Give Monty a New Contract!!!

[Santos]

1) I dont think footballers deserve a fraction of the outrageous wages they earn, but at the end of the day theyre getting it. My point is, if a dis-loyal player (Kilgallon) deserves a pay rise on top of already obscene wages, then Monty definately does.

2) I cant imagine the average championship player being on any more than that and Monty is in essence 'the average championship player.' if he was on a lot more than that United would have shipped him out a long time ago. As I understand it, most players' contracts have a percentage salary increase for promotion and decrease for relegation. I wouldnt class 3 to 4k as a little salary either.

Im just basing this on my knowledge of what the average player at this level earns as I still have friends in the game. Some people I know seem to think second tier players earn 7-8k a week! The vast majority earn nowhere near this, although they are still paid well. Thats why they all want to play in the PL because the difference in salaries is enormous!

I may well be miles off Grecian but its just an estimation. Im with you though generally on the 'deserved' increase.

I think it is a very fair rational assumption to say Monty is earning more than 3 or 4K gross income.

I would say out of our current crop,

Paddy (although I dunno if we're paying him at the moment!),
Naysmith
Morgan
Monty
Quinn
Harper
Henderson
Evans
Camara

are all on upwards of 7K to varying degrees.

 

[boo radley]

Oh dear, oh dear.

I am, from time to time, accused of resembling a broken record in relation to young Ploddy. The Ploddyphiles, however, churn out the same misguided drivel every time and no-one turns a hair. How do you say 'fit, committed and tries hard' in a dozen different ways?

I have seen countless footballers, good and bad. With one or two exceptions the bad ones have at least some praiseworthy qualities. So it is with Ploddy. His dedication, fitness, endeavour and attitude are admirable. But these qualities are equally attributable to a long distance runner, mountaineer, deep sea diver...the list goes on. They are not footballing qualities.

The truth about Ploddy is that he runs around a lot, usually just out of reach of the ball, which is in the possession of a more gifted [i.e. the vast majority] opponent. He does this tirelessly but ineffectively. The better players leave him puffing and panting in their wake, but, no matter, he keeps going and the same thing happens again ad nauseam.

He dives into tackles. Occasionally he 'breaks up play' [he does this more frequently when we occasionally have possession by repeatedly passing to the opposition...or the stands...or the birds in the sky] by committing a foul or conceding a throw-in or corner. Very rarely does he win clean possession and, when he does, he does one of the things referred to in brackets above. Often he dispenses with even the pretence of attempting to do something creative when in possession and simply punts the ball aimlessly into the air in the general direction of forwards and up. It is not unusual, but bitterly amusing, for the ball to land some seconds later on his own head.

No amount of sophistry such as the ubiquitous 'does his job' or 'breaks up play' or still worse 'he's a Blade' will ever turn this young man into a footballer. Give him every credit for making the most of his crippling limitations but there it ends.

I'll now move on to his creative contribution to our team:

Who on Earth are you talking about? I looked up our squad and can find no reference to a player called 'Ploddy'. So I looked up to see if it was some other term of reference to describe someone and could find no reference in four Dictionaries/Thesauruses. Or for that matter a word ploddyphiles.
So I made a guess you were talking about Harper although I have to disagree with you on that one as I think he is quite good.
I came to the conclusion you were talking about Harper because of this bit

‘(The truth about Ploddy is that he runs around a lot, usually just out of reach of the ball, which is in the possession of a more gifted [i.e. the vast majority] opponent. He does this tirelessly but ineffectively. The better players leave him puffing and panting in their wake, but, no matter, he keeps going and the same thing happens again ad nauseam.)’

Can I just add to that he has to wait till the ball is played to his feet exactly.

See this next bit is rather mixed and I cannot agree with it all.

‘He dives into tackles. Occasionally he 'breaks up play' [he does this more frequently when we occasionally have possession by repeatedly passing to the opposition...or the stands...or the birds in the sky] by committing a foul or conceding a throw-in or corner. Very rarely does he win clean possession and, when he does, he does one of the things referred to in brackets above. Often he dispenses with even the pretence of attempting to do something creative when in possession and simply punts the ball aimlessly into the air in the general direction of forwards and up. It is not unusual, but bitterly amusing, for the ball to land some seconds later on his own head.’

