With the news that no offers are on the table for are two young guns Mason and Nelson it is difficult to know if it's best to laugh or cry. There was an inquiry about Nelson awhile back from possibly Spurs and we know that Mason refused a move to Swindon during the January transfer window. The thought of them both starting the new season with Argyle is a great prospect and a boost to squad moral. The problem is that not only have we got phantom buyers we also have a phantom bank balance,so what is the best for Argyle should they be sold or should they stay ? How desperate are we for financial turnover,is it essential that we continue to sell players. Mason and Nelson have been paid in full,we would like to think because of their playing value to the team,but in reality we know it is more possible because we could not afford to see them do a Bolasie and go for peanuts. With still to many players on championship wages something needs to give to allow Peter Reid to build a squad that can hold there own even in DIV TWO.
I know what you mean Plymborn. This whole sorry experience in general has been an amalgamation of emotions, the majority of which are extremely negative. It was reported in a tabloid two days ago that Leicester and WBA we're interested in Joe, however no deal has been put on table. It's an difficult situation, and that's why Reid is paid () to make these decisions. It's a balancing act. Personally I'd be gutted if we lost Joe and Curtis, but not at all surprised. Due to their age and improvement over the past 18 months they are pretty much our only rays of hope for the coming season and beyond.
I think we need to try and keep these 2 if at all possible. having come through the ranks last season I am guessing that their wages are not in the OMG how much bracket and we need something to build on. In addition another 6-12 months experience and good performances will increase their sell on value as and when we get offers. Mason has shown promise but hardly blasted onto the scene, I know poor team blah blah but I doubt we will get any big money offers for him. Nelson perhaps a better offer will come in but again it will be potential clubs are buying him for. Whilst standing out for us last season most of the higher level clubs will have youngsters to similar standards/potential.
We are being told that Arnason want's away,thats disappointing in a way because of his throwing ability. Peter Reid should know the potential of that as an ex-Stoke employee. I assume that Arnason is one the wage packets we would like to off-load.
I would think he is looking to keep as much as he can at the moment but Arni going would be a loss. Hopefully things will sort themselves out and give PR chance to put together something like the side he wants. I know he has said he has things lined up on a couple of players but time is dragging on and he may end up losing targets through no fault of his own. Would like to see him given a fair crack of the whip.
Apparently Arni has said he wants to go to Iceland. Doesn't he know there's one in Plympton and they even do free home delivery on orders over £10 !
Peter Reid has already said that some of his targets have found clubs............can only blame the long administration that is stopping us from taking on players..........also when that is finalised we will probably know where we stand with Zubar.
Maybe he is missing Icelands version of smog...........good old volcanic cloud dust smearing his windscreen. He would have loved London in the 1950-60s, policemen directing traffic with flares.
On balance, I'd be much happier if Mason & Nelson stayed and Arnason went than the other way around. That's firstly because my guess would be Arnason is more highly paid than the 2 youngsters and the player wage budget is going to be stretched, so we might as well kepp 2 players for the cost of one. Secondly, Arnason is never going to worth more than he is today, whereas Mason & Nelson may appreciate in value, as long as their contracts aren't allowed to run down to nothing. Lastly, it looks as though we'll have Fletcher, Damien Johnson [if fit] and Walton to fill centre midfield. We don't really need another experienced player there and I was never convinced by Arnason in the back 4.
