Wednesday 1 August 2007

Roll on September 1st

Just when things were shaping up nicely- an unbeaten pre-season, fringe players on the move and cash in the bank- other clubs are making moves for some of our key players.

Bordeaux say they are in talks with Charlton over a fee for Diawara, and Derby insinuate that they are prepared to pay 3 million for Thomas. I regard Diawara as a class act, and would certainly want at least the 3.7 million that we paid for him if we were to sell. Apparently we value Thomas at 8 million- so under half of that is unlikely to hit the spot.

I think that both players would be quality in the Championship, so should be kept. Pardew announced on the official site that the club was not desperate for cash, so would not be forced to sell. And the players have both played a big part in pre-season, so shouldn't be desperate to move.

For Jerome (who looked a class act in an industrious and skillful midfield with Ambrose, Semedo and Reidy) a move to Derby would not necessarily be sensible, as surely we stand more chance of playing Premiership football in a year's time than Derby do.

Nevertheless, I am still concerned that, as the window closes, our squad will turn from title challengers to play off hopefuls as players jump-Champion-ship. (Excuse the rubbish pun.)

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