05 Aug 2024 07:45:48
It now looks pretty certain that Conor Gallagher will be joining AM in the next few days.
Always sad to see an academy player leave, especially a player who has served the club well but these things happen and players move on. I wish the lad every success in Spain.
05 Aug 2024 08:19:04
Agreed Tom,
I just wished he signed a new contract and because he did not, he left the club with no choice but to sell him.
05 Aug 2024 09:57:08
I am still unsure what the terms of that contract were like if particularly in comparison to other first team regular starters and consistent performers, in terms of both wages and length.
But if it was a very good offer that he refused then yes this is best for the club. For fans, it will at least be a relief that he is not going to an EPL rival. It might also be best for CG himself given he will be going to a club playing in the Champions League, with a highly rated and experienced manager, some excellent and experienced players, and with chance to perform in the Champions League as well as test himself in La Liga. Doubt he will miss playing in the Conference League or for a manager who possibly doesn't rate him - though I don't know whether thgat's the case with EM - and who will be going through what seems to be the Goroundhog Day scenarion at the Bridge in recent seasons of working out his best combinations and with little EL exoerence himself,
I will myself at least though miss CG's consistent 110% commitment when on the pitch (and covering most of it) for CFC and what I saw as his major contribution to the club last season. Spome fantastic turnover tackles and a few spectacular and occasionally game winning goals. the sense that he kept attemting to drive us on even as the injuries mounted and amid often disappointing results mid-season. he added a ball winning physicality in midfield we had been lacking for some time.
05 Aug 2024 10:40:19
JBS and Bill, good points and he did stay injury free and that helped us a lot last season.
I’m thankful he had a good season to leave on but part of me wonders how many games he would have got if it had not been for injuries.
His work rate cannot be questioned and they may well be just what AM are looking for.
05 Aug 2024 12:22:15
The way it ended was a bit messy but I think the move to AM is the best option. It will no doubt improve him as a player and living in Madrid will provide him with great life experience. Best of luck to him.
05 Aug 2024 15:37:20
The club offered Conor a 2year extension when they have offered players not fit to lace his boots 5/ 7 years.
Yet again this was set up for him to quite rightly turn down the offer so they could bag the money and sign yet another Brazilian teenager.
Nothing remotely like this would have happened under Roman.
05 Aug 2024 15:49:58
Kdrog so you say. Am sure the eds may report different but it's about opinions and if you think stuff didn't happen under roman so be it.
05 Aug 2024 16:04:20
Everything under Roman was perfect including the sale of academy players.
05 Aug 2024 16:53:12
CG will always be appreciated by fans for his heart, energy and always giving 100%.
Although he did improve last season some of his pressing was a bit headless and his distribution once he won the ball wasn’t always the greatest, although decent at times and generally better than previous seasons!
I think he should have signed the contact offered and fought for the chance to prove he could fit into a possession based team.
I think the club would have been mad to offer a 5/ 6 year contract if unsure he would fit EM playing style. I feel the offer on the table was fair and showed commitment to a long standing academy graduate whilst minimising the risk to the club. Good luck to CG I think the move will suit him.
05 Aug 2024 17:15:13
Enzo, a fair and well balanced post.
05 Aug 2024 18:05:46
Plenty of 'stuff' happened under Roman but the talented a academy boys were always offered generous contracts, maybe too generous at times and looked at as the future of the club.
The ethos built around the academy has been purged thoroughly like just about all aspects of the club and in it's place we have a couple of individuals who have built how many successful squads in there very short career?
And they are considered qualified to build a new squad and appoint a novice manager who won't question any dubious decision making.
What could go wrong?
05 Aug 2024 19:47:33
How many academy products were produced to the first team in the roman era?
Excluding the transfer ban season.
Stop talking rubbish to suit your agenda of slating the new owners/ sporting directors.
I loved the roman era but it wasn't all sunshine and roses. We have been a poor team in my life time as we have been in my opinion one of the best. It's just our cycle to rebuild and be poor again. The investment shown by the new ownership should be commended. We could of ended up with a mike ashley.
05 Aug 2024 21:18:02
Jsfinchy, well said mate. Let’s not mention a transfer ban and the new owners self reporting.
I wonder when this seasons squad is finalised how many will be academy products and how that number compares to other teams in the premiership.