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Huws Linked to Blues; Duffy Slated by Dickov
Emyr Huws has been linked with a loan return to Birmingham on the Football League World website this morning. The Welsh youngster made seventeen appearances for Blues last season, scoring twice as one of the more successful loan moves of the second half of the season.
I think this is a strange one, despite the previous connection. There are no quotes or links on the website linking Blues to Huws and with Blues seemingly staying away from loans this year (or at least ones with a recall clause) I can’t see why they would change this plan to bring in Huws; equally with Manchester City restricted to a Champions League “A” squad of just 21 players (as opposed to the normal cap of 25) means that they will be more reliant on their younger players to cover injury and I cannot see them letting Huws go out on loan for the whole season without a recall option.
While I think Huws is undoubtedly a talented player I think he was also part of the problem we had in midfield. A talented player on the ball, I don’t think he was as good off it in recovering the ball and I think because of that it was part of the reason the midfield was so weak at times. I doubt that Blues will be able to bring in a player with a better natural talent on a Bosman free signing but on the flip side I think we’re looking at a more combative side this year and I think there is an emphasis on a smaller squad that the club owns, to build a nucleus of the team on a “band of brothers” style approach. Loaning Huws would not fit into that ethos.
Paul Dickov has hit out at recent signing Mark Duffy, who enabled a relegation clause in his contract to leave Doncaster Rovers for free to sign for Blues. The bone of contention appears to be a tweet from the wideman, in which he said “Towards the end, I wasn’t treated fairly, which made a very tough decision over the summer slightly easier.”
Dickov took exception to this, stating that while Duffy (like a few other Doncaster players) was well within his rights to move that “I know Mark’s come out and said he was disappointed at the end of the season, but he was injured for most it. So I don’t quite know where that one’s come from”
Dickov went on to say “Browny [Chris Brown, who is moving to Blackburn Rovers] apart, you get players who want to stay and help the club back up, and other players who want to jump ship quickly.” which to me makes the insinuation that Duffy is deserting Rovers like a rat leaving a sinking ship – not the most pleasant thing in the world to come out with.
Tags: Emyr Huws, Mark Duffy
74 Responses to “Huws Linked to Blues; Duffy Slated by Dickov”
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Bit harsh to say Huws was the reason for a weak midfield.
He was the best midfielder we had by a country mile. I think the reason for the weak midfield was Clark playing half the team out of position. If you went to the games you would see that Huws was streets ahead of the rest of the team and problem is probably that the team were not on the same wavelength as him.
he definately quality baz
I agree with OP, he was ok doing the fancy dan stuff (no pun intended,) but off the ball he was limited. We need midfielders who are going to chase back to retrieve the ball when they lose it, or at least help out… not just leave it to others. I’d rather pass on this particular loan.
saying that though staffs we have have more fighters in the squad now surely having a quality ball player would complement that? not sure yet about our young players maybe reece brown can come of age?
At this level and with his experience, I think Gleeson is a better option than Huws. But, if Huws does come back, I hope it’s for the season, otherwise I can’t see the point.
totally agree must have a no recall lol
having had time to think about Ibe situation a bit more yes we do need another player on that left side, i believe also he enjoyed his experiences at the stans…. so yes would happy to him again……..
the thing is though mark i think now that hes had a bit of first team experience with liverpool in a friendly a few weeks ago he wants to push for first team regularity at liverpool and you cant blame him so i cant see that one coming of. KRO.
Brendan Rodgers wants him to go out on loan again.
truuble is steve if a premier team come calling that gives us no chance but fingers crossed. KRO.
I’d be quite interested to see Grounds at left back, with Hancox in front of him. That way, we would see the best of Hancox attacking and he’d double up with Grounds on the defensive side. Could work out a treat.
could work but ide much rather have a genuine left sided winger/ forward thinking player who can get down the flanks and get crosses in…..imagine that with duffy on the right as well….sounds promising with donaldson coming in and green a nd thomas getting plenty of service in the box. KRO.
