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Post by htafclegends on Mar 2, 2009 17:55:35 GMT 1
Some people said he was signing a new contract on Friday and then at Stockport I heard people saying he was signing today. Is this just false hope or is it just the OS is ridiculously slow in putting up stories!!!! Just wondering if anybody had anymore inside info... ;D
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Post by timclarkehadhands on Mar 2, 2009 18:53:08 GMT 1
the inside is mate he was going to sign on friday with the Clarke brothers and he shit out at the last min.......
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2009 18:56:25 GMT 1
the inside is mate he was going to sign on friday with the Clarke brothers and he shit out at the last min....... Bigger offer from Spurs
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Post by Nickhudds.UTT on Mar 2, 2009 19:00:18 GMT 1
Hed signed a precontract agreement with Spurs , so I presume it stands until he decides what to do.... could go either way imo..
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Post by timclarkehadhands on Mar 2, 2009 22:46:12 GMT 1
the player who told me that he was due to sign on Friday also said that Alex seemed keen to sign....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2009 22:55:19 GMT 1
On Saturday at the Supporters Meeting we were told by Deano that Alex DID want to stay here.
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Post by Captainslapper on Mar 3, 2009 1:50:13 GMT 1
Obvious question then- so why hasn't he signed?
Im getting a bit sick of this dragging on now. Either he wants to play for us or he doesn't, and if he doesn't he should just say so. Town have made him a sensational offer for a kid his age by our standards by all accounts so if it isn't enough and all hes interested in is getting even more money one way or the other then hes probably better off in Spurs's 3rd team.
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'Uddersfield
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Post by 'Uddersfield on Mar 3, 2009 5:09:51 GMT 1
Yeah, it's getting a bit tedious now. But I do think we need him next season, he has a big part to play. And if it goes to a tribunal, the compensation system they have in place is so ridiculous we could get completely mugged.
I think things will be clearer on this before the Millwall game on Saturday.
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Post by queensburyterrier on Mar 3, 2009 8:57:08 GMT 1
The last I heard, the amount he was offered was double what he's on now, but is still a pathetic amount considering Everton and Spurs are in for him.
I don't blame the guy for not signing to bo honest.
I'm not going to give figures etc, but the amount Town offered, is loose change to players playing at clubs such as Everton and Spurs.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 9:16:40 GMT 1
Lets face it's a massive decision for the young lad to make! And it could go oh... so terribly wrong financially for both him and the future of the club. It's easy for some folk to say if Alex wants to stay and play for Town he should have signed a contract by now but life is never that simple, especially when you have players agents muddying the water. Surely any young ambitious player is going to take note when the likes of Spurs and Everton are more than just a little interested. The fact is, if young Alex is going, we need to secure maxium financial benefit and not be shoved out of it by so called bigger clubs. Personally, I hope he stays with Town but if he wants to spend his time at another club, warming the bench or playing for the reserves for another five years - Then let him!
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mallyb
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Post by mallyb on Mar 3, 2009 10:04:49 GMT 1
The last I heard, the amount he was offered was double what he's on now, but is still a pathetic amount considering Everton and Spurs are in for him. I don't blame the guy for not signing to bo honest. I'm not going to give figures etc, but the amount Town offered, is loose change to players playing at clubs such as Everton and Spurs. Seems your info is not as upto date as Clark's though. He has been quoted as saying the offer that has been made is a Premiership offer. Unless of course you think everyone at Everton is on £60K +/week. As others have said, if he is only interested in who will pay him the most then good riddance, he's clearly not that bright. This is not a contract that will set him for life wherever he goes, but the next one might. I think his next one will be bigger if he carries on developing playing 1st team football rather than 3rd team for a big club.
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Post by runner76 on Mar 3, 2009 10:17:45 GMT 1
It's a no brainer for the lad to go to a bigger club. He has the prospect of staying here and playing first team 3rd division, or playing and developing in the reserves and then going on to first team at a Premiership club - where he will be training and learning with first class top flight players, for more cash.
Don't get me wrong, I want him to stay, but fair play to him if he buggers off.
