Defence

[Royals-lad14]

I am still concerned that we our very thin at the back we have griffin as RB, cummings as cover Williams LB, cover ?? armstrong and kelly are not fit yet. CB Mills and Pearce, cover ingi and bryn ? first of all bryn is not even a CB he can play there but that is not his position and ingi and pearce are VERY slow. McDermott has been playing Griffin CB for some off pre season however i do have my doubts about that as well. Does anyone else think we AT LEAST need one more versatile defender

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

nope.

[donface]

Hi Jay

[Z175]

Well there has to be some financial realism.

If we add our wage bill we just create more operating loss over the next year. Eventually that debt has to be paid and it takes the form of player sales.

Yes we would like another centre back and Pearce and Ivar are slow. Ivar is the injury prone one though so Pearce is a decent replacement to have with Mills to look after him. (Don't forget he now has vastly more experience that this time last season).

At a cost of potentially selling McAnuff, or having to sell the Sig next summer to pay back debt, I would say - no!

[Kitson12]

Getting someone in on loan is the best course of action I believe. Minimal money spent to get them in, no signing fee, 50% wages max. However, we may have to wait until the start of the season/the last couple of days in August. Obviously this will be pushed through much more quickly (hopefully) if one of our CBs were to get injured.

[Terminal Boardom]

What is the point of having an academy if he up and coming youngsters are not given a chance?

[Jeffers217]

KISH KISH KISH KISH- if we sign him then in my opinion we are strong enough to get promoted automatically.

What made me extremely angry today was reading in the Reading Post that apparently Hull still owe us a portion of the money they paid for that dickhead Stephen Hunt. If we had that money then would could potentially pay for Kish which would be the best signing we could have made this summer

[Tony Le Mesmer]

The guy in the club shop assures me we are "very active" in the market for a Centre Back.

[richierock]

Firstly we've still got Armstrong! In his latest video, BMcD says "he's not ready yet" (edit: in his latest video) which doesn't give much away - anyone know what his situation is at the moment?
Secondly, it seems Liverpool are turning their attention back to Federici as they've been rebuffed for Jones. I think Feds has a year left on his contract so could we afford to lose him now and make some money to fund a CB, given the plethora of GKs we have? Is Federici our cash-cow?

[Big Foot]

I am still concerned that we our very thin at the back

Blaits Jay

[Hoop Blah]

Getting someone in on loan is the best course of action I believe. Minimal money spent to get them in, no signing fee, 50% wages max. However, we may have to wait until the start of the season/the last couple of days in August. Obviously this will be pushed through much more quickly (hopefully) if one of our CBs were to get injured.

50% of £25k is more than the £5-8k we're probably looking to pay a centre back though. I agree it's the most likely solution though.

Don't forget that both Gunnarsson and Ingimarsson signed new deals this summer so they won't be on top dollar, and I believe they include some element of pay as you play. Pearce, having come through the ranks and not been a costly purchase won't be on relatively too much either so I'd expect us to have some budget to work with for that missing centre back.

Firstly we've still got Armstrong! In his latest video, BMcD says "he's not ready yet" (edit: in his latest video) which doesn't give much away - anyone know what his situation is at the moment?

He's not been involved in any of the pre-season games has he? He didn't go on the tour and he's been injured for the best part of 18 months following career threatening knee injuries in the past. Read into that what you will.

Personally I think they're waiting until the last possible minute before announcing his retirement and potentially getting in another replacement on loan (not sure if the last minute bit is that relevant actually - we can get a loan in at anytime).

[Royals-lad14]

I am still concerned that we our very thin at the back

Blaits Jay

who cares?? and who is jay

[Millsy]

I am still concerned that we our very thin at the back

Blaits Jay

who cares?? and who is jay

Our you joking you don't know Jay?

He's one of are fellow posters.

[Royals-lad14]

whats his username ?

[Millsy]

No idea

[Petercccccc]

I think come the start of the season that would be not be the worst defence in the championship and just to be different, rely on a lot of our youth products because the determination of our club has not been lacking through the years with quite a few of our youth players coping without much difficulty in the championship and then one year on.... tough one my heart and head say we could do it but the little bloke on my shoulder can fluke off. URZZZ

[paddyaze]

I cannot believe everyone is panicing about our defence. Mills n' Pearce will be fine until the 31st August. NB, I will be very, very shocked if we haven't got another CB in by that date. Lets just wait until the prem teams have announced their 25. You heard it here first !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Royals-lad14]

we probs need two more defenders now!!

[SLAMMED]

we probs need two more defenders now!!

'greed.

[Sarah Star]

If Mills can't play and Ingi's out, who plays with Pearce? Gunnarsson?