Not convinced on that score. Clarke yes, but Ballard hasn't been that much of a stand out - PL clubs might look at his performance in the cup match and wonder...
If I had to pick an ideal time for our best player to be out long term it'd be now. We aren't going up or getting relegated and I hope the players don't think the same but the rest of the season doesn't matter a great deal practically. Also Mundle looks an exciting player to me. Don't know much about his finer points but he's a fighter and someone who can make something happen even when the team is struggling. Looking forward to seeing more of him.
Our transfers since the new regime have transformed the club. Rather than having mercs after a pay day, we have young players with potential wanting to join us, something most clubs would envy. Granted not all have come off, but young players develop at different rates. We can't expect one 20 year old to develop at the same speed as another. We have also not given some players a real opportunity yet (Aouchiche for one), and we've rotated strikers too much trying to solve the lack of goals. What we do have though is a squad worth far more than it cost to assemble, another 180 change since KLD came in, and another thing other clubs would be envious of. We have to build in the right way, and understand that the chances are we will see some players not live up to their potential and that's a risk you have to take when using this model.
I think it was me. I also never win the lottery (come on you bastard lottery people, prove me wrong) How come everyone of our players who is injured is out for months, we dont seem to get little niggles. Why did Clarke come out for the second half?
That's actually a fair question. Perhaps Clarke himself felt that it wasn't that bad and that he could run it off. Alternatively he may have been asked to give it a go as we felt that we needed him on the pitch. This is where a strong sports science/ physio comes into play, if there was doubt, should have been cautious and protected the player, even from himself. Then again could just be down to pure dumb luck. In our case, bad luck.
Up to 6 weeks potentially means the next 8 games and returning for the last 4 games of the season. Clarke is a fit lad and doesn't pick up many injuries so it's not outside the realms of possibility he gets back for the Easter games. I'd absolutely be playing him as soon as he's fit - the idea of saving him so he's fit for a new club is utter nonsense
Selfishly wouldn’t might him getting a knock in the sheff wed game that keeps him out until September
Will need to get up to fitness in that time too. If it's the last couple and midtable, I doubt the club will want to risk a £20m
I know we have lost our best player through injury and the last few weeks have been a bit crap but this post has boiled my piss. Sure we probably won’t make the playoffs suggesting the season is over is ridiculous. What happened to playing for a bit of pride, or even some form that we can take into next season? Imagine if the players decided the season was over already. There will be a hell of a lot more twists and turns this season.
I agree about Aouchiche, with the right coaching he could become a real player. As far as recruitment is concerned, put Speakman up against Alex Ferguson and see what percentage of absolute flops they've had. Ferguson signed a keeper, for the first team, who was barely up to Lee Camp's level. He was awful, lasted about a month and vanished ... ... I still maintain they had him killed and he's at the bottom of Salford Docks.
I think there's just a feeling of disappointment in the air atm. The hype and how well we played lastyear and we have gone backwards has just took the buzz away slightly. Looking forward to the summer and let's hope its a proper kick on season to come.
I agree mate. Think Ballard, Clarke, Neil and possibly Patterson will be away. Should generate some income from that lot, which makes it really important that we spend the money well in the summer. Good thing is... Dack will be on his way out to his glittering reality tv career.
.... or playing for your place in the team. Anyone with any ambition should be pulling their puddings out to make an impression. I actually believe that selling a few players to Premier League teams will be a good thing. Not just for the money. It should also inspire a few of our youngsters to want to do the same. This can only be good for competition and the club.
