This is key . If he goes and we can buy a championship standard replacement( plus add ons with Kone) then worse things can happen. I can't see them selling without this in place . It would make a mockery of everything they have done to strengthen us for promotion if they sold him without this in place in my opinion .
I can't shake the feeling Butcher has been genuinely hard done by. He was a major cog at the end of last season (when we had top six form) and any bad displays this season were more likely rust than anything else. I still prefer him to both Tyreeq and Leahy in midfield.
I am not thrilled about the destination for Butch, as Rovers are one of the clubs Shrewsbury have a theoretical chance of catching. But that can't be helped.
We have just moved out on loan two capable league 1 players in Butcher and Hartridge having bought in some expensive options in midfield and defence, plus Caleb back on loan.
This to me feels like DR and ML going all in for the push on automatic promotion. In that scenario it wouldn't be sensible to sell Kone unless the bid is truly around £10m up front AND we have a replacement ready to sign.
I'm actually thinking we might have space (?) to add a couple more specialist wing backs to the mix.
I was wondering if they could end on a signing tonight, after announcing these departures on the same day.
Or also if a management announcement could be imminent.
Good luck to them both - was really noticeable how much esteem Exeter fans hold in Hartridge, when he was a sub warming up down their end at Adam Park, so hope his return goes well.
Think Butcher is a good player at this level and needs to be playing first team football.
I don’t think Butcher has been particularly hard done by.
Scowen, Morley and Humphreys were all undroppable when we played with a single pivot. We tried to play Butcher in that single pivot system (with Morley as single pivot at the base) and it didn’t work - Butch is far too laboured in build up. One footed. Wooden. Slow on the half turn. Good at breaking up the play, but not particularly strong on second balls and weak at progressive passing.
We also tried to play him in a double pivot (as an actual pivot) - even more of an issue because he lacks the agility to progress us up pitch. Bakinson proved on Tuesday exactly why he’s chosen ahead of Butcher with an excellent performance
Is Butcher a really good person? Yeah he comes across as a lovely bloke in interviews. Was he excellent at times last season? Yeah. Has he played well this season? Once in my opinion. He’s had a larger chunk of poor performances though.
He’s not had much of a chance. It must have been incredibly frustrating, but it was simply infeasible to play him out of guilt. The alternative options have all been much better this season.
I wish him all the best of luck. I’m sure he’ll do well at Rovers.
My favourite moment of the new training video is Kone seeing Caleb Taylor and saying "Hey - we don't need you. Go back." to which Caleb responds by mock strangling Rich in a headlock.
Mansfield’s George Williams would fit the bill of a full back who can play right and left back.
Out of the first team picture at Field Mill and plenty of experience in League One. I remember him playing (well) against us for Cambridge in both positions.
So after tonight’s dealings I make that 5 in and 4 out so far this transfer window. Only really seen Bradley play out of the new lads. He’s been excellent so let’s hope they all an upgrade on the players lost. But how interesting will the closing weekend of the window be?
@Shev Not really. I think it was accepted by the terrace singers on Saturday that Andy Carroll was a low bar to start with. Eaves still couldn't get close to clearing it, though.
Comments
This is key . If he goes and we can buy a championship standard replacement( plus add ons with Kone) then worse things can happen. I can't see them selling without this in place . It would make a mockery of everything they have done to strengthen us for promotion if they sold him without this in place in my opinion .
Good lord . Don't insult the massiah . Ffs 😂
These worst places to live lists are always an absolute joke
To put Windsor and Henley anywhere near the top of any list like that even dafter.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg4534grnpdo
Hartridge back to Exeter
and butcher to Rovers.
space for more to come in?
Yes. I’d certainly be shocked if we continued the season without a right/left back coming in. Maybe one that can play both sides.
We've just brought a tonne in and already had a packed squad.
Though maybe there's a Morley shaped hole?
No, we mustn't..it's over.
Any news on David Wheeler? All seems to have gone very quiet on him.
I can't shake the feeling Butcher has been genuinely hard done by. He was a major cog at the end of last season (when we had top six form) and any bad displays this season were more likely rust than anything else. I still prefer him to both Tyreeq and Leahy in midfield.
