Andy Thorn - City won't be held to ransom

[Coventry La La La]

The newly-installed Coventry City boss is waiting to hear if key trio Marlon King, Aron Gunnarsson and Keiren Westwood will be signing new deals.

But after the Sky Blues closed their campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Premier League-bound Norwich City he stressed: “We won’t be held to ransom.

Speaking to the CT Andy Thorn said.

“We’ve made our offers and made it clear that we want them to stay but there’s nothing more we can do now – the ball’s in their court.

“It’s down to them to make their decisions and it will be fantastic if they decide to stay, but I won’t let the club go into the pre-season without replacements.

"This is a big club and we’re going places; if some people don’t want to come with us on that ride, no problem – we’ll look for others who do.

“I’ve got my list just in case people don’t re-sign and I won’t be led down the garden path.

"If that starts to happen, I’ll make the decision because we need to move on.”

 

[mustaphasbeard]

so that's westwood, king and gunnarson gone, then!

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

What about the transfer embargo? Surely we would have seen in the press if this had been lifted?

 

[covcity4life]

makes sense

 

[ajsccfc]

Does the transfer embargo definitely affect the renewal of players already with the club?

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

Does the transfer embargo definitely affect the renewal of players already with the club?

It definitely affects bringing in new players.

 

[sw88]

Thorn very direct isnt he, and to the point! No wonder the board like him! Its ttue what he says tho. No player is bigger than the club so if their asking for more money, they shud just do one. Dont need wasters here!

 

[ajsccfc]

It definitely affects bringing in new players.

But it wouldn't prevent our players signing new contracts right? I've never been sure of the specifics.

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

But it wouldn't prevent our players signing new contracts right? I've never been sure of the specifics.

I don't think so, but it's difficult to find out any real details.

 

[Tankie]

Heros when they play for us, Wasters if they don't, the absolute definition of "FICKLE" Do you sit/ stand, in block 15 by any chance.

I Agree that if they dont want to sign, "Jog em on" but do we really have to slag them off, after the service they have done for the club and the fans, and probably unsure about where next weeks wages were coming from too, These players owe us nothing, if they choose to go,.....so be it, and good luck to them.

Tankie...

 

[ashbyjan]

Probably the most predictable headline of the season - we offer contracts to three players (although there is some debate as to whether a new offer was ever made to Westy) and everyone is overjoyed - now when it turns out those offers were not good enough and were never going to be good enough and its the players who are greedy and holding the club to ransom. Simply we cannot compete with other comparable sized clubs when it comes to wages - whether this is due to mismanagement or misguided owners is another debate but these contracts were never going to be signed and the news of ofers was as ever with these clowns another example of smoke and mirrors.

 

[rob9872]

I agree totally Tankie but please don't lump all of the block 15'ers as one. Unusually disrespectful from you Tankie, we'll call it a minor aberration Yes there are some 'naughty boys' over there and it will of course always attract the chavs but not all are and some wil just like the atmosphere and being part of the 'loud' section. It's not for me but respect to those who do.

 

[oldskyblue58]

But it wouldn't prevent our players signing new contracts right? I've never been sure of the specifics.

League rules for Championship clubs apply embargo to new players and those renewing.

 

[skybluetom]

Heros when they play for us, Wasters if they don't, the absolute definition of "FICKLE" Do you sit/ stand, in block 15 by any chance.

I Agree that if they dont want to sign, "Jog em on" but do we really have to slag them off, after the service they have done for the club and the fans, and probably unsure about where next weeks wages were coming from too, These players owe us nothing, if they choose to go,.....so be it, and good luck to them.

Tankie...

Totally agree, I hate the fact there seems to be an anti Westie thing going on because he's leaving. He was never that good anyway is all I keep hearing which is just people being bitter. For the money we paid for Westie and for the service he's given us I certainly won't have any complaints. People forget he came to us from the the lower leagues to better himself, nobody was complaining then were they.

 

[mattylad]

Probably the most predictable headline of the season - we offer contracts to three players (although there is some debate as to whether a new offer was ever made to Westy) and everyone is overjoyed - now when it turns out those offers were not good enough and were never going to be good enough and its the players who are greedy and holding the club to ransom. Simply we cannot compete with other comparable sized clubs when it comes to wages - whether this is due to mismanagement or misguided owners is another debate but these contracts were never going to be signed and the news of ofers was as ever with these clowns another example of smoke and mirrors.

So you were responsible for printing these contract offers? or just wild speculation with no true fact to back them up....................

 

[TheParsonsHose]

Thats what football fans do because we get bitter when people leave for bigger things.

 

[We'll_live_and_die]

Heros when they play for us, Wasters if they don't, the absolute definition of "FICKLE" Do you sit/ stand, in block 15 by any chance.

I Agree that if they dont want to sign, "Jog em on" but do we really have to slag them off, after the service they have done for the club and the fans, and probably unsure about where next weeks wages were coming from too, These players owe us nothing, if they choose to go,.....so be it, and good luck to them.

Tankie...

Why was this posted? I can't see who it may be a response to?

 

[ashbyjan]

Not wild speculation but educated guesswork based on long experience of how this club operates. Did anyone actually expect these contracts to be signed? The fact is we are skint and there was no way the contracts were going to be attractive enough to keep the players - what I dislike is the fact that because the players haven't fallen over themselves to sign these last minute contracts and are exercising there right to seek other offers they are being accused of holding the club to ransom. Like I said smoke and mirrors. I don't want the club to be offering contracts we cannot afford as that is what nearly killed the club in the first place but lets not treat the fans as idiots by blaming the players for holding the club to ransom for refusing to sign contracts when they can earn more elsewhere.

