I kinda agree and kinda would like to expand on some of this .
If, we hold on to the majority of what we have I'd expect a promotion push. Less than this given what most saw as a very unlucky season on the pitch in the championship suggests lack of ambition.
While I wouldn't expect us to spend decent unless we sell I would expect this squad to win in the region of 20 + games in L1.
Of course let's evaluate at kick off when I will be a very happy and content supporters once more at my beloved shrine
Don't think he was a terrible human being Brad. Just wasn't good enough to play in the championship or div 1 imo. He played as a left back/wing back but was overlooked by players who were asked to play out of position. That to me tells you all you need to know. In Div 2 he will have a better chance to further his career. Good luck to him.
When we signed Trevor Clarke for a nominal fee it was made very clear that he represented a bit of a gamble - that he had something about him and that with some work he might have a chance to make it. It hasn't worked out for him. He has had chances to play. He has always been enthusiastic and has contributed handily on a number of occasions, but as Whiston says when push came to shove in the Championship others were played out of position ahead of him. The sensible conclusion is that after looking at him and working with him on a daily basis, we have decided that we don't rate him highly enough to play him regularly. As Whiston also says, a move to League Two will give him a chance to establish himself as a regular starter with a league club, which is good for him, and if we have recouped some or all of what we paid for him it is also good for us.
I have only ever heard Warne talk about Trevor Clarke as an individual in glowing terms. I don't understand why there is this assumption that Warne picks players based on whether or not their faces fit or whether they are 'good human beings'. Is there actually anything at all to back that up? We say that we vet players before they join us to make sure they fit what we are about. That isn't unique to us. It happens at football clubs up and down the land all the time.
When it comes to it, isn't it just highly likely that Trevor Clarke wasn't really fancied to become a regular because he just isn't rated highly enough, and that getting a fee for someone like that was just good business?
-- Edited by smiler on Friday 9th of July 2021 10:24:51 PM
We now look exposed in defence. Just one left back who is on the decline and two central defenders out in Tilt and McDonald. We need to sign a left back (first choice) a right back (cover) and a central defender. Transfers will dictate what we need up top and in midfield and what sort of money we will have available. I still think Crooks will go for around 1-1.5m and Smith for around half that. Not easy to find the right players in any position but good left backs seem rarer than hens teeth. We must find one though and recruit well elsewhere if we are to compete in the top half of a very difficult division. I agree with Derby about money being tight and we might have to stay mid table for a season or two. However, if we unload a few players i do believe the purse strings have to be released a little to give supporters some hope.
I have a feeling that we won’t be targeting a 1st choice left back. I was surprised to see we bid 200k for a rb when our player of the season plays in that position.
So, given that Harding played quite a bit at left back last season, i wonder if we’ll be bringing in a good rb so that its 3 competing for 2 places (with another project such as the current trialist coming in at lb as cover for injuries)?
Pure guesswork of course.
I agree, it allows them extra excuses on why nobody has signed. I think the club is financially hanging by a thread, i think the clubs have been warned that in the winter they will remove crowds again so the board are playing it safe, they believe they have enough to stay up and they will use the loan market to bring in players after the season has started, they hope that we don't have an awful start, they also won't bring in any quality until players leave and they know what money they have. I think the board see it as a survival season and are acting accordingly
I agree, it allows them extra excuses on why nobody has signed. I think the club is financially hanging by a thread, i think the clubs have been warned that in the winter they will remove crowds again so the board are playing it safe, they believe they have enough to stay up and they will use the loan market to bring in players after the season has started, they hope that we don't have an awful start, they also won't bring in any quality until players leave and they know what money they have. I think the board see it as a survival season and are acting accordingly
So the squad is going to a training camp in mainland Europe exactly as it has done for the last several years running and you are taking that as an indicator of financial strife?
We all know that we will need to cut our cloth to a league one budget, but I see no evidence of a club hanging by a thread financially. The chairman says we will manage the situation. I trust him.
Here are some reasons why I respectfully think that your theories are probably wide of the mark.
We have refunded in full supporters who wanted a covid season ticket refund. Some clubs havent been able to do so. We probably will have to sell a player or two but we are turning offers of significant money down - there is no hint of the kind of fire sale that is associated with struggling clubs. We have saleable assets who there is no transfer talk at all about. We have put bids in to buy players of a couple of hundred thousand pounds - not big money admittedly but hardly the behaviour of a club with money trouble. The very fact that we are going to Hungary for a week at all suggests we arent penniless.
