Just wondering what's going to happen in January. We all know how Marshall's signing has turned our fortunes around and turned Madine into that hungry goal machine that has made him the most feared and lethal goal-scorer in this league! As Meggo stated, Marshall was argueably the best player on the pitch during the steel city derby and Stoke must surely have been impressed with his efforts (having been played on a Sunday, I'm pretty sure their boss will have been watching such an intrigueing game). The thing is, what will happen should they decide not to extend his loan?
Obviously the transfer market re-opens, but will teams be willing to sell their key players. Those invloved in promotion or relegation issues most certainly will not (and that most probably will include Huddersfield, so we can forget our interest there)! So who could realistically do an equally good job for us and help us continue our promotion push in the event of Marshall's departure? Would M.M. have enough financial clout to pry away such a player.
Depending on our league position (and like most of you, I honestly feel we'll be vying for an automatic spot) I don't think it will take much to convince any player outside the Prem.....especially as the gates should be well above most championship clubs, let alone leagues 1 & 2, making us a very mouth-watering prospect!!
I suppose we could delve once more into the loan market, but, personally I would rather see us get our hands on someone who would remain with us for the long haul back to the Prem. Hopefully this won't be a necessary decision till the summer when preparing our return to the championship, as Marshall has become a firm favourite with the blue and white brigade and forged an excellent partnership with the goal machine which would be very hard to replicate in such a short space of time. We have to remember that this partnership was in place the season before, at Carlisle, when Madine began to catch the eye with his 14 goals up to the time we brought him in!
I'm pretty confident that Meggo has a plan B up his sleeve, but Marshall's departure could be the stumbling block to us achieving our goal of promotion. Let's just pray that Stoke have a good campaign where they can afford to let us keep him till the end of season.
UTO......they're doing us all proud!
Who could fill his boots?
posted on 18/10/11
Trueblue - come on mate! dont fear, if we cant negotiate an extension on marshall Im sure that JOC will fill his boots perfectly
But seriously, I agree with you that Marshall has been a breath of fresh air for us and he certainly is a key figure for Madine but more so, imo, for Lewis Buxton. Since those two have shared that part of the field Buxton has been fantastic.
Im not sure who we could get to replace Marshall but Im sure MM and GM will do everything they can keep him. GM is good mates with Pulis so Im sure something can be done cos at the end of the day I dont think Marshall will walk into the stoke first team just yet.
posted on 18/10/11
Marshall won't get in the Stoke side this season so I don't see it being a case of Stoke not being willing to keep him out on loan.
The problem might come if a Championship side come in for him but Marshall has said he'd like to stay & 'finish the job' & there's an argument that a promotion season in a winning side where he can express himself will do him more good than a side scrapping to stay in the league above!
posted on 18/10/11
He's out of contract at Stoke and frankly still not quite good enough for prem.
As long as we are doing well we are a more attractive proposition* than all but the top 6-8 Champ clubs, and they don't need him either. Can't see him wanting to play at a higher level if it means doing it for a small town two-bit side like Barnsley**.
If the bandwagon is still rolling he'll stay permanent. If the good form goes and S6 gets a poisonous atmosphere again he'll go.
*Cos you know, we are a MASSIVE club
**Only joking Barnsley fans!
posted on 18/10/11
I doubt that Pulis will need him at Stoke in Jan, if they are doing well in the league, unless He loses a couple of wingers through injury but I can see him being here atill the end of the season and then signing him permantly if we go up as he's out of contract, so lets not worry bout him going just yet
posted on 18/10/11
I can see him being here till the end of the season and then signing him permantly if we go up as he's out of contract
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Wish I could be so optimistic. The fact that he's so young makes him a very valuable assett! Stoke may well try to get him to sign a new contract to either see how he progresses or sell him for a decent fee. Depends on the players wishes I suppose, so let's hope he falls deeply in love with the massive Wednesday
posted on 18/10/11
If he's under 23 (which I think he is) then all Stoke need to do is if offer him a contract at least the equivalent of his current one & they can get a fee for him even if he doesn't sign it.
posted on 18/10/11
Marshall is 20.
posted on 18/10/11
Well if we and he wants to sign then it will be down to a tribunal as he's under 23 if memory serves me correctly? Therefore whatever the outcome we will have to pay a fee, if we go up then I doubt MM will have any qualms about it.
posted on 18/10/11
If he's under 23 (which I think he is) then all Stoke need to do is if offer him a contract at least the equivalent of his current one & they can get a fee for him even if he doesn't sign it.
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As a fellow member of the guild of 'direct' football Pulis won't do that to Meggo.
posted on 22/10/11
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