 

[Tankie]

I agree totally Tankie but please don't lump all of the block 15'ers as one. Unusually disrespectful from you Tankie, we'll call it a minor aberration Yes there are some 'naughty boys' over there and it will of course always attract the chavs but not all are and some wil just like the atmosphere and being part of the 'loud' section. It's not for me but respect to those who do.

Apologies Rob, I was just trying to evoke a reaction, from what seems to be an unreactionary forum,We need LBB, to liven it up.
I'm sure there are some good fans in block 15, apolgies to them too, " heading for the naughty stool"
Regards Tank top.......

 

[rob9872]

lol no worries mate - yeah where is LBB?

 

[Coventry La La La]

LBB?..........

 

[smileycov]

Leicester botty boys?

 

[Tankie]

L.b.b

La la La,
To give him his full title, "Leamington Boot Boy" this is something of a misleading user name, his posts on the now defunct ic Telegraph
"Sky Blue Forum" were nothing short of intelligent, witty and,sometimes wlckedly confrontational, he upset many users with his unforgiving replies, but the mods never really got on his back, and they were indulgent of him, He was certainly a major player on the Forum, you either liked him, feared him or hated him, he was a top poster in my opinion,....And i miss his wit..

La La la......Is this enough to ban him??????:thinking about:

 

[Macca]

LBB is a top chap. Emotional and passionate and sometimes irrational! Happy to give credit where due but doesn't suffer fools gladly. Best posts always around 1.30 a.m after a few shandies. Anybody know what happened to Telegraph forum after going off line for "a few days" "for maintenance". Nice to see Rob, Tankie SW88 and KG82 amongst others on here.

 

[Disorganised1]

This sounds suspiciously like sound business practise from Thorn.

 

[Macca]

There is a difference between being held to ransom and offering shit contracts I guess, but without knowledge of what the offers are we can't comment.

 

[Paxman II]

There must be an 'average' wage level for players at this level? There may be some additional structures where bonus and experienced players are concerned like King but overall a standard of pay that any club in this league will be willing to and have to offer.
The exception to that would be any club who feel they may want to offer well over and above that for say someone like King and therefore that player may wish to move on if that offer exist.
For the likes of Gunnarsson i doubt he will get much better elsewhere. King could be lucky with say Leicester under Erickson who want to spend for promotion but just how much more? King would have to assess just what he owes this club and how good they could be under Thorn next year if he remains a part of it? The way to do that from the clubs point of view would be in greater win/goals bonuses. If we keep winning and therefore crowds keep coming then we have the finance to pay those bonuses.
For Westwood he is still young and has a longer career ahead of him still to come and will get offers from perhaps premier league or even Celtic. That we can't compete with so he will go for his career not so much just about money. However I feel the steam has gone out of Westwood as a big steal? He may find few offers are made and another year with us punching for promotion may be a viable option with of course improved terms.

Guess what I suggesting is that Thorn has this figured out and makes his statement that if they take too much time over signing a new deal then clearly they will release them and move on and those 3 players should be careful who if any are snapping at their heels with better offers?

 

[Coventry La La La]

La la La,
To give him his full title, "Leamington Boot Boy" this is something of a misleading user name, his posts on the now defunct ic Telegraph
"Sky Blue Forum" were nothing short of intelligent, witty and,sometimes wlckedly confrontational, he upset many users with his unforgiving replies, but the mods never really got on his back, and they were indulgent of him, He was certainly a major player on the Forum, you either liked him, feared him or hated him, he was a top poster in my opinion,....And i miss his wit..

La La la......Is this enough to ban him??????:thinking about:

Nope everyone get's a chance, as long as he play's by the rules I won't have any reason to ban him.

 

[skybluesteve76]

Fair play Andy Thorn! There are other decent keepers midfielders and strikers in the country! I'd love them to stay but I for one dont think they will so if they dont wanna then move on we will! PUSB!!

 

[mattylad]

Not wild speculation but educated guesswork based on long experience of how this club operates. Did anyone actually expect these contracts to be signed? The fact is we are skint and there was no way the contracts were going to be attractive enough to keep the players - what I dislike is the fact that because the players haven't fallen over themselves to sign these last minute contracts and are exercising there right to seek other offers they are being accused of holding the club to ransom. Like I said smoke and mirrors. I don't want the club to be offering contracts we cannot afford as that is what nearly killed the club in the first place but lets not treat the fans as idiots by blaming the players for holding the club to ransom for refusing to sign contracts when they can earn more elsewhere.

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What i dont get though is how you know none of them are going to sign? Westwood yes that seems obvious i agree but the other two you have no more to go on than a guess and so lets not throw baby out with the bath water just yet

 

[The Reverend Skyblue]

You tell them Thorny.
Yes they are good players,but everyone can be replaced.
Out of the three i'd like King to resign and i'm a little hopeful he will.
Many many good keepers out there waiting for a chance with a superclub like ours.
Gunnar is Gunnar,great one week, average next week,easily replaced.

The Rev

 

[Macca]

But if they are being offered peanuts then turning it down wouldn't really be holding the club to ransom. As I say how can we comment without knowing whats on the table

 

[ajsccfc]

All we've really heard is that King was delighted to be offered it, which suggests it was at least a competitive offer. Either that or Andy Thorn legged it before Marlon got a chance to read it.

 

[Macca]

can't imagine AT going at any kind of pace!

 

[SkyBlueMania]

i reckon we could find a decent keeper without too much of a problem, there seems to be a load out there atm. Strikers on the other hand are few and far between, could be difficult to replace Marlon