The Visitor

If anyone's interested, Doncaster have enquired about Kilkenny in this window but have just signed another midfielder (Dean Shiels) from Hibs which would probably mean a move for Kilkenny is now unlikely.

Shiels is an attacking midfielder.

He's an attacking midfielder.

There's confusion as to whether he is a midfield player or a striker. He seems to have been used in both positions. Deal will be complete on Monday, not sure whether that ends any further interest in strikers/midfielders as yet.

Doncaster are interested in Kilkenny again. A number of clubs are after him. I suppose it all boils down to what he's after.

Doncaster are not "ultra skint" at all, in fact that description couldn't be further from the truth. They are trying to run the club as a sustainable business model and have a wage structure aimed at avoiding the implosion that lots of clubs have suffered as a result of careless over-investment. Hughes has been offered a good contract but there are still details to be ironed out before any decision could be made and any deal could be completed.

That paragraph shows just how wrong you can be when forming an opinion based only on assumptions. As a further poster has highlighted, Rovers shortcomings have revolved around failing to take chances rather than failing to create them. Richie is a leading figure in an excellent midfield and revels in the freedom to break forward and affect the game in attacking positions, afforded to him by the fact that Brian Stock sits deep and dictates the play. The concern is that if Stock is sold, Wellens would have to assume the deeper role where he can't quite have the same positive influence on games.

It's very much Brooker plus one, I believe. At the moment the 'plus one' seems to be planned as Hughes, who has been a long term target. If Hughes opts to see out his contract or gets a better offer elsewhere then that would change the target obviously.

I think the talks are still ongoing. The deal may have stalled but hasn't collapsed. It may take longer than some people predicted if it is to happen. But then again these things can also resolve themselves very quickly either way. We shall see....

It's all semantics. What is an offer? Is it a finalised document? An enquiry has been made to the degree that permission has been given to talk to the player and his agent. Reading between the lines one can only assume that it is some form of an offer, even if not 'rubber stamped.'

Hughes is likely to sign for Doncaster this week. Talks have been going on for a while. There was a dispute over the fee and Doncaster needed to wait until they knew they'd have the financial carrot of the Villa tie before agreeing to pay the price (which is not the release clause by the way - infact it's not much more than half that amount). Hughes has connections with the Doncaster coaching staff from his West Brom days and the move has been in the pipeline for some time.

Doncaster are set to sign a midfield player within the next week, and it isn't likely to be Taylor. However it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that a deal may materialise at some point, possibly involving Martin Woods.

Why do people assume that a bit of banter between opposing players on a football pitch constitutes a problem? Richie and KK are competitors, it may be that they end up being team mates, in which case there would be no problem at all. At the end of the day, Neil Kilkenny must decide whether his career belongs at Oldham, Donny or elsewhere. There are no sinister factors, it's just up to him and then whatever happens, all parties then get on with it!

Donny have agreed a fee also. The decision is down to the player. Not sure who the informant was that caused this thread to come about but I think it is pretty accurate to suggest that all will be concluded before too long.

Donny don't play with just two central midfield players. There would clearly be room for Wellens and Kilkenny in the same team, that said, nothing is sorted yet. KK is still a Birmingham player, for now.