, for example.

*edit* Should add, I'm aware Steer started the last game; but there seems to be doubt about him now. Villa just signed an international keeper for good money and Steer had been guaranteed the starting role previously. The rumours around Villa are now that he wants out.

Marc Iles is reporting that we maintain an active interest in Steer.

[BWFC_Insane]

The only deadline today is cash buys. It’s not a real deadline day. Loans can come after. If we can’t agree a Garner deal there is still a chance of a loan. Also Gardner is not a live target anymore according to Iles.

[GhostoftheBok]

Also Gardner is not a live target anymore according to Iles.

Yes, he said we'd tried to do a deal earlier in the window but couldn't agree terms. As ever, though, deals can become more viable as other deals get done. With McGinn moving to Villa it looks increasingly like Gardner will go somewhere today, even if it's not to us. That's why I said "a player like", rather than just saying him.

If we do no business today I'll be disappointed, but it's not the end of the world. There will be deals to be done with loans and frees, as you say.

[mullayo]

The only deadline today is cash buys. It’s not a real deadline day. Loans can come after. If we can’t agree a Garner deal there is still a chance of a loan. Also Gardner is not a live target anymore according to Iles.

My problem - don't crucify me Insane - with Garner is he's 30 so there is no resale value. I really enjoyed his highlights but his strike rate isn't high, If we're going to outlay $500K... Everyone was talking about re-sell value but at 30 he becomes a disposable asset and a sunk cost so not good business.
The same amount spent on Vellios could get a return as he's 26.
Other tidbits from Illes

--Mark Wilson (rightfully IMO) being considered as a centre back
--Vellios and Lafferty, rumour denied - I would have waited a day and used it as bargaining leverage
-- Jed Steer an option at keeper
-- Keeper should be resolved today!?
-- Left back probably today to!? Callum Elder still on the cards but Parky would prefer a permanent signing
-- Sissoko still on the cards, may need a sell-on clause. I don't see why not.
--Garner one of two bids made for strikers

[mullayo]

There are a lot of goalkeepers who are available, but it depends how desperate clubs are to do deals. We let Amos go very cheap, because we were desperate. Shoe may be on the other foot this term. Jed Steer would be a shrewd signing, for example.

*edit* Should add, I'm aware Steer started the last game; but there seems to be doubt about him now. Villa just signed an international keeper for good money and Steer had been guaranteed the starting role previously. The rumours around Villa are now that he wants out.

Marc Iles is reporting that we maintain an active interest in Steer.

Can we guarantee him first team football?
Or pay his Villa starter wages?
Who wants me to do my goal analysis? Anyone?

[GhostoftheBok]

Can we guarantee him first team football?
Or pay his Villa starter wages?

No idea. The fact we've apparently asked to be kept informed about any potential move for him indicates the answer to the second one is likely "yes", at least in some form. He's a more talented goalkeeper than Alnwick, for me, but talent isn't always end product.

[mullayo]

Can we guarantee him first team football?
Or pay his Villa starter wages?

No idea. The fact we've apparently asked to be kept informed about any potential move for him indicates the answer to the second one is likely "yes", at least in some form. He's a more talented goalkeeper than Alnwick, for me, but talent isn't always end product.

Is "end product" a roundabout way of asking for my goal analysis?
Maybe we tell him he can battle for the role and come the January window we have an asset to sell either Steer or Alnwick.
Steer is short for a keeper at under six foot

[mullayo]

Connor Hall's hattrick against Oldham behind closed doors has them sniffing around. For a loan presumably.
League 2 starter sounds like good business all around.

[mullayo]

The only deadline today is cash buys. It’s not a real deadline day. Loans can come after. If we can’t agree a Garner deal there is still a chance of a loan. Also Gardner is not a live target anymore according to Iles.

Wasn't on his blog? Was it a tweet or something?
Shame I liked the idea.
Also he's backed off Sissoko too saying people got him confused.

[Prufrock]

Connor Hall's hattrick against Oldham behind closed doors has them sniffing around. For a loan presumably.
League 2 starter sounds like good business all around.

Lol, what goes around comes around, you'd think they'd know better than that.

But seriously, totally agree. He needs a league loan move. No point going to Stalybridge or Chorley or wherever. Great white hope needs to do well.

I'm hopeful we can get a decent keeper today, less excited by the LB options (I want pace, loanee might be the best way). CM for also be promising.

I don't understand the maths up top of we get another striker. Wouldn't be surprised to see ALF go. Could be we see Donaldson or Magennis playing wide, but then we'd be overstocked out there. More than two senior pros per position (3 strikers) gets v tough to keep everyone happy.

[BWFC_Insane]

Connor Hall's hattrick against Oldham behind closed doors has them sniffing around. For a loan presumably.
League 2 starter sounds like good business all around.

Lol, what goes around comes around, you'd think they'd know better than that.

But seriously, totally agree. He needs a league loan move. No point going to Stalybridge or Chorley or wherever. Great white hope needs to do well.

I'm hopeful we can get a decent keeper today, less excited by the LB options (I want pace, loanee might be the best way). CM for also be promising.

I don't understand the maths up top of we get another striker. Wouldn't be surprised to see ALF go. Could be we see Donaldson or Magennis playing wide, but then we'd be overstocked out there. More than two senior pros per position (3 strikers) gets v tough to keep everyone happy.

