As widely anticipated, we signed a striker to support Yann Kermorgant late yesterday.
Finances meant we had to move reserve keeper David Button off the books first and he went yesterday in a surprise move to Brentford. Buttons transfer fee to Spurs was due at the end of June so I am guessing we had little option but to sell him to help settle that debt and to make space on the wage bill for Sordell. Button was supposed to be a shining star but I guess Spurs didn't see it that way and he didn't exactly cover himself in glory when he made the odd appearance last season. He should get more first team experience at the Bees.
Marin Sordell is not a bad punt in my opinion, although he joins on a season long loan and will presumably be club-tied when we play Bolton this season. He made a name for himself at Watford before Bolton paid money for him but he has struggled to establish himself in the ex-Premier League sides starting eleven. His goals per game ratio isn't at all shabby for a 22 year old (if you remove a large number of substitute appearance for Wanderers) and if he can settle quickly back in the Smoke (he's a west London boy), then he could do a job for us.
The big question now is, will we manage to land Obika before the end of the deadline? We need three first team strikers and even that will likely give a frequent sub berth for Joe Piggott on the basis that one of them is likely to be carrying a knock at any time. Seems like everyone would be happy in that case. We have shrunken our squad but that is not necessarily a bad thing as Jose Mourinho will tell you. The nucleus and spine of the team remains and with Obika I would be confident of another top ten finish barring too many injuries etc. He will also add some spice to the Millwall derby (as if we need any at the moment) as he has managed to upset the Spanners in the past.
Finances meant we had to move reserve keeper David Button off the books first and he went yesterday in a surprise move to Brentford. Buttons transfer fee to Spurs was due at the end of June so I am guessing we had little option but to sell him to help settle that debt and to make space on the wage bill for Sordell. Button was supposed to be a shining star but I guess Spurs didn't see it that way and he didn't exactly cover himself in glory when he made the odd appearance last season. He should get more first team experience at the Bees.
Marin Sordell is not a bad punt in my opinion, although he joins on a season long loan and will presumably be club-tied when we play Bolton this season. He made a name for himself at Watford before Bolton paid money for him but he has struggled to establish himself in the ex-Premier League sides starting eleven. His goals per game ratio isn't at all shabby for a 22 year old (if you remove a large number of substitute appearance for Wanderers) and if he can settle quickly back in the Smoke (he's a west London boy), then he could do a job for us.
The big question now is, will we manage to land Obika before the end of the deadline? We need three first team strikers and even that will likely give a frequent sub berth for Joe Piggott on the basis that one of them is likely to be carrying a knock at any time. Seems like everyone would be happy in that case. We have shrunken our squad but that is not necessarily a bad thing as Jose Mourinho will tell you. The nucleus and spine of the team remains and with Obika I would be confident of another top ten finish barring too many injuries etc. He will also add some spice to the Millwall derby (as if we need any at the moment) as he has managed to upset the Spanners in the past.
Sordell is not confirmed yet by the OS
ReplyDelete3pm update - Simon Church signs on a two year deal. Far from the pre-season we have chosen but we now have a squad that should be competItive in the Championship. Fact is beggars cant be choosers and we have been allowed to reshape the side without losing any of our better players. Either Sordell or Church are going to have to weigh in with 15 plus goals if we are going to challenge and I don't believe either have managed that before, although both are young and should get he chances when they play.
ReplyDelete4pm - rumours that Rhoys Wiggins may be sold on, presumably to balance the books. I'll keep my powder dry on this one for now....
ReplyDeleteWe have a squad easily fit for survival right now. Could even make the play offs if we steer clear of injuries. Sell Wiggins and I fear it's a bit like when Arsenal sold Cole to Chelsea. Big psychological message to the players - we're just trying to hang in there and not challenge.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side we do have Evina and Lawrie Wilson to juggle around in place of him, but still Rhoys was immense in the 2011/12 season. Remember that cross against Preston when Danny Hollands got on the end of it. That was pure cocaine. Just one example from that year. Guy could be in the Premiership with Norwich if they had kept him. We can't let him go.