Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: donnyguy on January 06, 2025, 04:55:34 pm
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Doncaster rovers and Mansfield town are battling to sign Matthew Craig on loan
https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-mansfield-and-doncaster-race-to-sign-tottenham-star-matthew-craig/
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This guy is usually very in the know aswell, surely you would think he would come back to what he knows?
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DIdn't take a genius to figure out this was what Mccann was getting at in his interviews. The comments on Saturday about other things having to happen first suggested to me it was about him leaving Barnsley etc.
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He’s generally on the money this chap !
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I'd love this signing. All people flagging mccann off, he knows what he needs to make it allhappen. Fingers crossed we get him.
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Surely we’ll be in the driving seat for him to come back, albeit Mansfield are a division higher!
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I really hope I'm proved wrong cos I didn't think there was a cat in hells chance we'd get him back here.
I know this would make Alan Southstand a very happy man, who's been very vocal about the need to sign him.
I hope Spurs are convinced by McCann and Craig seemingly wanting it to happen too. Fingers crossed.
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This would be the statement signing.
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It certainly would, but if I was the loan manager at spurs, I would think he proved he can cut it at league 2, I want to know if he is good enough for the next step, and if Barnsley and their tactics didn’t work for him, Mansfield’s might.
I hope he does return, and if he does, I hope it works as well as it did. Could be an interesting Midfield link up with Kelly too, they may both be on a similar wavelength.
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Who makes the decision?Is it the parent club, the player himself or both maybe? Really hope we get him back. I wonder if the draw of league one football might be too much for him to turn down.
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If the parent club have no particular preference as to where he goes (although you’d think they would want him at the higher level, provided they can guarantee him games) then we could be in with a shout as he knows he starts here every week and might want to finish what he started last season
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It certainly would, but if I was the loan manager at spurs, I would think he proved he can cut it at league 2, I want to know if he is good enough for the next step, and if Barnsley and their tactics didn’t work for him, Mansfield’s might.
I hope he does return, and if he does, I hope it works as well as it did. Could be an interesting Midfield link up with Kelly too, they may both be on a similar wavelength.
Maybe they'd like to see him challenged in a promotion push?
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If he came and we get promoted he could stay for a crack in league 1 next season with us same as Kelly
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Craig is likely to feel he's had his fingers burned with Barnsley and will be feeling desperate for some certainty over getting games. Hopefully the player has some say in where he goes and doesn't feel like risking a repeat with Mansfield.
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Does this mean Tottenham have recalled him, or Barnsley have sent him back?
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It certainly would, but if I was the loan manager at spurs, I would think he proved he can cut it at league 2, I want to know if he is good enough for the next step, and if Barnsley and their tactics didn’t work for him, Mansfield’s might.
I hope he does return, and if he does, I hope it works as well as it did. Could be an interesting Midfield link up with Kelly too, they may both be on a similar wavelength.
Maybe they'd like to see him challenged in a promotion push?
Or a bit longer in league two for experience then try in league one again, hopefully with us.
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It certainly would, but if I was the loan manager at spurs, I would think he proved he can cut it at league 2, I want to know if he is good enough for the next step, and if Barnsley and their tactics didn’t work for him, Mansfield’s might.
I hope he does return, and if he does, I hope it works as well as it did. Could be an interesting Midfield link up with Kelly too, they may both be on a similar wavelength.
Maybe they'd like to see him challenged in a promotion push?
Or a bit longer in league two for experience then try in league one again, hourly worth us.
Sorry I meant in our promotion push.
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Does this mean Tottenham have recalled him, or Barnsley have sent him back?
It's a bit of both.
He was unfortunate that when he joined Barnsley he was carrying an injury, maybe the one he had with us at the end of last season, although I’m guessing here. Anyway, because of the injury/fitness issue he didn't get off to a great start and by the time he was ready he had to try and oust what appears to be a good midfield and an area that was over staffed too.
Add to that Barnsleys reported wage bill of £9m and you can see why a return suits both.
