By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
I think people assume he is a striker after scoring 27 from AM last season.
I get the sense that if he had scored 10 and assisted 8 last season people would have thought he would be a good pick up of a good player that we have seen a fair bit and always gave us a hard time whenever he has been up against us.
The fact that he scored 27 is almost being held against him!
He was one the best players I saw last season so think he would be brilliant. He was an absolute mare to deal with for defenders and was as clinical as anyone in the league. Don’t see how a player who is peaking and fits into our mantra and style of play can be a bad thing especially as chappers finishing was massively off the boil after his child was born and the likely lack of sleep that went with it compared to previous season. I would be far more happy with him than Philogene or Clarke who I didn’t see enough to justify 18m for.
Marcus Stewart was an 18 month wonder. Got us promoted (which was the objective of the exercise) & then had an amazing first season in the PL. My issue with Szmodics is partly his age (he will be 29 in September), as that means he will have limited sell on value, but more as to his role. Was last season just a fluke? He was clearly playing as a striker, but I don't see his terrier-like style paying dividends in the PL. Maybe McKenna sees him as a No.10, but we are well stocked in that area already.
Taking the squad as a whole we will most likely have more overall squad value in a year’s time. The drop in one player’s will be covered by the increase in another’s. If we stay up we will have even more money to spend.
If Szmodics is signed, plays his part but is worth less in 3 years or so then I’ll be happy.
0
Are you really the original Cthulhu? on 13:57 - Jul 24 with 2741 views
He was one the best players I saw last season so think he would be brilliant. He was an absolute mare to deal with for defenders and was as clinical as anyone in the league. Don’t see how a player who is peaking and fits into our mantra and style of play can be a bad thing especially as chappers finishing was massively off the boil after his child was born and the likely lack of sleep that went with it compared to previous season. I would be far more happy with him than Philogene or Clarke who I didn’t see enough to justify 18m for.
He won't be a bad thing. I think he'd be a good addition if the price is right.
Big step up for him as with plenty of our lads. I'll welcome him and be glad to have him. Sounds like we aren't going to overpay so all good.
Agreed. There is not a negative regarding his age. 28 is arguably the peak of physical vs mental ability, with football players.
There are plenty of top Prem sides that would pay good money for 28 to 30 year old star players, why should we be shy of spending money on similar aged players within our price range and talent/personal criteria?
Agreed. There is not a negative regarding his age. 28 is arguably the peak of physical vs mental ability, with football players.
There are plenty of top Prem sides that would pay good money for 28 to 30 year old star players, why should we be shy of spending money on similar aged players within our price range and talent/personal criteria?
Its the peak, but also means that resale value is likely very limited.
Bearing in mind that as generous as our owners have been, their strategy, long term, is profit, this looks a signing we do for a modest sum or not at all.
We have been targetting good finishers for the last couple of years, irrespective of their likely starting position, so picking up a player that scored 27 last season in the Championship makes sense. Funnily enough, the role of striker/centre forward is probably the only area where our choice of signing's scoring records have been below what might be expected in that position; but in the case of Hirst & now Delap, both bring so much more to the role in terms of occupying defenders & clever layoffs for those around them. Morsy, Luongo & Taylor all have a great shot on them, while our wide attackers in Burns, Broadhead & Hutchinson are proper finishers, as is Chaplin, they can all hit a strike out of nothing & are largely dependable when a clear opportunity is provided. Philogene would easily have fit that profile too, and now the current 2 linked, Szmodics & Clarke, are known for the quality of their finishing, on top of their positive ball carrying & assists.
Its the peak, but also means that resale value is likely very limited.
Bearing in mind that as generous as our owners have been, their strategy, long term, is profit, this looks a signing we do for a modest sum or not at all.
Obviously there is potential resale for Delap, but seems crazy how much more scrutiny the Szmodics fee seems to be getting when we are getting the best player in the Champ last year for half what we spent on Delap who had his first decent season.
I like both signings personally, but Szmodics isn’t a one season wonder, he’s basically been a 1 in 3 guy minutes wise throughout career even when playing bit part roles etc - he was so, so good last season and one we’ve wanted for a while - it’s good business. He’s 28, not 33
Obviously there is potential resale for Delap, but seems crazy how much more scrutiny the Szmodics fee seems to be getting when we are getting the best player in the Champ last year for half what we spent on Delap who had his first decent season.
I like both signings personally, but Szmodics isn’t a one season wonder, he’s basically been a 1 in 3 guy minutes wise throughout career even when playing bit part roles etc - he was so, so good last season and one we’ve wanted for a while - it’s good business. He’s 28, not 33
I fully agree. I believe people are overly focused on a specific 'model' of player we are trying to sign. If a player can join and provide immediate improvement to the team, then I think it's a no-brainer of a decision. Not every player needs to fit the 'model' or have a high resale value.
What if he's able to find one more big season at 28/29 where he's able to help us keep in the PL for one season. The financial benefits of that should outweigh any poor sell-on fee for his age. So the question should be is he good enough? Over to kmac.
