Hall set for Spurs move (From The Argus)

Let him go if that's what he wants! Hope the fee will be more than the 3 yrs wages come to as well.

Good luck to him with the move.

Reading between the lines he is chasing the money and if that is what his agent wants let him go, only players with B and H A at heart need apply.

Realistically a choice between our Development Squad or Spurs Development Squad. Will he ever play for Spurs? Odds against but it won't worry him too much. If he can stay motivated he will be back at our level in a few years time but substantially better off financially.

The last few games of last season were the possibly the trigger for some of our development squad to make important decisions. With nothing left to play for, the moment was ideal for the club to show confidence in the up and coming players, to give them the chance to play at a higher level and to show them they have a future. Instead they played out the meaningless end of season in the same development squad wondering where they would be next year. Now we know.... First team footie with Luton and Oxford and a challenging dream with Spurs reserves... And the hole that has been left still waits to be filled. Very strange. But as they who allegedly know better, in Gus we trust (just). Fingers crossed.

PS: No, I'm not HPR in disguise - and yes, I am still positive but I reserve the right to wrinkle a brow and wonder what path we are going down...

Curious that Gus should go to watch the Kingstonians game -unless to try to put a price on the head of Hall. It sounds very much as though he has abandoned Hall, but does not seem too concerned about it.

Would any of you really turn down more money to 'stay loyal' to your current employer?

We have let him go once already so can understand the decision - good luck to him I say

I wish the guy well but like another poster wonder when we will see replacements. Dont get me wrong, the 1st 11 looks very strong on paper give or take a couple and we know Gus has identified these areas, but in my mind we need to replace the 5 x loanees aswell as Cook, JFC, Kasim and of course Navarro totalling 9, 3 in thus far so should we be expecting another 6? I know some will say its about quality and i agree with that 100% but we also need a squad for when the tough times hit.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The last few games of last season were the possibly the trigger for some of our development squad to make important decisions. With nothing left to play for, the moment was ideal for the club to show confidence in the up and coming players, to give them the chance to play at a higher level and to show them they have a future. Instead they played out the meaningless end of season in the same development squad wondering where they would be next year. Now we know.... First team footie with Luton and Oxford and a challenging dream with Spurs reserves... And the hole that has been left still waits to be filled. Very strange. But as they who allegedly know better, in Gus we trust (just). Fingers crossed.

PS: No, I'm not HPR in disguise - and yes, I am still positive but I reserve the right to wrinkle a brow and wonder what path we are going down...

Hey JM! You're allowed to wrinkle the brow now and again.

I kinda know what you're getting at. I think JFC could have made it at Albion from the start of this season but do support the long term nurturing of our youngsters. I also agree that Hall and others could have featured towards the end of the season once the play offs were out of reach.

My own thought is that by signing up the quality but aging players that we have, the club is making a concerted move to gain promotion. The development of new players for the long term future will run alongside this but I think we'll initially be seeing a match day team compromising of a number of players on deals of two years or less who have the nous to get us to the top end of the table.

SMF20 wrote:
I wish the guy well but like another poster wonder when we will see replacements. Dont get me wrong, the 1st 11 looks very strong on paper give or take a couple and we know Gus has identified these areas, but in my mind we need to replace the 5 x loanees aswell as Cook, JFC, Kasim and of course Navarro totalling 9, 3 in thus far so should we be expecting another 6? I know some will say its about quality and i agree with that 100% but we also need a squad for when the tough times hit.

SMF apart from the midfielder and target man Poyet is chasing I would like to see another defender (to replace Hall) and another 'holding' midfielder (to replace Navarro and Kasim).
Finally with the future in mind I would welcome a young attacking midfielder/striker like Assulin but perhaps someone not as 'lightweight'.
However the first two I think are the most necessary and urgent.
Pleased to see that Barnes and Hoskins are doing well and that Bruno looks a good acquistion..

ballantrrae wrote:

SMF20 wrote: I wish the guy well but like another poster wonder when we will see replacements. Dont get me wrong, the 1st 11 looks very strong on paper give or take a couple and we know Gus has identified these areas, but in my mind we need to replace the 5 x loanees aswell as Cook, JFC, Kasim and of course Navarro totalling 9, 3 in thus far so should we be expecting another 6? I know some will say its about quality and i agree with that 100% but we also need a squad for when the tough times hit.

