Goobdye Sam McCallum.

[canarybubbles 2,199]

In my crazier moments, I even wondered if McCallum could function as a Barnes-type number 10. He's good in the air and perhaps he could learn to hold up the ball?

Anyway, just empty speculation now. I hope things go well for him wherever he ends up.

In the Dimi vs Sam argument, I'm firmly in the Dimi camp btw.

Edited May 17 by canarybubbles

[Sufyellow 250]

2 hours ago, canarydan23 said:

Don't get the Dimi hate, he's a far better left-back than McCallum and one of the few to escape the last 4 or 5 games with any credit.

Hopefully this means he's open to staying on a reduced contract and Montoia is ready to deputise and stake a claim for the position. Might not need to replace him.

Did you think he was good last night? He was caught time and time again just like McCallum,  but McCallum is supposedly lazy. Maybe it was just the rubbish tactics. Time for dimi to go. 

[ZLF 334]

Hucks posted in the last 24 hrs that we had the 4th highest wage bill in the league and we go next year without any epl support.  So a ruthless edge of reducing the bill particularly those that are irregular starters.  The high wages of last years signing are more problematic.

I guess we find out more next week

[ZLF 334]

1 minute ago, Sufyellow said:

Did you think he was good last night? 

The only good performance last night was sainz.    Dimi wasn't good  and hindered first half by rowes defending disinterest, but I did think he was the least bad defender on show, low praise I lnow but he did clear off the line and did one good tackle to stop a goal.   Not good but also not bad 

 

But considering injuries and age I do agree it's time for him to move on

[canarydan23 4,754]

12 minutes ago, Sufyellow said:

Did you think he was good last night? He was caught time and time again just like McCallum,  but McCallum is supposedly lazy. Maybe it was just the rubbish tactics. Time for dimi to go. 

I don't think anyone was good last night, but I actually think he was one of the least bad.

[nutty nigel 7,899]

5 hours ago, Indy said:

I’m with you all can’t see why he isn’t staying! Daft by the club!

That's so vague! You can do better than that Indy.😂

Where do we apportion the blame now it's not Webber, Wagner or even Delia and MWJ?

 

[mrdi 411]

If we're to also part with Dimi, so be it. I like him, but I'm sure he's very expensive for a LB who gets hooked on 65 minutes every single week. 

[Ian 1,204]

To be honest, I can't remember any real game-changing pieces of play from either left back in a long time. I'm not sure what we are paying salary wise, but value for money surely has to come into it at some point.

[Monty13 2,736]

4 hours ago, lake district canary said:

"I want to stay" is a very simple statement and sounds like he really wants to stay, but it ought to read "I want to stay, but only if you give me more money" - and that is complete;y different. If he really wanted to stay, he would have accepted any terms offered

Don’t be ridiculous. Any terms? 

People know their own worth or should do.

[Conrad 235]

9 hours ago, canarydan23 said:

I don't think anyone was good last night, but I actually think he was one of the least bad.

Actually I thought that Sainz came out of the game with some credit. Coming on at half-time, and 3 down, at least he tried to get us on the front foot and going forward. 

[Worthy Nigelton 1,295]

Not good enough so this is the correct decision.

[BroadstairsR 2,273]

5 minutes ago, Worthy Nigelton said:

Not good enough so this is the correct decision.

Still needs a bit longer here, has some good points and might well best be used further forward permanently in the future.

Perhaps it was due to Dimi having a long lay-off that reasoned the hook, but he seemed ok, and, if not, I would have brought McCallum on as a winger (considering Argos was unavailable) against Leeds instead of that like for like. 

But that would have involved imagination, not a strong point of Wagner's when it came to subs.

[Indy 3,471]

8 hours ago, nutty nigel said:

That's so vague! You can do better than that Indy.😂

Where do we apportion the blame now it's not Webber, Wagner or even Delia and MWJ?

 

Well seeing as you have to keep up your certain attitude towards some posters and want me to give you something to bite on Nutty, I suggest that I for one on here have respect for Wagner throughout the threads, but hey that doesn’t stop you digging! Webber bought in so many old journeymen because he’d wasted the money he was so critical of his predecessor doing and assembled as poor a bunch of oldies on high wages last summer that we find ourselves in debt to a new investment company.

As for your darling, I expect she’ll have a comforting feeling with her team Leeds in the playoffs final, I expect she’ll be raising a glass when and if they go up!

So there you can jump on that and have your normal arrogant response as you think everything City is always so rosy and clear cut positive!

Edited May 18 by Indy

[lake district canary 4,813]

6 hours ago, Monty13 said:

11 hours ago, lake district canary said:

"I want to stay" is a very simple statement and sounds like he really wants to stay, but it ought to read "I want to stay, but only if you give me more money" - and that is complete;y different. If he really wanted to stay, he would have accepted any terms offered

Don’t be ridiculous. Any terms? 

People know their own worth or should do.

Yes, but if he wanted to stay badly enough, he would have accepted what was on the table. A club can only afford what it can afford and players - like with Todd - that stand their ground and hold out for more are just shown the door. Good luck to them if money is more important than staying with the club, it's their right - but don't tell me he wanted to stay, because he could have done quite easily - he could just have accepted what the club were prepared to go to.

