STFC Transfer Rumours

[DV]

Cambridge? 

Well, if ever there was a post that guaranteed Smith to Cambridge - this is it…

[Tails]

I've never hidden my love for that giant shit house but he is not irreplaceable. There are other giant forwards we could find (and MUST find, btw. We are so much more fun with an absolute unit upfront) its just do we actually have the ability to find one that fits that we'd probably have to pay for.

I think it'd be a bad move for all 3 parties if he left. Holloway got the best out of him, which is why he had his most productive season. Also worth noting if he does go, Cambridge would be his 8th team in 5 years.

[Riddick]

As you say, nobody is irreplaceable. Its really about how quickly and well you can do that at this time. Can't say i'm as concerned as others if we do sell him honestly.

[Peter Venkman]

Its a bit late to replace him if he does end up leaving it will take any new signing a few weeks to get up to speed.

A few big target man style forwards out there, Sam Cogrove for instance who was freed by Barnsley and had a good scoring record at Aberdeen and did ok at Plymouth, big lump but probably wants too much in wages anyway.

[ThreeDrawsMentality]

Well, if ever there was a post that guaranteed Smith to Cambridge - this is it…

Absolutely this. Baffles me when people are like Cambridge soapy tit wank?! But when you factor in they have genuine investment behind them, direction, better training facilities and can offer more money, and add in that we aren't even entertaining entering longer term contract discussions with him, then why the hell not.

[Pericardinho]

As you say, nobody is irreplaceable. Its really about how quickly and well you can do that at this time. Can't say i'm as concerned as others if we do sell him honestly.

Losing our Talisman to Cambridge Utd isn't a concern to you? when Holloway has publicly stated he's integral to our plans and not for sale?

You'd just shrug your shoulders I guess?

What a great message this will send out. Can't wait for Harrogate to bid for Will Wright. Perhaps Accrington might try and get Kilkenny?

[DV]

I’ll go the complete opposite & say we won’t be able to replace him & our chances of being at the right end of the table massively rely on Smith being on the same form he was on last season.

To the point - that aside from an immediate cash boost upfront now - I don’t think selling him would make us any profit come the end of the season. Without his goals there is less of a feel good factor, results aren’t as good, not as high up the table, casual fans not coming in through the turnstiles. The potential down turn in form would cost us as much as we’d sell him for.

Better off keeping his goals this season & letting him walk for free…

[Hyabb17]

I'm guessing that the fact the club won't negotiate a new deal right now has put his back up. I guess an offer is £200K would seal the deal.  

[Riddick]

A few big target man style forwards out there, Sam Cogrove for instance who was freed by Barnsley and had a good scoring record at Aberdeen and did ok at Plymouth, big lump but probably wants too much in wages anyway.

Maybe, but if you've been released from league one and are still available now then your ability to demand high wages will have dropped.

[Pericardinho]

I’ll go the complete opposite & say we won’t be able to replace him & are chances of being at the right end of the table massively rely on Smith being on the same form he was on last season.

To the point - that aside from an immediate cash boost upfront now - I don’t think selling him would make us any profit come the end of the season. Without his goals there is less of a feel good factor, results aren’t as good, not as high up the table, casual fans not coming in through the turnstiles. The potential down turn in form would cost us as much as we’d sell him for.

Better off keeping his goals this season & letting him walk for free…

This. A million times this. But those lot upstairs are too dense to realise this. If we start the season well, and are amongst the top 3 after 10 games, our gates will be around 9-10k again. Start badly, like last season, and we will be back to 6.5k.

[DV]

Absolutely this. Baffles me when people are like Cambridge soapy tit wank?! But when you factor in they have genuine investment behind them, direction, better training facilities and can offer more money, and add in that we aren't even entertaining entering longer term contract discussions with him, then why the hell not.

At the end of the day the players are only interested in wages & length of contract.
Historical size of club, attendances, owners, fans play no part.

We’ve been stung by the *insert club name* soapy tit wank so many times down the years in surprised people still do it - only have to look at our last play off campaign to see how fucking stupid it is…

[Hyabb17]

I'd also add, Cambridge must have some info that he's interested in moving otherwise why come back after being knocked back quite loudly. Agent in Harris's ear perhaps.

[Tails]

At the end of the day the players are only interested in wages & length of contract.
Historical size of club, attendances, owners, fans play no part.

We’ve been stung by the *insert club name* soapy tit wank so many times down the years in surprised people still do it - only have to look at our last play off campaign to see how fucking stupid it is…

Exactly this, all of it.

Amazed by how short peoples memories are. This wouldn't even be the first time in the last decade we've lost one of our better players to Cambridge. Until we have some competence in our boardroom this gonna continue to happen.

[ThreeDrawsMentality]

At the end of the day the players are only interested in wages & length of contract.
Historical size of club, attendances, owners, fans play no part.

100% this. And many football fans still refuse to acknowledge this. Fleetwood and Forest Green routinely proven it's always the former.

[DV]

This. A million times this. But those lot upstairs are too dense to realise this. If we start the season well, and are amongst the top 3 after 10 games, our gates will be around 9-10k again. Start badly, like last season, and we will be back to 6.5k.

Our fans are just as bad.
We’ve gone from ‘Smith is irreplaceable. We can’t let him go. He won’t go to Cambridge’ to ‘meh, he’s replaceable, let him go if he really thinks Cambridge is a better offer’ in less than a day…