Striker - same mistake as 1998 on the cards !

[headhunter]

In 1998 John Ward was forced to sell Shaun Goater on the eve of the transfer deadline to Man City for £400k. The rationale behind this was that if left to the summer he could leave on a Bosman and the club would get nothing !!

Shortsighted or what ? Who was the replacement - fat boy Shaun McCarthy ; he scored no more than 2 goals if my memory serves me correctly and after looking confident of taking the title City lost out to Watford [just like we lost out to the gas in 90 when Taylor missed thr last 8 games having reached 34 goals].

So to this year - we have a striker problem[fitness : Murray / Brooker / Showumni] and it is an insult to all fans that Smith is the best available. No goals in English football - slated [so I am told] on the fans zone on BBC R5 website by supporters of more than one of the clubs he has been loaned to. I saw Smith at Chesterfield - he ran around a lot and that's it ; seeing him since he looks less likely to score than Bas Savage.

Bristol Boy said to invest in a striker who might cost £12k a week is a good investment if he gets ,say, 5 goals in the last 8 games.

The happy clappers will say "what about team spirit" having a high earner - at this moment in time I think it would be true to say that all our strikers [including Jevons] are carrying some degree of injury so a fit outsider should not put anyone's nose out of joint [i'm forgetting Myrie Williams who, like Scott Brown as gone from hero to zero in Johnson's eyes for no apparent reason].

How about phoning Moyes and asking to borrow James Beattie for 4 weeks just to get his confidence back - could secure the 4 wins at a stroke ?

Two further issues

Johnson - can he handle players who have done it at a higher level ? Assuming we go up we won't be able to survive on the calibre of player that seems to be his preference [McCombe & McAllister excepted]

Rotherham home : will City live up to their "never fail to disappoint" tag by putting in a dismal performance if promo is secured the week before ? I remember 1976 - the joy of beating Portsmouth to secure promotion then a **ss poor performance losing 2-1 at home against Notts County 4 days later at what should have been the biggest party ever [and still was !]

[Guest port marine red]

Yeah, I could really see James Beattie coming here. You're serious, aren't you??? Amazing

[Roger Red Hat]

In 1998 John Ward was forced to sell Shaun Goater on the eve of the transfer deadline to Man City for £400k. The rationale behind this was that if left to the summer he could leave on a Bosman and the club would get nothing !!

Correct me if I'm wrong but Goater wanted to go.

Shortsighted or what ? Who was the replacement - fat boy Shaun McCarthy ; he scored no more than 2 goals if my memory serves me correctly and after looking confident of taking the title City lost out to Watford [just like we lost out to the gas in 90 when Taylor missed thr last 8 games having reached 34 goals].

So to this year - we have a striker problem[fitness : Murray / Brooker / Showumni] and it is an insult to all fans that Smith is the best available. No goals in English football - slated [so I am told] on the fans zone on BBC R5 website by supporters of more than one of the clubs he has been loaned to. I saw Smith at Chesterfield - he ran around a lot and that's it ; seeing him since he looks less likely to score than Bas Savage.

Bristol Boy said to invest in a striker who might cost £12k a week is a good investment if he gets ,say, 5 goals in the last 8 games.

The happy clappers will say "what about team spirit" having a high earner - at this moment in time I think it would be true to say that all our strikers [including Jevons] are carrying some degree of injury so a fit outsider should not put anyone's nose out of joint [i'm forgetting Myrie Williams who, like Scott Brown as gone from hero to zero in Johnson's eyes for no apparent reason].

How about phoning Moyes and asking to borrow James Beattie for 4 weeks just to get his confidence back - could secure the 4 wins at a stroke ?

Two further issues

Johnson - can he handle players who have done it at a higher level ? Assuming we go up we won't be able to survive on the calibre of player that seems to be his preference [McCombe & McAllister excepted]

Rotherham home : will City live up to their "never fail to disappoint" tag by putting in a dismal performance if promo is secured the week before ? I remember 1976 - the joy of beating Portsmouth to secure promotion then a **ss poor performance losing 2-1 at home against Notts County 4 days later at what should have been the biggest party ever [and still was !]

[cheshire_red]

Yeah, I could really see James Beattie coming here. You're serious, aren't you??? Amazing

Why not? Are you the sort of chap who see's a beautiful lass in a bar and thinks, nah, she wouldn't with me?

This is Bristol City FC, not Swindon Town, second in League 1 and on the verge of the Championship, IF we score some GOALS.

We could afford £100k, Everton aren't exactly awash with petty cash you know and Moyes loves us.

He may not be exactly fit but someone like him could and would.