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Does this mean Tottenham have recalled him, or Barnsley have sent him back?
It's a bit of both.
He was unfortunate that when he joined Barnsley he was carrying an injury, maybe the one he had with us at the end of last season, although I’m guessing here. Anyway, because of the injury/fitness issue he didn't get off to a great start and by the time he was ready he had to try and oust what appears to be a good midfield and an area that was over staffed too.
Add to that Barnsleys reported wage bill of £9m and you can see why a return suits both.
we are also over staffed in midfield, but not with quality
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Does this mean Tottenham have recalled him, or Barnsley have sent him back?
It's a bit of both.
He was unfortunate that when he joined Barnsley he was carrying an injury, maybe the one he had with us at the end of last season, although I’m guessing here. Anyway, because of the injury/fitness issue he didn't get off to a great start and by the time he was ready he had to try and oust what appears to be a good midfield and an area that was over staffed too.
Add to that Barnsleys reported wage bill of £9m and you can see why a return suits both.
we are also over staffed in midfield, but not with quality
Maybe that's also what Grant meant by certain pieces needing to move, as in one/some of ours
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Who is stupid enough to take Close and Westbrook off us?
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Seven fit and available central midfielders whose signings / contract renewals have been rubber stamped by McCann and he wants another!
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He's not cup tied either, unused sub in both fa cup ties for Barnsley
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Does this mean Tottenham have recalled him, or Barnsley have sent him back?
It's a bit of both.
He was unfortunate that when he joined Barnsley he was carrying an injury, maybe the one he had with us at the end of last season, although I’m guessing here. Anyway, because of the injury/fitness issue he didn't get off to a great start and by the time he was ready he had to try and oust what appears to be a good midfield and an area that was over staffed too.
Add to that Barnsleys reported wage bill of £9m and you can see why a return suits both.
There is the possibility he’s not a top end of L1 player just yet.
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Seven fit and available central midfielders whose signings / contract renewals have been rubber stamped by McCann and he wants another!
But we need another better midfield player.Then the club can try and sort out what happens to others.
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Really hope we can make this happen and ship some out - agree with others some of our contract offers were very bizarre at the end of last season, personally I’d have offered Biggins more and got rid of Close and maybe Westbrook along with one or both of our second choice keepers
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Who is stupid enough to take Close and Westbrook off us?
I would assume we could move them out on loan but we would still have to pay a percentage of their wages. Not a single club would offer them a contract better than the one they are on here. So it’s looking like we are stuck with them. They probably wouldn’t even pass the medical!
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We must have a great chance of getting him. He had an amazing time here last season, he knows he’ll slot right in with teammates and coaches and we’re poised for a decent end of season once again.
Mansfield would be a load of unknowns, more risky. We’re a banker for him. Get more experience with us then League One club in summer.
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We must have a great chance of getting him. He had an amazing time here last season, he knows he’ll slot right in with teammates and coaches and we’re poised for a decent end of season once again.
Mansfield would be a load of unknowns, more risky. We’re a banker for him. Get more experience with us then League One club in summer.
It’s a shame you aren’t his agent mate.
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Santa's on my payroll and sorting it
https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=292869.0
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Who is stupid enough to take Close and Westbrook off us?
I would assume we could move them out on loan but we would still have to pay a percentage of their wages. Not a single club would offer them a contract better than the one they are on here. So it’s looking like we are stuck with them. They probably wouldn’t even pass the medical!
Due to injuries, Westbrooke played more games than Richard Wood, Jamie Sterry, Kyle Hurst and James Maxwell last year. But let’s keep bullying him because he’s an easy target.
And he’s not joined to Ben Close at the hip.
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We must have a great chance of getting him. He had an amazing time here last season, he knows he’ll slot right in with teammates and coaches and we’re poised for a decent end of season once again.
Mansfield would be a load of unknowns, more risky. We’re a banker for him. Get more experience with us then League One club in summer.
