Rob Holding finally seems on his way, and we’ve been looking at a few triallists.
It looks like there could be a lot of changes in the Wanderers backline in the coming days.
Rob Holding, after a protracted transfer saga, is seemingly through the door now. Left out of the final league game of last season, it seemed obvious he would be playing for another club come August.
Prices were mentioned, regularly as high as £7 million. It went quiet for a bit but it’s now evident he had a medical with Arsenal last night and the deal could go through tomorrow.
The fee seems to be around £2 million, going off reports in several newspapers. It does feel iike peanuts but I suppose in the cold light of day, Holding has played half a season in the worst defensive side in the Championship and has made two Under 21 appearances for England.
He will go on to be a very good defender but, dare I say it, a move to a top four Premier League club might be a bit too soon. In any case I wish him well. Especially if we get bonus payments for his performance.
In terms of replacements, we knew about David Wheater training and turning out for the first team. Three more trialists also appeared in tonight’s squad.
Neil Eardley, recently released by Birmingham, started at right back. Fraizer Richardson, who plays in the same position, also was on the bench but did not get on, nor did former Brighton man Gordon Greer, a centre back.
We need cover in the full back positions, with Lawrie Wilson and Dean Moxey the only senior players in those positions, so it’s good to see Phil Parkinson actually recognises that. Eardley would be a decent acquisition in my opinion, for what it’s worth, as would Greer, although signing one of him or Wheater would suffice to cover the loss of Holding.
What do you think? Feel free to comment.