Bid turned down for Archer

[HamTown]

From L1 club according to JP.

At least its happening early in the transfer window.

[Shade]

Cue the bidding war (we hope).

[RS1978]

From L1 club according to JP.

At least its happening early in the transfer window.

Exactly - if/when Archer and Thomas go, we have to source replacements for their creativity and goals - the lack of which was one of the reasons that led to our relegation from L1 a couple of seasons ago.

More time to research signings is always good...

[Robin]

From L1 club according to JP.

At least its happening early in the transfer window.

Exactly - if/when Archer and Thomas go, we have to source replacements for their creativity and goals - the lack of which was one of the reasons that led to our relegation from L1 a couple of seasons ago.

More time to research signings is always good...

Any reasonably well run club has targets identified well before they sell, Micky Moore famously had lists for every position should we lose a key asset. The club has known for months that Thomas will leave and there would be interest in Archer, I would hope we've got players identified whom we could go out and buy with some of the money and others we could loan if the permanent deals do not come off.

[paperboy]

From L1 club according to JP.

At least its happening early in the transfer window.

Exactly - if/when Archer and Thomas go, we have to source replacements for their creativity and goals - the lack of which was one of the reasons that led to our relegation from L1 a couple of seasons ago.

More time to research signings is always good...

Any reasonably well run club has targets identified well before they sell, Micky Moore famously had lists for every position should we lose a key asset. The club has known for months that Thomas will leave and there would be interest in Archer, I would hope we've got players identified whom we could go out and buy with some of the money and others we could loan if the permanent deals do not come off.

Aidan Keena being a good example perhaps.

[Horteng]

Exactly - if/when Archer and Thomas go, we have to source replacements for their creativity and goals - the lack of which was one of the reasons that led to our relegation from L1 a couple of seasons ago.

More time to research signings is always good...

Any reasonably well run club has targets identified well before they sell, Micky Moore famously had lists for every position should we lose a key asset. The club has known for months that Thomas will leave and there would be interest in Archer, I would hope we've got players identified whom we could go out and buy with some of the money and others we could loan if the permanent deals do not come off.

Aidan Keena being a good example perhaps.

Up there with the worst signings of all time

[ctfc-fan]

Any reasonably well run club has targets identified well before they sell, Micky Moore famously had lists for every position should we lose a key asset. The club has known for months that Thomas will leave and there would be interest in Archer, I would hope we've got players identified whom we could go out and buy with some of the money and others we could loan if the permanent deals do not come off.

Aidan Keena being a good example perhaps.

Up there with the worst signings of all time

Yes but it’s MM, the God who can do no wrong. I’m sure he’s not the only one at a football club who has targets identified, I wouldn’t say ‘famously’!

[Horteng]

Aidan Keena being a good example perhaps.

Up there with the worst signings of all time

Yes but it’s MM, the God who can do no wrong. I’m sure he’s not the only one at a football club who has targets identified, I wouldn’t say ‘famously’!

Just overseen relegation at Shrewsbury……

[ctfc-fan]

Up there with the worst signings of all time

Yes but it’s MM, the God who can do no wrong. I’m sure he’s not the only one at a football club who has targets identified, I wouldn’t say ‘famously’!

Just overseen relegation at Shrewsbury……

No I think you’re confused, that wouldn’t be Mickey’s fault….

[Benny Profane]

In defence of Aidan Keena

'Up there with the worst signings of all time'

Bit harsh.

In his first few months with us he looked the ideal foil for Alfie; slightly deep-lying (false 9?) allowing Alfie to run in behind, he could pick a pass & his first touch was good.

Then Alfie left & he was expected to replace him, which he couldn't because they're not remotely similar. We paid a (relatively) big amount for him (over £50k?) but at the time this was seen as us actually showing some ambition rather than foolish squandering.

Don't get me wrong, he was awfully poor at times I agree; he looked utterly bereft of confidence as his 'penalty taking' showed. But in the dark final days of the League 2 relegation & the mid-season madness of Buckle, there were far worse players.

Before anyone says 'Yes but Irish football' this finish requires technique at any level...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K-6Pp958KU


Anyway, all just opinions isn't it?

[Si Robin]

I agree Benny - Keena gets a raw deal because he was our record signing as well.

It's all ifs and buts, but, if one of his strikes in the first few games of 23/24 goes in - the one at Peterborough for example which smacked the bar, then who knows what he could have done. As it was, the goal he did score he tried his best to miss.

