Nolan's Contract Offer.....

Just read this....

I don't personally see how that's a bad thing? They're dangling a carrot to him granted but it's a fair deal? Chances are if we finished top 10 he'd still get a deal?!

 

Judging from that talk in the other week, it seems like Barton & Nolan have some kind of 'pact' where one will sign if the other does. A bit pathetic and childish really, fair enough they've been crucial too us but they certainly are not indispensible. Sign up lads.

 

This!

 

Where did you read that mate?

Joey posted a pic of him and Nolan hugging on twitter with some soppy tagline. Completely agree with what you said as well.

 

I've been thinking that way for a few weeks now after Nolan declared that Barton should be retained.

 

I was there mate. It's clear that they are close etc, which obviously stimulates team spirit. However, I don't think the club should be held ransom by two players who are getting no younger. Don't get me wrong, I want to keep them, I love them as players, but if they're unwilling to sign, in order to progress you have to be ruthless.

 

This.

 

Does anyone know whether Barton has anything in front of him that he could sign if he wanted to ? The last I heard is that he says he doesn't and no one is saying anything to the contrary.

I don't mind personal loyalty myself. If Nolan wants to say "I won't sign a new contract while you're not offering Barton one" then that's fair enough. As long as he isn't washing dirty laundry in the media then I have nothing against him taking a stand on this.

 

If Barton was given the 4 year contract he deserved and wanted, Nolan would have signed straight away, but now Barton isn't getting a new contract, Nolan doesn't want to stay long term.

All this could have been avoided if people had just gotten rid of this stupid idea that a player is old and running out of form when he reaches 30. Some players don't reach their peak until their late 20's or early 30's.

Barton is in great shape and could easily last another 4 years and probably more.

 

I'd leave them and concentrate on getting players in and if they keep shouting their mouths off in the press then perhaps flog them on. If no decent offer comes in then i'd keep them in the side and see how they perform, if they have shockers and the likes of Cabeye, Ben Arfa and Gosling settle quickly then perhaps listen to offers in January.

 

totally agree

 

Joey Barton and Nolan have been the heart and soul of the team for some time now. It's not as simple as selling them and then "signing quality replacements" mate.

 

This!

 

All contractual terms can be discussed between the players and the club as the season progresses.

If Barton maintains his form then there is nothing to stop the club in October/November placing a new deal in front of him for 3 years with the possibility of an additional year to be agreed at a later date. It almost matches what he wants and if he turns his back on the offer; then so be it.

Nolan is in no rush to sign as he has two years remaining.

 

Why not? Are you saying we should just launch money at them? Pay them whatever just because?

I'm aware they bring alot to the side the dressing room, but as has previously been stated, Barton has had 1 good season in 4, why should we pander to his every need?

As much as they may be the 'heart and soul' this constant negative output will eventually have a damaging effect on the club and other players, then where will they be?

 

So, he'd only get a 12 month extension and a £10,000 per week wage increase if we finish 7th in the league?

That's a bit of a ****ty offer to be honest. Certainly not fair on Nolan. Even if he tries his best, his contract and wages are at the mercy of other players and how they perform. To be honest, I can see a deal like that causing conflict in the team more than anything else.

Why is Mike Ashley such an idiot sometimes?

 

Lord Beer = zeTom is my new theory.

Although Lord Beer seems smarter than zeTom was.

 

Where did i say pay them what ever they want mate? My desire for them to stay is partially inspired by the fact that they'd both stick to the wage cap.

Neither of them are asking for big wages, Barton even agreed a pay cut.

Don't just assume that i'd be one to throw money at them, just to keep them. If they were really tight bastards like that, then i'd have no love for them and then be happy for them to piss off, but i know they are big chracters on our team, and they held us together.

We can sign what we think are two more quality players to replace them, but that doesn't mean we'll perform as well.

 

Not disagreeing or agreeing but do we have actual proof that he offered to take a pay cut?

 

'Heart and soul' aside; they cannot try to hold the club to ransom over contract negotiations because they 'just want to be together'.

At the end of the day, the club will replace them as the club needs to keep forward momentum.