Weston Saint

I agree with um pahars on this. It is not a matter of age but experience. There is a world of difference playing in the Academy or reserve team. The step up to CCC is immense. The correct way is to blood inexperienced players so that they can gain experience without damaging their confidence. Because of the "Lowe Experiment" and his idea of the best way to balance the books he went for full blooded baptism of too many inexperienced players at the same time. Wright was offered a new contract I understand but the fact he moved on suggests it was too short or more likely at a very much reduced salary. Some of the younger players coming into or trying to establish themselves in the team felt he was a great help to their career. I watched Euell for the last couple of games he has played and he was forever talking to the younger players, pointing to where they should be and covering them when they were out of position. The balance between "youth", I like to call it inexperience, and seasoned players was all wrong from the start. Damage is being done, has been done and likely will continue to be done due to our financial position and Lowe's inability to accept he was wrong. There is nothing wrong with his vision to play home grown from the academy. It was just too many too soon. Innovation is to be applauded but it has to be within a structured framework so that innovation does not damage the overall system but gradually develops and changes it.

Of course I mean't the end of his contract in the summer. sorry for the confusion PS. To answer NW Saint, if he is going to see out his contract I would definately play him but if we have a chance to cancel his contract now or ofload him then I would be all in favour. It is all about balance between finance and the need for results. The answer? No idea!

Euell could help us avoid with what looks like inevitable relegation but his wages between now and the end of his summer contract is £300,000 plus NI plus pension contribitions and other add ons. I just do no think the club can afford him. That is not to say I give any credence to the story in the Sun.

The reason I have not posted anything is threefold I have nothing useful to say! I was accused last Saturday of dropping hints and wink winks (I did not think I was) so I am keeping my own counsel. I find the naivity of many of the posters irritating.

It is all about balance.

These were new contracts. Dimi is already under contract so will be part of the IPL.

Sorry but what a complete nonsense. Not having a go at the original poster, he just tried to tell us what he had heard and was sceptical himself but come on......IF Morgan was at SMS it will likely be at the closed door game and only then because of the reported Wolves tie up consideration with the Hungarians. If, as I think, Morgan was given Wolves for £1 providing he invested I bet there is a covenant that he will be unable to sell and why would he with the prospect of Premier Football and the financial riches that might bring? I do worry about the naivity of some on this forum

There is no doubt a "Lowe" factor accounting for the decline. That is a given. Last seasons performances will have also contributed. OK we had a massive gate for Sheff Utd at the last game of the season because fans were eager to have their final buzz for what was an important game. Perhaps the same fans that came back for the FA Cup Manchester United buzz. The biggest reason has to be out very poor home results. Arrest the decline and fans will start to come back. However some will have found something else to occupy their Saturday afternoons and some will never step back until Lowe is gone. Basically, start getting results at home and we can start to turn the corner. But if you blame to supporters you will lose them forever.

I think that is highly unlikely but what do I know.

How could it oh master of conspiracy?

See above. What would Lowe achieve?

I might be being a bit naive but I doubt it came from the Lowe or Crouch camp as a deliberate ploy.

Not really. Not because I do not want to, more that I do not have any good information at this stage. Just a hunch picking up various comments. Forester is being derided by some but I suspect he posted it in good faith as I was hearing similar even from a friend in Australia who has family connections in the London Financial Markets.

In fairness this rumour was making the rounds within the financial market at the time Forester posted. Exit2 and SteveGrant had heard it. Clearly speculation by some who had a reasonable idea of what is going on and no smoke without fire. We are not out of the woods yet.

Was it Crouch? Who said. Seymour Pierce allegedly told Lowe someone would buy his shares at 65p but it turned out not to be for his cabel, only his own! I have not heard Crouch say it was him. You are making assumptions and I am pretty sure you are wrong.

The offer is still open.

Have I missed something......where did Crouch offer to buy Lowe and Wildes shares!!!!! By the way, if he did he would own 32.03% and have to bid for the whole club.

Can't blame the players if they are told to play that way. Remember our conversation just before the beginning of the Swansea game when I had spoken to someone who knew the instructions on how the players were told to play. No width then. I am told a certain player who is getting some stick of late was told to continue to play the was he was. I believe it is down to the coach.

Made me smile. Sorry Nick

No, it would serve no further purpose.

This was not normal abuse but vile.

With your ugly mug looking at him I am not suprised he was about to cry......or was it tears of laughter

We all rant at players when they are not doing well but we must remember many of them are your players thrown into the deep end in a relegation battle. I am told some of the abuse thrown at some of the young players on Tuesday was totally unacceptable. OK they know it is part and parcel of football but some of it was really over the top. IT DOES NOT HELP. They are trying their best and in some cases are working to orders. Enough said.

The thing is clubs might well have contacted Saints and made an offer so they could talk to the player but if the club felt the offer was not enough then there is no reason for the player to be told. So Surman not mentioning it in the echo could be that he was not informed. I had a call on Friday evening to say Reading were lining up a bit for him to replace Hunt (it came from within Reading) so they may have made initial contact. In any event Hunt stayed. The same for Adam. Certailly he knew nothing about it when I last spoke to someone on Saturday. I have not been told anything changed. Ot it might easily be pure spin.

So what do we think. In the first innings WI referred 1 but no chang in decision (correctly) england referred 2 and not changed (again correctly). Reafirms just how good the Umpires are. Now in West Indies innings England have referred 2 and one correctly changed. I like this system as it will take out of the game those occassional bad decisions.