Given we're most definitely not setting up as a 3-5-2 this year, isn't a LB who can defend most paramount?

The way we played at West Brom, I'd not have wanted Robinson in there, as it could have upset a very solid and determined team having a LB who is prone to a mistake.

Ideally I'd like an Olkowski on the left side. He's not quick but is damn good.

Taylor however, played very well and personally feel whoever we sign will have a battle to get in ahead of him.

[mullayo]

Connor Hall's hattrick against Oldham behind closed doors has them sniffing around. For a loan presumably.
League 2 starter sounds like good business all around.

Lol, what goes around comes around, you'd think they'd know better than that.

But seriously, totally agree. He needs a league loan move. No point going to Stalybridge or Chorley or wherever. Great white hope needs to do well.

I'm hopeful we can get a decent keeper today, less excited by the LB options (I want pace, loanee might be the best way). CM for also be promising.

I don't understand the maths up top of we get another striker. Wouldn't be surprised to see ALF go. Could be we see Donaldson or Magennis playing wide, but then we'd be overstocked out there. More than two senior pros per position (3 strikers) gets v tough to keep everyone happy.

Agree about the left back options and wanting a pacy loanee - I've been watching a lot of Championship highlights and the pace some teams play the game is above what I saw against WBA when we baffled them.

As for striker, I think Donaldson can play on the left in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Has quite a few games as a left wing. ALF/Ozzy in the middle of the 3 in the 4-2-3-1 as a shadow striker? I think we'll know more after the Bristol match.

[GhostoftheBok]

Taylor is a dependable sort. He struggles against genuine pace, but then that's common. I don't think he's good enough for us to push on with him playing most games, but I'd never slate him.

Grounds is a similar type, but a better player. Unexciting, but a reliable defender who rarely wavers from a seven out of ten sort of performance. Birmingham fans seem pretty mixed on him. Some view him as their most reliable player and some think he's a donkey. Monk clearly doesn't rate him for his style of football. I think he's proved over the last few years that he's a good player.

[BWFC_Insane]

Taylor is a dependable sort. He struggles against genuine pace, but then that's common. I don't think he's good enough for us to push on with him playing most games, but I'd never slate him.

Grounds is a similar type, but a better player. Unexciting, but a reliable defender who rarely wavers from a seven out of ten sort of performance. Birmingham fans seem pretty mixed on him. Some view him as their most reliable player and some think he's a donkey. Monk clearly doesn't rate him for his style of football. I think he's proved over the last few years that he's a good player.

Taylor had injury problems last year. The year before he was a serious POTY candidate.

People vastly underestimate him.

[mullayo]

Given we're most definitely not setting up as a 3-5-2 this year, isn't a LB who can defend most paramount?

The way we played at West Brom, I'd not have wanted Robinson in there, as it could have upset a very solid and determined team having a LB who is prone to a mistake.

Ideally I'd like an Olkowski on the left side. He's not quick but is damn good.

Taylor however, played very well and personally feel whoever we sign will have a battle to get in ahead of him.

I think horses for courses. Taylor away and attacker at home. How did Little look on the left? Or we could try Olki. How hard is it to retrain?
Seems Little will waste away on the bench unless we can shift someone. Right winger when SAmeobi gets hurt next?

[BWFC_Insane]

Given we're most definitely not setting up as a 3-5-2 this year, isn't a LB who can defend most paramount?

The way we played at West Brom, I'd not have wanted Robinson in there, as it could have upset a very solid and determined team having a LB who is prone to a mistake.

Ideally I'd like an Olkowski on the left side. He's not quick but is damn good.

Taylor however, played very well and personally feel whoever we sign will have a battle to get in ahead of him.

I think horses for courses. Taylor away and attacker at home. How did Little look on the left? Or we could try Olki. How hard is it to retrain?
Seems Little will waste away on the bench unless we can shift someone. Right winger when SAmeobi gets hurt next?

Lets see how we set up at home first. I've no issue with Taylor at LB if we have wingers who get and often stay high up the pitch. Taylor becomes a problem if his winger is on top of him and therefore he has the responsibility to get forward. He needs someone in front of him. Hopefully that will be the case.

[GhostoftheBok]

Taylor had injury problems last year. The year before he was a serious POTY candidate.

People vastly underestimate him.

That's fine and I tend to agree with you, but it remains true that he's always struggled against pace. He's now 32, in a position that doesn't usually favour veterans unless they are exceptional athletes - Taylor isn't one.

I've no issue with him being an important squad player for us, but I'd rather than a better player in there and (as some others have said) I'd ideally like someone younger with a bit of pace to them. Easier to say that than find a decent left back, though.

It is worth noting that Grounds was behind Taylor in the pecking order at Boro when they were younger. When Grounds moved on it was to League One. So at that point, Taylor was certainly regarded as the better player. That was back when the Boro academy couldn't stop producing solid footballing talent.

[mullayo]

Everyone can relax. I'm at work and I think I've found a lucky coin. I don't know what arabic country it's from but it has a magic lantern on one side. I figure if I rub it all day we should get good results...

Come to me Abdouleye Sissoko!