Sean Prunty

**Wiseguy** · 05/01/2006, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Can I ask how we're expected to match the full time contracts of Drogheda, Shels, Bohs etc? A mixed full time/ part time squad makes no sense, even if we could bloody afford to match the wages. Which we can't. And it all assumes you can get the players to sign them, which is bloody hard in this league. It's not as easy as producing a contract and making them sign it.

On local players, whilst it'd be good to see, I think Matthews is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The fans give him no cerdit and jump on him every poor performance, so I don't really blame him for loading the bench with as he see's it with reliable older pro's. Short termism maybe, but I'm not sure there is the will with the fanbase to support this kind of transition. I personally would, as I think this league and the club is being bled dry by average players, helped by a union who I feel has an even shorter term view than the clubs.

It's not about offering players full time contracts and silly wages.The players at this club or players coming to this club need to accept that we are part time and that's all that they will be offered.The problem that appears to have arisen with some of the contracts was that they were offered a bit late and some players didn't know where thay stood.2 of the players did not want to leave and expected all to be sorted out half way through the season.When it wasn't they had to consider other offers and by then the damage was done.Allegedly more money was offered in the new contract but i think by then decisions had already been made.My point is that if you intend to hold onto players then contracts should be sorted at the earliest point possible so your not in the dark about who you have and haven't coming into a new season.Because of what appears to be stalling on talks with certain players 1 or 2 came very close to leaving.

I agree a bit on the local players but we never got a chance to John Mc Nicholas play last season and he was let go so we may never know how good he is.IMO Adrian Murphy should have been part of Alan's plans and i think he only has Gary Murphy and Gary Cassin on the fringes so it appears that he has some interest in local talent.I don't think we should have a full bench of locals who aren't good enough but i do believe that some of those with potential should be given a chance when possible.It's to the benefit of the club in the long run.

**Macy** · 05/01/2006, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Wiseguy

The problem that appears to have arisen with some of the contracts was that they were offered a bit late and some players didn't know where thay stood.2 of the players did not want to leave and expected all to be sorted out half way through the season.When it wasn't they had to consider other offers and by then the damage was done.Allegedly more money was offered in the new contract but i think by then decisions had already been made.My point is that if you intend to hold onto players then contracts should be sorted at the earliest point possible so your not in the dark about who you have and haven't coming into a new season.Because of what appears to be stalling on talks with certain players 1 or 2 came very close to leaving.

tbh, I take this type of talk with a pince of salt, and is more to do with players covering their arses with the supporters. They're hardly going to say, yeah I wanted more money so that's why I left - always has to be some other reason.

Originally Posted by Wiseguy

I agree a bit on the local players but we never got a chance to John Mc Nicholas play last season and he was let go so we may never know how good he is.IMO Adrian Murphy should have been part of Alan's plans and i think he only has Gary Murphy and Gary Cassin on the fringes so it appears that he has some interest in local talent.I don't think we should have a full bench of locals who aren't good enough but i do believe that some of those with potential should be given a chance when possible.It's to the benefit of the club in the long run.

I would agree to a certain extent, and have gone on record about how Adrian Murphy should've been given a run instead of Liam Kelly that season, Ditto Cassin this season. I think Adrian Murphy was part of his plans, but wasn't happy to either be a squad player or go on loan and wanted to leave. Hasn't really worked out for him which is a shame, pity he wouldn't come back into the fold now.

**Longfordian** · 05/01/2006, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Hasn't really worked out for him which is a shame, pity he wouldn't come back into the fold now.

Giving up on EL football now apparently. Concentrating on college. A real pity.

**Wiseguy** · 05/01/2006, 11:42 AM

[QUOTE=Macy]tbh, I take this type of talk with a pince of salt, and is more to do with players covering their arses with the supporters. They're hardly going to say, yeah I wanted more money so that's why I left - always has to be some other reason.

9 out of 10 times i would just pass it off but the fact that i heard it from several different players including some still at LTFC makes me wonder.

**Macy** · 05/01/2006, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Wiseguy

9 out of 10 times i would just pass it off but the fact that i heard it from several different players including some still at LTFC makes me wonder.

One thing that has to be remembered is the total implosion of attendances last season. I can't see how we didn't go very tight there at several stages last season. Probably delayed any talk of this seasons budget.

**max power** · 05/01/2006, 12:48 PM

also money from the league, how much we can raise through fund raising etc

**Wiseguy** · 05/01/2006, 1:57 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

One thing that has to be remembered is the total implosion of attendances last season. I can't see how we didn't go very tight there at several stages last season. Probably delayed any talk of this seasons budget.

That maybe the reason but nobody can deny that their are 3 or 4 players surplus to requirements at the club along with 1 or 2 staff members and trimming these would free up �2k ??? p.w. to use in other area such as improved contracts for key players.

**max power** · 05/01/2006, 1:59 PM

well you have 4 coaching staff, 1 or 2 physio depends on the health of the sqaud and after that a kit man.......

is that too much ???

**Longfordian** · 05/01/2006, 2:04 PM

Hard to get shut of lads on contracts, whether giving them such contracts was a good idea in the first place is another matter. Fact of the matter is financial reality is hitting home and I think it won't be long before it's doing so on a league wide basis. Wage levels can't keep going at the same rates, average enough players are earning too much money in too many clubs. I don't blame them for seeking what they can get but the EL is definitely spending too much on players for what they return.

**Sonic** · 06/01/2006, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

One thing that has to be remembered is the total implosion of attendances last season. I can't see how we didn't go very tight there at several stages last season. Probably delayed any talk of this seasons budget.

And what macy is the main reasons for the petering out of attendance figures. Im sorry to say it but the appalling football on show. As i keep saying the usual 500 ppl me and you included will be there through thick and thin but the other 500 possible fans wont unless they believe they are getting value for money. Either matthews changes it or do the honourable thing and leave b4 he relegates us. Everyone goes on about us being poor regarding finance i ask myself is it any wonder.