Transfer Rumour 25/26 Summer Transfer Window (32 Viewers)

[JSL]

Every player will have expectations, but you tend to find reality will temper those expectations.

At the moment us and Norwich are rumoured to be in the running, so he will have to fit into the wage structure of those clubs.
Obviously being a free could give him some wiggle room for negotiation. But he won't be on PL wages at either club.

Bonuses based on getting promoted might help swing it. If its us or Norwich, I think we are in the stronger position with that regard.

 

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[Gibbo]

Sheaf by his standards had a poor season. If we can get him up to speed and avoid injuries next season, our midfield will be very strong. Providing we do not sell.

It may seem counter-intuitive but I would have thought we could get better than Sheaf for less than the money we can get for him

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I think Doug, Frank and the team are realistic enough to know that we almost made it and with a few quality additions in the right places we can move onwards and that they will know that the required quality will require strong wages

We’re quick to deprecate our own team. Since Xmas, we’ve had more points in the league than Sheff U. We’re 5th favourites with the bookies for next season before a preseason has started.

Going into next season, Lampard will have a full preseason with the team and will get the opportunity to add to the current group. There were obvious gaps in the squad going into 24/25 that will be addressed in summer.

I’m confident we can finish 4th at least next season.

 

[Gibbo]

It may seem counter-intuitive but I would have thought we could get better than Sheaf for less than the money we can get for him

I see that had already been said. I was playing catch up on the thread and hadn't reached it

 

[Hincha]

It may seem counter-intuitive but I would have thought we could get better than Sheaf for less than the money we can get for him

Think it is down to coaching/medical team as to whether they think he can reach previous standards with a rest and pre-season. He's had a stop/start season but we're talking about one of the best midfielders in the championship the 2 seasons prior to that

If you're confident you can pick up someone like Hamer/Tanaka (when they were signed) in Europe then sure go for it - but I think replacing Sheaf for <5m is actually a very difficult task

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

It may seem counter-intuitive but I would have thought we could get better than Sheaf for less than the money we can get for him

As well as wages? Sheaf signed his contract in 2023 so his wages would likely be comparatively low to say, Grimes.

You’d probably be better off selling Eccles if the goal is raise some funds. Who is probably worth a similar amount to what we’d get for Sheaf right now.

Sheaf’s value has tanked so if we’re going to take a hit on the valuation, it may as well be next season. He’s still the captain and Lampard has favoured playing him so far.

 

[shmmeee]

Co’mon @shmmeee, does Fatso seem the type to work in HR?!

His response says it all!

Was more his approach to salary negotiations.

 

[shmmeee]

We’re quick to deprecate our own team. Since Xmas, we’ve had more points in the league than Sheff U. We’re 5th favourites with the bookies for next season before a preseason has started.

Going into next season, Lampard will have a full preseason with the team and will get the opportunity to add to the current group. There were obvious gaps in the squad going into 24/25 that will be addressed in summer.

I’m confident we can finish 4th at least next season.

Aren’t we 5th favourites because we finished fifth?

 

[alexccfc99]

No mate, Jimmy Dunne. They seem to think it’s more or less signed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They are losing Ahmedhodzic and he will be replacement apparently

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Aren’t we 5th favourites because we finished fifth?

Birmingham are currently 4th favourites, so not necessarily. I recall Bristol not being in the top 6 favourites (nor Leicester).

The NTT20 podcasters were in agreement that of the ‘non-parachute payment teams’, we’re in the best position to kick on next season even if Sunderland hadn’t gone up.

My personal view is that the disappointment of the final away games and losing in the playoffs has soured what was a great season. The way our fans talk about our team, you wouldn’t have thought we’d been the 4th best team in the league post-Lampard and 3rd post-Xmas.

 

[shmmeee]

Birmingham are currently 4th favourites, so not necessarily. I recall Bristol not being in the top 6 favourites (nor Leicester).

The NTT20 podcasters were in agreement that of the ‘non-parachute payment teams’, we’re in the best position to kick on next season even if Sunderland hadn’t gone up.

My personal view is that the disappointment of the final away games and losing in the playoffs has soured what was a great season. The way our fans talk about our team, you wouldn’t have thought we’d been the 4th best team in the league post-Lampard and 3rd post-Xmas.