I fully agree. I believe people are overly focused on a specific 'model' of player we are trying to sign. If a player can join and provide immediate improvement to the team, then I think it's a no-brainer of a decision. Not every player needs to fit the 'model' or have a high resale value.
No club has one specific model of player as seems to have been suggested, although obviously we're primarily looking at players in their early/mid-twenties who will have a resale value going forwards. But we'll also make signings of more experienced players, we have throughout Gamechanger's time here, from Sam Morsy to Dom Ball to Kieffer on loan in January. Same with George Burley's squad. There were the David Johnsons and Jamie Claphams but also the Tony Mowbrays and Mark Venuses. And 28 isn't old, that's when players are usually in the prime of their career and have at least four or five seasons ahead of them.
No club has one specific model of player as seems to have been suggested, although obviously we're primarily looking at players in their early/mid-twenties who will have a resale value going forwards. But we'll also make signings of more experienced players, we have throughout Gamechanger's time here, from Sam Morsy to Dom Ball to Kieffer on loan in January. Same with George Burley's squad. There were the David Johnsons and Jamie Claphams but also the Tony Mowbrays and Mark Venuses. And 28 isn't old, that's when players are usually in the prime of their career and have at least four or five seasons ahead of them.
This post has been edited by an administrator
Has there been any further movement Phil?
What sort of fee are we talking? I'd have thought 8m is about right.
Not seen a lot of negative to be honest. I think the concern is not to overpay. I think everyone would accept somewhere between £6-10 million would be good business.
The age part come in if we pay a lot more. He'll want good wages and we need to be careful. A bit of experience a long with young talent is fine. I think people will naturally compare against Philogene signing and it's clearly not quite as exciting.
If he comes fans will be onboard
I think the saving grace is that he doesn't appear overly reliant on pace which in part negates the age concern for me
Obviously there is potential resale for Delap, but seems crazy how much more scrutiny the Szmodics fee seems to be getting when we are getting the best player in the Champ last year for half what we spent on Delap who had his first decent season.
I like both signings personally, but Szmodics isn’t a one season wonder, he’s basically been a 1 in 3 guy minutes wise throughout career even when playing bit part roles etc - he was so, so good last season and one we’ve wanted for a while - it’s good business. He’s 28, not 33
Agreed and as I think you've said before, sometimes you just need good players that improve the squad and you can't think about resale value. If you pay £8-£10m for Szmodics and he plays 90+ games over a 3 year contract (he's always been pretty robust and not had injuries) contributing even 1 in 4 at Prem level, then you've got excellent value.
No club has one specific model of player as seems to have been suggested, although obviously we're primarily looking at players in their early/mid-twenties who will have a resale value going forwards. But we'll also make signings of more experienced players, we have throughout Gamechanger's time here, from Sam Morsy to Dom Ball to Kieffer on loan in January. Same with George Burley's squad. There were the David Johnsons and Jamie Claphams but also the Tony Mowbrays and Mark Venuses. And 28 isn't old, that's when players are usually in the prime of their career and have at least four or five seasons ahead of them.
This post has been edited by an administrator
I couldn't agree more. For every player like Rooney or Ronaldo that United brought in during their heyday as long-term projects, there was also a Blanc, Larsson, or Zlatan for short-term impact. So its been a strategy, even at the biggest of clubs. I believe Szmodics will be an excellent signing when it happens.
* If we are writing 28yr olds off, as old then I may as well give up on life at 37!!
I couldn't agree more. For every player like Rooney or Ronaldo that United brought in during their heyday as long-term projects, there was also a Blanc, Larsson, or Zlatan for short-term impact. So its been a strategy, even at the biggest of clubs. I believe Szmodics will be an excellent signing when it happens.
* If we are writing 28yr olds off, as old then I may as well give up on life at 37!!
[Post edited 25 Jul 2024 9:31]
Ha, let alone those of us who are a fair bit older!
What sort of fee are we talking? I'd have thought 8m is about right.
Not heard any more, but wasn't far away from the two parties meeting somewhere in the middle from what I heard a day or so ago. And I think that sounds broadly right for a fee.
Not heard any more, but wasn't far away from the two parties meeting somewhere in the middle from what I heard a day or so ago. And I think that sounds broadly right for a fee.
Hi Phil
Do you know anything about release clauses? I thought that Sam had one in his revised contract - why is there a need for protracted negotiations if there is one?
Do you know anything about release clauses? I thought that Sam had one in his revised contract - why is there a need for protracted negotiations if there is one?
I don't know whether that's the case or otherwise. If there is, then perhaps it's higher than the level we're prepared to pay.
People think too much about money and age (as if 28 is old anyway). So what if he doesn't have the same sell on value as someone like Delap?
I've never watched a goal go in at the North Stand end and said "Pwoar, I wonder what we'll sell him for next summer"
lol exactly this. Not every player needs to be sold on. He might come here for £8m, score a few goals, help us stay up, then do that every of the next 4/5 seasons. In which case he’ll have more than paid for himself!
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
