I can't believe we have not replaced dale Stephens. I understand he is out of contract at the end of the season so any money is better than no money but why has both dale and yann turned down contracts does that tell us the something more about the owner
1
Comments
I congratulate him as it is about time financial reality reached football. OK it is a gamble and if it fails we'll be relegated, but it is a gamble worth taking.
Jan was pissed off with the offer & went to Bournemouth.
If either of them are that good somebody better would have been in for them, they have gone lets move on.
I say feck them, I think that this strategy in itself is a good one asit motivates players to win games by two/three clear goals (standard scored five in at least three games) so it's exciting times ahead for us all, perhaps!
I like the idea of basic plus decent win/draw bonuses, will focus the minds of the players, rather than them picking up fat salaries regardless.
Onwards and upwards, COYR.
I don't know the terms of the contracts but Wiggins clearly liked them, the new signings have been given pretty hefty contracts in terms of length, so RD is clearly not a fool. My guess is that he is playing players/their agents at their own game and refusing to blink first, and we'll see other players turn down contracts that don't meet their demands. In contrast, I also think new players that come in will be determined to succeed, and less money motivated than many that have 'graced' the Valley in the far from distant past.
Not much tbh.....I mean it's not a lot to go on is it. We can speculate though....and I reckon RD has an evolving business model regarding age/worth/value of players and he ain't gonna change his views anytime soon.
I think its fairly common knowledge that Stephens was looking for a way out and had been for some time. The homesick thing was obviously bollox so I can only assume he views all clubs as potential stepping stones to greater things. Shame cos he's looked really good this season but if his heart is not in playing for the club I don't want him here. I've not a problem with him though.....each to their own and all that. He served us well whilst here so good luck to him.
Yann on the other hand, well, they made him an offer....well RD made him an offer....and Yann found he could do better elsewhere. It's as simple as that. We'll never know the full ins and outs but whatever they were it was enough for Yann to choose to leave. We don't know enough to be able to assign `blame' to either party tbh.
Like everyone else I'm gutted he's gone and can't help but think how exciting our attacking options would have been with our two new strikers and him in the same squad.....SOD IT!!!
Obviously the slant of the thread is to be negative regarding players contracts etc......but Wiggins, along with all the new guys, signed on the dotted line. This fact should also be noted.
I'd rather have the club last a 100 years yo-yoing between Championship and League One, than get us in the Prem for 5 years and liquidated in 10.
The players who have left us permanently have gone because they perceived it as being in their best interests. That these players were in a position to do so has little to do with this executive.
This executive and management have worked together for just 4 weeks and have needed to address squad strengthening within a shortened transfer timeline (most clubs sort recruitment needs & strategy by mid December), against a background of circa 30 players and the first team management being out of contract in June.
In professional football, in terms of intensity, it likely presents an unprecedented workload. It is not surprising Prothero is still at SE7.
The executive has had to define and communicate their vision for the club to all parties while making almost daily assessments of those around them as how and where they fit within that vision.
Much as we may want certain people to be part of the future it is a big ask to make such assessments and agree terms within such a short period. People will either fit the profile or they will not. Long term commitments to people who may not have a future is unwise on many levels. Indeed while such turmoil is at its height many players may well be unhappy to commit to the club.
It is unsettling for all parties and needs a strong hand to steer through it and I think we can now be clear on one key club policy - for the moment at least - there will be only one person firmly controlling this club - RD.
Anyone* seeking to question his authority or create a separate sphere of influence is unlikely to be tolerated. In essence the indication is you either work with RD on his terms or you do not work at the club at all.
(*Despite a few assertions to the contrary Powell has far too much integrity to be party to any such activity).
I suggest the recruitment strategy will follow these guidelines.
1. We will target the recruiting of young hungry players able to a ) to contribute to the club immediately b) generate an appreciable sell on value. (it is not new - clubs have tried to do it for decades). RD will invest in the right players.
2. The focus will be on youth obtained either via the academy or (a new twist for us) emerging talent within the lesser leagues of Europe.
His network of clubs will maximise his return. Talent recruited in Germany, Spain or Hungary can be developed within that environment and then sold to another part of the network, financially rewarding the original club but facilitating a cost effective upgrade to other parts of the network.
