TAH.
Not surprisingly I'd forgotten about him.
Shame that we are likely to lose Flint. But, we have to realise that we are a selling club, and if now is the time to cash in to the maximum, then so be it.
I assume that TAH was signed on a big whack. Seems that there have been reports that we have been offering stupid money to players. I guess the fact that he has been injured all this time means that noone is likely to take him off our hands?
I have this vision of the Swindon management and board sitting in a dark and smoke filled room. There is a single light hanging low, just above a table with pictures of the players strewn everywhere. There are lots of shadowy figures in the background, watching events unfurl. The coaching team go on to discuss each of the playing staff. I picture the coaching staff picking players they want to keep, while the accountants chip in from the darkened recesses, vetoing moves due to the fact that the player in question costs too much or could attract a fee.
The midfield is discussed. Simon Ferry is cast aside by the coaching team (who don't rate him) as the shadowy figures remain happy and silent, putting away their arguments that he will cost too much. Alan McCormack is placed in the centre of midfield, amid shuffling in the shadows. A discussion ensues and a shadowy, overweight, pinstriped suited figure stroking a white cat, decrees that the club should offer him a smaller contract and see whether the 'multitude' of Championship clubs will come in with an offer for him. The picture of Lee Cox is thrown onto the table with the order being to 'make this one a valuable commodity to sell in January'!
On the defence side, Ward was seen as someone that was tied to the club, who could develop a youngster and could take on a second, unpaid job within the club. 'He's into healthy living, so sack the cook and make him cook pre-match meals'. Devera was therefore sacrificed purely to bring down wages.
Flint was offered a contract that was more in line with the wage structure that the club want to introduce - He must be still on the original terms when he was signed in the Wilson era. The group then realise that Flint's agent is likely to be able to get a lucrative deal for him elsewhere, so Flints picture goes in the 'sell for as much cash as we can get pile', where he joins the Paul Caddis picture.
'Good! Good! Well done my pretty, pretties!' says the pinstriped man, stroking the cat.
The group then turn to TAH and place him in the back 4 with Ward. There is panic in the room! 'He's expensive! He's expensive!' they cry, 'But it would be good to get him back on the pitch and in the shop window for a possible January sale. Mwah-ha-ha !!! Mwah-ha-ha-ha !! Mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha !!!!' the pinstriped man chortles...............
I'll get my coat!
