Transfer Talk

“Losing” all those players we have so far though I would say has left us in a stronger position. None of them were outstanding last year so won’t affect our first 11. And so many times lots of us complained about Lenny bringing Hayes on in games we were already up 2/3 goals consistently. That now leaves room for others to be able to prove their worth. Also gutted if we are actually getting rid of shved. When he has played he’s looked good each time. If it’s only based on a language barrier or him fitting in that’s no reason to get rid of quality. Potentially if we do keep him, that could be like 3 new signings next year; shved, soro, klimala. We need 3 big signings this year; GK, LM, CB. Hopefully Fraser in. Then I’m sure we’ve had someone in mind for left wing for a while seen as when we lost Sinclair, Johnston was our only option for that position. CB I’d like to see welsh and Deas given chances this year. But we still definitely need 1 big signings their, similar to that of jullien

 

Ryan Fraser available on a free

 

Would be a great signing but doubt we'd match the wages he'll get elsewhere

 

Always the stumbling block

 

No chance, unfortunately.

 

L

One of the big 5 in England will get him!

 

Aye Arsenal floating about Fraser. Never happening that. Would be a cracking signing though

 

Losing the likes of Hayes, Sinclair and Gordon we have lost guys that played there part in the last 3/4 season that have been there and done it and that's never a good thing to lose . That type of exeperience is vital to the team, especially the dressing room or when the teams struggling. Add in the doubts over Ajer, Ntcham, Elaynousi and Foster it's a lot of exeperience lost. The point you made about Hayes well if the others were good enough he wouldn't have got the game time. Imo you are belittling the input Hayes made on the team. League Cup final he was struggling with a shoulder injury before the game started, he then picked up a bad ankle knock but still played on despite struging that's his type of character and still wonder why Rodgers didn't use him more . He at one point was keeping two players in Boli and Taylor, joint fees of 5.5 million quid, out the team. And look back to when Lenny game in last season the first players he brought back in was Hayes and Lustig so that showed what he thought of him. Hamilton match when 1 down his quick thinking we scored from his throw in, the quickness of thought meant players were caught out. Look no matter what we both think the one thing that's for sure we are short in defensive and wide areas and that needs to be sorted quickly now that the European ties are more certain

 

Is he a Tim?

 

I always assumed he was a currant but I might be getting him mixed up with mcburnie.
Couldn't see anything online linking him to the huns though.

I think he'll be looking for 50k per week at least

 

Yeah definitely. Not belittling Hayes impact. I know he was huge in the dressing room and his personality was great around the squad, I was really shocked he wasn’t given at least 1 year. Last year was without doubt his best year with us. The experience you’re talking about is right yeah; but financially they are all players that weren’t playing as much and were on the kinda wages of a regular starting player (as they got these contracts when they were that player). Hayes probably not so much, can’t imagine he was on a huge wage. I think we have enough players in our squad who have won things with us to be fine in letting Gordon, Sinclair and Hayes go. Especially like the first 2 who aren’t playing much. The “good enough” comment I think you’re kidding yourself if you don’t think a lot of times Lenny picks who he likes personally over other players some times! Haha if Hayes was as great as you’re saying there’d be a better team than Aberdeen that he’d be going back to mate. Hayes give 110% every chance he got, really liked him. But we won’t miss his quality as a player, maybe his will to play wherever for the team and his passion yeah

 

Is he not just an Aberdeen fan?

 

I think that is more likely than supporting us or them

 

I agree with this, where you could guarantee Jonny would give his all and the passion was there I think he really struggled prior to his bad injury I felt he always looked like the club was too big for him. Given Hayes was brought in to provide an alternative/back up to Sinclair on the left, that never really worked as he failed to produce the kind of form and goals he scored for Aberdeen (often against us including the one that broke FF's record) here. I think he always looked awkward playing LW for us.

This season was by far his best as it is the only one where he really made any contribution, he proved he could do a job when required at left wing back/left back but being honest never filled me with confidence in that position and the fact he got so many games there says more about our other options than Hayes ability or performances in that role. For me to play in a team that dominates the ball so much in our domestic game Hayes lacks the quality on the ball and was often careless in possession.

Don't get me wrong he seemed like a great guy and he had big moments last year scoring the second in the first Glasgow Derby where he made a great run but almost made a mess of it by blasting it straight at the keeper and done well to gather the rebound and put it in. Then there was his tackle away to Rennes which was a thing of beauty, not to mentions some of his other notable contribution away to Lazio and the quick throw in vs Hamilton but more often than not my reaction when I saw his name in the team or he was coming on was why.

Despite all this I would have preferred Jonny to go to England than stay in the league, as I mentioned above he seemed to have a knack of scoring against us.

 

Exactly, agree with all that. Jonny seems a great guy and hope it all works out for him onwards (just not against us! Haha) but like you say he came in as back up and I think that’s the level he was, a good utility player. Everyone agrees the left side is our weakest so hopefully we get some good in at that left wing position

 

Wee bit a noise regarding Honduras winger Alberth Elis anyone else hearing or have anything linking us.

 

https://celtsarehere.com/postponed-...cottish-transfer-window-not-open-for-business

 

I get that the window has been postponed from opening and think this is a good call, however we now know we are going to be faced with essentially three one leg cup finals and then hopefully a two leg tie to get in the CL at some point in August, so at most 8-10 weeks away so there is no harm having deals lined up to be concluded as soon as possible.

Otherwise this year rather than past seasons CL qualifiers from 16/17 onward having no centre backs (playing O'Connell in Astana), no strikers (Rogic and Jamesy upfront vs Rosenborg), no centre backs (Jack Hendry playing vs AEK), no strikers (Eddy and Dembele injured for AEK) and no left back that was trusted (Calmac vs Cluj) for the qualifiers we will have only Bain available as a GK.

I know this is the 10 season but getting to the CL group stage is such a boost at the start of the season and I remember the last two years that the defeats to Cluj and AEK feeling as sickening as getting beat by them at each of the New Year games. Being honest if we get to the CL groups I feel anything that happens beyond that is a bonus. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the competitive nature of being in the Europa this year but particularly given the current financial challenges around COVID it would be nice to get the CL bonus money and three years in a row seems like a long time since we were there.

 

Suggestion for left wing if we don't sign Ely,

Muamer Tankovic, 25 year old Left Winger who can also play as a 10 or off the right. Has been in good form for Hammarby for the last two years and has already scored a few since the restart. Is predominantly right footed despite playing from the left. Looks a classy finisher and to have a good touch from the video below.

He is available for free with his contract due to expire at the end of the month. He came through as a youth at Hammarby before moves to Fulham as a youngster then Alkmaar before going back to Hammarby. He has 5 caps for Sweden.

 

Would be a good signing. Didn’t realise he was available for a free either. Can play all across the front line too so would be a no risk signing basically