He has gone.. And the money it would cost to keep him now, we could get 3 or 4 really good signings!
What has happened has happened, we move on.
Thank you George, for all of your commitment and memories. All the best for the future!
Not if recent recruitment disasters are anything to go on.
Sounds like better the devil you know?
I can’t get on board with that logic when we’ve just finished 13th, 10th and 16th three season in a row.
It can always get worse. But we have to take risks for it to have any chance of getting better. You only have to look back at the signing of Dobson itself to see what some people thought of him in his first few appearances.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
Or he could have waited until the summer to see what offers were available, like 99% of players who have expiring contracts do.
He could have taken that risk, and it clearly is a risk, or he could take what he felt was a good deal there and then.
Not sure all the players WANT to wait and see. They perhaps don't have much choice. There will be players meeting Jones today and being told "Thanks, but you're not being offered a new deal". Some will be teenagers and others seasoned professionals near the end of their careers. They then have to hope that another club wants them and offers them a decent deal. Players like Wickham and Lualua were without a club and so no income for a long time, remember.
A bird in the hand is worth two in Andy Scott's office.
An unknown youngster, or an older pro with a chequered injury record might grab any contract they can get, but that hardly applies to Dobson, who's in his prime, and has an excellent injury and fitness record.
I have no problem him taking the offer from Hungary is it was something he really wanted, but it would be weird to take it just because it was the only offer on the table in January.
It's always easy to gamble other people's money.
Dobson took the no risk option and fair play to him. We clearly did not offer what he felt was enough so to protect his family/income/career he signed a pre contract meaning he didn't spend the next few months worrying about injury.
Who knows why he opted for Hungry but good luck to him, I have worked abroad 3-4 times in my life for varying times and they were some of the best decisions I ever made.
I am sure he is sorry to leave us as he has clearly enjoyed his time at the club but does he regret the move? Why should he. New experience, better money, European football.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
This is my understanding - Can't remember who originally posted it.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
This is my understanding - Can't remember who originally posted it.
He has gone.. And the money it would cost to keep him now, we could get 3 or 4 really good signings!
What has happened has happened, we move on.
Thank you George, for all of your commitment and memories. All the best for the future!
I’m not sure it’s as simple as that. If we’ve lost our captain and best player over the past few years against our own interests despite him being amenable to staying then it’s a an absolute debacle.
I’d honestly put as third on the list of recent transfer calamities, only behind Yann and possibly Morrison.
Best player ? .. not in jones set up doubt he would even be a starter next season .. Fact is Dobson signed for another club no one forced him , like all players he should have waited till the summer who knows he may have finally got one offer from an english club
Jones wants Dobson to stay, he has publicly gone on record and said that.
You and Andy Scott are the only people who thinks Coventry is a better player. You've said it multiple times so need to keep repeating it.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
This is my understanding - Can't remember who originally posted it.
Ronnie Moore
I'd have ignored it, if it were them.
'Them'? There's more than one Ronnie Moore? God help us!
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
This is my understanding - Can't remember who originally posted it.
Ronnie Moore
I'd have ignored it, if it were them.
'Them'? There's more than one Ronnie Moore? God help us!
Nah just don't know which persona they are using each day.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
Not what you said originally.
Also doesn't tally with what people close to Dobson are saying.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
Not what you said originally.
Also doesn't tally with what people close to Dobson are saying.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
The fact your friends are still briefing against Dobson is probably one of the reasons he's still leaving
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
The fact your friends are still briefing against Dobson is probably one of the reasons he's still leaving
The fact I haven’t spoke to them for a few months.. just as it was back in February.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
Not what you said originally.
Also doesn't tally with what people close to Dobson are saying.
What did I originally say?
and if you know so much share it?
You said the last, bigger iffer was "too late".
Already been said on here by those close George that the "offer close to what he wanted" line isn't true.
I have no inside info so I don't know. I accept he's almost certainly leaving but i recognise spin when I read it.
Just hope Jones is given control of recruitnent ( @Redhenry who is a reliable source suggests he is) and we avoid more of Scott's mistakes, of which losing Dobson is one of the biggest.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
It was signed before, and they tried to make the deal happen before the summer and give us a fee, which Jones stopped.
Charlton made Dobson 3 offers from what I have been told, and 3rd one was what Dobson wanted at the start, but he choose to sign for them.. But unfortunately, it was all too late!
