Still A Daft Decision.

I'll let you have Yiadom, although he's nowhere near as consistent as Williams was.

Cavare has played twice.

McCarthy is hit and miss.

Fryers is very poor in my opinion.

I'd say Williams makes our bench at least, if not the starting 11 at present.

 

I think the thing is we're comparing William's ability in league one to the other ability in the champ. Which for me makes it quite difficult. Williams has never been tested at this level, whereas McCarthy was outstanding for Walsall in league One last year.

 

I suppose the argument is that he should have been given the opportunity. In my opinion, he was our most consistent player in that run of form we had. Considering the plan was to recruit from lower leagues and develop them, he was the perfect example of the plan working.

It still remains for me one of the stranger decisions of the last few years, and one where I really questioned the club.

 

That’s what I found difficult to understand. As for doing it in L1 if the gossip is to be believed he will be back up to the Championship before the end of Jan.

 

I think that's a stronger argument in my opinion. And yes, doubt many would argue that he shouldn't have been given the chance. I still have doubts over whether he would offer enough at this level for us though. You could also argue that it may have been a step up too soon and another year in league one has actually helped make him a better player. Good luck to the lad anyway, always came across as a good bloke and was a crucial player in that second half of the season.

 

Totally agree.

 

I liked Williams - thought he would have been a good squad player for us. But it was his choice to leave - he wanted to be given assurances that we would be an automatic starter and wasn't willing to fight for his place in the side.

 

He wanted an extra 200 quid and we didn’t want to pay it more like.

 

Agreed, smashing player, sithi.

 

I was baffled when Williams was released.

That said, not sure he'd get in at full back now. We are well blessed with defenders.
I expect Yiadom will leave, but we have plenty.

 

I don’t remember reading anyone saying that George Williams would’ve made our matchday squad/first XI when everything was golden between August and January last season.

When the season started we had Aidy White as our first choice left back and both Andy Yiadom and James Bree challenging at right back. Yiadom then replaced White when the latter was injured and was sensational at left back until he left for the African Cup of Nations.

 

People said it was daft at the time.

 

Between August and January when everything was going well? Odd comment to make, if so.

 

When we let him go being deliberately obtuse is unhelpful. We had a long run 8-10 games without a win even within that period. There was plenty of chuntering. We had a good run August /Early Sept and late November /.Dec

 

I was both sad and surprised when the lad left in the Summer of 2016. It's my opinion, though, he was replaced by a better player in Andy Yiadom. I''d have preferred to have both players in the squad at the same time, but c'est la vie.

 

I understood that we withdrew the contract offer to facilitate his move elsewhere as otherwise compensation would’ve been due and as such he may have struggled to find a club to take him.

 

That’s how I see things.

 

There goes your street cred, old mate!

 

Was it John Saunders who was released from our 4th Division promotion winners after captaining them in 78/79? Just before I started watching the reds.

I thought George Williams had earned the opportunity and he epitomised the belief in the squad from New Year onwards. There was something about him, a kind of never say die approach to football which I loved, something dare I say of a traditional footballer about him, the good honest pro. Possibly down to the route he took out of and back into the pro game.

That last minute goal he scored v Peterborough effectively got us into the play offs, but the stand out performance for me was away at Bradford. Played left back, up against a decent winger (Marshall?) and towards the end of the first half when we were 1-0 up he blocked a cross, on the floor, get up puts another block in, followed by another to concede a corner. Attitude as much as ability. There's another thread on here about passion. George Williams had it and it brought it out in me too.

So, I was sad to see him leave, regret not seeing him have a go in the Championship and have to admit I was amazed when he was released. I wouldn't have released him, but that's opinions. I have been given fantastic memories by him, something I treasure, and he made a massive contribution to one of our genuine successful periods. He deserves whatever he makes from football.