SW11_Saint

It’s not what I think - I’m just reporting (via Alfie House) what Spors has allegedly indicated. On the CBs I’d be happy with what we’ve got if Bednarek/THB leave (though I’d rather see THB stay). I think they’ll feel a McCarthy & Bazunu are enough for this division and maybe bring in a new 3rd choice keeper. Much of what we can spend is down to PSR, which is in turn related to outgoing sales, so could be Spors is just keeping his cards close to his chest until he knows who is leaving and for how much.

But you’re comparing apples (Ankersen) and oranges (Spors). I suggest we delay judgement on Spors (& Still) until he’s got a full season under his belt.

I honestly think Edwards, Wood, Stephens, Quashie and Kayi Sanda (+Bree/Charles) is more than adequate CB strength in this division.

Guess they see value in him being here that not all fans recognise. Not dismissing his playing record or faults, but organisations and staff (rightly or wrongly) are often perceived very differently from within to our outside perspective.

Pretty sure Spors has indicated he’s only after a CB (done), Striker (done), and attacking midfielder (tbc).

Clearly the club think he is. And at the end of the day, that is what matters.

Not disputing all of your conclusions, but there’s always peril in looking purely at stats and not the human beings behind the numbers. I’ve got mates who crow about their team’s ‘better XG’ after their team has lost. Always baffles me…

I don’t believe they’re planning to replace either from what Spors has said. Quashie the only incoming at CB, leaving Wood, Edwards, Stephens, Quashie & Kayi Sanda as squad CBs (I’m discounting ABK, but Bree/Taylor/Charles can also play CB if needed).

Sometimes it can help develop young players, and he has successfully captained England U21 of course. McMenemy pulled a masterstroke in making Steve Williams captain when he was about 24 I recall and he rose to the challenge (quite a different character to THB though!). I do think Taylor might find it a challenge captaining a team where Jack was playing too...

Not sure but have a hunch it’ll be linked to Bednarek & THB going. If Jack has a smart agent he probably pushed for a longer term to take him up to 34. Security for him, and the club I guess feel it’s worth the investment. BTW I’d like THB to stay (who was also very much ‘off boil’ last season), and if he stays he’d be my choice as team captain. Might actually help his development.

Using it as I’m sure I heard it elsewhere… and Alfie used the same expression in the pod above. No idea if it means the guy who organises the players pool / bingo on away trips or something more significant. I agree though and hope it’s the former and Will selects a certain starter (if Captain material) for the actual team captain so we are not ‘boxed in’ re Jack again. It would be foolhardy imho.

Two more people not 💩💩the🛏 over the club captain getting a contract extension…

I’ve already said - and am a little tired of saying - in a perfect world I’d have given him a two year deal, but I assume there has been some negotiation on pay scales for the three year deal. I won’t repeat the rest as I’m tired of typing the same thing, but it’s happened - we’ll all need to learn to live with it. The world will still keep turning, we’ll win some games, we’ll lose some games, he’ll be good in some, okay in others, and undoubtedly terrible in a few. Try not to lose too much sleep over it…

Though Spors is new to the organisation, and - on the face of it at least - appears to have a plan. We have to give him a chance to change things.

Spot on. I’d 💯 play him in the P*mpey game for that reason. He gets it.

He was here when we got promoted too. From the Championship. Also, he’s club captain, not manager.

The whole Stephens thing is being so overblown. He’s not the owner, he’s not the manager… he has role to play as captain, sure (in geeing up players and acting as ‘father figure’ to younger players), but it’s not rugby, he doesn’t make tactical decisions - that’s on Martin, Juric, Rusk. As they’ve all departed the ire seems to be purely be focussed on JS. He also only played 19 games - partly down to his own ill-discipline admittedly. Again, new contract - not his fault, that’s on Spors/SR. He’s a squad player, he’s (as I understand it) ‘club captain’. They’ve extended his tenure by two years - given his age I suspect on lower terms, but longer contract - as they clearly see a need for him. As for it putting ‘a huge dent in the new setup before they've even really begun’ - I’m sorry, but people need to get a grip and a little perspective. We’ve signed a new young CB, we won’t be signing any others and we’ll lose Bednarek, and possibly THB. Keeping Jack in the squad makes total sense.

