Wycombe offering 1.2 million for Connell

What about Yoganathan, Bland and Phillips?

 

Maybe we'll be in for Louie Sibley to replace LC. We've been linked before.

 

We can look at this in two ways.

Purely financially, let's start with that. Before profits on the sale of players, we're likely to lose somewhere between £5-8m (I'm expecting it to be less than previous seasons given we've got a couple of expensive salaries off the books).

Our owners have had enough of putting money in to cover those losses. The only way to cover them therefore is to sell players while trying to rebalance our cost base.

I suspect Luca is one of our higher earners now. We don't have many players we can get a huge fee for. As a result, Connell going was always very likely. In that it reduces the cost base and it brings in profit to reduce a need for equity.

Footballing wise. I think he's an OK player. His last two seasons have been poor though. Whether illness or captaincy, what ever. If we'd only seen his last two seasons, nobody would think we'd be getting 7 figures. Our midfield, despite having decent players regularly failed last season. We don't know if Connell has reached a plateau, if his illness has limited his progress.

I think part of our midfield failing was due to Connell often over committing rather than sitting in. He's not a box to box player, yet he tries to be and we lose our shape.

I like him, but given our need for money, it makes sense.

The other thing I'd say is that it's been widely rumoured for a week or more that Wycombe were interested. I suspect we've leaked it to try and generate interest. At that point you have to ask yourself, if he's so good, why isn't anyone else willing to pay more?

 

Wouldn't be an ideal replacement for Luca. Sibley is an attacking midfielder. He'd be a more suitable replacement should Phillips or Russell go

 

Sad to see Luca go, I really liked him and his attitude. He'll be well regarded by us and I won't like seeing him line up against us in a Wycombe shirt, if he signs!

Bland and Nwakali will both get a shot at stepping in and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't bring in a direct replacement straight away. We do need to keep one of Phillips or Russell in my opinion now.

 

Russell was dog toffee in CDM when we tried to play him there. His natural position is more advanced as can be seen from last season and internationally.
I think we'll sign someone to replace Luca, around 500K but it'll be undisclosed.

 

This is not a great bargaining position.....
"It is hoped that both parties can still agree on a deal, as Barnsley are hoping to sell numerous first-team players this summer."

 

That would probably work as a midfield 3 yeah. Although I’d expect Phillips to be gone by September.

 

I agree. I meant Yoganathan will be Russell’s replacement when he leaves rather than Russell being Connell’s replacement now.

 

Ben Woods from Accrington would be perfect to replace Luca. A box to box midfielder with 9 goals and 6 assists in a really poor team and only 22 years old.

You could play Woods as the 8 and Bland as the 6 which would suit Jono more anyway I think.

 

Robbo captain. Or McGoldrick.

Jon Russell attempted more, and successfully completed more tackles and interceptions than Connell last season. And according to the bbs, JR can’t defend.

Good luck to Luca. Great in his first year. Hell of a regression since. Plenty of time to reboot and I hope he does. Nice kid.

 

Lets hope there will be a direct replacement for Luca to come in.
God help us if anyone thinks Nwakali or Bland can do the job.

 

Russell will go, as it's the last year of his contract. Seems a reasonable price for Connell. No doubt Wycombe will be able to offer him more money. Let's judge everything at the end of the window.

 

He's a decent player apparently. But anyone coming to replace Connell has to be a like for like replacement and be another proper 6.

If we signed woods as you say, then you need to drop Russell or Phillips, or have the new lad on bench. Unless one of those are also sold.

 

Woods can and does play as a number 8. Bland is naturally a 6 and then Russell/Phillips can be the attacking midfielder.

Woods despite his goals/assists does also have defensive attributes too.

I'll be amazed if Bland isn't our starting defensive midfielder this season.

 

A fit Connell is a big loss. He missed pre season and a big part of the early season, and coming back had to play alongside a way out of form Phillips and then another defensive player in Nwakali. I’d want 1.5m at least.

 

I think Bland can do the job. Nwakali absolutely cannot I'll agree there.

 

I suspect they might also start bland. But we would need another natural 6 for rotation/competition. If we didn't and bland got injured. I wouldn't want to rely on a Russell or Nwakali to be sat in front of defense

 

We don't have a pot to piss in. Not sure why people are complaining, we need money into the club. There was always going to be sales this summer, would expect DKD and possibly Phillips to go too.

 

I reckon we'll sell Russell and bring in one box to box midfielder.