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No, I don't personally wodge, that is a point I was trying to make also. I'd rather have players trying to impress on trial than players who think they are above this and can sift the wheat from the chaff so to speak with their contract offers. I don't understand why any player who already has some offers on the table would take so long in accepting one of them anyway. It doesn't make sense to me. I'd rather make a fairly quick decision and get playing football again at my new club. It's all about motivation and application and if these players are holding out for a few extra quid which isn't likely to be a lot anyway then it's a bit sad. Maybe Premier League mercenary tactics have finally reached league 2. What a sad day that would be given we're talking peanuts.

Fonda, when you say it is quite understandable if players are 'waiting on offers from bigger clubs' do you mean that they haven't yet been offered anything and are holding out to see if any big clubs do come in for them o are you saying that they have already been offered a contract but they haven't accepted yet as they are still holding out? I'd say if it was the former then they are deluded and if it was the latter then I can understand a little but still don't understand why they would be waiting and waiting. Don't look a gift horse and all that.

Nobody wants to play for Torquay, we know that but we want players who show determination and application whilst they are with us and we won't get that from players whose sole motivation is cash and trying to get the upper hand.

If the sole motivation is cash, we will likely get more application, as that player would want to put themselves in the shop window to get more cash next time he's in contract talks.

If a player has two or three contract offers, then they should take all the time they need to consider location, progression and money. I have just left my job and start a new one Monday. The job I've gone to is more money, but means commuting an hour. The job I've left is a 20 minute walk. I asked my boss if they could match the new salary Id been offered and he said no, so I went for the money. I guess you could say that is mercenary too, but I get paid a similar amount to what some league two players get paid, I imagine, so if they are holding out for an extra few grand, it actually makes a lot more sense than the Prem playerd holding out for an extra 10k a week. An extra 5k a year makes a big difference to me, and would do for most league two footballers.

But it's not £5k, it's much less than that. You've got the extra tax and NI (that's 32% gone), plus the fuel, tyres, servicing and insurance increases (or a similar cost in public transport). If you're £1500/year better off for the sake of 10 hours a week (just about £3/hour, miles below minimum wage), I'd be impressed. Go back to your old boss, ask for the £1500 raise and keep your old job.

On the Torquay front, will everyone please be cool!

Matt.

I see what you're saying Cornish and that makes sense but I don't see the two being comparable. For example, if you went for the new job for the money then that's sensible for you and no probs but should you not do your job properly you'll be held accountable. If a footballer goes for more money and gets it then the contract is signed and he'll get paid regardless without comeback and at the end of his contract he can just do the same all over again. I agree he could have an opportunity to put himself in the shop window again but in my opinion, most players who have dropped from the top to the bottom don't particularly like the battle to get back up to the top again so if these players can get a good deal then their motivation is compromised.

I think the players we should be aiming for are the raw hungrier non leaguers eager to progress their careers as best they can and for whom being at Torquay would be a huge challenge and a privilege. I'd prefer these than players who have dropped out of Premier League academies for example. They have more drive and grit IMO.

I'm cool Matt, it's friggin' freezing up here. We've had no sun for 3 days!

ferrarilover wrote:But it's not £5k, it's much less than that. You've got the extra tax and NI (that's 32% gone), plus the fuel, tyres, servicing and insurance increases (or a similar cost in public transport). If you're £1500/year better off for the sake of 10 hours a week (just about £3/hour, miles below minimum wage), I'd be impressed. Go back to your old boss, ask for the £1500 raise and keep your old job.

On the Torquay front, will everyone please be cool!

Matt.

No! I refuse to keep cool until we have signed either Heider Helguson, Davide Somma, Carlton Cole,Alan Lee,Gary Taylor-Fletcher or Delroy Facey !!!

brucie wrote:Rendell and a short arsed midfielder who can sort of turn his hand to playing at centre half (Cruise anyone!) probably is going to mean we will struggle.

On what planet is a five foor ten inch player a "short arse"?

Many clubs won't send players out on long term loans until just before the start of the season as they like to keep an eye on their progress during pre-season (eg Britt Assombalonga. Won't get into Watford's team this season but won't be loaned out for a week or 2 yet).

I would imagine we will be bringing in at least one, if not more, long term loan, so we're just waiting for their clubs to send them our way.

gullintwoplaces wrote: On what planet is a five foor ten inch player a "short arse"?

A planet with very low gravity.

Do not normally post but do,liking reading all the posts. thought I would just like to say, I know the one of the groundsman at Salisbury and he said to me that half the team they put on Saturday were trialists ( tully was one of them, have to speak objectively , looked tidy in the fullback position). On the first half performance Salisbury looked the better team and not a bunch of trailist. Maybe there are some gems in on league looking for a chance. Cooper may not be tall but can play football, I was impressed with what I saw so why could he not have a place in the squad, not all our league play hoofball. As I said before Rendell was poor and I was expecting a bit more from him. Just my opinion and Alan Knill I will have to trust.

Jerry wrote:Many clubs won't send players out on long term loans until just before the start of the season as they like to keep an eye on their progress during pre-season (eg Britt Assombalonga. Won't get into Watford's team this season but won't be loaned out for a week or 2 yet).

I would imagine we will be bringing in at least one, if not more, long term loan, so we're just waiting for their clubs to send them our way.

What we have here is a genuine, bona fide, head and nail interface.

Matt.

brucie wrote: . . . a short arsed midfielder who can sort of turn his hand to playing at centre half (Cruise anyone!) probably is going to mean we will struggle.

To put the record straight, Danny Stevens is a real short arse who couldn't consistently play well enough in his favoured position let alone any other position.

Remember the last TUFC Cooper of note ? Striker Steve Cooper (another "short arse") who out thought, out fought and out jumped many a taller centre half.

I don't remember Bobby Moore being particularly tall either. When he lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy on the Wembley pitch he was head and shoulders above his fellow World Cup winners.

just going to say one name - Kevin hill. Very rarely out jumped and even played centre back for Tiverton, totally different level, but still...

steve woods was only 2 inches taller had he was a centre half, look at kevin keegan another short arse, he could out jump most.

I played centre-half for 20 years or so. I am (was) 6'3" 13-14st and I never liked playing alongside a similar proportioned defender. Always preferred a smaller more mobile partner. I could concentrate on attacking the ball, they could pick up the pieces and play the football. Downes and Cooper could be an effective partnership.

Glad to see sense being talked here, rather than the usual knee jerk reaction garbage (assuming that a 5'10" central defender is too short is quite mad). What matters is that he can play, which he clearly can, that he has experience, which he clearly has, and that he would not be injured for half the season.