The Adam Clayton saga - now officially signed for Middlesbrough

[Guinness Boy]

It may not be that we can't compete with them financially. In fairness, if he's from the north and always played there, he might want to stay up in the north.

Having said that, this week seemed to be really positive and we're now looking at Ward at most this week from the sound of it (and that's at most). I've been optimistic all summer but this week has started to take it's toll. My excitement for Saturday is dropping.

As I said in another thread earlier, Andy Naylor and others on here have a lot to answer for as they raised expectations.

Ward's playing for Wolves tonight at Chester #MoreGoodNews

 

[Greavsey]

They've cleared a bit of deadwood, admittedly. But with our crowds and the fee's we've received for Bricutt, Barnes and Ulloa.. I can't believe we keep being out muscled.

If we do miss out on the 'big three', I wonder what the sycophants with say?

I said this on the thread about Glen Murray - it is easy to forget that footballers, certainly at our level and lower, are human beings and have a family life like the vast majority of us that procludes from simply uprooting our kids/wife, dependant parents etc... Middlesbrough may have made a better financial proposition, but I doubt it. We are at a disadvantage due to our location within the country, and will be the case until we top of the Premier League.

 

[forumwayseagull]

It may not be that we can't compete with them financially. In fairness, if he's from the north and always played there, he might want to stay up in the north.

Having said that, this week seemed to be really positive and we're now looking at Ward at most this week from the sound of it (and that's at most). I've been optimistic all summer but this week has started to take it's toll. My excitement for Saturday is dropping.

As I said in another thread earlier, Andy Naylor and others on here have a lot to answer for as they raised expectations.

Just sad that we cleared decks, created space and cash inside normal playing budget BEFORE selling Ulloa. We already needed new players, get cash in from Ulloa sale and now we are passim in the wind AGAIN. Does make me think what DB and his team actually do, because they must spend a hell of a lot of time getting very liMited results..

 

[Bra]

To be fair they've raked in a fair bit of money for the transfers of Marvin Emnes and Lukas Jutkiewicz.

They've done some good business this summer. Wouldn't be surprised to see them go up this year.

At least they seem willing to use the money raised by sales to improve the squad. I will be very disappointed if we lose Clayton to Boro for the reported 1.5M going to 2M with add-ons, looks like a reasonable price for a proven championship midfielder who will bring qualities we are lacking. If we are not prepared to go to these levels to sign players then exactly who are we looking at.

 

[Justice]

Dale is a better player just need him to get fit sharpish.

 

[The Fifth Column]

Well our strict adherence to our wage and budget cap seems to see us likely to miss out again. Dissapointing but staying solvent and not taking the irresponsible shit or bust financial approach should be the priority. Look at Forest, Pearce already miffed that players are being sold without his approval and cracks appearing before a ball is kicked this season.

 

[Greavsey]

It is not really a significant move though is it? It would be within the same small island! It is not like we are trying to get him to move continents is it!

In the example of Glenn Murray he has a step son who's Dad is Brighton based. I imagine that in this instance legally they are not allowed to take the kid up North. What's to say Clayton doesn't have a similar personal situation?

 

[shaolinpunk]

Adam Clayton is set to join Middlesbrough for £1.5m

 

[Kazenga <3]

 

[Man of Harveys]

Mid-table READY

 

[Guinness Boy]

It is not really a significant move though is it? It would be within the same small island! It is not like we are trying to get him to move continents is it!

Depends how ingrained in the local area he is. If he has a Mrs / kids then even a 25 mile move might involve a school change and an unhappy Boss With Boobs. I wouldn't just take a better paid job in the Midlands never mind the North East.

 

[Betfair Bozo]

There are a lot of assumptions in this thread! We don't even know for sure if we made him an offer, let alone his reasons for choosing 'boro. Calm yourselves.

 

[saafend_seagull]

Our recruitment team is an absolute shambles.

 

[jamie the seagull]

Let's not make excuses for Burke and the Recruitment Team.
Whilst he has received credit for getting us Category 1 status for the Academy we seem unable to get our deals done.
Why do we always get to page 2 of our preferred list before we get anyone.
Thank God Andrews has already signed for Watford otherwise he may go back there.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Just seems very short sighted to restrict yourself to a very small area to build a career really.

Stages of life. At 25 - 30 I would have worked anywhere. In fact I did. India, Taiwan, Japan, even CRAWLEY! Now I have kids at school I have no intention of moving them away from their friends.

TBH if he's based in Manchester he doesn't need to move. How many clubs are there within commuting distance of there, particularly with a nice car? Our massive catchment area that is serving up the big crowds is also a big put off when it comes to attracting players.

 

[Icy Gull]

Totally get why Oscar walked, looks more and more likely that we cannot compete with any Championship teams for players.

 

[hola gus]

Andy Naylor getting rinsed on twitter!

 

[S'hampton Seagull]

We want players but only on the cheap. Simple.

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

Our recruitment team is an absolute shambles.

How so? Because a player doesn't want to relocate X hundred miles and instead would rather move 100 miles than 250? He's a human being and maybe hauling his life down south wasn't something he was willing to do. What exactly do you propose our recruitment team do to try and change his mind? Just throw more money at him? Maybe his family is more important than the £££...

Of course I have no idea. I could be wrong. But I don't presume to know the facts

 

[Codner's Wallop]

View attachment 57022

Again, if this is true, it brings into question Naylor's relationship with the club and the credibility of his sources. Where next for our hot-tips....Huggy Bear? Fred Dinenage?