3. He will rarely (only when strictly necessary), breach his investment parameters
Of the 6 recent additions 4 are aged 23 or under. Thuram aged 25 is young for keeper. (so is Hamer) "Reza" is 26.
The difference here I suspect will be the pace of progress expected and the challenge it presents to football management staff but the increased involvement of Poyet & Lennon is no accident. With a dearth of midfield creativity I can see Muldoon & Holmes Dennis also having a part to play.
To a degree it is in part a "throw back" to olden days. How many young players in recent times have sat in the background waiting years for an opportunity to progress with many never having a chance. It is a waste of their time and our money.
When did we last consistently play a 17yr old? In other times we have seen Walsh, Went, Reeves and others step up and excel. Shelvey, Solly and Jenkinson were all held back to varying degrees. Yet each when given the chance has shown they really can play.
Ultimately you only find out whether people can play at a required level and develop from there by playing them. If 15/16yr olds are good enough to play regularly in the U21's what do they learn (physical development aside) playing the same level, probably listening to the same coach 3 & 4yrs later.
I suspect RD is going to challenge his manager and coaches to prove the maxim "if you are good enough you are old enough".
Today we still have circa 23 players effectively on short term contracts,
For the remainder of the season everybody will be on notice to deliver
Ist Team - Cook, Cort, Dervite, Evina, Gower, Green, Hamer, Hollands, Hughes, Jackson, Morrison, Pritchard, Wood (13)
U21s - Azeez, Feely, Fox, Jordan, Osbourne, Gerard#, Muldoon#, Phillips#, Poyet#, Sho Silva# (10) # Assumes 5 new lads offered 1yr deals with options to extend
Viewing these lists it seems likely;
Cort, Gower, Hughes & even Jackson aged over 30 and suffering from long term or regular injury will not be offered new playing contracts
Cook, Evina, Pritchard & Hollands apparently unable to deliver consistently to the level required will likely suffer a similar fate.
Dervite, Green, Hamer, Morrison & Wood have it all to play for
For the U21s I suggest the focus will also change. Going forward they are going to be faced with a far greater scrutiny on whether they really can step up to the first team. With access to young talent from across Europe, there is going to be a real expectation every professional contract awarded will feed the pipeline to the first team.
Crucially all of this is a game changer for the management team. The role of the manager changes from the responsibility of constructing his own squad to being an advisor to such process and to effectively coaching the clubs' squad of players to deliver individual and collective success.
The skill set is different. The focus moves from bringing in players to fit a selected pattern of play to recruiting a collection of promising players, developing their talent and defining a playing style and structure to maximise those talents.
It is much more sharply focused on the skills to develop technical ability, understanding and individual performance. On the face it the current incumbents all have the reputation of being highly qualified and successful coaches but at this level I could raise the following questions:
- why has Hamer not developed greater consistency?
- why have Evina, Pritchard and Harriott gone backwards?
- why has Hollands virtually disappeared?
- why have Cook & Green not developed?
- why has Gower not been able to contribute?
- why have Church & Sordell failed to settle or produce?
Is it coincidence 80% of these operate in front 6?
For the mathematically focused (RD) it means 40% of the squad are not contributing - every line of non production further reduces the managers options to produce collective success.
With long term injuries to Cort, Hughes and Solly 52% of our 1st team squad are not delivering to the club.
Effectively to this point only Alnwick, Wilson, Morrison, Dervite, Wood, Wiggins, Cousins, Stephens, Stewart and Kermorgant (40% of the squad) have consistently delivered to the club. Sadly 30% of these have just left us.
Of the remainder Thuram/Pope, Smith/ Pigott have had little opportunity to contribute.
With the addition of Nego, Ajdarevic, Reza, Parzysek & maybe Koc and the promotion of Lennon and Poyet we have an influx of fresh young players who have an opportunity to revitalise our chances to remain in the championship.
The focus of the management staff on maximising their contribution to the club is paramount to the progress of the side on the field this season and I suggest the long term participation of some in the RD project. In fairness to them to do so within the timelines required (under the pressures of relegation) will be a very significant challenge.
I sincerely hope they all feel able to contribute to the changing landscape and wish them the very best in their endeavours.
Grapevine 49
What a very considered and thought provoking post.