I understand that the board need to trim the wage bill and steer the club towards financial stability and I fully back this motion.
We all know how MON crippled us in this respect, but in the last 12 months, huge strides have been made to rectify this off the pitch.
The board tell us that selling Ashley Young and Downing was not part of their agenda and that deals were on the table for both these players. The fact these (no doubt bumper) contracts were not signed, coupled with the transfer fees retrieved for them respectively now leaves me concerned that there is a knee jerk reaction gone into overdrive and anyone can leave.
Now we all know the likes of Beye and Ireland are offering zero return on their salaries and we’d jump at the chance to offload these – as we have others, but I certainly do not put Luke Young into this category.
You might argue that on £40k a week with a year on his contract, we might as well cut our losses on him. For me though, Luke Young is now one of the first names on the team sheet; one of the best right backs we’ve had in recent years, is versatile and will not be easily replaced.
I don’t begrudge any of our players earning £40k per week if they do just that – earn it and Luke Young certainly does that.
Assuming this deal goes through, then that will mean that the club have discarded of 6 the 11 players who started the final game of last season and that is just not sustainable.
Yet more evidence (if we needed it) that the Chief Executive is so wet behind the ears he is literally drowning.
Luke Young: Turn the lights off on your way
posted on 26/8/11
I'm puzzled as well. At the moment we have a solid back line, even if not everyone is enthusiastic about Collins and Dunne. If anyone one of those leaves we need a better replacement brought in, otherwise we're too thinly stretched.If a better player than Young is lined up, then maybe OK. But who?
posted on 27/8/11
luke young is leaving for personal reasons, there's no fall out and its not for wage cutting by the club.
he needs to be closer to hes famliy, qpr have got a decent player for pennys in my view and i wish him all the best.
posted on 27/8/11
Lichaj looks ok but we must sign a replacement. I think 40k per week is a bit excessive for a limited player like Young, though I won't deny he is a model professional. Hutton would be a younger replacement and would be ok. I assume we hve a deal lined up to take Hutton off Spurs, who don't really need him with Walker and Corluka ahead of Hutton. But if we don't then we are in trouble, yes. I really feel we need two or three more players in before the window closes, but no one mentions this. Everyone is just interested in Arsenal.
posted on 27/8/11
Herd looked the business today, was unlucky not to bag a goal too.