[twistedspire]

Read in a couple of papers over the weekend that a few championship clubs are taking a look at downes & lowry.

If bids are to come in for players in the January transfer window (inc Folan) i hope that we are not left with an even more wafer thin squad than we already have.

I don't think that realistically we'd be able to turn down any sizeable offer, but with what looks like an impending relegation battle i hope Roy Mac has an idea of players to bring in as replacements.

It makes a change for other clubs to be taking a look at making monetary bids for our players, but I hope we don't jus sell and hope to scrape through to the end of the season of bare bones.

[spireman]

Downes - reminds me of les hunter when he first started playing, needs an experianced player at the side of him(blatherwick) to develope, hunter came alive when we signed graham cross and never looked back.

Lowry - no doubt he has talent but is still very raw, in every game i have seen him play we have lost a goal from left wing crosses which if he was nearer the player he could/should have stopped. bailey and picken are still better at the moment, enthusiasm is not a substitute for ability, given time though he could be like the right back (is it halford?) at colchester who everyone raves about.

This post has been edited by spireman: 14 November 2006 - 11:58 AM

[dtp]

twistedspire, on Nov 14 2006, 10:07 AM, said:

Read in a couple of papers over the weekend that a few championship clubs are taking a look at downes & lowry.

If bids are to come in for players in the January transfer window (inc Folan) i hope that we are not left with an even more wafer thin squad than we already have.

I don't think that realistically we'd be able to turn down any sizeable offer, but with what looks like an impending relegation battle i hope Roy Mac has an idea of players to bring in as replacements.

It makes a change for other clubs to be taking a look at making monetary bids for our players, but I hope we don't jus sell and hope to scrape through to the end of the season of bare bones.

Isn't it good, apart from being a reflection on MacF & Rico's contribution, that the papers have rumours about more of our players than they have had since the great semi-final?

So, tongue in cheek, if we accept good offers for Caleb, Aaron & Jamie plus a cash offer for Pop (a follow up from the last offer during the transfer window) we could be in a position to improve the squad in January and at the end of the season as well as remainig more financially sound than we have been since Norton Lea.

[twistedspire]

dtp, on Nov 14 2006, 12:33 PM, said:

Isn't it good, apart from being a reflection on MacF & Rico's contribution, that the papers have rumours about more of our players than they have had since the great semi-final?

So, tongue in cheek, if we accept good offers for Caleb, Aaron & Jamie plus a cash offer for Pop (a follow up from the last offer during the transfer window) we could be in a position to improve the squad in January and at the end of the season as well as remainig more financially sound than we have been since Norton Lea.

That was partially the point that i was trying to make, but jus a little wiery that should any bids come in, we are able to get adequate replacements and enough of them in time before the window shuts again.

Also alex, i don't really think its a matter of choice as to who is sold, i think its more a matter of who the demand is for. I can imagine that we may receive a substantial bid for lowry, whereas i can't imagine any1 wanting to part with money for some1 who has spent the majority of the last year and a half injured - especially not the amount we would be likely to get for Jamie.

[Balearic Mac]

twistedspire, on Nov 14 2006, 03:28 PM, said:

...I can imagine that we may receive a substantial bid for lowry, whereas i can't imagine any1 wanting to part with money for some1 who has spent the majority of the last year and a half injured - especially not the amount we would be likely to get for Jamie.

I think we may be getting a little carried away here. Lowry's promising, but some way off being ready for the week-in, week-out demands of Div 1 football let alone commanding a 'substantial' transfer fee. As for Downes, I'd personally chauffeur him to discuss terms with any interested parties. Anything to help him on his way.... Sorry, I meant 'wouldn't want to stand in his way.....

This post has been edited by Balearic Mac: 14 November 2006 - 04:10 PM

[Spireite-Karl]

Balearic Mac, on Nov 14 2006, 04:37 PM, said:

I think we may be getting a little carried away here. Lowry's promising, but some way off being ready for the week-in, week-out demands of Div 1 football let alone commanding a 'substantial' transfer fee. As for Downes, I'd personally chauffeur him to discuss terms with any interested parties. Anything to help him on his way.... Sorry, I meant 'wouldn't want to stand in his way.....

