WINDOW GAIN!
SKY BLUES LEGEND OGGY PINPOINTS LOAN DUO AS TOP SUMMER TRANSFER TARGETS AND ASSESSES CITY’S CHANCES OF SIGNING STARS
MOST Coventry City fans agree that Callum O’hare and Liam Walsh have played a significant part in the team’s success this term.
The season-long loans from Aston Villa and Bristol City are mainstays of Mark Robins’ side, helping the Sky Blues climb to the top of League One, where they’re just ten games away from securing promotion to the Championship.
A return to the second tier of English football would come with its challenges, not least being able to compete back at that level in order to stay there rather than risk being in the position last season’s promoted sides Barnsley, Luton and Charlton currently find themselves, occupying the bottom three relegation positions in the division.
Strengthening in the transfer window is a must and O’hare and Walsh would certainly be on the fans’ wanted list.
“Would they be a benefit to the team next season? One hundred per cent, yes,” agrees Steve Ogrizovic, who rates the pair extremely highly after watching them home and away all season.
“If you could get
Walsh and O’hare you’d do it every day of the week.
“The reality is, though, how much would they cost and how much would their wages be?”
Reports have claimed that O’hare has so far declined a new deal at Villa Park, although for what reason we do not know, whether it be financial or otherwise.
“If O’hare hasn’t agreed a contract with Villa they could blow Coventry
out of the water, regardless of whether they stayed in the Premier League or dropped down to the Championship,” said Oggy, who gave a good reason why Coventry might be a realistic option for the 21-year-old.
“If Callum hasn’t signed then maybe it’s for football reasons rather than financially.
“And if it’s for football reasons then Coventry have got more chance of getting him because you would imagine he will want to be playing more regularly and he knows he would do that at Coventry.
“But if it’s a financial thing then you can forget it because you’d imagine Villa, every day of the week, could offer a lot more than Coventry could.”
Walsh, meanwhile, is out of contract at Ashton Gate this summer but his parent club have an option to extend his deal by another 12 months.
“He’s another one who has had an outstanding season but would we get Liam Walsh?” said the 62-year-old former goalkeeper, who is part of BBC CWR’S commentary team.
“Bristol City are in the Championship, will they go up to the Premier League?
“It’s unlikely but you never know.
“You would have thought they’d want to have him back and have a good look at him and play him in their team.
“They must be a damn good team if he can’t get in it this season, that’s all I would say!”
Coventry could, of course, make a bid for the player and try to tempt Bristol to sell.
“In my experience most players will go to the team that offers them the most money,” said Oggy.
“That said, a good agent will make sure the cap fits and he certainly looks very comfortable at Coventry.
“If there’s not a lot of difference in the finances then you’d choose the club where you feel most at home and where you feel your future is going to be best suited.
“With Liam Walsh’s situation, it’s probably not in his or Coventry’s hands.
“If Bristol City have got an option on his contract they could pick it up and there’s not a lot Liam and Coventry can do about it.
“And if they don’t pick the option up I am sure Coventry will be straight in there to bang a good offer in to him,” added Oggy.