Freeman situation...doesn't add up

[BigTone]

4 minutes ago, 29AR said:

I really don't see the difference. He's one overstretch away from 12m out - 6m unpaid and no medical support. I'm not in the right state of mind because you left me in this limbo and won't sell me given a decent offer to... absolutely fkin right in my opinion. 

Why doesn't he just hand in a transfer request then ?

I could have an accident tomorrow and not be able to work or get paid. Remember as well that Footballers do normally have insurance to cover such occasions (as do I).

[Roger Red Hat]

Is the issue that SL has put a price on LF, if it's not matched by Hollowhead then he's not being sold?

[RedM]

10 minutes ago, 29AR said:

And yet we can him - with hundreds of thousands on the hip. You're telling me a new employer giving you better security, better prospects, closer to home tries to buy you out of a 6 month deal and your current employer says no you might not go down to pulling a sicky.... come on 

He has 6 months left. Break his leg he's right up the shitter. We didn't 'look after' him in bad form and he's in a 20 year - at best - career. Not like the rest of us with 40+ years.

Ridiculous notion in my book. And I'm not even that enamoured to him. 

Two points; Firstly I expect he will earn more in his 20 year career than I will in my 40 year one.

And, what's to stop him working when he has finished playing anyway. In the real world people don't  retire in their mid thirties.

[bristolcitysweden]

1 minute ago, Roger Red Hat said:

Is the issue that SL has put a price on LF, if it's not matched by Hollowhead then he's not being sold?

We will probably see a slightly improved offer that we will accept

[BigTone]

2 minutes ago, Roger Red Hat said:

Is the issue that SL has put a price on LF, if it's not matched by Hollowhead then he's not being sold?

possibly

[BigTone]

Just now, bristolcitysweden said:

We will probably see a slightly improved offer that we will accept

very likely

[southvillekiddy]

1 minute ago, Roger Red Hat said:

Is the issue that SL has put a price on LF, if it's not matched by Hollowhead then he's not being sold?

Oh dear please don't bring him into mate. Temporarily putting him to one side until tuesday. We saw again today that the players heads aren't right. Only Johnson to blame for that in my book. Feel sick now. Tardis back in time to Bradford please. 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, cityexile said:

QPR have bid.

We have declined it.

Freeman wants to go to QPR, and is having a bit of a sulk, as it needs to go through in the next couple of days. Trying to force our hand?

No one coming out of it with any great credit.

How do you know LF is sulking?

Agree with your final sentence though.  Freeman not had chance to reply though.

1 hour ago, Red Exile said:

Agreed, throw a different player's name into every interview...an injury, a new face, a youngster, a random allegation of mars bars or pints or whatever...anything which deflects from anyone asking what is being done to address our record breaking poor form 

Johnson needs to learn (bleedin' quickly imho) to keep his mouth shut.  You are right.  I know we want to hear the warts and all, but actually it does us no good.  

1 hour ago, petehinton said:

All strikes of a bit of "I don't want you but no one else can have you" from LJ. 

The club would've known for two years that he'd need a new contract soon. Look at Pack, Flint, Korey that have all had new deals/extensions. 

All been handled very badly. For LJ to come out and say we've given him a "very very good offer" only because QPR bid for him is baffling. Offer him a "very very good offer" in the summer and all of this is completely avoided. 

Given him a very, very good offer, to me suggests he's part of Lee's plans, as has his regular selection.  If you want him to sign and he's playing decently for you, use his selection as the bait to get him to sign.  Don't drop him, one you lessen his value, two, you're weakening your team (no matter what the fans think if his performances)

35 minutes ago, RedM said:

Or Cotterell had more patience with him?

I think he  played better in the last few games that he played. But clearly now that was to instigate a move away. He played for Luke Freeman.

I think you're giving Freeman a lot of credit if you think he's good enough to decide when to turn it on or not. 

[Davefevs]

Personally I'd rather we didn't sell Freeman to a relegation rival.

[bristolcitysweden]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Personally I'd rather we didn't sell Freeman to a relegation rival.

Think someone else is lined up should he leave

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, bristolcitysweden said:

Think someone else is lined up should he leave

That's fine, but for me selling ROD to Rotherham and Freeman to QPR is helping our rivals.

[joe jordans teeth]

1 hour ago, gamon said:

It's called deflection.

Spot on,tomlin done the same midweek 

[Guest]

20 minutes ago, RedM said:

Two points; Firstly I expect he will earn more in his 20 year career than I will in my 40 year one.

And, what's to stop him working when he has finished playing anyway. In the real world people don't  retire in their mid thirties.

