Diego

[Pinchy]

Are you sure it has been "declined" as I don't think this is the case. It has not been accepted obviously, but it may not have been 'declined' and so remains on the table until the offer expires which is presumably 30/6/15 like most footy contract?

Contractual nuances aside, my point was he is worth another chance because of the fantastic early potential. Is it this that you disagree with?

I think it's been made pretty clear that Diego turned down the offer. Of course, he's worth another chance but not preferential treatment and certainly not a "sustained run" in the first team as some would advocate. That has to be earned by any player, young or old, not laid on a plate with a side salad!

The fact is, and no amount of Bladey bleating will change it, he scored no goals in his ten most recent Division Four appearances. That's the measure of how good he is right now. He's got it all to prove; there is no credit in the bank. Let him excel at U-21 level, then he can start talking.

I don't go for this 'one of our own' tripe. They can be from Sheffield, Stockport or Swaziland: Once they pull on the shirt they all start equal. Where they end up is, at least in part, in their hands.

 

[Pinchy]

Apologies if this has been posted already but at the end of this latest interview here:

https://audioboom.com/boos/3289146-sufc-boss-nigel-adkins-on-the-clubs-fixture-list

Nigel Adkins responds to Andy Giddings' question about Diego's current position to say that he's spoken with Diego and his agent, and he's coming back to train with the rest of the squad on 29th June, when he'll be assessed, his future discussed etc. as with any other player.

He did say at the very end that he wants players with "the right ability and attitude", which might be interpreted as a specific comment about Diego, but equally, it could just have been part of Adkins' general chitchat about the sorts of things he'll be looking for in his players when he decides who he wants to keep.

Oh give over. You have to look at the context. It was said in response to a specific question about De Juve. There's no doubt whatsoever what he meant! NA knows the history of this. He's no fool and the remark was no coincidence.

This kid really is beyond criticism for some, isn't he?

 

[Pinchy]

Aren't people saying that the club have indeed re-offered the contract?

Probably, but some are thinking, I believe, that it's entirely up to Diego whether he re-signs or not. The offer may have been revived, in which case it's still open until a specified date or, if not specified, a reasonable time.

I'm not opposed to the lad joining in pre-season and 'given a chance'. I do take issue with the notion that he hasn't yet had one though! No-one has prevented him from excelling at the levels at which he has played - he patently hasn't done so.

I'll be delighted if he turns into a worldbeater, just as I will with any of our players.

 

[I should coco]

I don't go for this 'one of our own' tripe. They can be from Sheffield, Stockport or Swaziland: Once they pull on the shirt they all start equal. Where they end up is, at least in part, in their hands.

So you don't see the crowd affection for Terry Kennedy ahead of McGahey or say Reed ahead of Holt?

I agree they can come from anywhere if they're good enough, but there is something special about bringing your 'own' through the system. Edwards, Kenworthy, Whitehouse, Mitch Ward, both Kyles, Monty, Jags, Tonge and Maguire all meant far more to me than some hired gun who lived 80 miles form the training ground.

I agree completely about the end result being down to their own hard work though and I fully understand that is where the big question arises with Diego.

 

[Sean Thornton]

So it's not the same as your informal 'car for sale' analogy then is it? This is a written contract of employment offer that would have dates clearly defined. Whether it is has expired, been declined or is still on the table we don't actually know.

I was asking why people suggested the offer should be withdrawn, rather than allowing him to change his mind and accept the offer, now that NA is here.

At some point it will lapse, so young Diego needs to make his mind up. My view is I'd rather have him than not.

If he changes his mind after initially declining the offer then United are surely under no obligation to make the same offer as, as Pinchy has said, the original offer is null and void due to non acceptance. So isn't the car analogy correct?

IF, of course it has been declined by him.

 

[I should coco]

If he changes his mind after initially declining the offer then United are surely under no obligation to make the same offer as, as Pinchy has said, the original offer is null and void due to non acceptance. So isn't the car analogy correct?

