CONFIRMED Callum Semple to Ross County

[Harrisblade]

Holmes, Carruthers, Leonard, Evans, Woodburn, Wilson, Johnson.....

For every decent buy, there's been a poor one too.

Which manager has a success rate of 100%?
Probably for every successful signing who makes an impact, there'll be a couple who languish in the reserves who the media never mention again)

 

[nopigfansintown]

We need a buy back clause with first refusal. Same with Gilmour. Both of these lads are talented. Personally I would have kept them and continued to loan them out through the levels.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Which manager has a success rate of 100%?
Probably for every successful signing who makes an impact, there'll be a couple who languish in the reserves who the media never mention again)

I'm not saying his overall signings have been bad, we've made some excellent ones. But as Ball_Sup (Phil) always argues, the paths to the first team for these players is impossible, even if they are good enough, we seem to rather spend money bringing in players that in all honesty, don't offer that much more, if at all.

 

[Champagneblade]

This is what annoys me with Chris. He has a record of bringing in players that aren't good enough for decent money and loans from other clubs that aren't good enough, for decent money when we have players that potentially are just as good and for peanuts.

Appears to have all the attributes that Chris wants in a Centre half, has 6 very successful months north of the border in his only professional games, yet we get rid first sniff of an offer.

Given the relative age I guess it is a straight choice between Keen Bryan and Callum Semple and Chris has opted for the one he brought in.

Don't see how another loan would hurt. If someone offered 10m for JOC in the summer, he may have been ready for the first team squad.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

We need a buy back clause with first refusal. Same with Gilmour. Both of these lads are talented. Personally I wouls have kept them and continued to loan them out through the levels.

Which seems to be the model at most decent clubs :-/

It's akin to Mr Henderson being signed by us for 1m this month. It isn't going to happen, they'll move him onto a Prem loan next....if that's successful they'll take him on in the first team, or they'll sell him for 20m.

Either way, they improve.

Don't see the logic at all.

 

[Grappler]

Semple was a name that I expected to see on our bench at some point, but what do I know.

GLTTL.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I watch a lot of SUFC Academy football. I enjoy games. And, as you'd expect, I have favourite players. I back myself to judge who has played well (or poorly) in a game. But, what do I know about "potential"? Nowt. Obvs, I have a natural disappointment when players leave. But, over time, I feel comfortable just trusting the process. Callum, his parents (& grandparents), his agent, Dungworth, Binnion, Wadsworth will have formed a realistic view of Callum's progress & potential. And our "Loan Arranger" will have kept an eye on his performances & development in Dumfries. As it happens I am not a disciple of The Cult Of Wilder. And, Chris is hardly ever at U23 games. Chris will, correctly, just take advice from those who know the situation more closely. All that stuff will get weighed up & weighed out. Collectively, the lot of them have worked out what is best. Ross County with Clauses it is. Hard to take. But, trust the process.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Given the relative age I guess it is a straight choice between Keen Bryan and Callum Semple and Chris has opted for the one he brought in.

Don't see how another loan would hurt. If someone offered 10m for JOC in the summer, he may have been ready for the first team squad.

Exactly, Mr Bryan who so far has cost us 6 months wages (I'm guessing more than Semples) and in his one appearance looked anything but a footballer.

 

[Harry's Game]

Has Pinchy given him a nickname though?


Simple Semple?

 

[cooperblade]

Holmes, Carruthers, Leonard, Evans, Woodburn, Wilson, Johnson.....

For every decent buy, there's been a poor one too.

We made a profit on Leonard and Evans so I can't see how they were poor buys. Woodburn and Wilson were loans.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Has Pinchy given him a nickname though?


Simple Semple?

Calamitous Callum.....

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

We made a profit on Leonard and Evans so I can't see how they were poor buys. Woodburn and Wilson were loans.

I did mention we'd loaned players that were costly and no better....

Leonard we fell lucky with lets be honest. Chased a player for so long...only to not play him.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I'm not saying his overall signings have been bad, we've made some excellent ones. But as Ball_Sup (Phil) always argues, the paths to the first team for these players is impossible, even if they are good enough, we seem to rather spend money bringing in players that in all honesty, don't offer that much more, if at all.

As always with Academy Threads, it's all kicking off. Here's my "philosophy"
Academy players can only get into a first team squad on merit. No special treatment because they are "one of our own". But, they will inevitably become discouraged if they see a long congested queue of players in front of them. Because of our transfer activity over recent windows, I believe we have a bloated squad, with a number of non-development players who will never gain a first team spot again. I worry that makes it harder for our Academy prospects to succeed. But, of course they must be good enough.

Callum was tenth in line in the apparent pecking order for a CB spot.

 

[Akinbiyi]

This is what annoys me with Chris. He has a record of bringing in players that aren't good enough for decent money and loans from other clubs that aren't good enough, for decent money when we have players that potentially are just as good and for peanuts.

