Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: coventryrover on July 10, 2010, 08:04:37 am

Title: Martin Woods
Post by: coventryrover on July 10, 2010, 08:04:37 am
According to the Daily Mail - never knowingly correct - QPR and Preston are after Martin Woods.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1293519/Preston-QPR-chase-Doncaster-midfielder-Woods.html

Obviously paper talk is paper talk, but if true what do people think.  I dont think he captured the form of the first season in the championship last season but can still be a quality player.  

However do we cash in now, after apparently rejecting a £500k offer in Jan?  I would see how much is on offer.  If Rovers  sell him the money could be put towards Keogh.

All hypothetical as it is the silly season.  The world cup is all but finish so transfer speculation in the press is bound to increase.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Spankster on July 10, 2010, 08:15:22 am
I think we should keep him, his season went downhill after he was sent off at plymouth then his injury, however i believe we are a better team when he is on the pitch, he is always my first choice to take a dead ball free kick just outside the box.

What a season we have in front of us, can't wait  :woohoo:
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Glyn_Wigley on July 10, 2010, 09:09:35 am
Spankster wrote:
Quote
his season went downhill after he was sent off at plymouth then his injury


However, if the coaching staff can't see him hitting his heights again (especially after an injury), now might be the right time to cash in on him and re-invest...
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on July 10, 2010, 10:01:10 am
Spankster wrote:
Quote
he is always my first choice to take a dead ball free kick just outside the box.


Aye, cos of all them direct free kick goals he's scored. Like that one against...errr...and that other one against...ummm.

I'll get back to you.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Rios on July 10, 2010, 10:04:30 am
Of our saleable midfielders, he'd be the one I'd cash in on.  I always thought he'd be the Stock replacement but he's never really stepped into that role in the same way that Oster or Gillet did.  We are a better team when he's on the pitch but he could be replaced relatively easily with a cheaper lower division player (Taylor at Oldham?)
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: BillyStubbsTears on July 10, 2010, 10:06:58 am
Spankster wrote:
Quote
he is always my first choice to take a dead ball free kick just outside the box.


Aye, cos of all them direct free kick goals he's scored. Like that one against...errr...and that other one against...ummm.

I'll get back to you.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Yargo on July 10, 2010, 10:16:01 am
Whats gone wrong? Isnt it obligatory of Rovers fans to draw attention to that video whenever his name is mentioned?Some are slacking
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Jonathan on July 10, 2010, 10:42:24 am
I'd keep him as the fact that he's naturally left sided gives us balance. I don't think he's irreplacable, but I'd rather we didn't sell any players that are strong contenders for the first eleven (which Woods is) unless we have a replacement lined up of equal or better quality. He is our only left footed midfielder and we have to have at least one!
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: en aitch on July 10, 2010, 10:48:22 am
Just a minute ..... Fabio Capello ..... 23 squad members, left sided and creative - oh it's ok we've got Ashley, and Gareth Barry (in the holding role).

I agree, Martin Woods is a grafter and I'd keep him (and try to tie him to a longer contract), but whoever is our \"Free kick from just-outside-the-box specialist\" needs to practice harder.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: coventryrover on July 10, 2010, 10:50:45 am
Isnts Woodsy a jock?
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: billywhitehurst on July 10, 2010, 10:56:28 am
If it meant getting a top class centre half, I be happy to sell.  The loss of Big shack was felt last year and for me he had as big an influence on the side as king billy, if not more so.  Midfield is an area where I am not remotely concerned, SOD can find midfielders to fit his system with relative ease it seams.  A top class centre half is harder to come by.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: graingrover on July 10, 2010, 11:07:53 am
why would he want to drop down to the level of QPR or Preston... I see him as being happy at Rovers and ambitious.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: scuzzer on July 10, 2010, 11:16:46 am
BillyStubbsTears wrote:
Quote
Spankster wrote:
Quote
he is always my first choice to take a dead ball free kick just outside the box.


Aye, cos of all them direct free kick goals he's scored. Like that one against...errr...and that other one against...ummm.

I'll get back to you.


Bang on BST, my head disappears into my hands as quickly as the ball hits the back of the stand from every direct free kick Woodsy takes. If he's the best we've got for that job the rest must be chuffing awful.

I'd still rather keep him as part of the squad but would rather give Sully free kick duties.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Wellred on July 10, 2010, 12:49:08 pm
scuzzer wrote:
Quote
BillyStubbsTears wrote:
Quote
Spankster wrote:
Quote
he is always my first choice to take a dead ball free kick just outside the box.


Aye, cos of all them direct free kick goals he's scored. Like that one against...errr...and that other one against...ummm.

I'll get back to you.


Bang on BST, my head disappears into my hands as quickly as the ball hits the back of the stand from every direct free kick Woodsy takes. If he's the best we've got for that job the rest must be chuffing awful.

I'd still rather keep him as part of the squad but would rather give Sully free kick duties.


