30 Mar 2026 22:52:23
Just read a rumour linking us to Watkins. Although it is probably horse s***, it did make me think about the possibility of signing him or not.
What would people's thoughts on him be?
31 Mar 2026 06:27:11
If they don't make CL, it is possible.
{Ed025's Note - i think he is on his way down myself Cookie, DCL and Wellbeck are ahead of him in the England squad mate..i think that tells you everything..
31 Mar 2026 09:24:29
He's looked out of sorts this season, would be expensive, and have no sell on value. Would rather we went for someone on the up. I'd be happy to see Jhon Duran come in or Agehowa from Porto.
31 Mar 2026 09:33:06
I was kinda hoping the days of buying older players had gone now.
{Ed025's Note - yeah Brass i was hoping we had moved on from the EFC retirement home for ageing players mate..
31 Mar 2026 13:11:34
He has definitely had a quieter season JB but still managed 9 goals and 2 assists.
Before that his numbers are very good tbf:
2024/25 16 8
2023/24 19 18
2022/23 15 8
2021/22 11 3
2020/21 14 9
It is a weird one. I have never been a fan of him and think he is very wasteful but those numbers can't be argued with.
I get the retirement home shout as well Ed but 30 isn't as old as it used to be and he isn't a player that relies on pace or anything like that.
Caught in two minds about it tbf. He does guarantee goals in the hardest league in the world and would easily be our best striker ahead of the other two lads.
Cheers for your thoughts Gents.
31 Mar 2026 18:09:46
He's an upgrade on what we have for sure, BN. If he was out of contract I'd be tempted. I just think, for what he'd cost, we should be looking at a younger option.
{Ed025's Note - im with you JB..
31 Mar 2026 18:21:38
Probably right, JB. Think it is rumoured to be around 30m, so the same price as Barry.
31 Mar 2026 19:20:07
30m for a thirty year old? I get players play longer now, but just don't see that as value for money. As for Barry, the only thing I can say about that is why?
31 Mar 2026 21:46:46
I think there are better players to lead the line out there, BN.
Thiago at Brentford would be an interesting one to go for. It depends on whether Brentford would sell, but I also think bigger clubs will be in for him. Also think Evanilson at Bournemouth, when fit, could be a decent player to go for.
There's no questioning he's an improvement on what we have, but that's because of the poor choices we have made in the transfer market over the last few seasons.
It's looking more and more that Beto is our best striker, and that says a lot about our scouts. They probably haven't heard of Watkins, as he isn't a stupidly expensive and overrated kid that may or may not come good in 5 years time. We have one of those in the U21s, but don't seem to look there either!
31 Mar 2026 22:35:41
Get 10-15 goals out of him a season for 2 seasons and it wouldn't represent bad business, Brass, but I get exactly what you mean.
Never liked the look of Barry when we first scouted him tbh.
Couldn't agree more, Br. Whilst I can appreciate he is effective, and has at times, and, numbers-wise, been a top quality PL striker, I have never particularly liked him as a player.
That being said, if we got him in, I wouldn't be p**sed off. You are likely to get a solid 2-3 years out of him and you've got an experienced head to go with a younger Beto or Barry replacement.
I like Jb's shout for Samu from Porto but I can't see him costing anything less than 50/60m.
01 Apr 2026 17:32:59
Don't want Villa cast offs. I'd get Big Rom of Napoli, makes more sense to me.