Bristol Rovers in fresh bid for Oxford United's Constable (From Herald Series)
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Bristol Rovers in fresh bid for Oxford United's Constable
9:30am Saturday 2nd June 2012 in Oxford Utd
By Mark Edwards, Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451
James Constable
OXFORD United have received a new, improved, offer from Bristol Rovers for striker James Constable.
And the U’s say that they will consider the bid over the weekend before making a decision on whether it meets their valuation.
Rovers had an initial approach for last season’s 11-goal leading scorer rejected by United on Wednesday.
But Bristol boss Mark McGhee is very keen to try and lure Constable to the Memorial Stadium and his club have come straight back with a better offer.
However, they face competition from two other clubs – Northampton and Luton – to try and prise Constable away from the Kassam Stadium.
I understand both clubs have shown an interest in Constable, although neither have yet made a formal bid.
United chairman Kelvin Thomas, in Portugal for the Football League conference, said last night: “We have received a second bid from Bristol Rovers, which will be considered over the weekend.”
Constable, fifth on United’s all-time leading goalscorers chart, has been the subject of much speculation since rivals Swindon had an offer accepted for him in January.
The player rejected a move to the County Ground, but other clubs are now testing United’s resolve.
Constable has another two years left on his contract, meaning it is certain to take a good offer in order for the U’s to accept.
Comments(14)
Ians view
says...
11:34am Sat 2 Jun 12
Are you still at school? English is a very important subject. It allows you to understand the world around you and communicate. If your English is of a poor standard, people often consider you to have limited intelligence, which is not true.
You need to work hard to improve your English skills!
I believe that you have an opinion on James Constable and Oxford United, rather than an "option".
If a deal is offered by another club that suits both Oxford United and James Constable more than the existing situation, then James Constable will change clubs.
swalker260
says...
12:43pm Sat 2 Jun 12
I totally agree with you in that Beano stated that he did not want to leave the club I can only think that the manager is concerned that his form dipped towards the end of the season,however if the yellows had 10 other players who played with the heart and passion of Beano we may have done better this season. Yes he could have better ball control and skills but he is not a Rooney and if he was as poor as people are making out there would not be sides from a higher league last season and Swindon this season and now Bristol who want him. Beano has been in and out of the team and to me that is not good for any striker, to come on late in games to turn things round puts an awful lot of pressure on you.
I hope Beano stays we need him as I cannot see anyone else in this side making the form of contribution he does and if he goes it would make my day to see him beat us because it would prove to me that he is not being used right to bring out the best.
The bottom line is he showed to the fans,manager and chairman what he feels about this club and here we are tying to sell him again.
Loyalty is two way Beano has two years left on his contract as far as I am aware Beano still wants to stay and you cannot sell a player who has a contract and has made it clear he does not want to leave.
Open your eyes
says...
3:11pm Sat 2 Jun 12
I don't agree with the manager and this will eventually cost him his job. Moreover, I doubt hardly any of the transfer income will be spent on serious squad strengthening, so what on earth are we replacing him with - untried and unproven players as we will not be replacing him with a player on a free who has bagged 20 goals in a season before.
As for the club taking it's time to consider the offer. More like the club will 'this time' make 110% sure the player will speak to suitors and not make the club look as bad as they did in January when we had the Swindon situation.
mandate
says...
4:09pm Sat 2 Jun 12
I'm not sure this move would in anyway benefit Oxford United. Let's say the club gets 300K for Beano, what good would that money do the club? We are not likely to get a replacement (proven at this level) for that kind of money.
Sure, we can get a proven scorer from the BSP (a certain player from Gateshead FC is being offered terms), but what happens if this player doesn't cut it in League 2? We have lost a proven striker for a lousy 300k.
I think that Kevin thomas and Chris Wilder should consider long and hard about their past mistakes with strikers. We let both Jack Midson and Matt Green go for nothing, and both players proved to be prolific goalscorers with their new clubs. In return we tried a host of loanees, who mostly failed to produce.
We need consistency at the club. Rocking the boat too much, might cause it to sink. Captain Wilder and his first mate, Kelvin Thomas, must make certain that this doesn't happen.
BigAlBiker
says...
7:51pm Sat 2 Jun 12
mandate wrote:This man speaks sense, I have often made comment that CW let both Midson and Green go and how BIG a mistake this was, the replacements apart from Hall and Holmes were utterly rubbish.
At the moment we have released the players that were not quite good enough last season. This gives us an opportunity to bring in a few new faces. But, selling Beano and hoping that the new bloke from Port Vale will fill his boots, is too much of a gamble.
I'm not sure this move would in anyway benefit Oxford United. Let's say the club gets 300K for Beano, what good would that money do the club? We are not likely to get a replacement (proven at this level) for that kind of money.
Sure, we can get a proven scorer from the BSP (a certain player from Gateshead FC is being offered terms), but what happens if this player doesn't cut it in League 2? We have lost a proven striker for a lousy 300k.
I think that Kevin thomas and Chris Wilder should consider long and hard about their past mistakes with strikers. We let both Jack Midson and Matt Green go for nothing, and both players proved to be prolific goalscorers with their new clubs. In return we tried a host of loanees, who mostly failed to produce.
We need consistency at the club. Rocking the boat too much, might cause it to sink. Captain Wilder and his first mate, Kelvin Thomas, must make certain that this doesn't happen.
A Beano in the squad is better than a Beano elsewhere.
Alan
yellowhoods
says...
7:53pm Sat 2 Jun 12
Ians view wrote:Were you the school bully????or just the one with no friends. Both I reckon!!!
Zam, Are you still at school? English is a very important subject. It allows you to understand the world around you and communicate. If your English is of a poor standard, people often consider you to have limited intelligence, which is not true. You need to work hard to improve your English skills! I believe that you have an opinion on James Constable and Oxford United, rather than an "option". If a deal is offered by another club that suits both Oxford United and James Constable more than the existing situation, then James Constable will change clubs.
Simple man
says...
7:58pm Sat 2 Jun 12
But I don't think anyone is 100% convinced it suits OUFC. CW and KT will need to think carefully and hve proven replacements lined up if JC wants to go.
Best of luck to him if he does, but ideally he stays and reproduces is best form. Rovers obviuously think he's got more to offer than 11 goals last season!
Taffy Duck
says...
11:17pm Sat 2 Jun 12
New Manor rename
says...
9:36am Sun 3 Jun 12
jontyg
says...
11:24am Sun 3 Jun 12
Megastar07
says...
4:40pm Sun 3 Jun 12
Hall is coming in
You heard it first
Simon84
says...
8:31pm Mon 4 Jun 12
jontyg wrote:I agree 300k, in our dreams. Average strikers in this division don't go for that kind of money. Think we would be very lucky to get 100k for him.
300K is a bit of an optimistic valuation for Beano. Can't see Rovers paying that kind of money.
mandate
says...
9:55pm Mon 4 Jun 12
jontyg wrote:Bristol Rovers are being offered a six figure sum for one of their strikers, so it is not optimistic for them to offer 300k for Beano to replace him.
300K is a bit of an optimistic valuation for Beano. Can't see Rovers paying that kind of money.
zam says...
11:11am Sat 2 Jun 12