Quote Originally Posted by ragingpup View Post
You make some valid points, but I think that the central premise of your 'plan' - that we gather a nuclus of young players who we can rely on to be here every year is so far removed from the reality that clubs have to deal with. It is a players game, not a problem with that, they are the performers, and if you are fortunate or even skillful enough to unearth a real gem, maybe not to command silly money, but of the ilk of Chio, Dan and Victor, then I'm afraid that they hold the cards and when it comes to the contract renegotiation with us, I don't think they will be as keen to resign on the max money that we can afford to pay them. They will have a good idea of their worth, and whilst we may think that we are making them a good offer, if they don't agree, they know that the clock will run down and better money awaits elsewhere.

How would you deal with these real world scenarios? You seem to again be talking about a kind of alternative reality that seems a bit removed from the one we have to live in! Although I must stress that I agree that there is seeming evidence that the club can and should be run better, that there are most likely to be many things that Tont should be doing differently, I don't think trying to apply unrealistic scenarios is very helpful.
DB signed on a 3 year deal after failing to make top level and having stuttered around with Crewe and Accrington.
CO signed on a 3 year deal, wasn't good enough to make it at Champ level, and made little impact in L2 for Exeter.
VJ signed on a 2 year deal and then extended after failing to break through at Leicester.

They were willing to sign for 3 years plus. All of them. And putting aside your needless swipes, the actual reality is that the first two gave enough to justify better terms after the first year. In both cases it wouldn't be unrealistic to negotiate hard to get a 3-4 year deal from that point, a big jump in salary, and an agreeable release clause. They're confident lads, but a season of good play after a pretty uninspiring few years doesn't make them think Liverpool are waiting.

Ollie shouldn't be in his situation either. The Wiles move was avoidable, or could have yielded more. Humphreys enters the same territory soon. Lindsay will likely walk too.

People can kid themselves all they like, but all these situations come from the refusal to back what we have. We'll always uncover more Hugills than Humphreys, but it's ridiculous to suggest we can't reposition their deals until they hold the aces when we do find quality.