MacDonald was a snip at £700, 000 !!

[EastStandRed]

Hull City's Angus MacDonald was a snip at £700,000, says boss Nigel Adkins - Hull Daily Mail

Nigel Adkins believes Hull City have picked up a bargain after strengthening his defensive ranks with the capture of Angus MacDonald on deadline day.

MacDonald became the first signing of Adkins’ reign at the KCOM Stadium this week when he joined from relegation rivals Barnsley for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £700,000.


The Tykes have described the deal as “good business” after off-loading a centre-back who last featured two months ago but Adkins says it is City who have bagged a steal.


“For whatever reason he’s been out of favour but 12 months ago we wouldn't have been able to get him for the money we've got him for,” said Adkins. “He just needs to rekindle that. I’d like to think the culture we have here will allow him to find that form.

“I don’t know the reasons why he wasn't in the team at Barnsley but he had the armband for a reason. He must have the right character about him. I’m really pleased we've got him here.”

Hull City manager Nigel Adkins during the Championship match against Leeds United at the KCOM Stadium
MacDonald’s stock – and price – has fallen on the back of a curious season. No sooner was he named Barnsley’s club captain on the back of an impressive first season at Oakwell, the centre-back was unable to command a game for Paul Heckingbottom’s strugglers.

A 3-0 defeat away to Reading on November 28 was the last time MacDonald played for Barnsley, a disastrous fixture that saw him replaced at half-time.


Heckingbottom has since suggested MacDonald needed treatment for an iron deficiency last month, but City have played down those concerns ahead of travelling to Preston North End this afternoon. The defender, in fact, has declared he is “ready to go” should he be called upon at Deepdale.

The absence of Ondrej Mazuch, ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury, has left the door open for MacDonald to come into the 18-man squad but his involvement from the outset could hinge on whether Adkins retains Michael Dawson in his defence.

City’s captain was at the centre of a tug-of-war on deadline day as his boyhood club Nottingham Forest came calling for his signature. It is understood a two-and-a-half-year deal was offered by Forest, with Aitor Karanka suggesting Dawson had been keen on making the move to the City Ground.

The Tigers eventually blocked Dawson’s exit in the closing hours of the transfer window, meaning the captain was back in training on Thursday morning ahead of today’s trip across the Pennines.

Adkins has given a ringing endorsement of Dawson’s character and suggested he will do everything in his powers to keep the former England international at the KCOM Stadium, but he offered no guarantees his skipper would start against Preston.

“He’s been in the training ground (on Thursday morning) and we've had a debrief with everyone. I've had a one-on-one with Michael and conversations like that should remain private.

“I know in the modern age that’s very challenging but it’s a situation that happens in football and you've got to get on with it.

“I think the transfer window unsettles everyone. Agents, intermediaries, the media, every player is linked with moves. You have to get through that situation. Michael is an excellent professional. People are under contracts and they’ve got to do the best they can.”

[animallittle3]

Profit of £600k minus wages for a 5th choice defender with alleged issues .

Anybody but a relegation rival and it would be a smart bit of business for me .

[asbin]

Thought we paid £100k for him. Don’t forget Torquay have a 15% sell on fee.