derry Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 lets wait and see Derry You said he wasn't greedy so doubt money would be big issue I got the feeling that Reading not being prepared to subsidise and the fact McDermott told him he didn't really want him to leave, meant we had to foot the whole cost. He would still have cost as much as Lambert/Fonte etc. It was knocked on the head by Howard a week ago after he was picked to play at Barnsley and then was told by the manager after the game that he wanted him to stay and play a part in their play off ambitions. After all they are in 7th place three points behind and a game in hand.
dubai_phil Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 On a side note... Did we really need to sign a CM? Seems to me we've had a perfectly capable CM playing the last two games - Rickie - he sure didn't spend THAT much time up front winky smiley sortta thingy
saintscottofthenortham Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 Good little interview with him on SaintsPlayer for those who have it. Seems like he's here to make an impression.
Hopkins Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 No, because they went for Howard first. I think the cost put them off and Stephens fills the limited requirements of cover for midfield. Do you know that for a fact? From my understanding of your posts you only know that Southampton enquired about Howard a week or two ago and also in Pardew's era? Do you know when they enquired about Stephens? Do you know about the scouting network that led them to highlighting Stephens? Or do you as I suspect only know that Southampton enquired about Howard and then didn't follow that enquiry up. Financial reasons may or may not had something to do with that. Or maybe they were using Howard as a back up? Or maybe they were using Howard speculation to politely remind Oldham that we have other options. There are a million and one possibilities that lead to the deal taking place. Just because you know Howard was sounded out two weeks ago, doesn't mean he was our first choice. You don't know the details of the Stephens deal. Neither do I.
wild-saint Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 Do you know that for a fact? From my understanding of your posts you only know that Southampton enquired about Howard a week or two ago and also in Pardew's era? Do you know when they enquired about Stephens? Do you know about the scouting network that led them to highlighting Stephens? Or do you as I suspect only know that Southampton enquired about Howard and then didn't follow that enquiry up. Financial reasons may or may not had something to do with that. Or maybe they were using Howard as a back up? Or maybe they were using Howard speculation to politely remind Oldham that we have other options. There are a million and one possibilities that lead to the deal taking place. Just because you know Howard was sounded out two weeks ago, doesn't mean he was our first choice. You don't know the details of the Stephens deal. Neither do I. I know for an absolute Fact / 100% confirmed that Howard wasnt being scounted in the last few weeks. i dont know whether we spoke to reading or not though. I also know nothing about stephens whether he was scouted or not as i never asked bearing in mind it came out of the blue when i spoke to my contact on saturday
dubai_phil Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 I know for an absolute Fact / 100% confirmed that Howard wasnt being scounted in the last few weeks. i dont know whether we spoke to reading or not though. I also know nothing about stephens whether he was scouted or not as i never asked bearing in mind it came out of the blue when i spoke to my contact on saturday TSW member in NOT ITK shocker. Forum crashes in shock
Chez Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 No, because they went for Howard first. I think the cost put them off and Stephens fills the limited requirements of cover for midfield. The way I see it we went for Stephens first, he initially declined. They looked at Howard as an alternative, but perhaps because of the high wages they went back for Stephens with an improved offer. Stephens said yes. Howard doesn't get a call.
modern matron Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 On a side note... Did we really need to sign a CM? Seems to me we've had a perfectly capable CM playing the last two games - Rickie - he sure didn't spend THAT much time up front winky smiley sortta thingy yes we need another playmaker midfielder definitely - especially if there is any doubt re Adam and Alex's es...
jam Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 On a side note... Did we really need to sign a CM? Seems to me we've had a perfectly capable CM playing the last two games - Rickie - he sure didn't spend THAT much time up front winky smiley sortta thingy Guly also could play CM (instead of Chaplow, alongside Hammond - the other way around would shorten my life expectancy).
modern matron Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 The way I see it we went for Stephens first, he initially declined. They looked at Howard as an alternative, but perhaps because of the high wages they went back for Stephens with an improved offer. Stephens said yes. Howard doesn't get a call. You had better be right about the boy - the big build up isn't based on much. Howard is class!!!
NickG Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 goal scoring midfielders are valuable - and what we are short of, Howard doesn't fit that
Pat from Poole Posted 25 March, 2011 Posted 25 March, 2011 Guly also could play CM (instead of Chaplow, alongside Hammond - the other way around would shorten my life expectancy). As could Butterfield. But I think that should only really be in an absolute emergency, and I'm glad we've got another CM.
