Saint_clark Posted 25 March, 2011 Author Share Posted 25 March, 2011 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. And by all accounts, Stephens is a very good passer of the ball as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I really have no idea what point you are trying to make. I think the point is that WC feels that we have the necessary assetts at the club to not go out and get this new guy in. That is a matter of opinion and one that the club and the Manager does not agree with (at this time). I would have thought the club has weighed up the available options and are not willing to gamble on unproven youngsters to get us over the line as far as auto promotion is concerned (or they could consider that putting the youngsters in could be more damaging to their development in the short term). I do agree that the youngsters should be called upon in the future (when the club are satisfied to do so) but right now?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 And by all accounts, Stephens is a very good passer of the ball as well. Hence the assists stat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 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. For the whole of last week he was just waiting to sign but all that changed after he played on Saturday and was asked to stay and help their bid to make the play offs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 And by all accounts, Stephens is a very good passer of the ball as well. We have ten games to see how good he is. If he is half as good as Howard, he will be far better than either of the present incumbents. It will be interesting to read the comments on here after his first two games unless he really has been brought in as cover and isn't playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I didn't realise that Howard was far more than two times better than Hammond. Blimey he must be uber-good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I didn't realise that Howard was far more than two times better than Hammond. Blimey he must be uber-good. You obviously haven't a clue what sort of player Brian Howard is and if you did, you wouldn't be making juvenile facetious comments like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La BoIS Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 When on earth did we play Bury? Cup game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 25 March, 2011 Author Share Posted 25 March, 2011 We have ten games to see how good he is. If he is half as good as Howard, he will be far better than either of the present incumbents. It will be interesting to read the comments on here after his first two games unless he really has been brought in as cover and isn't playing. I rate Howard. A lot. But he is not twice as good as Hammond or Chaplow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 better than Schneiderlin? Sorry I know I shouldn't. With regards to Stephens. When I saw him for Bury he looked a really good prospect. I think he was about 18 then. It will sound a little bit ridiculous but he reminded me of Steven Gerrard, similar build and style, covered a lot of ground and got forward a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I like Brian Howard but I cant help thinking Idiakez. II gave one of the best performance I've seen out of the Premiership, but it was in a Derby shirt. For us he was patchy, yes he had some good moments, but all in all he was a dissapointment. Personally I've seen enough of signing what appear to be decent players who are one or two seasons past their best, if their best was top end of Premiership, then maybe, but when their best was mid table Championship-no thanks. I like the way we appear to be using the loan market, it doesn't appear to be a knee jerk, get someone in regardless attitude, but a joined up policy of signing someone for now with a view to the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 better than Schneiderlin? Sorry I know I shouldn't. With regards to Stephens. When I saw him for Bury he looked a really good prospect. I think he was about 18 then. It will sound a little bit ridiculous but he reminded me of Steven Gerrard, similar build and style, covered a lot of ground and got forward a lot. why are we getting these comparisons with Gerrard, he's 6ft 3 and Stephens is about 5ft 6, how's that a similar build?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 why are we getting these comparisons with Gerrard, he's 6ft 3 and Stephens is about 5ft 6, how's that a similar build?? same shape but shorter? Also Gerrard is more like 6ft and Stephens is about 5ft8. My god who cares. The lad gets up and down, or at least he looked like he did when he played for Bury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) same shape but shorter? Also Gerrard is more like 6ft and Stephens is about 5ft8. My god who cares. The lad gets up and down, or at least he looked like he did when he played for Bury. Im69 is 5ft 6 and some dust, my daughter is 1m71 and it really isn't very big.Perhaps I'm just biased because I remeber the Eamon Collins fiasco. 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 why are we getting these comparisons with Gerrard, he's 6ft 3 and Stephens is about 5ft 6, how's that a similar build?? Essien and Gerrard have got completely different skin colours but they are similar players. Comparisons don't have to be physical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 We have ten games to see how good he is. If he is half as good as Howard, he will be far better than either of the present incumbents. It will be interesting to read the comments on here after his first two games unless he really has been brought in as cover and isn't playing. Come on, I think you're being a bit too lavish with the praise for BH. Good player no doubt but is it really worth paying 20k a week wages in league one? I don't think so and there is no way you can claim he is more than twice as good as our exising CM's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Come on, I think you're being a bit too lavish with the praise for BH. Good player no doubt but is it really worth paying 20k a week wages in league one? I don't think so and there is no way you can claim he is more than twice as good as our exising CM's. 20K is way way off the mark.Anyway this lad's just a loan and then we'll see where we are with what we've got already and where we're going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Im69 is 5ft 6 and some dust, my daughter is 1m71 and it really isn't very big.Perhaps I'm just biased because I remeber the Eamon Collins fiasco. With Lambert coming back we don't tend to suffer from a lack of height defensively so I'm not overly worried. I do wonder if Stephens is a better player than Stephen Dawson who was the real shining light at Bury. Hopefully he has progressed nicely at Oldham and we've git a talent on our hands. Personally I'm glad we gone for an emerging talent. Its something we failed to do a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armitage Shanks Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 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. Derry - I've followed the posts on the Howard matter and obviously you have a connection with him but I do have to say that you have sold him (and are still selling him) as some kind of footballing god. If you're quite honest to yourself, he simply isn't that good. He's not bad but he's not the answer to all of our problems. I'm not convinced he would have been the answer to any of our problems. You're just going to have to let this one go as your judgment on this appears a bit clouded because of your connection. No offence intened, just an observation from a fellow fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 With Lambert coming back we don't tend to suffer from a lack of height defensively so I'm not overly worried. I do wonder if Stephens is a better player than Stephen Dawson who was the real shining light at Bury. Hopefully he has progressed nicely at Oldham and we've git a talent on our hands. Personally I'm glad we gone for an emerging talent. Its something we failed to do a lot. I'm just going to wait and see what he does when he actually plays for us.He won't be first choice anyway,certainly not against MK Dons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 same shape but shorter? Also Gerrard is more like 6ft and Stephens is about 5ft8. My god who cares. The lad gets up and down, or at least he looked like he did when he played for Bury. Chez - can you remember what no shirt? They had a stand out CM but I think his squad number was 14. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Royce2uk Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 You obviously haven't a clue what sort of player Brian Howard is and if you did, you wouldn't be making juvenile facetious comments like this. Brian dont take it to heart mate. some people do think you are s**t. celarly you are him in disguise!! far too much love for him if not! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Derry Thank you for taking time to comment on my post. Couple of points though, Stephens may well be on lower salary (almost certainly so) but Oldham may have held out for a bigger loan fee due to him being their best player and top scorer. Howards high wages maybe a reason that Reading were not after a loan fee for player who has played less than 50% of their games. Also Stephens scores Howard isn't - we are lacking goals from CM Not saying who is the better signing, not seen enough of either of them, just perhaps be more open minded that maybe Stephens was better not cheaper option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Come on, I think you're being a bit too lavish with the praise for BH. Good player no doubt but is it really worth paying 20k a week wages in league one? I don't think so and there is no way you can claim he is more than twice as good as our exising CM's. You obviously haven't seen him much, or have a relation who is friends with him, otherwise you wouldn't be making such juvenile and facetious comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 You obviously haven't seen him much, or have a relation who is friends with him, otherwise you wouldn't be making such juvenile and facetious comments. Forget about Saints, by the sound of it, the whole football world seems to have missed a trick with BH. A football god sat on the bench for Reading.....who would have thought it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Chez - can you remember what no shirt? They had a stand out CM but I think his squad number was 14. Looks like 18 from the photo on page err 2 of this thread (I read from last to first so page 6 for me) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dockland Dave Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Derry, are you Howard' agent. The lad is a good CCC player, who was never quite good enough for the top fight. He is currently struggling to get into a mid table ccc team, and bar a 2 year spell at Barnsley has never really set the world alight. NA made his reputation on picking up diamonds from the lower leagues at Scunny. This new lad may be a risk, and to an extent we are buying potential, but that would be potential to be better than the likes of BH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Reading fans on Howard to saints: It hasn't really worked out for him here, and if we get some money for him all the better PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE Unfortunately i think it's a done deal. Adkins said he's looking to dip into the loan market and has a CM on the cards. I think Brian is criticised too much at Reading, he's joint top goal assist getter alongside Jobi and he's played what, half the games. I guess Tabby is coming up to shine