January Transfer window

[roversfan99]

Just now, Forever Blue said:

Eustace has previously singled him out for praise. It’s strange you think that it wouldn’t be a Eustace decision. 

He praises everyone, he isnt going to slag players off.

He probably wont have autocracy over contracts, maybe he does want Hedges to sign for longer and maybe he does like him. Im not saying otherwise.

But just because he does, doesnt make it the right decision. It might be a case where its deemed cheaper to sign him than find a replacement, especially with no one on a long term deal in that position. But I dont personally think its the right decision, he doesnt contribute enough and to me it doesnt make sense in terms of the deal he is currently on, his age and the proposed/assumed new contract duration.

[Forever Blue]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

He praises everyone, he isnt going to slag players off.

He probably wont have autocracy over contracts, maybe he does want Hedges to sign for longer and maybe he does like him. Im not saying otherwise.

But just because he does, doesnt make it the right decision. It might be a case where its deemed cheaper to sign him than find a replacement, especially with no one on a long term deal in that position. But I dont personally think its the right decision, he doesnt contribute enough and to me it doesnt make sense in terms of the deal he is currently on, his age and the proposed/assumed new contract duration.

I think Eustace is probably best placed to judge whether it’s the right decision.

[47er]

4 hours ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

Have they got the right photo ? He looks years older than the 22 that he is stated to be.

Looks more like 42!

[KentExile]

4 hours ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

Have they got the right photo ? He looks years older than the 22 that he is stated to be.

 

8 minutes ago, 47er said:

Looks more like 42!

Apparently this is him, no idea who the guy in the picture in the article is

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by KentExile

[roversfan99]

37 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

I think Eustace is probably best placed to judge whether it’s the right decision.

We may aswell close the messageboard if thats the default argument.

[chaddyrovers]

10 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

My "problem" is that I dont think he is good enough. I keep seeing platitudes about his work rate, his experience etc without anything about his actual ability.

Both of those managers have had very few alternatives but to play him. We have never had a massive squad nor lots of quality and/or pace out wide. But either way, even if they did both really rate him, which as I have suggested isnt as clear as that, I am allowed to hold an opinion that doesnt fall in line with them.

No one has ever said hes quick, he takes people on, he scores goals, he is a creative player etc because he is none of those things. Hes a plodder and there should be absolutely no urgency to extend his deal until he is 32.

 

Yes we the entire messageboard knows your views on Hedges, you don't rate and you don't want his contract renewing but some of us actually rated him and think he is good squad player and I would offer him a 2 year contract extension. 

Eustace likes him and he has played him in every game this season which suggests that he rated him. JDT was similar. 

Edited December 20, 2024 by chaddyrovers

[Tugayisgod]

37 minutes ago, KentExile said:

 

Apparently this is him, no idea who the guy in the picture in the article is

 

The other guy is the Norwich manager I think

[roversfan99]

8 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Yes we the entire messageboard knows your views on Hedges, you don't rate and you don't want his contract renewing but some of us actually rated him and think he is good squad player and I would offer him a 2 year contract extension. 

Eustace likes him and he has played him in every game this season which suggests that he rated him. JDT was similar. 

Its more that no one has really said why as a winger that they rate him, or why he needs to be on an extended contract considering his age and his current deal.

Eustace's opinion (and like I said, he hasnt had much in the way of alternative to him, he did v Luton and dropped him) is irrelevant. We can disagree with him if we choose.

[Forever Blue]

40 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

We may aswell close the messageboard if thats the default argument.

I didn’t say you weren’t allow an opinion, I just said Eustace was best placed to judge whether Hedges deserved a new contract. 

I’m surprised that has upset you. 

 

[chaddyrovers]

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Its more that no one has really said why as a winger that they rate him, or why he needs to be on an extended contract considering his age and his current deal.

Yes we have, He is good squad player, Eustace trusted him, he has experience, team player, has been part of our unbeaten 6 games and us being 5th in the league

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Eustace's opinion (and like I said, he hasnt had much in the way of alternative to him, he did v Luton and dropped him) is irrelevant. We can disagree with him if we choose.

Eustace picked the best team for the Luton game which would play the way he wants tactical and formation wise

[RevidgeBlue]

3 hours ago, Forever Blue said:

I didn’t say you weren’t allow an opinion, I just said Eustace was best placed to judge whether Hedges deserved a new contract. 

I’m surprised that has upset you. 

 

Various of our previous managers deemed Corry Evans was worthy of employment for 8 years as well.

What does that prove?

[Emerald Isle Rover]

6 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Various of our previous managers deemed Corry Evans was worthy of employment for 8 years as well.

What does that prove?

Evans played in a truly atrocious rovers team I think the midfield options were something like Williamson etuhu Lowe etc along with the revolving door of managers in our worst time 

But this hedges debate is silly for me like my main issue or response is ‘so what if he’s offered a new contract’ what’s the drawback for it. Seems it’s just fans jumping on him because they don’t like him which they are entitled to their opinion but it seems petty given it’s not really a big issue he’s not the best player we have but far from the worst

And I do think there’s something to be said for a manager selection given JDT for our champ time has been our most successful in terms of getting close to playoffs and now currently Eustace who’s overseeing our best championship run in years all in which hedges is playing a significant role minutes wise

As a ‘traditional winger’ fans are correct he should have more goals and assists ( I think his chance creation is high enough though so that’s on the forwards) but how we play he’s used more defensively he provides balance which allows freedom for others. It might not be what fans want but it’s what Eustace wants and gets from him

[London blue]

So what if he's given a new contract? He's currently contracted for another 6 months with a 12 month option.

