[Archived] Summer Transfer/discussion Thread

[BigBeard]

Imagine allowing people to have their own opinions. Really disappointing to see posts like that as they are inflammatory remarks designed solely to anger and irritate (to clarify I'm talking about the post you're responding to, not yours). As Mike so often says, play the ball, not the man.

As far as Stokes is concerned, footballing wise it's only fair to judge him once he starts playing. If people want to judge him personally based on his links to terrorist groups that is fair enough, imo. We've done quite well getting dodgy characters out of the club in recent times, though, so it's a shame if we start bringing them back in.

Would Joey Barton be a dodgy character....most people on this forum including myself would say yes he is ..... However he had a cracking season at dingleville last season....so for me it doesn't matter just what they do on The pitch that counts

[Norbert Rassragr]

Would you sign Ched Evans, Adam Johnson or Marlon King (a few years ago) then BB? I know they're extreme cases, but the logic of that statement suggests such crimes are OK as long as they're great. It also suggests that a footballer can be forgiven if they're a Fred West type if they're as good as Messi.

I'm not suggesting you actually think that, but I am pointing out the logic of statements like "I don't care what he gets up to off the pitch" when being entirely consistent.

[Gav]

Would Joey Barton be a dodgy character....most people on this forum including myself would say yes he is ..... However he had a cracking season at dingleville last season....so for me it doesn't matter just what they do on The pitch that counts

Apologies for taking this of topic.

A bit naughty this BigBeard, but would you say the same if we signed an ISIS sympathizer? A man that openly admitted that he attended meetings and made no bones about supporting the cause?

Would you say the same:

"for me it doesn't matter just what they do on The pitch that counts"

[Leonard Venkhater]

Now, now children.

Oh and whoosh @ me!

But that is a good thing...... in this case.

[BlueMonday]

Well unless there's some brisk transfer business, its not looking likely that he will have a full squad for the start of training.

I will delighted but amazed if we are not nailed on for relegation next season

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

[Gav]

Would you sign Ched Evans, Adam Johnson or Marlon King (a few years ago) then BB? I know they're extreme cases, but the logic of that statement suggests such crimes are OK as long as they're great. It also suggests that a footballer can be forgiven if they're a Fred West type if they're as good as Messi.

I'm not suggesting you actually think that, but I am pointing out the logic of statements like "I don't care what he gets up to off the pitch" when being entirely consistent.

Football has absolutely no morals whatsoever, we know that, look at how long Johnson played on at Sunderland in the hope he'd help them stay up, this despite the police providing evidence to show he was probably guilty and we've not got into bungs and greasing palms with cash.

Everyone deserves a second chance, I'd sign Evans, but not Johnson, due to the nature of his crime, it was related to his football career.

[gumboots]

Evans is going to retrial anyway and that suggests there is a considerable element of doubt about the whole case. After Johnson has done his time, he would be entitled to a chance to rebuild his life if not in football. People do change. Sometimes even basically good people do the most idiotic and awful things for some reason. Not saying Johnson is basically a good person as I don't know, but it is possible that he will eventually come to realise why most people feel his crime was so bad and he would deserve a chance to rebuild.

[oldjamfan1]

Ched Evans' conviction has been quashed. I'm no lawyer but I assume this means that, at this moment in time, he is guilty of absolutely nothing. Therefore any talk of 'his crime' or describing him as 'a criminal' is inaccurate?

Which is why there is to be a full retrial - it isn't an appeal.

[mustard]

Evans and Johnson; chalk and cheese.

Evans will likely be declared innocent soon enough. Johnson is a wrong'un.

edited

[Iceman]

I don't think anyone wants to see Jason Lowe with a tackle in him

Its like Lowe is a fish out of water with that tackle in him

[Amo]

Football is morally bankrupt.

Lee Hughes and Luke McCormick killed people through their drunken stupidity and were welcomed back with open arms.

If Stokes does the business, his IRA connections will soon be forgotten.

[Gav]

Football is morally bankrupt.

Lee Hughes and Luke McCormick killed people through their drunken stupidity and were welcomed back with open arms.

If Stokes does the business, his IRA connections will soon be forgotten.

Hughes served his time and was allowed to carry on playing football, correct decision, Evans should also have been allowed to carry on playing once he served his time, but the media wanted blood and clubs didn't think he was worth the effort. If a better player had been involved clubs would have ignored the press and he'd have had loads of offers.

As for Stokes I agree with you.