As you say, "IF" it has been declined by him.

We don't know that he 'declined' it but if it was the only offer he had, then he and his agent/dad would have been stupid to decline without an alternative. The press report things in cliches, like 'Sterling has turned down a new offer from Liverpool' but it usually means he hasn't signed to accept it.

The original offer will only be 'null and void due to non acceptance' when the date provided in the contract says so.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Bad wording from me. By non acceptance I meant him declining it rather than a specified period of time.
If the offer was for £x and Diego later asked for £y, doesn't that void the original offer?

 

[Pinchy]

So you don't see the crowd affection for Terry Kennedy ahead of McGahey or say Reed ahead of Holt?

I agree they can come from anywhere if they're good enough, but there is something special about bringing your 'own' through the system. Edwards, Kenworthy, Whitehouse, Mitch Ward, both Kyles, Monty, Jags, Tonge and Maguire all meant far more to me than some hired gun who lived 80 miles form the training ground.

I agree completely about the end result being down to their own hard work though and I fully understand that is where the big question arises with Diego.

I see it mate and understand it. I just don't entirely share it. Maybe because I'm only half-Sheffield, I don't know.

I didn't rate Mitch Ward or Monty in the slightest and their "localness" didn't even begin to make up for that. I don't want a team comprising eleven home-grown mediocrities.

I'm not keen on the Everton player, Jagielka either.

Where does a lad like Che Adams fit into all this? Is there a sort of graduated scale of Bladeyness?

 

[super_pig]

all of this speculation is moot
if he's half as good as i've been led to believe then mccabe will sell him anyway

 

[I should coco]

Where does a lad like Che Adams fit into all this? Is there a sort of graduated scale of Bladeyness?

Of course there is and I can see a long multi page 'Bladeyness' thread developing....

Seriously, because he was non-league and this is his first club then he's more akin to an academy lad, than some journeyman at his umpteenth club and only here for the money.

Not sure what you've got against Jags? THAT goal against DirtyLeeds was more than enough to earn him a birthday cake for life.

 

[metalblade]

How many more times the contract offer is still on the table SUFC will not withdraw the offer until the end of June otherwise they will lose any rights to compensation, it really is up to Diego whether he signs it or not anyone saying otherwise clearly has an agenda

 

[Rossb123]

I first heard abit of inside information a few months ago that Diego wouldn't sign a new contract under Clough. At the time I put on my thread I would be gutted to see him go without seeing him given time to prove himself. I have since completely changed my opinion because Diego has shown no commitment to anything he has done in his football career so far.

He joined York at the start of last season, he said publicly how much he loved his time at York and when we recalled him he pushed for a move back there. He then joined York mid Feb (I think) for the rest of the season to help them with their survival battle.......then Mid March he's jumped ships to Northampton how much of an insult is that to York who have given his first real chance of first team football.

I don't know if Diego has an attitude or is being badly advised but either way I think United and Diego would be better off parting companies regardless of his potential 'talent'

 

[Darren]

Bad wording from me. By non acceptance I meant him declining it rather than a specified period of time.
If the offer was for £x and Diego later asked for £y, doesn't that void the original offer?

It does. Making an alternative offer means you reject the original offer.

The first thing you ever learn as a lawyer is this basic contract law!

 

[Pinchy]

Of course there is and I can see a long multi page 'Bladeyness' thread developing....

Seriously, because he was non-league and this is his first club then he's more akin to an academy lad, than some journeyman at his umpteenth club and only here for the money.

Not sure what you've got against Jags? THAT goal against DirtyLeeds was more than enough to earn him a birthday cake for life.

What about THAT inexplicable handball against Wigan and his complete failure to explain why he did it?...

 

[BushBlade]

His performances in League Two suggest otherwise.

Haven't seen any of them, have you?