I have no inside information, but do wonder if there’s a bit of a quid pro quo potentially, ie a lower salary for the benefit/security of a longer deal?

So would you rate Franny as a net asset to the club or not? I’ll disagree on Perry - always disliked him as an opponent - but recall him scything an attacker down when free and in on goal, taking one for the team and avoiding a certain goal. Remember thinking it was nous & gamesmanship that we lacked. Like many smaller CBs he read the game well, knew where to be to make the block/interception etc. Let’s not forget he was 35 when he joined us too.

Again, I’m it going to regurgitate… The post above summarises my key points. Jack is a Championship player, we’re in the Championship. He’s adequate at that level, and not being forced to play tippy-happy. Personally I’d have him as a squad player, rather than a starter, but sounds like Still ma ly have other ideas. We’ll have to see. Looking forward to your question at the next Fans Forum already…

Lots I agree with here. You’re absolutely right - SR couldn’t have made more of a Horlicks of their two PL seasons if they had tried. Desperate. I’d argue few players, let alone our ramshackle cohort of Championship journeymen, could apply Martin’s ‘total (walking) football’ philosophy or Juric’s ‘whatever TF that was’ approach in the PL with any degree of success. Jack’s communicative abilities don’t appears to be the main issue in this for me though (19/38 games and played as a bizarre MF libero often by RM let’s not forget). He certainly didn’t cover himself in glory, but nor did anyone else bar Matty, Rambo (and occasionally Dibling & KWP). That Jack is ‘poster boy’ (literally) is absolutely a sad indictment, but that’s again on SR, not him. Re. the captaincy, spot on… if not Jack then who? Rambo the only other candidate but he’ll be off (and I’m not a big fan of goalie captains). I’d actually give it to THB is he stays… encourage him to step up a bit.

If you read my comments, and there are plenty, other than heart/fight etc. (which I also acknowledge wasn’t apparent in every game last season either), I have not particularly ‘bigged him up’ in terms of his abilities - he has limitations, we all know that. What I have consistently said is: (1) That I think he is a useful SQUAD player to have around, given he’s experience and his clear leadership role within the group. The players appear to like and respect him, he has an air of authority, and I think he’s a decent role model for our young CBs coming through. I’d prefer a back 3 (if WS goes that way) of THB (if he stays) + Wood + one of Ronnie/Quarshie. Having Jack around / on the bench wouldn’t worry me in the slightest though. Talking of THB* I wonder if there will be the same level of mass hysteria if he stays/signs again, given he was regularly godawful last season and played 34/38 games to Jack’s 19(2)/38 (therefore you could reasonably argue he has greater claim to being “one of the reasons our defence is so shite.”)? [*For the record I like THB too, and don’t bear a grudge - I think last season just did no one in our squad any favours]. (2) My main gripe however is the total and utter lack of respect from some fans towards Jack. Nasty, spiteful, personal stuff. Even if you think a player isn’t great, at least be somewhat civil/analytical about it (this is a general point btw - not aimed at you!). Added to this, this is someone who has been at the club since he was 16, and despite often being a mere squad player (regardless of perceived ability) has always given his all, and clearly gives a shit about the club, the fans, and the City (ref again his post-match Wembley interview), it just compounds the insult for me. Whatever your feelings on him as a player, he deserves more than that. I guess it sadly just the world we live in now though *sigh* I’m sure one of the brave keyboard warriors (again, not aimed at you!), will happily want to stand up at the next Fans Forum, look Jack squarely in the eye, and tell him how “fucking shit” he is and how he should have “done one” this season…😉

What are the other ‘shit decisions’?

Clearly you didn’t bother really reading, just extrapolated what you needed to fit your perspective. Nice one.

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