Rival Watch

[Denver Royal]

Parky...
"Reports in the north east suggest Bolton boss Phil Parkinson is on the shortlist to become the next manager of Sunderland".

Stam...
"Odds tumble on Jaap Stam to take charge at the Liberty Stadium. Stam is reportedly under consideration to become Swansea City's next head coach. The former Manchester United centre-back was sacked as Reading boss in March, but the 45-year-old is still said to be highly regarded in the coaching game.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf report Swansea City are eyeing up Stam as their new manager. Now on the lookout for a new man, it’s explained if Swansea City can find a deal with Stam then the manager will get to work with fellow Dutchmen Luciano Narsingh, Leroy Fer, Mike van der Hoorn and Erwin Mulder at the club.

Appointing Stam as manager is step in the direction of a possession football ethos that once set Swansea apart - and that they know full well can eventually get them to where they want to be".

QUICK EVERYBODY BET ON SWANSEA TO GET RELEGATED

Chances of them appointing Stam and getting promoted, and us getting relegated with Clement?

...and Sunderland getting promoted with Parky.

[Hound]

yeah saw the Stam reports

Not sure on what I think really. He has some attributes to be a very good manager, but the way we drifted into utter shitness this season, with him being seemingly completely unable to arrest the slump, would surely be very alarming for any future employer.

Suspect his first act would be to try to prise away our player of the season.

[Denver Royal]

Suspect his first act would be to try to prise away our player of the season.

Hope not, but you could be right, Hound. Stam knows the player, and the player knows that club, etc. To me, as our player of the season, Barrow didn't look quite the same player after Clement took over (hope that had nothing to do with their prior relationship/history). Anyway, hope Barrow is happy here as he'd be a big loss for us, and so I would assume we would snub offers for him, although everyone has a price I suppose.

[Snowflake Royal]

TBH, if Stam went to Swansea and wanted Barrow, he's wwlcome to him if he'll stump up the cash, the guy is almost the definition of a luxury player and we could fill at least two, maybe three, holes with his fill. I'd far rather lose him than Moore.

Hope Parky learns from his Hull escapade and doesn't go to Sunderland. It's a thankless job. The club is a mess and it's failure unless you get instant promotion. Leeds, Saints and co have shown being a big club is no guarantee of League One bounceback.

Stick with Bolton at a higher level and something better will show up.

[Denver Royal]

TBH, if Stam went to Swansea and wanted Barrow, he's wwlcome to him if he'll stump up the cash, the guy is almost the definition of a luxury player and we could fill at least two, maybe three, holes with his fill. I'd far rather lose him than Moore.

Well, I imagine a case could be made along those lines. I assume Barrow is one of our (very) few marketable assets. As I say, to my eye his play tailed off a bit, and he didn't score much under Clement (and neither did Bod, at all).

That said, if he departed I'd be worried where the goals would then come from...given that we only scored 3 goals in the last 8 games from open play as it was.

But yeah, I reckon we need a big CB, a def-mid, a striker...and then a winger if we sold Barrow. Would depend on a few things...how much does Clement rate him? We have to keep in mind that none of these are 'his' players. Is Barrow happy here, how much we could get for him, etc. How much do you think Barrow would fetch?

[Zip]

Barrow was the only player who gave us some excitement last season. Without his goals were going down. If Stam did go to Swansea he would definitely want to sign Moore.

[Hound]

Barrow did score a very impt goal under Clement vs Preston

He was genuinely the only player who provided any spark or interest last season. I really would rather not lose him

How does he qualify as a luxury player when he was or top scorer and created a number of assists. A luxury is something you could do without isn’t it? We’d have been relegated without him.

[Snowflake Royal]

Barrow did score a very impt goal under Clement vs Preston

He was genuinely the only player who provided any spark or interest last season. I really would rather not lose him

How does he qualify as a luxury player when he was or top scorer and created a number of assists. A luxury is something you could do without isn’t it? We’d have been relegated without him.

