CONFIMRED - Tiago Ilori

[gazzer, loyal royal]

Done deal, should be announced in the next few days

[royalp-we]

Thanks, gazzer

Looking forward to having another option instead of sacrificing JVdB or Evans as CB's, which was what I was trying to say before IR had a hissy fit. I think today showed us there's a need in the squad for this type of signing.

[NewCorkSeth]

I'm slightly excited by this one! Not long since he was being touted as a top top cb in the making! Still young and could come a long way under Stam.

[maffff]

Saw a lot early on in this thread about Ilori being left footed. He's right footed. But seems comfortable with both.

The Barca game his positioning looked immense. I did think however how many of his clearances actually went straight back out to their players. Admittedly a block is better than nothing, but very little of this passing, being him being comfortable on the ball, was evident there.

That aside, I'm exicted about this. Today reiterated just how desperately we need a good, reliable, third option.

Gunter/Watson
Moore/McShane/Ilori
Obita/Blackett.

Plenty of rotation available there (except at right back as Gunter never misses a game, but it's great having Tennai looking like he can step up)

[Ian Royal]

We could have most of a very young and very exciting team soon...

........................ GK
........... Moore Ilori Blackett
Watson............................ Obita
.................Kelly Evans
......................Swift
............Samuel..... ST

And plenty of experience in it.

[NewCorkSeth]

We could have most of a very young and very exciting team soon...

........................ GK
........... Moore Ilori Blackett
Watson............................ Obita
.................Kelly Evans
......................Swift
............Samuel..... ST

And plenty of experience in it.

I would prefer
---------------------GK
---------Moore--Ilori--Blackett-----
Watson----------------------------Obita
--------------------Evans-----------------
------------Swift----------Kelly-----------
-------------------ST----ST-----------------

Allows Kelly and Swift the freedom to move into all those attacking channels. Evans seems good enough at the moment to sit back and be the engine by himself!

[genome]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38541966

[Hound]

Those teams above certainly look exciting

Realistically you would like a bit more experience and if you sprinkle the likes of McCleary in there you have a potentially very good side

Do like that back 5 and midfield 3 though

[Royalwaster]

We could have most of a very young and very exciting team soon...

........................ GK
........... Moore Ilori Blackett
Watson............................ Obita
.................Kelly Evans
......................Swift
............Samuel..... ST

And plenty of experience in it.

I think that season ticket up front is a particularly nice touch!

[CountryRoyal]

We could have most of a very young and very exciting team soon...

........................ GK
........... Moore Ilori Blackett
Watson............................ Obita
.................Kelly Evans
......................Swift
............Samuel..... ST

And plenty of experience in it.

I think that season ticket up front is a particularly nice touch!

Really? I think our attack would be a bit flat.

[Ian Royal]

Was it Pepe that's scored a hattrick at Wembley? Even with him?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Was it Pepe that's scored a hattrick at Wembley? Even with him?

I don't really like to talk about it

[Nameless]

Don't see Blackett as part of an exciting future, he's not looked to be much more than a squad player. Would rather keep McShane and give the likes of Hyam or Dickie another year to develop.
We also need to find roles for the likes of Barratt and Frost to get involved. When you look beyond the potential first eleven there is hopefully plenty of depth to come through as well...

[Royal Ginger]

We could have most of a very young and very exciting team soon...

........................ GK
........... Moore Ilori Blackett
Watson............................ Obita
.................Kelly Evans
......................Swift
............Samuel..... ST

And plenty of experience in it.

I think that season ticket up front is a particularly nice touch!

Really? I think our attack would be a bit fat.

[muirinho]

Don't see Blackett as part of an exciting future, he's not looked to be much more than a squad player. Would rather keep McShane and give the likes of Hyam or Dickie another year to develop.
We also need to find roles for the likes of Barratt and Frost to get involved. When you look beyond the potential first eleven there is hopefully plenty of depth to come through as well...

Not in a 433 anyway, he was better as part of a back 5. Dickie is being recalled as cover, maybe Cooper will be sent out?

I note that the Llori fee is £2mill in 4 instalments - much more Readingish!

[Hound]

happening for 2.2 mill apparently

A good signing for that sort of money. Agree on Blackett - has looked great to me as a left sided CB, and pretty dreadful as a LB in a back 4.

[NewCorkSeth]

Don't see Blackett as part of an exciting future, he's not looked to be much more than a squad player. Would rather keep McShane and give the likes of Hyam or Dickie another year to develop.
We also need to find roles for the likes of Barratt and Frost to get involved. When you look beyond the potential first eleven there is hopefully plenty of depth to come through as well...

Not in a 433 anyway, he was better as part of a back 5. Dickie is being recalled as cover, maybe Cooper will be sent out?

I note that the Llori fee is £2mill in 4 instalments - much more Readingish!

Its ilori. We can't have another McCleary/McLeary name problem on this board.

[muirinho]

Don't see Blackett as part of an exciting future, he's not looked to be much more than a squad player. Would rather keep McShane and give the likes of Hyam or Dickie another year to develop.
We also need to find roles for the likes of Barratt and Frost to get involved. When you look beyond the potential first eleven there is hopefully plenty of depth to come through as well...

Not in a 433 anyway, he was better as part of a back 5. Dickie is being recalled as cover, maybe Cooper will be sent out?

I note that the Llori fee is £2mill in 4 instalments - much more Readingish!

Its ilori. We can't have another McCleary/McLeary name problem on this board.

[Sutekh]

Ilori for £2.2m so not a record fee and installments to be paid roughly every 6 months over two years (that's approx £550k each time) hardly smacks of an indication that the Chinese take over is going to be completed any time soon, if at all.

Wonder if he'll get a start straight away or be eased into affairs at Yeovil tomorrow (if signed in time) and then partaking of a bench assignment on Thursday.

[BraisingsteakRoyal]

Couldn't get into a terrible Aston Villa side last season and only 41 senior appearances by the age of 23.

Out.