The Beauty of the Undisclosed fee

Barton, Waggott and Thorny

Another breakthrough moment in Coventry City's pre-season - the purchase of a player for money, MONEY. Up until Tuesday, a transfer fee had not been payed for any of City's summer signings surprisingly. So the owners have finally delved deep into their pockets for a player, or they've allowed Andy Thorn to have a small percentage of the money from the Gael Bigirimana transfer to Newcastle. Whichever way you look at it we have secured another signing as Andy Thorn continues to rebuild and prepare the squad for the new season. With all this talk of money, it is quite easy to forget who we've signed. Adam Barton is his name, an all action creative midfielder previously linked with a five million pound move to Liverpool. He made 50 appearances for Preston scoring just the one goal, although towards the latter part of his Preston career he was out injured with a triple leg break. There has of course been a lot on discussion regarding the transfer, with fans arguing the risk of paying money for a player who has suffered such an injury. Preston fans on the PNE-online forum have mixed views on Barton, for example one fan said 'Gotta say, I am a bit disappointed that we sold Barton as I thought the lad had real potential'. On the other hand however, 'He clearly has the ability to be a very good footballer and always thought that it was his work rate that let him down and sometimes he came across lazy. I sometimes wondered if he actually enjoys playing football and would much rather be drumming in his band'. I am of the opinion that Barton's city career could go one of two ways, the first being that he fails to find any form following his injury and leaves City on a free transfer at the end of his contract and the second being he goes on to star for City in their promotion from League 1 and a transfer to the Premier League beckons for him next summer.

Gary Deegan

A Poodle

In other news the club have sold Gary Deegan to Hibernian for an undisclosed fee, the Dubliner had an indifferent time with City. Signed by Chris Coleman in January 2010 he started his City career well scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over QPR. Deegan missed the whole of the 2010/2011 with an ankle injury. A fully fit Deegan returned to the City squad for the start of the 2011/2012 season, however his form suffered by not playing in his preferred defensive midfield role and being forced out onto the right or left side of the diamond. Many have suggested that his tweeting of a pro IRA slogan played a big part in his departure, but the underlying feeling with Deegan is that his supposed tough tackling style of play was not seen enough or at all during his time at the club. More Poodle than Pitbull.

Barton, Baker and Poloskei in action against Port Vale

Following the 4-1 friendly win over Accrington Stanley last Saturday, Andy Thorn decided not to offer Bruno Cazarine a contract. Despite scoring in the humiliating defeat to Wrexham, the much travelled Brazilian has been let go and in his place Hungarian trialist Peter Poloskei. A tall mobile striker, he has scored goals in the Hungarian divisions for Ferencváros and at 23 possibly has more potential than Cazarine. He showed this potential in Tuesdays friendly with Port Vale in which only the crossbar denied him a goal. Check out Poloskei in action below.