Top scoring in that team isn't exactly an achievement. He went missing for large swathes of the season and was worse than useless defensively... I'd define a luxury player as someone who contributes very little most of the time, or can actually be a liability at times, but is talented and skillful on occasion. Same could be said of Swift. A team of grafters will serve you well in the Championship, and you generally can't afford many players who simply won't turn up often or don't contribute outside a narrow specialism. File Swift under much the same category as well, Kelly to a slightly lesser extent - he was at least involved quite a lot, and it just didn't really work for him. Aluko is a luxury player without the actually ever delivering bit. We just had way too many flash gits who couldn't put a shift in.

[Hound]

Can’t see how you can lump Barrow even in the same sentence as the likes of Swift and Aluko when referring to last years performances

He contributed in every game I watched and was our only source of danger in most of them

He has flaws certainly, esp defensively, but the pluses massively outweigh the negatives

Aluko isn’t a luxury player - he is just rubbish. Swift i can see the point

[Snowflake Royal]

Can’t see how you can lump Barrow even in the same sentence as the likes of Swift and Aluko when referring to last years performances

He contributed in every game I watched and was our only source of danger in most of them

He has flaws certainly, esp defensively, but the pluses massively outweigh the negatives

Aluko isn’t a luxury player - he is just rubbish. Swift i can see the point

Type of player, not performances.

You must have missed at least half the games I saw.

[John Smith]

Can’t see how you can lump Barrow even in the same sentence as the likes of Swift and Aluko when referring to last years performances

He contributed in every game I watched and was our only source of danger in most of them

He has flaws certainly, esp defensively, but the pluses massively outweigh the negatives

Aluko isn’t a luxury player - he is just rubbish. Swift i can see the point

Type of player, not performances.

You must have missed at least half the games I saw.

Looks like it doesn't matter how many games you saw if you're coming up with drivel like that.

Don't buy a season ticket next year

[Hitchytwo]

Barrow did score a very impt goal under Clement vs Preston

He was genuinely the only player who provided any spark or interest last season. I really would rather not lose him

How does he qualify as a luxury player when he was or top scorer and created a number of assists. A luxury is something you could do without isn’t it? We’d have been relegated without him.

Top scoring in that team isn't exactly an achievement. He went missing for large swathes of the season and was worse than useless defensively... I'd define a luxury player as someone who contributes very little most of the time, or can actually be a liability at times, but is talented and skillful on occasion. Same could be said of Swift. A team of grafters will serve you well in the Championship, and you generally can't afford many players who simply won't turn up often or don't contribute outside a narrow specialism. File Swift under much the same category as well, Kelly to a slightly lesser extent - he was at least involved quite a lot, and it just didn't really work for him. Aluko is a luxury player without the actually ever delivering bit. We just had way too many flash gits who couldn't put a shift in.

Barrow was one of the best players last year, If not the best. He was the top scorer which is an achievement no matter which team you play for. Yes he was poor occasionally but I don't think there is a single player in that squad that had a good game every time they played. Even Moore had a shocker from time to time.

To say that he doesn't graft confuses me. what do you mean by this? I feel that for a winger that's not your job to put in big tackles, defensively you just have to cover the full back behind you. his style is that he will keep running down the wing at full tilt whenever he has the ball to try and create a chance. Definitely not the finished product but talented enough to stand out as one of the most entertaining players last season. But agreed about Aluko and Swift. I would personally take a tenner for Aluko atm. Not worth the extortionate wages he's on. Swift however has proved that he can play well for a season so we have to hold on to him.

[Double d v2]

Barrow did score a very impt goal under Clement vs Preston

He was genuinely the only player who provided any spark or interest last season. I really would rather not lose him

How does he qualify as a luxury player when he was or top scorer and created a number of assists. A luxury is something you could do without isn’t it? We’d have been relegated without him.

Top scoring in that team isn't exactly an achievement. He went missing for large swathes of the season and was worse than useless defensively... I'd define a luxury player as someone who contributes very little most of the time, or can actually be a liability at times, but is talented and skillful on occasion. Same could be said of Swift. A team of grafters will serve you well in the Championship, and you generally can't afford many players who simply won't turn up often or don't contribute outside a narrow specialism. File Swift under much the same category as well, Kelly to a slightly lesser extent - he was at least involved quite a lot, and it just didn't really work for him. Aluko is a luxury player without the actually ever delivering bit. We just had way too many flash gits who couldn't put a shift in.

