New signings

[whitestomper45]

One other small point, something that no club (to my knowledge), Iincluding LUFC, has ever implemented is the concept of a probationary period. Commonplace in virtually every other area of employment, from checkout operator at ASDA to senior executives at national rail operators, they are entered into by employer and employee to ensure that both are satisfied that their expectations of performance and reward are being met. Why not football?

This is a job where you are tested daily for fitness and form, where your generally finished by your early 30's and there are cut offs to when you can move jobs... So how does your planned probation period work? Say someone want's to sign a player worth 30M but take him on a probationary period, he has a career ending injury and the signing club don't want him and send him back! Now the selling club is left with a lost asset. Throw in existing image rights and sponsorship deals, it could get too confusing... How long is the probation period, do the "selling" club purchase or sign a "probation" replacement while this trial is going on? The current system of loan with option to sign seems to work OK

[WTF11]

This is a job where you are tested daily for fitness and form, where your generally finished by your early 30's and there are cut offs to when you can move jobs... So how does your planned probation period work? Say someone want's to sign a player worth 30M but take him on a probationary period, he has a career ending injury and the signing club don't want him and send him back! Now the selling club is left with a lost asset. Throw in existing image rights and sponsorship deals, it could get too confusing... How long is the probation period, do the "selling" club purchase or sign a "probation" replacement while this trial is going on? The current system of loan with option to sign seems to work OK

I wasnt suggesting that constructing a suitable probationary period would be easy, not would I disagree with the "special circumstances" that those who might develop such an environment would fund it challenging, but isn't that what they are paid handsomely for? As an example, the injury scenario would be included in an insurance arrangement to ensure player and new club are protected from financial loss, funded by the deal entered into at point of transfer. The "loan to buy" seems to work? Have you forgotten the JKA debacle?

[whitestomper45]

I wasnt suggesting that constructing a suitable probationary period would be easy, not would I disagree with the "special circumstances" that those who might develop such an environment would fund it challenging, but isn't that what they are paid handsomely for? As an example, the injury scenario would be included in an insurance arrangement to ensure player and new club are protected from financial loss, funded by the deal entered into at point of transfer. The "loan to buy" seems to work? Have you forgotten the JKA debacle?

No I haven't forgotten that debacle. That deal like many others completed by the previous incumbents, had a stupid clause in it, that obligated LUFC to sign the player irrespective of how he performed if we got promoted. Most "loan to buy" deals are based on the players performances and how he fits in with the club

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Is a trial not a probationary period - seem to recall we did that with Sam B last year before signing him!

[whitestomper45]

Max Wober missed the Austria match with "knee problems", added to his calf problems... John Egan, has left the Blunts on expiry of his contract , not a bad CB, get him on a free transfer (probation wtf ... ) Might annoy a certain manager

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Problem is Egan is a blunt to his core

[whitestomper45]

Problem is Egan is a blunt to his core

Mick Jones and Tony Currie worked out OK for us,none of them born there...

He's just signed for Alf's lot