Mattock bids rejected

[Thracian]

I really want Mattock to stay, to show the rest of football that, despite our League 1 status, we won't roll over and give in to Premiership club's demands.

I just want a quality left-back. So far Mattock's looked no better than average to me. I wish he'd play like he did against Palace in last season's youth cup but it rarely happens and the way things stand, if Sunderland were to bid £3m I'd say that's more than generous, especially with appropriate add-ons.

Powell is probably adequate for Division One and I'm quite sure the soon-to-be-fit Ryan Beswick would offer a more attacking option if he ever got the chance and could then stay fit.

If Mattock doesn't go now, it seems only a matter of time before he does. Better to use this season to bring on Beswick.

If he flops, which I'd doubt, there's cover aplenty, especially if you include Dyer. If he doesn't he'll gain the experience that will be vital to him in the Championship should we win promotion.

[Uncle Albert]

I wish he'd play like he did against Palace in last season's youth cup but it rarely happens and the way things stand.

Totally agree with that, one of the rare occasions where he was able to beat his man with regular ease and whip an inviting ball in, even though that was in the youth team I still feel if he had the confidence to go and beat his man on a regular basis he would be a far better player.

I just dont want him to leave because in a few years time when he has developed a lot more he will be a class left back maybe even a left winger.

[Thracian]

Totally agree with that, one of the rare occasions where he was able to beat his man with regular ease and whip an inviting ball in, even though that was in the youth team I still feel if he had the confidence to go and beat his man on a regular basis he would be a far better player.

I just dont want him to leave because in a few years time when he has developed a lot more he will be a class left back maybe even a left winger.

He's not fast enough to be a left-winger. I think he played there for a while as a youngster but Beswick became the Academy's first choice left-winger with Mattock moving to left-back.

This pair cogged well and often acted as two left sided attackers at the same time. Neither had blistering pace. The real difference in the attacking areas was the accuracy of Beswick's final ball. Mattock tended to hit an area whereas Beswick would find a particular man.

Beswick's free-kicks were a big plus too. For me he was the best dead ball specialist in the club once Sheehan left. Unfortunately it's so long since he had a run of games that it's hard to imagine him getting sufficient recognition or match fitness to get a first team opportunity.

And, like King, he's easily under-estimated because he rarely dwells on the ball and is not one to be flashy. He just sees what's required and delivers the right response quickly and with a minimum of fuss.

It's only when you look at the key features of games that he plays in that you find that he's either scored a goal or made a couple.

Trouble is, for all the above, I just feel that he'll go the way of Dodds. He's a big pal of Johnny Hayes who's supposedly outward bound anyway and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Beswick shuttled out on loan. Indeed, if Mattock stays I cannot see any other way Beswick will get the football he needs.

[mitch11]

Sunderland signed McCartney. Could rule Sunderland out but maybe open the door for a bid from West Ham?

[Finn Claw]

I just want a quality left-back. So far Mattock's looked no better than average to me. I wish he'd play like he did against Palace in last season's youth cup but it rarely happens and the way things stand, if Sunderland were to bid £3m I'd say that's more than generous, especially with appropriate add-ons.

Powell is probably adequate for Division One and I'm quite sure the soon-to-be-fit Ryan Beswick would offer a more attacking option if he ever got the chance and could then stay fit.

If Mattock doesn't go now, it seems only a matter of time before he does. Better to use this season to bring on Beswick.

If he flops, which I'd doubt, there's cover aplenty, especially if you include Dyer. If he doesn't he'll gain the experience that will be vital to him in the Championship should we win promotion.

Totally agree (well with the Mattock and Powell bit, I haven't seen Beswick play) £3 million is a lot of money for someone who is very much unproven. Also good to see Thrac indicate that he would be happy for an old player, Powell, to play instead of Mattock.

[Jay]

BBC says that Sunderland have paid West Ham £6million for McCartney Roy Keane really hasn't got a clue when it comes to transfer fees the blokes spends money like no tomorrow but hey he can't see an Irish player available and not sign him

[Thracian]

Totally agree (well with the Mattock and Powell bit, I haven't seen Beswick play) £3 million is a lot of money for someone who is very much unproven. Also good to see Thrac indicate that he would be happy for an old player, Powell, to play instead of Mattock.