See Harper never makes a tackle and relies on others round him to do the dirty work - thank God we have Walker, Monty and Morgan to do this for him.
The other night Morgan was not quite as good as usual but Walker and Monty were excellent. Walker playing a long early ball over the top for Ward to run on to, then next time varying his play and coming inside linking up with Monty. Also Monty did likewise spraying a long diagonal ball for Cresswell to get on to and then also doing a little Jink header whilst running at speed using great technique to carry out this skill for Walker to get on to. They played excellent together.

‘I'll now move on to his creative contribution to our team:’

I’ve done a few of our creative players from the other night maybe you could do Evans and Quinny.
Although I do think you’ve been rather harsh on Harper he does play well most of the time he could do with being a bit more mobile and getting up to support the forwards quicker but he just want to sit a lot of the time.
You should at least give him the respect of using his proper name instead of making up words to describe him.
After all I thought you had the view that the English language was sacred.

 

[SBSP]

Whats the point in giving him a new contract?

Anybody that can run for 90mins and supports United already has all his attributes, I'm sure there are many people who would do this for a fraction of his wages.

 

[Santos]

"I think the whole Jamie Ward issue and having the same agent has delayed matters but they really need to sit down with Monty and his agent to get something sorted as his current deal is up at the end of the season."

A bit confusing that because blackie came out a week or so ago and said that Monty has the same agent as Killa and that it has been the Killa debacle that had delayed talks with Monty. He also said that now the Killa issue is sorted, they can hopefully sit down in the next week or two and sort Monty's deal out.

I can't help thinking Monty may be having his head turned by his agent and Killa (i think they used to drive into training together "look at me Nick, 30K a week, fill your boots).

 

[Pinchy]

Easy....I just thought some opinions were a little hard on monty thats all. If I offended I apologise. Im not the arrogant type but recognise my post would have come across that way.

That is very gracious of you Lou but no apology needed. I express firm views and expect the same back.

If I were easily offended I would never get out of bed!

 

[Fiery Blade]

Reading on the Star website this morning that Monty is keen for his representative to get something sorted with the club. I think the whole Jamie Ward issue and having the same agent has delayed matters but they really need to sit down with Monty and his agent to get something sorted as his current deal is up at the end of the season.

We need to keep stalwarts like him. His first touch and passing can be slightly wayward from time to time but he gives us so much with his presence and combative style. I think he will be the club's next captain after Morgan and should be - fantastic servant to the club. Ive seldom seen him have a terrible game but ive seen him play out of his skin plenty of times. So important to have him around - just for his ability to take a volley in the gut from a Morgan clearance and not even flinch

I am definately one who thinks the world of him, even if I do close my eyes when he shoots

LouTheBlade - Master of the Understatement 'his first touch and passing can be wayward from time to time - Is that time 3-00pm to 4-50pm Saturdays and 7-45 to 9-35pm midweek :thumbup:

 

[boo radley]

LouTheBlade - Master of the Understatement 'his first touch and passing can be wayward from time to time - Is that time 3-00pm to 4-50pm Saturdays and 7-45 to 9-35pm midweek :thumbup:

We're all right on Sundays and if we have games with extra time then

 

[montysbarmyarmy]

Only ever played for sheffu and thats the way it should stay . He only needs decent midfielder along side him

 

[boo radley]

Only ever played for sheffu and thats the way it shuold stay . He only needs decent midfielder along side him

Agree mate and welcome (watch your spelling though Pinchy is a stickler for that).

 

[montysbarmyarmy]

willamson and monty in midfield and not quinn or harper we might get somewhere , thats why he should get new contract

 

[Latters]

Only ever played for sheffu and thats the way it should stay . He only needs decent midfielder along side him

He's had plenty of decent and better than decent midfielders next to him, latterly Harper, Quinn, Tonge, Howard and Williamson, and he brings them all down by giving them no-one to pass to, crowding them and generally getting in the way. At present, Harper and Williamson is, in my opinion, our best midfield pairing, with Quinn and Williamson a close second. Lagging way behind is any partnership involving Monty because we just don't maintain possession when he's in the team because our better midfielders have no partner to pass to and Monty's regularly giving possession away by either fouling, kicking it into touch or just losing the ball.

