I think we're probably one decent centre half short. I wouldn't disagree that someone with experience would make a difference, but I think we're all getting sentimental over someone who I reckon we'd be disappointed to sign had he not played for us previously. It's a short term fix, he's nearly 34, he's never going to be championship standard again, which is what we're aspiring to. It's arguable whether he'll be up to league 1. I've also never understood the 'getting fans back on side' argument. The only way that happens is if we sign good players. We could sign someone none of us have ever heard of, and if he's decent, fans will be happy. Given the wages he'll probably cost, there's much better options available in my opinion.
8 years ago maybe. We'd be signing him for sentimental purposes only. He's not the player he once was.
It'd be amazing. But realistically, it's never going to happen because, that's not how football works.
Anybody notice a photo before it was deleted yesterday? It was a panoramic photo of the dressing room, all players sat on their bench with Clarke leant over the centre table, I tried to zoom in to see if I could spot any new faces, but the photo got deleted pretty promptly.
No, a different photo, obviously taken around the same time, it had all the players in the shot, Clarke was leaning forward on that table
Could be a trialist. If it is indeed a new signing, it'll be announced in due course. Have a bit of patience.
I get your point around fan happiness, but with an unknown signing you won't get that instant boost. Someone like Roberts would give fans a lift before a ball is kicked as it did with Conor. Roberts is not the same player he was all those years ago, that's for sure. But for me we have 3 talented lads in Pines, Earl and MDG that should start each week, plus some good young uns in Shepherd, James and Lopata. He's at the end of his career so his wages at Birmingham mean nothing now as he won't be demanding near that now, if we can get Roberts on a cheap contract for a year or so that'd be far better and cheaper than a L1 proven centre half that would be ready to go now. Other alternative is another gamble like MDG who we could sign and could totally flop or take ages to adapt etc. For me Roberts is a much lower risk signing with a possible higher reward given the influence he could have both on and off the field.
We'll have to agree to disagree mate. For me, there's better options. I think the difference with Connor is that he played so often for Derby at this level last season, and whilst he certainly had his critics too, he definitely contributed to them getting out if this division last year. For me, I don't see Roberts doing that, and given our tight our budget is, I think it could be better spent elsewhere.
Maybe the club are just allowing Roberts to train and get fit with us before the season starts and we aren’t actually signing him.