Russell Martin not impressing at Rangers

[Canaryboy]

Huge forum thread on their main forum with everybody saying that he is dogsh*t basically. Apparently at fault for 5 goals since arriving and rubbish in the air.

Was at fault for two goals against the mighty Hamilton, one where he cleared the ball to their player and he scored and the other a penalty conceded.

Blokes finished unfortunately, doesn't sound like Rangers will be taking him off our hands in the summer.

Doesn't look like Naismith is pulling up any trees either?

 

[GJP]

Yup. At best he has divided opinion.

They seemed to have quickly sussed his inability to win headers - something he got away with here for far too long.

 

[OldRobert]

Let's be honest, no surprise in either Canaryboy's or GJP's posts', nothing we didn't know already. Worry is we'll be landed with both at the end of the season when we want neither.

 

[Number 9]

Facts are that every player has a best before date, Pele's not playing anymore, nor is Thiery Henry or Dion Dublin.
The clever part comes from managing the decline of the players as they approach retirement, these are senior players who may have been at the club for years and made friends for themselves in the boardroom and the stands.
Lots of times, it's a fudge, Grant Holt's departure anyone?
It's quite clear that neither Martin or Naismith will be in our team next season, let's hope the departure will be smooth without any nasty stuff detracting from the important work of bringing in players for the start of the season.

 

[OldRobert]

Wasn't Martin given a contract extension fairly recently? Handy when we have no money, and he isn't playing.

 

[Ginja]

Wasn't Martin given a contract extension fairly recently? Handy when we have no money, and he isn't playing.

I too thought the extension was a fairly bizarre move, I assume that some clause in the existing contract triggered the extension and we had little choice over it.

 

[GJP]

I suspect Webber/Farke would not have been in a hurry to give him that extension.

 

[OldRobert]

We always seem to have players who are at the top end earnings wise, who are no longer on the front line playing wise, costing us dearly wages wise.

 

[Number 9]

We always seem to have players who are at the top end earnings wise, who are no longer on the front line playing wise, costing us dearly wages wise.

Think Russ contract til 2019,

The logical extension to the argument is young Mr Tettey! The age he is, can't play every game and out of contract in this summer. So you're the manager, what do you do? Offer a sizable contract because we need him and get slaughtered by everyone when his legs go in October? Let him go on a free and watch him set the league alight?

Diminishing returns risk's and gambles

 

[GJP]

If they didn't think his knees could hack it they wouldn't offer him anything.

Sign him up.

 

[Canaryboy]

Think Russ contract til 2019,

The logical extension to the argument is young Mr Tettey! The age he is, can't play every game and out of contract in this summer. So you're the manager, what do you do? Offer a sizable contract because we need him and get slaughtered by everyone when his legs go in October? Let him go on a free and watch him set the league alight?

Diminishing returns risk's and gambles

Sounds like we're doing it right with Tettey.... offering him a contract with a huge wage cut, to reflect our financial status and his age and injury record.

That's exactly how it should be done... "this is what we're prepared to offer you, but by all means have a look at what you can get elsewhere. Please let us know by 31st June", etc.

Doesn't sound like Tettey is going to take it, but he should perhaps have a look at what Mulumbu and Bassong are doing to see how difficult it can be for a 30-something to get a contract. Clubs don't want to throw money at players who they can't recoup a fee from.

Bassong is unemployed and Mulumbu is at Kilmarnock, where he must surely be on £2k a week or something. Was a bit different for Ruddy because a 30 year old keeper is probably the equivalent of a 26/27 year old outfield player, because they typically decline at around 34/35 instead of 30/31.

And I doubt anybody is on big money in the Norwegian league?

 

[Fenway Frank]

“Facts are that every player has a best before date, Pele's not playing anymore, nor is Thiery Henry or Dion Dublin.”

I hope you meant ginger Pele