Peter O ‘Rourke on X

[donnyguy]

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/

[Fal]

This guy is usually very in the know aswell, surely you would think he would come back to what he knows?

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

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.

[The Dav]

He’s generally on the money this chap !

[mpc123]

I'd love this signing. All people flagging mccann off, he knows what he needs to make it allhappen. Fingers crossed we get him.

[The Dav]

Surely we’ll be in the driving seat for him to come back, albeit Mansfield are a division higher!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

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.

[Nudga]

This would be the  statement signing.

[jmt23]

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.

[Stewmaiden79]

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.

[colincramb]

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

[Nudga]

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?

[rich1471]

If he came and we get promoted he could stay for a crack in league 1 next season with us same as Kelly

[i_ateallthepies]

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.

[Filo]

Does this mean Tottenham have recalled him, or Barnsley have sent him back?

[Drover]

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.

[Nudga]

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.

[silent majority]

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. 

[Filo]

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

[Nudga]

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

[Padge_DRFC]

Who is stupid enough to take Close and Westbrook off us?

[ncRover]

Seven fit and available central midfielders whose signings / contract renewals have been rubber stamped by McCann and he wants another!

[Nudga]

He's not cup tied either,  unused sub in both fa cup ties for Barnsley

[GazLaz]

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.

[steve@dcfd]

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.

[roversdude]

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

[StocksArmy]

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!

[Silkscarf]

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.

[drfchound]

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.

[Colemans Left Hook]

Santa's on my payroll and sorting it

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=292869.0