Jack Shephard

Why would Shephard, if he had the choice, want to come back her over Bradford. That would be just weird.

 

Except our players get worse when they are playing.

 

Because we're better than them? Because he's contracted to us? Because the club has fundamentally changed his life after picking him up from non league and managing his first two years professionally really well?

 

I'm chortling bit. There's not much guaranteed in life but one thing that is, is that Bradford will keep improving and whether it's this year or next will overtake us and compete at a much higher level. On current performances, they are only going in one direction - and so are we.

In addition, don't underestimate how much joy Shepard has had playing regularly for Bradford. they have made him as a football league player. He's very well thought of by the Club and the fans. From his perspective they are a far more attractive proposition than us at present.

 

They've been in League 2 for five years straight, and for eleven of the last twenty seasons. If they are going one way, they're taking a long time to do it.

I get people like to slate us & throw a load of emotion about, but this thread is mental.

 

So he doesn't have to go to Bradford daily? Because we're in a higher league? Because he's contracted here?

 

You don't have to be abusive about it, we can just agree to disagree?

I don't mind making it a bit interesting and having a £50 bet (to a charity of our choice) that they reach the Championship before we do? It's not a bad offer. I'm giving you a Division start!

 

I think you might be underestimating how good it is, from a players perspective, to play for a Club that feels as if it's progressing.

 

Surely, by now, the vast majority of us should know that loyalty to players from clubs and loyalty to clubs from players isn't a regular occurrence.

 

Last season he played a few games for us before dropping down the pecking order and been loaned to another club in our division. Not accusing you but the usual suspects were giving it, too soon for him, not good enough, expecting players to sign from ponty and be able to play league one. Now it's he'll rather stay at Bradford before coming back here. We've got a right set of supporters us.

 

I’m not sure that’s guaranteed at all.

I know we are all on a downer with the club right now but in the past 5 or 6 years we have got to a league 1 playoff final and a championship playoff semi. All whilst Bradford have been languishing in lower league 1 and league 2.

In my opinion, unless they offer us silly money, he’ll be here next season.

 

Mmmm not quite sure what you're saying there but my point was, If Shepard has developed as a player, now has an affinity with the Club that developed him - which is pretty ambitious, then he's more likely to want to play for Bradford (if he had the choice) than for us.

I don't agree with your other point -' the problem is Barnsley fans' - I think there are a few in the queue before the Supporters.

 

Well, that's a fair point, it's not guaranteed. I think it quite likely though.

 

Again, our crowd size is not creative. It is not only the UK and football where season tickets are counted as part of the crowd, whether in attendance, or not. I have been on cold nights of around 25K watching the San Francisco Giants, when the crowd was announced as 42K+.

 

I always thought he looked very capable in his games for us. Young, naive maybe, but capable. We definitely should be planning on him being in our squad next season.

 

That's what I meant. Season-ticket holders at Bradford tell me they regularly announce 17/18k crowds with only 11k-ish in the ground.

 

I think to footballers especially lower league players it's a job and they don't have a massive attachment to any football club.

My point was last season when he was here some of our lot were on his back and the clubs for signing him. Now he's great. Kyran Lofthouse did well last season in league 2 some predicted he would come back and do well. Now folk on his back.

I never said the problem is Barnsley fans I said on a post yesterday we have a very negative fan base. I stand by that.

 

It’s a bit self contradictory this thread when you think about it.

I’m not sure it’s fair game to criticise the clubs transfer activity, ie - not making decent signings, then on the other hand asking the question ‘why would he want to play for us?’.

 

We're w4nk, but they're w4nker.

 

He looked good for us when he played, but was signed as a development player. He now looks a better prospect than some in our back 3. He's under contract with us, so hope we sort something out and tell Bradford to do one. That situation happens to us when we loan a decent player.