A full back that can play both sides is a bit of a unicorn isn’t it?
RB, LB and a Morley (at least one of whom counting as u21) if I was being completely gready and had no cares in the world for money.
https://x.com/wwfcofficial/status/1885047832828121284
I am not thrilled about the destination for Butch, as Rovers are one of the clubs Shrewsbury have a theoretical chance of catching. But that can't be helped.
0.00067%
We have just moved out on loan two capable league 1 players in Butcher and Hartridge having bought in some expensive options in midfield and defence, plus Caleb back on loan.
This to me feels like DR and ML going all in for the push on automatic promotion. In that scenario it wouldn't be sensible to sell Kone unless the bid is truly around £10m up front AND we have a replacement ready to sign.
I'm actually thinking we might have space (?) to add a couple more specialist wing backs to the mix.
I might turn my phone off on Monday though ...
I'm the same, I feel genuinely sorry for him
I was wondering if they could end on a signing tonight, after announcing these departures on the same day.
Or also if a management announcement could be imminent.
Good luck to them both - was really noticeable how much esteem Exeter fans hold in Hartridge, when he was a sub warming up down their end at Adam Park, so hope his return goes well.
Think Butcher is a good player at this level and needs to be playing first team football.
Yes and no. Butcher's bottom level was worse than both of the above when he came in for a few games earlier in the season, looked very rusty indeed.
Yes, partly down to not playing much, but when you had the Morley-Scowen-Humphreys triumvirate, it was always going to be battling for scraps.
I don’t think Butcher has been particularly hard done by.
Scowen, Morley and Humphreys were all undroppable when we played with a single pivot. We tried to play Butcher in that single pivot system (with Morley as single pivot at the base) and it didn’t work - Butch is far too laboured in build up. One footed. Wooden. Slow on the half turn. Good at breaking up the play, but not particularly strong on second balls and weak at progressive passing.
We also tried to play him in a double pivot (as an actual pivot) - even more of an issue because he lacks the agility to progress us up pitch. Bakinson proved on Tuesday exactly why he’s chosen ahead of Butcher with an excellent performance
Is Butcher a really good person? Yeah he comes across as a lovely bloke in interviews. Was he excellent at times last season? Yeah. Has he played well this season? Once in my opinion. He’s had a larger chunk of poor performances though.
He’s not had much of a chance. It must have been incredibly frustrating, but it was simply infeasible to play him out of guilt. The alternative options have all been much better this season.
I wish him all the best of luck. I’m sure he’ll do well at Rovers.
I'm glad i'm not the only one who though Bakinson had a good game on Tuesday.
Butch did well last season, and we'll always have Valley Parade.
My favourite moment of the new training video is Kone seeing Caleb Taylor and saying "Hey - we don't need you. Go back." to which Caleb responds by mock strangling Rich in a headlock.
Ideal signs of the atmosphere we all hope for there.
It's going to be fascinating how we go about choosing our centre back combo going forward.
Gracey should start Skura v Cambridge just for the ultimate sign of strength!
Mansfield’s George Williams would fit the bill of a full back who can play right and left back.
Out of the first team picture at Field Mill and plenty of experience in League One. I remember him playing (well) against us for Cambridge in both positions.
I think he’s a Londoner too.
The perfect injury to deter potential suitors. Do we think that Sam Grace punched him?
How about Denis Irwin he can play LB and RB?
He went 12 rounds with the "Sh*t Andy Carroll" on Saturday - I'm surprised all he got was a broken nose.
Such a confusing nickname, as it implies Andy Carroll is decent.
So after tonight’s dealings I make that 5 in and 4 out so far this transfer window. Only really seen Bradley play out of the new lads. He’s been excellent so let’s hope they all an upgrade on the players lost. But how interesting will the closing weekend of the window be?
@Shev Not really. I think it was accepted by the terrace singers on Saturday that Andy Carroll was a low bar to start with. Eaves still couldn't get close to clearing it, though.
He’s joined Drogheda United on a season-long loan.
Decent loan 😉 chance of 1 more going out for game time elsewhere, perhaps even 2, 3 or 4 more beyond Alex and Matt depending how discussions conclude.