I could see maybe somewhere like Notts County? Stuart Maynard would have seen Ness at Torquay and Notts County like CBs that can play , or a reunion with Jacko at the wombles.
Ness is a bit unfortunate as he had a period of looking decent then his form abruptly fell off a cliff. Normally he might get another season to see which is the "normal" level but that blocks off Z. Mitchell who is widely seen as having a higher ceiling I think its fair to say.
Plus if we really are looking to bring in another CB that pushes Ness even further down the pecking order as he is near enough a specialist CB where players like Ramsay, Edwards and Mitchell have a bit more utility.
I can see him following the path of Terrell Thomas and having a very respectable L1/L2 career but I just don't see him getting higher than that unless he joins a side doing a Luton/Wrexham style burst up the leagues.
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
Fair points but does beg the question as to why he was given a one year extention then? And the timing of that?
Was it just to get a small fee or sell on clause or was he seen as back up if other deals didn't get done or as a player with potential it was worth taking a small financial risk on?
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
Agree with this. Ness is clearly a player who relies on self confidence. At 22 his confidence is too fragile - if we're going to make a serious tilt at promotion then the whole squad needs to believe in themselves and their team mates, we can't afford a player who needs an arm round his shoulder all the time. I don't get the impression NJ is a hands round the shoulder type manager in any event.
For what ever reason Ness needs a reboot, but not up the arse ! Time for him to try out somewhere else where he can be a 1st choice CB, regain his confidence and be the best he can be. Possibly National League premier similar to Deji Elerewe who's career path has been bumpy of late at Bromley. New season and new start for both Deji and Lucas; Deji is still only 20 but Lucas needs to make his mark soon. I wish them both fitness and good luck.
Really tough trying to make it in Professional football for most, only the few in every club have a totally smooth transition from academy level to 1st team player and a spring board up the divisions to be financially secure.
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
Agreed, I think Jones’ has seen enough and made his decision. I actually think extending the contract was the wrong move.
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
Fair points but does beg the question as to why he was given a one year extention then? And the timing of that?
Was it just to get a small fee or sell on clause or was he seen as back up if other deals didn't get done or as a player with potential it was worth taking a small financial risk on?
Would guess it’s the sell on rather than the fee. When you factor in the wages we’ve had to pay him the fee is going to be pretty irrelevant. Just guessing though.
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
Fair points but does beg the question as to why he was given a one year extention then? And the timing of that?
Was it just to get a small fee or sell on clause or was he seen as back up if other deals didn't get done or as a player with potential it was worth taking a small financial risk on?
Perhaps all 3 of those initially? And then 2 get scratched off and the remaining option gets done. I'd imagine, unless he's injured or something that the 3rd option has been weighed and discarded? He's a decent footballer and will have a good career whatever happens in his immediate future.
There will be a significant moment to come regarding what might happen with Zach Mitchell next season. If he stays his first team chances might be quite limited, but it would be wrong for him to end up in the circumstances of the second half of last season at Colchester. I don’t know how these things can be constructed, but for me the best next step if he isn’t a regular first teamer for us at the moment, would be an initial half season loan at a club that is kind of certain to play him. Maybe Gillingham or Wimbledon or Bromley.
Interesting stat from ChicagoAddick, Lucas Ness hasn't featured in any pre season friendly, I could be wrong but I believe Zac Mitchell has appeared in all of the friendlies so far and from the ones I've seen, you can see why, he can pass out of defence.
I recall Garner’s last game when both of them were young . Zac looked head and shoulders above Ness - stronger , quicker , better on the ball. Ness then went on a decent run but looked pretty hopeless last season, admittedly in a terrible team.
Theres a good player in Ness. Can see him move to a League Two but in a season or two be playing higher. May even get a League One gig this summer.
For Lucas Ness read Matt Elliott. Wasn’t quite good enough at the time and went to Torquay. Was then sold to Leicester and the rest is history.
Remember. Lua Lua did tremendously well for Jones .:-(
This is my big concern about getting Jones band of brothers back together who were great 3/4 years ago. If Hylton, Potts et al are bought in to bolster the depth then happy days, if they are being positioned as the quality signings we need then I'd begin to worry
There will be a significant moment to come regarding what might happen with Zach Mitchell next season. If he stays his first team chances might be quite limited, but it would be wrong for him to end up in the circumstances of the second half of last season at Colchester. I don’t know how these things can be constructed, but for me the best next step if he isn’t a regular first teamer for us at the moment, would be an initial half season loan at a club that is kind of certain to play him. Maybe Gillingham or Wimbledon or Bromley.
Agreed but he needs to sign a new contract first or he would come back from a half season loan in January with a few months left on his existing one
Remember. Lua Lua did tremendously well for Jones .:-(
This is my big concern about getting Jones band of brothers back together who were great 3/4 years ago. If Hylton, Potts et al are bought in to bolster the depth then happy days, if they are being positioned as the quality signings we need then I'd begin to worry
No way Hylton is being viewed as that player. Potts maybe but he’s only 30, Lualua was aging winger signed when the transfer window was closed, don’t think the comparison is valid tbf.