SMF apart from the midfielder and target man Poyet is chasing I would like to see another defender (to replace Hall) and another 'holding' midfielder (to replace Navarro and Kasim). Finally with the future in mind I would welcome a young attacking midfielder/striker like Assulin but perhaps someone not as 'lightweight'. However the first two I think are the most necessary and urgent. Pleased to see that Barnes and Hoskins are doing well and that Bruno looks a good acquistion..

Agreed, apart from the obvious 2 we want to bring in, I wonder if Gus sees Elphick as Halls replacement this season and also if he thinks Sparrow, Dicker, Harley, Vincelot and Barnes will be adequate back up for the 1st choice midfield.

I see the starting 11 something like this.

Kuz
Bruno
Greer
El Abd/Dunk
Bridge
Buckley/Lua Lua
Bridcutt
?????
Vicente
?????/Barnes
Cms/Hoskins

We should have tied him up last year but such is life. Spurs or Brighton, you going to spurs all day long, just ponders the question if he will get much of a chance if he isnt get much chance with us?

What i just wrote the puta as my granddaughter calls it just wiped it out.So without the bells & chimes ,if you choose to shaft us ,who have loved and treated you so well.Disappear with all the glitz for a couple of seasons,and i will buy my copy of the argus from you on the corner of the street,when they have passed you on.

Shame that Albion put players in the Development squad and pay wages and time and then they decide--'Thanks very much for all you have done for me but now I am going to play for someone else' Makes you laugh--Agents at 20!! As I said on a previous post I am sure Gus is doing his damnest to get players in, but it puts a spanner in the works when players leave. and what about Noone--no one seems to mention him for this coming season???

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The last few games of last season were the possibly the trigger for some of our development squad to make important decisions. With nothing left to play for, the moment was ideal for the club to show confidence in the up and coming players, to give them the chance to play at a higher level and to show them they have a future. Instead they played out the meaningless end of season in the same development squad wondering where they would be next year. Now we know.... First team footie with Luton and Oxford and a challenging dream with Spurs reserves... And the hole that has been left still waits to be filled. Very strange. But as they who allegedly know better, in Gus we trust (just). Fingers crossed.

PS: No, I'm not HPR in disguise - and yes, I am still positive but I reserve the right to wrinkle a brow and wonder what path we are going down...

I'm with you Jonathan. The many traffic wardens on this site make posting any serious debate virtually impossible.

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The last few games of last season were the possibly the trigger for some of our development squad to make important decisions. With nothing left to play for, the moment was ideal for the club to show confidence in the up and coming players, to give them the chance to play at a higher level and to show them they have a future. Instead they played out the meaningless end of season in the same development squad wondering where they would be next year. Now we know.... First team footie with Luton and Oxford and a challenging dream with Spurs reserves... And the hole that has been left still waits to be filled. Very strange. But as they who allegedly know better, in Gus we trust (just). Fingers crossed.

PS: No, I'm not HPR in disguise - and yes, I am still positive but I reserve the right to wrinkle a brow and wonder what path we are going down...

My guess is Gus wouldnt blood the youngsters in the last few games because he wanted to finish as near to the play-offs as possible in case a Prem chairman was considering him.

Hall could be retained if Gus is prepared to guarantee him games in the cups and a certain number of games in the league. Spurs wouldnt be able to do that. At the same time if he matched their wages that would clinch it.

Elphic looks like he still has a future at the club so unless some other defenders are interesting other clubs, its hard to see how he can be accommodated in the short term

Good Ol' Hemz by the Sea wrote:
Would any of you really turn down more money to 'stay loyal' to your current employer?

We have let him go once already so can understand the decision - good luck to him I say

No but I would be thinking of my first team opportunities.

Grant played three games last season and to my mind would have played more this campaign.

Certainly there's a chance he'd be loaned out by Spurs to a lower league side but I'd rather get experience at Albion's level if I could.

