Andros Townsend

[milesey05]

Stats 2020/21 season 

Townsend 

Minutes 2259

Goals 1

Assists 5

Chances created 40

Bernard & Iwobi combined 

Minutes 1193

Goals 2

Assists 2

Chances created 26

Townsend a good signing imo. Good squad player.

[Tonsta]

Just what we dont want another journeyman, not a regular for palace, i though we had some money and ambition, not impressed, or with Grey. 

[Bailey]

5 minutes ago, milesey05 said:

Stats 2020/21 season 

Townsend 

Minutes 2259

Goals 1

Assists 5

Chances created 40

Bernard & Iwobi combined 

Minutes 1193

Goals 2

Assists 2

Chances created 26

Townsend a good signing imo. Good squad player.

Based on what you have put there, we would be better of keeping the other two!

[Hafnia]

3 minutes ago, Bailey said:

You can tell it's an iffy signing when people have to find ways to justify it. 

Who ever expected Townsend to be world class? Also when was he just "very good"?

Harry Redknapp rated his talent up there with Arjen Robben. 

Is that not world class?

To get to play and score for England and get man of the match must mean you are at least very good???

[milesey05]

5 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Based on what you have put there, we would be better of keeping the other two!

Confused? 

[barryj]

32 minutes ago, milesey05 said:

Confused? 

Because they played roughly half the minutes and created more than half the chances made. Also goals and assist are similar. Reduction in wages for one player vs two would be a bonus. I think all three are poor. 

[RuffRob]

At 30 so same age as James and Allan, so still a few years left in the tank.

As a team totally devoid of pacy wingers, then Townsend on a free is decent business. He has done well under Benitez in the past and is clearly a player he knows and trusts. 

He could easily turn out to be a Gareth Barry type of signing, I remember how uninspired a lot of people where when he came here. Low key but became a solid part of the team/squad. 

Townsend is a decent enough professional, and will improve our current squad with little cost.

[c1982]

44 minutes ago, Bailey said:

You can tell it's an iffy signing when people have to find ways to justify it. 

Not really a hard one to justify - in Calvert-Lewin, we have the most lethal aerial finisher in the league over the past few years. We have no out and out wingers to supply this lethal aerial finisher. Our new manager is likely to play with wingers so would obviously like some top top players but these top top players cost a lot of money, which, from overspending on average players, we do not have. Now nobody has said Townsend (or Gray) is their top choice and we all hope we can sell some players to bring in these top top players (who most have never actually seen play but they’re dead good on FIFA and Champ Manager and they cost loads so must be good!) but it makes sense to bring in decent players who offer direct pace (something we lack) and more importantly crosses for DCL (and Richarlison) who can come off the bench rather than bringing on Coleman to make play right wing or a centre back to play full-back and move Digne to left wing or Iwobi to moan about not being in the middle or Sigurdsson to point where someone should have been to cross the ball… we’re not talking about wasting £20m+ on Bolasie, Walcott, Tosun, Sigurdsson, Gomes, Iwobi and we’re not talking about paying them £100k+ a week like Bernard or Sandro - these are competent squad players on short term deals - sensible in my opinion especially when you consider Townsend and Gray combined will cost a third of a Mo Besic!

Answer me this - are Townsend and Gray going to have more or less impact off the bench than Bernard and Iwobi? I think more personally as they both have pace and will both run at players. Hindsight shows we should have kept Vlasic and Lookman but we didn’t and we didn’t actually lose money on them anyway.

