Don’t think he’s the only one disillusioned either, Surly. Going back to my original disquiet over Grant’s comment about the U21 team the other night and using just one example - Jordan Evans; a winger turned into a left full back. Another fed up player so far as his development and lack of opportunity goes. Brought about, not entirely but at least in part, by continually bringing in ’loans’. If Jordan is not with us next season I believe it will be because he doesn’t want to sign a new contract rather than being ‘released’ by the Club.
I saw somebody tweeted Jordan the other day questioning why he isn't near the first team. His response was something along the lines of "all in good time". Judging by that comment he'll be staying.
Hope so FI. Guess we'll have to wait until the Club announcement to see. Just as a note, the players in the U21 team that Grant commented on and who are out of contract in the summer (I think) are: Jon Buatu (21yrs) Jordan Evans (19yrs) L Della Verde (20yrs) - as a 1yr option Solomon Sambou (19yrs) Aaron Redford (18yrs) Dean O'Halloran (19yrs)
If we stay up and Wigan go down which is a distinct possibility we should have a good look at James McClean, he us Wigans top goal scorer from the wing, we have a shortage if wingers he is an international and in the last two three weeks has sounded like Wigans best player!
Kit confirmed after the Charlton game that the Club would be offering Pat Roberts a new deal. Wonder will he actually sign it?
Not really sure why he would, unless he receives assurances over both playing time and minimum fee releases. As an aside, what is the general thought on our loan signings? I'd quite like to see us sign Turner, Husband and Guthrie but not too worried about retaining the others. I'm keen not to see too much turmoil this summer, but not signing loan playera permanently is a little different.
The cynic in me sees this contract offer as a safety net for the club if Pat decides to let his contract run down and move on to another club next summer. The club offering Pat better terms than his existing contract ensures that we will get a decent compensation if he does move. If this scenario does arise then let it be a harsh lesson to the club about their contract policy. With regards to loan signings I'd agree with the three you mentioned and possibly add in Fofana if he was available. I doubt City would want to sell but he has got potential. I know it's early days but Husband looks the real deal at LB and wouldn't break the bank, Guthrie would be a freebie and Turner only has 1 year left and if Norwich get promoted he's definitely not going to get near their first team so he'll be very cheap if not free.
I guess that depends on his ego and on who is advising him. Of the players on loan, I'd Keep Turner, and may be Husband & Richards.
I we retain our champ status and are serious about promotion next season we must invest ,most of those we have are not going to blossom above what they are now. But if Kit stays has he the kudos to attract quality
I’m a great fan of Pat and few would doubt his talent - you only have to look at his England U19 performances. However, his career has been so badly managed by the Club this year . Those odd 5 minutes in a struggling team were plain ridiculous. My main criticism though is how little football the lad has played this season; 2 first team and 4 U21 games. For someone so young (he’s only just turned 18) surely the most important thing should have been him getting out there learning his trade. Felix hadn’t a clue what the Championship was like but Kit (and others) should have more astute. And I’m not at all convinced that him leapfrogging the U21s was a sensible or considered move by our management. What I am convinced about - and I said this earlier - offering him a new contract is not an altruistic gesture by the Club.
For what I've seen of Roberts he is not physically up to this league yet, and we cannot afford to have too many players of that ilk, Kacanaiklic is a player who falls into the same category of being lite-weight, and it is too much of luxury to have too many the likes of Ruiz, Kacaniklic and Roberts all in the same midfield role, so since Ruiz was not transferred, places have been limited, with the more experienced players taking preference to Roberts.
