Time is Up

[jono_t2000]

️
Wes
Robinson
Osborn
Norwood
McBurnie

️
Stevens
JOC
Coulibaly
Fleck
Sharp

At the end of the day, we ain't going to spend loads or bring loads in so we need to keep at least half of the 'out of contract' players. Although they would only be squad players for me.

Pretty much agree with this.

Osborn still got energy, young enough and can cover multiple positions.

Mcburnie and Norwood still can offer something off the bench.

Robinson is fine and the least of our problems.

Ditto for Wes.

Osborn Mcburnie and Norwood should be nowhere near starting tho.

 

[ReeceofBDTBL]

I'd keep Mcburnie for the odd bench appearance when we need to defend set pieces against the more direct teams, of which there won't be many. £20m on a 22 year old who'd just scored 20 goals in the championship, we were rightly expecting much much more from him.

He just hasn't developed

 

['Doc' Pace my hero]

If we want two players for every position then,unfortunately,a fair number of the retained players are going to be out of their depth in the Premier league,worrying isn’t it !!

 

[Champagneblade]

We can't afford to replace them all either

I think this is it, isn't it?

We're not going to start with 25 PL class players.

I don't disagree that going out on a high is the right thing and next season is one fight too many.

But, getting 6 quality players is more sensible than having to additionally finance double that, thus diluting the quality.

They need to be phased out in the next 12 months certainly and the wages should reflect the role they will play. I.e. can't be paying Enda the same as his last PL wage when he'll be probably 3rd choice left back.

Common sense should prevail. None are in that strong a bargaining position and I'm sure they would all be happy to avoid disruption for another year.

McBurnie I think we will potentially keep longer. He played better for longer than any other of the past three seasons and he seems to have matured as a person. He's still got me blocked on Twitter so he's not there yet

 

[RossingtonBlade]

The only reason I’d keep McPub is because Jebbison, Osula, Sharp and the other young ens are nowhere near good enough. If Hecky doesn’t sign 11 players (3 of them being centre forwards) we’re fucked. 20m to spend gets us fuck all anorl

 

[3Cheers4Ramirez]

It would be absolutely stupid to let McBurnie go and that's why there's zero chance it'll happen

 

[jono_t2000]

The only reason I’d keep McPub is because Jebbison, Osula, Sharp and the other young ens are nowhere near good enough. If Hecky doesn’t sign 11 players (3 of them being centre forwards) we’re fucked. 20m to spend gets us fuck all anorl

Dunno who Anorl is but it would get us 5 Anels

 

[Book him Danno]

Osborne was gash tonight. Never even notice him.

I never noticed “Osborne” either.

 

[SwissBlade]

We're stuck with Bash for another year.
McB I've been undecided, but tonight reminded me how useless he really is.

Oh in that case, if we’re going on last night then Jebbison has got to go too….

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

All in all over the four seasons he’s been with us he’s got to be the worst waste of £18 million i’ve ever seen.

The big issue for me was his first season. Thought he was a reyt handful for PL defences. Strong, awkward, physical, always a threat in and around the box.

What the fuck has happened the past 3 years?

My only thought is that fee and that great PL season has gone to his head. Rather than thinking another season like that and a £30m move to an Everton or Villa is on the cards, he's settled and let his lifestyle overtake him.

Next year is a contract year, so I hope he's back focused!

 

[SwissBlade]

The big issue for me was his first season. Thought he was a reyt handful for PL defences. Strong, awkward, physical, always a threat in and around the box.

What the fuck has happened the past 3 years?

My only thought is that fee and that great PL season has gone to his head. Rather than thinking another season like that and a £30m move to an Everton or Villa is on the cards, he's settled and let his lifestyle overtake him.

Next year is a contract year, so I hope he's back focused!

In fairness he’s had a lot of illness, injuries and off the field nonsense, but it seems he’s getting past that. He’s probably played in a lot of games he shouldn’t have.

