I like Batty. Nothing to say he won't come back one day cos I think hell have a good career. He's not currently as good defensively as Smallwood or Jones. Not currently as good an engine as Doc or George. Not currently as good going forward as George or Crowley. Cant really compare him to Flores cos I haven't seen Flores but suspect a different kind of midfielder. Note I didn't mention Slater, but if Batts has sat on a contract offer for a year without signing then it's fair enough he goes and plays somewhere else. Best wishes to the lad, maybe our paths will cross again someday.
Geo was. JayJay wasn't, but arguably the most naturally talented footballer to grace the KC, whether at the end of his career or not.
He's only a young lad and has time on his side. Too much of a plodder for me but I wish him well at his next club.
Looking at the remaining fixtures I think we’ll finish on 90-92 points. That’s my prediction....My opinion.. win the ****er at a canter...
I’d argue he was probably at his peak when he signed for Barca for 20 million. Not when he signed for us on a free. Still one of the finest, if not the finest player to ever pull on our shirt though.
But no one took him except us after a year of kicking his heels and been touted around And has now signed on a short term deal on a lot less than what we offered him two years ago. If only other clubs were aware a HU postcode is the most important thing when signing a player.
The fanfare Batty has left to from the supporters is laughable. Completely agree with what you've said. It's almost like the lads who come through our academy can't be criticised. It's no surprise those who are saying we should have kept Batty, and given him more chances are the same who jump on McCann's back after we lose a game. Considering we have the option to purchase Slater, and he's 2 years younger if I had to choose between the 2 I'd go with Regan. He's a better player with plenty of room for growth. I doubt we'll keep him either mind, especially if we go up, but he's still an improvement on Bats and rightly above him in the pecking order. Wish Dan well at Fleetwood, he just needs to play regularly. They've just got rid of Coutts, so he'll go in and fill that void
Slater has shown absolutely nothing for us. I’m fine with letting batty go but after that you’re post is ridiculous.
He's shown more than Batty has this season. He was brought in as a non-salary cap player to offer cover. He's not spectacular and I wouldn't bother keeping him but I think he's a better prospect than Batty and that's why he's been on the bench ahead of him every week.
I think that's a bit unfair. He's been inconsistent but has shown some talent, especially with some of his long range passing, and showed a fair bit under Adkins that he could be a decent Championship player. I can understand (and feel the same) why some people are disappointed that we'll no longer see that potential develop. As for Slater, I don't really have an opinion on him yet as I don't think we've seen enough of him to decide whether he's better/worse than Batty.
Why is Slater ahead of him then? Dan does have good long range passing but it feels like every time he gets the ball that's what he tries, and 70% of the time it's cut out by the opposition. The big issue is that he's 23, he's not a youngster, he's only a few months younger than Doc, he's the same age as Alfie Jones. The best midfield prospect we have is C Jones, he's looked really promising. Surely it's worth giving the minutes to him instead
Batty fell out with mcann that’s why. There only you on here who thinks slater is better and a better bet for us. But you seem to be able to see and know a lot more than us, so there you go.
Batty's no world-beater, but he was a decent steady player, he reminded me of Corry Evans. I preferred Batty to Slater, who's looked thoroughly mediocre for us.
I don't understand why both of them couldn't get minutes? I've seen enough from Batty that makes me think he deserved some gametime, even coming on as sub. I'd rather Jones got Slater's appearances.
I think the only reason Slater gets a game is because of obligations to Sheffield United... he could have gone back yesterday for me...
