I've just read the latest offering from James Brent in the Herald today on the up coming transfer window and Argyle. Have to say I'm not 100% sure what to make of it. At first I thought he was saying the Board will back the Manager in anything he does or wants(ish). But, I think it talks more about the possibility of players going than keeping them and increasing the squad with a couple more quality players. What exactly does it all mean because I think it is yet another typical Brent piece of gobbledygook. He has promised nothing at all if you read it carefully and he has not made any committments to try to keep players either. All it says in essence is he expects Adams to have a plan for whatever happens. Or blame him not me. Now if he doesn't mean that then he should be a bit more open and upfront with his words.
Yes sensible.....i read it as well......and thought I'd comment on it.....then having read it again I thought it could mean anything you wanted to think. I can see that having your players gaining interest from other clubs, must probably mean that Adams must have chosen well and got them playing well. So does that mean Brent would try to keep them and let Adams build on that success in January by strengthening the squad ? Or allow them to go to the highest bidder....then replace them with new players that haven't been proven as good enough as those just sold.....with any finance gained also being used to reduce the debt of the club. From what has been said earlier in the week, Adams is in Scotland casting his eye over players in two matches over the weekend.......he should be up to speed on Scottish players and probably knows who he would like to get hold of......but if he loses players in January as well would they then be the right players to fill the gaps. So we are back to the beginning....we're not sure really what Brent means anyrate.........
I think he means that he will sell the players that are attracting interest and use the money to buy more players of a good standard.. Could be wrong. But if you 2 don;t understand it, i surely won't Why does he not just keep his mouth shut? say nothing and leave it to Adams, if the manager wants a player/s then go and see what money is available. Now it may attract other clubs to our players.. but they may have gone off a few after the recent performances..
He still can't win with some people can he? The paper wanted to do an interview with him and he obliged, if he had turned them down then his detractors would complain about the lack of communication/fan engagement. The simple facts of the article is that he didn't have a lot say- probably because it is impossible to know for sure what the transfer window will bring. He prefers a small tight knit quality squad (as do most) but is aware that injured players need replacing and he has backed DA to do that. Every player has a price and I expect that if a club comes in with a offer that matches the valuation, and the player wants to leave then they will be off-DA will receive the financial backing to replace them. I don't expect that there will be huge changes in Jan but I do think that one or two will be tempted away. DA seems to have a plan to replace any that leave and whose to say that he wont find better replacements- after all, the players he signed at the beginning of the season were pretty much plucked from obscurity. It would have been far worse if he had said he wasn't prepared to sell anyone because once an acceptable bid comes in, it is ultimately down to the player if he leaves or stays. At the moment I suspect most of the squad are keen to see the season out, but there are many reasons why one or two night be tempted away, location, family,higher league and finances etc.
With due respect lyndhurst that opening statement is bollox. What has he actually said? You could read it several ways and in my experience it is better to say nothing than talk in double speak. He would not have been criticised for not saying because nobody would have known he had refused a comment. He can win if he is open and honest and says what he means and not talking in riddles. There is little in what he said that confirms if he sells players the Manager will get the proceeds to replace. If he dows mean that to happen then what would be the point of selling if you have to pay to replace like for like. You aren't going to find a load of freebies of the same calibre. Technically speaking you can keep the players even if it's difficult. They cannot just walk out of a contract even if it might be best all around not to keep a player that wants to go. A statement of intent would have been to state he wants the stars to remain and to add to the squad with a bit more class. But he didn't did he. We, the great unwashed, made excuses for the old brigade and thought they would do the right thing for quite some time. Defended even when others were saying all was not right. Well look what happened there. I for one do not intend to give anyone the benefit of any doubt again. Brent has not proved himself to be reliable in my eyes and you can defend him all you want to but I don't have to. I do not see him as some saving masiah but do see him as an opportunist who is more interested in what he can make than the club I support. He can win. Put up some cash and back the club properly and tell people the truth about what is likely to happen rather than bullshit that doesn't come about. aka new stand for example. I have not seen anything with the exception of his statement that he did not intend to backroll the football side that has actually happened in or outside the club. He comes across as a chancer of the Arthur Daley variety to me.