But there’s no getting away from the fact that he’s caused much of his issues himself and has needed to grow up. And I think he probably has done.

Earlier this season he had probably his best spell since that early premier league showing and then he got Crocked again.

Last night he couldn’t trap a bag of sand and was playing the deeper role whilst Billy sat on the last man. I’d have played them the other way around really.

As you say, next season needs to be a big McBurnie season for contract and club reasons

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

The thing that irritates about last night is the lack of game time for the younger players. These games are a free hit for us and if ever you are going to be able to blood a few of the potential youngsters then it’s the Preston, Huddersfield and Birmingham games. What do we get? The old guard, who Hecky learns nothing about, apart from what everyone knows, they are not going to cope in the Premier League. I’d love to know his reasoning, apart from we have to respect the league blah blah. So frustrating

 

[Stevo71]

Mardy cunts......we lost a game.

Opinions are an entitlement which deserve a little respect, everybody has them most certainly don't deserve to be called a mardy cunt ...... Doesn't that make you a mardy cunt because you don't like other people's opinions?

 

[Yoonited]

Mardy cunts......we lost a game.

I'm not very good at my job when I've been on the lash.
You could times my hourly rate by 100, I'd still be relatively gash.
Who I wonder got the most bladdered and therefore needed more recovery time.

 

[Big.Dane.w]

All in all over the four seasons he’s been with us he’s got to be the worst waste of £18 million i’ve ever seen.

Surely that award goes to Brewster??? At least mcB has scored some important goals and grafted for the team.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

In fairness he’s had a lot of illness, injuries and off the field nonsense, but it seems he’s getting past that. He’s probably played in a lot of games he shouldn’t have.

But there’s no getting away from the fact that he’s caused much of his issues himself and has needed to grow up. And I think he probably has done.

Earlier this season he had probably his best spell since that early premier league showing and then he got Crocked again.

Last night he couldn’t trap a bag of sand and was playing the deeper role whilst Billy sat on the last man. I’d have played them the other way around really.

As you say, next season needs to be a big McBurnie season for contract and club reasons

For me, the frustration comes from having seen what he can do. Was the same with Mousset. As much as Wilder takes criticism for his PL spending those two showed they're more than capable of winning games at that level.

I'm always reminded of Arsene Wenger when asked about African/Eastern European players and he said they realise they have a ten year window and focus solely on maximising that window and getting the next big contract. He doesn't mind them coming in for 4 years then leaving to City/Barcelona as they'll only do that if they've significantly achieved. He then compared to Walcott/Wilshire/Oxlade Chamberlain who got their contracts and thought that was it...

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

️
Wes
Robinson
Osborn
Norwood
McBurnie

️
Stevens
JOC
Coulibaly
Fleck
Sharp

At the end of the day, we ain't going to spend loads or bring loads in so we need to keep at least half of the 'out of contract' players. Although they would only be squad players for me.

Yep, but half the ticked list will probably staff. We don’t have the funds to replace seemingly

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I’m starting to get slightly concerned now. With the obvious need for so many new players, we’re gonna struggle to keep that tight knit team environment that’s this club is so renowned for.

 

[The Crab]

We can't afford to replace them all either

That’s the reality of it isn’t it?

Even if we got rid of McB, we’d have to spend the same again to replace him. So for me he gets a go.

There’s more of a case for replacing the others, but Bash has an extra year.

Not saying I agree with the following, but I’d be surprised if we spent on the level we did last time we went up. On the plus side of that then maybe Hecky will spend smarter with a few under the radar signings.

It’s all a guessing game really. So for now, we’re up, time to enjoy the summer and see what happens with the takeover.

Princey, if you’re struggling my offer is still in the table, but the bottle of panda cola has got a bit warm…..

 

[Weasel]

Time to replace most of the old guard. Their race is run. Thanks to them all, but it is time to move on and refresh the squad with much younger players who want to achieve and actually have some movement and pace. Hopefully that will bea mixture of new signings and players stepping up from the academy. If nothing else, last night should have re-emphasised to PH that most of the old guard now need to be replaced. I will always be grateful to them but sometimes you have to cut the cord and move on in life. Time for the squad to evolve.

