They likely could afford them -- Sharp's wages are on the high end in the Championship, but I'd guess that perhaps half or more of the teams in the division have someone on or around 20k p/w -- but I'm not sure that he's the best use of that money for them or anyone else in the division. Had he excelled in one of his loan spells, I'd imagine that we would have been able to get someone to take his contract off our hands, but alas that hasn't happened.
He joined us, we gave him a contract, he made a big contribution to our promotion, but then was surplus to requirements. I have been annoyed at those leaving and ignoring their contracts, so it would be contrary for me to moan because someone insisted we honoured his contract. When you give someone a contract, they leave another club because they think they have security for 3-5 years. I am sure if the difference was small, he would have moved on, so I suspect the difference was considerable. Loans mean that he gets to play, but keeps his salary...I don't blame him for that.
Each year he has been surplus here he has managed to get a loan deal where he has played pretty regularly (aside from injury), so this is perfect for him. The loaning club no doubt pay a % of his wages and we cover the rest so he is playing competitive football whilst still earning more money than he ever would by moving to another club permanently.
Yes, I forgot about the Lallana and Grabon money. Good point. In terms of player, I'd have thought a few championship clubs would be wanting him.
Agreed Fran and I'm discussing where he could do a good job; I'm not suggestin for one minute he shouldn't be taking his salary each month.
Maybe the idea is that at the end of each game, instruct one of the CMs to injure an opposition player. They'll get red carded and 3 match ban, but if the opposition player is out for more than 3 matches it's a net gain.... just means we need lots of CMs to cover the suspended ones.
Cork is overrated by many of our fans. Decent for our bench but most of our fans seem to think he's better than Wanyama.
Cork is a good midfielder, and so is Wanyama, but they have different strengths. The only difference in viewpoints is whether you place more emphasis on defensive abilities, or passing. I like them both.
Just spoke to a friend of mine, works at southampton airport, he's just told me that Ronald and Erwin got on a flight to Manchester earlier, make of that what you will, Ings? Hernandez?someone else totally?
I said this earlier, if we could somehow merge Wanyama and Cork into a single player, he would certainly be one of the world's best.
I'd be playing Wanyama most games, personally. When we go forward, he can drop back with the CBs for a back 3, to allow the full backs to get forward more.