Barrow was one of the best players last year, If not the best. He was the top scorer which is an achievement no matter which team you play for. Yes he was poor occasionally but I don't think there is a single player in that squad that had a good game every time they played. Even Moore had a shocker from time to time.

To say that he doesn't graft confuses me. what do you mean by this? I feel that for a winger that's not your job to put in big tackles, defensively you just have to cover the full back behind you. his style is that he will keep running down the wing at full tilt whenever he has the ball to try and create a chance. Definitely not the finished product but talented enough to stand out as one of the most entertaining players last season. But agreed about Aluko and Swift. I would personally take a tenner for Aluko atm. Not worth the extortionate wages he's on. Swift however has proved that he can play well for a season so we have to hold on to him.

Ian in talking shite as usual shock.........

[Denver Royal]

TBH, if Stam went to Swansea and wanted Barrow, he's wwlcome to him if he'll stump up the cash, the guy is almost the definition of a luxury player and we could fill at least two, maybe three, holes with his fill. I'd far rather lose him than Moore.

Assuming we have to sell in order to buy this Summer, then of the two, I think I'd rather let Moore leave. In general, I think CB's are easier to find. I like Moore, but I think he could be replaced.

For example, just for sake of discussion, lets say we sold Moore for 10 mil. We could then sign James Collins for nothing, and pair him alongside McShane next season, with Ilori as backup. To me, we wouldn't have lost much, plus you'd have 10 mil to spend. You could then buy Gary Madine at striker for 5 mil, spend the other 5 mil on a good def-mid, and then you'd maybe have the makings of a decent team.

[muirinho]

TBH, if Stam went to Swansea and wanted Barrow, he's wwlcome to him if he'll stump up the cash, the guy is almost the definition of a luxury player and we could fill at least two, maybe three, holes with his fill. I'd far rather lose him than Moore.

Assuming we have to sell in order to buy this Summer, then of the two, I think I'd rather let Moore leave. In general, I think CB's are easier to find/replace.

For sake of discussion, lets say we sold Moore for 10 mil. We could then sign James Collins for nothing, and pair him alongside McShane next season. We wouldn't have lost much, plus you'd have 10 mil with which to buy a striker and a def-mid.

So we'd have two aging central defenders and Ilori. Given McShane's injury problems this season, that's disaster waiting to happen, IMO.

I wouldn't say Barrow is a luxury, but given a straight choice between getting rid of Barrow and getting rid of Moore, it's definitely Barrow from me.

[Royalwaster]

TBH, if Stam went to Swansea and wanted Barrow, he's wwlcome to him if he'll stump up the cash, the guy is almost the definition of a luxury player and we could fill at least two, maybe three, holes with his fill. I'd far rather lose him than Moore.

Assuming we have to sell in order to buy this Summer, then of the two, I think I'd rather let Moore leave. In general, I think CB's are easier to find/replace.

For sake of discussion, lets say we sold Moore for 10 mil. We could then sign James Collins for nothing, and pair him alongside McShane next season. We wouldn't have lost much, plus you'd have 10 mil with which to buy a striker and a def-mid.

But normally you get more money for attackers than defenders ... so I'd be very surprised if we got anything close to £10mill for Moore ... and does he have some kind of sell-on clause in his contract?

[Denver Royal]

So we'd have two aging central defenders and Ilori. Given McShane's injury problems this season, that's disaster waiting to happen, IMO.

Just throwing around ideas. Agree its a tad risky, but how else do we raise cash? As I said, this assumes we have to sell in order to spend (which may not be the case?). If preferred, you could pair Ilori with Collins, and have McShane as backup. McShane missed time with a hammy (which happens), but if given time they do heal, and he returned in the last game at Cardiff, and should have a full pre-season, etc. I just think CB's are easier to find. We got McShame himself on a free, 3 years ago.

I'd be very surprised if we got anything close to £10mill for Moore.

Actually, so would I, but I think I heard that figure being touted in here a season or two ago.

[Hound]

Agree of the two Moore would be easier to replace.

