In response to the OP’s initial question, I read something years ago that advocated cashing in on players while their stock is high - especially strikers. That’s because they are relatively overvalued in terms of contribution to the team, and not that difficult to replace. If we had actually been offered £8 million at the time - or anything north of £2.5m - then I don’t think Cauley would be still with us today. God knows where we would be as a club.
I know it was never liked on here, but I thought he played well under Struber, at the top of the diamond. He was at his best in a front two though, alongside a big lump (Kieffer). I didn't think he played that badly last night. His previous performances have been below par though. He's a frustrating player to watch; constantly throwing his arms around, and looking for fouls rather than making a genuine challenge for the ball. Certainly not a leader either. Also, £8million?! If we'd have ever had a sniff at an offer of about £2.5million he'd have been long gone.
I like Woodrow. Even in that deep wide role he's been used in lately he controls the ball well, it's just his final ball that lets him down. But, the lads a striker so I don't expect him to spray it about like Paul Scholes. If he's front and centre he's scoring goals. If he's out wide he's creating space and allowing others to profit. He's a solid laiker and I wouldn't let go of him for £2m this coming window. Even if it meant not having funds to bring others in. We don't see what he's like off the pitch. He's a senior player who's had god knows how many games for us over 4 seasons, he's played int premier League (however briefly that might have been) and he obviously shows some leadership to be given the armband. Ideal choice for captain IMO.
I don’t think he was ever worth anywhere close to £8 million but the comments in this thread are really interesting and all so varied. Fair to say Cauley splits opinion more than any other player at the moment? For what it’s worth, I struggle with complaints about us having zero experience and then discussing letting our most experienced player leave for £2 million. He’s worth more to us overall than that kind of fee if it was to come in. There’s been plenty of football chat on captains recently. Who has the armband doesn’t make a jot of difference on the pitch - it doesn’t make Helik any less of a captain or Woodrow any more of a captain. That role is about far more than just the 90 minutes. Who do the young players look up to, who knows the club the most, who’s willing to organise all their personal appearances like visiting schools and hospitals, who do they trust to go to with a problem, who does the manager trust to discuss things with, etc. A captain isn’t someone who shouts the most. It isn’t 1980 anymore (and Helik is one of our quietest players in my opinion - Jasper Moon does more in game management if you watch). Strikers need to be sold when their stock is at their highest. Brentford and Peterborough show the way on this one. I just think with Cauley after promotion to the Championship he was never really ‘on fire’ enough to bring in the Watkins, Toney, Gayle kind of interest.
Where did the article conclude that they're "not that difficult to replace"? Brentford have made it look quite easy with Hogan, followed by Watkins, then Toney. Whereas some may argue that we have still not adequately replaced Kieffer Moore (although personally I thought at the time that we were probably right to sell, as I felt if he'd struggled in the Championship we'd have been lucky to get 750k for him).
We'd ditched the 4-4-2 so it was wise to sell. The system had changed. Stendel brought in Thomas, Wilks and Chaplin. I reckon it had been decided it was Moore or Woodrow supported by two outside forwards. Zipping the ball around on the deck and pressing high. In that scenario Woodrow would be your man. However, it turned out to be the wrong option.
Would have been the wrong call as we would have been relegated. The cost of that is what £6million? And his goals particularly early season in narrow victories helped us into the playoffs