PoolWarrior
Well-known member
Can't see a thread about him on here but supposedly training with us - anyone think he deserves another chance?
It’s a tough on as on ability alone most definitely - easily has the talent to play it this level. But, he has had two really bad Injuries where he has been out for a year or more - it seems the club have taken the decision that at 27 with two serious injuries he is to much of a risk. If he proves his fitness then who knows? Different manager and different perspective means he could get a 1 + 1 to see how he gets on, if he struggles for fitness and or form you release him after 1 year with no major loss costs wise.Can't see a thread about him on here but supposedly training with us - anyone think he deserves another chance?
I agree with everything you’ve said, however the problem is that he could be fit throughout pre season and then pick up another bad injury that keeps him out all season, he doesn’t seem to get little niggles, all seem to keep him out for 7 or 8 months. It’s a bit risky IMO.It’s a tough on as on ability alone most definitely - easily has the talent to play it this level. But, he has had two really bad Injuries where he has been out for a year or more - it seems the club have taken the decision that at 27 with two serious injuries he is to much of a risk. If he proves his fitness then who knows? Different manager and different perspective means he could get a 1 + 1 to see how he gets on, if he struggles for fitness and or form you release him after 1 year with no major loss costs wise.
I agree it’s very risky and I suspect that’s why the club have taken the decision to release him. We could put him on a ‘pay as you play’ deal which mitigates the risk for the club - any club who takes him is taking a bigger risk than usual on a player like him with his injury record which might limit the clubs who come in for him.I agree with everything you’ve said, however the problem is that he could be fit throughout pre season and then pick up another bad injury that keeps him out all season, he doesn’t seem to get little niggles, all seem to keep him out for 7 or 8 months. It’s a bit risky IMO.
Guess that’s up to MA. I certainly think he’s a good player but can he stay fit I would imagine is the biggest question mark.
He had a shocker at Ipswich just before we signed him that kept him out for a while too.His overall fitness record is very good, regularly playing 40 or so games a season, his last injury was bad, but so long as he can recover he could be worth another chance.
he originally came to us a right winger didnt he?When fit he's as good as anyone in our current midfield. Just don't play him (or Virtue) on the right wing.
He was out for well over a year there if my memory serves - he had just about got back to fitness when we signed him. Ipswich released him over fitness issues.He had a shocker at Ipswich just before we signed him that kept him out for a while too.
I do think he's best in the heart of the midfield or right side of a three.he originally came to us a right winger didnt he?
No that ship has sailed, we have nearly a full squad of players already and need to freshen it up. I am glad we are giving him the opportunity to get fit but his future is elsewhereGreat player, hope he can get back playing and sign for us again.
We can’t keep giving crocks new contracts, once bitten etc.No that ship has sailed, we have nearly a full squad of players already and need to freshen it up. I am glad we are giving him the opportunity to get fit but his future is elsewhere
He could be given a chance to play for a contract. We're Blackpool, not Man City. We don't have unlimited resources.We can’t keep giving crocks new contracts, once bitten etc.
That could also apply to anyone though.I agree with everything you’ve said, however the problem is that he could be fit throughout pre season and then pick up another bad injury that keeps him out all season, he doesn’t seem to get little niggles, all seem to keep him out for 7 or 8 months. It’s a bit risky IMO.
Well yeah, true, but not everyone has had two injuries that have each kept them out for the best part of a year by the age of 27?That could also apply to anyone though.
Get rid, 2 serious injuries over 3 years, sorry he’s gotta go.He could be given a chance to play for a contract. We're Blackpool, not Man City. We don't have unlimited resources.
He's a top player. The problem are the injuries. The lad has ability.
Compare with Kevin Stewart who's a year older and has made 118 career appearances compared to Grant's 173.Get rid, 2 serious injuries over 3 years, sorry he’s gotta go.
Wasn't Stewart under contract for another year?Compare with Kevin Stewart who's a year older and has made 118 career appearances compared to Grant's 173.
Should we have let Kevin go instead?
They should both go. We need quality in midfield granted, but quality won’t do us any good if it’s in the treatment room more than on the pitch.Compare with Kevin Stewart who's a year older and has made 118 career appearances compared to Grant's 173.
Should we have let Kevin go instead?
I don’t remember anyone denying his quality, just the long term injuries.Take the injuries away and he'd be in our best 11 easily, I guess the club didn't want to gamble on a player that may not play more than 30 games a season. Such a shame, he is a top player.
I’m not against it, I rate him as a very good champ midfielder. I wonder without the 2 serious injuries if he mightn’t have been a premier league player as he’s quick mobile and athletic. The sports scientists and physios etc will have to make the call along with the club risk stance. maybe he’s just been unlucky, maybe they can find a contract that suits him and us, reasonable basic supplemented by great appearance Money or something.His overall fitness record is very good, regularly playing 40 or so games a season, his last injury was bad, but so long as he can recover he could be worth another chance.
Between him & Stewart we may get nearly a season & depending what they are being paid it may be a acceptable, then again either of them may stay relatively injury free you never know.
We need players who dont get injured
Can't see a thread about him on here but supposedly training with us - anyone think he deserves another chance?
Kevin is contracted until 30.06.2023 +1. That wasn't the point I was making, it was just a comparison of injury records.Wasn't Stewart under contract for another year?
Please don't tell me you're reopening my mental wounds that I'd blocked since I found out we gave him an extra year.
Totally agree. Then we were mugged more than I thought.Kevin is contracted until 30.06.2023 +1. That wasn't the point I was making, it was just a comparison of injury records.
Maybe so but that's probably why they were both affordable in league 1, I'll just wait & see what happensWard has done 36 games or more in four out of the last 7 seasons, the rest he missed with serious injuries, to lump him in with Stewart is seriously inaccurate.
Him & Stewart in midfield would be great…mmmm....what could possibly go wrong?I do think he's best in the heart of the midfield or right side of a three.
Over the last two seasons, Grant Ward has played a lot more matches than both Matty Virtue and Kevin Stewart despite having a serious injury.
Matty Virtue has only played 19 league matches over two seasons compared to Wards 40. Yet both Virtue and Stewart have been rewarded with contract extensions. The club cannot afford to keep 3 players with their injury records, and for me, the logical move would be to sell Matty Virtue who is far too slow to play at this level. I would resign Ward and add another couple of midfielders as well.
Sure I remember seeing Matty was fastest over 5k of anyone in the squad.Over the last two seasons, Grant Ward has played a lot more matches than both Matty Virtue and Kevin Stewart despite having a serious injury.
Matty Virtue has only played 19 league matches over two seasons compared to Wards 40. Yet both Virtue and Stewart have been rewarded with contract extensions. The club cannot afford to keep 3 players with their injury records, and for me, the logical move would be to sell Matty Virtue who is far too slow to play at this level. I would resign Ward and add another couple of midfielders as well.
I don't think his problem is middle-distance running, which after all his rehabilitation treatment he will have plenty of practice with. But hisSure I remember seeing Matty was fastest over 5k of anyone in the squad.
I feel the same. I think he was clearly rated by Critchley (probably helped with the Liverpool connection) but it'll be interesting to see how Appleton rates him.Send Virtue out on loan to L1, put him in the window and depending upon how things develop maybe cash in on him in January, alternatively if we get another run of injuries like last season we've got ready-made cover to recall in January.
I feel the same. I think he was clearly rated by Critchley (probably helped with the Liverpool connection) but it'll be interesting to see how Appleton rates him.