Cleary and Caleb

[baggieal]

Both doing excellent by all accounts at their new clubs. I am sure a brilliant Bostock will be itching to go too with the lack of minutes from Mr Clueless.

[Prando]

It does seem that we are maybe too quick to move our youngsters on. Caleb and Cleary had some limited exposure, but we chose not to persist with them following poor performances and indeed mistakes, rather than continue to develop.
To be fair, decisions have to be made, albeit there is more forgiving with the older players.

[Omegstrat6]

It does seem that we are maybe too quick to move our youngsters on. Caleb and Cleary had some limited exposure, but we chose not to persist with them following poor performances and indeed mistakes, rather than continue to develop.
To be fair, decisions have to be made, albeit there is more forgiving with the older players.

Agree with all that Prando! Cleary obviously had potential. True, he was a work in progress and needed to improve on aspects of his game but, like many, I think that the club should have allowed him a bit more time before letting him go. Taylor too, maybe should have been given more time but I still think he would have been down the pecking order for the first team given the competition.

I don't think that Ollie Bostock is physically ready for full-time Championship football yet but I am also in complete agreement with Al that he needs some opportunities to progress and given the limitations of our current squad he could well provide Mason with a decent attacking option. Young players with potential will ultimately leave if not given their opportunities.

That said, with both Maja and Price under-performing I am still a bit bewildered as to why Dike (who has apparently been pushing to play) has not been given more minutes. Is it because he is really that bad (I don't believe so) or is it because the club don't want to risk injury to a player they want to sell on in January rather than let go for nothing at the end of the season? Maybe if we can't sell in January he will get his opportunity..

[stargazer_1962]

That said, with both Maja and Price under-performing I am still a bit bewildered as to why Dike (who has apparently been pushing to play) has not been given more minutes. Is it because he is really that bad (I don't believe so) or is it because the club don't want to risk injury to a player they want to sell on in January rather than let go for nothing at the end of the season? Maybe if we can't sell in January he will get his opportunity..

I too am confused as to why Dike isn't played for more than a token few minutes.
Surely one of the press must have asked him the direct question?

[baggiematt]

Ive watched Dike when he has come on, the lad cant sprint any more. He is worth nothing to us other than a last minute header.

[baggieal]

Ive watched Dike when he has come on, the lad cant sprint any more. He is worth nothing to us other than a last minute header.

Surely being our highest wage earner on 30K a week it would make sense in January to loan him out even if we had to pay 60/70% of his wages.

What Dike and Wallace are costing us versus contributing jack s hit is heartbreaking!

[baggiematt]

Surely being our highest wage earner on 30K a week it would make sense in January to loan him out even if we had to pay 60/70% of his wages.

What Dike and Wallace are costing us versus contributing jack s hit is heartbreaking!

Who in their right mind would take him on? It would be circa half a mill cost for half a season loan. Would you take that sort of risk? I wouldnt

[baggieal]

Who in their right mind would take him on? It would be circa half a mill cost for half a season loan. Would you take that sort of risk? I wouldnt

No way Matt?. We need to be rid of Dike and Wallace in June 26 as what they are both earning is ridiculous versus contribution.

Dike will still hope to be playing for the US in the World Cup so you might see more of a canter in the New Year 😭

[Omegstrat6]

Knowing our luck, Dike will leave in June, we will get nothing for him and we will then see him coming good and scoring goals for another Championship club next season😁

In all seriousness though, I do feel genuinely sorry for him. Of course, he has been a financial disaster for us but clearly, he could not help his injuries and, from what I have read, he has always shown a good attitude towards his recovery and remains frustrated at not being able to get game time. We can certainly all question why the club agreed to such a high wage but can hardly blame Dike for accepting and he did, after all, show promise.

If we cannot sell or loan him out in January I would still like to see him given more than just the 5 odd minutes at the end of a game to see what he can do. Matt may well be right in his observation about him not being able to sprint any more but if he can put the ball in the back of the net for us....