[Amo]

Hughes served his time and was allowed to carry on playing football, correct decision,

That doesn't mean that any club should've taken a convicted killer onto their books. Like I said, morally bankrupt.

[Leonard Venkhater]

About right. Morals only come into it when it is about sponsors and PR!

[Gav]

I couldn't disagree more, restricting someone's ability to get a job after a criminal conviction is short sighted and prejudicial.

Many variations on a theme here, Johnson should never work in football again as he used his status as a football to commit a crime, but Hughes I have no issue with.

Anyway we digress

[Leonard Venkhater]

I couldn't disagree more, restricting someone's ability to get a job after a criminal conviction is short sighted and prejudicial.

Many variations on a theme here, Johnson should never work in football again as he used his status as a football to commit a crime, but Hughes I have no issue with.

Anyway we digress

Actually this is sensible and pragmatic, as well as fair. Is someone more or less likely to re-offend, if they have a job, stakes in the community, something to lose etc? No brainer, really....

But I don't see football as moral,, except when it suits.

Any digression from Coyle, Venky's, despair etc is welcome to me, which begs a question I know......

[Amo]

I couldn't disagree more, restricting someone's ability to get a job after a criminal conviction is short sighted and prejudicial.

Many variations on a theme here, Johnson should never work in football again as he used his status as a football to commit a crime, but Hughes I have no issue with.

So Johnson shouldn't work in football again because he tapped some jailbait, but someone who killed two people and crippled another should? Mmmkay then.

[Gav]

So Johnson shouldn't work in football again because he tapped some jailbait, but someone who killed two people and crippled another should? Mmmkay then.

Johnson used his status as a premiership footballer, that's the difference.

[Amo]

Johnson used his status as a premiership footballer, that's the difference.

And would Hughes be speeding in a £100k Mercedes if he wasn't a footballer?

[Gav]

And would Hughes be speeding in a £100k Mercedes if he wasn't a footballer?

You're being silly now.

£100k Merc or £200 Corsa, both kill in the wrong hands.

[yeti-dog]

Football is morally bankrupt.

Lee Hughes and Luke McCormick killed people through their drunken stupidity and were welcomed back with open arms.

If Stokes does the business, his IRA connections will soon be forgotten.

It's a reasonable comment to make given some of the pond-life bottom feeders who've made a living from football but there are also examples of footballers who've used their fame and fortune for some very laudable work, Alexis Sanchez would seem to be a good example of this;

http://metro.co.uk/2016/03/29/arsenals-alexis-sanchez-explains-why-he-built-pitches-for-children-in-hometown-5783355/

Not so many years ago the ANC was described as a terrorist organisation and supporting Mandela was seen by some as supporting terrorism.

Freedom of expression can be a challenging thing to support at times but look around the world at places that don't permit this and I know where I'd rather live.

As you say, he hasn't killed anyone and, should he go on to be a success, I think this will end up a non-issue.

[Dunnfc]

I couldn't disagree more, restricting someone's ability to get a job after a criminal conviction is short sighted and prejudicial.

Many variations on a theme here, Johnson should never work in football again as he used his status as a football to commit a crime, but Hughes I have no issue with.

Anyway we digress

And would Hughes be speeding in a £100k Mercedes if he wasn't a footballer?

Of course he would.

[Mani]

Transfers please.

[USABlue]

Nicko on striker targets

Lot of work been done. Picture much clearer. Once one striker done rest easier to fit in.

Spoken to five of the six strikers. Get first. Rest falls into place.

Nicko on loan player

If u knew all the things u have to do even in a loan deal... It's scary.

Loan lad will sign when back off his holiday. Midweek. All else done on that. Striker front moving on. Expect one by weekend.

Hope this really help Mani what you asked me.

Slips in a pat on the back for mate Coyle.

They clicked far more than people on here give them credit for. The flukiest 20+ goal each season in history.

How many times did you watch them not clicking, TRoF? And how many goals would they have score me each if they had?

Pretty clear though from your in depth analysis that these never played together, speculative, Rovers signings will be a far better pairing than those two useless lumps who only got one season under a poor manager with no tactics who player in a way that didn't suit strikers.

I'll be expecting 50 or 60 goals between them on that basis, so it should be a great season ending in promotion.

I was thinking the same thing. Not your Keegan and Toshack combo but a 40 goal return is clicking to me.

[ABBEY]

Transfers please.

yet again you pretend to be a mod...let them mod.