This was always on the cards, have no idea why it has taken so long. Apparently we made him a really good offer (I have no idea what that means). But not good enough. Both Robinson and Smithies think they can take a step up, I will be surprised if Robinsons injury prone leg will allow him to. We do need players who really want to play for the club at this time though. Robinson going was not our decision, so we cannot blame the club for it. Smithies is also the right decision, but I wish we could have got a bit more for him
The Robinson one is really hard. Could be argued that he should have been offered a new contract a lot earlier (perhaps he was) even when injured, if we thought he was any good, then at least we could have got some cash for him. But as far as I understand it Ollie didn’t rate him and he only started playing when we were down to (cliche alert) the bare bones, when he came good. Smithies is worth what someone will pay for him and what we are prepared to accept. Joining us from Huddersfield cost him PL experience, he’s probably desperate to make up for that. Sure he could do better than Cardiff though.
No...not officially in any way yet.. All over twittersphere and as a possible/probable on Skytransfer
From what i've seen of Ingram he is certainly a capable replacement. He's full of experience in L1, we're a team who finished in the bottom half last season. Can we really afford to be picky here? Seems a natural progression for Ingram to take his place. £4mil does seem cheap for Smithies. I do wish him well though. He's had a hell of a lot to do in his spell with us.
It's a tad surreal atm. McClaren comes in and we get a bit excited. McClaren starts speaking austerity in his opening speech. Robinson goes. Smithies likely off. No signings yet. Call me an Eyore if you wish but there is a trend there!
As far as I am concerned, if the likes of Smithies, Robinson, Onouha etc don't want to stay then that's fine by me. They don't have to go, clauses in contract or not. Let's rebuild, add some youth and lower league players (I am concerned we are not being linked with anyone, I must say). We should just hold out for as much as possible, wherever we can.
I’m not worried about us not being linked with anyone, a lot of players we’ve signed in the last year have sneaked under the radar. I’m sure if any money is available Steve will have targets and if we can do our business out of the media’s glare I’ll be very happy.
4mill is a joke, way under value if true.If TF can't stand his ground, and be more of a hard nosed business man, then please employ someone that is and gets the best deals for us!!!
players are only worth what someone else is willing to pay. We can value players at whatever you want to but it's meaningless if no-one will pay it. Everyone always thinks that they can do better, always easier on the outside looking in.
Personally, I think TF and Co needs to start being honest and stop talking crap. It's no good employing Stcheev and sell all your best players. We may as well have just sold the whole team kept Hollow and given him 50p to compete in the division. Worrying times.