Perhaps what we hear from other supporters of clubs is true, we are a small town team with small town team pretentions?

[Guest Bobo Dave]

Don't be so quick to knock back the suggestion, Redhunter actually has a point.

Most of the big Premiership clubs have players out injured at some point in the season, and once they get over the injury they need some time on the pitch to fully recover and get (Premiership) match fit again. So why not get that by loaning them out to the lower league clubs - or at least the high flyers in the lower league clubs, so they know they will be playing a reasonable standard of football.

Both the clubs and the players win from the deal.

[cheshire_red]

Remember when we wouldn't stump up £50k and some extra wages for Robins?

I'd have a wager that if you were to ask Carey, McCombe, McAllister etc etc "If we could break the bank for a few weeks and bring in a striker to score us the goals for League 1 would you be upset/break team morale/etc?" Do you honestly believe they would be against it?

[Port Said Red]

If there was a cast iron guarantee that a striker would get us goals then maybe. I don't see many that come with one though, ask Forest fans who have seen their side score 3 less goals than us whilst having four apparently highly rated strikers at their disposal.

Otherwise I think you risk rocking the boat too far, we only have 8 games left and it can take that long for some players to get settled at a club.

[Whale Eye Beef Hooked]

Johnson - can he handle players who have done it at a higher level ? Assuming we go up we won't be able to survive on the calibre of player that seems to be his preference [McCombe & McAllister excepted]

......and Murrey, ...Carey, .......Orr,......Johnson JNR..........Showumni........Jevons..........Smith.........Andrews....... all played at a higher level

[jellyred]

Why the hell would a premiership player come down to league one? Especially one with England experience.

I think people need to take a deep breath and step back and think.

We are not a big club. We are in the 3rd division. If there are any real quality players in the prem that would move on loan then teams in the championship will get them.

Players have ego's as well which people seem to forget, a quality prem player would NOT move to a league one club simply because of the image thing.

Didn't Robins come from a div 1 (championship) side anyway? (I might be wrong on that though)

Finally, there is no guarantee that bringing in another striker (no matter if they are quality or not) will get us goals.

I believe we have a squad that will get us promotion. Whilst another striker might be nice, at this time it just does not appear practical. GJ has said he is looking and I'm sure if the right one was out there they would be here but obviously they aren't so lets stop with all these ridiculous postings about premiership players and concentrate on getting behind the team and supporting them on to promotion.

[Bristol Boy]

The problem, as always was created by leaving it until the last minute before selling someone and negotiating contracts far to late.Luke Wilkshire was another who cost us £250k plus £4,000pw in wages then walked for nowt.TT a million and LP £600k.

He should have been offered a contract or transfer listed two years to eighteen months from the end of his original deal.

I really don't go along with this "It'll upset the camp if we bring in another player" argument.

Were they upset when Wayne Andrews was here and he wasn't on peanuts at Coventry (£4-5,000pw).They'll be a darn site more upset if we don't get promoted and this nonsense with Brooker is moving towards another Stewart saga.

[Red Robin]

In 1998 John Ward was forced to sell Shaun Goater on the eve of the transfer deadline to Man City for £400k. The rationale behind this was that if left to the summer he could leave on a Bosman and the club would get nothing !!

Shortsighted or what ? Who was the replacement - fat boy Shaun McCarthy ; he scored no more than 2 goals if my memory serves me correctly and after looking confident of taking the title City lost out to Watford [just like we lost out to the gas in 90 when Taylor missed thr last 8 games having reached 34 goals].

So to this year - we have a striker problem[fitness : Murray / Brooker / Showumni] and it is an insult to all fans that Smith is the best available. No goals in English football - slated [so I am told] on the fans zone on BBC R5 website by supporters of more than one of the clubs he has been loaned to. I saw Smith at Chesterfield - he ran around a lot and that's it ; seeing him since he looks less likely to score than Bas Savage.

Bristol Boy said to invest in a striker who might cost £12k a week is a good investment if he gets ,say, 5 goals in the last 8 games.

The happy clappers will say "what about team spirit" having a high earner - at this moment in time I think it would be true to say that all our strikers [including Jevons] are carrying some degree of injury so a fit outsider should not put anyone's nose out of joint [i'm forgetting Myrie Williams who, like Scott Brown as gone from hero to zero in Johnson's eyes for no apparent reason].

How about phoning Moyes and asking to borrow James Beattie for 4 weeks just to get his confidence back - could secure the 4 wins at a stroke ?

