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K3V0
Definitely feel as if the lower league sides will be drastically hit within the next 5-10 years.
Shola
How?
Number 1
Seems to work better than the amateur shite it had been.
I think if it was gonna happen, the likeliest point was during the 2007-09 financial crash or in the wake of the Setanta Sports bankruptcy at the end of the 08-09 season. There was a minimal rise in TV money when it was re-negotiated over that period and I guess there may've been some in media who thought it wasn't gonna go anywhere when the re-negotiations were taking place ahead of the current deal, until BT turned up and Sky duly panic-threw a load of cash at it. We're a long way now from 2004, when the TV money agreed with Sky went down.
It does feel though as though the Championship is becoming a division full of teams willing to gamble high volume cash in search of the Premier League dream. Middlesbrough and Derby throwing cash at their promotion bids is one thing, while the fact 4 teams who have spent big in recent seasons now have transfer bans is another. Even with FFP being loosened for 2nd tier clubs, one can't help but wonder if there's going to be a lot of cubs biting off more than they can chew in the second tier in the next few seasons.
Number 1
There's also been about 23 different variants on the joke "In his first act, he'll sign Sam Allardyce", so its now stopped being even vaguely funny.
Grimnir
One Night In Grimsby
terriersmad
Either that, or he needs to sign for us. He'd probably be crap for us, but it'd stop him being way too good for our defence.
Speaking of signings, we seriously need reinforcements, especially at the back. Hudson banned for 2, Smith for 1. We haven't got a right-back as backup, and we haven't got a central defender to cover if anything should happen in the next few weeks. The squad is paper-thin, even with Wagner's use of the likes of Lolley, Holmes and Billing. Once one or two injuries of suspensions happen we're far too light.
ItsWoosey
One Night In Grimsby
terriersmad
BR.
Probably doubts about his all-round game I'm guessing, which is fair enough. That's all it can be because if he gets chances, he'll score.
Absolutely gutted though
terriersmad
Know the feeling, mate. If it's any consolation, we haven't done badly without him! I would like to know what scouts look at, though. "Yeah, he scored a hat-trick from three chances, but apart from that... His partner did sod all in front of goal but looked busy. We'll take him! £3m? Bargain! What do you mean, he'll only score five times all season?"
One Night In Grimsby
terriersmad
Today did show the weaknesses in the squad. The defence lacked leadership. Dempsey isn't ready to be used as a full-back on a regular basis yet (but give Wagner time with him - there was a full-back in the German World Cup winning squad who was a striker up to Wagner getting hold of him). Davidson isn't good enough (responsible for the first two goals, marking a return to his early-season form). We lacked options off the bench in the absence of players like Lolley and Scannell. Bojaj might have something, but he's not ready for Championship football and needs a loan where he'll get regular football and get goals. Hogg and Whitehead won't work together in the middle. If Wells gets injured we don't have someone who can play as a striker. Hopefully, we'll get a couple of players in before the deadline (Rajiv Van La Parra has been strongly linked) and that should alleviate squad problems, but it's a ticking clock and we're not quite safe yet.
* - fairly bloody obviously to everyone in the ground
Shola
One Night In Grimsby
Franck
They probably have doubts about whether he can put himself in scoring positions at the highest level. Being a great finisher doesn't matter much if you never get into any good opportunities to shoot.
Dan
BR.
It's probably more about his general play, I think. He doesn't have any pace or strength so isn't much use outside of the box and in this day and age there isn't much room for traditional poachers unfortunately, especially at the highest level.
I think he'll always put himself in scoring positions whatever level he's playing at. If Boro go up (which I think Rhodes will help them to do, starting with two games against us in the next month ) then it'll be fascinating to see what he does in the Premier League.
terriersmad
Judge for yourself:
A lad who scored 170 goals in 6 1/2 years is not just a finisher. His movement gets him a yard on the defender. Then he scores. Lots.
We've confirmed a striker/winger on loan from Brighton - Elvis Manu. Good record in the Eredivisie, but not made an impact this season. We've also recalled Jordy Hiwula from Wigan. So suddenly we appear to have strikers on the books to support Wells. There were rumours earlier in the day that Miller was off to Portsmouth and also that Emyr Huws might be recalled by Wigan to complete a deal to QPR (which would be very disappointing - particularly as my views on QPR being allowed to sign anyone are very well known). Also rumours of Ben Chilwell returning for the rest of the season, which would be fantastic.
We're light in defensive areas, but we have some pretty decent firepower. Now Wells has some support I'm a bit more content even though I know we need a centre-half and two full-backs. Every team has its holes, and we're no different. Although it's disappointing that we haven't strengthened those areas, it's pleasing that we haven't just gone out and spent for the sake of spending. Now we just need to make sure of Championship status to set us up for strengthening in summer.
Number 1
Nice and straight-forward.
Grimnir
terriersmad
We were unlucky to a point. A foul in the build up to the corner from which they equalised wasn't given, but it doesn't excuse the fact a man was allowed to drift unmarked to the back post to slam it back across the face of goal. Big deflection which could go anywhere. 1-1. I was convinced (but may be wrong) that a late flick from a set-piece crossed the line (one of the Preston fans also thought it had, but I was behind the goal and not in line) and from the very next ball in we should have had a penalty when Wells was held back (the sort of thing that's a penalty every time but never gets given).
We missed chance after chance and they took theirs. We didn't play well but created chances. But we lost to a poor side. That can't be escaped from. Unlucky or not, we need to take the chances we create and we need to defend pressure situations better. We should still be fine, but we need to grind out the results.
One Night In Grimsby
Franck
Vercoe
Number 1
I also read the statement by Mel Morris about "the Derby way"... the fuck is that about?
In addition, it also makes reference to the previous 2 years without referring to the architect of that... would they like Newcastle to return him?
bmg033
BR.
If they were sacking Clement and bringing somebody like Pearson straight away then you could understand it, but I don't understand why they'd sack Clement only to appoint the academy coach or whatever the new guy was.
Shola
As well as if the higher ups believe they won't get promoted - they might reckon a new guy can give them the jolt to go for it.