SPECULATION - Is Matthew Taylor available?

[Rawlie19]

Indeed, keep Hunt on the right.

A left hand side of Shorey and Taylor would be excellent IMO. Two players who like to get forward and could cover each other's role perfectly.

Poor Bobby.

[Hoop Blah]

Are we still sure about this Slinky?

A lot of press saying he has virtually signed for for Bolton

what press?

I'm only telling you all what has come through my friend who is very good friends with Taylor, i still believe it will happen!

Surely it's only going to happen if we sell Shorey?

Or Hunt!

or neither - aren't we supposed to want to strenthen the side, surely it's not a requirement to HAVE to sell before we buy a half decent player!

I was being facetious!

I totally agree. Taylor is exactly the type of player we need to be trying to pick up, on the fringes of sides better than us but proven at this level and now with something to prove. We missed a trick with O'Neil and I think it would be a shame to let Taylor slip through our fingers.

I'm just hoping the club don't drag their heels and miss out on a player that sounds like he actually wants to come here when all we here is how difficult it is to attract Premiership quality players.

[Stranded]

Indeed, keep Hunt on the right.

A left hand side of Shorey and Taylor would be excellent IMO. Two players who like to get forward and could cover each other's role perfectly.

Poor Bobby.

Can't play everybody and IF this move happens, that would IMO give us the most balanced left side we've ever had.

[Hoop Blah]

Indeed, keep Hunt on the right.

A left hand side of Shorey and Taylor would be excellent IMO. Two players who like to get forward and could cover each other's role perfectly.

And Taylor would be a more able deputy for Shorey than DLC is which means we don't have to play him for 3 games over the Christmas period when he's suffering from illness.

[Hoop Blah]

Indeed, keep Hunt on the right.

A left hand side of Shorey and Taylor would be excellent IMO. Two players who like to get forward and could cover each other's role perfectly.

Poor Bobby.

Can't play everybody and IF this move happens, that would IMO give us the most balanced left side we've ever had.

It would also give us 4 Premiership standard players for 2 positions down the left hand side...that sounds almost like building a competitive squad!

[Rawlie19]

We are 9 days in now. Why hasn't this happened yet? I'm not convinced it's as straight forward as Slinky is playing, but would still like it to happen.

[West Stand Flash]

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/Portsmouth-star-rejects-Sunderland-move.3652697.jp

Portsmouth star rejects Sunderland move

Sunderland have had a bid accepted for Portsmouth's Matt Taylor, but the midfielder is keen to remain in the south.
And last night Birmingham City's French international Olivier Kapo emerged as a target for the Black Cats, who look like missing out on Blackburn's Robbie Savage.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane's efforts to add steel to his midfield are stalling on geographical details.

Taylor has a home in Oxfordshire and is keen not to uproot his settled family. The word from Pompey is that he may be waiting on interest from Reading to firm up.

Bolton have also had a bid accepted for the 26-year-old – who scored one of the best goals seen at the Stadium of Light the season before last – but Wanderers are also preparing themselves for disappointment after feeling they were close to agreement over the weekend.

Savage is close to joining Derby County, who look certain to be relegated but would also offer the Welshman the option not to move house.

Both Taylor and Savage want to leave their current clubs and have options.

[Row Z Royal]

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/Portsmouth-star-rejects-Sunderland-move.3652697.jp

Portsmouth star rejects Sunderland move

Sunderland have had a bid accepted for Portsmouth's Matt Taylor, but the midfielder is keen to remain in the south.
And last night Birmingham City's French international Olivier Kapo emerged as a target for the Black Cats, who look like missing out on Blackburn's Robbie Savage.

Sunderland boss Roy Keane's efforts to add steel to his midfield are stalling on geographical details.

Taylor has a home in Oxfordshire and is keen not to uproot his settled family. The word from Pompey is that he may be waiting on interest from Reading to firm up.

Bolton have also had a bid accepted for the 26-year-old – who scored one of the best goals seen at the Stadium of Light the season before last – but Wanderers are also preparing themselves for disappointment after feeling they were close to agreement over the weekend.

Savage is close to joining Derby County, who look certain to be relegated but would also offer the Welshman the option not to move house.

Both Taylor and Savage want to leave their current clubs and have options.

All they've done is change the first paragraph.

[Ian Royal]

Still can't see this happening, though I'd have no problem with Hunt and a specialist right winger for the right. Would certainly spell the end of the Bobster IMO.

I'll hold my hands up if it does happen Slinky.

[TheLawnMowerMan]

Right people i didn't tell you this but things are looking good on the Taylor front.

Clubs agreed fee.

Player happy with terms offered.

Player happy with club facilities and personnel after having had a look around.