Two further issues

Johnson - can he handle players who have done it at a higher level ? Assuming we go up we won't be able to survive on the calibre of player that seems to be his preference [McCombe & McAllister excepted]

Rotherham home : will City live up to their "never fail to disappoint" tag by putting in a dismal performance if promo is secured the week before ? I remember 1976 - the joy of beating Portsmouth to secure promotion then a **ss poor performance losing 2-1 at home against Notts County 4 days later at what should have been the biggest party ever [and still was !]

Sensible and to the point post.We need to bring in that someone to push us over the winning post.

We are cantering as opposed to running over the finishing line.

[Bristol Boy]

......and Murrey, ...Carey, .......Orr,......Johnson JNR..........Showumni........Jevons..........Smith.........Andrews....... all played at a higher level

I think those aren't great examples and you're proving as opposed to disproving his point.

[Roger Red Hat]

this nonsense with Brooker is moving towards another Stewart saga.

What nonsense is this? I think we should be told.

[Guest wellyred]

Why not? Are you the sort of chap who see's a beautiful lass in a bar and thinks, nah, she wouldn't with me?

This is Bristol City FC, not Swindon Town, second in League 1 and on the verge of the Championship, IF we score some GOALS.

We could afford £100k, Everton aren't exactly awash with petty cash you know and Moyes loves us.

He may not be exactly fit but someone like him could and would.

Perhaps what we hear from other supporters of clubs is true, we are a small town team with small town team pretentions?

we are 2nd scored more goals than our nearest rivals do not rely on 2 strikers only [brooker lita 53 goals stayed down]it will be nail biting but i believe the squad has something we sometimes lackad mental strength for that gj must be applauded even if tactics sometimees baffle i do not care if we have boring 1 0

[cheshire_red]

It wasnt a case of that. Robins was recalled by Rotherham because they had goalscoring problems, we never had a choice in the matter.

He was recalled BECAUSE we wouldn't stump up the money.

[Dave L]

I really don't go along with this "It'll upset the camp if we bring in another player" argument.

Neither do I. They are professionals. But you may recall that in 1972 Man City signed Rodney Marsh in March when they were 4 points clear at the top of the old First Division (when you only got 2 points for a win), thinking he would guarantee them the title. They barely won a game after that and finished third or fourth as they struggled to assimilate the undeniably brilliant Marsh into a team that was doing perfectly well without him. That wasn't about the other players not getting on with him, just him taking time to fit in. Even he subsequently admitted he should not have been signed until the close season.

Thanks to our current squad, we are second in the league. We are the fifth highest scorers in the division with the second best defensive record. A good player will always improve the squad, and if the right person was available then by all means lets bring them in.

But from where I'm standing I don't thing things are that broke, and certainly aren't in need of a panic fix.

[Bristol Boy]

Why the hell would a premiership player come down to league one? Especially one with England experience.

Money & Regular First Team Football, plus the promise of a permanent move to an ambitious Championhsip club, next season on a permanent basis. I think Beattie was more of an example than a suggestion

I think people need to take a deep breath and step back and think.

They will if we don't go up

We are not a big club. We are in the 3rd division. If there are any real quality players in the prem that would move on loan then teams in the championship will get them.

Perhaps a player from The Championship then like Beckford or Best

Players have ego's as well which people seem to forget, a quality prem player would NOT move to a league one club simply because of the image thing.

Younger player like Andy Cole was when he came on loan initially

Finally, there is no guarantee that bringing in another striker (no matter if they are quality or not) will get us goals.

No but it's a reasonable assumption he'll get more than Smith and play more often than Brooker

I believe we have a squad that will get us promotion. Whilst another striker might be nice, at this time it just does not appear practical.

Why isn't it practical with Brooker & Jevons injured, Showunmi injury prone, Smith not scoring and Andrews out for the season

GJ has said he is looking and I'm sure if the right one was out there they would be here but obviously they aren't so lets stop with all these ridiculous postings about premiership players and concentrate on getting behind the team and supporting them on to promotion.

The posting asks a reasonable question and is far from ridiculous in it's suggestion that, should we not strengthen our attack, we may miss out.I agree with that premise entirely and I've watched about 45 of our 49 games this season.

[bh red]

James Beattie.........

yeah, I'm sure he'd leave the happy confines of the Everton Bench to have to play for us!

tell you what, why don't get Zidane out of retirement on a short-term basis to get us promoted, £50k a week for two months, be a bargain!

surely he would be the all round attacking midfielder we need to get us promoted?

[Guest port marine red]

Why not? Are you the sort of chap who see's a beautiful lass in a bar and thinks, nah, she wouldn't with me?

This is Bristol City FC, not Swindon Town, second in League 1 and on the verge of the Championship, IF we score some GOALS.

