eelpie Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Oh and according to Soccerbase he's only got 4 yellow cards so far, so that's good, can't get himself up to 10 by the Rochdale match. Only four? - not gritty enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudamore Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 We signed a CM WHY THE FECK DIDN'T WE DO THIS YESTERDAY.... Then I wouldn't have had to listen to Oldnick droning on about a loan signing all last night and could have got MORE of my Tiger Woods Stories in The Rory McIlroy ones are better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 From what Dickov has said on the OAFC website, the deal could have some permanent link? ie, if we go up, we'll have the option to buy him in the summer? From what Dickov has said, it seems to me as if he's played his last game for Oldham... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I understand where Hypo is coming from. I don't necessarily agree with the viewpoint, as a whole, but I can respect it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I understand where Hypo is coming from. I don't necessarily agree with the viewpoint, as a whole, but I can respect it. I don't think you have any place on this forum with an attitude like that sir! respecting others opinions why you should be tarred and feathered outrageous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 These sort of comments do make me laugh though how people are always positive no matter what happens. If we had signed no one it would have been 'I'm glad, we have the strongest squad depth in the division and another signing would have frozen out our promising youngsters.' If we had signed a player from a higher league it would have been 'I'm glad, we have brought in proven quality and gone for someone with proper experience.' I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you but it is amusing. ...and this comment is hilarious as it is presumptuous. No signing is guaranteed to work out based on the player's PROPER(?) experience. Anyway, onto the signing, Dale is used to the league, can score goals and make goals, is Oldham's Vice Captain and wants to see his career progress. Hopefully he can make a impact for Saints and help get us second spot. Not as good as Howard from an eligibility perspective with experience at a higher level but maybe more suitable to our needs, all of which is assuming Howard could have been a Saints player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 ...and this comment is hilarious as it is presumptuous. No signing is guaranteed to work out based on the player's PROPER(?) experience. Anyway, onto the signing, Dale is used to the league, can score goals and make goals, is Oldham's Vice Captain and wants to see his career progress. Hopefully he can make a impact for Saints and help get us second spot. Not as good as Howard from an eligibility perspective with experience at a higher level but maybe more suitable to our needs, all of which is assuming Howard could have been a Saints player. It is a presumption based on past experience but it's not particularly important, more of a side comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 CM Hammond - club capt, seems to be in form Chaplow - good, young recent signing Morgan - injured, possibly for season but wouldn't be stunned to see him again this season Vast majority on here agreed that any 2 out of those 3 make a good pairing for us. We still have that! Now signed 21 midfielder who has scored 10 in 37 games, 2nd highest assists in his club, - which is more goals and assists in this division than our CM! Whose fans seem gutted to lose him fit and ready to perform at league 1 pace Can see no reason to moan This I'd really like to know what people like Window Cleaner were expecting Xavi probably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 This I'd really like to know what people like Window Cleaner were expecting Xavi probably. I think some people were hoping for an experinced midfield general a kind of Paul Wotton but with some actual football ability. If thats what they were holding out for you can see why they wouldn't think a 21 year old was not the right signing. TBH until he has a few games under his belt I don't really see how people can be claiming he is a bad signing or a good signing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I think some people were hoping for an experinced midfield general a kind of Paul Wotton but with some actual football ability. If thats what they were holding out for you can see why they wouldn't think a 21 year old was not the right signing. TBH until he has a few games under his belt I don't really see how people can be claiming he is a bad signing or a good signing. We have experience in our side - we lack (and have for sometime) a ball player - one that can spot a pass - one that can pick out the runs of our wide men/CF's. Now if he was 16 and could do all of that I'd have him in the side - people get het up on age - perhaps we shouldn't play AOC cos of his age? My opinion is if he's good enough then he's old enough. Luckily the posters on here are not Managers - would they have picked Rooney for Everton? Gascoigne for Newcastle? Any number of youngsters for Arsenal or Man U - the list goes on and on. As you say lets see him in a Saints shirt on the pitch doing his stuff before getting all irrate over his age etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 If my understanding is correct, I think Hypo and a few others are looking at the last 10 games and simply thinking that, out of two decent players at this level, they'd have taken someone with Howard's experience over Stephen's potential as the 'ideal' solution for a midfielder to add that extra ounce of steel to the midfield during the run in. I don't think there's any slagging off of Stephens, or the decision to bring him here, per se. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Bloody hell , the lad has not played for us yet. Sounds like he is the next whipping boy for certain posters on this forum The motto for this forum should we are only happy when we are whinging Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) We have experience in our side - we lack (and have for sometime) a ball player - one that can spot a pass - one that can pick out the runs of our wide men/CF's. Now if he was 16 and could do all of that I'd have him in the side - people get het up on age - perhaps we shouldn't play AOC cos of his age? My opinion is if he's good enough then he's old enough. Luckily the posters on here are not Managers - would they have picked Rooney for Everton? Gascoigne for Newcastle? Any number of youngsters for Arsenal or Man U - the list goes on and on. As you say lets see him in a Saints shirt on the pitch doing his stuff before getting all irrate over his age etc. Not sure I agree, we are a very quiet team, we do seem to lack abit of leadership when things aren't going our way it's times like that when an experinced vocal player in the middle of the park would be an assest. I like Hammond but he has never strucj me as a captain when he is on the pitch. I agree age isn't the issue Martin is very vocal and commanding when he plays and he is only a youngster. As for a ball player we do have one with the ability to pick out brillant passes he does all the time sadly he is our top scoring CF (though he did start his carerer as a midfielder I believe). Edited 25 March, 2011 by doddisalegend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Pedant ;-) so shouldn't he have gone to Chalton? (see what I did there) Yep...subtly missed out an 'r' (Another pedant;) ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 This I'd really like to know what people like Window Cleaner were expecting Xavi probably. I was expecting that we use our much vaunted development squad in some way to cover the absences of our regular players. All this signing says to me is that players we have on our books and have been trying to bring on for a few years now are total rubbish as they can't even be trusted with a game against Bristol Rovers or Walsall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I was expecting that we use our much vaunted development squad in some way to cover the absences of our regular players. All this signing says to me is that players we have on our books and have been trying to bring on for a few years now are total rubbish as they can't even be trusted with a game against Bristol Rovers or Walsall. Names?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I was expecting that we use our much vaunted development squad in some way to cover the absences of our regular players. All this signing says to me is that players we have on our books and have been trying to bring on for a few years now are total rubbish as they can't even be trusted with a game against Bristol Rovers or Walsall. That is a good point.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Names?? McNish, Gobern,Reeves,Dean !! What is the point of these lads being here honestly; They're just wasting their time seemingly. I know Gobern has had a couple of runs out and let himself down a bit with a half baked tackle but is he not good enough to see us through until the end of the season at least? He's one match left on his suspension and as far as I know neither Hammond nor Chaplow will be unavailable for the next match. We have players in our squad who don't even make the bench like Dickson and Richardson hardly ever gets any game time now.I just don't understand why we needed a loan player so desperately that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OVER THE HILL Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 McNish, Gobern,Reeves,Dean !! What is the point of these lads being here honestly; They're just wasting their time seemingly. I know Gobern has had a couple of runs out and let himself down a bit with a half baked tackle but is he not good enough to see us through until the end of the season at least? He's one match left on his suspension and as far as I know neither Hammond nor Chaplow will be unavailable for the next match. We have players in our squad who don't even make the bench like Dickson and Richardson hardly ever gets any game time now.I just don't understand why we needed a loan player so desperately that's all. This reminds me of Steve Cotterill saying their youngsters need to play league games at a lower level before they are ready for the first team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 McNish, Gobern,Reeves,Dean !! What is the point of these lads being here honestly; They're just wasting their time seemingly. I know Gobern has had a couple of runs out and let himself down a bit with a half baked tackle but is he not good enough to see us through until the end of the season at least? He's one match left on his suspension and as far as I know neither Hammond nor Chaplow will be unavailable for the next match. We have players in our squad who don't even make the bench like Dickson and Richardson hardly ever gets any game time now.I just don't understand why we needed a loan player so desperately that's all. Reeves is a left back. Dean is very raw and was only recently signed.... Not sure what the relevance of Richardson and Dickson is as they are not central midfielders and that is an area where we could do with more of a certain type (ie a "foot on the ball" offensive type player), which we have now got. And some of them may well be wasting their time, in common with loads of younger players at every club in the country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) McNish, Gobern,Reeves,Dean !! What is the point of these lads being here honestly; They're just wasting their time seemingly. I know Gobern has had a couple of runs out and let himself down a bit with a half baked tackle but is he not good enough to see us through until the end of the season at least? He's one match left on his suspension and as far as I know neither Hammond nor Chaplow will be unavailable for the next match. We have players in our squad who don't even make the bench like Dickson and Richardson