Small didn't impose himself enough on games where he could have made a difference and he tended to get it wrong when it counted. His crossing wasn't brilliant - 3 assists in 39 league games - and when he had a shot on goal he tended to blast the opportunity miles over the bar with his left unlike TC who figured out that low curling shot into the corner. Small got two league goals and both were with his right foot from close range. Jones used to go mad when Small would create an opening, shape his body and the shot would go into space or straight at the keeper. He's only turning 21 next month so loads of time to work on that but if he wanted paying like a top level member of our squad and it would have hit the wage budget then that's not something we could afford to do; worth remembering that Jones preferred Edwards and Ramsay over him initially and it was only when fairly pushed into a corner that the RWB experiment ended up being what we needed. Maybe we didn't offer enough money but I suspect Jones wasn't willing to recognise Small at the level of player he though he was and we decided there was a maximum we could offer and it was less than Preston. It would be in-keeping with the way Jones acted towards him in general
Small didn't impose himself enough on games where he could have made a difference and he tended to get it wrong when it counted. His crossing wasn't brilliant - 3 assists in 39 league games - and when he had a shot on goal he tended to blast the opportunity miles over the bar with his left unlike TC who figured out that low curling shot into the corner. Small got two league goals and both were with his right foot from close range. Jones used to go mad when Small would create an opening, shape his body and the shot would go into space or straight at the keeper. He's only turning 21 next month so loads of time to work on that but if he wanted paying like a top level member of our squad and it would have hit the wage budget then that's not something we could afford to do; worth remembering that Jones preferred Edwards and Ramsay over him initially and it was only when fairly pushed into a corner that the RWB experiment ended up being what we needed. Maybe we didn't offer enough money but I suspect Jones wasn't willing to recognise Small at the level of player he though he was and we decided there was a maximum we could offer and it was less than Preston. It would be in-keeping with the way Jones acted towards him in general
Reading their forum is like going through the stages of grief. It looks like they’re finally at acceptance. Also I’m not sure if it’s jealousy or not but so many clubs that were in or around it at the end of last season have taken a real dislike to us.
People REALLY dislike NJ in a way that I think is really hard for us to comprehend
And also the way we set up to stifle teams and stop them playing
Reading their forum is like going through the stages of grief. It looks like they’re finally at acceptance. Also I’m not sure if it’s jealousy or not but so many clubs that were in or around it at the end of last season have taken a real dislike to us.
People REALLY dislike NJ in a way that I think is really hard for us to comprehend
And also the way we set up to stifle teams and stop them playing
It’s this, and the fact he’s so over the top. It irritates people
If I was to hazard a guess I’d say the two clubs have reached an agreement on a fee and now it’s a case of structuring it. Also sounds to me like Apter is keen to join us and has probably agreed terms. I’ve no idea just how good or not Apter is but there doesn’t appear to be a clamour from Championship clubs but perhaps that’s down to us being quick off the mark with a bid etc.
Wouldn't worry too much about other Championship clubs not publicly being in for him, not a way to judge a signing entirely.
There are some real quality players in League 1 still that no Championship sides are appearing to show interest in from what I can tell.
A lot of these Champ sides may have settled squads or are shopping elsewhere than League 1.
At first Blackpool fans were quoting £5m for him, now it's looking that we're likely to get him - suspect for around the £2m mark - some will do the usual "he lacks pace" and "he's not all that", just the normal cycle of clubs losing players.
Not seen him play, but the blackpool forum seems to suggest he's lacking pace. For those that know the player, is that a fair concern?
I feel pace is important for the Small role.
Bruce says he has the ability to go past people. That doesn’t scream lack of pace and even if he’s not that quick going past people is what matters however achieved.
Remember Paddy Powell?
Not the fastest, but good engine, ability to tie defenders in knots - and good end product.
I think there’s a certain potency and competence about NJ that scares the crap out of other clubs… that then gets converted into hatred
Jealousy plain and simple, seeing how he has changed the club for the good based on hard work and clever thinking, "nowt so queer as folk" as the saying goes...🤷♂️
I cant see us paying more than £1m-1.5m for a player who has only played one full season in league one. Blackpool fans are deluded much like the Stockport fans when we signed Tanto.
I can see us paying more than £1m-1.5m for a player who has only played one full season in league one. Blackpool fans are deluded much like the Stockport fans when we signed Tanto.
If we are prepared to drop £1.5-2m on a player very similar to small, then it goes to show it wasn’t about the money when he went to Preston. Always got the impression NJ wasn’t convinced about Small. Certainly wouldn’t have been about his talent, must’ve been around his attitude and he did come with a reputation.
Small was very popular with supporters because of his personality and character. Thierry was very raw last season and went from skilling up 3 players to running the ball out of play. I'm expecting a big improvement at Preston when he reverts to a left sided attacking player with the option of switching to the right.
Thierry is part of our successful 24/25 history and we thank him for that and wish him well other than when he plays against CAFC when we hope he has a mare.
Pretty pleased with the signing so far, but I’m still waiting for an eye-opener: like a player that I’ve noticed when they played against us, like a Galbraith.
Pretty pleased with the signing so far, but I’m still waiting for an eye-opener: like a player that I’ve noticed when they played against us, like a Galbraith.
Did you not notice Apter at The Valley when they walked all over us? (And then spent the second half pretending to be dead, sure)
Jokes aside, Apter sounds really good from what I am reading, sounds like one of those that could really develop in the next couple of years & appears like a smart investment.
Get the feeling it would be him and TC either side of Leaburn/Tanto/Godden. Would be ideal if we could sign someone who could play all across the front 3 if we bag Apter. Would allow us to be fluid and rotate the squad easily, whereas before we have had to play players through necessity, or fit square pegs in round holes.
My god Blackpool fans are a weird bunch aren’t they? So many of them are Finding all sorts of ways to cope with him leaving, one has now moved onto him being a bad egg and noticing him celebrating on his own when a goal is scored.
My god Blackpool fans are a weird bunch aren’t they? So many of them are Finding all sorts of ways to cope with him leaving, one has now moved onto him being a bad egg and noticing him not joining in when celebrating a goals….
Comments
There are some real quality players in League 1 still that no Championship sides are appearing to show interest in from what I can tell.
A lot of these Champ sides may have settled squads or are shopping elsewhere than League 1.
Not the fastest, but good engine, ability to tie defenders in knots - and good end product.
If Mr Rapture can do that - it ticks most boxes.
Ours too. You only have to read this thread 😜
Small was very popular with supporters because of his personality and character.
Thierry was very raw last season and went from skilling up 3 players to running the ball out of play.
I'm expecting a big improvement at Preston when he reverts to a left sided attacking player with the option of switching to the right.
Thierry is part of our successful 24/25 history and we thank him for that and wish him well other than when he plays against CAFC when we hope he has a mare.
I can already see Jones vision now. Macca diagonal long ball to Apter, Apter takes it down, runs it down the wing, ball in, goal kick.
Get the feeling it would be him and TC either side of Leaburn/Tanto/Godden. Would be ideal if we could sign someone who could play all across the front 3 if we bag Apter. Would allow us to be fluid and rotate the squad easily, whereas before we have had to play players through necessity, or fit square pegs in round holes.