We could afford £100k, Everton aren't exactly awash with petty cash you know and Moyes loves us.

He may not be exactly fit but someone like him could and would.

Perhaps what we hear from other supporters of clubs is true, we are a small town team with small town team pretentions?

You really are on another planet

[bh red]

It wasnt a case of that. Robins was recalled by Rotherham because they had goalscoring problems, we never had a choice in the matter.

spot on, Ronnie Moore said once he had returned he only sent him out to get fitness and he didn't care if Robins wanted to stay at City or not, because he was a rotherham player!

[Bristol Boy]

Neither do I. They are professionals. But you may recall that in 1972 Man City signed Rodney Marsh in March when they were 4 points clear at the top of the old First Division (when you only got 2 points for a win), thinking he would guarantee them the title. They barely won a game after that and finished third or fourth as they struggled to assimilate the undeniably brilliant Marsh into a team that was doing perfectly well without him. That wasn't about the other players not getting on with him, just him taking time to fit in. Even he subsequently admitted he should not have been signed until the close season.

Thanks to our current squad, we are second in the league. We are the fifth highest scorers in the division with the second best defensive record. A good player will always improve the squad, and if the right person was available then by all means lets bring them in.

But from where I'm standing I don't thing things are that broke, and certainly aren't in need of a panic fix.

There are two ways of looking at it.

Keep doing what we've done and scrape by on the basis that it'll keep happening-That mya be right, who knows?

Try to give us the impetus that signing a quality player would and see if that gives that little extra.I'm not suggesting we sign any old plonker, but unless Brooker makes a miraculous recovery and plays the last eight games, with Andrews gone, Smith not scoring, Showunmi injury prone and Jevons with a groin injury, the cupboards starting to look a little bare.

[cheshire_red]

But from where I'm standing I don't thing things are that broke, and certainly aren't in need of a panic fix.

But you got your head stuck up your proverbial for all to see.

Ummm, Brooker still out, Jevons groin which could go again at anytime, Enoch's fitness is fragile at best, Andrews out for the season and a lighweight non scoring striker on a short term contract. And we can't bring anyone in after Thursday until it is all over!

That aint broke?

[PhatWill]

Why not? Are you the sort of chap who see's a beautiful lass in a bar and thinks, nah, she wouldn't with me?

You're comparing James Beattie to a beautiful woman? you really do have issues.

Beattie is a useless fat pisshead.

No thanks.

[Bristol Boy]

What nonsense is this? I think we should be told.

49 Games

20 Starts

3 Goals.

Everytime he bumps into anyone he's out for a month.

[Whale Eye Beef Hooked]

I think those aren't great examples and you're proving as opposed to disproving his point.

No, he said " can Johnson handle players that have played at a higher level " i was pointing out that we have a lot of players that have played at a higher level.

I don`t understand your reply......but then i don`t usually take much notice what you write anyway.

[Bristol Boy]

You're comparing James Beattie to a beautiful woman? you really do have issues.

Beattie is a useless fat pisshead.

No thanks.

Yeh, much rather have Andy Smith.

[Dave L]

He was recalled BECAUSE we wouldn't stump up the money.

And then played the grand total of 33 more games in the league and 10 in the Conference before retiring with a bad injury. Rotherham wanted £200,000 for him as I recall, plus his wages. Doesn't look such a great buy in retrospect, does it? Would have been right up there with Paul Mortimor, Paul Holland and Billy Mercer in fact.

It's also worth noting that we scored 79 goals that season, more than the two promoted teams, Wigan (68) and Crewe (76). But we conceded 48 against Wigan's 25 and Crewe's 40. That's what cost us automatic promotion in 2003, not the failure to sign Mark Robins.

[Topsham Red]

But you got your head stuck up your proverbial for all to see.

Ummm, Brooker still out, Jevons groin which could go again at anytime, Enoch's fitness is fragile at best, Andrews out for the season and a lighweight non scoring striker on a short term contract. And we can't bring anyone in after Thursday until it is all over!

That aint broke?

But we're winning Games and are currently 4 points clear of 3rd, yes we had a slip up against Bradford, but they always beat us.

Beattie - what a stupid comment, Of course he is going to play league one football.

[cheshire_red]

And then played the grand total of 33 more games in the league and 10 in the Conference before retiring with a bad injury. Rotherham wanted £200,000 for him as I recall, plus his wages. Doesn't look such a great buy in retrospect, does it? Would have been right up there with Paul Mortimor, Paul Holland and Billy Mercer in fact.