 

[boo radley]

He's had plenty of decent and better than decent midfielders next to him, latterly Harper, Quinn, Tonge, Howard and Williamson, and he brings them all down by giving them no-one to pass to, crowding them and generally getting in the way. At present, Harper and Williamson is, in my opinion, our best midfield pairing, with Quinn and Williamson a close second. Lagging way behind is any partnership involving Monty because we just don't maintain possession when he's in the team because our better midfielders have no partner to pass to and Monty's regularly giving possession away by either fouling, kicking it into touch or just losing the ball.

Sorry miles of the mark your chosen midfield doesn't have a decent tackle in it.
Monty gives you that and so much more. If you we're there on tuesday you would have seen he covered more ground than any other player. Played loads of good balls and worked well with Harper (who probably covered less than half the yards that Monty did) Walker, Ward, Cresswell, As well as supporting the defence.

 

[Latters]

Sorry miles of the mark your chosen midfield doesn't have a decent tackle in it.
Monty gives you that and so much more. If you we're there on tuesday you would have seen he covered more ground than any other player. Played loads of good balls and worked well with Harper (who probably covered less than half the yards that Monty did) Walker, Ward, Cresswell, As well as supporting the defence.

Oh sorry, if you say I'm miles off the mark, I must be. Or perhaps not. Would you not agree that our best recent passing football has been with Harper and Williamson in midfield. Both midfielders tackled when they needed to, tracked their own man instead of aimlessly following the ball, and got into space and looked to receive a pass when their midfield partner had the ball.

Sorry Boo but I'm never going to believe that we need Monty or "a Monty" as people keep saying. What we need is footballers who are capable of playing football. Williamson's tackling is fine, as is Harper's, it just doesn't help when you've got the wind up toy chasing his own man, your man and everyone else on the pitch, but just a yard or so behind the ball.

Edit: And the reason Harper covered half the ground Monty did is because he has the advantage of knowing roughly where to be in the first place.

 

[Revolution]

Latters - others (including myself) have tried to express this idea, but you've done it best.

Monty is fine for 3-5-2 or a backs to the wall situation but where you take the game to the opposition in a 4-4-2 formation his limitations leave too much for the other central midfielder to do. This is one reason (though not the only reason) why our central midfield signings always disappoint. It's a harder job than it looks because all of the creativity has to come through you.

And this mythology that has developed to deflect some of the comments about Monty's shortcomings is verging on the ridiculous. Now it would appear he's the only midfielder we have who can put in a decent tackle. Okay, whatever.

 

[Blade58]

willamson and monty in midfield and not quinn or harper we might get somewhere , thats why he should get new contract

They're all ok on their day. Consistancy is the problem.

Oh and the fact Williamson appears to only be fit for 1 Saturday in 4

Every bloody week there's something amiss with him! Back strain, hamstring, calf strain! Did he invent injuries? I definately think the lad has something to offer, but it doesn't matter how good he is, he's no good to anyone if he's forever injured.

Just to add toi that, I also think he plays his best games in central midfield. He doesn't seem comfortable down the flank (endorsed by a millers fan)

 

[boo radley]

Oh sorry, if you say I'm miles off the mark, I must be. Or perhaps not. Would you not agree that our best recent passing football has been with Harper and Williamson in midfield. Both midfielders tackled when they needed to, tracked their own man instead of aimlessly following the ball, and got into space and looked to receive a pass when their midfield partner had the ball.

No don't agree

[/QUOTE]Sorry Boo but I'm never going to believe that we need Monty or "a Monty" as people keep saying. What we need is footballers who are capable of playing football. Williamson's tackling is fine, as is Harper's, it just doesn't help when you've got the wind up toy chasing his own man, your man and everyone else on the pitch, but just a yard or so behind the ball.[/QUOTE]


Thats exactly true you and people who have similar opinions will never see the work Monty does that allows people like Harper to have a good game.
Even if Monty consistantly got MOTM you still would not change your view.
It would be nice though if someone could find that key to Harpers back to wind him up.If Williamson ever gets fit and is given a run of games and harper injured then it will be Haper who will be sidelined when he gets fit again.