It’s a shame you aren’t his agent mate.
Well, we can advise him like a good friend might. OK we’re biased, but it’s possible he’ll read this before he decides. After things didn’t go to plan at Oakwell he might want to feel the love of the Rovers fans again.
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We must have a great chance of getting him. He had an amazing time here last season, he knows he’ll slot right in with teammates and coaches and we’re poised for a decent end of season once again.
Mansfield would be a load of unknowns, more risky. We’re a banker for him. Get more experience with us then League One club in summer.
It’s a shame you aren’t his agent mate.
Well, we can advise him like a good friend might. OK we’re biased, but it’s possible he’ll read this before he decides. After things didn’t go to plan at Oakwell he might want to feel the love of the Rovers fans again.
I think that may have swayed Billy to come back & reckon Marquis would have come too for that reason had we wanted him.
Being in this god awful division would deter the likes of Malik & Herbie had they been available.
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Tasty. Continue his growth. Little ramp up.
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I do hope this happens because he improved markedly during his time with us and became a key player in our midfield.
I would just have a little concern that he has been 'bigged up' by so many on here it's almost like we're awaiting the return of the Messiah.
If he does come back I hope he hits the ground running otherwise the honeymoon could be short-lived with some on here.
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I will make a pact
If he comes back I will take a break from decrying Refs for 4 home games
I will also stop mentioning the ***** **** ***** for 90 days (I've ADDED the 90 as a clue but just this TIME)
If you know you will know
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I do hope this happens because he improved markedly during his time with us and became a key player in our midfield.
I would just have a little concern that he has been 'bigged up' by so many on here it's almost like we're awaiting the return of the Messiah.
If he does come back I hope he hits the ground running otherwise the honeymoon could be short-lived with some on here.
Correct. Progression is never a straight line
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Seven fit and available central midfielders whose signings / contract renewals have been rubber stamped by McCann and he wants another!
But we need another better midfield player.Then the club can try and sort out what happens to others.
Perhaps so, but I think people picking on Close and Westbrooke has gone too far. They have nothing to do with our poor form.
It’s unfair to offer players contracts then change your mind on them and freeze them out. Particularly Zain, who has never really performed badly for us.
McCann signed another 3 central midfielders after BC and ZW renewals and he still needs more.
If we go up the club and manager need to be a lot smarter, because Bramall’s investment won’t be as notable relative to L1 and it’s currently papering over the cracks of poor squad planning in L2.
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I will make a pact
If he comes back I will take a break from decrying Refs for 4 home games
I will also stop mentioning the ***** **** ***** for 90 days (I've ADDED the 90 as a clue but just this TIME)
If you know you will know
No ya won't :lol:
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We must have a great chance of getting him. He had an amazing time here last season, he knows he’ll slot right in with teammates and coaches and we’re poised for a decent end of season once again.
Mansfield would be a load of unknowns, more risky. We’re a banker for him. Get more experience with us then League One club in summer.
Mansfield have a very experienced manager and sit 4th in the League 1 Form Table. I too would like to see how well he can slot into our current team. He presumably has a base up here and would probably be able to keep it playing for us whereas Mansfield is possibly that bit too far. Immediate popularity, regular selection and familiar surroundings would all go to ensure he would have every confidence if he came back, but career-wise you could not blame him for choosing Mansfield. How persuasive is Nigel Clough compared with GM? Probably not much to choose between them.
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Although he had a good half season with us i don't think it would boil down to him liking his time with us, if it it came down to us or Mansfield and they offered him say 1 grand or 2 grand a week on what we could offer, I think I know where he would go.
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Although he had a good half season with us i don't think it would boil down to him liking his time with us, if it it came down to us or Mansfield and they offered him say 1 grand or 2 grand a week on what we could offer, I think I know where he would go.
Is Craig the only iron in the fire ?
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Who is stupid enough to take Close and Westbrook off us?
