Looks like hes another Wickham, always injured......collect 60k a week dont pass go!!

Yes, there is Buy or Loan a Better one, Simples

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

I personally don’t think it is wise to go into the new season with an inexperienced manager with

Mitchell
Hannam
Kelly
And Imray as your fullbacks

Clyne appears to fit the PV model with full backs playing as quasi wing backs - though I'm a touch dubious how this pans out when we face strong PL opposition - is he our best option at RB? Starting in preseason seems to confirm his favouritism.

No new contract signed yet. Should we go for him? He's not exactly young - Ward was his replacement all those years back iirc.

Would he sign a short term contract? That I imagine is the sticking point right now. Having both him and Ward on longer deals feels wrong with Ferguson on the blocks though arguably Ward can be deemed LB cover - he did briefly oust PvA there.

(I'm ignoring Kelly out wider unless in extremis - he is a CB really and more so under the PV model)

Edited by Omph (29 Jul 2021 4.48am)

I think this is exactly the issue. With surgery these days, Ferguson will probably recover and may well play again. The question is, after two years out of the game due to serious joint injuries will he ever be the player he was? Those sorts of knocks take their toll. It's not just getting to the point where you can play again, but whether you can return to being the player you once were.

I hope Ferguson can do it but it's far from guaranteed and we have to be prudent and mitigate the risk that he won't come back. Clyne and Ward are not that old (34 is the new 2 and both are adequate cover for the next two seasons if Ferguson doesn't make it. If Ferguson does make it back (more likely next season than this), then Ward or Clyne signed to a contract will have some transfer value if we want or need to move either on.

Wickham is actually a good case study. He did get over his injuries and play again last season. But he clearly wasn't the player he was before the injuries and in the end, though fit, didn't even make an impact in the Championship. I fear the same thing might happen with Ferguson.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

The problem with Clyne is he was on £80,769 a week last year and he is 30 now, i doubt he would get more than 35k if given a two year deal, better to give him 6 months at 50k and see if Ferguson recovers

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn