Champagneblade
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2010
- Messages
- 12,721
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The light is darkest before the dawn.
It feels we are at that point now.
We are witnessing the end of an era.
Perhaps the reaction is because of the melancholy that induces, the sense of loss of our heroes.
Is it not better to have greater memories of them in their prime than have them diminished by hanging on to them too long?
We look at Fleck and Stevens. Both probably had a year that did little to endure their legacy, more to confirm their better years were behind them.
And so you can make a case of this for many of the departed players:
Egan - look, I would have happily given him 3 more years. Another promotion, a relegation and then a year handing over the mantle. But let’s not kid ourselves. We won’t be seeing peak Egan of 18/19 and 19/20. That player is long gone. I’ll miss him, but a bad injury already in the bank and waning powers, you can understand that now is a good time to preserve his legacy.
Norwood - for Norwood, read Egan’s comments though I’m more convinced it is time for him to move on. Fantastic for 2 seasons and then a gradual slide to the point people were worried when he entered the fray with only minutes to play. Better we remember him as the King of Ping, not the player being shrugged off for opposition to score.
Baldock - it seems a while since he has gone! I would have kept him. But a great opportunity for him. He would have been on high wages and again, sad we are not getting a useful fee, but 13 league games played out of 38 shows a worrying trend. A hard one, but heart aside, it is probably the right decision.
Basham - a truly great servant but after that horrendous injury, and his age, contemplating playing once more at the highest level just seems one step too far. A logical decision, though sad to see him go out that way and clearly he loves the club and holds no ill-will.
Osborn - a game trier who was probably a manager’s dream. Made the best of what he had even if it times that was shown to have limits, especially physically. But the last couple of years have seen injuries and you do wonder if a player like Shackleton, 5 years his junior might be a better squad refresh, even if ostensibly they feel similar.
McBurnie - I’d still be looking to keep McBurnie. I feel he has matured into a natural leader, potential next captain and is immediately of use at this level and can contribute above if surrounded by better players and deployed correctly. That being said, he needs to be available. You can understand the niggling doubts when he is potentially unselectable almost half the time. If we keep him, hopefully it is with improved availability.
Wes - he exceeded expectations really but he also showed his limits and I don’t think a refresh in this position, especially as he too is 33 now, is a bad thing.
Max Lowe - a makeweight in the Bogle deal. I don’t think he ever got beyond ‘ok’ and it always felt there was someone capable of taking his place when fit. His fitness record was poor in recent years and his ability can’t justify the gamble on his fitness. Right to let go.
Jebbison - he’s the athletic forward so many teams crave to uncover. 1.90m with some pace. But that merely confirms he’s an athlete. Had he not scored a tap in against Everton, there wouldn’t be half the aura around him. He largely skipped the U23s, where Osula has been banging in braces, threes and fours on a regular basis and where Marsh has been slowly building up his skills. He’s missed a year of development. Hopefully compensation figure is useful.
Just like when you get rid of a manager, it only truly makes sense if the incoming one is a good one.
So whilst players of waning powers and diminished availability are moving on, it is now up to the club and hopefully new regime, to provide a new set of heroes.
We’ll know that by August / September so let’s sit tight and watch either the signings roll in or the car crash unfold!
Never dull being a Blade!
It feels we are at that point now.
We are witnessing the end of an era.
Perhaps the reaction is because of the melancholy that induces, the sense of loss of our heroes.
Is it not better to have greater memories of them in their prime than have them diminished by hanging on to them too long?
We look at Fleck and Stevens. Both probably had a year that did little to endure their legacy, more to confirm their better years were behind them.
And so you can make a case of this for many of the departed players:
Egan - look, I would have happily given him 3 more years. Another promotion, a relegation and then a year handing over the mantle. But let’s not kid ourselves. We won’t be seeing peak Egan of 18/19 and 19/20. That player is long gone. I’ll miss him, but a bad injury already in the bank and waning powers, you can understand that now is a good time to preserve his legacy.
Norwood - for Norwood, read Egan’s comments though I’m more convinced it is time for him to move on. Fantastic for 2 seasons and then a gradual slide to the point people were worried when he entered the fray with only minutes to play. Better we remember him as the King of Ping, not the player being shrugged off for opposition to score.
Baldock - it seems a while since he has gone! I would have kept him. But a great opportunity for him. He would have been on high wages and again, sad we are not getting a useful fee, but 13 league games played out of 38 shows a worrying trend. A hard one, but heart aside, it is probably the right decision.
Basham - a truly great servant but after that horrendous injury, and his age, contemplating playing once more at the highest level just seems one step too far. A logical decision, though sad to see him go out that way and clearly he loves the club and holds no ill-will.
Osborn - a game trier who was probably a manager’s dream. Made the best of what he had even if it times that was shown to have limits, especially physically. But the last couple of years have seen injuries and you do wonder if a player like Shackleton, 5 years his junior might be a better squad refresh, even if ostensibly they feel similar.
McBurnie - I’d still be looking to keep McBurnie. I feel he has matured into a natural leader, potential next captain and is immediately of use at this level and can contribute above if surrounded by better players and deployed correctly. That being said, he needs to be available. You can understand the niggling doubts when he is potentially unselectable almost half the time. If we keep him, hopefully it is with improved availability.
Wes - he exceeded expectations really but he also showed his limits and I don’t think a refresh in this position, especially as he too is 33 now, is a bad thing.
Max Lowe - a makeweight in the Bogle deal. I don’t think he ever got beyond ‘ok’ and it always felt there was someone capable of taking his place when fit. His fitness record was poor in recent years and his ability can’t justify the gamble on his fitness. Right to let go.
Jebbison - he’s the athletic forward so many teams crave to uncover. 1.90m with some pace. But that merely confirms he’s an athlete. Had he not scored a tap in against Everton, there wouldn’t be half the aura around him. He largely skipped the U23s, where Osula has been banging in braces, threes and fours on a regular basis and where Marsh has been slowly building up his skills. He’s missed a year of development. Hopefully compensation figure is useful.
Just like when you get rid of a manager, it only truly makes sense if the incoming one is a good one.
So whilst players of waning powers and diminished availability are moving on, it is now up to the club and hopefully new regime, to provide a new set of heroes.
We’ll know that by August / September so let’s sit tight and watch either the signings roll in or the car crash unfold!
Never dull being a Blade!
️