[barryj]

2 minutes ago, c1982 said:

Not really a hard one to justify - in Calvert-Lewin, we have the most lethal aerial finisher in the league over the past few years. We have no out and out wingers to supply this lethal aerial finisher. Our new manager is likely to play with wingers so would obviously like some top top players but these top top players cost a lot of money, which, from overspending on average players, we do not have. Now nobody has said Townsend (or Gray) is their top choice and we all hope we can sell some players to bring in these top top players (who most have never actually seen play but they’re dead good on FIFA and Champ Manager and they cost loads so must be good!) but it makes sense to bring in decent players who offer direct pace (something we lack) and more importantly crosses for DCL (and Richarlison) who can come off the bench rather than bringing on Coleman to make play right wing or a centre back to play full-back and move Digne to left wing or Iwobi to moan about not being in the middle or Sigurdsson to point where someone should have been to cross the ball… we’re not talking about wasting £20m+ on Bolasie, Walcott, Tosun, Sigurdsson, Gomes, Iwobi and we’re not talking about paying them £100k+ a week like Bernard or Sandro - these are competent squad players on short term deals - sensible in my opinion especially when you consider Townsend and Gray combined will cost a third of a Mo Besic!

Answer me this - are Townsend and Gray going to have more or less impact off the bench than Bernard and Iwobi? I think more personally as they both have pace and will both run at players. Hindsight shows we should have kept Vlasic and Lookman but we didn’t and we didn’t actually lose money on them anyway.

I’d take almost anyone over Iwobi. 

[Hafnia]

1 hour ago, Bailey said:

Based on what you have put there, we would be better of keeping the other two!

Not really.  One player on one quarter of the wages - costing £40m less than the 2 combined provided equalish stats playing for a worse team. 

[milesey05]

3 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

Not really.  One player on one quarter of the wages - costing £40m less than the 2 combined provided equalish stats playing for a worse team. 

This

[Newty82]

15 hours ago, c1982 said:

Not really a hard one to justify - in Calvert-Lewin, we have the most lethal aerial finisher in the league over the past few years. We have no out and out wingers to supply this lethal aerial finisher. Our new manager is likely to play with wingers so would obviously like some top top players but these top top players cost a lot of money, which, from overspending on average players, we do not have. Now nobody has said Townsend (or Gray) is their top choice and we all hope we can sell some players to bring in these top top players (who most have never actually seen play but they’re dead good on FIFA and Champ Manager and they cost loads so must be good!) but it makes sense to bring in decent players who offer direct pace (something we lack) and more importantly crosses for DCL (and Richarlison) who can come off the bench rather than bringing on Coleman to make play right wing or a centre back to play full-back and move Digne to left wing or Iwobi to moan about not being in the middle or Sigurdsson to point where someone should have been to cross the ball… we’re not talking about wasting £20m+ on Bolasie, Walcott, Tosun, Sigurdsson, Gomes, Iwobi and we’re not talking about paying them £100k+ a week like Bernard or Sandro - these are competent squad players on short term deals - sensible in my opinion especially when you consider Townsend and Gray combined will cost a third of a Mo Besic!

Answer me this - are Townsend and Gray going to have more or less impact off the bench than Bernard and Iwobi? I think more personally as they both have pace and will both run at players. Hindsight shows we should have kept Vlasic and Lookman but we didn’t and we didn’t actually lose money on them anyway.

Thanks for that. I needed it. A touch of reality and perspective

[Bailey]

18 hours ago, Hafnia said:

Harry Redknapp rated his talent up there with Arjen Robben. 

Is that not world class?

To get to play and score for England and get man of the match must mean you are at least very good???

Do you seriously believe Andros Townsend is as good as Arjen Robben?

18 hours ago, RuffRob said:

At 30 so same age as James and Allan, so still a few years left in the tank.

As a team totally devoid of pacy wingers, then Townsend on a free is decent business. He has done well under Benitez in the past and is clearly a player he knows and trusts. 

He could easily turn out to be a Gareth Barry type of signing, I remember how uninspired a lot of people where when he came here. Low key but became a solid part of the team/squad. 

Townsend is a decent enough professional, and will improve our current squad with little cost.

I wish people would stop comparing older signings to Gareth Barry. Barry was a brilliant footballer who was an integral part of cup winnings sides. Townsend (and Delph before him) aren't fit to lace his boots.