I’m definitely excited for the new season. :)
totally agree.lets see Gleeson play first
its no good having 10 ball winners in your team with limited ability staffs, youve got to have that bit of swagger and quality that he has to open up defenses and get the chances we need if were nor gonna have another relegation battle….i know its your opinion staffs and i respect that but we also need to play a little bit of football if at all possible and not just run around like headles chickens like for most of last season….you say your pass on this one, i say i love the pass of this one…lets get him back because as you know lee clark knows what hes doing and if he wants him then weshould let him get him back. KRO.
I see your point too dave. But on the flip-side, we only had players last season who wanted to go forward, which left gaping holes through the middle.. and we had NO one capable of plugging those gaps. We just need to get the balance right.
ime sure lee will do is utmost to get the balance righ staffs………..this time!!! KRO.
I think, in the past 2 seasons, he’s had to bring in what he can. This season, I think he’s had the green light a lot earlier and, as such, has done all his due diligence a few months back. I like the fact as well, that’s he’s told the board that there’s no way we could go on the way we have been. That sounds like a guy who’s confident in what he’s aiming for.
He has certainly sold the club to these players, I reckon some could have earned more than we can offer, so fair play on LC in that department.
It all depends on the coaching staff keeping the momentum going and molding a force to battle and hopefully be successful.
Early results at home will settle a few nerves and get the crowd on their feet.
My worry is if we lose too many early home games the crowd or board won’t be so sympathetic or tolerant this season.
KRO+DNM
It’s a pity we don’t have more friendlies at home.. might have been able to get a couple of wins to take the pressure off.
Everybody but me probably knows the answer, but why do we play all but one friendly away every year?
don’t remember tf tracking back much !!!
Different player, different era.
And different class
You didn’t want TF tracking back though did you.He did enough to avoid criticism for that. It’s the same as people criticising Ronaldo for not tracking back.Why would you want players that cause so much damage defending ?
Absolutely agree.
completely agree with Dave. 10 hard working players can only get you so far. where are the moments of brilliance going to come from? Huws’ set piece ability was also a key part for the second half of the season. I know his delivery went a bit off towards the end but you need this type of player in the team.
pointless argument anyway really. can’t see Huws coming back in a million years with Swansea also interested in him
yeah, the lure of the premier league will be more appealing to huws than the though of a relegation battle.in the championship…..no brainer really. KRO.
going forward yes but defending no
unfortunately this my dis-agreement regarding zig and burke reasonable offers made too them both, but in the end of the day they can makes their own decisions. if players have clauses in their contracts there not a fact lot Dickov can do about it.
its sour grapes mark just because we stayed up and they didnt, if its in the contract dont moan if the player sticks to it, ime sure dickov was a very loyal player in his day and stuck to his contract….yeah really!!! KRO.
If you watch/read Duffy’s interviews, the lad wants to play and that’s the most important thing. If a player is happy to sit on the bench and collect his wages, I’d prefer he goes elsewhere.
he’s extremely happy to be give his chance at blues by all account in BM this morning……..
Also of course, Staffs Blue, Mark Duffy is 28 and if he is to realise any ambitions he needs to be in the highest league he can at present with promotion to the Premiership a possibility. A players career is only a short one. Wingers often slow down a bit when they get older.
A few years ago, at 28, he would have been preparing for life outside of playing. But with the lifestyle and treatments they get today, 28 is comparatively young. I get your point though Raymondo, because Burke could barely beat the first man these last couple of seasons. But, we’ll see how Duffy goes.
Large pay cuts are not reasonable offers.
Huws would easily put more st’s on the increase if he came he simply quality Daniel..
No he won’t Mark.
regarding the signing already made he would be a fabulous capture on a year long loan, dont forget Daniel his first punt in the championship, he not ready just yet in the premiership, But a good season with us with probably 45-50 games under his belt, he probably learn a lot with his time with us than he would with fulham….
totaly agree baz, huws was great for us last season and was head and shoulders quality wise than any other player, he could have done more of the ball yes but weve now got the players aound him to do the dirtywork while he does quality work and along with mechada and ibe were the only loanes i would have kept so ide love him back but as dan says we wont get him for the full season without a recall clause so thats the only problem but i could deal with that as long as weve got the cover in midfield if not the quality. KRO.