You talk stupid! Anyone with the composure of Lowry after only a handful of games and is still a kid, WHY wouldn't teams be looking at him and weighing up a bid??? You only had to watch the WH game to see how composed he was on his debut and he had the nerve to drop a shoulder and beat premiership players with ease; plus he wasn't content with all that! He wanted to get forwards as well!

NOW if that doesn’t interest teams about a young kid then NOTHING will! Teams will pay a sizeable fee to have a player like that in their reserves that they can nurture and bring on their way!

I've NEVER seen such composure with a young defender! (for us)

We need to tie him down to a long deal and fast!

Anyway it shows how stupid you talk! Downes is class and is learning a difficult role fast! Why would his national side be interested if he was as poor as you recon?

This post has been edited by Spireite-Karl: 14 November 2006 - 10:58 PM

[sophocles]

Spireite-Karl, on Nov 14 2006, 10:55 PM, said:

You talk stupid! Anyone with the composure of Lowry after only a handful of games and is still a kid, WHY wouldn't teams be looking at him and weighing up a bid??? You only had to watch the WH game to see how composed he was on his debut and he had the nerve to drop a shoulder and beat premiership players with ease; plus he wasn't content with all that! He wanted to get forwards as well!

NOW if that doesn’t interest teams about a young kid then NOTHING will! Teams will pay a sizeable fee to have a player like that in their reserves that they can nurture and bring on their way!

I've NEVER seen such composure with a young defender! (for us)

We need to tie him down to a long deal and fast!

Anyway it shows how stupid you talk! Downes is class and is learning a difficult role fast! Why would his national side be interested if he was as poor as you recon?

You're absolutely right about Lowry and Downes, but as I'm sure you've noticed, some people just take a dislike to a player and you can't shake their opinion. By the way, I'm not in favour of selling any of our players just as they are bedding in to a team that is inconsistent, but capable of beating almost anybody on their day. I'd rather see our current team stay together and improve their teamwork and communication, especially at the back where most of our problems lie.

[Balearic Mac]

Spireite-Karl, on Nov 14 2006, 10:55 PM, said:

You talk stupid! Anyone with the composure of Lowry after only a handful of games and is still a kid, WHY wouldn't teams be looking at him and weighing up a bid??? You only had to watch the WH game to see how composed he was on his debut and he had the nerve to drop a shoulder and beat premiership players with ease; plus he wasn't content with all that! He wanted to get forwards as well!

NOW if that doesn’t interest teams about a young kid then NOTHING will! Teams will pay a sizeable fee to have a player like that in their reserves that they can nurture and bring on their way!

I've NEVER seen such composure with a young defender! (for us)

We need to tie him down to a long deal and fast!

Anyway it shows how stupid you talk! Downes is class and is learning a difficult role fast! Why would his national side be interested if he was as poor as you recon?

I'm talking stupid, eh...? Looks like you've cornered the market to me.

There's more chance of Jason Donovan being called into the Aussie senior squad than Aaron Downes. He's been invited to train with them, that's all - no more, no less, so exercise your brain and see through the hype. It's just whipped up in desperation to try to make us feel a little better. I'd imagine all the UK based pro's will be invited too. Downes is not class, far from it - he's short of pace, too easily knocked off the ball and his reading of the game is suspect. We're constantly told he's a star in the making, but few can deny he makes the same mistakes time and again.

You really should come down from the clouds and try and keep things in perspective. Just add up the number of times we've conceded from Lowry's side of the pitch in recent games. Dropping your shoulder is one thing, being a competent Div 1 full back, which is first and foremost about being able to defend, is quite another. I've high hopes that young Lowry will one day fall into that category, but to suggest he'd command a sizeable fee at this stage of his development is just plain daft. But then again, as I've already said, being daft appears to be something you're pretty good at.

