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.”

Pratley was linked with the Blues in the summer when a free agent before signing a new three-year deal with the Trotters.

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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blueherts added 17:29 - Jan 25 Not Diss DIds!
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TimmyH added 17:31 - Jan 25 Uninspiring...people say he scores goals but he hasn't scored that many over the last 2/3 years and he's soon to be 31. What Mick probably likes about him is he's their captain (as per Douglas at Brentford) so dependable.
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karls_dad added 17:53 - Jan 25

I have to say it for the first time in almost 30 years i,m losing interest, we have nil flair, can,t play ball to feet, can,t string a set of passes together, very good at hoofing and hoping, boring football, the same every week form MM blah blah delighted, never ever thought i would see the day that i,m not bothered wether i listen or not, and no i can,t get to games as i,m disabled and live in North Norfolk!
But listen in i will, as per!! i just wish something new and exciting would emerge from Portman rd, something to feel proud about once again, maybe i,m just getting old!

cats_whiskers added 17:59 - Jan 25 A much better option would to prise midfielder Bradley Dack away from Gillingham Only 22, he's definitely one who shows lots of promise and he can also score goals which our present lot can't do.
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Priskin9 added 18:10 - Jan 25 Mick won't sign anyone if the EADT keep suggesting we need to sign someone!
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afrodids added 19:20 - Jan 25 Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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1RWR added 19:21 - Jan 25 karls_dad..............you know what, I'm thinking the same. For heavens sake, he's 30 knocking on 31! Can't we sign younger, more hungrier (does that word actually exist?) players rather than journeymen? I'm guilty of knocking the guy down even before he's stepped into Portman Road that shows the level of frustration I have at present. Losing the will to live, sorry!
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MattinLondon added 20:11 - Jan 25

Bru is not a luxury player as he gets up and down the pitch and is one of our few (not even that) central midfield players who can actually pick out a pass.

Last season MM spoke highly of both McDonnell and Kenyu so I would prefer those two being given a chance. I even remember MM saying that he would have no reservations about playing Andre Dozzell in a midfield three. If that's the case play the youngsters and spend the money on two or three quality players rather than six or seven average players.

Have to admit that the YouTube clip is impressive but I bet every professional midfielder has scored a spectator goal but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are consistently of that standard.

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