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Post by pompeyterrier on Mar 3, 2009 10:20:05 GMT 1
Lets face it's a massive decision for the young lad to make! And it could go oh... so terribly wrong financially for both him and the future of the club. It's easy for some folk to say if Alex wants to stay and play for Town he should have signed a contract by now but life is never that simple, especially when you have players agents muddying the water. Surely any young ambitious player is going to take note when the likes of Spurs and Everton are more than just a little interested. The fact is, if young Alex is going, we need to secure maxium financial benefit and not be shoved out of it by so called bigger clubs. Personally, I hope he stays with Town but if he wants to spend his time at another club, warming the bench or playing for the reserves for another five years - Then let him! Some good points made there. I was having this conversation with my mates Dad at Stockport on saturday. I was on the side of "surely he's better off at Town in the first team than in the reserves elsewhere," and as his dad pointed out its not that easy a decision to make and theres much more to think about as a footballer. For example what if he was to get injured tomorrow or further down the line? This is a career that can be ended in one tackle or one slight piece of misfortune. He's gonna be much better on the money at Spurs than he would be at Town. Also, how many years is it going to be "our year"? When are we actually going to go up? Was he waiting to see if we were going to make the play-offs this year? How does he know if this chance is ever going to arise again? He gets injured, Town struggle or he loses form, absolutely anything can happen in this game and its a big decision for a 19 year old to make.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 10:20:52 GMT 1
They seemed to suggest at the supporters meeting that there were a lot of small legal details that needed to be ironed out, but genuinely they did seem hopeful. To be honest whats the rush, it makes no difference if he signs tomorrow or he signs in June.
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Post by queensburyterrier on Mar 3, 2009 10:30:22 GMT 1
The last I heard, the amount he was offered was double what he's on now, but is still a pathetic amount considering Everton and Spurs are in for him. I don't blame the guy for not signing to bo honest. I'm not going to give figures etc, but the amount Town offered, is loose change to players playing at clubs such as Everton and Spurs. Seems your info is not as upto date as Clark's though. He has been quoted as saying the offer that has been made is a Premiership offer. Unless of course you think everyone at Everton is on £60K +/week. As others have said, if he is only interested in who will pay him the most then good riddance, he's clearly not that bright. This is not a contract that will set him for life wherever he goes, but the next one might. I think his next one will be bigger if he carries on developing playing 1st team football rather than 3rd team for a big club. My info is not as up to date as Clark's...really?
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Post by leedsterrier on Mar 3, 2009 10:34:42 GMT 1
There seems to be this assumption that he's going to realise the potential he's showing now - what if he doesn't. I remember the likes of Clarke, Holdsworth, Worthington and Mirfin being linked with moves to bigger clubs only for them not to materialise as they didn't/haven't lived up to their early promise.
I'm very firmly in the "who does this little jumped up oik think he is?". He should be signing the deal he's got and not trying to play us off against bigger clubs. Sign the deal or bugger off - no skin off our nose.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 10:36:37 GMT 1
The last I heard, the amount he was offered was double what he's on now, but is still a pathetic amount considering Everton and Spurs are in for him. I don't blame the guy for not signing to bo honest. I'm not going to give figures etc, but the amount Town offered, is loose change to players playing at clubs such as Everton and Spurs. Seems your info is not as upto date as Clark's though. He has been quoted as saying the offer that has been made is a Premiership offer. Unless of course you think everyone at Everton is on £60K +/week. As others have said, if he is only interested in who will pay him the most then good riddance, he's clearly not that bright. This is not a contract that will set him for life wherever he goes, but the next one might. I think his next one will be bigger if he carries on developing playing 1st team football rather than 3rd team for a big club. Hoyle said on Saturday that it was a good offer but not a Premiership one.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 10:38:06 GMT 1
There seems to be this assumption that he's going to realise the potential he's showing now - what if he doesn't. I remember the likes of Clarke, Holdsworth, Worthington and Mirfin being linked with moves to bigger clubs only for them not to materialise as they didn't/haven't lived up to their early promise. I'm very firmly in the "who does this little jumped up oik think he is?". He should be signing the deal he's got and not trying to play us off against bigger clubs. Sign the deal or bugger off - no skin off our nose. You seem to be contridicting your own argument there. Surely if he looks at Mirfin and Clarke who have maybe missed their premiership chance, then he'd be better off moving now.