Edited May 18 by lake district canary

[Indy 3,471]

1 minute ago, lake district canary said:

Yes, but if he wanted to stay badly enough, he would have accepted what was on the table.

Maybe there isn’t anything on the table? Be interesting to see where he ends up.

[Haus 267]

Surly buying replacements for half the squad will be more expensive than re signing players 

[chicken 3,081]

1 minute ago, Indy said:

Maybe there isn’t anything on the table? Be interesting to see where he ends up.

In an interview, there's a pinkin piece on it, he suggested one was on the table, being discussed.

[Indy 3,471]

1 minute ago, chicken said:

In an interview, there's a pinkin piece on it, he suggested one was on the table, being discussed.

OK I remember it as open to discussion, but fair enough.👍

[Coneys Knee 1,042]

4 minutes ago, Haus said:

Surly buying replacements for half the squad will be more expensive than re signing players 

But you’d hope the replacements would be better players than the re-signings.

[chicken 3,081]

1 minute ago, Indy said:

OK I remember it as open to discussion, but fair enough.👍

He suggested he had to earn it didn't he? Makes me wonder if he wanted a bit more money and the club said - go show us why you deserve more - maybe?

[Indy 3,471]

1 minute ago, chicken said:

He suggested he had to earn it didn't he? Makes me wonder if he wanted a bit more money and the club said - go show us why you deserve more - maybe?

Yes I interpreted that as “earn your contract” not there it is on the table? But you’re probably correct, who knows for certain but the parties themselves? 

[chicken 3,081]

7 minutes ago, Haus said:

Surly buying replacements for half the squad will be more expensive than re signing players 

I guess it depends, if they are on less in wages and are free. Yes, there are signing on fees etc but I think they aren't as much as folks think. Plus, if we're letting two go who are on good wages and replacing with say, a good pro and an U23 apprentice, it could be less.

[chicken 3,081]

Just now, Indy said:

Yes I interpreted that as “earn your contract” not there it is on the table? But you’re probably correct, who knows for certain but the parties themselves? 

I think both. I found it a bit of a weird one tbh.

[Virtual reality 859]

Would have kept him on as there are far more pressing areas of the pitch that will need what money we have spent on them 

[nutty nigel 7,899]

4 hours ago, Indy said:

Well seeing as you have to keep up your certain attitude towards some posters and want me to give you something to bite on Nutty, I suggest that I for one on here have respect for Wagner throughout the threads, but hey that doesn’t stop you digging! Webber bought in so many old journeymen because he’d wasted the money he was so critical of his predecessor doing and assembled as poor a bunch of oldies on high wages last summer that we find ourselves in debt to a new investment company.

As for your darling, I expect she’ll have a comforting feeling with her team Leeds in the playoffs final, I expect she’ll be raising a glass when and if they go up!

So there you can jump on that and have your normal arrogant response as you think everything City is always so rosy and clear cut positive!

Great stuff Indy. I hope you feel better for that. 

However your daft decision on McCullum was not made by me or the other people in your post.

I worry a little about the direction we’re headed towards what I see as over reliance on stats. Let’s hope my worries are unfounded.

[Monty13 2,736]

I’m going to be really surprised if any of the out of contract players are retained to be honest.

Edited May 18 by Monty13

[Monty13 2,736]

4 hours ago, Haus said:

Surly buying replacements for half the squad will be more expensive than re signing players 

No not necessarily, it’s all about cash flow. Transfer fees are not usually paid even close to full upfront.

You save a massive chunk in wages on an old Pro you can probably afford to cover a younger prospects wages and fees.

[Harry53 229]

That's very dissapointing as he offers a lot going forward.  Could be a useful midfielder. 

Also he may not have been 1st choice left back but a new manager and BK might decide he will be 1st choice LB which might persuade him to stay. 

As suggested by another fan, he loves going forward,  is good on the ground and in the air and if not wanted at LB could be bedded into a no10. He certainly would be better than Barnes

[Monty13 2,736]

4 hours ago, lake district canary said:

Yes, but if he wanted to stay badly enough, he would have accepted what was on the table. A club can only afford what it can afford and players - like with Todd - that stand their ground and hold out for more are just shown the door. Good luck to them if money is more important than staying with the club, it's their right - but don't tell me he wanted to stay, because he could have done quite easily - he could just have accepted what the club were prepared to go to.

Who knows what was on the table if anything at all?

If it was a 20% pay cut for instance why the hell should he accept it to stay? It’s not like everyone else would be getting theirs cut too.

If, and it’s a big if, he was offered the exact same terms for an extension and he wanted more I’d agree with you, but that seems unlikely given our financial reality.

[Sufyellow 250]

15 hours ago, nutty nigel said:

That's so vague! You can do better than that Indy.😂

Where do we apportion the blame now it's not Webber, Wagner or even Delia and MWJ?

 

It's still Webbers squad Nutty,  it's now time for Knapper to show us what he can do. Unfortunately we have Barnes and Duffy now, can we afford to get replacements in on top of their wages.