Alex Pritchard

[Brovion]

Very well put. One of those ends-of-the-earth, back-of-beyond clubs that most people (and certainly most football writers) would rather quietly disappeared.

See also: Swansea, Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Hull.

Yeah, far better if top-level football were only played by the big clubs in the big cities where they've got decent hotels and restaurants etc for our expense accounts. All these little upstart provincial clubs from the backwaters and the arse-ends of nowhere should know their place and piss of back to non-league. They are SUCH a drag, but their fans get all arsey if we don't cover them so sometimes we have to drag ourselves off the beaten track and slum it.

Surprised at you.

 

[LU7 RED]

Seeing as [MENTION=10202]Not Andy Naylor[/MENTION] IS a football writer, and I am going to presume you are not, I'm going with NAN on this one.

You crack on. Obviously being a football writer means you can post any sort of crap and it gets taken as gospel. Just don't think his 'opinions' on the clubs mentioned are what 'most football writers' think. Perhaps in his department maybe.

Sounded like someone miffed about a transfer going tits up and lashing out.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

You are allowed to garner knowledge of teams and players from other sources, too.

(Like your EYES!)

Oh dear, I must learn to be a uber fan.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

It doesn't get much more glowing than "looks like he has spent a few hours locked in a bakery" - http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?183732-Oliver-Norwood-s-Boatrace

Unfortunately the link is broken - from the link to this link... you know what I mean.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Oh I agree about Norwich, they are basically a successful Yeovil.

What an odd thing to say.

What are Brighton then? A less successful Sheffield United?

Clubs like Norwich/Swansea/Bournmouth being in the PL at times is a good thing.

Proves its not just a closed shop

 

[MattBackHome]

Jesus I thought some Southampton fans were patronising. I'd be interested in that survey of football writers and which teams they want to 'disappear'. My lot AFCB might be 'too small' for the PL, but what have Swansea done wrong?

Norwich are a level above Brighton, and always have been.

I agree. The only problem with Norwich is that it takes much longer to get there than you think it will.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Yeah, far better if top-level football were only played by the big clubs in the big cities where they've got decent hotels and restaurants etc for our expense accounts. All these little upstart provincial clubs from the backwaters and the arse-ends of nowhere should know their place and piss of back to non-league. They are SUCH a drag, but their fans get all arsey if we don't cover them so sometimes we have to drag ourselves off the beaten track and slum it.

Surprised at you.

Sounds about right for some journalists.

 

[feller]

I have a funny feeling he will fail his Norwich medical anyway for only having 10 fingers and 10 toes.

 

[Da Man Clay]

Like Calderon you mean?

Calderon hadn't agreed a deal. And was playing for us at the time. Apart from that - yeah

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Calderon hadn't agreed a deal. And was playing for us at the time. Apart from that - yeah

So he was willing to leave us, despite being an Albion player. That's worse

 

[Da Man Clay]

So he was willing to leave us, despite being an Albion player. That's worse

Not really. Quite justifiable looking around if you're a free agent - it isn't if you've agreed terms with a club. It's not remotely similar.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Not really. Quite justifiable looking around if you're a free agent - it isn't if you've agreed terms with a club. It's not remotely similar.

It's worse. Pritchard was offered the chance to speak to two clubs who he has no affiliation with, and he'll likely choose the better money. Both teams have a shot at promotion this season.

Calderon was offered a deal by the Albion following half a season playing for us, but chose to speak to Southampton despite his affiliation to us and the fact that we gave him his chance in England.

Personally I don't blame either of them. It's a short career and I would probably do the same in my career. But let's not pretend Pritchard has behaved badly in any way. We just lost out to a team who can offer him better wages

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

It's worse. Pritchard was offered the chance to speak to two clubs who he has no affiliation with, and he'll likely choose the better money. Both teams have a shot at promotion this season.

Calderon was offered a deal by the Albion following half a season playing for us, but chose to speak to Southampton despite his affiliation to us and the fact that we gave him his chance in England.

Personally I don't blame either of them. It's a short career and I would probably do the same in my career. But let's not pretend Pritchard has behaved badly in any way. We just lost out to a team who can offer him better wages

Why did he agree to terms with us then (if true) if he was still listening to other offers?

 

[Justice]

Had a conversation last night about this apparently Norwich only jumped in with their parachute payments to stop us strengthening. Makes sense as they are not desperate for a player in that position if this is the case then we will have little chance of securing top British talent.

 

[Codner pharmaceuticals]

Man with multiple job offers chooses one.

Move on folks.

 

[Da Man Clay]

It's worse. Pritchard was offered the chance to speak to two clubs who he has no affiliation with, and he'll likely choose the better money. Both teams have a shot at promotion this season.

Calderon was offered a deal by the Albion following half a season playing for us, but chose to speak to Southampton despite his affiliation to us and the fact that we gave him his chance in England.

Personally I don't blame either of them. It's a short career and I would probably do the same in my career. But let's not pretend Pritchard has behaved badly in any way. We just lost out to a team who can offer him better wages

No it isn't. Pritchard had agreed to sign a contract with us before Norwich were even involved and then went back on it because he might get more money. If he had been given permission to speak to both clubs then you'd be spot on. Nothing wrong with getting two offers and listening to which is better (A la Calderon). There is something wrong with agreeing a deal and then changing you mind.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Not certain the club would even have him now. Doesn't seem to fit with the ethos of the team if he is happy to agree a deal and then disappear overnight. Not for us I imagine.

Two key players are in the last year of a contract and don't seemed to keen to sign, where does that fit in with the ethos?

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Why did he agree to terms with us then (if true) if he was still listening to other offers?

Because he was told about interest after those terms were agreed. Clearly.

 

[Blue3]

You win some you loose some this is just one we got to hear about I am sure this goes on all the time but that the club tries very hard to keep things quiet until the moment someone signs, but in this case it got out into the media and the rumour mill went into overdrive it's a nothing story good luck Alex at Norwich welcome Oliver to the Albion

 

[Stumpy Tim]

No it isn't. Pritchard had agreed to sign a contract with us before Norwich were even involved and then went back on it because he might get more money. If he had been given permission to speak to both clubs then you'd be spot on. Nothing wrong with getting two offers and listening to which is better (A la Calderon). There is something wrong with agreeing a deal and then changing you mind.

But he didn't have the full information when he agreed terms. He also hadn't done the medical, so all terms are dependent on that.

It may leave a sour taste but if Norwich are offering £10k a week more then he would obviously go there. I would too