Transfer rumours thread (DEADLINE DAY starts page 300)

Glosfan said:

While I suppose any signing is encouraging, am I alone in thinking Phillips could of stepped up to first choice this year, thus enabling more money to be spent strengthening the team in midfield? I saw him play a lot for Cheltenham last year and he always looked class, albeit at a lower standard. I haven't seen any of the friendlies, has he done anything to suggest that he couldn't of been our first choice keeper?

Why risk someone 'stepping up' when we can sign someone that is 100% too good for this league ?.

Glosfan said:

I understand what people are saying about Phillips being a risk and that we are being run by a billionaire so we can afford an experienced keeper. My point is however that if Douchbag or Meire have decided there is only a small finite amount of resources to be spent, then playing Phillips would be a lesser risk than playing without a decent midfield.

We have purged half our squad and supposedly got good money for Pope, if thy decide we have no money it's because they are cunts.. Not because we signed a keeper

Was told talks ongoing with a midfielder. Don't know who but could be Thompson

Looks like a replacement for Cousins. We certainly need his energy in midfield.

ShootersHillGuru said:

Would Thompson be a good addition ?

Can't say I've seen him play. Going on Transfer Market and his goals record, he isn't a goal getter and according to TM is a Defensive Midfielder first and foremost. Not at home to have a look at FIFA.

http://www.transfermarkt.com/louis-thompson/profil/spieler/207771

I don't think that defensive midfield is an area where we're particularly weak. We have Crofts, and when fit Diarra (given he's still suffering from the hairline fracture it's really pain management with him), and Kashi. Plus, I think JJ should be coached to play there. RCC potentially coming in, along with Djiksteel, also play roughly in that role. My point being, I think we're are far more lacking for midfielders with a range of passing and the ability to create and possibly score goals than we are for "spoilers."

I suspect that Slade, playing a flat 4-4-2, will want two engine room midfielders who can play as spoilers. The objective will be to either go back to front quickly, or try to get it to wingers to create something. The problem is, we don't have any creative players who can play centrally (Harriott and Lookman both have), and I'm not entirely convinced that Harriott and Holmes are the types to make something out of nothing. I think Lookman has that ability, but I don't know if 1) he'll still be here Sept. 1 and 2) if we should place that much expectation on a soon-to-be 19 year old.

Furthermore, in Fox and Solly we don't have the best of overlapping fullbacks who are genuinely dangerous going forward and who can create the 2-v-1 situations on the flanks to really cause teams dangers. Foley, if signed, wouldn't fall into that category either and I think THD needs to work on strength, defensive positioning, and cutting out errors before he can be trusted week-on-week.

Time will tell. Given the quality he brings, I think Rudd is a good signing. Hopefully bringing in one more keeper allows us to send Phillips out on loan, which would be best for his development at this point. But, in looking at our team and in the pre-season performances, I think we should be focusing on the attacking side of the game when it comes to transfers.