It's also worth noting that we scored 79 goals that season, more than the two promoted teams, Wigan (68) and Crewe (76). But we conceded 48 against Wigan's 25 and Crewe's 40. That's what cost us automatic promotion in 2003, not the failure to sign Mark Robins.

Fair points, i thought it was £50k if it were £200k then I fully agree with you.

Tad harsh on Mercer though, cracking keeper and was injured playing for us rather than already so when signed?

The goals against was why Wilson went OTT the next season and we were so negative, happy medium was what was required.

[cheshire_red]

But we're winning Games and are currently 4 points clear of 3rd, yes we had a slip up against Bradford, but they always beat us.

Beattie - what a stupid comment, Of course he is going to play league one football.

Which part of having no fully fit, fully firing strikers do you not understand?

Of course we are winning 5 out of 6. But the strikers aren't scoring, we nearly came away from playing the WORST Crewe side in donkeys years with a solitary point even though we dominated the game, because YES we have bags of quality all over the park, but NO FIT SCORING STRIKERS.

[Bristol Boy]

No, he said " can Johnson handle players that have played at a higher level " i was pointing out that we have a lot of players that have played at a higher level.

I don`t understand your reply......but then i don`t usually take much notice what you write anyway.

You should take more notice and then you might understand, even learn.

Let's go through the list and make some points

Murrey........Ex City-never cut the mustard at Reading...signed by Ward then Wilson, rumoured to be leaving in May.

Carey.........Ex City, played for us in The Championship and we were relegated and about 21 games at Coventry.Re-Signed by Tinnon

Orr.............Newcastle Resvs..Tinnion.

Johnson JNR..Are you serious, hardly played for Hearts and it's his son.Are you seriously suggesting he couldn't manage his own son who's ex Yeovil?

Showumni.....Luton Resvs & A sub for much of last season

Jevons..........Everton when he was about 12

Smith...........That's a joke, right?

Andrews.......Never cut it in The Championship

all played at a higher level.

Technically, that statement is true however, the original post was obviously referring to experinced, bigger name players (Stewart & Bridges-GJ also got the hump with Andrews at BHA, sparking a hissy fit from the young man)

Only time will tell.

[PhatWill]

Yeh, much rather have Andy Smith.

Me too.

[Bristol Boy]

Tad harsh on Mercer though, cracking keeper and was injured playing for us rather than already so when signed?

Not being a pedant but wasn't he was injured at home slipping in the shower as opposed to playing? Agree about Mortimer, Holland and you can add Dyche & Steve Jones to that list.

[cheshire_red]

Me too.

Why would you?

[Topsham Red]

Which part of having no fully fit, fully firing strikers do you not understand?

Of course we are winning 5 out of 6. But the strikers aren't scoring, we nearly came away from playing the WORST Crewe side in donkeys years with a solitary point even though we dominated the game, because YES we have bags of quality all over the park, but NO FIT SCORING STRIKERS.

Didn't Enoch score on the weekend??? He may not be fully fit, but he is getting there. Jevons has a slight tweak. Lets keep on bringing in new players that don't know how the team plays in the hope they might score or Keep faith with what we have got - they have done pretty well aready this season.

Man United have only 1 fully fit striker - don't see them complaining.

[Guest ashtonyate]

In 1998 John Ward was forced to sell Shaun Goater on the eve of the transfer deadline to Man City for £400k. The rationale behind this was that if left to the summer he could leave on a Bosman and the club would get nothing !!

Shortsighted or what ? Who was the replacement - fat boy Shaun McCarthy ; he scored no more than 2 goals if my memory serves me correctly and after looking confident of taking the title City lost out to Watford [just like we lost out to the gas in 90 when Taylor missed thr last 8 games having reached 34 goals].

So to this year - we have a striker problem[fitness : Murray / Brooker / Showumni] and it is an insult to all fans that Smith is the best available. No goals in English football - slated [so I am told] on the fans zone on BBC R5 website by supporters of more than one of the clubs he has been loaned to. I saw Smith at Chesterfield - he ran around a lot and that's it ; seeing him since he looks less likely to score than Bas Savage.

Bristol Boy said to invest in a striker who might cost £12k a week is a good investment if he gets ,say, 5 goals in the last 8 games.

The happy clappers will say "what about team spirit" having a high earner - at this moment in time I think it would be true to say that all our strikers [including Jevons] are carrying some degree of injury so a fit outsider should not put anyone's nose out of joint [i'm forgetting Myrie Williams who, like Scott Brown as gone from hero to zero in Johnson's eyes for no apparent reason].

How about phoning Moyes and asking to borrow James Beattie for 4 weeks just to get his confidence back - could secure the 4 wins at a stroke ?