If he read up on opinions about our CBs he'd note that many don't fancy Elphick's long term chances at this level or above and that Grant himself was highly rated by all those who saw him play.

We don't offer many three year deals so whatever vibes Gus gave out he clearly does rate the player too.

We are gaining a growing reputation in the game and are undoubtedly heading in only one direction!

I'd sign on the dotted line myself.

SMF20 wrote:
I wish the guy well but like another poster wonder when we will see replacements. Dont get me wrong, the 1st 11 looks very strong on paper give or take a couple and we know Gus has identified these areas, but in my mind we need to replace the 5 x loanees aswell as Cook, JFC, Kasim and of course Navarro totalling 9, 3 in thus far so should we be expecting another 6? I know some will say its about quality and i agree with that 100% but we also need a squad for when the tough times hit.

I think Toby definitely takes one spot.

Hoskins was unavailable, then loaned at own request for personal reasons last season, but is back in the fold, on form and looking sharp, stating he wants to fight for his place....so that's another!

Unless we suffer injury problems or things change I believe we may be happy to stick with the exact squad of forwards we have. However, if a seriously good player is attainable of course wed be fools not to strengthen even more. In other words Gus will be looking but with an encouraging pre-season underway, less urgently so now.

Dr Baldhead wrote:

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The last few games of last season were the possibly the trigger for some of our development squad to make important decisions. With nothing left to play for, the moment was ideal for the club to show confidence in the up and coming players, to give them the chance to play at a higher level and to show them they have a future. Instead they played out the meaningless end of season in the same development squad wondering where they would be next year. Now we know.... First team footie with Luton and Oxford and a challenging dream with Spurs reserves... And the hole that has been left still waits to be filled. Very strange. But as they who allegedly know better, in Gus we trust (just). Fingers crossed.

PS: No, I'm not HPR in disguise - and yes, I am still positive but I reserve the right to wrinkle a brow and wonder what path we are going down...

Hey JM! You're allowed to wrinkle the brow now and again.

I kinda know what you're getting at. I think JFC could have made it at Albion from the start of this season but do support the long term nurturing of our youngsters. I also agree that Hall and others could have featured towards the end of the season once the play offs were out of reach.

My own thought is that by signing up the quality but aging players that we have, the club is making a concerted move to gain promotion. The development of new players for the long term future will run alongside this but I think we'll initially be seeing a match day team compromising of a number of players on deals of two years or less who have the nous to get us to the top end of the table.

I also agree about JM's brow-wrinkling...you make a fair point sir.

I don't know Gus's reasoning but I was also disappointed not to see JFC, Grant Hall and Toby feature in the final 3 games (injuries allowing).

I also agree with Dr.B regards the senior players to push for promotion THIS year. There is no doubt in my mind TB is going for it this season (was just probing last term). We now have the proven operating funds to justify a push and from what I've been hearing off the record we have another excellent short term signing in the offing - not tied up yet.

This season could be even more competitive than last year but I fancy our chances!

Chip of Goring wrote:

Jonathan Mouette wrote:
The last few games of last season were the possibly the trigger for some of our development squad to make important decisions. With nothing left to play for, the moment was ideal for the club to show confidence in the up and coming players, to give them the chance to play at a higher level and to show them they have a future. Instead they played out the meaningless end of season in the same development squad wondering where they would be next year. Now we know.... First team footie with Luton and Oxford and a challenging dream with Spurs reserves... And the hole that has been left still waits to be filled. Very strange. But as they who allegedly know better, in Gus we trust (just). Fingers crossed.

PS: No, I'm not HPR in disguise - and yes, I am still positive but I reserve the right to wrinkle a brow and wonder what path we are going down...

I'm with you Jonathan. The many traffic wardens on this site make posting any serious debate virtually impossible.

Er?

One final thing regards SMF's point on squad numbers, I think Gus will hold fire on CBs. We have four + Vincelot as extra back up so will loan one in or promote a prospect if bench cover or injury crisis aversion get on the menu.

I do think we need holding-mid cover though...the player I've heard about wouldn't fit that bill particularly.