I would assume we could move them out on loan but we would still have to pay a percentage of their wages. Not a single club would offer them a contract better than the one they are on here. So it’s looking like we are stuck with them. They probably wouldn’t even pass the medical!
Due to injuries, Westbrooke played more games than Richard Wood, Jamie Sterry, Kyle Hurst and James Maxwell last year. But let’s keep bullying him because he’s an easy target.
And he’s not joined to Ben Close at the hip.
If you read the post I never mentioned why I think a club wouldn’t offer them a contract. The reason for that is because they are not very good and won’t play for anybody higher than us. But yes, they are both still injured far too much regardless and yes, I know Close was done with a bad challenge at Bradford.
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Although he had a good half season with us i don't think it would boil down to him liking his time with us, if it it came down to us or Mansfield and they offered him say 1 grand or 2 grand a week on what we could offer, I think I know where he would go.
He’ll be earning exactly the same as it’s a loan
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I would imagine that he would spend time on the bench at Mansfield like he did at Barnsley as they have a decent midfield so I doubt he’s going there
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I would imagine that he would spend time on the bench at Mansfield like he did at Barnsley as they have a decent midfield so I doubt he’s going there
Looks like the same midfield they had in League 2 last year?
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I would imagine that he would spend time on the bench at Mansfield like he did at Barnsley as they have a decent midfield so I doubt he’s going there
Looks like the same midfield they had in League 2 last year?
It’s not doing that bad in League One
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I would imagine that he would spend time on the bench at Mansfield like he did at Barnsley as they have a decent midfield so I doubt he’s going there
Looks like the same midfield they had in League 2 last year?
It’s not doing that bad in League One
I wonder if they recruited with Lg1 in mind?
If we went up, I think we'd need half a rebuild.
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My understanding is that he will be on the wages as per his spurs contract. It likely that this could be higher than what we pay our players.
The money we pay is to spurs, thus likely Mansfield would offer more to spurs than us seen as they are league above us.
My guess is would be that spurs will be looking at what Mansfield are promising regarding game time.
Copps has a good relationship with the team at spurs, so if we are intimating mc will start all games, then we do have a fair chance.
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Maybe we are waiting for the outcome of the cup game to see our final prize money fund
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Another factor about loans is the loaning club can insist that a player starts when fit, well McCann can give assurance about that in a way that Clough cannot
GM said last season that he would never take a player if their club insisted he start when fit and same goes for our own players going out to other clubs.
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Another factor about loans is the loaning club can insist that a player starts when fit, well McCann can give assurance about that in a way that Clough cannot
GM said last season that he would never take a player if their club insisted he start when fit and same goes for our own players going out to other clubs.
Whatever Grant said about incoming 18 months ago is irrelevant now.
He wants/needs Craig, I wrote that Grant can give assurance when he's asked privately by Spurs as to the regularity of him starting games, indeed though it's unlikely, a crisis in defence occurs and Bailey reverts back there that could mean Craig as the first midfielder on the team sheet. Also possible given that event we could have a midfield of two on loans.
I'd say the signing of Matt Craig is about as certain as possible
What does “certain as possible” mean? It is not Rovers’ decision is it?
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Alot of talk about wages involved in a loan,but am I right in thinking,there is now often a lump sum/signing fee in loans?
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Did anybody read the article that Ricky Charlesworth posted on X for DFP regarding this window and get the vibe that we need to move players on if we are to bring anybody else in? I couldn’t make out whether that’s what was being suggested or if we have to be patient for other clubs to get players in before a move to us could happen or perhaps even both.
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Alot of talk about wages involved in a loan,but am I right in thinking,there is now often a lump sum/signing fee in loans?
… or a “contribution to wages” perhaps. I suppose when making deals, anything is possible.
