Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:03 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

Give over, how many times did he miss out on the squad when fit? Once or twice immediately following injury absences?

You're shooting the messenger! I happen to agree with you.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:04 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

You're shooting the messenger! I happen to agree with you.

I think it's probably nonsense about him being unhappy about opportunities - Simmons clearly rates him and has had him in whenever fit. He chose him ahead of Pryce for the GF too.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:10 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

I think it's probably nonsense about him being unhappy about opportunities - Simmons clearly rates him and has had him in whenever fit. He chose him ahead of Pryce for the GF too.

Suit yourself, everyone's allowed to make wrong assumptions!
FWIW this came to light before the GF. He HAS been talking to other clubs - maybe a bench spot in the GF placated him. Time will tell.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:18 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

I think it's probably nonsense about him being unhappy about opportunities - Simmons clearly rates him and has had him in whenever fit. He chose him ahead of Pryce for the GF too.

He could be using it as a tool for an improved or longer contract? We all know players/agents do that sort of thing so it could be that. I thought he always seemed to be in when fit so it does seem strange he is upset about oppertunities?

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 12:29 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

Suit yourself, everyone's allowed to make wrong assumptions!
FWIW this came to light before the GF. He HAS been talking to other clubs - maybe a bench spot in the GF placated him. Time will tell.

If someone can name a time during the season where he was fit/available for longer than 1/2 weeks without being in the 17, I'd be surprised. He also stays in the 17 until he gets injured again.

If he's genuinely "frustrated" at the opportunities given to him by Saints, he's not right in the head. Everyone at Saints desperately wants a fit Gary Wheeler in the team, it's his body that is costing him that place.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:13 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

If someone can name a time during the season where he was fit/available for longer than 1/2 weeks without being in the 17, I'd be surprised. He also stays in the 17 until he gets injured again.

If he's genuinely "frustrated" at the opportunities given to him by Saints, he's not right in the head. Everyone at Saints desperately wants a fit Gary Wheeler in the team, it's his body that is costing him that place.

Calm down. As I said, maybe a GF berth in the 17 placated him or, as has been posted above, it could be a pre-negotiation ploy.
Of course, it could be that he is exploring avenues for 2013 when his current deal expires, as any prudent player would.
ATEOTD I don't care either way since I haven't seen enough of him playing to comment. If your assertions are correct, however, then he may be worth a punt.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:24 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

Calm down. As I said, maybe a GF berth in the 17 placated him or, as has been posted above, it could be a pre-negotiation ploy.
Of course, it could be that he is exploring avenues for 2013 when his current deal expires, as any prudent player would.
ATEOTD I don't care either way since I haven't seen enough of him playing to comment. If your assertions are correct, however, then he may be worth a punt.

Wasn't aimed at you (I know I quoted you, but it was more the content than the poster), just saying I'd be amazed if he could possibly form a coherent argument to assert that Saints weren't giving him every possible opportunity.

Anyway, here's hoping it's all rollocks.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 4:25 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

Wasn't aimed at you (I know I quoted you, but it was more the content than the poster), just saying I'd be amazed if he could possibly form a coherent argument to assert that Saints weren't giving him every possible opportunity.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 5:21 pm  

Wheeler is a cracking young player but due to his injury record he'd be a punt. I'd take that punt if he was out of contract but he isn't so a transfer fee would need to be agreed. That would need to be a reasonable price and if it was I'd be up for it but can't see it as a realistic option.

Re: Rumours and signings v8 : Thu Oct 20, 2011 6:36 pm  

inside_man wrote:

I'm a fan of Wheeler, but if we were looking at signing him I'd be looking at playing him in the halves. I know we need a centre, but Wheeler is more first team ready (injuries aside) than someone like Mellor.

You can blame Madge for that, Mellor should have gained some experience last year.