Talk of a Matt Tubbs move is just gossip

There have been many rumours on AFCB players already circulating this week and last week and I haven't gone out of my way to speak about them, because firstly most of them don't happen and secondly the people who are really in the know are so few that the rest of us are just guessing. 

Tubbs unlikely to walk out on AFCB just yet, but
Rotherham's interest can half be expected

The one rumour that did interest me was talk of the possible exit of Matt Tubbs to Rotherham. However, the Echo revealed last night that AFCB had not received any bids for Matt Tubbs. So any move at the moment is pure speculation.

Everyone knows that Steve Evans would dearly love Matt at the Millers as they seek consecutive promotions. Evans has already made several bids for Matt in the last transfer window. Another bid this summer is perhaps expected because Tubbs has not been a regular starter for Bournemouth, but I am not sure Rotherham could match AFCB's asking price even if he was for sale. Howe has said in the past that Tubbs is part of his plans going forward. Matt is under contract for two more years, so he is not going to be cheap to buy out. There's another problem as well. Know one has really looked at the picture from Matt's side.

What is in it for Matt to leave the club he supports and so wants to play for in the Championship? Rotherham have the recently built New York Stadium (capacity 12,021), which is said to be pretty amazing and the owners are investing in the club again and are building their number of supporters. League One is a division that Matt knows well and has proved that he can do well in and be a high goalscorer if he is given quality service and a long run in a team. Steve Evans knows how to get the best out of Tubbs, he's proved that at Crawley Town. Matt might like to work again with Steve.

But what of the pull factors for AFCB? Matt will be on a good wage having earned promotion and he is now well integrated to the set up with the Cherries. While he has not figured as much as he would have liked, perhaps he feels he can get in the starting 11 and hold his place if he gets the chance. The Championship is another level at which he can test himself even if he is mainly used as a sub and if he does well his stock may rise by the end of next season.

There are no guarantees in football. A move down a league can some times be a good move to get regular football, but it also questions one's ability to play at a higher level. Matt is 29 in July and if Rotherham don't get promoted next season, the chance of Matt playing in the Championship is going to be even harder for him to reach.

My gut feeling is that even if the clubs did feel an agreement could be made over a fee, Matt would not want to leave. A loan move would be a possible outcome, if Matt is asked to help lower AFCB's wage bill. But surely Matt would rather consider that eventuality come January, if he can't break into the first 11 at AFCB. The Championship is too good an opportunity for him to pass up at this moment.

As for AFCB, it still has many decisions to make over the various strikers on its books in relation to which ones it decides to keep and which it might release this summer. Getting the right money for them is also no easy task.