Summer window

He’s nearly 33, if we extended his contract by a year he’d be coming up 35 at the end. I’d keep him this season and assess at the end but players deteriorate quickly sometimes at that age as Loovens did before our very eyes and he’s seemingly expressed a wish to be closer to family or have greater security of contract ( at least two years presumably).

 

Let him go in Jan. Helps us transition, makes no difference to him.

 

That Burnley FC documentary is worth a watch..great insight.

 

After years of players taking the piss out of the club, it is a tough one when someone like Batth who would deserve another deal is in this position. Problem is the club aren’t going to want to extend another year when he’ll be nearly 35 at the end of that contract. Even after last season, I would have expected the plan would be to transition him out of the side during this season, so an extension doesn’t make sense. I don’t want him to leave, he has a year left on a deal he signed, so I’d be happy to let him see it out, or to let him go in January. Harsh on Batth and probably deserves better, but have to put the clubs interests first. I don’t think hed cause unrest if we told him we want him staying past the window closing. Doesn’t sound like he’ll be staying though which would be a bit of an unnecessary risk for me.

 

Was enjoying it until the scene of a bunch of americans standing in the middle of the pitch with the floodlights on talking about their investment history and how much fun sport is. Just yuck.

 

Get your point but Hemir had made 21 appearances in the Portuguese equivalent of the Championship. People can't seem to get to their heads round Benfica B playing in the second flight. It isn't the reserve side.

Cannon has only played 20 second flight games albeit he scored 8 goals.

 

Genuine question cos I’ve no idea. How does the Portuguese second league compare to ours ?

 

Its ok technically but played at a slow pace tbh so really hard to compare to English or even Scottish football

Some really talented players in the league tho n some decent veterns who have played at a good level

Dont watch a lot of Portuguese football but thats my take on it mate

 

I've no idea but the lad was decrying Hemir's lack of experience saying he'd had no senior games. He's had 21 senior games and scored two goals in the Portuguese championship. Cannon has had 22 first team games in our championship but his lack of experience would not be an issue. People get mixed up thinking Benfica B is not first team football. It is.

 

TopCat, genuine question-Do you take pleasure from supporting SAFC?

 

It is.

 

True, it is, but it's playing in a league with other non reserve sides in a competitive competition. A bit like Man City Under 23's being in the championship and holding their own.

 

It is a professional league and it is competitive but the English championship is a lot stronger than the Portuguese championship.

 

What sort of stupid ****ing question is that?

 

Exactly that TC

 

True, but it means Hemir has played senior football before this season unlike TC's comment.

 

He probably just meant about the standard. I didnt think it was a big deal personally. I’ve seen comments on here that have been wrong about the standard that Stewart played before he joined us and nothing has been said. TC seems to be getting jumped on a fair bit atm and I’m not sure why. Seems like a good fair poster, to me.

 

I've only logged in over the last hour or so, had no idea. Wasn't jumping on any bandwagon or anything, just thought that it wasn't strictly true.

 

It does if he has a two year offer now on the back of being player of the season. He might not get an offer in January.