I think we need to break into the top four. Not for the position per se but it’ll mean we’ve built a squad that’s there on merit and not the odd purple patch. Hopefully means we can do a Sunderland and rest players at that point where injuries seemed to kick in everywhere.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I think we need to break into the top four. Not for the position per se but it’ll mean we’ve built a squad that’s there on merit and not the odd purple patch. Hopefully means we can do a Sunderland and rest players at that point where injuries seemed to kick in everywhere.

Agreed that we need to show that progress and a top 4 finish is demonstrates that. Under Lampard we’ve been consistently at playoff form (1.79 PPG) and there are clear improvements to get to 2.0 PPG, specifically our away form v bottom half teams.

I don’t want us to follow the Sunderland example, yes they won promotion but they were v fortunate and it’s not easily replicable. Without seeing data, they could possibly be the worst team to get promoted on form leading up to the playoffs.

However, on Sunderland, you do raise a good point where we kind of ‘ran out of squad’ again, albeit to a lesser extent than 23/24 though. The injuries racked up and the only recognised wide player we could bring on was Paterson…

 

[fatso]

It may seem counter-intuitive but I would have thought we could get better than Sheaf for less than the money we can get for him

Yea, I think we need some one a bit more dynamic in midfield now.
Grimes can play the DM role and be an "anchor man" but we need some pace and someone who can carry the ball forward rather than the sideways sideway backwards football we seem to get stuck with, Obviously Rudoni can give us that, but we need someone who can support him as well.
The lad from Oxford was mentioned a while ago (his name escapes me) as a possibility.

And let's be honest, Sheaf's shooting is absolutely abysmal.

 

[slondonskyblue]

And let's be honest, Sheaf's shooting is absolutely abysmal.

That chance in the Playoff semi was the perfect illustration of his lack of composure in front of goal.

 

[SBT]

It’s the same with Simms, Kitching and BTA - zero point in selling players with decent contracts when their values have tanked.

If the manager HEAD COACH doesn’t have them in his thoughts then better to move them on and free up some funds, even at a loss. I think Simms and especially BTA could recoup most, if not all, of their initial fees.

 

[SBAndy]

Yea, I think we need some one a bit more dynamic in midfield now.
Grimes can play the DM role and be an "anchor man" but we need some pace and someone who can carry the ball forward rather than the sideways sideway backwards football we seem to get stuck with, Obviously Rudoni can give us that, but we need someone who can support him as well.
The lad from Oxford was mentioned a while ago (his name escapes me) as a possibility.

And let's be honest, Sheaf's shooting is absolutely abysmal.

I do think the more athletic box-to-box midfielder is what we’re missing from our starting 11, but as MMB said I’d be more keen on moving Eccles on to make way for that signing.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

If the manager HEAD COACH doesn’t have them in his thoughts then better to move them on and free up some funds, even at a loss. I think Simms and especially BTA could recoup most, if not all, of their initial fees.

Gut feeling, Simms will stay and BTA will go but not both. Haji is more likely to leave than Simms imo - I’m sure that Rudoni and Lampard called out Simms for praise with his niche tactical role. In 23/24, he proved there’s a serious championship goal scorer there to work with. BTA, on the other hand, is an average goal scorer but will want more minutes, has admirers and a market for him.

The priority will be to bring in 1-2 wide players and Haji being the main man upfront. We can’t go into the season with Sakamoto, EMC and Rapha again if we intend to play 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I do think the more athletic box-to-box midfielder is what we’re missing from our starting 11, but as MMB said I’d be more keen on moving Eccles on to make way for that signing.

Agreed. If we want to build a team to take the next step and to ‘prem proof’ the side, we definitely need athletes in the team. Defence and midfield in particular with how we play the high line and the gaps between them. I do think Torp could have a good season next year, he’s decent defensively and a creative in his passing. It’s something we missed but I have my doubts about his physicality and athleticism.

Grimes is an example of a CM that is technically one of the best CMs at Championship level but does not seem to have the physicality to cut it in the Prem.

 

[Deity]

Agreed. If we want to build a team to take the next step and to ‘prem proof’ the side, we definitely need athletes in the team. Defence and midfield in particular with how we play the high line and the gaps between them. I do think Torp could have a good season next year, he’s decent defensively and a creative in his passing. It’s something we missed but I have my doubts about his physicality and athleticism.

Grimes is an example of a CM that is technically one of the best CMs at Championship level but does not seem to have the physicality to cut it in the Prem.

Couldnt agree more …. It’s about the blend but you need pace in all 3 departments ….

