Sam Johnstone

[baggiematt]

Sadly we're in a no win with Johnstone unless he signs. He'll get a mega deal next year if there is no transfer fee associated with his deal as that money can then be given to him either through wages or a signing on fee. His agent will also get a cut of that. A release fee will remove that advantage for him and his agent will know this.

The best we can do is persuade him to stay and offer a major pay rise on the basis that we get into the prem.

[baggieal]

Sadly we're in a no win with Johnstone unless he signs. He'll get a mega deal next year if there is no transfer fee associated with his deal as that money can then be given to him either through wages or a signing on fee. His agent will also get a cut of that. A release fee will remove that advantage for him and his agent will know this.

The best we can do is persuade him to stay and offer a major pay rise on the basis that we get into the prem.

So on the basis he does not want to sign because he will know he will be on a free attracting more offers what would he say if:

Sign the contract with release clause and wage renegotiation if promoted or we can't guarantee you will be our number 1 and play? Me thinks he will sign and want to stay in the shop window. He can't have his cake and eat it we we should be fair as suggested but play hardball!

[baggiematt]

So on the basis he does not want to sign because he will know he will be on a free attracting more offers what would he say if:

Sign the contract with release clause and wage renegotiation if promoted or we can't guarantee you will be our number 1 and play? Me thinks he will sign and want to stay in the shop window. He can't have his cake and eat it we we should be fair as suggested but play hardball!

Yeah I get the argument of not playing him. There are other lads that could be given a chance. The other side of this is that he cost us £6.5m which is just over £1.5m per season over his 4 year deal. We've paid for that contract and the wages. If you freeze him out, you just lose him and we don't get much value out of the deal we struck.

I'm really not sure on Button. There's a massive difference between Johnstone and Button both in quality and mentality. Botton has resigned himself to being a number two at the last few clubs he's been at. That can't be a good mentality for a goalkeeper.