If he's on 7k a week, which I imagine isn't far from the truth, another year costs the club upwards of £350k. 

That's for a soon to be 31 year old with little to no resale value and undeniably poor attacking returns. 

The money would be better spent elsewhere, in my opinion.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

2 minutes ago, London blue said:

So what if he's given a new contract? He's currently contracted for another 6 months with a 12 month option.

If he's on 7k a week, which I imagine isn't far from the truth, another year costs the club upwards of £350k. 

That's for a soon to be 31 year old with little to no resale value and undeniably poor attacking returns. 

The money would be better spent elsewhere, in my opinion.

Which brings me to the manager aspect of it. Eustace along with others see value in him

whether that’s on the stat sheets or gps behind the scenes in the changing room or future role as coach 

fans just look at ‘stats’ nowadays and never the bigger picture 

[Mattyblue]

He’s a modern day wide man. Disciplined, works hard, helps the team keep its shape. It’s what today’s managers want so he’ll get signed up if he wants to stay, as boring as that feels to us fans who are used to/want to see proper wingers beating a man and whipping crosses in.

Maybe one day they’ll return like so much else that’s been lost to the game.

Edited December 21, 2024 by Mattyblue

[London blue]

I think the amount he plays speaks more to the lack of quality we have in that position more than multiple managers faith in him.

[Emerald Isle Rover]

1 minute ago, London blue said:

I think the amount he plays speaks more to the lack of quality we have in that position more than multiple managers faith in him.

If he’s that bad there’s always another option or a formation change

the fact is he isn’t that bad at all but as posted above he isn’t the traditional winger all fans want he’s not a Giggs type he offers something different to how we play. And again fans really underestimate a persons value in their presence off the pitch also 

[London blue]

I'm sorry I just disagree.

Work rate comes at a minimum. Experience and leadership (it's definitely claimed by some that these are traits of his) are low on the priority list for a winger. 

I don't think he's very good. He's already under contract for another 18 months and we don't have much money. It's a strange decision.

[Mattyblue]

I agree going on about work rate and keeping the shape isn’t exactly what you’d want primarily from a ‘winger’, we’d all love a Ripley or a Gillespie but that kind of player’s been largely coached out of the game. I mean, not an exact like for like but look at what’s happened to Grealish. Beige-isation of football.

Edited December 21, 2024 by Mattyblue

[Wheelton Blue]

We saw glimpses of Cozier-Duberry having a go at beating the full back in first half of the Luton game.

Players like that cost a lot of money, which is why we are where we are with Hedges.

[KentExile]

24 minutes ago, London blue said:

I'm sorry I just disagree.

Work rate comes at a minimum. Experience and leadership (it's definitely claimed by some that these are traits of his) are low on the priority list for a winger. 

I don't think he's very good. He's already under contract for another 18 months and we don't have much money. It's a strange decision.

It could be argued that Rovers under Eustace do not play any wingers.  At least not in the traditional sense.  When in possession one of the "wingers" moves inside to effectively make two 10s behind a lone striker, and the other "winger" essentially plays more as a wing back, which is much more suited to Hedges (although Beck for me seems to offer more in that role as a starter).

Whether that is because it is Eustace's favoured way of setting up, or if he is setting up that way because of the limitations of those available to him, is obviously up for debate

Edited December 21, 2024 by KentExile

[philipl]

This great. Any incoming transfers are going to be a total surprise.

Anyway back to the Ryan Hedges thread. 

I say give him a new contract to encourage the others...

 

[KentExile]

2 minutes ago, philipl said:

This great. Any incoming transfers are going to be a total surprise.

Anyway back to the Ryan Hedges thread. 

I say give him a new contract to encourage the others...

 

After the last few years, I was dreading the January window and its annual embarrassment.  But after the past few days of the Hedges thread, I think I may actually welcome it 😉 

 

Edited December 21, 2024 by KentExile

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

Evans played in a truly atrocious rovers team I think the midfield options were something like Williamson etuhu Lowe etc along with the revolving door of managers in our worst time 

But this hedges debate is silly for me like my main issue or response is ‘so what if he’s offered a new contract’ what’s the drawback for it. Seems it’s just fans jumping on him because they don’t like him which they are entitled to their opinion but it seems petty given it’s not really a big issue he’s not the best player we have but far from the worst

And I do think there’s something to be said for a manager selection given JDT for our champ time has been our most successful in terms of getting close to playoffs and now currently Eustace who’s overseeing our best championship run in years all in which hedges is playing a significant role minutes wise

As a ‘traditional winger’ fans are correct he should have more goals and assists ( I think his chance creation is high enough though so that’s on the forwards) but how we play he’s used more defensively he provides balance which allows freedom for others. It might not be what fans want but it’s what Eustace wants and gets from him

If he’s not the worst of the regular squad, who do you think is ? 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

15 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If he’s not the worst of the regular squad, who do you think is ? 

In terms of what ability or what he brings to team/squad be more specific 

for instance he’s miles ahead of Buckley but it could be argued Buckley has more ability but that’s not what makes a good footballer on its own