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My understanding the player will receive his normal pay from his parent club. A loan fee is negotiated between clubs taking a few factors into account plus the frequency the fee might be paid, either by one off payment or installments. The parent club invoices the loaning club at agreed intervals. As you may be aware the payment of loan fees have been tightened up so that clubs pay up in good time. This was why we fell foul of the new rules a year ago when we received that suspended sanction from the EFL when our payment to Brighton went outside the 21 or 28 days (can't remember which and can't remember the player. Not Taylor Richards)
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My understanding the player will receive his normal pay from his parent club. A loan fee is negotiated between clubs taking a few factors into account plus the frequency the fee might be paid, either by one off payment or installments. The parent club invoices the loaning club at agreed intervals. As you may be aware the payment of loan fees have been tightened up so that clubs pay up in good time. This was why we fell foul of the new rules a year ago when we received that suspended sanction from the EFL when our payment to Brighton went outside the 21 or 28 days (can't remember which and can't remember the player. Not Taylor Richards)
Spot on Baz, I was going to post something similar.
Just to clarify, for others, we don't pay the players wages, DRFC are invoiced an agreed fee which is settled depending on the agreed terms.
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My understanding the player will receive his normal pay from his parent club. A loan fee is negotiated between clubs taking a few factors into account plus the frequency the fee might be paid, either by one off payment or installments. The parent club invoices the loaning club at agreed intervals. As you may be aware the payment of loan fees have been tightened up so that clubs pay up in good time. This was why we fell foul of the new rules a year ago when we received that suspended sanction from the EFL when our payment to Brighton went outside the 21 or 28 days (can't remember which and can't remember the player. Not Taylor Richards)
Super Todd Millar
What a player!!
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Miller is currently out on loan at Billericay Town (from Wealdstone).
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My understanding the player will receive his normal pay from his parent club. A loan fee is negotiated between clubs taking a few factors into account plus the frequency the fee might be paid, either by one off payment or installments. The parent club invoices the loaning club at agreed intervals. As you may be aware the payment of loan fees have been tightened up so that clubs pay up in good time. This was why we fell foul of the new rules a year ago when we received that suspended sanction from the EFL when our payment to Brighton went outside the 21 or 28 days (can't remember which and can't remember the player. Not Taylor Richards)
Super Todd Millar
What a player!!
You can understand why I forgot! (Probably the reason we 'forgot' to pay the invoice)
Now there was a player with pace...but nothing else!
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My understanding the player will receive his normal pay from his parent club. A loan fee is negotiated between clubs taking a few factors into account plus the frequency the fee might be paid, either by one off payment or installments. The parent club invoices the loaning club at agreed intervals. As you may be aware the payment of loan fees have been tightened up so that clubs pay up in good time. This was why we fell foul of the new rules a year ago when we received that suspended sanction from the EFL when our payment to Brighton went outside the 21 or 28 days (can't remember which and can't remember the player. Not Taylor Richards)
Super Todd Millar
What a player!!
You can understand why I forgot! (Probably the reason we 'forgot' to pay the invoice)
Now there was a player with pace...but nothing else!
Pace and hair.
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Todd Miller.
Now on loan at Billericay in Tier 7.
We berate Schofield but Christ, he was living off the scraps left at the bottom of a bag of batter bits.
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Back to Matty Craig - surely with the recent and rapid emergence of Bergvall at Tottenham, whose almost 4 years younger, he has no realistic career path left at Spurs so a permanent move to a Lge 1 ( or even 2 ) club surely his best bet now in terms of progression and maximizing his earning power?
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Back to Matty Craig - surely with the recent and rapid emergence of Bergvall at Tottenham, whose almost 4 years younger, he has no realistic career path left at Spurs so a permanent move to a Lge 1 ( or even 2 ) club surely his best bet now in terms of progression and maximizing his earning power?
You would think that's a more likely career path for Craig. His next choice of a permanent home will be important. He doesn't strike me as a money first young player so he might be more prepared to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond. We've seen quite a few ex Prem youngsters drop down before rising back up to a good level, with some making it all the back to the Prem.
It's a different ball game once they lose that security of being on the books of a big club and they have to work hard to make a name for themselves.