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Post by Mastercracker on Mar 3, 2009 10:38:12 GMT 1
It's a no brainer for the lad to go to a bigger club. He has the prospect of staying here and playing first team 3rd division, or playing and developing in the reserves and then going on to first team at a Premiership club - where he will be training and learning with first class top flight players, for more cash. Don't get me wrong, I want him to stay, but fair play to him if he buggers off. Just like all the other decent young prospects who've gone to the prem too soon and then spent years rotting away in the reserves? Top class keepers go on well into their late 30's these days, that means he's got 20 years in front of him. He'd be much better staying here for a couple of years as first choice, learning his trade playing first team football and earning a good wack than going down that route. If he's going to be top class then he'll get there soon enough anyway.
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Post by jimsteruk on Mar 3, 2009 10:43:35 GMT 1
They seemed to suggest at the supporters meeting that there were a lot of small legal details that needed to be ironed out, but genuinely they did seem hopeful. To be honest whats the rush, it makes no difference if he signs tomorrow or he signs in June. As much as my opinion is worth I have to disagree with your comment. It does matter, very much so. The town line now under the new management is young hungry footballers who want to play for the club....is this the case with Smithies?? If he wants to be part of the revolution then jump on board, if not jump off. We need committed players who have a passion for football and the club. No one player is undispensible to the club. Personally it is time to sign up or sign out for me.
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Post by leedsterrier on Mar 3, 2009 10:45:50 GMT 1
There seems to be this assumption that he's going to realise the potential he's showing now - what if he doesn't. I remember the likes of Clarke, Holdsworth, Worthington and Mirfin being linked with moves to bigger clubs only for them not to materialise as they didn't/haven't lived up to their early promise. I'm very firmly in the "who does this little jumped up oik think he is?". He should be signing the deal he's got and not trying to play us off against bigger clubs. Sign the deal or bugger off - no skin off our nose. You seem to be contridicting your own argument there. Surely if he looks at Mirfin and Clarke who have maybe missed their premiership chance, then he'd be better off moving now. Then say he's going, don't keep stringing us and the club along. If we're to believe the noises coming out of the club we've matched his demands which then changed and then made another good offer to him. If he wants to play for Huddersfield Town I would have thought he'd have signed by now - but my guess is that we're being played off against other clubs.
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mallyb
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Post by mallyb on Mar 3, 2009 10:52:24 GMT 1
Seems your info is not as upto date as Clark's though. He has been quoted as saying the offer that has been made is a Premiership offer. Unless of course you think everyone at Everton is on £60K +/week. As others have said, if he is only interested in who will pay him the most then good riddance, he's clearly not that bright. This is not a contract that will set him for life wherever he goes, but the next one might. I think his next one will be bigger if he carries on developing playing 1st team football rather than 3rd team for a big club. My info is not as up to date as Clark's...really? You suggest his offer is miserly and Clark has stated that it is premiership. I think some people think that everybody with premiership clubs are on millionare making contracts. Possibly true in the first team but he will not be going to play for the first team. If money is his motivation then he is better of elsewhere and will fall into the category of Trevor Cherry et al as far as I am concerned. Also if you know how much he has been offered it suggests you are friends with the lad or his family or it's just a rumour. It you are close to the family then your view is not exactly independant and should probably be stated in the interests of balance in the debate.
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Post by ksne on Mar 3, 2009 10:54:47 GMT 1
Smithies is here until the end of the season.I`m of the opinion what will be will be.I`m getting a bit cheesed off of his dilly dallying about
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 11:01:01 GMT 1
There seems to be this assumption that he's going to realise the potential he's showing now - what if he doesn't. I remember the likes of Clarke, Holdsworth, Worthington and Mirfin being linked with moves to bigger clubs only for them not to materialise as they didn't/haven't lived up to their early promise. I'm very firmly in the "who does this little jumped up oik think he is?". He should be signing the deal he's got and not trying to play us off against bigger clubs. Sign the deal or bugger off - no skin off our nose. None of the ones you name represented their country at several age groups though. I only remember bigger clubs looking at Nathan Clarke and Mirfin (Celtic?), who was foolish enough to look at Worthington and think he could make it at the top?!