Edit: [/QUOTE] And the reason Harper covered half the ground Monty did is because he has the advantage of knowing roughly where to be in the first place.[/QUOTE]

The reason he covers half the ground is because as others have said his legs have gone. That is also the reason he cannot make a tackle and why he doesn't support the attack more.
That Isn't to say he doesnt contribute but i bet he thanks Monty everytime for running for him.

 

[Fiery Blade]

Cannot believe the backing Monty gets from some of our fans!
Obviously they are happy with mediocre players that run around and try but with very little skill and ability.
Yes he does try and I for one would have him on the bench for cover
Some of you guys out there think he is the Messiah!
God help us if he is!!!

 

[LouTheBlade]

Cannot believe the backing Monty gets from some of our fans!
Obviously they are happy with mediocre players that run around and try but with very little skill and ability.
Yes he does try and I for one would have him on the bench for cover
Some of you guys out there think he is the Messiah!
God help us if he is!!!

:lol: My view is that he will never light up the lane but he's a very handy player to have around for certain jobs. There are a lot of positive things to say about Monty - despite his obvious lack of technical ability. He has lungs the size of medicine balls and a great desire to win the ball. You cant coach that into a player.

He performed very well for a large chunk of our PL season which suggests he has some decent qualities. I remember going up to St. James' Park that season and he capped a MOTM performance with a wonderful cross for Webber's goal. He needs to be appreciated for what he is. Just because he lacks flair and the eye for a killer pass doesnt mean he's a bad player. It takes all sorts to build a good football team.

Anyone with that much desire who wants to play for the club deserves a contract for me. Yes I agree he will probably spend around 50% of his time on the bench but hes useful from there as well.

 

[SBSP]

:lol: My view is that he will never light up the lane but he's a very handy player to have around for certain jobs. (1) There are a lot of positive things to say about Monty - despite his obvious lack of technical ability. He has lungs the size of medicine balls and a great desire to win the ball. You cant coach that into a player.

He performed very well for a large chunk of our PL season which suggests he has some decent qualities. (2)I remember going up to St. James' Park that season and he capped a MOTM performance with a wonderful cross for Webber's goal. He needs to be appreciated for what he is. Just because he lacks flair and the eye for a killer pass doesnt mean he's a bad player. It takes all sorts to build a good football team.

(3)Anyone with that much desire who wants to play for the club deserves a contract for me. Yes I agree he will probably spend around 50% of his time on the bench but hes useful from there as well.

(1) you're right on this part, stamina and desire aren't something you coach they are just general attributes of any sportsman. Surely the main let down , his techincal ability, is what we should be coaching?

(2) usual Monty fan trick - pick one moment from all his playing carrer to prove he isnt as bad as we all know. The point this shows is that his flashes of footballing ability as that few are far between you can pretty uch remember all of them. Not all players can be as creative and skillfull as Messi, but if you have been training at a certain game for that many years and you can't even do the basics there is something seriously wrong.

(3) on this basis I think most people on here deserve a contract then?

 

[Latters]

:lol: My view is that he will never light up the lane but he's a very handy player to have around for certain jobs. There are a lot of positive things to say about Monty - despite his obvious lack of technical ability. He has lungs the size of medicine balls and a great desire to win the ball. You cant coach that into a player.

He performed very well for a large chunk of our PL season which suggests he has some decent qualities. I remember going up to St. James' Park that season and he capped a MOTM performance with a wonderful cross for Webber's goal. He needs to be appreciated for what he is. Just because he lacks flair and the eye for a killer pass doesnt mean he's a bad player. It takes all sorts to build a good football team.

Anyone with that much desire who wants to play for the club deserves a contract for me. Yes I agree he will probably spend around 50% of his time on the bench but hes useful from there as well.

I don't really disagree with any of that but the only use I could see for him in a supposed promotion chasing team is if we're winning fairly late on and need to really sit back and defend a lead.