Two further issues

Johnson - can he handle players who have done it at a higher level ? Assuming we go up we won't be able to survive on the calibre of player that seems to be his preference [McCombe & McAllister excepted]

Rotherham home : will City live up to their "never fail to disappoint" tag by putting in a dismal performance if promo is secured the week before ? I remember 1976 - the joy of beating Portsmouth to secure promotion then a **ss poor performance losing 2-1 at home against Notts County 4 days later at what should have been the biggest party ever [and still was !]

What a great post you have sum it up in a nut shell the only bit that I don't agree with is Williams I can see why Johnson will not play him he is no good enough at the moment

[cheshire_red]

Didn't Enoch score on the weekend??? He may not be fully fit, but he is getting there. Jevons has a slight tweak. Lets keep on bringing in new players that don't know how the team plays in the hope they might score or Keep faith with what we have got - they have done pretty well aready this season.

Man United have only 1 fully fit striker - don't see them complaining.

I disagree with your sentiments, Enoch has been getting there and failing all season bar a great patch in the middle ofthe season and GJ has said as much himself. New player, so what is Smith???

Read the Man U forums, of course they are complaining.

[Topsham Red]

I disagree with your sentiments, Enoch has been getting there and failing all season bar a great patch in the middle ofthe season and GJ has said as much himself. New player, so what is Smith???

Read the Man U forums, of course they are complaining.

They certainly sounded like they where moaning after winning 4-1 this weekend.

Enoch failing all season. - what a ridiculous comment. you've just been added to the ignore list.

[jellyred]

They were complaining about winning 4-1 at the weekend with only one fully fit striker.

Enoch 'I love to score goals' Showumni has been playing well and scoring all season until this past month where I think we can all agree he has been out of form. Hopefully his goal against Crewe will spark that desire in him again.

[cheshire_red]

They certainly sounded like they where moaning after winning 4-1 this weekend.

Enoch failing all season. - what a ridiculous comment. you've just been added to the ignore list.

So do you add everyone you disagree with to your ignore list, how pathetic, not that you'll see this. Yes before the Bolton game they were moaning full scale.

[Beezey]

Not being a pedant but wasn't he was injured at home slipping in the shower as opposed to playing? Agree about Mortimer, Holland and you can add Dyche & Steve Jones to that list.

No he was injured playing against Exeter in the 4-0 home win in the Auto Windscreens area final.

Played Crocked in the final and that was basically that.

[Longacre_red]

You should take more notice and then you might understand, even learn.

Let's go through the list and make some points

Murrey........Ex City-never cut the mustard at Reading...signed by Ward then Wilson, rumoured to be leaving in May.

Carey.........Ex City, played for us in The Championship and we were relegated and about 21 games at Coventry.Re-Signed by Tinnon

Orr.............Newcastle Resvs..Tinnion.

Johnson JNR..Are you serious, hardly played for Hearts and it's his son.Are you seriously suggesting he couldn't manage his own son who's ex Yeovil?

Showumni.....Luton Resvs & A sub for much of last season

Jevons..........Everton when he was about 12

Smith...........That's a joke, right?

Andrews.......Never cut it in The Championship

all played at a higher level.

Technically, that statement is true however, the original post was obviously referring to experinced, bigger name players (Stewart & Bridges-GJ also got the hump with Andrews at BHA, sparking a hissy fit from the young man)

Only time will tell.

I thought Andrews was loaned to us over championship clubs because he was doing well at Wednesday and coventry didn't want him helping their rivals?

Doesnt make sense but thats what i was told!

If we're looking for a striker on loan, why not try that little chinese player from man u, he recently came back from a 2 year loan at antwerp so needs to adapt to the english game, worth a try?!

[RedUn]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Goater wanted to go.

I recall a conversation with a relative of one of the other squad members at the time where the word was the Goat would have stayed for significantly less wages than Man City were offering (given they were going down and we were going up).

Unfortunately, City's board (fearing SG would set a marker for the rest of the promotion squad) were not prepared to negotiate the worth of a proven goalscorer and instead "cashed in" and went out and spent Archie Gooch's money on three other strikers of varying usefulness instead (and what sort of wages were they on?) ... for as long as we are in this division we will still be paying for the repercussions.

[LSR]

In 1998 John Ward was forced to sell Shaun Goater on the eve of the transfer deadline to Man City for £400k. The rationale behind this was that if left to the summer he could leave on a Bosman and the club would get nothing !!