a bit now, for the first time really so McD sees this as an opportunity to let Brian go. Does suggest we'll be buying Ledge if the view to a permanent deal is to be believed as then we'd have Ledge and i'd assume Karacan in the centre with Tabb on the bench for cover although i don't like the thought of one of those guys getting injured at the minute. I guess Brynjar will have to be staying then - not that i'm against that. All in all i think Howard is a lot better than RFC fans or media give him credit for. Good luck to him in the future i say FTR I agree with what Ian Royal said about Howard on the Church/HRK thread. He offers something a bit different in terms of craft - but I'm not sure an RFC midfield with him in it is sturdy enough. Ledge plus one is proving a pretty useful formula this season. He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone Only creative midfielder we have at the club. If we sell him we need to replace him and not with Ledge (who we should get anyway). We can't rely on our only attacking threat being long balls and pace down the wings, it's too easy to cotton on to and stop us dead Good riddance Agree with . He is capable of being very good, but he looks half-fit and not caring enough most of the time. I'd say "lightweight" but that doesn't quite sound right Can't tackle, can't pass, can't head, too lightweight, goes missing, doesn't score. Thats not 'creative', just crap he's got no pace either Without the Southampton link, with the usual forum research of viewing other fans forum guess a lot would have been unimpressed with Howard! Most posts from Reading not fussed about him going - albeit higher level club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Reading fans on Howard to saints: It hasn't really worked out for him here, and if we get some money for him all the better PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE Unfortunately i think it's a done deal. Adkins said he's looking to dip into the loan market and has a CM on the cards. I think Brian is criticised too much at Reading, he's joint top goal assist getter alongside Jobi and he's played what, half the games. I guess Tabby is coming up to shine a bit now, for the first time really so McD sees this as an opportunity to let Brian go. Does suggest we'll be buying Ledge if the view to a permanent deal is to be believed as then we'd have Ledge and i'd assume Karacan in the centre with Tabb on the bench for cover although i don't like the thought of one of those guys getting injured at the minute. I guess Brynjar will have to be staying then - not that i'm against that. All in all i think Howard is a lot better than RFC fans or media give him credit for. Good luck to him in the future i say FTR I agree with what Ian Royal said about Howard on the Church/HRK thread. He offers something a bit different in terms of craft - but I'm not sure an RFC midfield with him in it is sturdy enough. Ledge plus one is proving a pretty useful formula this season. He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone Only creative midfielder we have at the club. If we sell him we need to replace him and not with Ledge (who we should get anyway). We can't rely on our only attacking threat being long balls and pace down the wings, it's too easy to cotton on to and stop us dead Good riddance Agree with . He is capable of being very good, but he looks half-fit and not caring enough most of the time. I'd say "lightweight" but that doesn't quite sound right Can't tackle, can't pass, can't head, too lightweight, goes missing, doesn't score. Thats not 'creative', just crap he's got no pace either Without the Southampton link, with the usual forum research of viewing other fans forum guess a lot would have been unimpressed with Howard! Most posts from Reading not fussed about him going - albeit higher level club Not really the sort of comments you like to have on your school report card are they.Still fans can be biased I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Reading fans on Howard to saints: It hasn't really worked out for him here, and if we get some money for him all the better PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE Unfortunately i think it's a done deal. Adkins said he's looking to dip into the loan market and has a CM on the cards. I think Brian is criticised too much at Reading, he's joint top goal assist getter alongside Jobi and he's played what, half the games. I guess Tabby is coming up to shine a bit now, for the first time really so McD sees this as an opportunity to let Brian go. Does suggest we'll be buying Ledge if the view to a permanent deal is to be believed as then we'd have Ledge and i'd assume Karacan in the centre with Tabb on the bench for cover although i don't like the thought of one of those guys getting injured at the minute. I guess Brynjar will have to be staying then - not that i'm against that. All in all i think Howard is a lot better than RFC fans or media give him credit for. Good luck to him in the future i say FTR I agree with what Ian Royal said about Howard on the Church/HRK thread. He offers something a bit different in terms of craft - but I'm not sure an RFC midfield with him in it is sturdy enough. Ledge plus one is proving a pretty useful formula this season. He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone Only creative midfielder we have at the club. If we sell him we need to replace him and not with Ledge (who we should get anyway). We can't rely on our only attacking threat being long balls and pace down the wings, it's too easy to cotton on to and stop us dead Good riddance Agree with . He is capable of being very good, but he looks half-fit and not caring enough most of the time. I'd say "lightweight" but that doesn't quite sound right Can't tackle, can't pass, can't head, too lightweight, goes missing, doesn't score. Thats not 'creative', just crap he's got no pace either Without