Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[Des Little]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

[Concrete John]

After a difficult first year or two, Petrov really made that position his own. That solid ball player is probably the player we miss the most, as it would help in other areas too. Freeing up Delph a little, as well as providing cover for our ropey back line.

Totally agree.  If we had a defensive midfielder like that (Huddlestone probably would have been a realistic target last year) it would free up Delph to get forward more.  What we really need is that type of defensive midfielder with Delph and a player like him either side. 

The thing with Huddlestone was that he was a bit of a gamble due to his injury record.  It remains to be seen if that's truely past him, but given our finances we might have to take a bit of a gamble ourselves to get real quality.

See Cole, Joe.

[Concrete John]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

I've not given up on Bennett yet, plus possibly Clark, although that may be hope more than expectation, but the other two do need moving on.

[Matt Collins]

a left back, a wide player and a defensive midfielder. Please.

We have two LBs already. Why do you want another?

If Richardson gets injured, we are relying on Stevens, Bennett or one of Clark or Baker playing out of position.  Might be worth saving a loan for that eventuality.

Because the others are shite and need selling

Richardson also hasn't played left back in a bac four this pre season. He can play that role but I'm not sure if lambert sees him there. The alternatives are awful

[Steve67]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

All shite. Yet we have to rely on them. Not Lambert's fault entirely because he only bought one of them. Be nice to get rid and start again. Who'd buy that lot?

[Des Little]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

All shite. Yet we have to rely on them. Not Lambert's fault entirely because he only bought one of them. Be nice to get rid and start again. Who'd buy that lot?

Can't we fly tip them somewhere?  Like Blackpool?

[paul_e]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

I've not given up on Bennett yet, plus possibly Clark, although that may be hope more than expectation, but the other two do need moving on.

I don't mind Clark, I think he's been dragged down quite badly by playing alongside Herd and Baker as the senior defender too often. He looked good alongside Vlaar at the start of last season.

[pauliewalnuts]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

All shite. Yet we have to rely on them. Not Lambert's fault entirely because he only bought one of them. Be nice to get rid and start again. Who'd buy that lot?

Can't we fly tip them somewhere?  Like Blackpool?

Or just dump them at sea.

Bennett is gash, as is Baker. Clark i think would have more of a chance in midfield, but the first two are absolutely rubbish.

[tomd2103]

After a difficult first year or two, Petrov really made that position his own. That solid ball player is probably the player we miss the most, as it would help in other areas too. Freeing up Delph a little, as well as providing cover for our ropey back line.

Totally agree.  If we had a defensive midfielder like that (Huddlestone probably would have been a realistic target last year) it would free up Delph to get forward more.  What we really need is that type of defensive midfielder with Delph and a player like him either side. 

The thing with Huddlestone was that he was a bit of a gamble due to his injury record.  It remains to be seen if that's truely past him, but given our finances we might have to take a bit of a gamble ourselves to get real quality.

See Cole, Joe.

True CJ.  To be honest, we should be looking exclusively at the foreign market as a domestic market where Ross McCormack is worth £11m is ridiculous. 

[Toronto Villa]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

All shite. Yet we have to rely on them. Not Lambert's fault entirely because he only bought one of them. Be nice to get rid and start again. Who'd buy that lot?

Can't we fly tip them somewhere?  Like Blackpool?

Or just dump them at sea.

Bennett is gash, as is Baker. Clark i think would have more of a chance in midfield, but the first two are absolutely rubbish.

And to think of the madness of some after the Chelsea win heralding the arrival of Bennett. Though when giving grades of gash Baker is pretty hard to beat.

[Dante Lavelli]

I've not given up on the lad, especially if played as a wing back.  Richardson would be my first choice however I think Bennet has the raw ingredients to be a good footballer.  The question (imo) is whether he has the hunger to battle against the adversity in order to improve or whether he 'cashes in his chips' and drops down a league.

[villadelph]

Seeing Martin Kelly's name popping up regarding a loan move..

Daniel Wass is also making the rounds with the ever-guessing Italian media claiming we are tracking him along with Sunderland. Seems far fetched.

[Clampy]

You could melt Stevens Bennett Clark and Baker down and not make one decent player out of it. They're not even Championship players and they're in our squad.

I've not given up on Bennett yet, plus possibly Clark, although that may be hope more than expectation, but the other two do need moving on.

I don't mind Clark, I think he's been dragged down quite badly by playing alongside Herd and Baker as the senior defender too often. He looked good alongside Vlaar at the start of last season.

I thought Clark did ok last season as well. I'd either play him left side of a back three with Okore and Vlaar, or in midfield. I really think he could do a job there.

[Merv]

Clark would be ideal on the left of a back three. He can play a bit, and using him there would give him time on the ball. I also think he's decent in midfield.

I still think Bennett has something and him backing up KR as a LWB would be fine. Baker, Stevens... move them on.

We need a couple of midfielders, IMO - a dynamic 'general' and a more defensive type who can drop into a back three if needed as cover would be good (Vapour type). Then loan a wide player for the season and a striker for six months.

[Matt Collins]

I agree Clark seems a logical fit on the left of a back three. It's important to bring the ball out and him and Okore could both do that a bit. Our midfielders work best in a three too.

It's upfront that we'd start to look weak, especially until the big men are fit again. At the moment I'd play n'zogbia and gabby as a two, but that doesn't look great - especially at home.