Shortsighted or what ? Who was the replacement - fat boy Shaun McCarthy ; he scored no more than 2 goals if my memory serves me correctly and after looking confident of taking the title City lost out to Watford [just like we lost out to the gas in 90 when Taylor missed thr last 8 games having reached 34 goals].

So to this year - we have a striker problem[fitness : Murray / Brooker / Showumni] and it is an insult to all fans that Smith is the best available. No goals in English football - slated [so I am told] on the fans zone on BBC R5 website by supporters of more than one of the clubs he has been loaned to. I saw Smith at Chesterfield - he ran around a lot and that's it ; seeing him since he looks less likely to score than Bas Savage.

Bristol Boy said to invest in a striker who might cost £12k a week is a good investment if he gets ,say, 5 goals in the last 8 games.

The happy clappers will say "what about team spirit" having a high earner - at this moment in time I think it would be true to say that all our strikers [including Jevons] are carrying some degree of injury so a fit outsider should not put anyone's nose out of joint [i'm forgetting Myrie Williams who, like Scott Brown as gone from hero to zero in Johnson's eyes for no apparent reason].

How about phoning Moyes and asking to borrow James Beattie for 4 weeks just to get his confidence back - could secure the 4 wins at a stroke ?

Two further issues

Johnson - can he handle players who have done it at a higher level ? Assuming we go up we won't be able to survive on the calibre of player that seems to be his preference [McCombe & McAllister excepted]

Rotherham home : will City live up to their "never fail to disappoint" tag by putting in a dismal performance if promo is secured the week before ? I remember 1976 - the joy of beating Portsmouth to secure promotion then a **ss poor performance losing 2-1 at home against Notts County 4 days later at what should have been the biggest party ever [and still was !]

you have some good points ,and yur right whats wrong with asking moyes ..after all if you don't ask you don't get right??

[Guest Old Dazzler]

I recall a conversation with a relative of one of the other squad members at the time where the word was the Goat would have stayed for significantly less wages than Man City were offering (given they were going down and we were going up).

Unfortunately, City's board (fearing SG would set a marker for the rest of the promotion squad) were not prepared to negotiate the worth of a proven goalscorer and instead "cashed in" and went out and spent Archie Gooch's money on three other strikers of varying usefulness instead (and what sort of wages were they on?) ... for as long as we are in this division we will still be paying for the repercussions.

Goater had made it known that he definitely wanted to go from around the time we played Watford away in the December. His reasons were that he wanted to have a crack at playing in the premiership, which he ultimately achieved by joining Man City, even though we took their place at the end of that season.

As the board were offered £400,000 on deadline day for a player who was definitely going to walk in a few weeks, and we were only a game or two from auto promotion, you can't blame the club for taking the money. The problem we had was not so much the replacements for Goater (Akinibiyi, Thorpe and Soren Andersen) but the failure to replace injured Shaun Taylor and the signing of at least one quality midfielder.

But Goater spoke freely in the media about his desire to go at the end of his contract, exactly the way that Tony Thorpe did a few seasons later. It amuses me to this day that TT tends to get villified for doing exactly the same as The Goat, yet Goater still seems to be revered by the fans despite his planned walk-out. (Not that I blame anyone for leaving - its their career and they have to do what they feel is best - its just that TT seems to have got the rough end from the fans)

[GrahamC]

As the board were offered £400,000 on deadline day for a player who was definitely going to walk in a few weeks, and we were only a game or two from auto promotion, you can't blame the club for taking the money. The problem we had was not so much the replacements for Goater (Akinibiyi, Thorpe and Soren Andersen) but the failure to replace injured Shaun Taylor and the signing of at least one quality midfielder.

Not the way I saw it, Akinbiyi was a great buy, which explains why we paid £1.2m for him and got £3.5m back, the other two certainly weren't.

Andersen had a good goals to games ratio but wasn't an ideal partner for Akinbiyi because he couldn't do what Ade couldn't (hold the ball up), either.

Thorpe was a monumental waste of money, a £1m transfer fee, a rumoured £6k a week for a guy who never cut it above League One and who put in 50% effort most of the time. Well done for getting all those goals in games when we were already two up, though, Tony.

[Guest Old Dazzler]

No he was injured playing against Exeter in the 4-0 home win in the Auto Windscreens area final.

Played Crocked in the final and that was basically that.

But the injury that wrecked his career was caused by a mishap in the shower.

[bucksred]

......and Murrey, ...Carey, .......Orr,......Johnson JNR..........Showumni........Jevons..........Smith.........Andrews....... all played at a higher level

Murray, a failed spell at Reading, and ex Villa.

Carey, failed spell at Cov

Orr, kid at Noocastle. did he play for the first team. don't think he did

Jonson minor, did he get regular 1st team action, if at all?