I Should Coco's post explains part of the hype. In addition to that, a lot of people have seen him play in the youth teams and have said, prior to his injury, he's as good as they've ever seen, many have posted such comments on social media. And of course, the massive fanfare from the club when he signed his first contract.

None of that has anything to do with his name, just his ability when he was a kid.

As well as Diego, I've seen the following young players hyped to the max, players who were definitely going to make it and that twat Wilson/Clough should be giving more opportunities to: Matty Harriot, Elliot Whitehouse, Callum McFadzean, David McAllister, Joe Ironside. And of course the current pair of Reed and Adams.

So I'd suggest that rather than being due to having an Italian name, Diego's hype is down primarily to his ability as a kid and the supporters' tendency to think every one of our youth players that gets a first team game and doesn't play like a complete twat is a future international.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I see it mate and understand it. I just don't entirely share it. Maybe because I'm only half-Sheffield, I don't know.

I didn't rate Mitch Ward or Monty in the slightest and their "localness" didn't even begin to make up for that. I don't want a team comprising eleven home-grown mediocrities.

I'm not keen on the Everton player, Jagielka either.

Where does a lad like Che Adams fit into all this? Is there a sort of graduated scale of Bladeyness?

Pinchy is absolutely right about the geography lesson that surrounds the affection locally born players often receive. I understand the connection that happens between supporters and player when a local lad pulls on a shirt, I just don't allow it to colour my thinking to the point where being born and bred in Sheffield ups the quality on view.

The best local lad I've seen wearing a United shirt was Gary Cahill (born in Dronfield actually, but that's just a hamlet of Sheffield surely?). The fact that he supports wendy never crossed my mind, but it was obvious here was someone a cut above anything we'd seen for a long time. If we manage to produce a player who exudes quality it won't take a rocket scientist to know we have someone special on our hands, but for the moment we have our share of young lads with promise, no more than that I should add, just the suggestion that with application and luck they could go on to have something resembling a career in professional football. If any of them rise above mediocrity then we should enjoy them for as long as they remain a United player, and hope they continue to excel throughout the remainder of their career.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'd love for him to succeed at United and power us up the football league, but this "one of our own" is confusing me. Diego isn't a Blade, he's not a fan, he probably has more fondness for Chesterfield than Sheffield United but is a fan of no particular local side. Not that it matters I want him and McGahey to play this season and rip the league a new one, but he isn't "one of us" or "one of our own".

 

[BushBlade]

What about THAT inexplicable handball against Wigan and his complete failure to explain why he did it?...

If you've followed Jags's career, or football in general, you'll have noticed he tends to be affected by nerves in big games, I've seen him make several shocking ricks for Everton over his time there. It's probably what's held him back from being a top four player, and from convincing Roy he is a first choice England player.

You're not really suggesting he deliberately threw the game to engineer a move to Everton are you? Do you think if we'd have stayed up we wouldn't have done a deal to swap Jags for Beattie, as we ended up doing? That we'd force a player to stay at the club against his wishes? Not really our MO is it? I recall we tried it with Brown and it backfired somewhat and I don't think we've done it since.

 

[BushBlade]

I'd love for him to succeed at United and power us up the football league, but this "one of our own" is confusing me. Diego isn't a Blade, he's not a fan, he probably has more fondness for Chesterfield than Sheffield United but is a fan of no particular local side. Not that it matters I want him and McGahey to play this season and rip the league a new one, but he isn't "one of us" or "one of our own".

How do you know he's not a Blade? There's loads of Blades in Chesterfield.

A player who comes through our academy will always be considered one of our own (unless he's short and ginger) because he is a player that our club, our coaches, have developed. A player who is always likely to have a greater affinity with the club than a 25 year old we've signed from Yeovil.

If people who put their money where there mouth is, owners of clubs like Man City and Chelsea, see the importance of having home grown talent (proper home grown, not just to comply with some Uefa definition) why dismiss it?

