Quote from: Chris Smith on June 23, 2017, 08:40:06 AMQuote from: cdbullyweefan on June 23, 2017, 08:10:39 AMQuote from: Chris Smith on June 23, 2017, 06:51:54 AMQuote from: adrenachrome on June 23, 2017, 12:50:56 AMIn addition to the objections raised by most posters, I am concerned about SB's strategy in offering the contract.A lot of us think the current squad is more than capable of getting us promoted, but Bruce started playing the card that the players bought in could not cope with the pressure. To me, that is an admission that he is unable to assemble a coaching team or the tactics necessary to do this.It does not look good, in my view.We need additional centre half cover so in that sense the squad is not good enough. One of Chester or Baker gets injured or suspended then we are in trouble. If a Terry like player was available but without the baggage then I doubt it would receive half the scrutiny this is. I can understand why people don't want him based on his character but from a purely footballing sense it makes a lot of sense.I'm struggling to see how "from a purely footballing sense" it makes a lot of sense for a second tier club to employ a 37 year old on £60k a week... as cover?He won't be cover, so I'm not sure what point you're making. He'll be breaking up the only position in which we looked vaguely competent last season and leaving us lacking funds to address the parts of the team that really need addressing. We need another centre half, common sense tells us that Baker and Chester cannot play every game, injuries and suspensions will take there toll. So the argument that the squad is good enough does not stand up. If, as part of that deal we get one that is good enough to hold down a starting place then all the better.It is understandable but I think your judgement of him as a player is clouded by your view of him as a man. He has never had pace but has made up for that with his strength, ability, leadership and positional sense. That is why there are a number of clubs interested in signing him.On balance I would probably prefer that we didn't sign him but if we do then I am fairly confident that he would be good enough for the Championship.He might be good enough, he might not. As he's hardly played in the last six months, it's difficult to tell. Maybe he's better than McGrath, Baresi or Beckenbauer... who all retired or disappeared to the Disney Retirement "Soccer" League at his age.But you're agreeing that Baker and Chester are okay and that we need to strengthen "the squad'. Buying a player to come straight into the first team at centre-half is not a priority. We can easily get a promising youngster or a solid pro as centre-half cover, save ourselves a fortune in the process and re-invest in areas where we need to strengthen the team, as opposed to just providing cover.There is no sense in the Terry signing. It's a vanity signing based on reputation rather than the logical needs of the team/squad. Nothing more, nothing less.
Quote from: cdbullyweefan on June 23, 2017, 08:10:39 AMQuote from: Chris Smith on June 23, 2017, 06:51:54 AMQuote from: adrenachrome on June 23, 2017, 12:50:56 AMIn addition to the objections raised by most posters, I am concerned about SB's strategy in offering the contract.A lot of us think the current squad is more than capable of getting us promoted, but Bruce started playing the card that the players bought in could not cope with the pressure. To me, that is an admission that he is unable to assemble a coaching team or the tactics necessary to do this.It does not look good, in my view.We need additional centre half cover so in that sense the squad is not good enough. One of Chester or Baker gets injured or suspended then we are in trouble. If a Terry like player was available but without the baggage then I doubt it would receive half the scrutiny this is. I can understand why people don't want him based on his character but from a purely footballing sense it makes a lot of sense.I'm struggling to see how "from a purely footballing sense" it makes a lot of sense for a second tier club to employ a 37 year old on £60k a week... as cover?He won't be cover, so I'm not sure what point you're making. He'll be breaking up the only position in which we looked vaguely competent last season and leaving us lacking funds to address the parts of the team that really need addressing. We need another centre half, common sense tells us that Baker and Chester cannot play every game, injuries and suspensions will take there toll. So the argument that the squad is good enough does not stand up. If, as part of that deal we get one that is good enough to hold down a starting place then all the better.It is understandable but I think your judgement of him as a player is clouded by your view of him as a man. He has never had pace but has made up for that with his strength, ability, leadership and positional sense. That is why there are a number of clubs interested in signing him.On balance I would probably prefer that we didn't sign him but if we do then I am fairly confident that he would be good enough for the Championship.