Showumni, super sub only, in the championship. Fairly regular at our level fer Lu'on

Jevons......youth action only. Oh yeah Grimby and Yeovile.

Smith, yer joking arent yer?

Andrews, one, and on loan only

Next batch of recruits please.

[bucksred]

They certainly sounded like they where moaning after winning 4-1 this weekend.

Enoch failing all season. - what a ridiculous comment. you've just been added to the ignore list.

god help us!! do you actually know what reality is?

[RedUn]

Goater had made it known that he definitely wanted to go from around the time we played Watford away in the December. His reasons were that he wanted to have a crack at playing in the premiership, which he ultimately achieved by joining Man City, even though we took their place at the end of that season.

... yes, that was the contemporary version of negotiations for public consumption ... "smoke'n'mirrors".

As the board were offered £400,000 on deadline day for a player who was definitely going to walk in a few weeks, and we were only a game or two from auto promotion, you can't blame the club for taking the money.

The board stated they "didn't want to repeat 1982" (by offering the Goat something he could accept).

The problem we had was not so much the replacements for Goater (Akinibiyi, Thorpe and Soren Andersen) but the failure to replace injured Shaun Taylor and the signing of at least one quality midfielder.

Please don't underestimate the resentment that the wages suddenly found for Akininbiyi, Thorpe, Andersen, Hutchings and Watts caused in the squad that had actually won promotion. Of those only Akinbiyi proved worth his salt.

But Goater spoke freely in the media about his desire to go at the end of his contract, exactly the way that Tony Thorpe did a few seasons later. It amuses me to this day that TT tends to get villified for doing exactly the same as The Goat, yet Goater still seems to be revered by the fans despite his planned walk-out. (Not that I blame anyone for leaving - its their career and they have to do what they feel is best - its just that TT seems to have got the rough end from the fans)

My only complaint about Thorpe is that he couldn't have left some years earlier than he did - the reason being nobody wanted to pay him anything like what we'd been giving him.

[greenun]

I recall a conversation with a relative of one of the other squad members at the time where the word was the Goat would have stayed for significantly less wages than Man City were offering (given they were going down and we were going up).

Unfortunately, City's board (fearing SG would set a marker for the rest of the promotion squad) were not prepared to negotiate the worth of a proven goalscorer and instead "cashed in" and went out and spent Archie Gooch's money on three other strikers of varying usefulness instead (and what sort of wages were they on?) ... for as long as we are in this division we will still be paying for the repercussions.

More unfortunately, we had a real striker in the making on loan from Wolves at the same time as McCarthy.

Sadly, this prodigeous talent was a little impetuous and finished his loan spell early by taking flight to play in an international tournament for Grenada, after taking the advice of his Uncle Cyrille. In the lad's defence, he was fed up of playing second fiddle to leather face.

Worse still, Wolves sold him the following summmer to the basement boys. Now that was a real loss too.

[Bristol Boy]

I recall a conversation with a relative of one of the other squad members at the time where the word was the Goat would have stayed for significantly less wages than Man City were offering (given they were going down and we were going up).

Unfortunately, City's board (fearing SG would set a marker for the rest of the promotion squad) were not prepared to negotiate the worth of a proven goalscorer and instead "cashed in" and went out and spent Archie Gooch's money on three other strikers of varying usefulness instead (and what sort of wages were they on?) ... for as long as we are in this division we will still be paying for the repercussions.

For me the key errors when we were last promoted were:

Not replacing the injured Sean Taylor without whom we wouldn't have got promoted.

Not hanging on to Jason Roberts as a partner for Adi Akinbiyi, we might have done a Watford.

Bringing Lenartson in for John Ward.One bloke who didn't know the Division for another who didn't know the division or the country.

There were other errors, but had we not made those we'd have at least consolidated.

[old_man_terry]

In 1998 John Ward was forced to sell Shaun Goater on the eve of the transfer deadline to Man City for £400k. The rationale behind this was that if left to the summer he could leave on a Bosman and the club would get nothing !!

Shortsighted or what ? Who was the replacement - fat boy Shaun McCarthy AND JASON ROBERTS he scored no more than 2 goals if my memory serves me correctly and after looking confident of taking the title City lost out to Watford [just like we lost out to the gas in 90 when Taylor missed thr last 8 games having reached 34 goals].

all that matters is promotion, the Championship is just a bonus.

like many majority of people care more about promotion and couldn't care less about the title, much like the teams of 98 and 90

as for the mistakes of 98...this biggest was letting the chairman sign the players and not the manager