has spoken about Jack Payne according to this report...http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/2012/november/20/jack_payne.aspx? I have read some of the rubbish elsewhere and thankfully none of that stuff was posted on not606. So in the words of our manager... "Jack has done nothing wrong, heâs a good lad. There has been no fall-out, no disciplinary procedure, it is just my view. That is what I am paid for, to make those decisions and we will see what happens. As usual Martin Allen quashes the rumour mill and has my full support.
i'm sure without a doubt that we will sign david wright and one other by close of play at 5pm Thursday.
My worry is who will want to pay good money for someone who isn't good enough for us. (Allens view not mine)
The Payne situation is unusual and he is certainly not an average midfielder. 3 years ago he looked one of the best young midfielders in league 1 and a glittering future beckoned. Since then he has not improved at all and if anything he has got slower but we see glimpses of talent still. so it is a mystery why he has stagnated although it may be partly explained by injuries. Two decent managers have failed to shake him and with the team seeming to do better without him as well as his questionable fitness, nobody is going to pay much if any transfer fee. But that does not mean that a bigger club might will not be interested especially if they have a good development system and have kept tabs on him over time and they might give him a chance to come good. If he does not take it he will descend to an average league 2 campaigner who just did not fulfill his potential so there is a lot at stake for someone still young. This is make or break for him. I cannot see the enthusiasm for David Wright (unless Vincelot is going elsewhere). Gills are covered several times over with Jackman/Dack/Vincelot/Montrose/Lee/Whelpdale/Allen competing for 3 or 4 places and even then that excludes Strevens and Weston as attacking midfielders. If Montrose can maintain his performances of the last month he is going to gain ownership of one of the defensive roles and if Wright re-signs there will need to be a clear out of some sort. The vulnerabilities (to injury or loss of form) remain full backs or central attackers. Allen must know this but he has ridden his luck well and he has been very fortunate with the standard of form of key players. A run of poor form from Fish, Kedwell or Weston would have far more impact than 2 or 3 midfielders going off the boil.
I think Payne is still a good player but he is one who has not lived up to the bill, when he broke into the team at the age of 16 I thought within a few years he would be playing Championship/Premiership football, if you had said then that he would still be at Gillingham 4 years later I would have been shocked, however if MA wants him to leave I back him as I have a lot of trust in the man. I would be very happy if we were to sign Vincelot as I think he is top class for this level and is good enough for League 1, his work rate is great and he runs around chasing players down all through the game and that is the sort of player we need.
