If carlsberg did transfer threads.....This would be it!

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

[danardif1]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

I agree he doesn't really fit in to what we seem to be wanting to do upfront. Madine has been signed as a target man with Clough and Feeney (more likely Clayton when he's back) to play off him. Le Fondre doesn't give you that so it's not really worth having him if he's not going to be the lead striker and play every week.

Of course we want the best players possible at the club and in the team but I think it'd be best for the fans to just let this one go.

[boltonboris]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

Disagree - You don't need a big lump to make the ball stick - Le Fondre holds the ball infinitely better than Heskey can for instance. Him and Clough would've been magic - Movement in abundance - Ability to find eachother and goals in the pair of them

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

Disagree - You don't need a big lump to make the ball stick - Le Fondre holds the ball infinitely better than Heskey can for instance. Him and Clough would've been magic - Movement in abundance - Ability to find eachother and goals in the pair of them

I totally agree that as a pair when we had the ball and were attacking Clough and Le Fondre were exciting. But it hurt the team shape at times in my view. Of course you don't need a target up front but for me we conclusively were a better side when Craig Davies played. Our best result, arguably in the run in was the 3-0 at Cardiff the one game Craig Davies played. Lennon signing Madine in my view was because he could see that we were a better side with a target to hit up front.

Clough and Le Fondre would be fabulous if we had the midfield strength and quality to go with it, but even pre-season a lot of our play is back to front quickly, relying on hitting Madine with the long ball from Derik etc.

I was just listening to the Lion of Vienna podcast and Marc Iles was saying the same that speaking to Lennon he understood Le Fondre was a nice to have rather than the main man Lennon wanted. And a nice to have isn't happening with our finances. Iles said that he believes the shape this season will ultimately (and hopefully) be Clayton and Clough off of Madine. And to be honest he didn't see how Le Fondre would fit with that.

I'd have loved Le Fondre simply because we know he's got goals in him. I just think that it isn't potentially as big a blow as some think because I think we are better suited with a target man up top and Madine looks like he may surprise a few.

[Bruce Rioja]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

Have to disagree. Big Lump Jailbird from Sheff Wednesday makes the ball stick. From what I saw at Oldham (Yeah, one game, I know) he was crying out for someone like Le Fondre next to him (Dobbie didn't look nearly capable). Him, Le Fondre next to him and Clough coming from the top of the diamond would, in my opinion, have led us to a season of - score 3 if you like but we'll score 4.

[thebish]

meanwhile...


(and now I think we can definitely say this transfer thread is REALLY kicking off...)

Neil McDonald could be set to lose one of his right-hand men before the season even starts.

The Gazette understands goalkeeping coach Bobby Mimms could be approached by Bolton this week, leaving McDonald and Blackpool short just days before Saturday’s big kick-off at Colchester.

Mimms followed McDonald from West Ham and is a close ally of the new Blackpool boss.

Should he opt for a move to Pool’s North West rivals, it would be a huge blow for the club, particularly keepers Colin Doyle and Kyle Letheran.

Mimms, understudy to Tim Flowers in Rovers’ 1995 Premier League winning side has worked with McDonald in the same role at West Ham United last season.

Now an experienced coach, the 51-year-old has held down roles at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Blackburn and most recently West Ham, amongst others.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

Have to disagree. Big Lump Jailbird from Sheff Wednesday makes the ball stick. From what I saw at Oldham (Yeah, one game, I know) he was crying out for someone like Le Fondre next to him (Dobbie didn't look nearly capable). Him, Le Fondre next to him and Clough coming from the top of the diamond would, in my opinion, have led us to a season of - score 3 if you like but we'll score 4.

Aye. But then there is Clayton and Mark Davies. And I think we're then getting into the territory of having to leave out a very good player or two somewhere to accommodate Le Fondre. And whilst that would be a great place to be, with our situation it probably isn't realistic nor necessarily the best option. Le Fondre wouldn't exactly be luxury but given some other areas in the squad we'd certainly have a lot of players suited to playing off a big striker and would end up having to leave them out or play them out of position.

Personally I think we need someone else who can do the job Madine will, plus a solid centre half who can defend. If we could find them and keep Clough, Clayton and Mark Davies fit for the majority I doubt we'd go far wrong. Iles was asked what Lennon was after now and apparently it is some pace in the squad. Can see that need as well.

[CAPSLOCK]

To fit Clough, Madine, Le Fondre and Clayton in the team, you're in 3-5-2 territory

I'd rather we just asked to be relegated than watch a season of that shite

[Dr Hotdog]

Lets move on from Le Fondre. He got his dream move, slightly further north of Cardiff towards his old stomping ground Stockport, and he's happy.

Now, am I right in thinking Heskey, Dobbo and Wilson are still not official? We sure as hell fire need to Make It So by Thursday otherwise we might not get the clearance in time for the Weekend. And that would be terrible forward thinking on our behalf.

