Paying over 12 months is done through a loan offered by finance providers, you sign up to the full amount, often with interest and then have to reapply the following season. It’s rarely 12 months either, most providers will do a max of 9 months which make payments more expensive. You also have no option to leave until the end. A direct debit has the advantage of only ever advertising the monthly price, which is low as its spread over 12 months, I bet a large proportion don’t actually know how much they pay in a year. You also have to opt out to leave rather than reapply each year, again a common tactic in customer retention for other industries
IMO Longman would have added to the exit list (and for good money) by now if not for the situation we find ourselves in..
Last summer was similar, although perhaps not as severe, we had LR regurgitating "the players need time to gel" for the first few months of the season. We'd have also been in this position had LR not been sacked.
Despite the noises coming out of the HDM recently, I think there's still a decent chance Longman goes. When he came off yesterday, the manager spoke to him as he came past him and was clearly explaining and gesturing what he had wanted Longman to do. Longman basically held his hands out and walked back to the dugout with a face on, shaking his head. Compare that to the love-in when Simons came off huge grins, double high five (high ten?) and hugs between the manager and Simons and it's clear one is much happier than the other. Same at the final whistle. Longman came back into the pitch and was having a right moan to Pandur about something that had happened during the game, pointing and waving his hands around, again shaking his head and generally looking pissed off with the whole thing. He looked thoroughly fed up.
I think Giles will still go too... If we get the wingers in, with this rotational Style, the LB isn't a right back, the CB isn't a CB, etc etc.. I'd be happy for now with Coyle there Furlong perhaps as cover and Drameh right...
Absolutely spot on. None of the exits have been unexpected, incoming just slower than ideal, but then there are reasons behind that: - TW didn't officially start until 1st July, therefore not fully able to assess squad - LD leaving and new structure in place for recruitment - Previous identified players likely not fitting of TW style - 10 day camp in Turkey, TW won't have had chance to speak with potential signings - impact of Euro's on Premier clubs, means their youngsters are going on the overseas tours. I think we will get at least a pair from Liverpool in mid August Sounds like there is a lot developing behind the scenes, and could be 3 or 4 by Friday. I am sure we will have a decent squad for Bristol, and a very good squad come the end of the window.
Yet several were (wrongly) saying he doesn't press, he doesn't work, can't hold the ball up, no good with back to goal, etc. Yes, his key strength is finishing, but as we saw glimpses of today, he's a very good all round player for this level. My only doubt is keeping him injury free (and of course providing him with decent service which is near totally missing at the moment).
Finally, someone on my positive wavelength! I would say Tufan was unexpected though, and a shame. But that’s it.
Oscar looked much fitter than he did 18 months ago I wonder if hes fully over that ankle injury he suffered from
I disagree, he’s not a very good all round player for this level. His numbers are good and goals win games but let’s not pretend he’s something he isn’t. Delap is superior in almost every way bar his goal scoring rate (which is only marginally worse based on his time with us). Believe it or not I actually like Oscar, meant to be a great guy too and I hope he scores a hat full for us this season but when he doesn’t score, he doesn’t contribute a tonne and his ability with his back to goal or bringing others into play is average at best for this level
Being Ryan Longman always looks very frustrating to be honest. Try as he might, nothing ever seems to come off for him. Summed him up when he made a run, was caught offside and then fired hopelessly wide anyway. He definitely has something but he lacks confidence here and it probably doesn't help him that there's such a lack of other attacking quality.
1 in 4 (in a better team) v's 1 in 3. Delap, if he can improve his goal scoring record, is potentially a special talent, bound for a decent PL career. With Oscar, I deliberately typed "for this level". I would of course prefer we signed Delap all day long, but it's not really a comparison to make. Yesterday, we saw him pressing, working hard, etc etc, all things some were saying he doesn't do. Each entitled to our opinions, and as always, TWT, but I'm very glad he's back with us.
Oscar was free.. (probably wrong)... Delap was money we didnt have... Oscar will only improve under this system...
I agree, he’s not the best at it but he can do all the simple stuff. It helps when he gets simple balls and more support from the players around him. He’s never going to go charging down the channels picking up and holding long balls or turning defenders and breaking through the defence. So as long as the team doesn’t play like they expect him to do all that stuff it’s not a huge problem.
In fairness I don’t think he doesn’t try hard or press, I just don’t think he’s particularly suited to it because he’s not the most mobile. He’s not a carthorse but he’s not particularly mobile either and I think that sort of where I see him. Average for this level but propped up by his numbers.
No but aside from his goals, where he’d get 4 less a season based on the numbers (I think but maths may need checking) he’s as good or better then Oscar in every way
