[RobtheAggie]

How is Matt Holland fitting in with the team? It seems that when he was transferred there were high hopes that he could help out.

http://www.uefa.com/footballcentral/...sId=75050.html

[DennisM]

He will be awesome at full strength. A strong presence in midfield with leadership skills and a good attacking and defending mentality. The other thing that bothered me about this transfer was the price. Far too low.

[Iceblink]

Originally posted by DennisM
The other thing that bothered me about this transfer was the price. Far too low.

I think Matty will earn Ipswich all of the contingency cash that was part of the trade to make up for it.

[RobtheAggie]

Originally posted by Iceblink
I think Matty will earn Ipswich all of the contingency cash that was part of the trade to make up for it.

How much was the contingency cash? I think Charlton got a real steal with this signing. If he can fit into the midfield, things should be really exciting.

[Iceblink]

Originally posted by RobtheAggie
How much was the contingency cash? I think Charlton got a real steal with this signing. If he can fit into the midfield, things should be really exciting.

Oh, I think it was definitely a steal... but there is a little extra out there. I'm not sure of the amount, but I believe there are further payments due to Ipswich depending on where Charlton is in the standings over the next three seasons.

I think it was like... an extra 200K pounds or something like that if Charlton stay up. It still keeps it under 1M pounds, which is a shame, but Ipswich had to keep his salary off the books. It's too high for a non-premiership club.

[RobtheAggie]

I did not realise that it was such a steal. If Holland plays to his potential, this could be one of the best transfers in Charlton history. How did Charlton end up with him for so cheep?

[Iceblink]

Originally posted by RobtheAggie
I did not realise that it was such a steal. If Holland plays to his potential, this could be one of the best transfers in Charlton history. How did Charlton end up with him for so cheep?

Ipswich had already agreed to something like 4 million for him earlier. The trade would have sent him to Aston Villa. He could not come to terms with the club regarding his salary, etc., so the trade did not go through. I am relieved.

Apparently, Matt almost went to Portsmouth as well. A bid of 750K was accepted by Ipswich as well. Same deal, I think.

In truth, Ipswich was trying to get Holland's salary off the books. It was too high for their budget. They went through some financial difficulties during the off-season. That's all it was. I guess two seasons back in the first division will do that.

It's too bad that we lost our captain, but I am very, very happy to see him go to Charlton, as you have a LOT of players that I like and a good manager. I'll be following Charlton closely this season.

[DennisM]

But the thing that got me was that Town came out of administration a week or so before Matt left. At least a great player didn't go to one of those bigger clubs that can spend a ridiculous amount.