Kitson signs for Stoke for £5.5 million

[yuomi]

expanding the point a little bit. and repeating what some have already said. has anyone looked at stoke's squad?

is kits addicted to relegation battles?

im happier with the 5mil i tells you.

[MELKSHAM HOOPS]

If 4M then its 700K (17.5%) - original fee 150K. - Add ons (75k promotion +75k 50 goals) = 400K to Cambridge.

or 575K if its 5M

[Big Foot]

In reference to Dirk's post...

Of course I'm sad to see Kitson go, but I'm personally concerned about the bigger picture, rather than the individual merits (or otherwise) of individual players leaving.

It is completely understandable, and realistic for that matter, to expect that players will leave this summer - if you get relegated that's what happens.

My worry is about a general malaise in the way in which RFC is conducting business, and the adequacy of any potential replacements. The bottom line is our squad is undoubtedly the weakest it has been for 3 years, and I for one am worried about what we are going to do to rectify this. Whether it's Kitson, Kebe or the Kitman is irrelevant, it's who we get to replace them / add to the squad that is the major issue.

What he said. We must have known that Stoke were enquiring about Kitson for while, Hammond even stated on the official site that they would be aware of every single movement of players in and out of the Championship and make sure that the player would be offered to Coppell as an option. So how come we don't seem to be making any noises about players like Hulse or King or indeed any other signings? We are on the backfoot now and replacing Kitson will be a mammoth task

Why are you so convinced Coppell wants to replace anyone? According to Hammond, the scouts have made suggestions to Steve but he isn't interested, he wants a smaller squad and is happy with what we have.

It might have escaped you but we're playing an extra 8 games this coming seasons than the last 2 seasons and therefore I feel that the squad needs to be strengthened rather than weakened.

Anyone (posting on here, let alone paid as a professional to manage a football club) who thinks they can go through 46 league games in a season with 3 first team strikers, one of whom who's never had a run of more than 6/7 games; and be successul is deluded.

[FiNeRaIn]

is kits addicted to relegation battles?

They way we're going we'll be in another one this season, I am not joking either.

[CholseyRoyal]

I agree, Big Foot.

I was just pointing out what Nicky Hammond said recently regarding looking at new players but that SC wanted a smaller squad and was happy with what he had.

[readingbedding]

seriously if i worked this slow i'd be sacked,how long does it take to get a transfer done?

Seeing as though it would be their record signing, perhaps a Press Conference needs to be organised before they announce it?

[yuomi]

is kits addicted to relegation battles?

They way we're going we'll be in another one this season, I am not joking either.

not at all. faith in SC, playoffs minimum. granted, i dont see us romping home like last time but i think the mood round these parts 'll be considerably brighter come may '09.

[FiNeRaIn]

is kits addicted to relegation battles?

They way we're going we'll be in another one this season, I am not joking either.

not at all. faith in SC, playoffs minimum. granted, i dont see us romping home like last time but i think the mood round these parts 'll be considerably brighter come may '09.

Kitson- Probably gone
Shorey- Will be going
Sidwell- Gone
Little- Gone

The heart and soul of our promotion team. We are crap, we are fcucked basically.

[RoyalBlue]

expanding the point a little bit. and repeating what some have already said. has anyone looked at stoke's squad?

is kits addicted to relegation battles?

im happier with the 5mil i tells you.

You are John Madejski AICMFP!

Meantime Stoke Cabbies are looking forward to some handsome tips and Staffordshire Police are standing by to take the p*ss!

[Fat Leather Jacket]

As has been mentioned I bet he's failed the medical.

[Hoop Blah]

It might have escaped you but we're playing an extra 8 games this coming seasons than the last 2 seasons and therefore I feel that the squad needs to be strengthened rather than weakened.

Anyone (posting on here, let alone paid as a professional to manage a football club) who thinks they can go through 46 league games in a season with 3 first team strikers, one of whom who's never had a run of more than 6/7 games; and be successul is deluded.

I agree we need more than 3 first team forwards but our squad last season was too big. It was jam pack full of average players that were never going to get a meaningful game for the first team. In that respect we can afford, and need, to reduce the squad size.

The benefit to being in the Championship is that we can get round the transfer window business by using the loan system right up until the deadline in March. That means we can get away with a smaller squad than in the Premiership because we don't have to cover for a freak injury crisis.

[hiro]

Dave, I love you so, and I want you to know,
That I'm, gonna miss your love, the minute you walk out that door,
Please don't go,
Don't go, don't go away,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[RoyalBlue]

It might have escaped you but we're playing an extra 8 games this coming seasons than the last 2 seasons and therefore I feel that the squad needs to be strengthened rather than weakened.

Anyone (posting on here, let alone paid as a professional to manage a football club) who thinks they can go through 46 league games in a season with 3 first team strikers, one of whom who's never had a run of more than 6/7 games; and be successul is deluded.

I agree we need more than 3 first team forwards but our squad last season was too big. It was jam pack full of average players that were never going to get a meaningful game for the first team. In that respect we can afford, and need, to reduce the squad size.

The benefit to being in the Championship is that we can get round the transfer window business by using the loan system right up until the deadline in March. That means we can get away with a smaller squad than in the Premiership because we don't have to cover for a freak injury crisis.

And other than Steve Coppell, how many managers are happy to loan out strikers with a proven goalscoring record in The Championship?

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

£5.5m

Expect the anouncement any minute now.

[rg6royal]

£5.5m

Expect the anouncement any minute now.

Would be a good bit of business for the club imo

[Drew_3]

the .5 is to pay off cambridge?

[Winvey]

Passed medical according to Sky Sports News

[Drew_3]

well then he should hurry up and piss off and put a stoke shirt on!!!

[RoyalBlue]

£5.5m

Expect the anouncement any minute now.

Would be a good bit of business for the club imo

Yes, very good for a club and supporters happy to be an average Championship team at best!

[Alan Partridge]

Passed medical according to Sky Sports News

Got over that cold quick. Stevie Wonder took the medical