There seems to be a lot of talk about Ryan Kent. Winger who was apparently excellent at Rangers, went on a free to Fenerbahce and couldn't make an impression.
There seems to be a lot of talk about Ryan Kent. Winger who was apparently excellent at Rangers, went on a free to Fenerbahce and couldn't make an impression.
Saw Worrall linked with Middlesbrough and I’ve seen talk before that we want Hayden Hackney from them. But swaps never happen, so probably nothing.
I hope that either the rumours of a bust up between Worrall and Cooper are false or, if true, that both of them are man enough to sort it out. Worrall's come back from a difficult time before and I'd like to see him work hard and get back in the squad. Going to Boro would be a backward step for him. If it happens, I hope it's only a loan.
Latest story I've seen is that Montiel wants out. So that would be Montiel, Santos, McKenna, Worrall and presumably at least one of the keepers (Horvath and maybe Shelvey) on their way. Maybe Tavares as well?
Personally I'd keep Worrall. I think he's been unfairly scapegoated and is probably my third choice centre half currently behind Murillo and Niakhate. Given I'd go back to the three at the back, I'd have him starting. The rest of them are welcome to return / find new clubs, and the only one I'll be sad to see go is McKenna because he was such an important part of our promotion.
Weird that he's fallen so far down the pecking order and doesn't even get mentioned in the pre-matches. I realise it's probably trying to recapture something that's gone but I'd have him and Yates in the team for the next few games.
As for January, I still see no reason to keep any of the four loans. We need (but won't get) a period of stability and to stop churning an entire team or more every window but that's no reason to keep players who aren't ours and aren't performing.
We currently have 43 senior players on our books, albeit some are out on loan. Of those 17 are either on loan here or out of contract next summer, leaving us with 26 contracted senior (over 21 rule) players for next year, of whom I'd argue 10 are not wanted.
I think Marinakis has already given us a clear signal as to uis intentions when he said a few games ago that results must improve.
Results have got worse. I can’t see how Cooper survives this period. I will be heartbroken. I don’t see how anyone else can maximise the intangibles of the club and supporters the way he has.
But we are not immune to modern football ownership.
It isn't if you believe the rumours on Twitter that he's had a bust-up with Cooper. Given he wasn't even on the bench yesterday it looks like they are true.
What do you mean we, white man? (in terms of the, "We are surrounded by indians, Tonto" joke).
We, football fans, allowed private ownership of public/community assets. Then we meekly followed along as they fucked everything that they stood for, for personal gain (self-aggrandisement and money). They treat you like a consumer, and they don't care about you.
Apart from the Stockholm syndrome, you don't have to follow.
It is unfortunate for those of us who are local and connected to the club, and actually want to go to see them...but we are the smallest, and least significant of the modern income streams. So really "we" have become an encircled minority. Global owners will do what is in their global interests. For me, the more things that they remove that I can connect with...the less developmental arc that I get to follow with players I get to know, the less we have an actual identity, and the more that we could be anyone, anywhere, then the less I care. What I saw in what we were will always be there for me, and the laundry will always be an echo of that and bring a nostalgic warmth...but increasingly I can't divert my attention from the fact that they cut their hair, and I stopped loving them.
I've heard from somebody who knows one of Worrall's good mates (yeah, I know, I know) that Joe was so pissed off at being dropped from the squad (possibly for the West Ham game, can't remember) that he played golf instead of going to the game.
What did he shoot? Asking for Russ/Guru.
I like Joe, and I know he's been through a tough time recently, but what did he expect after what happened in the Luton game? We drew that game because he lost his man twice.