I have heard, anecdotally of course, that another player met him before pre-season last year and they said that technically he is an absolutely outstanding player. However, he simply lacked the professionalism.

I'm still fascinated by the support he received from the fanbase though.

[HamTown]

I agree Benny - Keena gets a raw deal because he was our record signing as well.

It's all ifs and buts, but, if one of his strikes in the first few games of 23/24 goes in - the one at Peterborough for example which smacked the bar, then who knows what he could have done. As it was, the goal he did score he tried his best to miss.

I have heard, anecdotally of course, that another player met him before pre-season last year and they said that technically he is an absolutely outstanding player. However, he simply lacked the professionalism.

I'm still fascinated by the support he received from the fanbase though.

I suppose the extent and length of support was unusual but likes been said he showed what he could do in his first few months and his technical ability was plain to see, it just seemed like he needed to get that monkey off his back and he'd suddenly become the player that many (most?) of us thought was in him.

I was disappointed but not surprised to see him go.

[Warwickshire Robin]

I'm still fascinated by the support he received from the fanbase though.

Agree with this Si, especially when you compare it to the stick George Miller got last season when he scored 11 goals and was our top scorer!

[Jon Palmer]

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/s ... e-10230804

[asl]

Less than £250k?? That sounds a bit cheeky !

[Robin]

In defence of Aidan Keena

'Up there with the worst signings of all time'

Bit harsh.

In his first few months with us he looked the ideal foil for Alfie; slightly deep-lying (false 9?) allowing Alfie to run in behind, he could pick a pass & his first touch was good.

Then Alfie left & he was expected to replace him, which he couldn't because they're not remotely similar. We paid a (relatively) big amount for him (over £50k?) but at the time this was seen as us actually showing some ambition rather than foolish squandering.

Don't get me wrong, he was awfully poor at times I agree; he looked utterly bereft of confidence as his 'penalty taking' showed. But in the dark final days of the League 2 relegation & the mid-season madness of Buckle, there were far worse players.

Before anyone says 'Yes but Irish football' this finish requires technique at any level...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K-6Pp958KU


Anyway, all just opinions isn't it?

£100,000 or just above as the fee was in euros. But you are right he was a great foil for Alfie but he was not the replacement and that really messed us up. His touch and work rate were so good first season but then he was devoid of everything second season it was like a different person. That all said, I was warned by a Scottish fan that he starts well but never stays long at any of his clubs, he got homesick up there and wanted to be back in Ireland so maybe some off the field factors too (just speculation, I've not heard anything to say that is the case).

[Robin]

Less than £250k?? That sounds a bit cheeky !

That's a pretty damning indication of how other clubs view us that they offer significantly lower than an amount we've already rejected for not being enough. I'm sure they are testing the waters in the hope we are desperate and cash in.

[ctfc-fan]

Less than £250k?? That sounds a bit cheeky !

That's a pretty damning indication of how other clubs view us that they offer significantly lower than an amount we've already rejected for not being enough. I'm sure they are testing the waters in the hope we are desperate and cash in.

No, it’s clubs trying get more for their money. Like ringing a suppliers and asking their best price. Good business sense and you’d moan if we didn’t try it on a player we wanted.

[Jerry St Clair]

I'm still fascinated by the support he received from the fanbase though.

Agree with this Si, especially when you compare it to the stick George Miller got last season when he scored 11 goals and was our top scorer!

I may be repeating myself here, but Keena's connection with the fanbase can be traced back to a single moment - the goal in the rain against Sheffield Wednesday.

I was in the PRE and that was probably the only time I've experienced a proper terrace surge at a Cheltenham game. Keena heads to Block 1, they run on the pitch, Keena struts off with an Irish tricolour draped around his shoulders. Probably one of the most iconic CTFC moments in recent years. From that moment on he always had the fanbase onside.

[Shade]

I'm still fascinated by the support he received from the fanbase though.

Agree with this Si, especially when you compare it to the stick George Miller got last season when he scored 11 goals and was our top scorer!

I may be repeating myself here, but Keena's connection with the fanbase can be traced back to a single moment - the goal in the rain against Sheffield Wednesday.

I was in the PRE and that was probably the only time I've experienced a proper terrace surge at a Cheltenham game. Keena heads to Block 1, they run on the pitch, Keena struts off with an Irish tricolour draped around his shoulders. Probably one of the most iconic CTFC moments in recent years. From that moment on he always had the fanbase onside.