I’d prefer Ibe coming back to Huws. We need to bolster that left hand side.
i agree with ibe he was good for us and ide love him back also. KRO.
agree with you dave
Huws is good not doubt about it, but unless he signs for us permantently I dont see the point in getting him at all, even if it is for a complete season. I would much rather we had our own players (Adeyemi, Riley….) starting and developing and growing their stock – that for me is the biggest issue. The FA need to change the rules on loan imo and ensure the club that takes the player on loan has the power to sign the player permanently at the end of the loan agreement (ie Fee/add ons/ terms agreed in advance of loan). At the moment the whole loan system is just another avenue for the top teams to sign and develop all the best young talent. I say thanks but NO thanks.
how fans cannot be happy with a young and hungry squad………well
young and hungry doesn’t mean they will keep us up or be any good.
To be fair Matt, just because they are not premier players, or on mega bucks does mean they are not capable.
People seem to forget we are skint and LC has had to shop where he thinks he can get players to do the job.
I personally want to see players who give 100% for the club, I don’t mind losing providing they put up a fight, sometimes it is the way we lose they really grates.
Until they start playing we can not judge, I remember similar posts last season. Oh! just a bunch of kids and loans, what can they do.
At least the latest crop are our own, so lets give them a chance.
I’m setting my sights low this year and anything above 21st will be a bonus.
KRO+DNM
My sights are the same as yours Chris.If we don’t get new owners then i’ll be happy just to survive.I think Matt is just questioning Mark.Last season Mark predicted we we’re going to win every week.It’s fine supporting your team,but you have to be realistic.
It seems to be all quiet on the ownership front.
Other clubs have changed ownership and we are still fiddling with due diligence.
I look at the tables and I always see Blues on top, I go to every game expecting to win, then the alarm goes off.
It is all about consolidating yet again this season and as long as we are in the grips of BIHL nothing positive is going to happen.
KRO+DNM
in my opinion a settled back 4 would take pressure off the team in general,
i can recall Jack Charlton referring to Glen Hoddle as a luxury player.
i’m happy to pay and watch a luxury player any day, but i wouldn’t want to watch 10 damien johnsons.
i can’t quite work out the objections, all the anti clarke brigade slam his tactics,
but now we have a winger who will cross the ball, and possibly a luxury player who will try to unlock defences, and hopefully a solid stable back 4.
looks to me like clarke has a plan, and a style in which he wants to play,
and as soon as the silence from hong kong is broken with new owners, i’m looking forward to seeing the plan in action
well said ian.KRO.
Seconded.
I really hope you’re right ian.Nothing would give me greater pleasure than eating a big slice of humble pie.
If the Huws loan was a possibilty wouldn’t we have heard something about it from LC?
Seems like newspaper talk to fill up the pages. However, if we only took on 1 returnable loan that wouldn’t be bad so long as his wage expectations did not exceed our limitations.
The only drawback would be that we have enough central midfielders and, if Huws came back, who would miss out? Gleeson? Adeyemi? Spector? Reilly? What about young Brown.. when would he get a look in? For me, any loan would be best served on the left-hand side. Otherwise, Novak will be deployed out there again and, although he did well, it’s not ideal. We need a natural left-sided player really.
Gleeson we don’t know about,Adeyemi,good on his day but inconsistant.Spector,not a midfielder imo.And Reilly,only will be an average player.
You don’t alert other teams do you ?
The trouble with relegation it is easy for players to “Jump Ship” so to speak and clubs have to reduce the wage bill accordingly, unless they are daft enough and fail to include “relegation” Clauses into contracts.
I still believe that players should only leave a club for a team in the relevant division they are relegated too and for wages within that division and only be allowed after the first transfer window.
Contracts should be standard and include such clauses, all that is needed would be individual terms.
As for Huws, we lacked a Savage/Bowyer type in midfielder, he was one of the successes of the loan system, but we do need our own players. I would think someone like West ham or the promoted clubs would be better for his development, if a deal could be done without a recall I would like to see him battle it out at Blues.
