Well we can't of course. But it would be an appalling mistake by Dan I'd say. It would mean he'd barely play, his value would reduce and his options with it. Football moves on apace all the time, people forget, there's always another player emerging. He'll turn 24 by Christmas . For a player as good as he is, he needs to get that "set you up" contract signed. Somewhere.
It also shows the younger players we have a pathway to the first team, that really important to be able for us to attract the best young talent
I back Hume, rigg and huggins to surprise people, Ballard will be solid, isidor 100% has a part to play, aji has everything to be a prem footballer fitness depending, could all be the depth we’ve been asking for for months
It's all very well saying we should clear out those players and keep signing £20/30m foreigners ... ... but you'll eventually end up becoming just like other clubs and wondering how to finance the leaner times. I understand the attraction of 'football manager' but you can't just reload in reality, there are consequences.
I have no faith in Huggins or Alese to play anywhere near enough games of football. We’ll see though, no doubting their ability
The club, and RLB, will be much more careful with our existing players and finances than the supporters ... ... it may not be as radical or exciting but we have to trust the club to get it right. In fact there's no other option tbh.
Fully agree, we have to show the younger players there will be opportunities. Would we have got Jobe to sign if he thought he would be discarded after a season for a player from abroad? Its a very fine line we have to tread between success and progress on the pitch and developing our own superstars
I don't think the club has abandoned the principles that got us up from League 1. Just reality of the step up to PL being a chasm. Hopefully if we can survive and build expect more lads coming through academy etc. in time in similar way the team that got us up was developed.
I also don't think the club have given up on the policy that got us in the PL... what I do think, the step up is massive and we simply don't have the time to "bring on" a number of our players that potentially could make it. The number of players we have bought and will continue to buy pretty much underlines this...
That's true but it's been a gradual process from L1 to the Championship and now the PL ... ... the academy has produced the likes of Watson and Rigg so we need to keep that going. Of course there'll be talented young players like Hemir, who just don't make it for some reason, but the club won't expect a 100% hit rate.
Was talking to a mate at work today, Mag season card holder for 30 odd years and he's one you can talk to. He says the feeling around the fans is one of "frustration", some starting to think the owners aren't what they say they are or what the fans thought would be happening.
You're right, in my opinion, that this season isn't typical of what we should eventually aim for ... ... this first season will be clinging onto our PL place at all costs. Things can change once that's achieved.
You don't mate, but if he had no inclination to come here, we've lost nothing. It's Bologna's problem. Much like ours with Dan Neil.