I usually hold off a little longer, but with the end of the season comes people immediately chucking names round with reckless abandon. The most common names people suggest are those from the Championship relegated teams. Bristol City and Wolves squads having numerous potential signings. I’d mention Peterborough too, but somehow I don’t think they’ll want to do business with us anymore.
Christophe Berra
The big commanding Scottish defender is actually available on a free, his contract is expiring. Berra has played in the top flights of both Scotland (who hasn’t) and England with Wolves. An aerial big strong presence he could be used in an instead of Elliot Ward (who if you believe the rumours, Davies has said he won’t be signing, mind you the rumour also mentions health spa’s) I personally like Berra, we may have to act fast as his ex Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is wanting him at Ipswich (and maybe to replace Chambers) Rangers too were sniffing round but apparently can’t his wages, what with being lower league Scotland now. Whether it happens is another matter. It’s more a theoretical signing and an illustration of what’s out there.
Richard Foster
Scottish international, although limited caps wise, and only has a short term left on his Bristol City contract he is versatile. However in the same Halford is do we need multiple versatile defenders. That said versatility is a bonus and to have someone else who can fill in anywhere at the back on in midfield would be handy if he was available. However, this is only a player I’d look to sign on a cut price deal, rather than seeking out. May not be as expensive as some wages wise, and is relatively experienced.
Albert Adomah
A former target anyway, the pacey right winger (and what have we all said we’ve needed since McCleary left) might see his future away from League One. What kind of fee he commands is another matter. He has two years left on his contract. Now fees may not be an issue for Fawaz, and he is what we are crying out for a player of his ilk will be in demand. He has two years left on his deal so won’t be on the cheap, like some we may mention who have 1 left on deals. A bid in the region to test Bristol City’s financial resolve and to see if Adomah starts agitating for a move might be clever. Possibly rising to as much as £1-1.2 mill, no higher, as there are other choices out there. But certainly one to consider.
Greg Cunningham
Its funny the amount of ex targets are on this list. Cunningham of course spent a good proportion of last season at left back, and though he took a while to settle by the end of his stint he was doing enough to have a few fans wanting him signing up. Now he does have an extended contract with Bristol City, but again, we could seek to take him off them, or he might want to go, especially as he knows our club. Oh and he’s a left back. We know all about them. No, we don’t, we don’t ever have one. Not even Dan Harding.
Tom Heaton
The fact he came through Manchester Uniteds system and was around there for a while and the fact he has England U21 call ups alone; Heaton has an ok pedigree at this level. Apart from his time with Bristol City, with whom he signed a one year deal with the option of a second (that I’m not sure is/has being taken) means he may be available free or even cut price. Now I’m not saying Darlow isn’t good enough, but he’s a young keeper, and they will have a dip in form. Al-Rashidi and Evtimov are complete unknowns in a first team context. Billy also may well simply fancy another man between the sticks, not that Heaton has to be him, as I said this is just looking what the relegated teams have to potentially offer. Could be good competition for Darlow.
Adam Hammill
Another of those names of players we chased before but never got is Adam Hammill. He went from Barnsley to Wolves when we were after him, and to be fair back then Wolves were in the big time. Now after they have dropped through two divisions he might well be re-evaluating those options. Likely is as well as a player signed in the top flight and now being a League One club the club might seek to offload him. Hammill is still relatively young; the right side of 25, and is as we said with Adomah that tricky winger we are crying out for. But, and it’s a big but, Hammill was done for assault outside a Liverpool nightclub last October. Do we want this type of player at the club? If anything happened again would we be stuck with a Marlon King?
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Back to Wolves again and fairly established striker certainly at this level is United youngster Ebanks-Blake. He’s one of those players who will have barren patches that make you think his good years were flashes in a pan, but then he’ll come good again. At 27, he also isn’t too old to take a punt on, and he is a physical presence like we had with Marlon. The chances of taking him are good. He’s been at Wolves a long time, and might have wanted a move anyway, but with their drop and former top flight experience you have to think he’s certainly worth an enquiry. He is currently recovering from a long term injury though.
Bakary Sako
Like a pacey Andy Reid, this guy is a left sided midfielder with a left foot that could be a wand. He can certainly strike a ball and has been a rare high point in Wolves season. He looked against us at the City ground. But players of his type are mercurial talents. Can he do it across a whole season? I’ve only seen him in patches this season, and like a Taarabt or so he could be more of a hindrance on a field when not performing. I wouldn’t imagine he’d be cheap either.
Notable Mentions:
George Elokobi – just back from long term injury, so too risky fitness wise
Kevin Doyle- Would surely want too much money and a top flight move
Stephen Hunt – Talented but also trouble. Also how many slightly chubby Irish players do we want?