I think we will continue to be run as we have been in recent times i.e. prudently. We wont have money to throw around but we carry very little debt. The lack of supporters at games has hurt all clubs, but to me all the signs are that we are financially much better placed than most.
Smiler I think my comments may have come across as harsh against the club, I apologise they are not meant in that way. I actually admire the way the club is run, I want Rotherham United to exist for many years to come and I think under Tony Stewart that is very likely in times that will get harder. I do think our priority this season are: ensure the club survives, doesn't build up huge debts, brings forward our own players, stay in the top half of League 1, campaign for more rigorous financial fair play across the leagues, entertain the fans to make them want to come to watch
I genuinely think a lot of clubs are in a mess and realistically shouldn't be propped up by a corrupt football establishment
Smiler I think my comments may have come across as harsh against the club, I apologise they are not meant in that way. I actually admire the way the club is run, I want Rotherham United to exist for many years to come and I think under Tony Stewart that is very likely in times that will get harder. I do think our priority this season are: ensure the club survives, doesn't build up huge debts, brings forward our own players, stay in the top half of League 1, campaign for more rigorous financial fair play across the leagues, entertain the fans to make them want to come to watch
I genuinely think a lot of clubs are in a mess and realistically shouldn't be propped up by a corrupt football establishment
No worries.
For my part, I also think that the business of football needs a massive overhaul. Sadly sharks and conmen tend to find their way into any environment when there is money sloshing around, and there is far too much money sloshing around in football.
I share all of your stated goals for our club. I want us to be a self-sufficient and progressive football club that is an integral part of the town. If we get a bit of success along the way so much the better.
New keeper in - Josh Chapman. Signed as a development player after being released by the Blades. Clearly signed as backup to Viktor and Josh Vickers and I dont think he counts towards the squad quota because of his age. Sensible signing. I know a little bit about this lad. He went through school with my eldest over here in sunny Bassetlaw. He is a good size and was highly rated as a junior. Apparently we are on the brink of signing a left sided player (full back or wide midfielder) subject to medical rumoured to be Shane Ferguson who has played in the Championship for several seasons with Millwall. Just turned 30 years old and been released. Looks like a solid addition if true. Warne is saying we have bids in for two or three others. I know we hear these things then it goes quiet sometimes. Maybe I am gullible, but I tend to think that we get told things as they really are by the current regime although clearly they cant give too much detail out for obvious reasons. I dont envy anyone dealing with the transfer market.
It must be a nightmare. I think we have the basis of a very good league one side even allowing for the fact that Crooks and possibly Smith might be leaving. I am optimistic that we can have decent top half season with two or three decent additions.
Trevor Clarke; always sad to see a player leave who didn't get a run of games. Dropping down to L1 and being effectively released is possibly as much of an indictment of the club as the player.
Going on holiday is normal and the team needs it as much as anyone does. It doesn't really matter if players are sold after. It won't spoil any holiday romances. It's a nice little reward, bit of fun , good bonding and makes players appreciate the club they play for.
Happy we've taken a punt on the ex blade keeper.
Time is moving on ...I'd be happy to keep what we have but the pressure to sell is going to ramp up big time. Crooks n smudge will be putting pressure on I'm sure. They can both "discuss " their thin contracts and whisper in the managers ear regarding their mood...
I actual would prefer for Crooks and Smudge to move on and for us to get decent money and sell on clauses for them. aa few reasons, firstly it shows players that Rotherham is a club that helps there careers, this will help with recruitment, second they have done well for us and I want them to be happy and get the chance and third I think we need fresh blood in the last third of the field and to try some different type of forwards.
I actual would prefer for Crooks and Smudge to move on and for us to get decent money and sell on clauses for them. aa few reasons, firstly it shows players that Rotherham is a club that helps there careers, this will help with recruitment, second they have done well for us and I want them to be happy and get the chance and third I think we need fresh blood in the last third of the field and to try some different type of forwards.
I totally agree with that. If they have the chance to earn more and play at a higher level than we are at, we have to let them do it as long as the money is right for us as well.
These players both joined us from league two clubs for modest sums. They have both done brilliantly for us. If they leave us by moving to Championship clubs and we get more than we paid for them, everyone a winner.
Warney seems to have a thing for big, physical forwards. We may need one or two of that type, but like Derby I would like to see something different in the mix. Maybe someone with genuine pace (Ogbene scared Barnsley to death when he played up front, although he couldn't finish the chances that came his way) or someone Le Fondre like who plays on the shoulder of the last defender. In League One teams will be happy to defend long balls and crosses - we need to be able to unpick a defence, especially at home.