17 hours ago, c1982 said:

Not really a hard one to justify - in Calvert-Lewin, we have the most lethal aerial finisher in the league over the past few years. We have no out and out wingers to supply this lethal aerial finisher. Our new manager is likely to play with wingers so would obviously like some top top players but these top top players cost a lot of money, which, from overspending on average players, we do not have. Now nobody has said Townsend (or Gray) is their top choice and we all hope we can sell some players to bring in these top top players (who most have never actually seen play but they’re dead good on FIFA and Champ Manager and they cost loads so must be good!) but it makes sense to bring in decent players who offer direct pace (something we lack) and more importantly crosses for DCL (and Richarlison) who can come off the bench rather than bringing on Coleman to make play right wing or a centre back to play full-back and move Digne to left wing or Iwobi to moan about not being in the middle or Sigurdsson to point where someone should have been to cross the ball… we’re not talking about wasting £20m+ on Bolasie, Walcott, Tosun, Sigurdsson, Gomes, Iwobi and we’re not talking about paying them £100k+ a week like Bernard or Sandro - these are competent squad players on short term deals - sensible in my opinion especially when you consider Townsend and Gray combined will cost a third of a Mo Besic!

Answer me this - are Townsend and Gray going to have more or less impact off the bench than Bernard and Iwobi? I think more personally as they both have pace and will both run at players. Hindsight shows we should have kept Vlasic and Lookman but we didn’t and we didn’t actually lose money on them anyway.

You don't need wingers, you need to create space to put in a cross. For example Dwight McNeil would put in better crosses than either of these two, so would Siggy. Neither of these players are that quick either. People talk like they are as quick as Walcott but I don't see it. They might be a bit quicker than Iwobi but it is negligible. I just feel like a lot of the comments made by people about these players are not based on what they have actually seen them do.

We also didn't have to play full backs in the wing positions last season, they were Carlo's choices. He also hung all of our wingers out to dry last season and I expect better from every single one of them this year.

I would rather none of them came off the bench if I am honest, but I would still take Iwobi.

17 hours ago, Hafnia said:

Not really.  One player on one quarter of the wages - costing £40m less than the 2 combined provided equalish stats playing for a worse team. 

That presumes that we sell the other two. Bernard looks like he is going but there are no reports about Iwobi. Its a false economy if we end up with 3 crap players on the bench costing more money than two players on the bench. You shouldn't forget that these cheap or free signings will come with hefty sign on fees in the same way Bernard will have.

[Hafnia]

1 hour ago, Bailey said:

Do you seriously believe Andros Townsend is as good as Arjen Robben?

I wish people would stop comparing older signings to Gareth Barry. Barry was a brilliant footballer who was an integral part of cup winnings sides. Townsend (and Delph before him) aren't fit to lace his boots.

You don't need wingers, you need to create space to put in a cross. For example Dwight McNeil would put in better crosses than either of these two, so would Siggy. Neither of these players are that quick either. People talk like they are as quick as Walcott but I don't see it. They might be a bit quicker than Iwobi but it is negligible. I just feel like a lot of the comments made by people about these players are not based on what they have actually seen them do.

We also didn't have to play full backs in the wing positions last season, they were Carlo's choices. He also hung all of our wingers out to dry last season and I expect better from every single one of them this year.

I would rather none of them came off the bench if I am honest, but I would still take Iwobi.

That presumes that we sell the other two. Bernard looks like he is going but there are no reports about Iwobi. Its a false economy if we end up with 3 crap players on the bench costing more money than two players on the bench. You shouldn't forget that these cheap or free signings will come with hefty sign on fees in the same way Bernard will have.

Do I believe that Andros Townsend is as good as Arjen Robben????  No, absolutely 100% not .

Which reinforcees my point that Townsend was touted as world class but was just very good.  I think you missed that but thanks for helping me make it clear.

What I will say is that neither iwobi or Bernard are wingers ..... Townsend and Gray are.  Rafa is clearly trying to use width and pace ...... It make pure sense. 

 

 

[Sibdane]

Whether it's Gray/Townsend/both we just need pace. We don't have anybody with the kind of pace that can stretch defenses. 