This post has been edited by Balearic Mac: 15 November 2006 - 04:09 PM

[Wooden Spoon]

Balearic Mac, on Nov 14 2006, 03:37 PM, said:

I think we may be getting a little carried away here. Lowry's promising, but some way off being ready for the week-in, week-out demands of Div 1 football let alone commanding a 'substantial' transfer fee. As for Downes, I'd personally chauffeur him to discuss terms with any interested parties. Anything to help him on his way.... Sorry, I meant 'wouldn't want to stand in his way.....

lowry has a fantastic first touch, and can only get better. think he should stay awhile yet, but every one has his price.

folan, new deal, higher offer. again, everyone has his price.

larkin, i think we should accept a decent offer. he is in his last year.

downes. he makes mistakes, but i like what i see there. i am convinced he will come good, and turn out to be a very good ball playing CB. i`d keep him unless we get a big offer(6 figure)

[Spireite-Karl]

death, on Nov 15 2006, 07:52 PM, said:

lowry has a fantastic first touch, and can only get better. think he should stay awhile yet, but every one has his price.

folan, new deal, higher offer. again, everyone has his price.

larkin, i think we should accept a decent offer. he is in his last year.

downes. he makes mistakes, but i like what i see there. i am convinced he will come good, and turn out to be a very good ball playing CB. i`d keep him unless we get a big offer(6 figure)

See it's easy to talk sense, you should try it Balearic man!
Downes makes one bad error per most games (and these are getting less which tells you something!).
He is playing in the first team, in his first season for ANY club and is still yery young for a central defender.
He kept premiership defenders at bay with relitive ease!
He's learning all the time and his preformances of late are far better than at the begining of the season.
He's been offered to train with the Aussies beacause he's one for the future and if he keeps improving the way he has it won't be long!
According to you Larkin or Smith should soon be training with England! Downes is training with them because he's caught the eye NO other reason (stupid really fits you better than me! )

[Balearic Mac]

Spireite-Karl, on Nov 15 2006, 09:10 PM, said:

Downes makes one bad error per most games........Downes is training with them because he's caught the eye.......... (stupid really fits you better than me! )

I see. Though first let me apologise for taking such a long long time to get my thick head around this 'talking sense' concept. If I'm reading you right, you're saying that if the Australian national team, or any watching Championship (or dare I say it Premiership?) club for that matter, are on the lookout for a centre half who only makes one bad error per game, then, yup, Aaron's the man. His one bad error per game is often pretty eye-catching.

I hold my hands up - sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake.

[Spireite-Karl]

Balearic Mac, on Nov 15 2006, 10:49 PM, said:

I see. Though first let me apologise for taking such a long long time to get my thick head around this 'talking sense' concept. If I'm reading you right, you're saying that if the Australian national team, or any watching Championship (or dare I say it Premiership?) club for that matter, are on the lookout for a centre half who only makes one bad error per game, then, yup, Aaron's the man. His one bad error per game is often pretty eye-catching.

I hold my hands up - sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake.

A KID, I repeat KID who more than shows what his game is all about makes him a fantastic prospect for the future. He needs to learn to concentrate fully for the 90mins that’s all! God you really are pathetic aren’t you!

Why do you bother watching town? Do us all a favour and don't bother!

Downes, Allott, Nivo, Roche, Folan, Lowry, Picken are the backbone of our squad and all are more than good enough for this division and some WILL more than likely progress to a higher grade! It's the rest of the side that could do with improving but with our gates and limited budget it's not an enviable task! Roy Mac is doing a decent job, but can be a little negative & makes dire substitutes but who else are we going to attract to the club with the salary & transfer budget on offer?
If we chanced another manager chances are that he wouldn't have done as well as Roy and that probably means basement football!

Why don't you give the lads some praise for once? we can't compete financially with ANY team in our league so what do you want???
We have some decent young lads but you will not be content to you have destroyed their careers before they have barely started!

You are really a pathetic man and I feel sorry for you wife if you have one!

This is the last time I'm replying to your posts as your just too daft to laugh at and not worth my time & effort replying!
Carry on whinging you sad man!

[Westbars Spireite]

Spireite-Karl, on Nov 15 2006, 10:50 PM, said:

A KID, I repeat KID who more than shows what his game is all about makes him a fantastic prospect for the future. He needs to learn to concentrate fully for the 90mins that’s all! God you really are pathetic aren’t you!

Why do you bother watching town? Do us all a favour and don't bother!

Downes, Allott, Nivo, Roche, Folan, Lowry, Picken are the backbone of our squad and all are more than good enough for this division and some WILL more than likely progress to a higher grade! It's the rest of the side that could do with improving but with our gates and limited budget it's not an enviable task! Roy Mac is doing a decent job, but can be a little negative & makes dire substitutes but who else are we going to attract to the club with the salary & transfer budget on offer?
If we chanced another manager chances are that he wouldn't have done as well as Roy and that probably means basement football!