I don't whether Ness will eventually make the grade or not, I base that on Tom Lockyer, never could see that fella being better than lower championship and for me the fault in his game was his passing but he ends up captain of a premiership side. I know bugger all about how players develop for sure.
Remember. Lua Lua did tremendously well for Jones .:-(
This is my big concern about getting Jones band of brothers back together who were great 3/4 years ago. If Hylton, Potts et al are bought in to bolster the depth then happy days, if they are being positioned as the quality signings we need then I'd begin to worry
No way Hylton is being viewed as that player. Potts maybe but he’s only 30, Lualua was aging winger signed when the transfer window was closed, don’t think the comparison is valid tbf.
For clarity, I don't think Hylton in particular is being viewed that way, I think a lot of us would be a bit miffed if we ended up with a bunch of Jones merrymen IF it doesn't end up working out. Potts may only be 30 but I can't see why he is being positioned as the top drawer centre half we need to stop shipping shabby goals. To me it feels like we are beginning to see the exhaustion of primary targets and then into Nathan's black book of contacts. It'll be hard to say definitively which way it's going/gone until the end of the window.
The club can’t afford a stock pile of “potential”. Decisions have to be made as to whether the manager feels it’s worth taking time or not. At age 22, it’s really is a crossroads. If he’s not ready then he’s wages and squad place are keeping someone that the manager feels is worth his place out of the squad. Some of these decisions will backfire but you need to trust the judgement of the man picking the team. I think Jones has made his decision. Good luck to the lad though. Will be a good incentive to prove Jones wrong.
Fair points but does beg the question as to why he was given a one year extention then? And the timing of that?
Was it just to get a small fee or sell on clause or was he seen as back up if other deals didn't get done or as a player with potential it was worth taking a small financial risk on?
Had he refused it and gone elsewhere we would have been given a fee through arbitration right?
Perhaps it was a gamble putting the offer on the table with the preface you’re not really in the plans, hoping he would say no and we get money regardless?
I don't whether Ness will eventually make the grade or not, I base that on Tom Lockyer, never could see that fella being better than lower championship and for me the fault in his game was his passing but he ends up captain of a premiership side. I know bugger all about how players develop for sure.
You joking? He was our best defender that season by a miles, only defender we had that looked like he could play high end championship if not higher..
Ness is underrated and a good player. Anyone who saw him play away art Man Utd in the cup game would be surprised that he is being let go. He was excellent that night against Premier League attackers.
don’t see that.. consistently he was poor, odd good game, one of being Man Utd.. but players can some times have good game against a more superior opposition doesn’t make them a good player.. look at Lisbie again us in the cup.. Zach Mitchell is a lot better player than him that’s for sure!
Interesting stat from ChicagoAddick, Lucas Ness hasn't featured in any pre season friendly, I could be wrong but I believe Zac Mitchell has appeared in all of the friendlies so far and from the ones I've seen, you can see why, he can pass out of defence.
I recall Garner’s last game when both of them were young . Zac looked head and shoulders above Ness - stronger , quicker , better on the ball. Ness then went on a decent run but looked pretty hopeless last season, admittedly in a terrible team.
Theres a good player in Ness. Can see him move to a League Two but in a season or two be playing higher. May even get a League One gig this summer.
For Lucas Ness read Matt Elliott. Wasn’t quite good enough at the time and went to Torquay. Was then sold to Leicester and the rest is history.
Or one of the hundreds of players we've released, who've ended up in L2 or non league football.
Comments
id keep him for another year in what’s hopefully a more successful season
Plus if we really are looking to bring in another CB that pushes Ness even further down the pecking order as he is near enough a specialist CB where players like Ramsay, Edwards and Mitchell have a bit more utility.
I can see him following the path of Terrell Thomas and having a very respectable L1/L2 career but I just don't see him getting higher than that unless he joins a side doing a Luton/Wrexham style burst up the leagues.
I just want to be part of the conversation.
Was it just to get a small fee or sell on clause or was he seen as back up if other deals didn't get done or as a player with potential it was worth taking a small financial risk on?
Time for him to try out somewhere else where he can be a 1st choice CB, regain his confidence and be the best he can be. Possibly National League premier similar to Deji Elerewe who's career path has been bumpy of late at Bromley. New season and new start for both Deji and Lucas; Deji is still only 20 but Lucas needs to make his mark soon.
I wish them both fitness and good luck.
Really tough trying to make it in Professional football for most, only the few in every club have a totally smooth transition from academy level to 1st team player and a spring board up the divisions to be financially secure.
He's a decent footballer and will have a good career whatever happens in his immediate future.
If he stays his first team chances might be quite limited, but it would be wrong for him to end up in the circumstances of the second half of last season at Colchester.
I don’t know how these things can be constructed, but for me the best next step if he isn’t a regular first teamer for us at the moment, would be an initial half season loan at a club that is kind of certain to play him.
Maybe Gillingham or Wimbledon or Bromley.
.:-(
Agreed but he needs to sign a new contract first or he would come back from a half season loan in January with a few months left on his existing one
Zach Mitchell is a lot better player than him that’s for sure!