Two players in? What do we need?

[Cheshire Cat]

We scouted a lad called Whitehead at Stockport last week. A few mates who are Stockport fans say he is playing way below the level his abilities seem to deserve. Don't know anything about him but they describe him as the small mobile type who comes short to get involved in passing play, but also looks to know where the goal is.

If we're looking for a Miller replacement that description fits the bill - also he shouldnt trouble the accountants too much.

 

[alcoblade]

Doyle is awful but Wilson isn't going to drop the captain (why people criticized Bergen and I for pointing out the idiocy of extending his contract I cannot fathom).

Because given that we were over the FFP rules, extending the contracts of Doyle and Cresswell for a lower weekly wage was perfect sense.

UTB

 

[Silent Blade]

I think today is 42 years since we signed Trevor Hockey from Birmingham (we also signed John Hope and David Ford from Newcastle with John Tudor going the other way which broke my heart). John Harris instructions to Hockey was "to win the ball and pass it to TC" so we need a Hockey type to "win the ball and pass it to KMac". As for the other player we need a striker (a poacher type like Miller)

 

[Bergen Blade]

Because given that we were over the FFP rules, extending the contracts of Doyle and Cresswell for a lower weekly wage was perfect sense.

UTB

You don't often hear of players taking pay cuts to stay at a club, so for them to take a pay cut and then also agree to play another season or two (Cressy doing coaching as well) for free is quite rare. Is this correct?

 

[secretchief]

Because given that we were over the FFP rules, extending the contracts of Doyle and Cresswell for a lower weekly wage was perfect sense.

UTB

We can look forward to this perfect sense extending over the next two-and-a-half seasons, since that's the length of contract we gave him, a thought that chills the blood.

 

[metalblade]

Because given that we were over the FFP rules, extending the contracts of Doyle and Cresswell for a lower weekly wage was perfect sense.

UTB

Yep rather than them screwing the club for a year they can now screw the club for three years

 

[alcoblade]

We can look forward to this perfect sense extending over the next two-and-a-half seasons, since that's the length of contract we gave him, a thought that chills the blood.

Yes - so what was your alternative?

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

You don't often hear of players taking pay cuts to stay at a club, so for them to take a pay cut and then also agree to play another season or two (Cressy doing coaching as well) for free is quite rare. Is this correct?

Perhaps I'm missing something - but it seems obvious.

We pay them "12K" per week for 3 years rather than "15K" per week for 2. They get slightly more, but over a longer period. We get to sign Nick Blackman.

I'm not afraid to be critical of the club - but I doubt they were stupid enough to extend these contracts for other reasons, and it's been widely hinted at. Given the shit we are in, it was a perfectly sensible move all round.

UTB

 

[Hartley Hare]

I think we need three players;

1. A strong, hungry athletic midfield player to challenge Doyle for his place.
2. A traditional winger with pace.
3. A direct replacement for Miller. (Could be short-term arrangement)

Other issues;

We must try to keep Blackman. I can't believe he is on a big wage, and it makes no sense to sell him now. If we don't go up he may go in the summer. If we are promoted we will need players like him next season.

Collins should be made captain. We need to find a strong leader on the pitch and this doesn't appear to be Doyle.

I wonder if Maguire could play in Doyle's role? This would save some money as Collins could play with Hill or Higginonahorse in defence.

Freeman's name crops up a lot as does the Duffy lad. Is the belief that these are good choices based on only their performances against us or otherwise?

I don't think an odd loan type arrangement now would be that bad, perhaps with a view to a permanent deal, based on performance. What an opportunity for a young lad, sitting in the reserves of a Premiership or Championship team.

HH

 

[sitwell]

Luke murphy please.

 

[ScoobBlade]

We need a Miller. Our team looked balanced when we had a natural finisher/goalscorer in the side. I think this and a winger are necessary. CM would be the icing on the cake, but I think a winger and a striker and larger priorities.