[Bruce Rioja]

Anyway - He has now signed for Wolves, so that's another one that Plymouth's made a bollocks of!

[Bijou Bob]

The question will always remain over Alf, whether he could maintain form snd score goals across a full season when he's not in the shop window. When did he last have a good full season? As Bruce mentions, it's irrelevant now. We go with what we've got until the loan window opens.

[danardif1]

The question will always remain over Alf, whether he could maintain form snd score goals across a full season when he's not in the shop window. When did he last have a good full season? As Bruce mentions, it's irrelevant now. We go with what we've got until the loan window opens.

He scored 15 for Reading in the full season he had before moving to Cardiff (including that hattrick in the 7-1 against us...). Reading sold him as Cardiff offered a good price and they were trying to balance the books just as we are.

[Abdoulaye's Twin]

We need defenders and a back-up goalie Plymouth. Get it sorted will ya.

[Bruce Rioja]

We need defenders and a back-up goalie Plymouth. Get it sorted will ya.

Well, we've just signed 51 year old former Blackburn stiff's team keeper, Bobby Mimms.

Get in there, Plymouth. Have a bit o' that. Oooof!

[Jugs]

If Clough gets injured, though, you've got to worry about where our goals are going to come from.

[boltonboris]

I'm not sure I'm "gutted" about not signing Le Fondre - I have a slight suspicion we have built him up into being the kind of absolute nailed-on saviour that he was never gonna live up to being... not that he was crap or owt - just that he's not Anelka or anything!

or maybe I was just resigned to this season being another bag of crap and so it would take a lot to make it feel worse?

He would have made us better but he isn't as good as some make out. The problem would be fitting him and Clough into the same side as I don't like them as a pair, not enough ability to hold the ball up for me.

Disagree - You don't need a big lump to make the ball stick - Le Fondre holds the ball infinitely better than Heskey can for instance. Him and Clough would've been magic - Movement in abundance - Ability to find eachother and goals in the pair of them

I totally agree that as a pair when we had the ball and were attacking Clough and Le Fondre were exciting. But it hurt the team shape at times in my view. Of course you don't need a target up front but for me we conclusively were a better side when Craig Davies played. Our best result, arguably in the run in was the 3-0 at Cardiff the one game Craig Davies played. Lennon signing Madine in my view was because he could see that we were a better side with a target to hit up front.

Clough and Le Fondre would be fabulous if we had the midfield strength and quality to go with it, but even pre-season a lot of our play is back to front quickly, relying on hitting Madine with the long ball from Derik etc.

I was just listening to the Lion of Vienna podcast and Marc Iles was saying the same that speaking to Lennon he understood Le Fondre was a nice to have rather than the main man Lennon wanted. And a nice to have isn't happening with our finances. Iles said that he believes the shape this season will ultimately (and hopefully) be Clayton and Clough off of Madine. And to be honest he didn't see how Le Fondre would fit with that.

I'd have loved Le Fondre simply because we know he's got goals in him. I just think that it isn't potentially as big a blow as some think because I think we are better suited with a target man up top and Madine looks like he may surprise a few.

I'd agree that we do look 'more balanced'

I hope Madine works out as I like the look of him, but I also think Le Fondre could be worth 9-10 points with the odd equaliser and winner we wouldn't normally get - That could make or break a season

[boltonboris]

Lets move on from Le Fondre. He got his dream move, slightly further north of Cardiff towards his old stomping ground Stockport, and he's happy.

Now, am I right in thinking Heskey, Dobbo and Wilson are still not official? We sure as hell fire need to Make It So by Thursday otherwise we might not get the clearance in time for the Weekend. And that would be terrible forward thinking on our behalf.

Wilson definitely - Fail to see what Heskey and Dobbie will offer.

Wilson is a stop gap til we get somebody 'proper' though surely

[danardif1]

Lets move on from Le Fondre. He got his dream move, slightly further north of Cardiff towards his old stomping ground Stockport, and he's happy.

Now, am I right in thinking Heskey, Dobbo and Wilson are still not official? We sure as hell fire need to Make It So by Thursday otherwise we might not get the clearance in time for the Weekend. And that would be terrible forward thinking on our behalf.

Wilson definitely - Fail to see what Heskey and Dobbie will offer.

Wilson is a stop gap til we get somebody 'proper' though surely

Hopefully this Pisano chap who everyone who's in the know seems to say is pretty good...

[Jugs]

Time will tell how things pan out. I for one am over Alf already.

Kinda.

Hey, there's always Dobbie to bring on if we're losing.

[Prufrock]

I don't get this back-up keeper stuff. Presumably we don't reckon Fitzsimmons is so shit he couldn't do half a game if Amos got sent off? If so, save the wages and just loan one if he gets injured. Two would be nice but it seems a massive waste of cash-monies. I'd rather have a proper right back than a second keeper.