[Archived] Uncertain Futures

[Stuart]

The problem with Venkys "strategy" of leasing players and paying no fees (except agents fees, obviously) and then bringing in youth is...

Well, actually, there are several problems.

Lets start with free players. Although there may be the odd fluke, there is usually a reason they are free: either they are fundementally crocks, they have attitude problems and/or major baggage, or they just aren't very good. Players who can't stay fit or have problems are generally not lads you can count on in a relegation battle. In theory they should be hungry to prove themselves but with short term contracts they do not have a future and with longer term ones they seem to be able to sit them out. Football absolutely relies on transfer fees being spent - usually over the odds - to get decent players. The Oakland A's have a lot to answer for.

Loanees are only good to add experience that either through funds or timing you cannot afford to buy. There should only be one or two loanees. They are only in it for themselves. Gallagher has all but said as much. As long as they are doing the right things technically and getting himself on the score sheet they are happy. When a parent club scout comes along to watch put a bit of a shift in. They aren't here for the club.

Youth is an interesting one. If they shine early on, they get a lot of leeway from the fans. If they don't then 'they aren't ready'. A manager should be able to introduce these when they are ready and manage their introduction. Most don't make it so there is little pressure. Expecting too much from them will end in failure.

But crucially, the situation with Mahoney seems to cover all bases: young, probably not ready but also has a short contract - and the new one being offered, allegedly, isn't the going rate. The only players left - those with a couple of years on their contract - must look at the penny pinching (relatively speaking) and think that there is no future for anyone at Rovers. On the face of it, you have to say that League Two football - with League Two wages is all the owners are interested in. Cut your cloth, Mike, there is no more money, you can well imagine being a recent phone conversation.

We need a core of players on midterm contracts, with one or two on their final year, one or two loanees and one or two youth players. We have too many of all of them - so much so that the midtermers are a minority.

There is so much uncertainty across the whole club; most of the players do not know where they will be playing next season. Although what they do know is that it won't be at Rovers.

Clubs cannot run they way that Venkys think they can run Rovers. Football just doesn't work that way. You have to spend a minimum amount of money or you suffer the consequences. You need a platform of stability - on and off the pitch - with the certainty that the club is a going concern. If you can't afford to be at the table, you need to walk away, and let somebody else sit down. You don't sit in the seat eating peanuts and watching everyone else play.

The players have uncertain futures but - thanks to Venkys - the club has an uncertain future too.

[den]

Next season holds the biggest fears we've had at Ewood for a long, long time. 

IMO, there's absolutely nothing to build from, no base to start from.

we all know about the owners. Seniors judgement that we didn't need players in January comes into big question, there's no foundation in the squad to work with whatsoever, while attendances and finances will take another big hit.

there you go, a bit of a miserable post, but what is there to look forwards to?

 

forgot to add, the managers not yet proven himself and most of the squad won't play in league one.

[Stuart]

I don't believe for one minute that Senior believed we didn't need players. Master of spin.

We may have had enough warm bodies to put together a math day squad but what we needed, aside from new owners, was a squad that could keep us in the division.

[perthblue02]

Just now, Stuart said:

I don't believe for one minute that Senior believed we didn't need players. Master of spin.

We may have had enough warm bodies to put together a math day squad but what we needed, aside from new owners, was a squad that could keep us in the division.

Its all about the percentages

Brilliant first post btw

[davulsukur]

Just now, perthblue02 said:

Its all about the percentages

But it's only a fraction of the problem