So the UK directors are leaking that they matched what Dobson had asked for but only after he'd already signed for the Hungarian Club.
Not really a real or vaid offer then.
No, was offered before he had agreed to sign for them, charlton offered towards the end the year, Dobson agreed to sign for them in January. And then explored the option of Dobson joining them early after he agreed to sign, Charlton named the price, which they agreed. And Dobson was off, until Jones pulled the plug.
Not what you said originally.
Also doesn't tally with what people close to Dobson are saying.
What did I originally say?
and if you know so much share it?
You said the last, bigger iffer was "too late".
Already been said on here by those close George that the "offer close to what he wanted" line isn't true.
I have no inside info so I don't know. I accept he's almost certainly leaving but i recognise spin when I read it.
Just hope Jones is given control of recruitnent ( @Redhenry who is a reliable source suggests he is) and we avoid more of Scott's mistakes, of which losing Dobson is one of the biggest.
Too late, as in the damage was already done. With the insulting first offer in Dobsons opinion.
i am told, the 3rd offer was what he wanted originally. But by the time the 3rd had come in, the Hungrey offer was more than our offer. At that point he then agreed to move.
It’s great Jones is doing the recruiting and has his own list players. And I am sure he will be well backed, and given all the tools
Everyone knows Scott has made mistakes, and he is on a tightrope I would say.
This thread is like a drug. I know its shit. I know it won't do me any good. But I see there are 30 new posts and I open it again.
A thread full of old blokes stating opinions and theories as facts. Fuck me, I've even liked a Henry Irving post as a voice of reason ..... that's how mad this is.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
I know that one, definitely the second version. Dobbo only signed the pre-contract, after the transfer pulled off.
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
Or he could have waited until the summer to see what offers were available, like 99% of players who have expiring contracts do.
He could have taken that risk, and it clearly is a risk, or he could take what he felt was a good deal there and then.
Not sure all the players WANT to wait and see. They perhaps don't have much choice. There will be players meeting Jones today and being told "Thanks, but you're not being offered a new deal". Some will be teenagers and others seasoned professionals near the end of their careers. They then have to hope that another club wants them and offers them a decent deal. Players like Wickham and Lualua were without a club and so no income for a long time, remember.
A bird in the hand is worth two in Andy Scott's office.
An unknown youngster, or an older pro with a chequered injury record might grab any contract they can get, but that hardly applies to Dobson, who's in his prime, and has an excellent injury and fitness record.
I have no problem him taking the offer from Hungary is it was something he really wanted, but it would be weird to take it just because it was the only offer on the table in January.
If something is weird, as in apparently sensible people making dumb decisions, it often turns out that they have been badly advised. Agents, so they say, advise.
Similarly if markets (including the market for a player) don’t react as expected, there is a hidden factor at play. Such as an agent who has a motivation to push one offer to his client. I won’t take that further because I have no information about it, but I have always found the idea that no other decent English club had any interest in Dobbo, totally unbelievable.
But you also found it totally unbelievable that the interest from Hungsry was real or that any English players had moved to Hungary and other middle European clubs until both were proved to be the case.
You hate agents and blame them for everything so this is your confirmation bias kicking in.
None of us KNOW if he was badly advised because none of us know what he was offered or what his thought process was.
And even if he was badly advised, which is far from clear, in the end Dobson made the decision, not his agent.
Do you believe that no other credible English league club was interested to make an offer to Dobson in the transfer window? We didnt hear of any but that’s not the same thing. And any number of respected journos have told me that agents are an important source of stories about transfer interest, which a good journo vets before running with it.
I wasn’t flying blind on the left field nature of Fehervar’s bid. I’ve several times mentioned a long term Hungarian contact who founded Hungarofoot, a long established web channel of HU football, who had assisted in opening a dialogue channel between CAST and Roderick Duchatelet in Budapest when things got feisty. Emigre in Luton, big Hatters fan. He branded it “bizarre” when he first heard the news, so that was good enough for me. Subsequently I’ve been pleased to learn a lot from @Vjacheslav.
Even you might concede that after 31 years out here I might also have learnt something about the pitfalls awaiting British emigres with little prior knowledge of what to expect and why.
