Rumour - Tyler Blackett to Wigan

[Nameless]

McShane is unlikely to play for us again. O’Shea. Is a perfectly good option especially if we play a route one type side. We have no other centre backs like him who will winheader after header against a big centre forward.

[TiagoIlori]

Blackett has really improved since being a liability, definitely a lot more consistent. With Ilori linked to leave, Moore future still uncertain, McShane leaving and O’Shea unlikely to get a new contract either it would be stupid to let Blackett go on the cheap. Needs a new contract asap.

[10539.4 Miles Away]

Anything less than £800k on offer and we should block their phone number.

Absolutely. 450 is a joke. Even transfermarkt has him rated at 1.5mill euros, perhaps they've looked at us needing to offload and assume we are desperate for cash?

[WoodleyRoyal]

Nottingham forest have reportedly tabled a 500k bid

[andrew1957]

Nottingham forest have reportedly tabled a 500k bid

I think he has much improved this season. If Ilori goes we wont have a lot of CB options and so it would seem crazy to let Blackett go for about half what we paid for him - especially as he has another 18 months left on his contract. Surely better to decide in the summer.

[WoodleyRoyal]

Nottingham forest have reportedly tabled a 500k bid

I think he has much improved this season. If Ilori goes we wont have a lot of CB options and so it would seem crazy to let Blackett go for about half what we paid for him - especially as he has another 18 months left on his contract. Surely better to decide in the summer.

suppose it depends if we can get anyone else with the money raised from the sale of illori blackett

[Hound]

Hoping that 500k bid gets laughed off

1m and it might be worth looking at. Personally would be my first choice LB at the moment. Useful CB cover as well.

[Old Man Andrews]

Hoping that 500k bid gets laughed off

1m and it might be worth looking at. Personally would be my first choice LB at the moment. Useful CB cover as well.

Agree. Can put in a lovely cross from the wing and is quicker than people give him credit for too.

[genome]

Would be a terrible decision to sell him. It'd leave us with Richards as first choice left-back, and he needs a season in League One. Either that, or you're shoehorning Gunter or Yiadom in there.

[royal_rumble]

and he needs a season in League One.

Says who? He's played 20 odd games at Championship level. Either he's good enough or not.

Blackett should certainly not be sold unless we have cover coming in.

[genome]

and he needs a season in League One.

Says who? He's played 20 odd games at Championship level. Either he's good enough or not.

You know players can develop in lower leagues, right?

[NewCorkSeth]

Would be a terrible decision to sell him. It'd leave us with Richards as first choice left-back, and he needs a season in League One. Either that, or you're shoehorning Gunter or Yiadom in there.

Meh. Honestly, Gunter shoehorned in at LB isn't that bad. I would rather see us get a chunk of cash for Gunter rather than Blackett but that doesn't look likely.

Yes Blackett offers more cover than Guntz but we all know this squad needs a trimming and the difference in quality between the 2 is negligible.

I say push for a bit more cash from forest and sell.

[Hound]

and he needs a season in League One.

Says who?

Genome

[Sutekh]

Definitely do not sell esp. at that ludicrous price. Most improved player this season and Reading will need the cover defensively as McShane, McIntryre and Obita are all crocked, Ilori's gone. Osho is at Bristol Rovers, and that leaves Richards who is plainly still developing and two right backs to cover the left back role and just 3 central defenders (Moore, O'Shea and Miazga). Is Holmes also out on loan somewhere or has star totally faded?

[Hound]

Wouldn't say Holmes' star has faded. Just that McIntyre and Osho are older and better

to be honest, think it was Jaap Stam trying to make some sort of statement when he played him rather than really being ready to play

[genome]

Alfie tore the poor lad apart

[royal_rumble]

and he needs a season in League One.

Says who?

Genome

an expert on the matter clearly.

struggling to think of a player (academy grad) who has played quite a few games for the first team, then gone out on loan to lower leagues and come back a much better player. dom samuel and sam smith strike me as recent examples of not being good enough.

[Hendo]

Alfie tore the poor lad apart

Should've had a couple of goals before HT, if memory serves me right.

[WoodleyRoyal]

Says who?

Genome

an expert on the matter clearly.

struggling to think of a player (academy grad) who has played quite a few games for the first team, then gone out on loan to lower leagues and come back a much better player. dom samuel and sam smith strike me as recent examples of not being good enough.

michael hector
aaron tshibola

none of the current crop though

[Brain Traysers]

I've not seen enough from Blackett to be convinced he is good enough to be a first team regular at this level - he looks better at LB than CB, but is a long way behind Obita if he ever comes back. He is probably on a decent wage for LB/CB squad cover as he hasn't really progressed much in his 2.5y here.

Given Obita doesn't look like coming back any time soon, it doesn't make sense to sell until we have a legitimate LB - but one I would be fine with leaving in the summer when he will only have 1y left on his deal.