Appears to have all the attributes that Chris wants in a Centre half, has 6 very successful months north of the border in his only professional games, yet we get rid first sniff of an offer.

Annoys me a fair bit too.

We have players like Marvin Johnson, Conor Washington, Martin Cranie, John Lundstram etc. blocking the pathways of very capable youngsters who aren't given chance to show what they can do. It's disappointing.

 

[Akinbiyi]

Callum was tenth in line in the apparent pecking order for a CB spot.

That's barmy in itself. He's got much better reviews at QoS than Ben Henegan had at the same level with Motherwell.

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

As always with Academy Threads, it's all kicking off. Here's my "philosophy"
Academy players can only get into a first team squad on merit. No special treatment because they are "one of our own". But, they will inevitably become discouraged if they see a long congested queue of players in front of them. Because of our transfer activity over recent windows, I believe we have a bloated squad, with a number of non-development players who will never gain a first team spot again. I worry that makes it harder for our Academy prospects to succeed. But, of course they must be good enough.

Callum was tenth in line in the apparent pecking order for a CB spot.

10th?!

Bash, egan, JOC, Bryan, Cranie, Stearman, Wright.......

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

That's barmy in itself. He's got much better reviews at QoS than Ben Henegan had at the same level with Motherwell.

It's very tricky. I can hear posters saying - who is this Phil to say what the pecking order is. I can hear posters saying - Wilder is God, if Semple is tenth, it must be because Wilder says he's tenth. I can hear posters saying - if Semple is good enough to be third, he'll break through to be third. Very tricky.
I just feel -
Basham, O'Connell, Egan ARE playing for the first team
Wright & Heneghan WON'T play for the first team
Semple (not now of course, but yesterday) MIGHT play for the first team.
MIGHT trumps WON'T
But, it's very tricky

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

10th?!

Bash, egan, JOC, Bryan, Cranie, Stearman, Wright.......

Heneghan, Lafferty

 

[Chali 2na]

Annoys me a fair bit too.

We have players like Marvin Johnson, Conor Washington, Martin Cranie, John Lundstram etc. blocking the pathways of very capable youngsters who aren't given chance to show what they can do. It's disappointing.

On one hand, I agree - I'd like to see more youngsters come through, and I don't particularly rate any of the players you mention.

On the other hand, I'd really like to get promoted. And as much I don't really rate those players, they seem to have proven themselves as capable deputies, and all at least have championship experience, should they be called upon.

Is Norrington-Davies good enough to replace Johnson? What about T. Smith and Washington, Semple and Cranie or Gilmour and Lundstram?

The truth is I don't know and neither does Wilder, and I don't think he wants to jeopardise our chances by trialing these players in the 1st team.

I'm surprised Semple has gone permanently, I would have thought 1 more loan might have been the obvious option - maybe there were no potential suitors offering better than Ross County, and he really wanted to play.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

It’s a hard one this and if Semple goes on to have a stellar career people will no doubt claim it as another Blades failing.

That said he doesn’t sound as though he is near our first team standard and possibly won’t ever be who knows. Given that how long should we stockpile players who aren’t good enough at that time while at the same time losing them some of the best development years of their careers?

There has to be a point where we let these lads forge their careers playing grown up football in a permanent move rather than a succession of temporary loans and under 23 games and as long as we write up their moves properly to get us first refusals or sell ons it seems good for both parties

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

Heneghan, Lafferty

Heneghan I thought was done for, out on loan and will be shipped out if an offer came in.

 

[AWetFlannel]

There comes a time where I'd expect a player to leave to properly start their career, unlike the way Chelsea seemingly hold onto them forever, never letting them play for the club who owns them.

Semple had an awful injury, has spent a successful 6 months on loan and we decide to let him leave for nowt? So disappointing.

If we sell O'Connell in the summer, how much are we going to have to pay for a left footed CB who can get forward?

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

There comes a time where I'd expect a player to leave to properly start their career, unlike the way Chelsea seemingly hold onto them forever, never letting them play for the club who owns them.

Semple had an awful injury, has spent a successful 6 months on loan and we decide to let him leave for nowt? So disappointing.

If we sell O'Connell in the summer, how much are we going to have to pay for a left footed CB who can get forward?

It's fine, we have Bryan who's next in line.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Holmes, Carruthers, Leonard, Evans, Woodburn, Wilson, Johnson.....

For every decent buy, there's been a poor one too.

At first sight that would seem a convenient truth Scooter, but I wonder if this is any different at other clubs?

The truth is that professional football it littered with young players with hopes of claiming one of the few spots available amongst the professional ranks. no doubt the blades would prefer to have young players rise from their youth teams until they're ready for the first team, but surely no one believes that the professional game is anything other than harsh and unforgiving? Of course mistakes happen, and that means that any club could miss out on a player becoming far more valuable than he appeared to be as a lad, but given that this happens to all clubs I can't see a way of avoiding this happening.

