25 Jan 2019 19:41:43
With the Telegraph reporting it, I think there's substance in it - Austin expected to leave this month. The club have already rejected bids as they've been below the valuation. They don't say how much we want for him, but we won't price him out of a move.

Trimming the fat.


1.) 25 Jan 2019
25 Jan 2019 20:27:58
Hi figo

It confirms what I've read Aston villa as 1 possible destination. RH is definitely not messing about, as you say trimming the fat . I can imagine our weekly wage bill is dropping nicely. let's face it a squad of 25 players solely for the Premier League is bloated to say the least. I think we will see a move towards fewer younger fitter more versatile players who are more multi purpose and can cover a variety of positions, an exciting prospect. coyr viva rh.


2.) 26 Jan 2019
25 Jan 2019 22:12:47
Surely this must mean there is a striker on the way in, with Gabbi and Austin leaving? Long/ Gallagher/ Obafemi aren't realistically good enough competition for Ings right now.


3.) 26 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 00:53:36
ITS Culling Season!
Still moving in the right direction
Would not be surprised to see Bertie out the door considering his mysterious minor back injury has dragged on and on ( providing the young Juventus Brazilian replacement can be brought in ) with LEMINA’S tenure under scrutiny and a few more coffers to boot!
ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL!
KEEP ON MARCHING.


4.) 26 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 03:27:45
It seems that there have a number of players quite happy to take their exorbitant salaries and not interested in playing. I think a squad of 18-20 should be big enough to cope. let's move the dead wood out to some other teams wage bill and sit out the season there.


5.) 26 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 04:48:17
Lovely bloke and a great character. Arguably also currently the best finisher in the squad. It's clear he doesn't fit Ralph's blueprint as he's not mobile enough and too slow. But in a team who keeps giving service and crosses he will come good. RH might also be considering the state of our wingers and fullbacks who currently aren't able to provide good crosses and service, so there's no point in keeping Austin anyway. Our strikers need to be fit enough to chase and press, and mobile enough so that we can still carve chances despite the lack of creativity behind them.


6.) 26 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 08:53:51
My view of Austin is that he's always seemed quite cocky and arrogant. Yes he's scored important goals for the club, but he's also wastes plenty of very good opportunities. I agree, I think Ings is the only striker of quality in our team, maybe Redmond will start to play alongside him. Maybe we'll pull an obscene transfer out of the bag! But a couple of injuries to our main goalscorers and we'll he very light on our feet.
Does anyone think that RH, might fall out with the squad by selling all our "deadweight"?

{Ed001's Note - I have met Austin a fair few times when he was at Swindon and he is actually a nice enough lad and not all that cocky and arrogant, most of the time. However he is very much a 'lad' and has the lifestyle that entails, which is not conducive to high level fitness and will not help him steer clear of injury. Especially for a body type like his, which is always going to be a problem as he struggles with keeping his weight in check.}


7.) 26 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 17:08:16
I've bumped into him by chance on 2 occasions in Cheltenham. both times he was drunk and with Joey Barton. Enough said.

{Ed001's Note - that says it all mate.}


8.) 26 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 20:32:41
Ed if we are clearing out so many surely we need to replace one or two due to being an injury or suspension away from a crisis?

Are we playing it risky with youth cover or are we actually aiming to get one or two in this window?

Right back is a prime example now.

{Ed001's Note - you are clearing the decks to raise funds and salary space for an incoming or two.}


9.) 27 Jan 2019
26 Jan 2019 23:25:58
Thanks Ed, appreciate the input as always.


10.) 27 Jan 2019
27 Jan 2019 11:15:57
Seems like we may well have to wait until Summer for the benefits of the clearout though, just from a few things I've read/ reading between the lines.

I think we're alright to stay up with the squad we have, though leaving ourselves quite so exposed does seem a bit of a gamble.