Having seen more info about the Lockys trial comong out of the UK I am less optimistic.
Boro already have four players in that position.....thats four players already under contract.
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Lockhead will only train with the first team, not play a game. He will be coming cold out of the A-League off season(6 months)with only a preseason warmup game. The pace and skill level�of the EPL training will be a huge step up for him.
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Ok, we know Lockhead can get forward and cross. Southgate will be first looking at his technical ability and defensive positioning. It a big jump from A-League to the EPL. Southgate will be thinking....this guy may have to mark Christiano Ronaldo or Joe Cole.
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How do we know that Southgate is just using Lockheads trial as a rarkup for the other four...letting them know that the coach is unhappy with them.
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I reckon there is only a 10 to 20% chance of Lockhead being signed. If he does sign he will be number four in his position.....so its reserve grade and bench warming. Sure he would get heaps of $$$ but personally I would rather see him turn out for the Phoenix than sit on the bench for Boro.
*late night toilet and snack, I had to say something here*
If he signs, he got a better chance playing in the 44 round EPL + FA Cups/League Cup matches from the bench or from the reserve than back here in the 21 round A-League. Injuries, players out of form as well as resting players are a big thing for EPL squads to keep some form of rotation policy, so the whole squad has to be ready to play at short notice.
Having a heathly fit LB with a bit of attacking option is a rare thing at EPL level. If he pulls this off to be one of the regular LB in the league, then his valuation in the EPL can potentially be even bigger than Ryan Nelson simply because there is a lack of LB quality at the EPL.
Say that he didn't succeed, other clubs are also going to check him out as well because there are plenty crying out for LB. Although Boro seem to have first dips, you will find that others will have their club scouts including EPL ones that will keep an eye out. Other player agents may still able to go up to him after the trial and offer to find him another trial elsewhere if they think he is suitable enough. Boro like to think they are mid-table club but then half the EPL teams think that also.
So again good luck.
