swfcGibbo

Both journalists are excellent. Unfortunately the model the Star and many traditional newspaper companies have followed is archaic. They were very slow to switch to a subscription model and are now trying to shoe horn it in while still serving a ridiculous amount of ads per page. Not the journalists fault. I do think this particular exclusive last night was dropped for Click throughs. But again, just doing the job they've been told to do.

Signed a new contract.

Purely to generate page views (IMO) from the Star. I imagine they knew this deal was already agreed/in the works.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/batth-transfer-sheffield-wednesday-sunderland-22798627?%3F%3F= Sounds like our deal was good but Sunderland offered the option + better league position.

Dunks took a LONG time to get going after his injury. Iorfa may be the same. Hutch could quite easily be injured again. I imagine it's more of a case Preston want to put him in the shop window. If he does well they can get a fee for him. He's still young so has resale value.

He was first choice at the start of the season and played every game, signing a new contract in September. All down to opinions ultimately. Lowe doesn't seem to rate him.

Played all his recent football in the Championship. Only just signed a new deal too https://www.pnefc.net/news/2021/september/jordan-storey-extends-stay-at-pne/ It seems like he's now surplus under Lowe. If this is hopefully with a view to taking him longer term then this is potentially a better option than Batth.

Would like to see us go back in for Beevers now. He's been quality at this level for years now.

I imagine the fact they are 11 points clear of us and a potential promotion bonus when they get back into the Championship is a selling point. Batth is in his 30's now so a promotion bonus and more chance of Championship football next year is probably more of a draw than we are right now.

Bambo Diaby formerly of Barnsley is on trial at Preston. He's only 24, bit of a wildcard but might be worth a free transfer signing. He was banned for a year for a failed drug test but protests his innocence. Fits the mould of the type of player Moore likes to take a gamble on. Obviously isn't match fit but is available.

Of course I meant if he's surplus to requirements at Stoke. He's out of contract in the summer so perhaps wants a 2/3 year deal?

Would be surprised if we managed to get him to drop down a level. Was their player of the month in November and by all accounts is more than good enough for the championship. I guess geography plays a factor as we are fairly close to the Midlands where he is from.