(The last paragraph is just a general comment, not a reply to your post particularly)

 

[Pinchy]

If you've followed Jags's career, or football in general, you'll have noticed he tends to be affected by nerves in big games, I've seen him make several shocking ricks for Everton over his time there. It's probably what's held him back from being a top four player, and from convincing Roy he is a first choice England player.

You're not really suggesting he deliberately threw the game to engineer a move to Everton are you? Do you think if we'd have stayed up we wouldn't have done a deal to swap Jags for Beattie, as we ended up doing? That we'd force a player to stay at the club against his wishes? Not really our MO is it? I recall we tried it with Brown and it backfired somewhat and I don't think we've done it since.

I'm not suggesting anything. I just think it would be nice of him to explain why he gave away the penalty that relegated us. He never did. In his first interview after signing for Everton he mentioned us not once and barely has since. He doesn't, unlike many former players, come to the Lane to see his old team.

As I say, he's the Everton player Jagielka, nothing more.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

How do you know he's not a Blade? There's loads of Blades in Chesterfield.

....and I'm one, and Diego isn't.

 

[mosbolad]

There is more than a hint from NA that the young man needs a change of attitude to earn an offer of a contract.

There's more than a hint that Adkins thinks he's a talented young player when NA says:-

'He's a talented young player'

Oh and is your car still for sale? If so I'll make you an offer.........

 

[Pinchy]

There's more than a hint that Adkins thinks he's a talented young player when NA says:-

'He's a talented young player'

Oh and is your car still for sale? If so I'll make you an offer.........

OK. It's an Italian model. Looks better than it performs and difficult to control....

 

[Silent Blade]

How do you know he's not a Blade? There's loads of Blades in Chesterfield.

Not sure about Diego but his dad goes to watch Chesterfield (home and away) a lot

 

[Lane Ender]

Great points Sean, and of course I knew Silent would beat me to Ray Storey, of whom I had the dubious pleasure of watching him drink himself senseless in the Top Rank on many Saturdays in the 70's. This whilst he wasca young pro at Man U.
Interestingly, Ray was Tommy Docs 1st signing when he took over at Derby, however, the die was cast and superb schoolboy footballer that Ray was, he drifted into obscurity.
Platts and Higgins are similarly later versions of Storey. I've met Alex on a couple of occasions and he seemed a nice well balanced lad, however his dad had the 'my lad is a world beater' syndrome and every club that released Higgins were tossers and didn't know a player when they saw one. On a side note, his dad was a dirty fucker in his playing days, and never listened to good advice. Higgins was one of the FA schoolboy elite squad at 14 and became bezzy mates with Scott Parker (still to this day), how their careers contrasted...

As others have intimated, the evidence is all there, Diego may or may not make a fist of it in the game, but better apparent talents than him have spluttered and farted into oblivion... Let's hope he comes good somewhere...

He still drinks himself senseless I play golf with him at Hallowes
Lays tarmac for a living these days sound lad

 

[BushBlade]

I'm not suggesting anything. I just think it would be nice of him to explain why he gave away the penalty that relegated us. He never did. In his first interview after signing for Everton he mentioned us not once and barely has since. He doesn't, unlike many former players, come to the Lane to see his old team.

As I say, he's the Everton player Jagielka, nothing more.

Yes, now you say that I realise I don't really see him as a 'Blade' any more. But I did a job with a bloke who grew up with him and Steve and according to him, Jags did hold us in high regard.

 

[BushBlade]

Not sure about Diego but his dad goes to watch Chesterfield (home and away) a lot

I remembered that after I'd posted.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

OK. It's an Italian model. Looks better than it performs and difficult to control....

Exactly the same as the missus.

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

Gary Hamson was one of the best youngsters we have had. Played over 100 starts for us as a teenager. He hadnt turned 20 yet when he moved to L**ds

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I remembered that after I'd posted.

Probably obvious (given his sons name) but his Dad is a Napoli fan.