 

[Cally Fedora]

Not sure athletic box to box midfielders exist any more. The role has been carved up into several niche parts. I agree the key movement is Sheaf. Stick or twist. I think we may be forced to stick after this season but he’s a quality championship midfielder so it’s no bad thing., I’d be happy going in with Grimes, Sheaf, Rudoni, Eccles and Torp.

 

[wingy]

Agreed that we need to show that progress and a top 4 finish is demonstrates that. Under Lampard we’ve been consistently at playoff form (1.79 PPG) and there are clear improvements to get to 2.0 PPG, specifically our away form v bottom half teams.

I don’t want us to follow the Sunderland example, yes they won promotion but they were v fortunate and it’s not easily replicable. Without seeing data, they could possibly be the worst team to get promoted on form leading up to the playoffs.

However, on Sunderland, you do raise a good point where we kind of ‘ran out of squad’ again, albeit to a lesser extent than 23/24 though. The injuries racked up and the only recognised wide player we could bring on was Paterson…

We'd have had to find another way like we always did, no?

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Just seen a Simms to Pompey rumour online picking up pace. Probably nonsense but hadn’t seen it mentioned

 

[Trueskyblue20]

Just seen a Simms to Pompey rumour online picking up pace. Probably nonsense but hadn’t seen it mentioned

Simms and picking up pace should not go in the same sentance

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Just seen a Simms to Pompey rumour online picking up pace. Probably nonsense but hadn’t seen it mentioned

Where have you seen it

 

[Deity]

Not sure athletic box to box midfielders exist any more. The role has been carved up into several niche parts. I agree the key movement is Sheaf. Stick or twist. I think we may be forced to stick after this season but he’s a quality championship midfielder so it’s no bad thing., I’d be happy going in with Grimes, Sheaf, Rudoni, Eccles and Torp.

I don’t know about that look at the Newcastle midfield, or Declan Rice for Arsenal for example …. They certainly still exist but I agree there tend to be less of them ….

 

[Deity]

Simms and picking up pace should not go in the same sentance

He would be quicker than any poster on here I rather suspect

 

[Deity]

Just seen a Simms to Pompey rumour online picking up pace. Probably nonsense but hadn’t seen it mentioned

I can’t believe Pompey will be spending £4m + on any striker let alone Simms

 

[Terry_dactyl]

I can’t believe Pompey will be spending £4m + on any striker let alone Simms

Their owner is very rich. Just been sensible on the outlay, to date…

 

[ccfcchris]

Coventry City backed to complete Nottingham Forest transfer - it would be "massive"

Coventry City are reportedly weighing up a summer transfer swoop for Nottingham Forest left-back Harry Toffolo

footballleagueworld.co.uk

 

[baldy]

Coventry City backed to complete Nottingham Forest transfer - it would be "massive"

Coventry City are reportedly weighing up a summer transfer swoop for Nottingham Forest left-back Harry Toffolo

footballleagueworld.co.uk

Is it me or do the Coventry fan representatives on this website come across as a bit clueless?

 

[baldy]

Was speaking to my Forest supporting brother earlier & he said Toffolo's a top bloke off the pitch too with his mental health work & the way he is in the dressing room & that there's just no way he's gonna figure in the Prem but would be good in the Championship

 

[SkyBlueStallion_89]

Was speaking to my Forest supporting brother earlier & he said Toffolo's a top bloke off the pitch too with his mental health work & the way he is in the dressing room & that there's just no way he's gonna figure in the Prem but would be good in the Championship

Would be happy with Toffolo joining, think he'd be a top signing for this level

 

[SBAndy]

Thing that concerns me with Toffolo is that he’s neither quick enough to consistently provide an overlap nor good enough on the ball to invert. Don’t think he’s a terrible player but he’s quite similar to Bidwell in that sense, albeit better and a couple of years younger.

 

[Winny the Bish]

Thing that concerns me with Toffolo is that he’s neither quick enough to consistently provide an overlap nor good enough on the ball to invert. Don’t think he’s a terrible player but he’s quite similar to Bidwell in that sense, albeit better and a couple of years younger.

I get that it’s 3 years ago but he looks pretty quick on the overlap here

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Thing that concerns me with Toffolo is that he’s neither quick enough to consistently provide an overlap nor good enough on the ball to invert. Don’t think he’s a terrible player but he’s quite similar to Bidwell in that sense, albeit better and a couple of years younger.

I thought his possession play and his delivery were meant to be his best qualities