Pritchard admits "I couldn't wait to get out"

[King of Otters]

Saying that however I think someone like Harry Kane benefited massively from plying his trade in lower leagues.

I think there's probably something to be said for "learning the life" of a lower leagues player - from match journeys, dressing rooms and probably a lack of premier league mollycoddling.

You're right though that having players be around and train with the first team helps them understand manager expectations and the team's ethos.

I think some definitely benefited from it, but not everyone is such a strong character as Harry.

 

[Mullers]

I don't know if it's as simple as that.

You have to, as a player prove your worth in training and competitive matches. I don't think anyone would point at Pochettino as someone who doesn't give young players responsibility.

Pritchard had a number of loans during which to prove his worth but ultimately was deemed by the current coaching staff as not good enough to make the grade.

He may go on and prove them wrong, but his "chances" were on the training ground and during his loan spells where he did and did not impress. I was worried for him when he only made 3/4 appearances at WBA.

If he didn't impress why did we give him a new 4 year deal just last year? Was it just so we could sell him for a decent fee?

 

[bigspurs]

Trust me Alex, it was just as frustrating for the fans, wondering whether or not you were ever going to make it! I'm glad that it's over too, now everyone can finally move on...

 

[tiger666]

If he didn't impress why did we give him a new 4 year deal just last year? Was it just so we could sell him for a decent fee?

Probably yes. Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

[Mullers]

Probably yes. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Well there is if we were leading him to believe that he had a future with us.

 

[Gb160]

Well there is if we were leading him to believe that he had a future with us.

What do u expect us to do?...let him leave for fuck all, and pay his cab fare to Norwich?
Like it or not that's how the business works, we've probably spent a fuck load of money on the kid over the years, what's wrong with getting a decent return if he isn't deemed good enough?

We've seen over the years if we're not deemed a good enough club for a player, loyalty counts for nothing.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Poch is clearly a manager who values physical strength as much as technical ability - with good reason considering how athletic modern day football is. Pritch was definitely a decent player but did his somewhat slight frame eventually count against him in the way Poch sets his teams up? Tom Carrol also seems to be in the same boat

Pritchard doesn't look at all "slight" to me. He has a totally different body type to Carroll, whom the description fits. Pritchard is short, but he's got a solid build for his size.

 

[JimmyG2]

Probably the ridiculous loan to W.Brom that finished him off.
You can't prove yourself if you don't play.
Due diligence was not done on that one.

 

[Mullers]

What do u expect us to do?...let him leave for fuck all, and pay his cab fare to Norwich?
Like it or not that's how the business works, we've probably spent a fuck load of money on the kid over the years, what's wrong with getting a decent return if he isn't deemed good enough?

We've seen over the years if we're not deemed a good enough club for a player, loyalty counts for nothing.

Nothing wrong with getting return on an investment but I don't believe it has to be done unscrupulously.

we've also seen over the years players, who wanted to be loyal but were not accepted by the fans and were forced out by management.

 

[tiger666]

Nothing wrong with getting return on an investment but I don't believe it has to be done unscrupulously.

we've also seen over the years players, who wanted to be loyal but were not accepted by the fans and were forced out by management.

There is absolutely no evidence at all we've done anything unscrupulous. The manager doesn't want him, he's gone. Best for all concerned. Move on.

 

[jonola]

Hmmmm not sure he needed to say that, but we have to remember this is a player that has just been told he's not wanted anymore.

I'm sure once you find that out, feelings would very quickly turn to "i can't wait to get out of here"

Still wish you well Alex but maybe be a bit more careful how you say things in the future.

 

[lol]

b..b..but according to some sc experts he was supposed to be our hazard?

 

[Japhet]

If he didn't impress why did we give him a new 4 year deal just last year? Was it just so we could sell him for a decent fee?

Football is a big business and you don't give assets away for free.

 

[Khilari]

If he didn't impress why did we give him a new 4 year deal just last year? Was it just so we could sell him for a decent fee?

Could be either - I assume he impressed enough to win a new deal then but after his year at WBA and with us he didn't show us any more

Or what you say - like with Stephen Kelly when he signed a 4 year deal then we sold him the same month to Birmingham I think

 

[Lighty64]

Hmmmm not sure he needed to say that, but we have to remember this is a player that has just been told he's not wanted anymore.

I'm sure once you find that out, feelings would very quickly turn to "i can't wait to get out of here"

Still wish you well Alex but maybe be a bit more careful how you say things in the future.

with it coming from 1 of the rags, good chance he was miss quoted

a few players most probably not over keen on the double training, so might of been hinting at that.

might of said "i can't wait to get out of here, training is hell", reporter see's missing the last bit out to get a better headline.

he missed out by not being given a chance or a more profile loan when AvB was in charge

 

[Springerding]

Some players are cockerels and some are canaries

Also, some are tits, they just join Arsenal.

 

[rupsmith]

Pritchard doesn't look at all "slight" to me. He has a totally different body type to Carroll, whom the description fits. Pritchard is short, but he's got a solid build for his size.

I think the key phrase there is "for his size". Pritchard plays in a number 10 role - i agree he is solid, can hold the ball up reasonably well and has very good technical ability. My personal view is that he is not built enough for what Poch is looking for. Pritchard arguably has more technical ability than Lamela (definitely more than Mason) - but can he offer Lamela's (or Masons) pace, strength and defensive work rate and the answer is clearly no. Basically he is not what Poch needs from players in the attacking midfield position. Tom Carrol is a rotator and as long as he has Wanayama or Dier next to him, he can be a back up to Dembele - although his physical make up/ability clearly works against him.



Damn good player though - Alex Pritchard - too good for Norwich City in my view.

 

[Mullers]

Football is a big business and you don't give assets away for free.

I am not saying we should give assets away for free, just that we be honest and don't mislead players.

 

[Mullers]

Could be either - I assume he impressed enough to win a new deal then but after his year at WBA and with us he didn't show us any more

Or what you say - like with Stephen Kelly when he signed a 4 year deal then we sold him the same month to Birmingham I think

He spent most of last season injured so I think it's the latter rather than the former.

 

[Japhet]

I am not saying we should give assets away for free, just that we be honest and don't mislead players.

We pay them a damn good wage. Players don't hesitate to shaft the club when it suits them so there is no need to treat them with kid gloves. Letting contracts run down is not good business unless there really are no takers.