I agree the contract policy backfired.
It does seem to me as though they may have learned from that though. Was Benyon not signed on a three year deal?
I hope not. He's been poor so far - in his defence playing a bit part in a shit team but he has shown very little.
The length of the contracts arent a problem its when we renew existing ones. I know its a point that we've gone over 1,00000 times but its the best example.
Paynter gives us two decent years at Town. Brilliant, far from it! decent enough that we want to keep him, yes. After finishing 15th and Cox being sold - why not sit down an offer Paynter a 2 year extension?
Now its just my opinion but in July 09 if we'd offer Paynter a 2 year extension a slight pay rise and a slightly better goal scoring bonus he'd have signed. Then when he starts banging in the goal he's a Town player with 3 seasons left on his contract.
Instead we waited till 3 months into the season. He's had a good season and his agent will put the feelers out. Due to the good start Paynter no doubt wanted more money that he would have wanted 4 months previous because he's in a much stronger bargaining position after a good 3 months.
Would that have stopped him going? who knows....but he certainly wouldnt have gone on a free and could you see a team paying cash for Paynter...
All ifs and buts and a few maybes.
...and again, not sitting down with Greer when Brighton were interested was a mistake. By offering him new terms you make the decision wholly his. He turns it down and doesnt sign, we all know he wants to go and he become the villain. If he signs, great he wants to stay.
Have they learnt their mistakes dunno. We didnt sign Cuthbert or Douglas up longer term last summer and now can both go for free(ish). On the flip side I dont think it'll matter this summer because no one is worth offering an extension to anyway.