 

[Bell4]

McBurnie taken over the mantle from Berge as irrational hate figure.

We always need someone to hate

Crazy

 

[Bell4]

That’s the reality of it isn’t it?

Even if we got rid of McB, we’d have to spend the same again to replace him. So for me he gets a go.

There’s more of a case for replacing the others, but Bash has an extra year.

Not saying I agree with the following, but I’d be surprised if we spent on the level we did last time we went up. On the plus side of that then maybe Hecky will spend smarter with a few under the radar signings.

It’s all a guessing game really. So for now, we’re up, time to enjoy the summer and see what happens with the takeover.

Princey, if you’re struggling my offer is still in the table, but the bottle of panda cola has got a bit warm…..

I think Hecky has a great track record of bringing in players who have added to the first team and I think he will do so again

The prince doesn’t know (or maybe he’s just realised it as he’s now appearing everywhere) how lucky he has been in having Hecky

 

[AWetFlannel]

It isn't sentimental to make financially necessary decisions. Some people just don't understand how football works.

 

[The Crab]

I think Hecky has a great track record of bringing in players who have added to the first team and I think he will do so again

The prince doesn’t know (or maybe he’s just realised it as he’s now appearing everywhere) how lucky he has been in having Hecky

I agree.

If there was such an award as a What The Fuck signing of the season for me it would have to be Anel.

Granted, the club took the Crab Industries approach to payment, but what we paid for him has to be a bargain.

I’d be expecting similar signings. Players who you will only have heard of if you play a shit ton of football manager, but are a calculated gamble

 

[SwissBlade]

That’s the reality of it isn’t it?

Even if we got rid of McB, we’d have to spend the same again to replace him. So for me he gets a go.

There’s more of a case for replacing the others, but Bash has an extra year.

Not saying I agree with the following, but I’d be surprised if we spent on the level we did last time we went up. On the plus side of that then maybe Hecky will spend smarter with a few under the radar signings.

It’s all a guessing game really. So for now, we’re up, time to enjoy the summer and see what happens with the takeover.

Princey, if you’re struggling my offer is still in the table, but the bottle of panda cola has got a bit warm…..

The reality is that we're dealing with a squad which has grown together over a number of years, with several additions coming in to replace older or less talented players along the way. With that you get a bond growing between players.

The Slav spell aside, we've had stability in the side from when Wilder came in to when Hecky took the reigns. Its by no means belittling Hecky to say that he's followed the Wilder Blueprints and built on it with some new players.

So the big thing that people forget when they play Champ Manager with the squad is that the side is built on characters as well as talent. For McBurnies shuffle, Brewsters injuries, Norwoods Misplaced passes, Osborns headless midfield episodes, this squad is together and to rip it to shreds because a number of players won't cut it against Man City or Liverpool would also be foolish.

We won't be spending big this summer, the club is in a different place financially, we've also got a squad which, in the main is strong. There should certainly be some new faces coming in, there are areas which need strengthening, there are areas that need more depth and there are areas which will be fine.

Something i noticed first half yesterday was that it was like a training exercise, Baldock had a free role, Egan was breaking at every chance (rather than Bash) and it allowed the likes of Ndiaye and McAtee to drift, again in their free roles

It's not to say that Hecky and the management team are plotting something, but it's good to see that despite the second half, we approach last night as a chance to try a few different things.

There will be a continued evolution of this squad. We don't have to bin everyone that has a bad game or a bad run, next season we will need patience

 

[Snowflake]

Time is up for these guys , they’ve been great, but they need to bow out on a high, we’re going to get slaughtered next year if these are anywhere near the team, Hecky seems to be intelligent so let’s see if he realises we can’t carry these players an that their wages could be used on better quality.

Fleck
McBurnie
Stevens
Basham
Sharp
Osborne

We cannot afford sentiment.