Point 1 - he will, assuming it doesn't end at his current age

Point 2 - nothing, but being a footballer almost demands you turn your back on qualifications, education, practical experiences. You are quite literally putting 99 of your 100 eggs in the basket. Look at Joe Bryan for instance, QEH boy, educated family and upbringing, he'll be a long way behind his peers in school if his footballing career ended tomorrow. 

[Guest]

30 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Why doesn't he just hand in a transfer request then ?

I could have an accident tomorrow and not be able to work or get paid. Remember as well that Footballers do normally have insurance to cover such occasions (as do I).

He practically has. He may well have done and we don't know.

And you presume we will pay him as opposed to dock him wages - which I'm certain we will do. 

Re insurance, he might have it; given the expected earnings. risk of injury and cost of medical support the premiums will be absolutely extortionate. Quite different from yours or mine. 

[RedM]

8 minutes ago, 29AR said:

He practically has. He may well have done and we don't know.

And you presume we will pay him as opposed to dock him wages - which I'm certain we will do. 

Re insurance, he might have it; given the expected earnings. risk of injury and cost of medical support the premiums will be absolutely extortionate. Quite different from yours or mine. 

But his wages are extortionate to cover these extortionate premiums. its all relative. 

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, RedM said:

But his wages are extortionate to cover these extortionate premiums. its all relative. 

Well they aren't to cover these premiums because it's only <12m on his deal it's his problem. And I think you underestimate how high these costs would be.

You're forgetting he was crap last year and we showed no loyalty to him; we didn't extend his contract a la LJ, we didn't say we back you, we said play your way through it - prove yourself you'll get a new offer.. our fault if he's 6m left on deal and gets a more attractive deal having done that and wants to go. Our fault if on the eve game of the window closing he says I'll sit this one out. If he doesn't move and we play sheff weds and ask the question I bet it's a different answer. I cannot criticise him for sitting out a meaningless game with a move still on the cards, when we stand to make a few and he has it all to risk. 

As for @BigTone taking a sicky v taking the piss; Burnley, away, in the FA cup and no league points, transfer window open - that's more taking a sicky than not turning up v Rotherham in the league isn't it? 

[BigTone]

32 minutes ago, 29AR said:

 

Re insurance, he might have it; given the expected earnings. risk of injury and cost of medical support the premiums will be absolutely extortionate. Quite different from yours or mine. 

I doubt that. How do you know what I earn ? Remember age is a factor as well.

[BigTone]

34 minutes ago, 29AR said:

He practically has. 

Practically has and actually has are two very different scenarios

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, BigTone said:

I doubt that. How do you know what I earn ? Remember age is a factor as well.

Of course age is a factor. I don't know what you earn.

But if you're on a footballer's salary, in a high risk profession, with the cost of rehabilitation thrown in on top of loss of earnings -rehabilitation of the highest quality to get you back to your prime fitness... 

come on... not like telling your annuity provider you smoke 40 woodbines a day 

[BigTone]

6 minutes ago, 29AR said:

 

As for @BigTone taking a sicky v taking the piss; Burnley, away, in the FA cup and no league points, transfer window open - that's more taking a sicky than not turning up v Rotherham in the league isn't it? 

It's taking the piss because BCFC pay his wages to play football. It may as well be Clevedon Town but the principle is the same.

[BigTone]

1 minute ago, 29AR said:

Of course age is a factor. I don't know what you earn.

But if you're on a footballer's salary, in a high risk profession, with the cost of rehabilitation thrown in on top of loss of earnings -rehabilitation of the highest quality to get you back to your prime fitness... 

come on...

Anybody who has an accident is likely to need rehab of the highest quality. Why do you think it is just for footballers ?

[Guest]

1 minute ago, BigTone said:

It's taking the piss. It may as well be Clevedon Town but the principle is the same.

I disagree.

Only earlier this week this was a 'mulligan' game for LJ post SL interview - obviously ATE on OTIB it was not. 

A week earlier I'd be closer to your opinion. But the window shuts on Monday/Tuesday. There's still a chance of a move imminently and this was the last risk - with presumably no training tomorrow. 

Frankly I don't believe we would have genuinely wanted to play him today anyway. We want to sell of course. It's all part of the posturing of the move - incl LJ u-turn from not playing to doesn't want to play. 

[tinman85]

Have to say the Championship has been tough for us. We missed our big time on the momentum from promotion. The board are to blame for this mess. Apart from the stadium same old mistakes. Signing average players and not developing the ones we have to realise full potential. Starting to wonder if we will stay up. I just can't see it. 

[BigTone]

1 minute ago, 29AR said:

I disagree.