Quote from: Chris Smith on June 23, 2017, 06:51:54 AMQuote from: adrenachrome on June 23, 2017, 12:50:56 AMIn addition to the objections raised by most posters, I am concerned about SB's strategy in offering the contract.A lot of us think the current squad is more than capable of getting us promoted, but Bruce started playing the card that the players bought in could not cope with the pressure. To me, that is an admission that he is unable to assemble a coaching team or the tactics necessary to do this.It does not look good, in my view.We need additional centre half cover so in that sense the squad is not good enough. One of Chester or Baker gets injured or suspended then we are in trouble. If a Terry like player was available but without the baggage then I doubt it would receive half the scrutiny this is. I can understand why people don't want him based on his character but from a purely footballing sense it makes a lot of sense.I'm struggling to see how "from a purely footballing sense" it makes a lot of sense for a second tier club to employ a 37 year old on £60k a week... as cover?He won't be cover, so I'm not sure what point you're making. He'll be breaking up the only position in which we looked vaguely competent last season and leaving us lacking funds to address the parts of the team that really need addressing.
Quote from: adrenachrome on June 23, 2017, 12:50:56 AMIn addition to the objections raised by most posters, I am concerned about SB's strategy in offering the contract.A lot of us think the current squad is more than capable of getting us promoted, but Bruce started playing the card that the players bought in could not cope with the pressure. To me, that is an admission that he is unable to assemble a coaching team or the tactics necessary to do this.It does not look good, in my view.We need additional centre half cover so in that sense the squad is not good enough. One of Chester or Baker gets injured or suspended then we are in trouble. If a Terry like player was available but without the baggage then I doubt it would receive half the scrutiny this is. I can understand why people don't want him based on his character but from a purely footballing sense it makes a lot of sense.
In addition to the objections raised by most posters, I am concerned about SB's strategy in offering the contract.A lot of us think the current squad is more than capable of getting us promoted, but Bruce started playing the card that the players bought in could not cope with the pressure. To me, that is an admission that he is unable to assemble a coaching team or the tactics necessary to do this.It does not look good, in my view.
So people who say racist things aren't really racist? So who is racist? Are we to sign people who groom children but aren't paedophiles also, just as long as they're 'winners'?
Aside from the shitstorm this potential signing is causing, what does this tell us about Bruce's approach to the new season?I think many, many fans were hoping Bruce would undergo some sort of epiphany this summer that would usher in a new way we approach the game.Many said we need to change our style of play and become, fitter, stronger, with much more pace and movement.We need to get away from the dinosaur approach of tippy tappy, sideways, backwards turgid football that had us finishing as a lower half, second division team last season. Targeting players like Terry does not suggest to me that Bruce has gone 'all modern' and we will enjoy the sort of football we saw from many other teams last season.Many other teams who were better than us.
Quote from: andyh on June 23, 2017, 09:09:51 AMAside from the shitstorm this potential signing is causing, what does this tell us about Bruce's approach to the new season?I think many, many fans were hoping Bruce would undergo some sort of epiphany this summer that would usher in a new way we approach the game.Many said we need to change our style of play and become, fitter, stronger, with much more pace and movement.We need to get away from the dinosaur approach of tippy tappy, sideways, backwards turgid football that had us finishing as a lower half, second division team last season. Targeting players like Terry does not suggest to me that Bruce has gone 'all modern' and we will enjoy the sort of football we saw from many other teams last season.Many other teams who were better than us. When you consider the Chelsea sides he has play in and the managers he has played under I am not sure that argument holds up. A reliable defence allows the midfield more attacking freedom as they are not constantly having to worry about potential cock ups behind them.I am really surprised to find myself sort of defending him as I have never had any time for the man but that does not stop me from recognising that he is (was?) a very good centre half.
I cannot stop shuddering at the prospects of us being called "John Terry's Aston Villa".
In retrospect I much preferred being Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa than that turd that wouldn't flush.