IF, he was to return to us, then you'd think he'd be looking to lay a marker down where he might secure a permanent home and, depending how it goes, put himself in the shop window to have as many choices as possible come the summer (assuming nobody steps in with an attractive permanent bid this month). So, is he and Spurs, in any rush to make their minds up this month?
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Matty Craig Mansfield on loan it’s a pity that will have to look at someone else
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Signed to provide competition. Per Nigel Clough: “It’ll be good to strengthen in that area, bearing in mind all the games we have in the second half of the season. The one position we haven’t got competition for is Louis Reed and Matthew provides us with that.”
It rather puts DRFC in perspective where you assume he’d have been straight into our team. So, he meant more to us than we did to him, but I suppose it puts the focus very much on GM’s managerial ability to solidify the midfield.
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Possibly not his decision, more likely Spurs thoughts on his progression being a league up
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Craig is 22 in a few months and has spent years at a big 6 premier league club.
He has to be at the point where he fancies himself to be better than Louis Reed, a player who has spent his whole career at L1/2 level.
His twin brother is also a regular at L1 Reading so he’ll want to keep up with him!
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Mansfield it was. b*llocks.
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Signed to provide competition. Per Nigel Clough: “It’ll be good to strengthen in that area, bearing in mind all the games we have in the second half of the season. The one position we haven’t got competition for is Louis Reed and Matthew provides us with that.”
It rather puts DRFC in perspective where you assume he’d have been straight into our team. So, he meant more to us than we did to him, but I suppose it puts the focus very much on GM’s managerial ability to solidify the midfield.
Well a manager is hardly going to say he'll walk into the team but Clough genuinely wants that competition and Spurs will hope Craig relishes the challenge and forces his way in. Even if Craig doesn't make it at Prem Level, he's contracted to 2026 so they'll hope they'll get a return on their development of him.
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Signed to provide competition. Per Nigel Clough: “It’ll be good to strengthen in that area, bearing in mind all the games we have in the second half of the season. The one position we haven’t got competition for is Louis Reed and Matthew provides us with that.”
It rather puts DRFC in perspective where you assume he’d have been straight into our team. So, he meant more to us than we did to him, but I suppose it puts the focus very much on GM’s managerial ability to solidify the midfield.
Well a manager is hardly going to say he'll walk into the team but Clough genuinely wants that competition and Spurs
will hope Craig relishes the challenge and forces his way in. Even if Craig doesn't make it at Prem Level, he's contracted to 2026 so they'll hope they'll get a return on their development of him.
This is the crucial point, spurs will want to reach the end of his contract date with him playing at the top level which he his capable. Time is of the essence to determine if he can be a prospect for the top level with them, or maximise any return when released, so minimum expectation must be L1 this season and championship football next season.
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The statement signing? I was certain he would join given two proviso, that with already a lot of options in midfield that the budget could allow it and that Spurs would want him guaranteed a starting place.
Hard to think now of a player who we'd sign, maybe we sign no-one and have to go with what Grant has made long term plans for?
We shouldn’t be in this position at all.
If he’s desperate and can loan or sell 1 or 2 he’s changed his mind on then Sam Clucas could be an option. Really good player.
Previously been based in S.Yorks/East Mids and has a clause in his Oldham contract that he can go on a free if an EFL club shows interest. Mansfield were looking at him but went with Craig instead.
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Well Grant always says they have lists of options. Bear in mind the Craig story was never from the club so he may never have been a target
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It's McCanns press day today so it will be interesting to hear what he has to say.
I'm wondering whether A N Other midfield player was a genuine target or only became so when he was alerted about Craig's availability?
I suspect he'll play it with a straight bat and say he's happy with what he has but they're always looking to improve should the right players come available.
For what it's worth, I think he's got the backing to do business without having to get others out. He did say he wants the squad to be stronger at the end of the window. I don't think Flemming was a blow to that objective. He'll give the impression he's in no rush to sign anyone else and buy some time.
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It's McCanns press day today so it will be interesting to hear what he has to say.