the Southampton link, with the usual forum research of viewing other fans forum guess a lot would have been unimpressed with Howard! Most posts from Reading not fussed about him going - albeit higher level club And after all that, the Reading manager wants to keep him because he thinks he might help to get them promoted. He is the sort of player alongside Hammond who would give our attacking players a service they lack at the moment because of the lack of a playmaker in central midfield. If we get promoted it wouldn't surprise me if he came in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Reading fans on Howard to saints: It hasn't really worked out for him here, and if we get some money for him all the better PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE Unfortunately i think it's a done deal. Adkins said he's looking to dip into the loan market and has a CM on the cards. I think Brian is criticised too much at Reading, he's joint top goal assist getter alongside Jobi and he's played what, half the games. I guess Tabby is coming up to shine a bit now, for the first time really so McD sees this as an opportunity to let Brian go. Does suggest we'll be buying Ledge if the view to a permanent deal is to be believed as then we'd have Ledge and i'd assume Karacan in the centre with Tabb on the bench for cover although i don't like the thought of one of those guys getting injured at the minute. I guess Brynjar will have to be staying then - not that i'm against that. All in all i think Howard is a lot better than RFC fans or media give him credit for. Good luck to him in the future i say FTR I agree with what Ian Royal said about Howard on the Church/HRK thread. He offers something a bit different in terms of craft - but I'm not sure an RFC midfield with him in it is sturdy enough. Ledge plus one is proving a pretty useful formula this season. He's a half decent midfielder on his day, but he doesn't have enough of them. In L1 he'll be a good player for anyone Only creative midfielder we have at the club. If we sell him we need to replace him and not with Ledge (who we should get anyway). We can't rely on our only attacking threat being long balls and pace down the wings, it's too easy to cotton on to and stop us dead Good riddance Agree with . He is capable of being very good, but he looks half-fit and not caring enough most of the time. I'd say "lightweight" but that doesn't quite sound right Can't tackle, can't pass, can't head, too lightweight, goes missing, doesn't score. Thats not 'creative', just crap he's got no pace either Without the Southampton link, with the usual forum research of viewing other fans forum guess a lot would have been unimpressed with Howard! Most posts from Reading not fussed about him going - albeit higher level club Kind of sounds like the S****horpe fans reaction to Forte moving on Forte and Jones in the same day c'mon please let this be true Sorry Johno but you were rubbish. I wish Forte all the best, the potential was always there but I think it is about time we part company as he has been given his chance and not done it for us. Anyone who witness Forte at Palace last year would know what a great player he COULD be...daft signing by Adkins though because he never did the business under him here..the odd game apart Yet plenty were happy with his signing................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Derry, are you Howard' agent. The lad is a good CCC player, who was never quite good enough for the top fight. He is currently struggling to get into a mid table ccc team, and bar a 2 year spell at Barnsley has never really set the world alight. NA made his reputation on picking up diamonds from the lower leagues at Scunny. This new lad may be a risk, and to an extent we are buying potential, but that would be potential to be better than the likes of BH. The need with 10 games left is to get promoted. The lad may well be cover for a central midfield that isn't exactly productive or creative, He may turn out to be a good player but he needs to be a good player in the next 10 games not potentially. I don't suggest that Brian Howard is Premier or even an outstanding player but he is an outstanding and perceptive passer. This is something that we lack. The only player I've seen in div 1 that ran his midfield this season is Gary Jones. I want to see us promoted without the lottery of the play offs and I'll wait and see what Stephens achieves in contributing to that. Brian Stock might be an alternative if we are promoted but we desperately need direction in midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Bloody hell, this kind of thread is what happens if we don't have a game at the weekend! God only knows what this forum will be like from late May 'til August... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Bloody hell, this kind of thread is what happens if we don't have a game at the weekend! God only knows what this forum will be like from late May 'til August... Alpine banging on about "hitting the ground running" I should imagine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Bloody hell, this kind of thread is what happens if we don't have a game at the weekend! God only knows what this forum will be like from late May 'til August... Someone will start a takeover thread I expect, should see us through from the forum match to pre-season. If however we should fail in our promotion bid summer will be just one long change the manager/sell all the players time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 same shape but shorter? Also Gerrard is more like 6ft and Stephens is about 5ft8. My god who cares. The lad gets up and down, or at least he looked like he did when he played for Bury. Barcelona certainly don't care. Xavi and Iniesta are both 5ft 7in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Barcelona certainly don't care. Xavi and Iniesta are both 5ft 7in. they play 