Only earlier this week this was a 'mulligan' game for LJ post SL interview - obviously ATE on OTIB it was not. 

A week earlier I'd be closer to your opinion. But the window shuts on Monday/Tuesday. There's still a chance of a move imminently and this was the last risk - with presumably no training tomorrow. 

Frankly I don't believe we would have genuinely wanted to play him today anyway. We want to sell of course. It's all part of the posturing of the move - incl LJ u-turn from not playing to doesn't want to play. 

Your logic defies me

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Anybody who has an accident is likely to need rehab of the highest quality. Why do you think it is just for footballers ?

Hardly.

There's getting back to an acceptable level and a sportsman's condition.

Treating a broken leg for a desk jockey like me is quite different for a footballer.

In terms of the treatment, the physio, the length of physio, the length of rehabilitation, the time off dedicated to healing injury (i would be expected back in a week or so, not expected to take time off on bed rest and then be in the gym constantly building strength day by day)

[Fiale]

1 hour ago, BigTone said:

This is my take on it:

1) Freeman is waiting to see what happens at BCFC regarding the Manager.

2) LJ goes and Freeman signs a new improved contract and stays at BCFC.

3) LJ stays and Freeman goes to QPR on last day of the window.

4) He waits till the summer and gets a nice big signing on fee from QPR (or A N Other) because he is out of contract

Whatever way he is a right little p***k and should just piss off.

Sell him now and get what we can for him. Even a tenner is better than nothing.

 

1 hour ago, Bowie said:

My understanding is....

He wanted a new contract in the summer apparently but we refused to offer him one,

until the interest from QPR, we still hadn't offered him a deal.

freeman asked that since he wasn't being offered a deal by us, he'd like to speak to QPR once they had bid, we rejected the offer and then offered him contract (slight increase, 2 year deal)  

Freeman asked to speak to QPR to consider his options, it was refused and he's been told he won't be selected again unless he signed the deal.

That's what I knew as of Thursday.

Today's news...well it's as unexpected as it is surprising, LJ has publically said a few times Freeman won't play unless he signs contract so for me, Johnsons comments are confusing and a contradiction to his previous, a manager under pressure who will deflect the blame anywhere to stop questions being about him.

 

If Bowie is right, then I hope you don't treat your employees, contractors, customers like that because I'd suggest it reflects badly on the employer, company, manager.

[BigTone]

5 minutes ago, 29AR said:

 

Treating a broken leg for a desk jockey like me is quite different for a footballer.

 

Why ? That's just plain stupid.

You really are of another world I think.

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, BigTone said:

Why ? That's just plain stupid.

You really are of another world I think.

And yet I'm thinking the same: that you think the rehab for someone who uses his feet for walking is as carefully managed as a bloke who uses them particularly to earn £k's per week is the same. It's like you would expect if I broke my hand and Eric Clapton broke his our rehab would be similar. That I'd have the same respite and physio etc  

Im not gonna reply. Agree to disagree. 

[cityexile]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

How do you know LF is sulking?

Agree with your final sentence though.  Freeman not had chance to reply though.

Johnson needs to learn (bleedin' quickly imho) to keep his mouth shut.  You are right.  I know we want to hear the warts and all, but actually it does us no good.  

Given him a very, very good offer, to me suggests he's part of Lee's plans, as has his regular selection.  If you want him to sign and he's playing decently for you, use his selection as the bait to get him to sign.  Don't drop him, one you lessen his value, two, you're weakening your team (no matter what the fans think if his performances)

I think you're giving Freeman a lot of credit if you think he's good enough to decide when to turn it on or not. 

Sorry, not being clear.

Just complete and utter speculation on my part. Was trying to say however poorly, could be hundreds of answers, here is just one random one.

[BigTone]

15 minutes ago, 29AR said:

And yet I'm thinking the same: that you think the rehab for someone who uses his feet for walking is as carefully managed as a bloke who uses them particularly to earn £k's per week is the same. It's like you would expect if I broke my hand and Eric Clapton broke his our rehab would be similar. That I'd have the same respite and physio etc  

Im not gonna reply. Agree to disagree. 

Ok if you insist but let me say one last thing.

A person who drives an Ambulance, Fire Engine or Police car breaks his leg so he cannot work. However, Luke Freeman does the same but gets preferential treatment because he kicks a ball for a living. Do you understand the point here ? What you earn and what you do makes no difference unless you can afford specialist private treatment.

If I can no longer drive my Ambulance, Fire Engine or Police car I can go stacking shelves in Tesco.  Luke Freeman can do the same as others on here have pointed out.

Just now he is taking the piss with a capital P