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Post by tarnshark on Mar 3, 2009 11:10:18 GMT 1
smithies has signed for four years - mates just told me - he's getting a link.
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Post by tarnshark on Mar 3, 2009 11:11:58 GMT 1
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Post by usernamedatm on Mar 3, 2009 11:14:21 GMT 1
Also, how many years is it going to be "our year"? When are we actually going to go up? Was he waiting to see if we were going to make the play-offs this year? How does he know if this chance is ever going to arise again? He gets injured, Town struggle or he loses form, absolutely anything can happen in this game and its a big decision for a 19 year old to make. He only broke through into the first team about 4 months ago; he wasn't even in the starting 11 at the start of the season. He is better than Glennon and deserves his place at the moment but he certainly hasn't been waiting long for his chance to shine. If he is good enough he will make it to one of the Premiership clubs. Even if he stayed with us for the full 4 years we are offering him, he would still only be 22. I think that younger players should show a bit more loyalty and gratitude to the clubs who have nurtured them for the past 8 years. If clubs such as Spurs put the time, effort and money into their Academy’s that clubs like Town or Crewe etc put in then they wouldn’t need to poach players on a free. He could quite easily have another 20 years in the game being a 'keeper, so sign for us now, get another 18 months experience of 1st team football, then sell him. We get repaid for everything the club has done for him and at 20 he won't have missed his chance if he really is all that! Everyone is a winner!
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Post by HuddsTerrier on Mar 3, 2009 11:14:37 GMT 1
There seems to be this assumption that he's going to realise the potential he's showing now - what if he doesn't. I remember the likes of Clarke, Holdsworth, Worthington and Mirfin being linked with moves to bigger clubs only for them not to materialise as they didn't/haven't lived up to their early promise. I'm very firmly in the "who does this little jumped up oik think he is?". He should be signing the deal he's got and not trying to play us off against bigger clubs. Sign the deal or bugger off - no skin off our nose. None of the ones you name represented their country at several age groups though. I only remember bigger clubs looking at Nathan Clarke and Mirfin (Celtic?), who was foolish enough to look at Worthington and think he could make it at the top?! It's all rumours but a few of the ones along the road I remember have been ... Nathan Clarke - Aston Villa, I think John Deehan worked there at the time and was a fan of NC's from his Town days Worthy - heard lots of rumours about Wigan two seasons ago Tom Clarke - when the kid was in the academy a lot of clubs were watching, I seem to remember even Liverpool getting a mention. No suprise as he was regular in our first team two months after his 17th birthday and playing in the England U19 side! Holdsworth - weren't Hull linked to him in the summer just gone Mirfin - I seem to remember Warnock looking at him while at Sheffield United in the Premiership Collins - apparently Blackburn took a look Like I say there all rumours that pop up from time to time, apparently Blackburn took a look at McAliskey! Take them with a pinch of salt but it shows anything can happen and Smithies is wise IMO to weigh up his options. Still hope he stays, if he leaves we (and he) should insist on a season long loan back clause so he can further develop his potential
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2009 11:18:37 GMT 1
They seemed to suggest at the supporters meeting that there were a lot of small legal details that needed to be ironed out, but genuinely they did seem hopeful. To be honest whats the rush, it makes no difference if he signs tomorrow or he signs in June. As much as my opinion is worth I have to disagree with your comment. It does matter, very much so. The town line now under the new management is young hungry footballers who want to play for the club....is this the case with Smithies?? If he wants to be part of the revolution then jump on board, if not jump off. We need committed players who have a passion for football and the club. No one player is undispensible to the club. Personally it is time to sign up or sign out for me. The problem is people assumed he wasn't signing because he didn't want to play for the club (or wasn't sure if he wanted to play for the club), when in reality he was just making sure the most important contract of his life was absolutely right. Now we can draw a line under this and get right behind him for the next few seasons.
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Post by runner76 on Mar 3, 2009 11:21:00 GMT 1
Right, now we can put that to bed let's start talking strikers again!..............
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