hardly ever gets any game time now.I just don't understand why we needed a loan player so desperately that's all. Well.... If you'd been at Charlton (woo hoo got one in at last) you'd have seen Chaplow doing a great headless chicken impression at times and Hammond parked mostly in front of our defence, and a rousing inability throughout the team to seemingly string more than two passes together. Now I am hugely in agreement with you that we need to bring the kids through, however, we had little space at Charlton and that really is expecting one hell of a lot for a nipper to come into that environment on debut and try and make his mark on a game. Apart from Alan Shearer I don't recall many debutants being match winning game changers on debut. The thing is those kids SHOULD have been on the bench in rotation all season so they could have come on when we were winning 3 or 4 - nil to get some feel for the pace and noise of the first team. They haven't done that so possibly the management think they aren't ready yet. Gobern was a bit wobbly in his first game back as sub I recall. So we have 10 REALLY important games coming up. Seems we couldn't find/afford (within our Wage structure) a Paul Wotton (with ability) to cover a VITAL position for us, so we've gone and got a highly promising goal scoring midfielder in who seems to have a "bit about him", is young and seems talented enough to "move up through the leagues" with us. I think it's a real crock of sh1t that we did not get Clarence Seedorf or equivalent in on loan to the end of the season, but can see there may have been reasons that happened and think this is FAR better - he is NOT a bench warmer, he will be match fit (unlike Forte & to an extent N'Guessan when they arrived) and ready to play up to 90 minutes next week Edited 25 March, 2011 by dubai_phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Reeves is a left back. Dean is very raw and was only recently signed.... Not sure what the relevance of Richardson and Dickson is as they are not central midfielders and that is an area where we could do with cover of a certain type (ie a "foot on the ball" offensive type player). And some of them may well be wasting their time, in common with loads of younger players at every club in the country. Reeves has been on the bench as midfield cover a couple of times though, he was a CM to start with.Dickson has even started games in midfield for us, left side of the diamond I think and yet he's completely disappeared from view of late, perhaps he has yet another freak injury for all I know. Richardson could play right back and allow us to move Butterfield forward,he's done a decent job there before for Palace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 The pressure on this kid is going to be huge first match at home, I hope he doesn't make any big mistakes becuase the SMS faithful haven't exactly been in a forgiving mood this season they seem to get on players backs at the drop of a hat these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 McNish, Gobern,Reeves,Dean !! What is the point of these lads being here honestly; They're just wasting their time seemingly. I know Gobern has had a couple of runs out and let himself down a bit with a half baked tackle but is he not good enough to see us through until the end of the season at least? He's one match left on his suspension and as far as I know neither Hammond nor Chaplow will be unavailable for the next match. We have players in our squad who don't even make the bench like Dickson and Richardson hardly ever gets any game time now.I just don't understand why we needed a loan player so desperately that's all. A good point which should go back to the development management team, also perhaps if we were in Brighton's situation this would have happened where they have (more or less) sown up promotion??? If Schnierderlin is out for the season, perhaps it's better to bring someone in when we can rather than be caught out at this critical stage. It also gives the option to drop a player if they are off form. Given it's only a small possibility, I wouldn't like to see a combination of Gobern and one of McNish/Reeves/Dean in the centre of midfield right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Reeves has been on the bench as midfield cover a couple of times though, he was a CM to start with.Dickson has even started games in midfield for us, left side of the diamond I think and yet he's completely disappeared from view of late, perhaps he has yet another freak injury for all I know. Richardson could play right back and allow us to move Butterfield forward,he's done a decent job there before for Palace. All points I agree with but why use defenders to fill in if we can purchase a decent central midfielder who seems to have bags of potential and has been the stand-out player in a very average team this year? Neither Butterfield or Dickson would be likely to play the game in the same way. We have the combative "energy" midfielders... what we don't have at the moment is someone who will knit passes together in and around the front players and Lallana/Chamberlain. Sounds like that's the sort of player that Stephens is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I was expecting that we use our much vaunted development squad in some way to cover the absences of our regular players. All this signing says to me is that players we have on our books and have been trying to bring on for a few years now are total rubbish as they can't even be trusted with a game against Bristol Rovers or Walsall. I don't think that this is quite fair. Walsall scored five the other day, and how didi we do against them? At this stage of the season it is important that we field players with experience . Gobern has. Stephens has. But yes, i agree it could be a good opportunity to put our best defending CM from the academy on the bench while Gobern is out. I think Stephens is likely to be the the best available to us with L1 experience. There is plenty of opportunity to bring our younger players forward