As I said, he cant win can he sensible? and actually if he had refused to have an interview the Herald would have made up a story and reported that 'no one at the club was available for comment' and this would have brought about some more mass hysteria from the naysayers, You obviously have your opinion, although what reality it is based on I don't know. I have my opinion and I am confident that my view is based on having had a few short discussions with him and knowing some of the characters that are 'closer' to the boardroom than you or I. In terms of on field matters (and in the end this is all that matters) he has consistently backed the manager(s) and I don't see the next transfer window being any different. It is simply ridiculous to analyse every word he says. He wants to build the new grandstand, and I believe he will, but the last time he genuinely told the Janners what 'he thought was likely to happen' he got hammered for not pulling it off. Sadly, I doubt we will ever agree on the merits of the Chairman. All I will say is that we could have done a whole lot worse and we still don't seem to have a queue of people willing or able to take over the club...
You don't actually know anything lyndhurst. You know what you've heard and possibly the words have come from the horses mouth but you cannot know if they are spoken straight or with a forked tongue can you. All you can do is believe them or not. You choose to believe and I choose not to. I don't believe for the reasons stated and that is mainly because I haven't seen any evidence of him being the good guy we are expected to believe he is. What I see is the same sort of person the Army told us we didn't want, namely Heaney, who was a property developer and wanted development opportunities. How does Brent differ from that? He hasn't actually developed anything of course just put his name to wanting to. He has given the manager funds within a tight budget and we are led to believe has "backed" the manager because the managers haven't moaned. They may not moan because they already knew they were not getting any more than was stated in advance no matter what and wanted to keep the job. Again we don't know if that is true or not for sure do we. You can believe he has supplied all the funds the managers have wanted if you like and I can think opposite and neither of us will ever know who is right. As for the statement he made, well, what exactly does it all mean? It's wriggle speak because it can be made to say anything you want it to either way. Sell the gold players and he can say I warned you it would happen. If nobody comes in he can even pretend he hung on to them regardless. It does not make sense to sell the cream because if you are going to obtain equal cream it is going to cost you anyway and there is no profit in it. The cream we have are tried and tested, new cream would be a gamble. That doesn't seem to be great business at all. If we sell then we can all blame the Manager who seems to have been given cart blanche and is "expected" to make these decisions all on his lonesome. Yeh course he would and the Board wouldn't have anything to say on any matter. Brent has made it so he can't lose either way. Like a slippery politician spinning the words of the world. There is nothing in his words that has given me any reason to trust in James so far I'm afraid and until there is then I'll stick to being a doubting Thomas. I don't know you are wrong but you don't know you are right in reality.
Exactly, nobody knows what is going to happen , including I suspect the Chairman and Manager. Not sure why we should always be looking for someone to blame?- it is just routine business; bids may or may not come in for certain players in Jan and the club will react accordingly- if they decide to sell, DA has the backing to bring in replacements. It happens at every football club in every transfer window, so it is a bit of a non issue to be honest.
