So Clayton preferred to stay up North and his agent falsely inflated the price, stitching up journalists and fans alike in the process. Net result? Boro have paid way over the odds for a player that we strictly didn't need.
Let's get on with finding replacements for Ulloa and Ward. That's...
The difference between the two prices is around what we paid for Sockdale. I imagine given we have other targets the club have a threshold on each deal. I am I guessing the multiple leaking of the deal was by an agent on a cut who has successfully ramped up the price.
I was asked if the squad was that good. It was.
Compare my XI there to
Stockdale
Bruno Hughes Greer Chicksen
Toko Crofts JFC
Buckley COG CMS / Lua Lua
Bench: Dunk, Casper, Lua Lua / CMS, Calderon (covering both full back positions), the other midfielders.
The only position we have improved...
Once we'd added Ulloa and Upson then yes. So it was better for half a season. i.e a starting XI of
TK
Bruno (when still good) Greer Upson Bridge
Bridcutt Vicente Hammond
Lua Lua Ulloa Buckley
was possible
FAR better than what will start on Saturday now.
A worryingly bleak view but perhaps accurate. We have no chance of Premier League money without getting promoted and no real prospect of promotion without parachute payments. Even Burnley, last season's surprise package, were on their last season of parachute payments and were able to replace...
Stages of life. At 25 - 30 I would have worked anywhere. In fact I did. India, Taiwan, Japan, even CRAWLEY! Now I have kids at school I have no intention of moving them away from their friends.
TBH if he's based in Manchester he doesn't need to move. How many clubs are there within commuting...
Depends how ingrained in the local area he is. If he has a Mrs / kids then even a 25 mile move might involve a school change and an unhappy Boss With Boobs. I wouldn't just take a better paid job in the Midlands never mind the North East.