next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 The pressure on this kid is going to be huge first match at home, I hope he doesn't make any big mistakes becuase the SMS faithful haven't exactly been in a forgiving mood this season they seem to get on players backs at the drop of a hat these days. Depends if he plays against MK Dons or not, they are in cracking form of late and we may well struggle against them if we're not tip-top.Plus they're one of the hardest and dirtiest sides in the country, I'd certainly take no chances with team selection against them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 If he plays against MK Dons will presumably depend on whether we play 4-4-2 or a different shape in midfield. If Lallana and Chamberlain ar fit we will probably go 4-4-2 which is likely to mean Hammond and Chaplow start but if one of them is out then I wouldn't be surprised to see us start with: ----------------------------Hammond------------------------ ------------Chaplow------------------------Stephens--------- -----------------------Lalla/Chambo/Guly-------------------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I don't think that this is quite fair. Walsall scored five the other day, and how didi we do against them? At this stage of the season it is important that we field players with experience . Gobern has. Stephens has. But yes, i agree it could be a good opportunity to put our best defending CM from the academy on the bench while Gobern is out. I think Stephens is likely to be the the best available to us with L1 experience. There is plenty of opportunity to bring our younger players forward next season. If we can't give them 20 minutes or so against Bristol Rovers and ..... why would we give them any game time in the NPC against Wigan or West Ham? Schneiderlin and Chaplow will be our starting pair next season with Stephens and Hammond in reserve I guess, where does that leave Gobern and all the other kids? out on loan at Bishops Stortford and Salisbury I suppose. I'm not sure if Dean actually played fro D+R but if he did he must be really regretting his move to SMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 If we can't give them 20 minutes or so against Bristol Rovers and ..... why would we give them any game time in the NPC against Wigan or West Ham? Schneiderlin and Chaplow will be our starting pair next season with Stephens and Hammond in reserve I guess, where does that leave Gobern and all the other kids? out on loan at Bishops Stortford and Salisbury I suppose. I'm not sure if Dean actually played fro D+R but if he did he must be really regretting his move to SMS. I really have no idea what point you are trying to make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Satisfied with this signing. I always thought bringing in a player from a higher league as cover wasn't required and could upset things more than help. Dale Stephens is a young lad who will be keen to make an impression and help us over the line in order to help himself in the long term. It also means that the injuries to AOC and Lallana can't be particularly bad. These sort of comments do make me laugh though how people are always positive no matter what happens. If we had signed no one it would have been 'I'm glad, we have the strongest squad depth in the division and another signing would have frozen out our promising youngsters.' If we had signed a player from a higher league it would have been 'I'm glad, we have brought in proven quality and gone for someone with proper experience.' I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you but it is amusing. I'm always trying to be positive about Saints, football is there for enjoyment and people who seem to revel in negativity and always act so pessimistic must find their enjoyment of the sport diluted. Doesn't make them any less or any more of a fan, but it must surely take away from the enjoyment. Supporting a football team doesn't have to be a burden, there are dozens and dozens of clubs in a much worse position than Saints with nothing to look forward to and yet with the way some fans on here act, you'd think Saints were like Stockport right now. We've signed a young lad on loan as cover who seems to be rated by the Oldham fans and other clubs in divisions higher than us. Better than Howard? No. A better fit for what we need right now? I would argue yes. I'm not interested in us bringing in short-term quick-fix loans of players who oust first teamers as I think it disrupts the essence of trying to build a team and a club. But that is just personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Maybe this puts our position into some kind of perspective....? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12859667.stm 10:34 GMT, Friday, 25 March 2011 Colchester United boss John Ward has been told his playing budget will be reduced next season. U's chairman Robbie Cowling, who props up the club financially, has told Ward he wants to make cutbacks. "We are going to look at downsizing in terms of the finances side," the U's manager told BBC Essex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) He comes across well on here... http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2324020,00.html Edited 25 March, 2011 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2324020,00.html As I said yesterday then just loan until we see what he can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Some of our fans need a big reality check, especially when they insist on over analysing our finances based on our most recent signing's. The club have always said we will spend within our means and won't be bankrolled by ML's money without sustainability. There is no use chucking money at getting out of this league. We have already spent sums which relative to the position we are in are considered big sums of money and we are good enough to go up. If we don't it will be a failure on all parties involved. People expecting "big" name signings everytime we bring someone in will undoubtly end up dissapointed more often then not. Whilst I've not seen Stephens, he