Smirking_Saint Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 The way I see it we went for Stephens first, he initially declined. They looked at Howard as an alternative, but perhaps because of the high wages they went back for Stephens with an improved offer. Stephens said yes. Howard doesn't get a call. This, and at the end of the day, the boy stephens has been blooded in this league and is playing pretty well. Howard has had an off and on season at reading and has not been a stand out performer. My mate is a season ticket holder there and is not blown away by him. Anyways, even if we did baulk at his wages Derry i would imagine it was more of a fact that he is on more than the rest of the dressing room and so whats the point of causing unrest ?? Especially in the most important part of the season FFS.
tedmaul Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 It's funny all this speculation and knowledge of his wage and how it may affect the "dressing room" FFS. And "The boy stephens" He's a 23 year old professional football player.
patred44 Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 It's funny all this speculation and knowledge of his wage and how it may affect the "dressing room" FFS. And "The boy stephens" He's a 23 year old professional football player. Well whatever he is on, it's got to be better than this.... http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~2324339,00.html
Chez Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 You had better be right about the boy - the big build up isn't based on much. Howard is class!!! not sure I've given him a big build up. I haven't even said I prefer him to Howard. I've seen Stephens a few times in his Bury days and thought he looked a decent prospect. What I won't be doing is complaining that we should have signed Howard should Stephens not shine. No one knows what Howard would do and the simple fact of the matter is we might not even have had the money to afford Howard.
wild-saint Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 so guys whats the decision? is he a great signing and we give hi at least 12 games to show his true class or do we not really know and just in case he is dog poo we boo him to the point of his confidence being shattered the first time he has a bad first touch or stray pass?? i need to know which way we are going here?
Badger Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 so guys whats the decision? is he a great signing and we give hi at least 12 games to show his true class or do we not really know and just in case he is dog poo we boo him to the point of his confidence being shattered the first time he has a bad first touch or stray pass?? i need to know which way we are going here? I reckon we give him 90 minutes or perhaps just a couple of 20 minute cameo appearances as sub.If after that the 'jury is still out' then we start the inevitable 'Taxi for Stephens' thread. If that does not make him and the club buck their ideas up then perhaps an 'Open letter to Adkins/Cortese' (possibly both) thread is called for.
benjii Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 I am willing to go on a fact finding mission to Barcelona to scout midfielders of similar attributes to determine how good this lad is. If The Saints Web could procure an advance from its trust fund then I am even prepared to fund my own living expenses whilst over there. I think this needs to be done BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
Evil Monkey Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 Buying from teams lower than ourselves in the league is utterley pointless. They're all rubbish, otherwise they'd be higher. It would be like Brighton signing AOC. Madness.
RobM Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 Buying from teams lower than ourselves in the league is utterley pointless. They're all rubbish, otherwise they'd be higher. It would be like Brighton signing AOC. Madness. Does that mean all of our players are rubbish compared to the squads at Brighton, Peterborough and Huddersfield?
DrunkenSaint Posted 26 March, 2011 Posted 26 March, 2011 i like this guy reminds me of matty oakley, and Hammond has been playing very well of late id like to see these 2 in our midfield next game. Chappers has been a great for us but i dont think he's played all that well since that man utd game and he tends to get booked alot so a suspension could be close. We could play all 3 across the middle and play AL, if fit in the hole (free role) since we will be without Oxo and N'Guessan is just crap.
derry Posted 27 March, 2011 Posted 27 March, 2011 An interesting quote from an Oldham source in the Pink yesterday. "He's got some talent. When the team's not playing well he can struggle but in a good side like Southampton he will look very good indeed. He's one of those players that looks very classy a lot of the time" As our central midfield isn't really working that well and apart from set pieces we aren't scoring many, this lad may not be the answer many are banking on. If he only plays well in a team that is playing well he may have a bit of a struggle here.
hypochondriac Posted 27 March, 2011 Posted 27 March, 2011 An interesting quote from an Oldham source in the Pink yesterday. "He's got some talent. When the team's not playing well he can struggle but in a good side like Southampton he will look very good indeed. He's one of those players that looks very classy a lot of the time" As our central midfield isn't really working that well and apart from set pieces we aren't scoring many, this lad may not be the answer many are banking on. If he only plays well in a team that is playing well he may have a bit of a struggle here. I guess we will find out soon.
NickG Posted 2 April, 2011 Posted 2 April, 2011 First impressions... looked decent player. very happy to accept the ball even when players tight to him, seemed mobile, made couple of attacking runs. for youngster coming on for his debut looked confident - happy to shout at the older players. promising start
SoccerMom Posted 2 April, 2011 Posted 2 April, 2011 Thought his corner was a pretty decent ball. Overall I thought he managed the situation really well. On a different matter (but can't start a thread myself) Anyone else notice that the U18s went top of their table today?
woodsaint Posted 2 April, 2011 Posted 2 April, 2011 Thought his corner was a pretty decent ball. Overall I thought he managed the situation really well. On a different matter (but can't start a thread myself) Anyone else notice that the U18s went top of their table today? Shame tho that all our academy players are being released.....lol
dubai_phil Posted 3 April, 2011 Posted 3 April, 2011 Shame tho that all our academy players are being released.....lol Shame though that we seem to be linked with some extremely promising 16 & 17 year old players that we have to pay for to replace them
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