Fry drops his pants and blows a Gayle
OUTSPOKEN Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has admitted that he “had his pants pulled down” over the £8.5million transfer of Dwight Gayle.
The 22-year-old became Crystal Palace’s record signing last week and Fry believes he will be better than Jimmy Greaves and Stan Collymore.
Posh chief Fry insists Eagles boss Ian Holloway got the bargain of the season when he convinced his chairman Steve Parish to sign the striker for his Premier League survival battle.
And Fry admitted: “Steve Parish has had my pants down – I’m telling you.
“In a year’s time the boy will be worth £20m to £25m, and then people will be saying what a shit deal it is for Peterborough.
“I’ve been a manager for 31 years and I’ve been in the game over 50 – he will be sensational. Palace fans will love him.
Rare
“He hits the target on average more than any other forward I’ve had – and that includes Jimmy Greaves when I signed him for Barnet.
“I’ve also worked with Stan Collymore, Steve Claridge and Craig Mackail-Smith. This boy is miles better.”
Gayle, 22, could be joined by Newcastle United midfielder Dan Gosling this week at Selhurst Park.
The 23-year-old wants to quit St James’ Park and link up with his former boss Holloway.
And Gosling’s agent David Hodgson said: “In the modern game it is very rare to leave a contract with a year to go, on great money, and then take a 40 per cent drop just to play for Ian Holloway.
“If he had a chance to move to a big, big club or Palace then he joins Palace. Truthfully, that is the bottom line.”