Powell/Beswick with Dyer/Tunchev as emergency optioins wouldn't be the worst scenario.

I might campaign long and hard for young players to be given a level playing field in competing for team places but, equally, I hope I've never been guilty of rubbishing anyone unfairly or for the ulterior motive of promoting someone else.

I've tried to give reasons for preferring one player to another in any position but, while, for instance, I've criticised the likes of Howard, Oakley and Fryatt at various times I've been more than happy to sing their praises this season and to even predict the two strikers would be highly successful.

I rate Porter as a player but that's not made me blind to Dyer's brilliance on occasions this season, and especially on Saturday. When picking teams recently I tried to accommodate both.

It perhaps sounded obsessive for me to champion so many young players over the last two seasons - people like Gradel, King, Sheehan, Porter and Beswick - but they did represent the best from an exceptional period in our youth production and I doubt we'll see anything like so many coming through at the same time in the future.

But, however the future pans out, if Powell does his job well he'll get my support whatever age he is. And that applies whether Mattock stays or goes.

[Finn Claw]

Powell/Beswick with Dyer/Tunchev as emergency optioins wouldn't be the worst scenario.

I might campaign long and hard for young players to be given a level playing field in competing for team places but, equally, I hope I've never been guilty of rubbishing anyone unfairly or for the ulterior motive of promoting someone else.

I've tried to give reasons for preferring one player to another in any position but, while, for instance, I've criticised the likes of Howard, Oakley and Fryatt at various times I've been more than happy to sing their praises this season and to even predict the two strikers would be highly successful.

I rate Porter as a player but that's not made me blind to Dyer's brilliance on occasions this season, and especially on Saturday. When picking teams recently I tried to accommodate both.

It perhaps sounded obsessive for me to champion so many young players over the last two seasons - people like Gradel, King, Sheehan, Porter and Beswick - but they did represent the best from an exceptional period in our youth production and I doubt we'll see anything like so many coming through at the same time in the future.

But, however the future pans out, if Powell does his job well he'll get my support whatever age he is. And that applies whether Mattock stays or goes.

Porter if he recovers properly from his injury should be a useful addition to the squad. Personally I think the best thing for Mattock to do would be to stay and learn from Powell, Transfer windows for leicester are usually a bit more lively than this!

[Maybes]

Im not too fussed if Mattock leaves to be quite honest, aslong as somebody pays silly money for him

On the Roy Keane situation...what a tool, £6M on the West Ham left back is daylight robbery! They will be laughing all the way to the bank, just like Cardiff did and still are over the Michael Chopra deal.

Sunderland = Mugs!

[brookfox]

On the Roy Keane situation...what a tool, £6M on the West Ham left back is daylight robbery!

Robbery it may be, but it shows who's in control of transfers at West Ham, and it aint the manager!

[Maybes]

Robbery it may be, but it shows who's in control of transfers at West Ham, and it aint the manager!

£6million though c'mon you would be a fool to turn that down for George.

[brookfox]

£6million though c'mon you would be a fool to turn that down for George.

Now I'm definitely not going to disagree with that!

[Ric Flair]

I just want a quality left-back. So far Mattock's looked no better than average to me. I wish he'd play like he did against Palace in last season's youth cup but it rarely happens and the way things stand, if Sunderland were to bid £3m I'd say that's more than generous, especially with appropriate add-ons.

Powell is probably adequate for Division One and I'm quite sure the soon-to-be-fit Ryan Beswick would offer a more attacking option if he ever got the chance and could then stay fit.

If Mattock doesn't go now, it seems only a matter of time before he does. Better to use this season to bring on Beswick.

If he flops, which I'd doubt, there's cover aplenty, especially if you include Dyer. If he doesn't he'll gain the experience that will be vital to him in the Championship should we win promotion.

Drivel.

[Big Ol' Bob]

£6million though c'mon you would be a fool to turn that down for George.

Not really. Seeing as though it has left West Ham with no left backs at the club.

[Thracian]

Drivel.

Well you're in the majority on that view but you also had high hopes for Weso who's started to look ordinary by Championship standards which is where we seem to be heading next.

It's not often we disagree but I think the potential sale of Mattock at the levels mentioned was an opportunity missed. Time will tell and I hope both you and he prove me wrong.