We cannot afford to replace all of these and the 3/4 loans that we have had. Two windows are needed and we might get relegated but as long as we are building a better squad then I am ok with that.

 

[Snowflake]

The reality is that we're dealing with a squad which has grown together over a number of years, with several additions coming in to replace older or less talented players along the way. With that you get a bond growing between players.

The Slav spell aside, we've had stability in the side from when Wilder came in to when Hecky took the reigns. Its by no means belittling Hecky to say that he's followed the Wilder Blueprints and built on it with some new players.

So the big thing that people forget when they play Champ Manager with the squad is that the side is built on characters as well as talent. For McBurnies shuffle, Brewsters injuries, Norwoods Misplaced passes, Osborns headless midfield episodes, this squad is together and to rip it to shreds because a number of players won't cut it against Man City or Liverpool would also be foolish.

We won't be spending big this summer, the club is in a different place financially, we've also got a squad which, in the main is strong. There should certainly be some new faces coming in, there are areas which need strengthening, there are areas that need more depth and there are areas which will be fine.

Something i noticed first half yesterday was that it was like a training exercise, Baldock had a free role, Egan was breaking at every chance (rather than Bash) and it allowed the likes of Ndiaye and McAtee to drift, again in their free roles

It's not to say that Hecky and the management team are plotting something, but it's good to see that despite the second half, we approach last night as a chance to try a few different things.

There will be a continued evolution of this squad. We don't have to bin everyone that has a bad game or a bad run, next season we will need patience

Stop !! A sensible and pragmatic reply amongst all the gloom will upset some forum members who are looking to find 8/9 new and exciting players by August !!

 

[COME BACK CHED]

I dont think just Egan and Baldock Staying will be good enough , we lost a game sack the lot , we win a game build a Statue , crap supporters .

 

[The Crab]

The reality is that we're dealing with a squad which has grown together over a number of years, with several additions coming in to replace older or less talented players along the way. With that you get a bond growing between players.

The Slav spell aside, we've had stability in the side from when Wilder came in to when Hecky took the reigns. Its by no means belittling Hecky to say that he's followed the Wilder Blueprints and built on it with some new players.

So the big thing that people forget when they play Champ Manager with the squad is that the side is built on characters as well as talent. For McBurnies shuffle, Brewsters injuries, Norwoods Misplaced passes, Osborns headless midfield episodes, this squad is together and to rip it to shreds because a number of players won't cut it against Man City or Liverpool would also be foolish.

We won't be spending big this summer, the club is in a different place financially, we've also got a squad which, in the main is strong. There should certainly be some new faces coming in, there are areas which need strengthening, there are areas that need more depth and there are areas which will be fine.

Something i noticed first half yesterday was that it was like a training exercise, Baldock had a free role, Egan was breaking at every chance (rather than Bash) and it allowed the likes of Ndiaye and McAtee to drift, again in their free roles

It's not to say that Hecky and the management team are plotting something, but it's good to see that despite the second half, we approach last night as a chance to try a few different things.

There will be a continued evolution of this squad. We don't have to bin everyone that has a bad game or a bad run, next season we will need patience

Whatever the level, never underestimate the bond between players in a team. It absolutely makes a difference.

Let’s say hypothetically we signed a couple of genuine A Listers. Yes they could make a difference, but the superior wages and them being a good / bad fit could just as easily go the other way.

The point I’m trying to make is yes, of course talent matters. But that’s the easy part to spot. Much harder to spot is the equally important factor of them being a good fit for the team.

Remember the “galacticos” of Real Madrid back in the day? A collection of world class players but didn’t gel as a team

 

[Gin&Juice]

Play the kids in the next game. Last night wasn't the night, Reading would've lodged a complaint, and if we were in their position we'd have been up in arms if the opponents had smashed loads of untried U23's in the starting lineup.

Against Brum.

Stick with Jebbo, play Brooks, Izzy and Arblaster