Dwight McNeil

[Toddacelli]

Can we sign Forest Johnson and not Palace Johnson please?

[Toshyboy]

He’s shite, just not as shite as McNeil. Hope this doesn’t mean Grealish off the table

[Shogun]

I don't rate Johnson that highly but he's miles better than McNeil who in reality shouldn't be worth more than £15m and even that's being generous

[blueToffee]

Just feels like an odd deal on the face of it, like there is a reason that's missing.

As in some silly accounting thing like Dobbin/Tim between Villa and us or Palace to allow us both some financial leeway. Or they really want to shift his high wages for reasons of they think he's crap or some behind the scenes issues. His performances for them have been pretty poor from what I'd seen, so that part makes sense...but it's still a quick hair cut for them if they're willing to take a loss on the deal.

Personally, I don't rate him either, but maybe there is a redemption arc for him? It just seems doubtful.

I'm also wondering who he's coming in for? If he'd be meant as a Ndiaye replacement with Dibling off the bench...quality wise that's a huge drop off and I would be concerned at that point as if we're losing quality we need quality in. If he's just a McNeil squad replacement and we're keeping Ndiaye or getting in someone else at a higher level, that's a bit more palatable.

Maybe this is the way of getting Grealish in and one more (Johnson) with Ndiaye going..?

[AjaxAndy]

Just feels like an odd deal on the face of it, like there is a reason that's missing.

As in some silly accounting thing like Dobbin/Tim between Villa and us or Palace to allow us both some financial leeway. Or they really want to shift his high wages for reasons of they think he's crap or some behind the scenes issues. His performances for them have been pretty poor from what I'd seen, so that part makes sense...but it's still a quick hair cut for them if they're willing to take a loss on the deal.

Personally, I don't rate him either, but maybe there is a redemption arc for him? It just seems doubtful.

I'm also wondering who he's coming in for? If he'd be meant as a Ndiaye replacement with Dibling off the bench...quality wise that's a huge drop off and I would be concerned at that point as if we're losing quality we need quality in. If he's just a McNeil squad replacement and we're keeping Ndiaye or getting in someone else at a higher level, that's a bit more palatable.

Maybe this is the way of getting Grealish in and one more (Johnson) with Ndiaye going..?

I think it's 100% this tbh.

We can't afford a new winger, and neither can Palace, but we both have a player that would be better suited to the other club.

I know someone said just take the money and spend it on someone else, but I don't think we have that luxury. If we want Palace to take McNeil then we have to take someone from them... and I'd imagine we're getting Johnson at a similar fee to McNeil, so given he went for £35m a year ago we're probably again coming out on top of one of these.

Some of these signings may not be exciting to most, but I find it hard to accept an argument that swapping McNeil for Johnson doesn't improve us, even if it doesn't improve us as much as lashing £40m on some hot young prospect from some exotic far off land.

[AjaxAndy]

I’d be into this.

Same, although some caveats... He gets his confidence back, takes a cut in wages form his reported £100k+ a week, we play to his strengths.

Apparently he is crap at taking people on, so the last caveat is very important imo. We can't expect him to do an Ndaiye or Grealish... We need to hit him quick and direct where he has space, and we need an overlapping full back to allow him the room to drive at the box rather than hug the touchline with two players doubling up on him.

[Trowel]