I'm wondering whether A N Other midfield player was a genuine target or only became so when he was alerted about Craig's availability?
I suspect he'll play it with a straight bat and say he's happy with what he has but they're always looking to improve should the right players come available.
For what it's worth, I think he's got the backing to do business without having to get others out. He did say he wants the squad to be stronger at the end of the window. He'll give the impression he's in no rush to sign anyone else and buy some time.
What better response than to say he was never on our radar and our options in that area are already more than capable?
Grant may have the backing as in squad finances but didn't Silent majority write a while ago that it was nearing the limit?
If so then some players did/do have to leave, obviously, if Grant wants to strengthen midfield
Yes, maybe.
Well there's always good housekeeping to be done but he'll be able to get em in before moving others on if he wants.
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The statement signing? I was certain he would join given two proviso, that with already a lot of options in midfield that the budget could allow it and that Spurs would want him guaranteed a starting place.
Hard to think now of a player who we'd sign, maybe we sign no-one and have to go with what Grant has made long term plans for?
We don’t offer loanees a guaranteed starting place, and rightly so IMHO..
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It's McCanns press day today so it will be interesting to hear what he has to say.
I'm wondering whether A N Other midfield player was a genuine target or only became so when he was alerted about Craig's availability?
I suspect he'll play it with a straight bat and say he's happy with what he has but they're always looking to improve should the right players come available.
For what it's worth, I think he's got the backing to do business without having to get others out. He did say he wants the squad to be stronger at the end of the window. He'll give the impression he's in no rush to sign anyone else and buy some time.
What better response than to say he was never on our radar and our options in that area are already more than capable?
Grant may have the backing as in squad finances but didn't Silent majority write a while ago that it was nearing the limit?
If so then some players did/do have to leave, obviously, if Grant wants to strengthen midfield
Yes, maybe.
Well there's always good housekeeping to be done but he'll be able to get em in before moving others on if he wants.
From midfield who, Westbrooke, Close, contracted to 2026, Broadbent who money was paid for, Bailey who's played more minutes than anyone else? Maybe Kelly return from his season long loan ala Fleming? Is that possible?
What happens if a player signs and then the player expected to leave decides not to, taking the club beyond spending limits?
Of course Craig may never have been a target, but if not surely it would've been best stamped all over immediately by Grant saying he doesn't need another midfield option
But what if Grant thinks he does need another midfield option but it wasn't Craig?
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McCann speaks.
https://youtu.be/HuH8EK7_EU4?si=9ey3tcSrxOc8R1ej
Can't help thinking his slight irritation was of his own making. But that's football and we move on.
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McCann speaks.
https://youtu.be/HuH8EK7_EU4?si=9ey3tcSrxOc8R1ej
Can't help thinking his slight irritation was of his own making. But that's football and we move on.
Interesting to hear him say a couple of the senior players have been told 'where they stand' and he admits the squad needs trimming.
That surely means a number of Jones, Faulkner, Westbrooke, Close.
Maybe Anderson if he's eyeing up a Cb and Wood is nearly back.
Maybe Lawlor if he's eyeing up a keeper.
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Grant has a lot of scope for moving players on or out on loan, as mentioned above.
Faulkner
Jones
Westbrooke
Close
Emmanuel (I like him but we don't need 3 right backs)
With the signings of Street and Ennis then maybe Sbarra, Hurst or Gibson out on loan.
My feeling would be Sbarra, it's just not working out for some reason.
Personally I'd like Gibson to go out on loan. He's had more chances than most and had about 3 or 4 good games. Maybe a loan out could get his confidence back?
Patrick Kelly could also be sent back, not done too bad but we need more than what he brings to really go for it.
That's a good junk of budget right there, add in a bit of the cup run money and it's a decent pot.
Problem is actually moving players on but I find it a big positive that GM has come out and said that he needs to trim the squad as it's a big hindrance to him this season.