seems on paper to be a shrewd purchase. Young, playing in the position we need cover most and highly regarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Some of our fans need a big reality check, especially when they insist on over analysing our finances based on our most recent signing's. The club have always said we will spend within our means and won't be bankrolled by ML's money without sustainability. There is no use chucking money at getting out of this league. We have already spent sums which relative to the position we are in are considered big sums of money and we are good enough to go up. If we don't it will be a failure on all parties involved. People expecting "big" name signings everytime we bring someone in will undoubtly end up dissapointed more often then not. Whilst I've not seen Stephens, he seems on paper to be a shrewd purchase. Young, playing in the position we need cover most and highly regarded. He's not a purchase, for the time being it's a short term loan, no option mentioned whatsoever.I suppose if he proves himself with us and the management think that he could move up a league with us then we'll see about a permanent deal. Probably cost us some sort of loan fee though 50K maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 He's not a purchase, for the time being it's a short term loan, no option mentioned whatsoever.I suppose if he proves himself with us and the management think that he could move up a league with us then we'll see about a permanent deal. Probably cost us some sort of loan fee though 50K maybe. I think it's safe to speculate that there is a deal in place. Stephens hinted at it in his interview on the OS. Also, what would be in it for Oldham to loan him to us with only 10 games to go unless there was a more substanial fee to come? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I think it's safe to speculate that there is a deal in place. Stephens hinted at it in his interview on the OS. Also, what would be in it for Oldham to loan him to us with only 10 games to go unless there was a more substanial fee to come? "I'd like to think so, but as far as I know it's just a loan at the moment, but hopefully I'll play games here and I can impress the gaffer. I'm delighted to be here, and I'll just take every game as it comes because it's a test for me, but a good opportunity too, so we'll see what comes of that. Where's the ambiguity there then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedArmy Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 He comes across well on here... http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2324020,00.html"Dale Couldn't Refuse Saints" Is that before or after he told Oldham he wanted to stay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Yea, as I said there are a couple of hints in there to indictate that something more permanent is in the pipeline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 "Dale Couldn't Refuse Saints" Is that before or after he told Oldham he wanted to stay? Selling club in blaming agent for selling best player shocker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) Selling club in blaming agent for selling best player shocker nobody has sold anybody as yet. Oldham are really really skint, they couldn't pay their salaries on time last month. Even a loan fee may help them through and as they have absolutely nothing left to play for this season they might as well benefit, even if it's only 50K and 2 month's of the players salary.He'll be in the shop window as well.Plus they get a player on loan from Blackburn who's probably no worse that Stephens. Edited 25 March, 2011 by Window Cleaner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 25 March, 2011 Author Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Selling club in blaming agent for selling best player shocker Indeed, it's common practice nowadays. Bournemouth have been doing it for ages now. "Oh, he REALLY wanted to stay, but then his agent had a word in his ear". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Some of our fans need a big reality check, especially when they insist on over analysing our finances based on our most recent signing's. The club have always said we will spend within our means and won't be bankrolled by ML's money without sustainability. There is no use chucking money at getting out of this league. We have already spent sums which relative to the position we are in are considered big sums of money and we are good enough to go up. If we don't it will be a failure on all parties involved. People expecting "big" name signings everytime we bring someone in will undoubtly end up dissapointed more often then not. Whilst I've not seen Stephens, he seems on paper to be a shrewd purchase. Young, playing in the position we need cover most and highly regarded. You'll be wasting your breath on this. I have said this loads of times on various threads, and still there are posters on here, that want to tread the Poopey route to ruination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Maybe this puts our position into some kind of perspective....? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/12859667.stm 10:34 GMT, Friday, 25 March 2011 Colchester United boss John Ward has been told his playing budget will be reduced next season. U's chairman Robbie Cowling, who props up the club financially, has told Ward he wants to make cutbacks. "We are going to look at downsizing in terms of the finances side," the U's manager told BBC Essex. Or raises expectations that we really should do better given our resources or probably a bit of both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Or raises expectations that we really should do better given our resources or probably a bit of both. Anyway Colchester have very few fans and their ticket prices are lower than ours (although they do operate a grading system for good/bad/indifferent opposition). Shouldn't even be in the same league as us. The football league should implement a minimum and maximum budget for each