Duffy seems to be a strong rumour and I think he would be a good addition. Then a striker, well Pogba from Crewe would be ideal, but not sure on his availability. Maybe Madden from Yeovil? Freeman from Stevenage?

We need a Miller. Our team looked balanced when we had a natural finisher/goalscorer in the side. I think this and a winger are necessary. CM would be the icing on the cake, but I think a winger and a striker and larger priorities.

Duffy seems to be a strong rumour and I think he would be a good addition. Then a striker, well Pogba from Crewe would be ideal, but not sure on his availability. Maybe Madden from Yeovil? Freeman from Stevenage?

Freeman would be a great signing IMO, not sure if he plays central rather out wide though

 

[GAZBLADE]

Murphy from Crewe would be good. Freeman or Shroot from Stevenage equally as good.

 

[SotonBlade]

All these names being banded about are good ones. But I get that nagging feeling that all blades get, that it'll be another O'Halloran situation. In which case i'd rather use Whitehouse, Ironside, De Girolamo and Kennedy

 

[Hodgyman]

Whist not disagreeing about needing one or more "robust" mifielders, do we need to have an eye on defenders if the rumours about Maguire and Collins leaving come to fruition? Even if they are "in the bag, done deals" in the case of a lst minute raid on our players.

Oh, while I think on, can we recruit someone who can fix fax machines too just in case.

 

[GAZBLADE]

All these names being banded about are good ones. But I get that nagging feeling that all blades get, that it'll be another O'Halloran situation. In which case i'd rather use Whitehouse, Ironside, De Girolamo and Kennedy

I have to agree. We don't need squad players just to fill shirts. I'd rather we used our own youngsters and saved the dosh.

 

[SotonBlade]

If we're going to bring any in, it has to be immediate starters who are better than we already have, otherwise, get the youngsters starting games!

 

[Bergen Blade]

Perhaps I'm missing something - but it seems obvious.

We pay them "12K" per week for 3 years rather than "15K" per week for 2. They get slightly more, but over a longer period. We get to sign Nick Blackman.

I'm not afraid to be critical of the club - but I doubt they were stupid enough to extend these contracts for other reasons, and it's been widely hinted at. Given the shit we are in, it was a perfectly sensible move all round.

UTB

I see the short term benefit, but that would see the club pay £312,000 more to Michael Doyle in total. In our situation, and trying to think long term, that is surely a genuine downside to the deal?

However, I think @Foxy's understanding was that Doyle's new deal would see us pay less money in total to Doyle. Less money for more work isn't something most employees would happily accept, so although Doyle may still be overpaid, he deserves some credit if he accepted such a deal.

 

[GAZBLADE]

KMac and Doyle are trying Wilsons patients me thinks so a decent central midfielder has to be a priority. Murphy of Crewe would fit that role for me.

 

[Bergen Blade]

KMac and Doyle are trying Wilsons patients me thinks so a decent central midfielder has to be a priority. Murphy of Crewe would fit that role for me.

I read somewhere that 30 clubs, including Aston Villa and Stoke, want him.

 

[metalblade]

Perhaps I'm missing something - but it seems obvious.

We pay them "12K" per week for 3 years rather than "15K" per week for 2. They get slightly more, but over a longer period. We get to sign Nick Blackman.

I'm not afraid to be critical of the club - but I doubt they were stupid enough to extend these contracts for other reasons, and it's been widely hinted at. Given the shit we are in, it was a perfectly sensible move all round.

UTB

Right this is what you are missing ............. last season Doyle was ok but not getting any younger Cresswell was showing signs that he was slowing down big time yet we extend their contracts. This season Doyle is not so good, Cresswell is a waste of space, next year we could be paying both when they can't even be considered for the team. Should we by some miracle be promoted for sure both will be useless to us. By your reckoning over two years we could be paying out £48k in wages and getting nothing in return. We had this debate months ago and you could not grasp it then, even now when all can see Cresswell is done as a player you still can't grasp it. Work it out what we pay those two old men would be better spent on four or more younger players.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

well messi and ronaldo would help. failing that, a central midfielder and a winger or striker. really all 3 if blackman goes.