Stephen Ward – Linked previously, not convinced
Paul Anderson – You had your chance here, jog on.
 |
| Christophe Berra |
Christophe Berra
The big commanding Scottish defender is actually available on a free, his contract is expiring. Berra has played in the top flights of both Scotland (who hasn’t) and England with Wolves. An aerial big strong presence he could be used in an instead of Elliot Ward (who if you believe the rumours, Davies has said he won’t be signing, mind you the rumour also mentions health spa’s) I personally like Berra, we may have to act fast as his ex Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is wanting him at Ipswich (and maybe to replace Chambers) Rangers too were sniffing round but apparently can’t his wages, what with being lower league Scotland now. Whether it happens is another matter. It’s more a theoretical signing and an illustration of what’s out there.
Richard Foster
Scottish international, although limited caps wise, and only has a short term left on his Bristol City contract he is versatile. However in the same Halford is do we need multiple versatile defenders. That said versatility is a bonus and to have someone else who can fill in anywhere at the back on in midfield would be handy if he was available. However, this is only a player I’d look to sign on a cut price deal, rather than seeking out. May not be as expensive as some wages wise, and is relatively experienced.
 |
| Albert Adomah |
Albert Adomah
A former target anyway, the pacey right winger (and what have we all said we’ve needed since McCleary left) might see his future away from League One. What kind of fee he commands is another matter. He has two years left on his contract. Now fees may not be an issue for Fawaz, and he is what we are crying out for a player of his ilk will be in demand. He has two years left on his deal so won’t be on the cheap, like some we may mention who have 1 left on deals. A bid in the region to test Bristol City’s financial resolve and to see if Adomah starts agitating for a move might be clever. Possibly rising to as much as £1-1.2 mill, no higher, as there are other choices out there. But certainly one to consider.
Greg Cunningham
Its funny the amount of ex targets are on this list. Cunningham of course spent a good proportion of last season at left back, and though he took a while to settle by the end of his stint he was doing enough to have a few fans wanting him signing up. Now he does have an extended contract with Bristol City, but again, we could seek to take him off them, or he might want to go, especially as he knows our club. Oh and he’s a left back. We know all about them. No, we don’t, we don’t ever have one. Not even Dan Harding.
 |
| Tom Heaton |
Tom Heaton
The fact he came through Manchester Uniteds system and was around there for a while and the fact he has England U21 call ups alone; Heaton has an ok pedigree at this level. Apart from his time with Bristol City, with whom he signed a one year deal with the option of a second (that I’m not sure is/has being taken) means he may be available free or even cut price. Now I’m not saying Darlow isn’t good enough, but he’s a young keeper, and they will have a dip in form. Al-Rashidi and Evtimov are complete unknowns in a first team context. Billy also may well simply fancy another man between the sticks, not that Heaton has to be him, as I said this is just looking what the relegated teams have to potentially offer. Could be good competition for Darlow.
Adam Hammill
Another of those names of players we chased before but never got is Adam Hammill. He went from Barnsley to Wolves when we were after him, and to be fair back then Wolves were in the big time. Now after they have dropped through two divisions he might well be re-evaluating those options. Likely is as well as a player signed in the top flight and now being a League One club the club might seek to offload him. Hammill is still relatively young; the right side of 25, and is as we said with Adomah that tricky winger we are crying out for. But, and it’s a big but, Hammill was done for assault outside a Liverpool nightclub last October. Do we want this type of player at the club? If anything happened again would we be stuck with a Marlon King?
 |
| Sylvan Ebanks-Blake |
Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Back to Wolves again and fairly established striker certainly at this level is United youngster Ebanks-Blake. He’s one of those players who will have barren patches that make you think his good years were flashes in a pan, but then he’ll come good again. At 27, he also isn’t too old to take a punt on, and he is a physical presence like we had with Marlon. The chances of taking him are good. He’s been at Wolves a long time, and might have wanted a move anyway, but with their drop and former top flight experience you have to think he’s certainly worth an enquiry. He is currently recovering from a long term injury though.
Bakary Sako
Like a pacey Andy Reid, this guy is a left sided midfielder with a left foot that could be a wand. He can certainly strike a ball and has been a rare high point in Wolves season. He looked against us at the City ground. But players of his type are mercurial talents. Can he do it across a whole season? I’ve only seen him in patches this season, and like a Taarabt or so he could be more of a hindrance on a field when not performing. I wouldn’t imagine he’d be cheap either.
Notable Mentions:
George Elokobi – just back from long term injury, so too risky fitness wise
Kevin Doyle- Would surely want too much money and a top flight move
Stephen Hunt – Talented but also trouble. Also how many slightly chubby Irish players do we want?
Stephen Ward – Linked previously, not convinced
Paul Anderson – You had your chance here, jog on.
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