GLE The money these guys are earning I think you can pretty much gaurantee he hasn´t been to Iceland now Fortnum and Mason thats a different matter. We are only guessing on the wage front but if we are looking to ship out one of the ´big 3´ I hope it´s Johnson nothing against the player but Fletch is staying and they are in a similar mould and age bracket. Would rather keep Walton and hope he can grow the hell up and actually use some of the talent he obviously has, big hope I know. Wish we could keep Arni but there is no point in keeping a player if his heart is not in it. Team spirit is going to be critical this year. I suggest we stop paying them much earlier this year as performances improved when they where hungry (literally) Stop wages in September and promo is a shoe in
We WILL sell anyone that anyone else wants to buy. That is the reality whether we like it or not. Personally I don't like it but as there is little other choice then have to accept it. We will do the same thing again and again over the coming seasons if we have players who have blossomed and shown promise enough to attract a bid. The bigger loss in my opinion would be Nelson. I think he came on in leaps and bounds last season and for his years shows much more promise than anyone else we have. Mason was ok in parts. None of the consistant performances that we got from Nelson although that could be said about most of the squad. Arnason is expendable. I thought he did really well in the latter part of the season but did not set any fires at the start. His wages are too high for us so if he can be got rid of then there is no doubt he will go. I would suggest the same applies to Walton. He did well when he came back and it was a little like having a new signing. He could do well if he has learned his lessons but his wages will dictate his fate if an offer is made. His record on the discipline front and attitude might put most off however. It is hardly surprising that some on Reid's list have already gone. It would have been the same had we not been in this situation so I don't think you can read too much into it. He will have a list bigger than he needs or could afford so I have no doubt he will have a squad of his own when he needs it. Hopefully sooner rather than later to allow for pre-season but I will bet now he has at least 20 by the time first kick off comes.
Arnason has been given a free, Ridsdale's told him he is free to find a club, sounds like he is going back to Bejams......sorry Iceland. Patterson can go as well,but if he is still without a club he can turn up for pre-season training. Bhasera is still injured and lost in Africa. Damien Johnson is staying with Argyle....or Huddersfield......or Argyle........or Huddersfield.........or etc.....etc......etc. If my maths is right........4 from 11= seven players sitting on the wall and if one green player should accidentally fall there'll be six green players sitting on the wall.......NO AGATHA CHRISTIE AINT UP TO WRITING THIS STORY, (OK I know she died awhile back). Anyone for five aside.
Perhaps we can play rush or scrap goalies? Thats it I´m digging under the stairs for my boots chances of getting a game are pretty good now.
Things are looking up, even with only two thirds of a team I see that we are eighteenth in the Division Two league table.........I see that AFC Wimbledon have started very well.
So with two thirds of a team the bookies make us play-off contenders !!! Without knowing who will be in the squad,how can that be ??? Are they saying that DIV TWO is such crap that any team relegated from above is good enough without having a squad to be possible promotion candidates,don't they relize that Argyle have the evil eye on them at present.
Come on Plymborn, how likely is it to be a sure thing? Bookies make their money from unlikely bets like that. I seem to remember that the bookies predicted a play-off chase for us last season and we were better off then. If we are able to get several experienced (or young talented) players for the start of the season we could pull it off but I think a respectible mid-table finish is more likely.
Now lets try to keep up with this...........am I right or wrong..........at the moment we have these players....... Larrieu N'Gala Fletcher Harper-Penman Mason Walton Good heavens I must have lost at least one..........Oh yea.......Nelson. Leaves us with two or three players on championship wages still.
Johnson Patterson and Arnason are still here. The latter two looking to leave. Johnson will probably stay I think. Bhasera is still away in Zimbabwe somewhere. N'Gala, Fletcher, Larrieu, Arnason, Johnson and Walton are likely to be the highest earners we have left. Arnason will leave if he can find another club. Patterson will be looking for another club. Fletcher will be here this season but his contract extension ends next year so who knows what will happen after. Johnson, same as Fletcher above contract ends next year, unlikely to renew and will leave. N'Gala, god knows. He is contracted until next year but I have a feeling he will leave us if he starts to show some form. Waltons contract ends next season but I think (and hope) if he shows the play he started to show at the end of last season then he may attract attention. Larrieu will remain here. Likely if we can afford it he will become a GK coach. Mason, Nelson and Harper-Penman are likely to still be here although I think Nelson will be sold and perhaps loaned back to us for the season.