Why don't you give the lads some praise for once? we can't compete financially with ANY team in our league so what do you want???
We have some decent young lads but you will not be content to you have destroyed their careers before they have barely started!

You are really a pathetic man and I feel sorry for you wife if you have one!

This is the last time I'm replying to your posts as your just too daft to laugh at and not worth my time & effort replying!
Carry on whinging you sad man!

You think he's talking Balaerics?

[Ernie Ernie Ernie]

Spireite-Karl, on Nov 15 2006, 10:50 PM, said:

A KID, I repeat KID who more than shows what his game is all about makes him a fantastic prospect for the future. He needs to learn to concentrate fully for the 90mins that’s all! God you really are pathetic aren’t you!

Why do you bother watching town? Do us all a favour and don't bother!

Downes, Allott, Nivo, Roche, Folan, Lowry, Picken are the backbone of our squad and all are more than good enough for this division and some WILL more than likely progress to a higher grade! It's the rest of the side that could do with improving but with our gates and limited budget it's not an enviable task! Roy Mac is doing a decent job, but can be a little negative & makes dire substitutes but who else are we going to attract to the club with the salary & transfer budget on offer?
If we chanced another manager chances are that he wouldn't have done as well as Roy and that probably means basement football!

Why don't you give the lads some praise for once? we can't compete financially with ANY team in our league so what do you want???
We have some decent young lads but you will not be content to you have destroyed their careers before they have barely started!

You are really a pathetic man and I feel sorry for you wife if you have one!

This is the last time I'm replying to your posts as your just too daft to laugh at and not worth my time & effort replying!
Carry on whinging you sad man!

In Downes defence he has improved in 2 key areas this year

1. He doesn't let the ball bounce now, which led to a lot of the golas he was responsible for last year
2. He doesn't dive in as often as he did and get turned as often. He seems more aware of the difference between diving in and anticipation and getting to the ball first.

[Westbars Spireite]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on Nov 15 2006, 10:58 PM, said:

In Downes defence he has improved in 2 key areas this year

1. He doesn't let the ball bounce now, which led to a lot of the golas he was responsible for last year
2. He doesn't dive in as often as he did and get turned as often. He seems more aware of the difference between diving in and anticipation and getting to the ball first.

He's far from the finished article at the moment but IS improving which is all that can be asked. The thing I noticed straight away when he first came into the side was his tendency to let it bounce which you rightly say he's improved on. In fairness he should with our manager's playing history.

[Spireite-Karl]

Ernie Ernie Ernie, on Nov 15 2006, 11:58 PM, said:

In Downes defence he has improved in 2 key areas this year

1. He doesn't let the ball bounce now, which led to a lot of the golas he was responsible for last year
2. He doesn't dive in as often as he did and get turned as often. He seems more aware of the difference between diving in and anticipation and getting to the ball first.

Downes dosn't need a defence he is our defence and is doing a pretty fine job and the young lad can only improve!

Your right though and this probably comes from playing regular; a bit like Caleb in my book, but that will set people off again

[Balearic Mac]

Spireite-Karl, on Nov 15 2006, 10:50 PM, said:

We have some decent young lads but you will not be content to you have destroyed their careers before they have barely started!

You are really a pathetic man and I feel sorry for you wife if you have one!

This is the last time I'm replying to your posts as your just too daft to laugh at and not worth my time & effort replying!
Carry on whinging you sad man!

Now then soft lad. How valuable your time must be. Try telling it like it is now and again - it's preferable to your output of worthless tripe and, who knows, a little dose of reality may just do do you the world of good and dare I say it, prepare you for that momentous time when you're no longer in short trousers .

[ThruAndThruBlue]

Alex Green, on Nov 14 2006, 04:06 PM, said:

i know i was saying id rather keep JL than AB. Sorry but Bailey has been a liability since he came back from injury at MK Dons

al you know we're friends so you know i mean this nicely, but i have to disagree with you with about bailey, beginning of season yes i agree but he's got better with matches for me brighton away was his best game of the season he was solid and i reckon people can see him getting back to his best.