I think people are missing the point about George Williams (and George Smith)

The club obviously thought they were good enough to be in the squad as they offered both contracts, but they also believe they can bring in better as they were offered the wages of a squad player not a regular first team player. As much as I like George Williams, and I do, immensely, there are better full backs out there. That's not disrespecting George, he's a good player, but if he were the best full back in the country he'd be in France right now and playing against Wales this afternoon. I'm pleased we're showing the ambition and we're confident we can bring in what the manager believes to be better than George.

From reading the post from his dad, it doesn't sound like we no longer believe he has the ability to be in the squad. That would be odd, to change opinion a month later when the player hasn't even trained, never mind played. Sounds like the contract has been withdrawn so George can get regular first team football, so he can pick and choose his club. We can't guarantee that, so we're giving him his opportunity elsewhere. And we've decided not to profit from that. We've put his interests ahead of our own. Football is ******, the world over. It's all about the money. Not here at Barnsley. At Barnsley we care about the people. We put on free coaches to away games. We reduce prices for play-off games. We freeze season ticket prices meaning next season ours must be the lowest in the Championship. And when we can no longer offer young players the opportunity we think they deserve, we allow them to take their opportunities elsewhere without getting in their way or looking to benefit from that. I think what the club has done is a brilliant thing. I look forward to watching the player who will take George's place. If he's better than George, and he must be for us to do this, he's going to be a good one.

 

Agree with all that, I just think he could have stayed and battled for a place for a while, whilst always having the option to leave later on, either at Christmas or next summer. But I don't know enough about the transfer and contract systems, and I'm far too emotional about it, so my opinion counts for little I suppose.

As you say, the guy who replaces him is going to have to be a **** hot full back. I hope whoever it is can stand up to that pressure.

 

I'm not missing the point.

But whatever way you look at it the fact that George Williams hasn't even been given the chance to step up makes none of it makes sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I'd suspect we've had strong indications White will be signing, or AN Other to be confident enough to pull both contract offers.

If you look at right back we have Bree, Yiadom and Scowen can be an emergency full back. At left back, we've White (if he signs) and there seem to be positive comments about the youth options coming through the ranks. So I can see he wouldnt be first choice.

As Jay says, I think all parties here can be proud of themselves. A player wanting first team football and not just pick up a wage. And a club allowing someone the best chance for a player to get a club and not profit from it.

If that wage freed up allows us to secure Hourihane and Winnall on better terms, fantastic and sadly, its probably a better use of funds than resigning the Georges who the coaches feel may not breakthrough at a higher level.

 

Woodrow Wyatt.

 

Agree with all of that. The only thing I disagree with any of this on, is I genuinely believed that George would be good enough to cement a regular place in our Championship side. However, as outlined in another post, people far better qualified than me disagree. What I would add, is that surely in a competitive squad in top level football, no player should ever be guaranteed their first team place, be that George Williams, Conor Hourihane, or Wayne Rooney. As soon as anyone appears to be irreplaceable, that's when the complacency sets in.

 

Personally, I thought he was our most consistent full-back last season. I know that's not really saying much, but he was brilliant during the run-in. He's the one full-back I'd like us to keep the most. White is good, and his pace will be helpful next season, but how many games will he actually play? Similar story with Bree, not sure if he's cut out for the Championship, yet, but always seems to have some minor injuries hampering his development. No idea what level Yiadom is at, but I trust the club on that one.

Hope we change our mind and invite him back for pre-season.

 

Excellent, agree with all of that, well put too.

 

We're entitled to compensation for any player under the age of 24 whether they've come through the youth ranks or not as long as we offer a new contract of equal or greater to the previous one. We've added to their development while they've been here. That's the theory behind it and I don't think you can argue with that in George's case.

 

Not sure we're saying that. I think we're saying we intend to bring in even better which will limit Gearge's opportunities. There are many players in the squads of Premier League clubs that are good enough for first team football but may not even get on the bench. We don't want to do that to players.

 

Clearly you are.

 

I think when we see yiadom play we'll see why the decision has been made, to me yiadom looks a strong, robust player who will get up and down at speed and was Barnet's captain so will bring a vocal voice to the team, and I'm looking forward to seeing him play for us.