Baird set for another move

After Reading failed to secure a contract with Chris Baird, Burnely are set to agree one with him instead.

The Northern Ireland international had a contract with the Royals until January, but delayed any extension until he returned from an ankle injury. He has been training with us since this, but after we failed to agree a new contract, has reportedly opted to join the Clarets.

Baird made nine appearances for with us, with his last appearance coming in a 1-1 draw with QPR in November. The 32-year old mainly played in centre midfield under Adkins, despite making his name as a centre back with Fulham and Southampton in his career.

If the reasons behind no deal for Baird are due to financial constraints, then it obviously should cause some concern and therefore stress a need for a new owner in by the summer. Some have hinted we may need to cut the wage bill, is this an early sign of us doing so?

However, it may not be finance at all, and merely Adkins feeling we didn’t need him anymore. Despite him putting in some solid displays, I wasn’t overly convinced by him in what he could bring to the team. I think Williams, Guthrie, Akpan and Taylor is good enough for now.