[Tonsta]

Don't get the discussions as whether these 2 are wingers or not, neither pulled up any trees in there heyday, neither held a permanent place in a premier side.

Neither will improve us, this is back to Moyes days when no money was available, why are we in the bargain basement, with billionaire owners, and a new manager who must have had assurances about money available. Even the keeper we have signed is well past his sell by date, if not in years then certainly in talent, any one who watched Bournemouth in the play off semi final would not have been impressed, Hennessey would have been a better bet imo. let alone our own under study keeper.

Why do we have all the highly rated players in the under 21s and under 23s, yet still bring in journeymen with no interest in us or our future.

The whole strategy at the moment worry's me, and points towards another under achieving season.

I hope there is more on offer than has been shown so far.  

[MikeO]

2 hours ago, Bailey said:

I wish people would stop comparing older signings to Gareth Barry.

I think the comparisons with Barry come from the fact that virtually nobody thought signing him was a good idea, kudos to those that did but they were definitely in a minority.

[RuffRob]

1 hour ago, Bailey said:

I wish people would stop comparing older signings to Gareth Barry. Barry was a brilliant footballer who was an integral part of cup winnings sides. Townsend (and Delph before him) aren't fit to lace his boots.

 

I think its fair enough to compare older players with Barry - especially in the context of at the time loads of people moaned about Barry as a signing due to him being an aged footballer on a free (the typical - 'is that the level we are aiming for' comments). Did anybody truly call it that Barry would have turned out such a fantastic signing for us. 

Its about the immediate negative moaning about a signing before he has even had a chance to kick a ball for the club. Barry turned out better than most expected. In a blue shirt could Townsend not turn out better than most expect would expect from a free transfer? At least give the fella a half decent crack at the whip, before writing him of as not fit to lace up other player boots.

[MikeO]

5 minutes ago, RuffRob said:

I think its fair enough to compare older players with Barry - especially in the context of at the time loads of people moaned about Barry as a signing due to him being an aged footballer on a free (the typical - 'is that the level we are aiming for' comments). Did anybody truly call it that Barry would have turned out such a fantastic signing for us. 

Its about the immediate negative moaning about a signing before he has even had a chance to kick a ball for the club. Barry turned out better than most expected. In a blue shirt could Townsend not turn out better than most expect would expect from a free transfer? At least give the fella a half decent crack at the whip, before writing him of as not fit to lace up other player boots.

What he said.

[Hafnia]

Paul power, David Weir, Richard Gough, Peter Reid, Andy Gray, Nigel Martyn..... Plenty of good players at the latter parts of their careers not just Barry. 

 

[Tonsta]

23 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

Paul power, David Weir, Richard Gough, Peter Reid, Andy Gray, Nigel Martyn..... Plenty of good players at the latter parts of their careers not just Barry. 

 

Yes nothing wrong with age, its talent they lack, all the above been there done it got the t-shirt.

The three we are talking about, been no where, done nothing.

[Romey 1878]

You can’t win whatever really can you? Criticise before they’ve signed and you’re not giving them a chance, and then if you criticise them once it’s known that they are crap you’ll hear talk of hindsight being a wonderful thing.

[Romey 1878]

He’s signed now. Yippee. 

[Romey 1878]

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2193729/townsend-joins-everton 

[London Blue]

Welcome Andros!!

 

[Isaiah]

Welcome, and very glad to see a 2-year contract and not some stupid 5-year thing we've been known to hand out to all and sundry.

[StevO]

Feel very indifferent about this one. Actually, using the word feel doesn’t seem right either. 
Meh. 

[StevO]

Don’t give him a decent squad number please. Save that number 11 for someone exciting.  

[MikeO]

50 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

He’s signed now. Yippee. 

No yippee here but will reserve judgement (realise your yippee very tongue very firmly in cheek).

[Gwlad all over]

Welcome, Andros. You need to get stuck in straight away, we need you! 