division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Who knows the fees involved? When is Howard out of contract? Potentially fees may not be different - persuading team to lose their young star and regular as opposed to another losing a reserve. I don't know, but it doesn't jump out as an anyone who is cheap option maybe a 21/23 year old midfielder, who is his clubs top scorer and vice captain, who signed 3 year contract a few months ago and seems to be a fans favorite is not much cheaper than a 28 year old midfielder, who hasn't scored this season, played less than half of his sides games and is towards the end of his contract? A young player is still a gamble. A gamble which I really hope pays off but Brian Howard is a proven championship performer, who certainly would have been more. What I'm trying to say is that I would rate Howard as a Fonte, Lambert type signing (i.e. proven) whereas Stephens is a bit more of a youngster with potential. It may be that we have changed our transfer policy since last year. I'm just speculating about the possibility and wondering aloud whether this will pay off or not. I'm not being negative so there is no need to be defensive, I just find it interesting. Didn't sound like it from what derry was saying. I don't know the fee, but Reading paid £500k for him, he signed a new 3 year contract last summer until end of season 2013. He is on a similar contract to that reported being paid to our highest earners. I know the exact basic figure. Contrary to opinions on here he lost his place after injury/suspension and as Reading have been on a good run playing defensive central midfielders he wasn't able to get back in until last Saturday. After the game the manager asked him to stay and in the light of no offer from Saints he decided to commit to Reading. There is no doubt that Stephens is a much cheaper option as far as a loan is concerned as there is no way that Oldham would be paying anything like the salary in Brian Howard's contract. He also hasn't the experience, stature or leadership that would be provided by Howard. Then he isn't coming and is not available as we missed our chance to get him last week when he would have signed. Stephens is probably on a par with our other two midfielders and it is doubtful whether he can come in and lift probably the worst performing part of the team in a way that Brian Howard could well have done. We are scoring the majority of goals from set pieces and produce little from play. A major problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(not THE) Kevin Moore Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I don't know the fee, but Reading paid £500k for him, he signed a new 3 year contract last summer until end of season 2013. He is on a similar contract to that reported being paid to our highest earners. I know the exact basic figure. Contrary to opinions on here he lost his place after injury/suspension and as Reading have been on a good run playing defensive central midfielders he wasn't able to get back in until last Saturday. After the game the manager asked him to stay and in the light of no offer from Saints he decided to commit to Reading. There is no doubt that Stephens is a much cheaper option as far as a loan is concerned as there is no way that Oldham would be paying anything like the salary in Brian Howard's contract. He also hasn't the experience, stature or leadership that would be provided by Howard. Then he isn't coming and is not available as we missed our chance to get him last week when he would have signed. Stephens is probably on a par with our other two midfielders and it is doubtful whether he can come in and lift probably the worst performing part of the team in a way that Brian Howard could well have done. We are scoring the majority of goals from set pieces and produce little from play. A major problem. BUT do we really need a player who (it appears to me) excels in the hole? We need a proper, authentic, box-to-box midfielder and that does not appear to be Howard. If signing Howard would gaurantee promotion then hell pay him £20k a week or whatever but he simply isn't THAT good, or even the right kind of player (we already have Guly, Lallana, Oxo who can play in the hole so why sign Howard). Just cos we have a wealthy backer doesn't mean that we should be ignoring value for money. Stephens looks a shrewd signing, a player very much for the here and now but also one for the future (if we sign him in the summer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 If my understanding is correct, I think Hypo and a few others are looking at the last 10 games and simply thinking that, out of two decent players at this level, they'd have taken someone with Howard's experience over Stephen's potential as the 'ideal' solution for a midfielder to add that extra ounce of steel to the midfield during the run in. I don't think there's any slagging off of Stephens, or the decision to bring him here, per se. I like the fact that they thought we had a choice. We couldn't afford Howard/Reading didn't want to let him go/he didn't want to come. According to my 3 Oldham supporting mates he is an excellent player and a real prospect. I, for one, am happy with this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) BUT do we really need a player who (it appears to me) excels in the hole? We need a proper, authentic, box-to-box midfielder and that does not appear to be Howard. If signing Howard would gaurantee promotion then hell pay him £20k a week or whatever but he simply isn't THAT good, or even the right kind of player (we already have Guly, Lallana, Oxo who can play in the hole so why sign Howard). Just cos we have a wealthy backer doesn't mean that we should be ignoring value for money. Stephens looks a shrewd signing, a player very much for the here and now but also one for the future (if we sign him in the summer). Brian Howard is one of the best ball passers anywhere in the football league. He would have given us a dimension we just don't have. Edited 25 March, 2011 by derry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now