I was grateful to you yesterday for supporting my view that releasing 20 year old Al-Hamadi was a mistake but I couldn’t understand your contention (several months ago) that Max Stryjek was one of the worst goalkeepers in League 1. At least that’s how it came across.
Max is plainly one of the very best and, not only that, he is one of the game’s great characters and, as someone else has mentioned, arguably our best signing of the season. In fact, I can’t think of anyone better - perhaps because, apart from Mawson, I can’t remember who else we’ve signed this season !
The dilemma? Reconciling two disparate views. One either deliberately provocative or just plain wrong (Max) ; the other, clearly more perceptive than the views of the two or three Gasroomers who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that releasing Al-Hamadi (especially if it was for free) may prove to have been ill-judged.
And referring to @glasshalffull as ‘darling’ seemed odd.
This is a good question. The original announcement on the official website made no reference to the length of his contract. It would also be unusual to not have clauses to extend the deal in the clubs' favour.
I like most have been assuming it was a one year deal. This wouldn't be that strange though given Max wanted out at Livingston and would have been seen as something of a risk for us at the time. Let's face it, the goalkeeping situation was pretty desperate.
I'd love him to stay but would be equally happy to see someone come in with a large money offer for him to help us balance the books further.
If we can really start to build a reputation for identifying talent and selling that talent on at big prices, then hopefully this model can sustain our tilt at the Championship.
There has been quite a bit of media coverage of Max's performances recently, so something around the £1M mark wouldn't be wholly unrealistic. Assuming he has signed a longer deal.
How much we are paying the other club for him and how much we are paying him are surely separate. Desperate barely covers our position when he came in so anything is possible.
With freedom of contract we probably need to get a bit more used to someone coming in for a year, doing well and clearing off again but because we paid a fee of sorts and because he's great it'd be a massive shame to lose him. ...and of course him and his agent will know how well he's done and what other options he might have.
If Max does leave and I hope his doesn’t, will we go after Bishop again. United have now got four senior goalkeepers , De Gea, Butland, Heaton and Henderson( currently on loan), so plenty of cover allowing them to release their younger goalkeepers.
Comments
Got excited when I saw this thread resurface. He is one we really need to keep hold of.
I also think he has been our best signing.
You're getting dangerously obsessed by me, darling
Dilemma time @aloysius !
I was grateful to you yesterday for supporting my view that releasing 20 year old Al-Hamadi was a mistake but I couldn’t understand your contention (several months ago) that Max Stryjek was one of the worst goalkeepers in League 1. At least that’s how it came across.
Max is plainly one of the very best and, not only that, he is one of the game’s great characters and, as someone else has mentioned, arguably our best signing of the season. In fact, I can’t think of anyone better - perhaps because, apart from Mawson, I can’t remember who else we’ve signed this season !
The dilemma? Reconciling two disparate views. One either deliberately provocative or just plain wrong (Max) ; the other, clearly more perceptive than the views of the two or three Gasroomers who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that releasing Al-Hamadi (especially if it was for free) may prove to have been ill-judged.
And referring to @glasshalffull as ‘darling’ seemed odd.
To be fair, as an opinion goes that one was very memorable as being quite clearly “pants on head, pencils up each nose while shouting wibble” insane.
Almost as wrong as saying New Orleans is similar to Stoke.
Didn’t realise @aloysius had more than one knows.
One never nose. Hand on breast.
It’s all an allusion.
Mustn’t let him slip through our fingers.
Thanks captain pedantic. Everyone nose what I meant 😉
Hopefully we will soon get news that Max is staying on next season. That and Scowen staying would certainly be great news for us all.
Ffs... you got me all excited then !!
Not sure if the site has the functionality to edit thread titles on the go - would be useful though to add "until june 2025" on the end at some stage!
Are we sure Max only signed a one year deal? It seems quite unlikely...
This is a good question. The original announcement on the official website made no reference to the length of his contract. It would also be unusual to not have clauses to extend the deal in the clubs' favour.
I like most have been assuming it was a one year deal. This wouldn't be that strange though given Max wanted out at Livingston and would have been seen as something of a risk for us at the time. Let's face it, the goalkeeping situation was pretty desperate.
Perhaps we were keeping our options open in case Man U offered us another young keeper?
In Max's doggy interview, he made a comment about finding out where his future will be.
I'd love him to stay but would be equally happy to see someone come in with a large money offer for him to help us balance the books further.
If we can really start to build a reputation for identifying talent and selling that talent on at big prices, then hopefully this model can sustain our tilt at the Championship.
There has been quite a bit of media coverage of Max's performances recently, so something around the £1M mark wouldn't be wholly unrealistic. Assuming he has signed a longer deal.
Apologies, I can see where you are coming from. 🤦
Max's deal is an interesting one. No upfront fee, everything based on performance. I wonder if that had a bearing on the length of contract.
How much we are paying the other club for him and how much we are paying him are surely separate. Desperate barely covers our position when he came in so anything is possible.
With freedom of contract we probably need to get a bit more used to someone coming in for a year, doing well and clearing off again but because we paid a fee of sorts and because he's great it'd be a massive shame to lose him. ...and of course him and his agent will know how well he's done and what other options he might have.
If Max does leave and I hope his doesn’t, will we go after Bishop again. United have now got four senior goalkeepers , De Gea, Butland, Heaton and Henderson( currently on loan), so plenty of cover allowing them to release their younger goalkeepers.
Saw Bishop was on the bench for Man Utd v Newcastle at the weekend. Wonder what he makes of the whole thing.
Will we though? Bloomfield may well have totally different views on players to Gaz and Dobbo.
In his what?
I suspect Bishop was Lee Harrison’s recommendation to Gaz and now he’s back under Blooms.
What’s happened to Jay Cartwright on loan? What a bizarre signing!
He’s still here isn’t he? A better back up to Max than Tyla or the other kid (Josh?)
Someone's been watching too much Inbetweeners