Exactly. And he showed he had the quality, if not the fitness and confidence. We were rooting for him because we wanted him to come good for the sake of our club. I wish our fans supported our players a bit more sometimes, rather than some of the pathetic boos or sarcastic cheers a couple have received.

[Si Robin]

Oh, I should clarify, I think the support he received was great - I just wish we afforded it to all of our players more often.

[Jim]

Reading between the lines, it'll be £250k for Thomas and Archer (each). If Archer's form had continued we'd be looking at double that or more...

What cost AJB? He's the roughest diamond of the 3 in my opinion, but potentially the highest ceiling.

[Garby74]

600k Thomas Archer and AJB
I hate the churn but would go some way to easy the pain as long as MF gets a decent chunk.

Do I honestly believe the board will negotiate to up £500k ?

No

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

I agree Benny - Keena gets a raw deal because he was our record signing as well.

It's all ifs and buts, but, if one of his strikes in the first few games of 23/24 goes in - the one at Peterborough for example which smacked the bar, then who knows what he could have done. As it was, the goal he did score he tried his best to miss.

I have heard, anecdotally of course, that another player met him before pre-season last year and they said that technically he is an absolutely outstanding player. However, he simply lacked the professionalism.

I'm still fascinated by the support he received from the fanbase though.

That last run of games when AK looked unplayable alongside Alfie were some of best I remember ever seeing.

The goals against Wednesday and FGR. That assist for Alfie at Plymouth in the pizza cup semi final.

Who knows what happened in season two, but having seen what he could do in that run-in, I think the support from the fans was out of pure desire to see it again.

[horlickfanclub]

600k Thomas Archer and AJB
I hate the churn but would go some way to easy the pain as long as MF gets a decent chunk.

Do I honestly believe the board will negotiate to up £500k ?

No

The Director of Football will negotiate.

[Jerry St Clair]

600k Thomas Archer and AJB
I hate the churn but would go some way to easy the pain as long as MF gets a decent chunk.

Do I honestly believe the board will negotiate to up £500k ?

No

Plus add-ons like appearance fees, more for promotion, a cut of future sales. I’d hope £600k would at least double with these three in the coming years.

[Robin]

Reading between the lines, it'll be £250k for Thomas and Archer (each). If Archer's form had continued we'd be looking at double that or more...

What cost AJB? He's the roughest diamond of the 3 in my opinion, but potentially the highest ceiling.

I've been critical of the board but I do not believe we will sell Archer for £250k. The situation is different in that there is no release clause, player is happy to stay another year and we turned down that amount in January because the club believe they can get more.

Now if a club comes in with a £350k+ offer our position may change but otherwise I don't expect him to go anywhere soon.

As for AJB much harder to predict, unsure if there a release clause and how hard the player would push for a move. Both Stockport and Derby have money though so if we sell low there really is no excuse. I would guess we are looking at around £175k+ perhaps a bit more because full backs don't tend to go for much money.

[Robin]

Ok transfer fees, this should give us a yardstack. Stockport paid £375k upfront risiing to up to £600k for a Jayden Fevrier a winger who was at Colchester Utd and similar age to Archer. The same club paid £200k for Ibou Touray a 28 year old left back from Salford. Both transfers made last summer.

That should give us a reasonable estimate of the sort of fees we should be looking at so £600k for Archer and AJB is probably realistic. You then add £250k for Thomas on top.

I hope we have a few replacements lined up from premier league B teams that can be brought in and sold on in a season or two.

[Garby74]

Robin do you honestly believe the powers that be will secure £850k for that trio of players?

Ill bet you £100 English pounds we don't even get £600k

Winnings to charity of your choice of course (robins trust included!)

[Robin]

I've been critical of the board for selling cheap so I would not take that bet. I'm just giving examples of the going rate for similar players.

[Jim]

JP reporting this was Stevenage, and that is was significantly below the bid from MK turned down in January.

[Jerry St Clair]

Stevenage are reportedly in for Wolves winger Chem Campbell, so may have turned their attentions away from Archer.

[Robin]

Stevenage are reportedly in for Wolves winger Chem Campbell, so may have turned their attentions away from Archer.

No chance Stevenage could have afforded Archer, they've tried a cheeky bid to see if we are desperate for money.

[longmover]

Stevenage

[RegencyCheltenhamSpa]

Worth noting that the temporary transfer window closes today at 7pm and then the proper one opens for the summer on Monday 16th.