I've been sitting here reading your comments from last night.....been off-line between 1900 hrs and mid-night yesterday..... looking after two of our grandchildren whilst mum and dad had an evening out. Bit like a tennis match, taking note of sensibles views and how Lindy sees the situation as well.....both of you season tickets holders.... and sitting roughly 30 yards apart.... never i assume ever having met until yours truly turned up with Mrs Plym for the Rovers game. As an exile I have no real connection with the hands on every home game experience that sensible and Lindy have been having for years, Lindy obviously has more contact with the club....having been behind the scenes through his Military role on poppy day connections ....and having chatted at times to PAFC officialdom in a casual setting at times......sensible on the otherhand has kept himself "pure" from the club other than sitting through....dross....iffy....ok.....and luckily some good times in the past as well......and sensible has been involved also on "another" website and knows the views and thoughts of those that have fallen out with certain people at the club.....having crossed swords with some of them (as I have) until fed-up with talking to brick walls. I can see to a certain degree both sensible's and Lindy's views on what goes on at the club and on a third Argyle website which I think lindy posts on now and again.....as do very infrequently I do. Through my membership of PASALB (founder member in 1976) I have met various PAFC people over the years and chatted to quite a few of them. In recent years that would include James Brent, Chris Webb, Ian Newell and of course Lee Jameson who is a PASALB member...........so I have more hands on connection than sensible with some of the main players surrounding PAFC........I have also met Derek Adams when he spoke to PASALB the evening before the Wimbldon league game....and he impressed me and had time to speak to anyone after the meeting who wanted to talk to him......also Martyn Starnes was on hand to talk to us as well. James Brent had only been the owner for a few months when he came to a PASALB meeting ....so he was on a steep learning curve at the time.....but he was happy to talk to us peasants about how he saw things.....Chris Webb and Ian Newell where with him on that trip. I haven't got the same level of reservation about Brent that some have.....he comes from a business world first... then into football......most owners of lower league clubs would be fans first and when they had made their "wedge" got involved with their passion. So some can always see the an ulterior motive for the link-up with a football club......I doubt even from the beginning that Brent ever thought that he would get rich owning a football club.....but he might be able to develop the ground around plus the grandstand one day.... at the moment that isn't happening....and many are suspicious at what he has been trying to do...we'll have to wait and see....just like the January window.....lets hope we strengthen the team without losing our star players.
But it is an issue and a very important one. Or at least it could be if several of our players go. Replacing some of them would be difficult and not come cheaply in my opinion. That's where I would fall out with the "Management". I would have my doubts that any money raised would be given to Adams without huge reductions. Given our position now and the possibility of a very good promotion season I would have hoped we would be looking to keep what we have and then improve of the squad further. That's what it would take for people to believe in Brent. They to some extent believe they sold out our hopes last season after Christmas and doubt they would forgive doing the same thing again when our chances are greater. I love your use of the words "players" at the club plym. I would not consider either Newell or Webb as being either. Newell owns a website and no more. I do not believe he has one ounce of power or influence. Neither do I think Webb has any either. He has effectively gone and quite frankly shouldn't be the President either. He does nothing to include the supporters and his personal life, which did affect Argyle the team does matter. Both are devisive.
I wish you lot would use clearer titles for your threads. If you'd called this one "FIGHT!!!!" I'd have read it more assiduously. Hidden away in a hypothetical discussion about something that hasn't happened yet i.e. the Transfer Window really doesn't do it justice. But then, that's the point isn't it, as Lyndhurst has rightly pointed out: it hasn't happened yet. Other than say that it's better to have players who might be seduced away than a bunch nobody wants and to express confidence and support for his manager if it does happen, what precisely did anyone expect Brent to say at this stage?
That's exactly the point Joe, he says nothing even when there are words used. With respect notdistant football forums generally are where speculation happens and what they are used for. It's all part of a football fan's life with their club. At the moment the way this lot are performing I'd say we have none who others might drool over. Perhaps it would have been better for Brent if the transfer window was open in December rather than January. He might have acrued a few more quid in offers.
More positive words from JB this morning (full article in the match-day programme). In essence he has said that they (the board) will be backing the manager in the January window with the aim that the squad will be even stronger than it is now, but without resorting to financial recklessness. Coupled with the positive articles in the Herald this week about DA's plans for the window it seems fairly clear (to me) that the Chairman has the intent and the money to make sure we are in a good position to push on for the rest of the season.
Good vibes there Lyndy......Derek Adams did go north... so we are led to believe during the FA Cup weekend and took in at least two games. He could have pencilled in a name or two from his trip......definately seems to be more chance of getting a bargain north of the border......which he proved during the summer transfer window to good effect. Talk of Simpson being available today....although he wasn't in the best eleven that we considered to be our strongest team......better than Threlkeld possibly......definately more experience. PS...........The Alan Smith rumour....that wouldn't be the worst move.......well experienced player would help to strengthen mid-field for a promotion run-in and be a good ....been there ,done that player to come off the bench as well.....we are completely devoid of experience at present on the subs bench.
Yes I wouldn't mind Alan Smith - would definitely add some much needed experience and leadership. I think it would be an odd move for the player though, cant think that he is chasing bigger wages at this stage of his career so not sure why he would want to come down south when he he clearly settled 'oop north'
