Well yes, but some seem to be suggesting that expecting a modern-day defender to be good on the ball is a bit radical. And they don't have to be one thing or the other - you want your defenders to be well-rounded, which Forino (while not yet of the same quality as Stewart) and Tafazolli are.
I think we will be fine with Forino, who has Inspector Gadget-like qualities while adding bulk and experience. Taffs is fantastic too, though seems likely to miss a chunk of games. That being said, losing Stewart is a little devastating. These things happen, and hopefully he has some high profile performances in big games and gets to play in Europe. He'll be missed, though.
It'll be interesting what we do at centre back now.
Forino needs games to develop, but it'd be unthinkable for us not to bring an intended starter in to replace Stewart
There was a feeling we were a little light numbers wise at centre back last season anyway, but we probably won't bring 2 in. Grimmer or JJ can move across if we get stretched, or even return to a 3 at times.
In fairness when we had McCarthy for one of his earlier spells he played centre back, so potentially he'd make a better option there than Grimmer if needed?
Can you imagine turning around to Matt Bloomfield and saying sorry mate your not getting your testimonial for another two years because you didn’t play enough games in those two seasons you didn’t play much.
If you’re signed for a full season you’re here for a full season, irrelevant of the games you play.
Players play a huge role at this club off the field, probably more than any other club in the Football League.
I wonder if a testimonial was ever discussed for Anthony.
Anthony Stewart was regularly one of the players some of the doomsayers were worried about losing and predicting him being snapped up every close season..for good reason. Now he's not much cop?
His worst performances in the Championship were at left back, including an own goal. I don’t recall him playing in the centre but he was in a central position when he scored the OG.
I was thinking the other day when the announcement came whether I rated Stewart at his peak for us higher than Pierre at his peak for us. Probably not - I think Pierre was so immense, though he really benefited from that season alongside Mawson. However Stewart's peak came in the Championship, where he seemed perfectly at home. Would Pierre? He'll never get to the Championship now but I reckon he would have been brilliant alongside Tafazolli up there if he'd stuck with us.
HMRC has very specific rules surrounding Sporting Testimonials, in relation to tax & NI, but you're correct there is no rule that it has to be after 10years.
His performance at Brentford at left back was one of the worst in living memory. Unfortunately both McCarthy and Stewart are both very uncomfortable on their weaker left foot.
Comments
Well yes, but some seem to be suggesting that expecting a modern-day defender to be good on the ball is a bit radical. And they don't have to be one thing or the other - you want your defenders to be well-rounded, which Forino (while not yet of the same quality as Stewart) and Tafazolli are.
I think we will be fine with Forino, who has Inspector Gadget-like qualities while adding bulk and experience. Taffs is fantastic too, though seems likely to miss a chunk of games. That being said, losing Stewart is a little devastating. These things happen, and hopefully he has some high profile performances in big games and gets to play in Europe. He'll be missed, though.
It'll be interesting what we do at centre back now.
Forino needs games to develop, but it'd be unthinkable for us not to bring an intended starter in to replace Stewart
There was a feeling we were a little light numbers wise at centre back last season anyway, but we probably won't bring 2 in. Grimmer or JJ can move across if we get stretched, or even return to a 3 at times.
In fairness when we had McCarthy for one of his earlier spells he played centre back, so potentially he'd make a better option there than Grimmer if needed?
McCarthy at CB? Dear god, no! I'm still recovering from the last time (he played there once or twice in the Champ).
Signed his first pro contract with us in June 2011. He had 8 months with Crewe.
If my maths is correct that’s just over 10 seasons.
Must be a predictive text thing. I definitely typed Mawson.
Confirmed by typing it above
Your use of the word "full" before season suggests that you can't count 11/12 where he played 4 games.
Can you imagine turning around to Matt Bloomfield and saying sorry mate your not getting your testimonial for another two years because you didn’t play enough games in those two seasons you didn’t play much.
If you’re signed for a full season you’re here for a full season, irrelevant of the games you play.
Players play a huge role at this club off the field, probably more than any other club in the Football League.
I wonder if a testimonial was ever discussed for Anthony.
It's not so much about playing too little, as Stewart had many seasons he was injured for 3month blocks.
It's more about where you start the clock from really. Being part of the senior squad, first contract, when they join the youth system etc?
But generally testimonials are 10 years consecutively aren't they? That wasted season in the middle upset that.
Hopefully JJ can play on another 2 seasons and get one though.
Testimonials are awarded for a decade of continuous service
Absurd to suggest otherwise
JJ should get one regardless as I'm sure he'll retire here. The 10 years thing isn't a rule.
Anthony Stewart was regularly one of the players some of the doomsayers were worried about losing and predicting him being snapped up every close season..for good reason. Now he's not much cop?
I'm in the defenders defend camp at our level.
His worst performances in the Championship were at left back, including an own goal. I don’t recall him playing in the centre but he was in a central position when he scored the OG.
I was thinking the other day when the announcement came whether I rated Stewart at his peak for us higher than Pierre at his peak for us. Probably not - I think Pierre was so immense, though he really benefited from that season alongside Mawson. However Stewart's peak came in the Championship, where he seemed perfectly at home. Would Pierre? He'll never get to the Championship now but I reckon he would have been brilliant alongside Tafazolli up there if he'd stuck with us.
HMRC has very specific rules surrounding Sporting Testimonials, in relation to tax & NI, but you're correct there is no rule that it has to be after 10years.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sporting-testimonials-income-tax-and-national-insurance-payments
His performance at Brentford at left back was one of the worst in living memory. Unfortunately both McCarthy and Stewart are both very uncomfortable on their weaker left foot.