The time constraints that all managers and players are under means that the demands are instant, not those based on patience as we watch a young hopeful become an obviously talented and worthy contender for a first team position. The best we can hope for is that any agreement signed includes a standard transfer percentage ensuring that the Blades are, at least, rewarded (which I think is usually 20% gross).

 

[Balham]

As always with Academy Threads, it's all kicking off. Here's my "philosophy"
Academy players can only get into a first team squad on merit. No special treatment because they are "one of our own". But, they will inevitably become discouraged if they see a long congested queue of players in front of them. Because of our transfer activity over recent windows, I believe we have a bloated squad, with a number of non-development players who will never gain a first team spot again. I worry that makes it harder for our Academy prospects to succeed. But, of course they must be good enough.

Callum was tenth in line in the apparent pecking order for a CB spot.

Tenth?! Sign me up to the Cult of the Carrier Bag. Academy blocked

Egan
O'Connell
Basham
Stearman
Cranie
Bryan
Wright
Heneghan?
Lafferty?
Semple
Graham

Realistically, Semple was third in line for the LCB spot (behind O'Connell and Bryan) or fourth for the CB spot (behind Egan, Stearman & Wright). The players currently in possession of the first team shirt (Egan and O'Connell) will always be picked when fit - and they don't get injured. In an ideal world, this move to Ross County turns effectively into an 18 month loan and we buy him back for a pittance in the summer of 2020 after selling O'Connell for £35m.

 

[AWetFlannel]

For an extra moan, I thought all our youngsters going out on loan was a good sign.

Semple's loan went well and yet we still get rid of him for nothing. If that was always going to be the case, why loan them out at all?

 

[Grappler]

It's very tricky. I can hear posters saying - who is this Phil to say what the pecking order is. I can hear posters saying - Wilder is God, if Semple is tenth, it must be because Wilder says he's tenth. I can hear posters saying - if Semple is good enough to be third, he'll break through to be third. Very tricky.
I just feel -
Basham, O'Connell, Egan ARE playing for the first team
Wright & Heneghan WON'T play for the first team
Semple (not now of course, but yesterday) MIGHT play for the first team.
MIGHT trumps WON'T
But, it's very tricky

Are you hearing voices mate?

 

[Scooter_mcgavin]

At first sight that would seem a convenient truth Scooter, but I wonder if this is any different at other clubs?

The truth is that professional football it littered with young players with hopes of claiming one of the few spots available amongst the professional ranks. no doubt the blades would prefer to have young players rise from their youth teams until they're ready for the first team, but surely no one believes that the professional game is anything other than harsh and unforgiving? Of course mistakes happen, and that means that any club could miss out on a player becoming far more valuable than he appeared to be as a lad, but given that this happens to all clubs I can't see a way of avoiding this happening.

The time constraints that all managers and players are under means that the demands are instant, not those based on patience as we watch a young hopeful become an obviously talented and worthy contender for a first team position. The best we can hope for is that any agreement signed includes a standard transfer percentage ensuring that the Blades are, at least, rewarded (which I think is usually 20% gross).

Of course it's an unforgiving world, particularly where younger players are concerned.

However, in this young lads case he was a standout member of our Academy prior to his bad injury. Since return he's had as good a loan spell as he'd ever have imagined in his first professional foray. So I fail to see why we wouldn't have loaned him to Ross County for 6 months...or other potential suitors.

Unless of course, the kid himself has turned around and asked to leave.

 

[Worksop II]

The dead and dread hand of the Prince

Nowt to do with the dead head who has been here 20 odd years then .......

 

[Akinbiyi]

On one hand, I agree - I'd like to see more youngsters come through, and I don't particularly rate any of the players you mention.

On the other hand, I'd really like to get promoted. And as much I don't really rate those players, they seem to have proven themselves as capable deputies, and all at least have championship experience, should they be called upon.

Is Norrington-Davies good enough to replace Johnson? What about T. Smith and Washington, Semple and Cranie or Gilmour and Lundstram?

The truth is I don't know and neither does Wilder, and I don't think he wants to jeopardise our chances by trialing these players in the 1st team.

I'm surprised Semple has gone permanently, I would have thought 1 more loan might have been the obvious option - maybe there were no potential suitors offering better than Ross County, and he really wanted to play.

The way I see it, for the amount they'd play would they do any worse?

Johnson and Norrington-Davies as left wing backs, I can't for the life of me see how he'd be any worse as Johnson is gash.
Same goes for Smith and Washington but at the same time I think I'd rather Smith played regular games at L1 level than be our 5th choice striker.

Semple is a very very good player for his age and experience and one I've watched closely since before his leg break, I would've thought he warranted a chance with us in a cup game.

I just don't see the point in loaning them out just to sell them.