I get it as he was hamstrung with long term injuries last season but the medical team have had a huge impact this season so we don't need a squad that big.
Most of the players don't look like they are enjoying their football at the moment. I know Grant says that they can play with freedom but that freedom is being strangled because most know they will get subbed at 60 minutes.
I can imagine it's mentally tough to truly express yourself in those circumstances so some might be playing it safe?
Anyway, very interesting month ahead but this is Grants 4th transfer window so he should be now getting a squad in his mould.
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I bet our wage bill is huge compared to even when Wellens was in charge. The squad is so bloated it's ridiculous and a lot being wasted too.
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I bet our wage bill is huge compared to even when Wellens was in charge. The squad is so bloated it's ridiculous and a lot being wasted too.
I agree. No real thought gone into squad building (although the club will think otherwise I’m sure). These things aren’t easy, and it’s not Fantasy Manager, I know that, but not sure we are getting value. The key is to be spending (for eg) £3m/ season and be getting the results of a £3.5m team. That’s not happening is it.
Any real strategic, sustainable planning went out of the window when the plan evolved into “get a manager that’s a level above L2 and spends loads”.
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Well Grant always says they have lists of options. Bear in mind the Craig story was never from the club so he may never have been a target
On reflection this yes is bang on point, not directly verbally from anyone, but there is no room in the budget (silent majority wrote a while ago that the budget was close to it's limit) but someone wanted to give the impression we could somehow have got him, cue talk at the MTO of trying really hard to get a "statement signing " but it just failed at the last minute, job done
How do you know Ennis isn’t the signing McCann spoke about the other week? I’m pretty sure it will be, he said it’s been ongoing for a few months.
Ennis will of had suitors higher up the Uranus but he’s signed for us, hence why it’s a statement signing
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I think if we read the article again, it might make more sense now.
https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/grant-mccann-issues-transfer-update-as-doncaster-rovers-look-to-seal-statement-signing-4925066
As I said to GazLaz 'Statement signing' is a term people will assume different things. As I did, my first incling was it must be a permanent signing. .
In this instance, maybe a statement signing for us as a club fending off interest from higher clubs.
So, maybe a statement signing but not a marquee signing of a 'name' like Billy etc.
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McCann has reiterated again the aim is basically to have a 22 man first team squad, with outside this some senior youth lads who are progressing towards that 22 first team squad. There were some injuries to places where the first and second choice was injured eg left back hence Fleming. A 22 man first team squad with competition for every position, seems right.
There is another issue which is how he uses that squad, both in terms of a tactical set up, and also frankly players on good wages like Close and Westbrooke who clearly he doesn’t see as competing for the centre midfield spots given how rarely they make squad let alone feature. If it is a 22 man first team squad then it needs to be 22 players who can actually play otherwise we are spending huge sums on nothing really.
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Agreed cbcb. Whatever the thoughts were when Close & Westbrooke were re-signed have surely now been altered. That’s just one discussion point on how things have panned out, so far, this season. I wrote weeks ago about “can’t wait for January” and part of that was for GM to hopefully have a bit of a ‘reset’ on where we were heading. Our momentum curve has took a bit of a nosedive over the last few weeks and that has coincided with a lot of our rivals heaping more pressure on that battle for a top 3 position.
I honestly think GM has had a bit of a blind spot with his midfield so far and this next couple of weeks will hopefully see a new quality addition to the ranks. Street and Ennis look like they will certainly add to what we currently have up top but the midfield is still missing that X factor, imho. Fingers and toes are crossed.
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Ennis looks more of a statement signing than Craig the more I look at this
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Could it be that one of our current squad is moving on in January - we seem to have an abundance of front players.... or maybe I'm thinking too much about it.
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Could it be that one of our current squad is moving on in January - we seem to have an abundance of front players.... or maybe I'm thinking too much about it.
I would say it’s nailed on. In fact it sounds like more than one. He said in his interview that he wants to get back to a squad of 20 outfield players. So quite a bit of shuffling about may be required.