4-3-2-1 though and it makes all the difference. If we're going to play in that same way all of the time then height is less of a problem, but as a rule we play 4-4-2 and you need some oomph in your two CMs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 (edited) The need with 10 games left is to get promoted. The lad may well be cover for a central midfield that isn't exactly productive or creative, He may turn out to be a good player but he needs to be a good player in the next 10 games not potentially. I don't suggest that Brian Howard is Premier or even an outstanding player but he is an outstanding and perceptive passer. This is something that we lack. The only player I've seen in div 1 that ran his midfield this season is Gary Jones. I want to see us promoted without the lottery of the play offs and I'll wait and see what Stephens achieves in contributing to that. Brian Stock might be an alternative if we are promoted but we desperately need direction in midfield. Stephens is currently performing and scoring in this league. Reading seemed happy to let Howard until we stopped our interest. Really don't mean to sound like I am attacking him, and appreciate you know him, but can you not see that it is possible that saints watched both players - more than either you or I have - and concluded that a fit goalscoring in form midfielder, wanted by his fans maybe better idea for the next 10 games than a player who isn't scoring nor rated by manya lot of fans who are watching him - and question his fitness and committment? Edited 25 March, 2011 by NickG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 If DS gets us over the problem our existing midfiellders have in not getting to the ball first and standing back whilst opponents get it under control, he will do for me. The rest of his ability seems to speak for itself if the Oldham Fans opinions are true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 At least he'll get paid on time whilst he's with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Alpine banging on about "hitting the ground running" I should imagine Gotta be careful you don't hurt your hand especially if you have a good speed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 For the whole of last week he was just waiting to sign but all that changed after he played on Saturday and was asked to stay and help their bid to make the play offs. thought you said saints didn't follow up their interest? Guess when they knew they could get this lad. My guess was Howard would have been signed if Stephens had fallen through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Bloody hell, this kind of thread is what happens if we don't have a game at the weekend! God only knows what this forum will be like from late May 'til August... We wil have a 'new manager thread' to keep us busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopkins Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Derry, I can't be wacked to read 7 pages but can you confirm to me if you have yet to entertain the thought that maybe...just maybe...Adkins and SFC believe Stephens is a better player than Howard? I'm going to say something mental here but I would be willing to back there judgement (bearing in mind its based on numerous scout reports, years of knowledge and involvement in the game and knowing exactly what our group of players needs) over yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 We wil have a 'new manager thread' to keep us busy. don't think so - even if not promoted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modern matron Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Stephens is currently performing and scoring in this league. Reading seemed happy to let Howard until we stopped our interest. Really don't mean to sound like I am attacking him, and appreciate you know him, but can you not see that it is possible that saints watched both players - more than either you or I have - and concluded that a fit goalscoring in form midfielder, wanted by his fans maybe better idea for the next 10 games than a player who isn't scoring nor rated by manya lot of fans who are watching him - and question his fitness and committment? Sorry I live near Reading, and local fans rate Howard. It seems to me that we missed a trick in not signing him. Stephens might be the real deal but is much more of a gamble in my mind.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 I only had a look at their forum (think they managed 10 pages on it!) vast majority were somewhere between not caring to moaning about him. Certainly didn't read as fans favorite. Sounds like we could easily have got Howard so guess those who probably watched them both decided against it. Got to say was quite excited about Howard after Derry's comments, but this guy sounds like he maybe better - look forward to seeing him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Alpine banging on about "hitting the ground running" I should imagine Something we never take his advice on it must be said :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 Derry, I can't be wacked to read 7 pages but can you confirm to me if you have yet to entertain the thought that maybe...just maybe...Adkins and SFC believe Stephens is a better player than Howard? I'm going to say something mental here but I would be willing to back there judgement (bearing in mind its based on numerous scout reports, years of knowledge and involvement in the game and knowing exactly what our group of players needs) over yours. No, because they went for Howard first. I think the cost put them off and Stephens fills the limited requirements of cover for midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Share Posted 25 March, 2011 lets wait and see Derry You said he wasn't greedy so doubt money would be big issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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