Contracts to be exchanged on 1st Jan so barring any late stupid bids from the top few clubs then he is ours.....RESULT!

a) He played against us, and would not have done if the deal was agreed etc.
b) It's over a week into Jan, so all of these posts stipulating that it's a done deal are fiction.
c) SC says we are not after any left sided players.
d) We already have Hunt and Convey for the left.

I think we can give up on this one now.

will you apologise if you're wrong cos i will?

After you.

[Dangerous]

Still can't see this happening, though I'd have no problem with Hunt and a specialist right winger for the right. Would certainly spell the end of the Bobster IMO.

I'll hold my hands up if it does happen Slinky.

Everything is in place, it's RFC dragging their heels on this now, Matty is ready to sign on the dotted line.

[Ian Royal]

Still can't see this happening, though I'd have no problem with Hunt and a specialist right winger for the right. Would certainly spell the end of the Bobster IMO.

I'll hold my hands up if it does happen Slinky.

Everything is in place, it's RFC dragging their heels on this now, Matty is ready to sign on the dotted line.

I certainly wouldn't dispute Taylor wanting to come here. I would dispute us being willing to sign him when we have two good left wingers, a good left back and a decent young left back prospect.

Particularly when we have much higher priorities for areas to improve. we may have had a look and been interested before we knew more about the Shorey and Hunt situations, but they don't look like going anywhere now IMO.

[TheLawnMowerMan]

Everything is in place, it's RFC dragging their heels on this now, Matty is ready to sign on the dotted line.

Don't get me wrong - I'd like to see Taylor at the club.
Difficult to hold much stock when the info already given has been incorrect.
I doubt things were agreed as Harry wouldn't have included him in their squad to play us. Just my opinion of course.

[TheLawnMowerMan]

I certainly wouldn't dispute Taylor wanting to come here. I would dispute us being willing to sign him when we have two good left wingers, a good left back and a decent young left back prospect.

I have a feeling Goldbourne is a fading prospect. The club weren't even bothered about him being cup tied unlike the rest of the Bournemouth loanees.
He hasn't set the world alight either, and wasn't he a regular in the league while at Bristol City? Not much progress to speak of.

[Ian Royal]

I certainly wouldn't dispute Taylor wanting to come here. I would dispute us being willing to sign him when we have two good left wingers, a good left back and a decent young left back prospect.

I have a feeling Goldbourne is a fading prospect. The club weren't even bothered about him being cup tied unlike the rest of the Bournemouth loanees.
He hasn't set the world alight either, and wasn't he a regular in the league while at Bristol City? Not much progress to speak of.

Possibly because we have Shorey and were ready to swoop for Taylor should Shorey leave. He does seem to have stalled a little. But we'll see, especially seeing as Shorey has plenty of life left in him.

[Slinky]

Still can't see this happening, though I'd have no problem with Hunt and a specialist right winger for the right. Would certainly spell the end of the Bobster IMO.

I'll hold my hands up if it does happen Slinky.

Everything is in place, it's RFC dragging their heels on this now, Matty is ready to sign on the dotted line.

I was just going to post exactly the same thing....come on RFC get your finger out - they must have some doubt over something otherwise it's in the clubs best interests to sort it out quickly!

[Ian Royal]

Still can't see this happening, though I'd have no problem with Hunt and a specialist right winger for the right. Would certainly spell the end of the Bobster IMO.

I'll hold my hands up if it does happen Slinky.

Everything is in place, it's RFC dragging their heels on this now, Matty is ready to sign on the dotted line.

I was just going to post exactly the same thing....come on RFC get your finger out - they must have some doubt over something otherwise it's in the clubs best interests to sort it out quickly!

Yeah, doubt over whether we need him now it looks like Hunt and Shorey are going nowhere.

[Old Biscuitman]

I certainly wouldn't dispute Taylor wanting to come here. I would dispute us being willing to sign him when we have two good left wingers, a good left back and a decent young left back prospect.

I have a feeling Goldbourne is a fading prospect. The club weren't even bothered about him being cup tied unlike the rest of the Bournemouth loanees.
He hasn't set the world alight either, and wasn't he a regular in the league while at Bristol City? Not much progress to speak of.

You're right IMO. He's been here long enough now to have made more impact. I think Taylor would be an excellent signing, not just for his ability and his solid Prem experience, but for his versatility.

[Wycombe Royal]

I have heard that it is Portsmouth dragging their heels as they are currently very short of players and won't let anyone leave until some players have been brought in.

[Slinky]

I have heard that it is Portsmouth dragging their heels as they are currently very short of players and won't let anyone leave until some players have been brought in.

certainly possible and would make sense however if that is the case Taylor has not been told this by Redknapp.