[MikeO]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAatB_Vdzzw&ab_channel=EvertonFootballClub

Cracking interview that, hope he can follow through.

[Sibdane]

42 minutes ago, StevO said:

Feel very indifferent about this one. Actually, using the word feel doesn’t seem right either. 
Meh. 

Meh is the word. I think he'll be useful, but I'll be pissed if he's considered a starter. 

[Gwlad all over]

impressed with attitude and ambition accepting he's here as a squad player but wants to prove he's more than that. Confident and smiling in the vein of DCL and Ben. Hope he does well and he has a US visa!!!

[Wiggytop]

I’ll reserve judgement on him, but what I do know is is we need to make the most out of DCL’s aerial prowess with players who can put a decent ball into the box for him to attack, whenever he does play that’s what I primarily want him to do.

[Bill]

Scruffy fucker wants to get a shave before I applaud the signing.

[RuffRob]

45 minutes ago, Wiggytop said:

I’ll reserve judgement on him, but what I do know is is we need to make the most out of DCL’s aerial prowess with players who can put a decent ball into the box for him to attack, whenever he does play that’s what I primarily want him to do.

Apparently he was the most accurate crosser of the ball in the Premiership last season. And he put in the 15th most crosses of any player - so not like it only a small number of crosses attempted. So DCL should love it.  

10 games under Benitez - 3 goals and 2 assists.  Not as big as sample as the crossing stats - but a positive one none the least  

 

 

[Zoo 2.0]

2 minutes ago, RuffRob said:

Apparently he was the most accurate crosser of the ball in the Premiership last season. 

I thought I was in the Begovic thread and got really confused about this stat .

[RuffRob]

1 minute ago, Zoo 2.0 said:

I thought I was in the Begovic thread and got really confused about this stat .

[Cornish Steve]

Let's hope he's more Lennon 2.0 than Bolasie 2.0. He has everything to prove, which is usually a good thing.

[Matt]

Well... I look forward to being proven wrong. 

Again...

I'm noticing a trend of late....

[MC11]

On paper it looks an underwhelming signing but I genuinely believe it’ll turn out to be a good one. Works hard, has pace and doesn’t think he’s a superstar. 

[SpartyBlue]

1 hour ago, Cornish Steve said:

Let's hope he's more Lennon 2.0 than Bolasie 2.0. He has everything to prove, which is usually a good thing.

Already a proven premier league player. He can never be Bolasie because he’s cost us nothing to sign. Not much downside here

[c1982]

6 hours ago, Bailey said:

Do you seriously believe Andros Townsend is as good as Arjen Robben?

I wish people would stop comparing older signings to Gareth Barry. Barry was a brilliant footballer who was an integral part of cup winnings sides. Townsend (and Delph before him) aren't fit to lace his boots.

You don't need wingers, you need to create space to put in a cross. For example Dwight McNeil would put in better crosses than either of these two, so would Siggy. Neither of these players are that quick either. People talk like they are as quick as Walcott but I don't see it. They might be a bit quicker than Iwobi but it is negligible. I just feel like a lot of the comments made by people about these players are not based on what they have actually seen them do.

We also didn't have to play full backs in the wing positions last season, they were Carlo's choices. He also hung all of our wingers out to dry last season and I expect better from every single one of them this year.

I would rather none of them came off the bench if I am honest, but I would still take Iwobi.

That presumes that we sell the other two. Bernard looks like he is going but there are no reports about Iwobi. Its a false economy if we end up with 3 crap players on the bench costing more money than two players on the bench. You shouldn't forget that these cheap or free signings will come with hefty sign on fees in the same way Bernard will have.

Maybe Iwobi gets a chance in his preferred role - I’d certainly be willing to give him a chance. Bernard is off (almost certainly), I can’t see James sticking around unfortunately and Gylfi… who knows?! So maybe Iwobi/Gordon get a chance in a advanced central area.

[Newty82]

Welcome. Every player deserves a welcome.

