Who would you keep?

[Old Bob]

I’m still baffled by Tommy stating that Corbett is a better finisher than Tolaj!!

Never in a month of Sundays!!!!

I wish someone would dig out this quote so we could see the context. I'd bet a mars bar (fun size, I'm not made of money) that, if he said this, he was just being positive about a new signing, which every manager will do, probably used the words "could be" and, most importantly, probably doesn't think that and didn't mean it in the first place. It keeps getting brought up as some sort of evidence of something.

All I can find is this:

“From fairly early on; after January, we were aware of the possibility of losing Josh (Stokes) and Lorent (Tolaj). But, with the way we structured both deals, we knew we could get through to the summer with them both.”

“In the background we’ve been scouring all levels to make sure we had good options should we end up in the situation we did.”

“Kai is a lad I’ve known about for quite some time and feel whilst neither a direct replacement for either Josh (Stokes) or Lorent (Tolaj), will bring real quality to our attacking options.”

“His pathway so far has been more similar to Lorent (Tolaj) and I’m sure, quite rightly, Kai will have ambitions to return to higher levels of the game.”

“In the meantime I’m sure you’ll join us in welcoming Kai (Corbett) to the EBB Stadium and a massive thank you to Peterborough and Barry Fry for their help with this deal.”

That's a good point, Silas. I have a dim recollection of Tommy saying this in an interview but it's entirely possible that it's a false memory. But then it's hard to imagine someone making it up and even harder to imagine it going unchallenged until now if false.

[brian bloomfield]

I don't care who we keep as I can't have any say in the matter. However whoever we keep, like 99% of shots fans I will support them 100% and leave any doubting thoughts in my head.

[Old Bob]

I’m still baffled by Tommy stating that Corbett is a better finisher than Tolaj!!

Never in a month of Sundays!!!!

Probably just another trivial stick by a sad small minority of the "sack him brigade" to justify their anti campaign.

Lets get behind our manager as Wembley gets ever so close.

TIT

Not a very clever post by any means. I count myself among those who think on balance we will be in trouble if Tommy continues as our manager into next season. I respect the positive things he has done for us, but I feel they are outweighed by the negatives. It's a reasoned opinion ... it isn't "sad", it isn't "trivial", it isn't part of any "anti campaign", it isn't solely based on one quote about one player that may or may not be correct, it's based on the evidence of his record over two seasons. And frankly I don't care if it's a minority opinion or not. What others think is up to them.

Absolutely fine to call for everyone to get behind the manager and players as Wembley approaches. Absolutely. But that does not preclude having sensible opinions about what's best for the future of ATFC in the long term.

Just silly name calling really.

[Silasgoldeen]

I’m still baffled by Tommy stating that Corbett is a better finisher than Tolaj!!

Never in a month of Sundays!!!!

I wish someone would dig out this quote so we could see the context. I'd bet a mars bar (fun size, I'm not made of money) that, if he said this, he was just being positive about a new signing, which every manager will do, probably used the words "could be" and, most importantly, probably doesn't think that and didn't mean it in the first place. It keeps getting brought up as some sort of evidence of something.

All I can find is this:

“From fairly early on; after January, we were aware of the possibility of losing Josh (Stokes) and Lorent (Tolaj). But, with the way we structured both deals, we knew we could get through to the summer with them both.”

“In the background we’ve been scouring all levels to make sure we had good options should we end up in the situation we did.”

“Kai is a lad I’ve known about for quite some time and feel whilst neither a direct replacement for either Josh (Stokes) or Lorent (Tolaj), will bring real quality to our attacking options.”

“His pathway so far has been more similar to Lorent (Tolaj) and I’m sure, quite rightly, Kai will have ambitions to return to higher levels of the game.”

“In the meantime I’m sure you’ll join us in welcoming Kai (Corbett) to the EBB Stadium and a massive thank you to Peterborough and Barry Fry for their help with this deal.”

That's a good point, Silas. I have a dim recollection of Tommy saying this in an interview but it's entirely possible that it's a false memory. But then it's hard to imagine someone making it up and even harder to imagine it going unchallenged until now if false.

I don't doubt he said something, as you say, people wouldn't make it up. But I do imagine it was probably not meant as a literal truth either.

Many's the time I watch a Tommy interview and think "yes, good points" and come on here and someone's upset about something he said. He probably does 100 of these every season, at 6 minutes a go that's 10 hours of hot air. There *will* be some daft things said. It's inevitable.

My assumption: two popular and good players off. Tommy wants to a) big up new signing for confidence/settling in purposes and b) try to reassure fans that the sky isn't falling.

I can't remember the comment but just assuming that he said something about how it's a shame to lose someone as good as Tolaj but that Corbett could also be useful and - some hyperbolic statement or other for reasons outlined - and that's where we end up.

But the main point is the hot air. These are just words. Words matter, but it seems beyond ridiculous to me to take something he may have once said over a year ago and keep bringing it up over and over as if it's some kind of proof of.... what? That Tommy can't judge a player? Well I think he can, he has brought in good players. If you think he literally thinks Corbett is a better finisher than Tolaj then I don't know what to tell you.

[Royston Figgis]

He did say it Silas. It was something along the lines of "I know people are upset that Tolaj has gone, but we've signed someone who is an even better finisher than him". It was a video interview, and raised a lot of eyebrows at the time and that is why so many people remember it. My Son remarked to me at the time that it puts unnecessary pressure on the new player.

[Silasgoldeen]

He did say it Silas. It was something along the lines of "I know people are upset that Tolaj has gone, but we've signed someone who is an even better finisher than him". It was a video interview, and raised a lot of eyebrows at the time and that is why so many people remember it. My Son remarked to me at the time that it puts unnecessary pressure on the new player.

cool, sounds about right, thanks.

[Marcus ex W.Midlands Shot]

You should see Corbett in the shooting drill warm-ups. He is a very good finisher. He also has a reliably lovely first touch.

The problem is he's good at football skills, but no good at actual football which is a team game.

It's about as much use as having a professional ball juggler playing in the team.

[Silasgoldeen]

You should see Corbett in the shooting drill warm-ups. He is a very good finisher. He also has a reliably lovely first touch.

The problem is he's good at football skills, but no good at actual football which is a team game.

It's about as much use as having a professional ball juggler playing in the team.

yes! exactly. when I was looking for that quote I put "Kai Corbett" into youtube and there are a load of vids by his dad of all his skills when he was a kid. Which is great but you can really tell, can't you? Hot-housed all the kinds of things that look good on youtube but the game awareness hasn't caught up yet. Some of it's probably just match time tbh, which is why I haven't given up on him. But not too impressed with year one.

[Old Bob]

You should see Corbett in the shooting drill warm-ups. He is a very good finisher. He also has a reliably lovely first touch.

The problem is he's good at football skills, but no good at actual football which is a team game.

It's about as much use as having a professional ball juggler playing in the team.

Puts me in mind of Lewis Walker. Sh1t hot in training, come match day, not so.

[Reg's corner]

Jack Barham has posted that it's "been a pleasure" to play in red and blue.

Hopefully the past tense only refers to the season just finishing and not his career as a whole.

Probably offers from bigger spenders plus bigger offers than we can compete with.. likewise barrett , Hargreaves L2 clubs circling