So instead of Woods hitting it over the bar we would have Sulli hitting it out for a throw in?
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: wilts rover on July 10, 2010, 01:22:06 pm
Woods and copps are the two most creative players we have and thereby the most difficult to replace. I seem to remember that at the time Woods got the injury he was top of the stats for pass completion, assists and shots - and wasnt he also top of all the Sky stats for the Championship? Whenever he plays well, the team play well - whether or not he plays well often enough, thats up to Sean O'D.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: DonnyOsmond on July 10, 2010, 01:23:12 pm
I heard Woods is good at free kicks in training.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: northern soul on July 10, 2010, 01:26:43 pm
Or perhaps that is why we have the 2 lads on trial, both midfielders, both looked OK at Askern, but need to see a bit more rather than just that game. If Payne is out of contract, would you take him and a CB for woods?
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: kittyslass on July 10, 2010, 01:28:52 pm
DonnyOsmond wrote:
Quote
I heard Woods is good at free kicks in training.


Didn't we used to hear Guy could goals away for fun \"in training\".
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Chris on July 10, 2010, 02:14:01 pm
Woods' contract expires in a year so if we can't get him to sign a new one he should be sold.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: ravenrover on July 10, 2010, 02:51:54 pm
I've heard that his injury has flared up again so maybe the speculation is irrelevant. :unsure:
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: DMnumber4 on July 10, 2010, 04:21:32 pm
He's the most one footed player since McIndoe, except doesn't have the pace and ability to beat a man or score as many goals.

Yes he adds balance, but he can be a liability (nailed on point lost at Plymouth, handball at Scunny and the penalty miss at Newcastle!) on occasions.

His injuries are also a concern. Would I let him go? If the price was right  :)
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Snods Shinpad 2 on July 10, 2010, 04:54:12 pm
Chris wrote:
Quote
Woods' contract expires in a year so if we can't get him to sign a new one he should be sold.


Same applies to O'Connor and Stock. We really need to get it sorted one way or the other before the season starts.

Potentially £3/4 million worth of talent/income at stake.

We can't afford to dither on this.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: george-friend on July 10, 2010, 05:06:51 pm
tell them to give us 650 000 and they can have him but we want it upfront.

It baffles me where preston get all the cash from...     :dry:

Oh and for the record i really hate woods as a player and belive he is a liability,if the right money was offered then take it,we have gillett,stock,wilson,oster,sheils,coppinger who are all better than him imo.

 :huh:
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: roversdude on July 10, 2010, 05:17:44 pm
Dead ball specialist - i suppose if the pen at newcastle had been taken from half way line it may have been on its way down by the time it reached the goalline, it may also have bent enough to be nearly on target - take the money (not based on one penalty miss I must add)
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: VikingJames on July 10, 2010, 05:17:47 pm
I thought Preston had no money?  :unsure:
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: mushRTID on July 10, 2010, 06:18:54 pm
If selling Woods meant a permanent deal for another top class striker to partener Billy then I would be ok with it. Especially as when he signed it was rumoured he was our top earner, it could also free up a good chunk of cash for the striker.

And if QPR are interested we should haggle like never before, we might get a million out of them!
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: VikingJames on July 10, 2010, 06:25:40 pm
I'd say we're more in need of a quality centre-back than another striker.

If Woods was sold, I'd hope that the money would go towards buying/loaning a defender.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: silent majority on July 10, 2010, 06:31:19 pm
Rigoglioso wrote:
Quote
VikingJames wrote:
Quote
I thought Preston had no money?  :unsure:


They were under a transfer embargo a little over a week ago.


They have very wealthy owners, in fact the people who own Blackpool Pleasure Beach no less. However, they have so far only had part shares of the club and its the other owners/shareholders who have the financial problems. From what I understand this is a blessing in disguise for the ambitious ones who want to invest money and move the club forward.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: mushRTID on July 10, 2010, 06:32:03 pm
But dont forget we have our original budget too which could be used for the defender and the spurs centre back is rumoured to be coming.

Signing Billy only gets us to last seasons squad remember, a partner of equal quality would push us onto the next level.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: Chris on July 10, 2010, 06:45:21 pm
Preston recently spent £400,000 on someone from Peterborough. They probably would be prepared to pay roughly £600,000 (which is what we will probably want) but they seem to be a very poorly run club. I could see them struggling this season.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: donnybez on July 10, 2010, 06:47:49 pm
£500k??? I say lets raise it to £750k-£850k ! Lets be honest, we could reinvest that money into good young midfielders that in 3 years time will be class and able to sell for even more
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: RoversAlias on July 10, 2010, 07:07:56 pm
Of all the players in our main first team squad, Woods is one of the most expendable. We could get a decent fee for him to replace him with a good left-sided player, and if he goes for 600k-800k I'll be pretty chuffed. He isn't that great but does work well in our midfield at times...however all the time he spent out last season proved that he isn't essential to our side.

And I always, always laugh when people around us say 'oh this free kick is in Woods territory!'. He is not a good set piece player, he hasn't scored a free kick for us ever and I don't need to go into detail about the penalty he took at Newcastle.
Title: Re:Martin Woods
Post by: DonnyNoel on July 10, 2010, 07:40:24 pm
I think as Rob has mentioned in another thread - it could be a make-or-break season for a few players and I think Woodsy falls into that category.

Slow start in L1 hampered by injuries so got his head down, went out on loan and earnt his place for the first Championship season where he was comfortably our most improved player, a part of our strong season and someone who looked like he could step into the Stcok role.

Started last season well but then got injured then came back a shadow of his former self. Half a yard behind everything and never looked like worrying the likes of Oster or Wilson for a first team spot. Hopefully a decent pre-season will get him back to where he needs to be in a squad starting to boast real midfield depth.