 

[metalblade]

What do we need ? a new owner and a new manager would be a start.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I wonder if Maguire could play in Doyle's role? This would save some money as Collins could play with Hill or Higginonahorse in defence.

I think Terry Kennedy has been tried playing holding midfield a couple of times. Has anyone seen him there?

 

[Balham]

What do we need ? a new owner and a new manager would be a start.

How about a new record?

 

[Hartley Hare]

You make a good point Bergen. If we could train one of the younger players in this role it would make good sense.

Perhaps Terry Kennedy is the fellow.

 

[alcoblade]

Right this is what you are missing ............. last season Doyle was ok but not getting any younger Cresswell was showing signs that he was slowing down big time yet we extend their contracts. This season Doyle is not so good, Cresswell is a waste of space, next year we could be paying both when they can't even be considered for the team. Should we by some miracle be promoted for sure both will be useless to us. By your reckoning over two years we could be paying out £48k in wages and getting nothing in return. We had this debate months ago and you could not grasp it then, even now when all can see Cresswell is done as a player you still can't grasp it. Work it out what we pay those two old men would be better spent on four or more younger players.

I couldn't grasp it? I couldn't?

Seriously;

"Work it out what we pay those two old men would be better spent on four or more younger players" - aye, press that eject button that says "sell selected player" - and move on. Or better still, pop down to the money tree? A bit of harsh language might have seen them off too?

We were over the FFP limit. We couldn't sign anyone else. We couldn't sell those players. It seems they even took cuts as a result.

Don't talk to me about grasping things, until you can get you head around the most basic of realities.

UTB

 

[metalblade]

If we had been promoted it wouldn't matter but we wern't .................. we would have been better taking a hit this season and letting their contracts expire because we will not go up this season either, so for the next few seasons we will still be in league one with a smaller budget than this year and still having to pay a useless Doyle and Cresswell who can't run for more than five minutes. Do you really want to continue to spunk money on these two when they can't even make an impression in this shit league ??? It is a short term gamble that hasn't worked I wish somebody would pay me X thousands a week for doing nowt.

 

[alcoblade]

If we had been promoted it wouldn't matter but we wern't .................. we would have been better taking a hit this season and letting their contracts expire because we will not go up this season either, so for the next few seasons we will still be in league one with a smaller budget than this year and still having to pay a useless Doyle and Cresswell who can't run for more than five minutes. Do you really want to continue to spunk money on these two when they can't even make an impression in this shit league ??? It is a short term gamble that hasn't worked I wish somebody would pay me X thousands a week for doing nowt.

Every so often I start to think you aren't such a cock end, but then you get on a roll and................

UTB

 

[SwissBlade]

Luke freeman please.

Plus, what about Jose Baxter at Oldham? Read his story In the summer and he got snapped up by Oldham. Not seen much of him, just short spells and picked up snippets about him, but supposed to be a clever little player. Anyone else seen much of him?

 

[metalblade]

Every so often I start to think you aren't such a cock end, but then you get on a roll and................

UTB

I despair at times, no point debating with some people. You don't give 3 yr contracts to the over 30's but we have, we also found a good solution for Montgomery. Now Cresswell might not fancy Australia fair enough but come on there must be a place where he can earn his money rather than 2 minute cameo's when a game is lost. Before anyone says he is coaching don't make me laugh he is new to it and untried just like Morgan is ........................... well paid noobs, neither seem to be making an impression in that job we are still shot shy and give daft goals away. If Cresswell was on £10k a week I would love someone to work out how much he costs per minute on the pitch, little wonder the club with the largest attendances in league one struggle to bring players in while the likes of Stevenage and Crawley manage just fine.