Rafa. Begovic. Townsend. Gray. Thank you...this is what I've needed for years. As for the first time in many years I aint getting excited for the season ahead.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

 

[Romey 1878]

 

2 minutes ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

 

FFS Dross, don't make me like you!

[Sibdane]

3 minutes ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

 

Love the NSNO reference. I'm a fan now. 

[Sibdane]

Also, he looks a lot happier than Lennon when he signed!

[Bailey]

6 hours ago, Hafnia said:

Do I believe that Andros Townsend is as good as Arjen Robben????  No, absolutely 100% not .

Which reinforcees my point that Townsend was touted as world class but was just very good.  I think you missed that but thanks for helping me make it clear.

What I will say is that neither iwobi or Bernard are wingers ..... Townsend and Gray are.  Rafa is clearly trying to use width and pace ...... It make pure sense. 

 

 

When has he even shown that he is very good? 

I think it remains to be seen whether he uses width and pace. Townsend doesn't even have standout pace in my opinion. 

6 hours ago, MikeO said:

I think the comparisons with Barry come from the fact that virtually nobody thought signing him was a good idea, kudos to those that did but they were definitely in a minority.

Your comparing apples with pears though. Barry is a much better footballer than the others he has been compared to. The same argument gets used about young players turning into Kane. Its about the type of player and not their age.

5 hours ago, RuffRob said:

I think its fair enough to compare older players with Barry - especially in the context of at the time loads of people moaned about Barry as a signing due to him being an aged footballer on a free (the typical - 'is that the level we are aiming for' comments). Did anybody truly call it that Barry would have turned out such a fantastic signing for us. 

Its about the immediate negative moaning about a signing before he has even had a chance to kick a ball for the club. Barry turned out better than most expected. In a blue shirt could Townsend not turn out better than most expect would expect from a free transfer? At least give the fella a half decent crack at the whip, before writing him of as not fit to lace up other player boots.

I have never said he isn't good enough for the shirt. I think he will have a place in the squad but I don't like the idea of signing backups when our backups are already hit and miss. If certain other players move on and he fills their boots then fine, I can understand it. If they stay then we are just bloating our bench with average players.

As I said before Barry was an excellent footballer who had played at the highest level. He never relied on pace or anything like that. His footballing decline was always going to be slow. He also came here on loan first. Townend shares none of those attributes and even in the best case scenario he clearly isnt going to have anywhere near the impact of Barry.

I just think it is a really lazy comparison to make.

[badaids]

I think he's going to do alright for us.  Came on a free, expectations are low from him and I believe him when he says he'll give his all.  Welcome and good luck Andros.

[MikeO]

5 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Your comparing apples with pears though. Barry is a much better footballer than the others he has been compared to.

Not at all, I'm comparing fan reaction and expectation, Barry was seen as a big mistake who proved us all wrong. Hopefully Townsend will do the same, time will tell.

[Gwlad all over]

3 hours ago, Bill said:

Scruffy fucker wants to get a shave before I applaud the signing.

Up to a point I agree ( he is half Greek Cypriot so it suits him) but my eldest has gone for the same beard during lockdown, not impressed.

[RuffRob]

41 minutes ago, Bailey said:

When has he even shown that he is very good? 

I think it remains to be seen whether he uses width and pace. Townsend doesn't even have standout pace in my opinion. 

Your comparing apples with pears though. Barry is a much better footballer than the others he has been compared to. The same argument gets used about young players turning into Kane. Its about the type of player and not their age.

I have never said he isn't good enough for the shirt. I think he will have a place in the squad but I don't like the idea of signing backups when our backups are already hit and miss. If certain other players move on and he fills their boots then fine, I can understand it. If they stay then we are just bloating our bench with average players.

As I said before Barry was an excellent footballer who had played at the highest level. He never relied on pace or anything like that. His footballing decline was always going to be slow. He also came here on loan first. Townend shares none of those attributes and even in the best case scenario he clearly isnt going to have anywhere near the impact of Barry.

I just think it is a really lazy comparison to make.