Turning to Boo's post. Monty would never put in a string of MotM performances unless the other 21 players on the pitch were all Andy Taylor. Are we talking about man of the match in your opinion or where he has actually been the best player on the pitch, because they're extremely few and far between.

 

[LouTheBlade]

(1) you're right on this part, stamina and desire aren't something you coach they are just general attributes of any sportsman. Surely the main let down , his techincal ability, is what we should be coaching?

(2) usual Monty fan trick - pick one moment from all his playing carrer to prove he isnt as bad as we all know. The point this shows is that his flashes of footballing ability as that few are far between you can pretty uch remember all of them. Not all players can be as creative and skillfull as Messi, but if you have been training at a certain game for that many years and you can't even do the basics there is something seriously wrong.

(3) on this basis I think most people on here deserve a contract then?

(1) We're agreed on that at least

(2) I wouldnt call myself a monty fan 'as such,' I just get behind the lad like any proper fan should. Most of my Blades heroes have been flair players or goalscorers (e.g. Brian Deane, Jan Aage Fjortoft, Michael Brown, Rob Hulse). I didnt pick one moment either, I pointed out the fact that he was in good form for a large chunk of the PL season - which he was. Also, the basics are tackiling, running, positional sense and passing. Monty can do all of those very well, the only argument for his passing is that he cant hit a 'killer pass' or 'through ball.'

(3) Why? We're not professional footballers. Its ok to ridicule a guy that is out there doing it, but he's been chosen to do it - not his knockers.

I can understand why some people dont like Monty because his style could be labelled 'primative' but people in the game have a better understanding than the average fan. When I played (and I could play a bit) I found players like him were a god send. A player that can alleviate that sort of work from you is worth his weight in gold. Football can and will get ugly at times, if you have 11 'gifted' players out there for every game that lack the sort of qualities I am talking about, they will come un-stuck against certain sides......

Why am I thinking of Arsenal right now.......

 

[SBSP]

(1) We're agreed on that at least

(2) I wouldnt call myself a monty fan 'as such,' I just get behind the lad like any proper fan should. Most of my Blades heroes have been flair players or goalscorers (e.g. Brian Deane, Jan Aage Fjortoft, Michael Brown, Rob Hulse). I didnt pick one moment either, I pointed out the fact that he was in good form for a large chunk of the PL season - which he was. Also, the basics are tackiling, running, positional sense and passing. Monty can do all of those very well, the only argument for his passing is that he cant hit a 'killer pass' or 'through ball.'

(3) Why? We're not professional footballers. Its ok to ridicule a guy that is out there doing it, but he's been chosen to do it - not his knockers.

I can understand why some people dont like Monty because his style could be labelled 'primative' but people in the game have a better understanding than the average fan. When I played (and I could play a bit) I found players like him were a god send. A player that can alleviate that sort of work from you is worth his weight in gold. Football can and will get ugly at times, if you have 11 'gifted' players out there for every game that lack the sort of qualities I am talking about, they will come un-stuck against certain sides......

Why am I thinking of Arsenal right now.......

You are spot on with most of this:

My personal issue with Monty isn't that he hasn't go amazing skills, it's that he hasn't got basic skills.

Apart form the bit about his positional sense and passing. I don't recall seeing any other player caught out of positon so rgualry every game. This is the main contribution to all the ground he covers, he is making up the yeards he has lost by being in the wrong position in the first place. I don't know how anyone can argue he is a good passer of the ball, he misplaces several 3-5 yard passes most games.

 

[Big Mart]

Monty is a toilet, simple as :bomb:

Now how am I going on in the infraction league, anywhere close to a European qualification spot yet

:gallop:

 

[raul]

Mrs Thatch is looking well isn't she?

 

[raul]

*bump*....

 

[Revolution]

Giving away 3 penalties in the same season strikes me as a rather high tally for a midfield player...mind you, when you cover every blade of grass them's the risks.

 

[Pinchy]

Giving away 3 penalties in the same season strikes me as a rather high tally for a midfield player...mind you, when you cover every blade of grass them's the risks.

It is when you cover those blades of grass in a very haphazard and gauche manner. A pronounced tendency to mistime your legendary 'tackles' does nothing to diminish the risk. I think it's called 'breaking up play' or 'doing a job'.