KRO+DNM
“.. clubs have to reduce the wage bill accordingly, unless they are daft
enough and fail to include “relegation” Clauses into contracts.”
Oh come on now… who would be daft enough to do that? O yeah.. ;)
I agree about players leaving too. If their club is relegated, they should honour their contract for the following season and help to try and get the club back up. But, it ain’t never gonna happen. Players and agents hold all the cards.
true. KRO.
Maybe it is time the FA and FL took control of the game they are suppose to be running.
You wouldn’t work at Rover on the track on a different basic contract as the guy next to you, he might have a better bonus due to attendance or he can finish more bodies.
It is really simple, as with the game itself.
There should also be a loyalty clause or maybe a penalty clause too, depending on appearances, you play 46 games you are responsible for the league position, you play 10 games in the hope you stave off relegation you can leave.
Is it really rocket science?
KRO+DNM
That happens at JLR Chris.New starters earn less than the long timers.
All good ideas Chris. But, the fly in the ointment, is that the FA and FL seem quite happy with the way they “run” things. Whilst that’s the case, nothing will change.
cant see how using rover as an example of any kind of good business practice makes much sense , its true that clubs should expect players to take responsibility and honor their contracts but it aint gonna happen.We have been happy to get players on bosmans from lower league clubs , we cant complain if any of ours do the same and move on if they wish.
It was aimed more for when clubs are relegated and players jump ship, Rover are one of the largest employers in the Birmingham region but it could have been anywhere, the point is, there should be a standard contract regarding wages and relegation clauses with clubs adding personal terms.
It is not about bosmans, that applies when a players contract expires, as with Burke and Zig, which is disappointing, after earning high wages they can walk away for no return to the club, but those are the rules. Had they been sold last season LC and BIHL would have been slaughtered by supporters and we would have probably been relegated.
KRO+DNM
what you are saying makes sense , but contracts in modern football are designed to benefit the player not both sides.if a club really want to sign a player that is wanted by a number of clubs then the player has all the power , whos going to volunteer for a wage drop if the teams get relegated.the club can (and should) stick to its guns ,but will miss out on many players as other teams will bend over backwards to sign them.
come to think of it bosman came to being as the clubs had too much control over players registration , you can find all kinds of stories of players in the good old days that were made to stay at clubs for years as the owners wouldnt release their registration .Its clear that the whole thing has swung miles too far the other way , but the clubs helped create the situation.
Thats why in the original post I said both the FA and FL should take the game back from the agents and players by writing a standard contract with relegation clauses, wage structures etc, all that needs to be agreed are personal terms, such as bonuses for appearances or number of goals scored etc.
Rooney is reportedly on £300k a week, but most of that is made up with sponsorship deals, I believe both Arsenal and Man U have pretty strict wage structures that encourage sponsorships to enhance wages.
It is important to get the basics right, as Blues are doing with a £5k wage cap.
They may be paying more to Donaldson, but it could be made up with personal terms.
KRO+DNM
I posted the Huws rumour last night.I was told by the same PERSON that told me about Ziggys offer/non offer.Also that Ibe will be going out on loan next season.I think Burnley might be interested in Huws as well.
We’re not signing loan players though. There is a left winger allegedly lined up – don’t ask me who though.
Don’t you think there could be a change of plan for these two Dan ?
https://twitter.com/faye_tt/status/480736370517094401/photo/1
interesting to read the same person who took the photo said: ” I said “gutted you’re leaving” he said “we will see”.
in BM today states un-signed contract…..so it would be a excellent coup on the reasonable contract offered him by bcfc. A fit and rejuvenated zig can only good for bcfc only if the terms are correct for both parties imo.
Unless LC changes the way he plays I can’t see Zig being a good move, when LC used him the players went route one and hoofed it up field, that is not Zigs style.
KRO+DNM
How ever many permanents we sign there will be last minute loans in if quality becomes available. The strike force is still woeful as is the centre of midfield
I agree. We haven’t got one real Championship quality striker as things stands at the moment. Even when we had one (Macheda) Clark did his best not to play him.