New contracts

[the_arab]

Harkes is a very average player. If he signs a new contract, I'd imagine he'll be one of our higher earners. Is he worth that?

Good point, very similar to my mention of it being another Connolly/Pawlett type extension where we end up with a high earner eventually not playing so much as we should be looking for better. At best he should be a sub/squad player and on a wage that takes that in to account.


FWIW I think he has looked much better playing further forward recently, that for me is the only role we can play him. Each to their own but i really dont see how anyone can think hes good enough for us in a traditional midfield position and talk of him walking in to any non OF teams in the league is absolute nonsenese

[ballumbie_arab]

I’m with Whitfield & Stoke on this one. Too inconsistent and many games pass him by. Comes up with some brilliance now and again, but we can’t afford to have players that only do this 1 in 6 (or similar). There is a player in there, but by Christ does he frustrate us most games!

P.S. Shedka being his usual biased self, and refusing to accept/debate other’s opinions, and petulant with his replies as such.

[TerryTheTerror]

Harkes is a very average player. If he signs a new contract, I'd imagine he'll be one of our higher earners. Is he worth that? Absolutely not. Could we do better for the money? We absolutely could. Could we do better regardless of the money. Yes. He doesn't dictate games like we need a guy in his position to do & that's part of the reason we struggle in an attacking sense.

I have a hunch he isn't going to sign anyway. If he really wanted to, he'd have done so by now instead of stalling/seeing what his options are. If he does sign, it'll be because his options are very limited.

21% of our points total in the league so far are directly because of goals scored by Ian Harkes. Add to that the winning cup goal last week. That's been hugely important for us. Without those league points, and assuming the wins would have been draws, we'd be looking at being on 28 points, 9th place and one point ahead of Ross County.

[Shedboy1971]

21% of our points total in the league so far are directly because of goals scored by Ian Harkes. Add to that the winning cup goal last week. That's been hugely important for us. Without those league points, and assuming the wins would have been draws, we'd be looking at being on 28 points, 9th place and one point ahead of Ross County.

rather than be celebrated that shows are problem. As a team. Without Harkes we wouldn't have not got these points (it is never as clear as that Terry) but I totally get your point and didn't realise it. Great debates and it is interesting the different views. Here is my question is he a holding mid, a forward mid or mid craigie?

[PT_Arab]

21% of our points total in the league so far are directly because of goals scored by Ian Harkes. Add to that the winning cup goal last week. That's been hugely important for us. Without those league points, and assuming the wins would have been draws, we'd be looking at being on 28 points, 9th place and one point ahead of Ross County.

Can't argue with these stats Terry, but your argument assumes that whoever was playing instead of Harkes contributed absolutely nothing. If Harkes wasn't playing there would have been someone else in his place, whether that be a new signing or one of our home grown youngsters. No one can say what they would have contributed - perhaps more goals? Perhaps more assists for others to score more goals. Maybe we would have had more points.

[GUNBOAT]

21% of our points total in the league so far are directly because of goals scored by Ian Harkes. Add to that the winning cup goal last week. That's been hugely important for us. Without those league points, and assuming the wins would have been draws, we'd be looking at being on 28 points, 9th place and one point ahead of Ross County.

We would not have been playing these games with 10 men though.It could just as easily be argued that if we had better than Harkes that better player would have assisted and scored more goals so rather than 8th we could have been 3rd.

[Chick A Saw]

21% of our points total in the league so far are directly because of goals scored by Ian Harkes. Add to that the winning cup goal last week. That's been hugely important for us. Without those league points, and assuming the wins would have been draws, we'd be looking at being on 28 points, 9th place and one point ahead of Ross County.

Its not beyond the realms of possibility that any one out of Glass, Mochrie and Meekieson might have grabbed a chance in place of Harkes and not only taken those chances Harkes had, but even provided a good enough service during games we really should have won and had us fighting tooth and nail with Hearts.

[GUNBOAT]

What i would add though there is no point getting rid of Harkes if we are not gonna replace him or replace him with someone inferior to him which is a strong possibility in the current financial climate.Probably better the devil you know.

[Chick A Saw]

What i would add though there is no point getting rid of Harkes if we are not gonna replace him or replace him with someone inferior to him which is a strong possibility in the current financial climate.Probably better the devil you know.

I am maybe taking too much consideration towards the emergence of Kerr, Nielson and Graham, but that replacement may be under our noses and the coaches are happy playing Harkes while looking after that developing player.

[Shedboy1971]

Its not beyond the realms of possibility that any one out of Glass, Mochrie and Meekieson might have grabbed a chance in place of Harkes and not only taken those chances Harkes had, but even provided a good enough service during games we really should have won and had us fighting tooth and nail with Hearts.

players that go forward??? what an amazing idea