COVERITLIVE.COM

11:55

Smithers - Morning all

Andy will be online in five minutes for the live webchat...

11:57

[Comment From carl banwait]
how much money do u think ccfc will spend this summer

12:00

Smithers - A couple of technical problems at the moment. Give us a few seconds....

12:01

[Comment From AFC]
How soon do you reckon we will sign players?

12:01

[Comment From AndyD]
Was the Scott Dann sale expected ie all part of a RR and CC master plan?

12:04

Smithers - Thanks for all the questions. Looks like we're in for a busy session.
Andy is still logging in at the moment so I'll cover the a couple of questions first..

12:04

[Comment From Jaymokid]
When should we expect our first signing of the summer?

12:05

Smithers - Andy on first signing: I'd think before the end of month. Players are on holiday and clubs continuye to barter over prices but hopefully in the next couple of weeks we should see the first move in the transfer market

12:11

Smithers - Hi everyone, Andy here. Sorry we are having a few technical problems so I am answering your questions on Martin's (Smithers) laptop for the time being.
As for how much City will spend this summer, I think that depends on who they can get. But it wouldn't surprise me if they forked out £3-4 million. They want Andrew Driver from Hearts who want £2 million for him, and the likes of Beckford won't come cheap.

12:13

Smithers - Regarding Scott Dann being part of the master plan. No, I don't believe it was. However, the reality is that City will always be vulnerable when they have good players, and if a Premier League club come calling there is little they can do if the player wants to go other than get good money and move on. As I said at the weekend, the important thing is how they respond to it in the transfer market.

12:14

[Comment From carl banwait]
why havent the club announced marcus halls testimonial

12:15

Smithers - Marcus Hall's testimonial is still up in the air at the moment. There is a possibility it may be held on the Saturday before the season starts. Failing that it will be some time during the season.

12:16

[Comment From returning boy]
whats the chance of getting beckford?

12:18

Smithers - Having spoken to his agent, City seem to be very high on his list. He feels Coventry tick all the boxes. However, with Middlesbrough also keen, the one thing that could swing it out of City's favour is the wages they could offer him.

12:18

[Comment From Michael]
Hi - to be specific - can you update us on the Sammy Clingan situation. Is it looking hopeful?

12:20

Smithers - Chris Coleman is keen on getting Clingan. He had hoped to use Robbie Simpson in part exchange but the fact that he is now talking to Huddersfield doesn't mean any attempt to get him is dead.

12:21

[Comment From Jaymokid]
So have we actually been in talks with any clubs about certain players? And what is the likely hood in your view of another of the big 4 leaving us this summer.

12:24

Smithers - Ray Ranson said a few weeks ago that all the clubs and relevant parties had been contacted. These things take time, especially when clubs like Hearts are holding out for a certain price and City want to pay less.
As for another of the big four going, I think it is highly likely. Let's hope not but as I said before, if Westwood went, for example, City have a plan in place to get Joe Murphy.

12:24

[Comment From Adi]
Excuse me for my ignorance (this is my first web chat!), but Smithers, are you a Cov Telegraph or a CCFC representative?

12:25

Smithers - Smithers is a Cov Tel staff man. Andy Turner is answering the questions at the moment on his machine as mine is down.

Page 1 Next >