Ilori could be good and is already there, McShane is ok as back up, and Elphick if he were to sign or Blackett could do a job there as well

[Snowflake Royal]

Barrow did score a very impt goal under Clement vs Preston

He was genuinely the only player who provided any spark or interest last season. I really would rather not lose him

How does he qualify as a luxury player when he was or top scorer and created a number of assists. A luxury is something you could do without isn’t it? We’d have been relegated without him.

Top scoring in that team isn't exactly an achievement. He went missing for large swathes of the season and was worse than useless defensively... I'd define a luxury player as someone who contributes very little most of the time, or can actually be a liability at times, but is talented and skillful on occasion. Same could be said of Swift. A team of grafters will serve you well in the Championship, and you generally can't afford many players who simply won't turn up often or don't contribute outside a narrow specialism. File Swift under much the same category as well, Kelly to a slightly lesser extent - he was at least involved quite a lot, and it just didn't really work for him. Aluko is a luxury player without the actually ever delivering bit. We just had way too many flash gits who couldn't put a shift in.

Barrow was one of the best players last year, If not the best. He was the top scorer which is an achievement no matter which team you play for. Yes he was poor occasionally but I don't think there is a single player in that squad that had a good game every time they played. Even Moore had a shocker from time to time.

To say that he doesn't graft confuses me. what do you mean by this? I feel that for a winger that's not your job to put in big tackles, defensively you just have to cover the full back behind you. his style is that he will keep running down the wing at full tilt whenever he has the ball to try and create a chance. Definitely not the finished product but talented enough to stand out as one of the most entertaining players last season. But agreed about Aluko and Swift. I would personally take a tenner for Aluko atm. Not worth the extortionate wages he's on. Swift however has proved that he can play well for a season so we have to hold on to him.

Being top scorer is only an achievement if scoring that number of goals is impressive.

As a winger, largely you do only have to cover your fullback, which is why it's so frustrating he barely bothered at all. There were games where he almost literally had to be dragged into position for opposition goalkicks.

Talented player. Rightly PotS. Most dangerous we had, absolutely. Worth keeping, certainly.

Would we be better off cashing in for big money and buying someone who can actually track back, plus one or two others? You betya.

[Double d v2]

Top scoring in that team isn't exactly an achievement. He went missing for large swathes of the season and was worse than useless defensively... I'd define a luxury player as someone who contributes very little most of the time, or can actually be a liability at times, but is talented and skillful on occasion. Same could be said of Swift. A team of grafters will serve you well in the Championship, and you generally can't afford many players who simply won't turn up often or don't contribute outside a narrow specialism. File Swift under much the same category as well, Kelly to a slightly lesser extent - he was at least involved quite a lot, and it just didn't really work for him. Aluko is a luxury player without the actually ever delivering bit. We just had way too many flash gits who couldn't put a shift in.

Barrow was one of the best players last year, If not the best. He was the top scorer which is an achievement no matter which team you play for. Yes he was poor occasionally but I don't think there is a single player in that squad that had a good game every time they played. Even Moore had a shocker from time to time.

To say that he doesn't graft confuses me. what do you mean by this? I feel that for a winger that's not your job to put in big tackles, defensively you just have to cover the full back behind you. his style is that he will keep running down the wing at full tilt whenever he has the ball to try and create a chance. Definitely not the finished product but talented enough to stand out as one of the most entertaining players last season. But agreed about Aluko and Swift. I would personally take a tenner for Aluko atm. Not worth the extortionate wages he's on. Swift however has proved that he can play well for a season so we have to hold on to him.

Being top scorer is only an achievement if scoring that number of goals is impressive.

As a winger, largely you do only have to cover your fullback, which is why it's so frustrating he barely bothered at all. There were games where he almost literally had to be dragged into position for opposition goalkicks.

Talented player. Rightly PotS. Most dangerous we had, absolutely. Worth keeping, certainly.

Would we be better off cashing in for big money and buying someone who can actually track back, plus one or two others? You betya.

Do you ever know what the l
Pfuck you talk about? Are you a complete and utter moron (rhetorical question. Yes you are) Have you ever seen or been to a football game before? Do you actually play football? Do you know anything about the sport?

"As a winger, largely you do only have to cover your fullback"

What a load of shite!!!!