Whittaker recalled

[Risc]

So according to Martin, Whittaker has not been brought back to be sold.

Very odd decision, I hope Martin keeps an open mind and gives the lad a chance in games.

 

[Cooperman]

Schumacher said: "We tried to sign Morgan in the summer. When I spoke to Russell Martin about him he told me he wasn't part of his plans and I suggested 'Can we buy him?' and he was open to that.

"When we spoke to their guys in charge - they came down here as we played Swansea (in pre-season) - they told me they weren't keen to sell him. They see Morgan playing for them in the Championship in the future so that was off the table.

I just talked about disconnect on the Oko-Flex thread, here’s another example of mixed messages. We don’t seem to be very coherent when it comes to talking about strategies. Winter must do better at bringing this picture together.

 

[3swan]

Mixed messages.

When asked about is Whittaker brought back to sell.

No, but of course if a bid comes in we have to look at it.

Also being cup tied he has some time before the next game to try and prove himself and adapt to our style.



Now that doesn't cry out we brought him back to strengthen the team. Maybe the squad, but it doesn't sound totally positive.

Yes I'm being a bit of a cynic, but words and deeds don't always match

 

[Niigata Jack]

Mixed messages.

When asked about is Whittaker brought back to sell.

No, but of course if a bid comes in we have to look at it.

Also being cup tied he has some time before the next game to try and prove himself and adapt to our style.



Now that doesn't cry out we brought him back to strengthen the team. Maybe the squad, but it doesn't sound totally positive.

Yes I'm being a bit of a cynic, but words and deeds don't always match

Martin is all about smoke and mirrors, either that or he's taking the pressure off the lad to dampen down expectations, after he's done so well at Plymouth, we just don't know.

 

[BarryTownSwan]

Didn't Witts & Cullen play together on loan at Lincoln? May have the basis of a promising partnership? Clutching at straws?

 

[Cinio Dydd Sul]

Didn't Witts & Cullen play together on loan at Lincoln? May have the basis of a promising partnership? Clutching at straws?

They were at Lincoln the same time but I don't think they played much together up front. Either both or 1 was out wide most of the time. Whittaker scored 5 in 20 with 1 assist, Cullen scored 1 in 20 with 1 assist. So they were hardly prolific unfortunately.

Although based on their style I don't see why they couldn't play together up front.

 

[PSumbler]

Mixed messages.

When asked about is Whittaker brought back to sell.

No, but of course if a bid comes in we have to look at it.

Also being cup tied he has some time before the next game to try and prove himself and adapt to our style.



Now that doesn't cry out we brought him back to strengthen the team. Maybe the squad, but it doesn't sound totally positive.

Yes I'm being a bit of a cynic, but words and deeds don't always match

It was a strange answer that he gave. With most loan deals you only have a short window to make that recall (it doesn't last the whole month I don't think) so we made the decision which we did.

It goes against what appears to be Martin's view on the player (his comments earlier in the week certainly suggested this was not his decision)

The comments he made say exactly what you reference above - we didn't bring him back to sell but if an offer came in then we would consider it. I think (not sure) if he plays against Sunderland then any option to sell disappears so that could/would be a telling sign?

I wonder if we had gone beyond the recall date with him still at Plymouth that means we couldn't sell even with an offer (as we couldnt recall him first) so its all a bit smoke and mirrors and we don't really know what has happened behind the scenes.

FWIW my guess is he wont play against Sunderland (its a guess) but if we dont get an offer he will play a part and - lets be fair here - Martin has bought worst players from League One so at least its a step up :lol:

My two penneth worth anyway. Other opinions are available

 

[3swan]

It was a strange answer that he gave. With most loan deals you only have a short window to make that recall (it doesn't last the whole month I don't think) so we made the decision which we did.

It goes against what appears to be Martin's view on the player (his comments earlier in the week certainly suggested this was not his decision)

The comments he made say exactly what you reference above - we didn't bring him back to sell but if an offer came in then we would consider it. I think (not sure) if he plays against Sunderland then any option to sell disappears so that could/would be a telling sign?

I wonder if we had gone beyond the recall date with him still at Plymouth that means we couldn't sell even with an offer (as we couldnt recall him first) so its all a bit smoke and mirrors and we don't really know what has happened behind the scenes.

