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Blues Again Linked With Pratley Move Monday, 25th Jan 2016 09:41
Town are reportedly set to move for Bolton midfielder Darren Pratley, who has been linked with the Blues since the summer.
According to the Bolton News, the Championship’s bottom club are “bracing themselves” for Town to step up their interest in their 30-year-old skipper, who was amongst the scorers in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the MK Dons and also in Tuesday’s 3-2 FA Cup third round replay win against Eastleigh.
Manager Neil Lennon says he’s received no recent interest in any of his players with Bolton’s parlous financial situation having been eased slightly by the imminent sale of a car park, but he doesn’t expect that to remain the case for long with the transfer window closing next Monday.
“It has gone a little quiet but I’d be surprised if my phone doesn’t start ringing next week,” he admitted.
The Northern Irishman confirmed that Pratley has previously attracted the attention of other clubs.
“There was interest in him and I think there is still interest in him this month as well,” he added. “He has been superb. He is starting to show the form he had last season before he got that really bad hamstring injury.
“He is pitching in, not only with all round good performances, but goals as well. That’s the reason we kept him on. He is captain material and he is starting to drive the team forward.”
The Londoner, who started his career with Fulham and spent time on loan at Brentford before moving on to Swansea and then in 2011 Bolton, was linked again earlier this month.
Town boss Mick McCarthy has played down adding to his squad before the transfer window closes, however, when speaking after Saturday's defeat at Birmingham didn't entirely rule out a signing, saying “it all depends on who is available”.
The Blues will be without central midfielder Jonathan Douglas for three games following his red card at St Andrew's, however, Luke Hyam is fit again after his lengthy absence and looks set to take his place in the side.
Although Teddy Bishop is still sidelined with his hamstring injury, McCarthy still has a number of other players who operate in central midfield in his squad, including Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Jay Tabb and Giles Coke, in addition to regular starters Cole Skuse and Kevin Bru.
Photo: Action Images
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I suspect Pratley would replace Bru in the team. I like Bru but he away from home he goes missing in games. He's a luxury player to have in the team once we're winning.
As much as I like Tommy Smith, he is not a Championship CB. His reluctance to use his right foot cost us the first goal at Birmingham. If MM is adamant on using Chambers at RB then pleeeeease go and get a decent CB.
Also I don't care too much when MM says he doesn't intend on adding to his team or there's Boone at this point who will come in - he said that last January and then BOOM! We'd signed a little number from Col U
Would much rather get Trotter back to be honest. Has done well since he left town. What does Pratley offer that our other midfielders don't?? Not that creative midfielder we need, just another hard worker.
Last January signed a great little striker from Col U who scored a number of goals playing up top , then we play him as a winger and it stops . We are desperate for a quality keeper that commands , a new right back or centre back depending on whether we persist with Chambo out of position but most of all a playmaker central midfielder who has some flair and the ability to boss games which none of our midfielders can . And please don't say Bishop as if when he is fit he wont be selected because he will "not be match fit " and probably wont affect this season at all . If we are starting to mention the likes of Tabb , Coke , Toure coming into the side it shows the real quality of MM's best squad . Personally don't think Pratley is the answer would rather see Pritchard from Spurs on loan
What a signing he'd be. A real powerhouse in the middle of the park, with an eye for a pass and a goal. This guy would be a massive lift for the squad.
If we could Sluglas out then not bad signing. Surco - I take your point. I don't believe we don't have youngsters at least as good as Tabb, Tour an Coke. Dozzell in particular
Skuse/Hyam didn't work last season so we need to add creative spark and goals to the central midfield. Douglas won't be missed. Too slow and way past his best. Add Toure and Coke to the mix and our midfield doesn't look great. Tabb is also past it. Bru hasn't really pushed on either.
Birmingham beat us well but Rowett still wants to strengthen his team for the final push ??? where as MM. seems to indicate that he does not need to, although we have been weakened by the departures of Parr and Oar ????
Football is a funny old game because Portsmouth lost at home to Oxford !!! and then Preston lost at home to Brentford 1-3 and these two teams we struggled to cope with them ?????
He was good before he left it was most couldn't see it and moaned as he was too young etc etc etc. He got a lot of the blame for a bad team at the time. Escape goat.
If we didn't pick him up on a free last summer,then seems unlikely that Mick would be prepared to pay money for him;but its a funny old game as Greavsie used to say.
Like many I just found not see how MM feels we have a good enough squad We have lost Diss and Bishop - both would be in squad Parr and Oar gone Maybe all money has gone on MM and TC contract which I still find strange Invest in Moncur and a striker If we lose Sears or Fraser to injury we are doomed Also when McDonnell arrived everyone was saying how he was class and great potential ? As has been said is DIGBY suddenly ahead of him Strange
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