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I do like Roberts but he's NOT the be all and end all

He often fustrates and makes poor decisions. On his day he's unplayable, however, he should be an Amad for us and on a consistent basis.
He isnt Amad mate. Had his chance at top flight clubs and failed. Harsh, but that is the reality. I watched him at Derby and he was average. He has been very good for us, but the way some are going on you would think we are losing Maradona. Absolutely barmy in my opinion. We buy a player on a free, help him show his stuff, and go into some sort of groupthink doom because we receive a bid for him for a few million. If he goes then it is a see ya from me and we move on to the next lad. Just as well we didnt have the internet when the likes of Todd, Marco, Watson went, man it would have been bedlam.
 
This is why it's not easy following the 'model' , but in long run it's maybe or best chance of growing the club on solid foundations.

This is my problem though... what we are seeing today isn't following the model. There's a difference between planning and execution. Our plan and strategy is great.

But there is no chance that we wanted to execute these two sales on deadline day. No chance.

Not aiming this at you but its important we are able to differentiate between supporting the approach we are TRYING to take, whilst at the same time evaluating whether we are doing a good job at it. Being forced to sell your assets relatively cheaply and at short notice because you've failed to either secure them or sell them when their value is high - is poor execution of the strategy we are trying to take.
 
The silence from the club is madness mind.

We know clubs watch forums and such, and they are seeing people going into meltdown and people who have supported the ‘model’ and ownership start to turn.

That’s very difficult to turn back, and the entire model fails of lose the fans.

We are averaging 40k. We were averaging closer to 26k before place got a bit of a buzz.

There’s a real risk it goes flat on its arse again here. I, and most, accept we overachieved last season and was more hopeful than expectant this year.

What I didn’t expect was abstract failure to recruit anyone first team ready, and sale of prime assets below value.

Tomorrow is potentially a major crossroads for the club, the owners, the model.

I’m an eternal optimist, generally positive, and live my life by ‘what can we change to move forward’. I’m struggling right now to see where club is pulling.

Obv this is football so I hold the right to rescind this comment tomorrow. I ha e a sinking feeling I won’t though.
Genuinely think we need to calm down. The time to be angry is this time tomorrow. They haven't sold Roberts yet, Stewart was always away and we got 10m for a guy on last year of contract. Gooch is a great character but maybe it was time for him to move on. We've all complimented the club on how they've managed to keep signings hush hush in past so maybe everything is under control and we will sign 3 or 4 tomorrow and everything is fine. We are all getting angry over speculation. For all we know the club could be telling Soton to **** off re Roberts. KTF
 
He isnt Amad mate. Had his chance at top flight clubs and failed. Harsh, but that is the reality. I watched him at Derby and he was average. He has been very good for us, but the way some are going on you would think we are losing Maradona. Absolutely barmy in my opinion. We buy a player on a free, help him show his stuff, and go into some sort of groupthink doom because we receive a bid for him for a few million. If he goes then it is a see ya from me and we move on to the next lad. Just as well we didnt have the internet when the likes of Todd, Marco, Watson went, man it would have been bedlam.

If we could add a pacey winger with an eye for goal it would improve us.
 
I might be in the minority here, or even on my own, but Stewart going for 8m plus add ons then with a sell on clause is fine for me. He's injured, not sure how he'll be when he gets back, and we've been dealing without him for more than half a season anyway. Hemir, mayenda, plus one more we should be fine. If 2 more then perfect. I trust the club have got at least one on the cards.


Roberts would be a bigger worry. But he, or at least his agent, had said he's happy here. Not sure why that would have changed. Any reliable sources saying we're willing to listen to a bid ?
 
Genuinely think we need to calm down. The time to be angry is this time tomorrow. They haven't sold Roberts yet, Stewart was always away and we got 10m for a guy on last year of contract. Gooch is a great character but maybe it was time for him to move on. We've all complimented the club on how they've managed to keep signings hush hush in past so maybe everything is under control and we will sign 3 or 4 tomorrow and everything is fine. We are all getting angry over speculation. For all we know the club could be telling Soton to **** off re Roberts. KTF

Oh aye, I emphasise ‘tomorrow’.

The signs ain’t good but we might have some curveballs in flight.
 
hmmm.. a few short hours ago the club were doing great business for a change, now they are being 'suicidal'.

have to admit, for all i am trying to chill and see what happens, i was basing a lot on the club saying stewart would not go without a replacement lined up so i now guess the same for roberts...i have no problem with the young lads but have always wanted experience in the side but if only a couple of young lads come in the morn i may well get a little upset.
 
Well just have to wait and see then.

You'd have thought some sort of compromise on a deal was possible with Roberts. There aren't many as good as him in his position in the division, but the hour might have gone.

Not arsed at all about Stewart actually. I'd long given him up, and if it had been down to me and he hadn't moved, I wouldn't even have played him, he could gave got himself fit for a move in the stiffs, or whatever passes for them now.

But we need players it's clear. And then question will be as to whether or not the approach to signing and keeping players is compatible with the openly stated goal of the season, which was " going for promotion."

Not sure I quite bought it at all myself, ( middle eight was my expectation) but it was said, and we will see!
 
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They always said the aim is to replace players with better ones. Yes the Stewart situation is different, head turned. But see what tomorrow brings and what squad we have tomorrow night before we all go in to meltdown.

Love Roberts, quality footballer but his output should be better for goals and assists IMO. Gooch - meh, decent servant but no place for sentiment, he’s at his max level in my opinion.
 
Didn’t Michut and ourselves mutually say no to the permanent transfer before?

him failing to find anybody else to sign him and us failing to find anybody else to sign for us might mean we mutually agree to get back together :D

It was like when me and my wife split for a couple of weeks back when we were 18 to see what else was out there and decided after a while we might as well make do :D
 
Don't understand why we wouldn't have made Michut permanent when we had the chance?

Going back for him now reaks of desperation. Could be wrong. I also don't think he's what we need.
We are in a different place but also in a different negotiating position. He might be available for 2m now, previously it was 5m if he stayed. Seems unlikely though, he wasn’t that keen it appeared.
 
This is my problem though... what we are seeing today isn't following the model. There's a difference between planning and execution. Our plan and strategy is great.

But there is no chance that we wanted to execute these two sales on deadline day. No chance.

Not aiming this at you but its important we are able to differentiate between supporting the approach we are TRYING to take, whilst at the same time evaluating whether we are doing a good job at it. Being forced to sell your assets relatively cheaply and at short notice because you've failed to either secure them or sell them when their value is high - is poor execution of the strategy we are trying to take.
Time will tell, as long as we don't spend season after season going nowhere like a Preston.
I think the Stewart deal has been done very well, given circumstances, on condition we have Rusyn and another in up front.
Roberts thing seems strange. If he was happy with salary, and was just the contract length that does seem odd. But can't imagine us keeping him and let him run it down when £££ is still an option.
 
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