I “hate” the fact that there is minimal regulation in football of agents’ roles and activities. I’ve never met @Swisdom but once he’s up and running - and I hope it goes really well for him as I’ve always appreciated his contributionsf- I’d absolutely love to have a chat with him. Very ready to have my mind changed, when the facts change…
People blaming GD for signing his pre-contract AFTER Jones joined.
1. Is that actually the case? Do we know when he actually signed? I suspect it was signed BEFORE Jones arrived.
2. Even if it was signed AFTER Jones came in that does not mean that the club made any improved contract offer to Dobson before he signed the pre-contract.
He was quite sensible to take the better deal from Hungary rather than wait for Scott to MAYBE change his mind and up the offer from Charlton.
I know that one, definitely the second version. Dobbo only signed the pre-contract, after the transfer pulled off.
No wonder Scott wouldn't agree to Dobbo's demands.
I’m sure that ( alright I’m getting old so ‘sure’ might be a bit strong ) that Richard Murray told me that Joe Aribo’s agent trousered up to £ 1m for sending him to Rangers I don’t think agents are a positive influence in football and I would think it’s very likely ( but I don’t know) that George’s agent is earning well out of the deal .
It's from the horse's mouth in the interview at the dinner last week, Dobson said he thinks the club treated him unfairly.
Given the way he said it, and the personality he is, I'm 100% sure that the club were at fault for what's happened.
Yes, maybe that is the way he felt and maybe the first offer was disrespectful, which I think is the one that made his mind up. But as I have mentioned, the club did try hard to keep him, but it was too little too late.
As I have mentioned, it is a tough one to take that he isn't going to be in a Charlton shirt next season, but am fuming and think losing him will mean we won't win promotion no!
I am sure Jones has targets that will step in to that 8 role, and will make us a lot more competitive!
Comments
I can’t get on board with that logic when we’ve just finished 13th, 10th and 16th three season in a row.
It can always get worse. But we have to take risks for it to have any chance of getting better. You only have to look back at the signing of Dobson itself to see what some people thought of him in his first few appearances.
It's always easy to gamble other people's money.
Dobson took the no risk option and fair play to him. We clearly did not offer what he felt was enough so to protect his family/income/career he signed a pre contract meaning he didn't spend the next few months worrying about injury.
Who knows why he opted for Hungry but good luck to him, I have worked abroad 3-4 times in my life for varying times and they were some of the best decisions I ever made.
I am sure he is sorry to leave us as he has clearly enjoyed his time at the club but does he regret the move? Why should he. New experience, better money, European football.
You and Andy Scott are the only people who thinks Coventry is a better player. You've said it multiple times so need to keep repeating it.
Also doesn't tally with what people close to Dobson are saying.
Already been said on here by those close George that the "offer close to what he wanted" line isn't true.
I have no inside info so I don't know. I accept he's almost certainly leaving but i recognise spin when I read it.
Just hope Jones is given control of recruitnent ( @Redhenry who is a reliable source suggests he is) and we avoid more of Scott's mistakes, of which losing Dobson is one of the biggest.
i am told, the 3rd offer was what he wanted originally. But by the time the 3rd had come in, the Hungrey offer was more than our offer. At that point he then agreed to move.
It’s great Jones is doing the recruiting and has his own list players. And I am sure he will be well backed, and given all the tools
Everyone knows Scott has made mistakes, and he is on a tightrope I would say.
A thread full of old blokes stating opinions and theories as facts. Fuck me, I've even liked a Henry Irving post as a voice of reason ..... that's how mad this is.
I “hate” the fact that there is minimal regulation in football of agents’ roles and activities. I’ve never met @Swisdom but once he’s up and running - and I hope it goes really well for him as I’ve always appreciated his contributionsf- I’d absolutely love to have a chat with him. Very ready to have my mind changed, when the facts change…
No wonder Scott wouldn't agree to Dobbo's demands.
I don’t think agents are a positive influence in football and I would think it’s very likely ( but I don’t know) that George’s agent is earning well out of the deal .
Given the way he said it, and the personality he is, I'm 100% sure that the club were at fault for what's happened.
As I have mentioned, it is a tough one to take that he isn't going to be in a Charlton shirt next season, but am fuming and think losing him will mean we won't win promotion no!
I am sure Jones has targets that will step in to that 8 role, and will make us a lot more competitive!