Think your missing the whole point - At the time of his signing Barry was not a popular signing due to age and his profile. Don't tell me Barry was a popular signing with most people at the time and that we all knew he would do so well in the arse end of his career. Most bitched about it! 

Nobody is saying Townsend will be as good as Barry for us if you read the posts properly. You say 'clearly not going have anywhere near the impact of Barry' before he's kicked a ball for us. What crystal ball you using to have such 'clarity' That's  lazy if anything is. 

I am not saying he's 'clearly' going to be as good a signing as Barry. I am saying he is not a particular popular signing (similar to Barry - thus a valid comparison in this respect) , but might actual prove to be quite good value.

[barryj]

Really impressed with his interview. Spoke brilliantly. I wish him all the best and look forward to someone that can finally get good quality crosses in from the right. 

[pete0]

Replacing Walcott, with a less good Walcott.

[Btay]

1 hour ago, pete0 said:

Replacing Walcott, with a less good Walcott.

At least we haven’t forked out 20+ million for this squad player which is all walcott should have been. I would also think he is on about half the wages of bernard. He really only has to work hard and chip in with a few goals and assist’s and he’s done his part 

[Hafnia]

7 hours ago, Bailey said:

When has he even shown that he is very good? 

I think it remains to be seen whether he uses width and pace. Townsend doesn't even have standout pace in my opinion. 

Your comparing apples with pears though. Barry is a much better footballer than the others he has been compared to. The same argument gets used about young players turning into Kane. Its about the type of player and not their age.

I have never said he isn't good enough for the shirt. I think he will have a place in the squad but I don't like the idea of signing backups when our backups are already hit and miss. If certain other players move on and he fills their boots then fine, I can understand it. If they stay then we are just bloating our bench with average players.

As I said before Barry was an excellent footballer who had played at the highest level. He never relied on pace or anything like that. His footballing decline was always going to be slow. He also came here on loan first. Townend shares none of those attributes and even in the best case scenario he clearly isnt going to have anywhere near the impact of Barry.

I just think it is a really lazy comparison to make.

Man of the match on his England debut. Scored a screamer from 25 yards. 

13 England caps and 3 goals.  

Leon Osman was very good and he never got those caps .....

I think it's fair to say that he has been considered very good.  

I understand this doesn't fit your confirmation bias and he is doomed before he kicks a ball but I'm ok with this signing.

[Palfy]

I have no idea where this club is heading anymore, in 4 years we have gone one of the biggest spenders in the league, to a bargain basement team, why does Brands think Townsend and Grey will make good squad players for us, yet Palace and Leicester obviously don’t and they have worked with them for years. And what’s with I liked his interview he talks a good game I was really impressed, they mean absolutely squat, for me 2 very desperate signings that will do nothing to progress the team, and then we can all blame Rafa in 6 months time because he hasn’t done anything. 

[RuffRob]

51 minutes ago, Palfy said:

I have no idea where this club is heading anymore, in 4 years we have gone one of the biggest spenders in the league, to a bargain basement team, why does Brands think Townsend and Grey will make good squad players for us, yet Palace and Leicester obviously don’t and they have worked with them for years. And what’s with I liked his interview he talks a good game I was really impressed, they mean absolutely squat, for me 2 very desperate signings that will do nothing to progress the team, and then we can all blame Rafa in 6 months time because he hasn’t done anything. 

It's likely down to FFP.  You have to balance the books over a 3 year period. We have had a few year of over spend, this year is likely to be a more frugle year meeting the balance by underspend.

Our problem is success and the money that come with that has not materialised to help balance the books. So because no massive increase in income has happened, spending less for a period is the only way to get the balance needed. 

 

 

[MikeO]

8 hours ago, Gwlad all over said:

Up to a point I agree ( he is half Greek Cypriot so it suits him) but my eldest has gone for the same beard during lockdown, not impressed.

I tried the beard route myself (for about the 20th time in my life), my brother has one and it looks really good. Me? I just look like a tramp