FWIW my guess is he wont play against Sunderland (its a guess) but if we dont get an offer he will play a part and - lets be fair here - Martin has bought worst players from League One so at least its a step up :lol:

My two penneth worth anyway. Other opinions are available

My opinion is I don't know what's going on.

There's always a doubt as you can't take any comment at face value, as they are slightly ambiguous, or conflict with other statements.

I have noticed ( maybe incorrectly ) that RM does seem either to take a bit more thought time before answering a question. Also a few times when he reacts before the question is finished.

 

[J_B]

It’s not a good sign when a manager doesn’t appear to have a veto on players coming into the squad. Do Martin and Winter discuss these things? Maybe Winter doesn’t trust Martin to recruit better players by spending money so he’s doing it for for him without spending? Between them their comments to supporters on this affair are confusing at best.

I conclude that all is not well behind the scenes at the club and Martin will be the loser in any battle between him and Winter.

 

[A4Jack]

It’s not a good sign when a manager doesn’t appear to have a veto on players coming into the squad. Do Martin and Winter discuss these things? Maybe Winter doesn’t trust Martin to recruit better players by spending money so he’s doing it for for him without spending? Between them their comments to supporters on this affair are confusing at best.

I conclude that all is not well behind the scenes at the club and Martin will be the loser in any battle between him and Winter.

Tbf it's not unreasonable, nor am I saying it's the case, that Martin wants Ogbene from Rotherham and the response was to use what you have like Whittaker out on loan who has a better goalscoring record and is younger.

Can't see much of an argument if that was the response.

 

[K23]

Tbf it's not unreasonable, nor am I saying it's the case, that Martin wants Ogbene from Rotherham and the response was to use what you have like Whittaker out on loan who has a better goalscoring record and is younger.

Can't see much of an argument if that was the response.

Who has a better goalscoring record and is younger and is already our player so will cost us nothing, surely a no brainer for the board.

I think the only reason Martin wants Ogbene is because he has played as an attacking wing back but from what I've read, I don't think he's keen on that role.

 

[A4Jack]

Who has a better goalscoring record and is younger and is already our player so will cost us nothing, surely a no brainer for the board.

I think the only reason Martin wants Ogbene is because he has played as an attacking wing back but from what I've read, I don't think he's keen on that role.

Very true. If the request was for a right back then perhaps he would have been told that he didn't use Fin Stevens for even a single start. Whether he was a cheap signing for his own development or not.

And that on the books we have three left backs, one of which is utilised on the right now and again, the other is nowhere to be seen and Manning is running down his contract.

 

[Niigata Jack]

It’s not a good sign when a manager doesn’t appear to have a veto on players coming into the squad. Do Martin and Winter discuss these things? Maybe Winter doesn’t trust Martin to recruit better players by spending money so he’s doing it for for him without spending? Between them their comments to supporters on this affair are confusing at best.

I conclude that all is not well behind the scenes at the club and Martin will be the loser in any battle between him and Winter.

Wouldn't mind seeing the back of the pair of them TBH

I'll add the Yankee Doddles to that as well, better the devil you know perhaps, but still.

 

[Risc]

Very true. If the request was for a right back then perhaps he would have been told that he didn't use Fin Stevens for even a single start. Whether he was a cheap signing for his own development or not.

And that on the books we have three left backs, one of which is utilised on the right now and again, the other is nowhere to be seen and Manning is running down his contract.

But that’s the market we are shopping in, Fin was free, was nowhere near ready, but emergency cover for no cost.

We won’t do much business in January other than selling either I don’t reckon so be prepared to be disappointed.

 

[Risc]

Who has a better goalscoring record and is younger and is already our player so will cost us nothing, surely a no brainer for the board.

I think the only reason Martin wants Ogbene is because he has played as an attacking wing back but from what I've read, I don't think he's keen on that role.

I think it was Jasper on other site who used to use this reference but could be wrong, ogbene would have done the running, “water carrier” for the likes of Piroe. Cullen does it now but not to the level of Ogbene, hasn’t got the pace or mobility.

Anyway, I’d guess ECB was right earlier in thread, Russ wants a striker and the board think we already have one good enough on the books in Whittaker, problem is, Russ disagrees if his words are anything to go by.