Jaybako

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if James isn’t getting a start I’m going to stick my neck out and guess that DR and his entire coaching staff are watching him day in and day out in training, assessing his performance, comparing that to others and deciding that he isn’t the best option.

DR has clearly made this decision on the basis of: “how many of the fan base will be unhappy about this?”. The answer was clearly “enough”. For that reason it’s the right decision at this time. I don’t see things the same way, and I’m disappointed we couldn’t take advantage of a player with such pedigree, but that’s immaterial now. Sticking together as a fanbase and maintaining positivity is most important.

Absolutely mate yes. I read those articles and reports too. A journalist. Not a policeman, or a lawyer, or a jury or a judge. I’m saying, with an open mind, that it’s absolutely POSSIBLE that the messages, the pictures, the reports and the accusations are entirely true and that Schultz did exactly what he’s accused of. But, it is also POSSIBLE, that he didn’t. It is POSSIBLE that it is lies, or fabrication, or exaggeration or malicious intent to mislead. A POSSIBILITY given slightly more credence by her own refusal to incriminate herself by repeating the accusations under oath. A POSSIBILITY given slightly less credence by him paying the victim contributions. Either way, the fact remains that neither you, me, anyone else on this forum, the journalist or the man on the moon can say for DEFINITE that Schultz did exactly what he was accused of because none of us were there at the time and there was no trial to determine guilt or innocence. Therefore, at this time he is nothing but innocent in the eyes of the law, and the only suspicion of guilt is based on unproven accusations and pictures without cast iron proven validity. I understand and 1000% endorse the moral stance against domestic violence - but to do that before it is proven is in itself immoral. Practically North Korean.

Because the accuser and only witness refused to give evidence on the day “in order not to incriminate or perjure herself”. Based on this statement can you not admit that there is a possibility that she exaggerated, embellished or maybe even completely concocted the accusation? Im not saying she did. Im not saying she didn’t. That is, infact, my point. This was an incident between 2 people that none of us witnessed. It went to trial on the basis of accusations made by the woman. In the absence of physical evidence the purpose of a trial is to establish the truth and validity of accusations. She caused the trial to be abandoned because she withdrew these accusations and even cast doubt on their validity herself. I’m simply saying, if this was a bang-to-rights, absolutely not question of guilt type case (as some people are treating it as) then the trial would have gone ahead regardless of testimony and he would have been convicted. With an open mind, none of us know the truth behind this situation. Is it really fair to condemn this guy regardless?

This topic, although obviously massively important, triggering and emotive, is going around in circles now. It’s clearly divisive, the majority of people choosing either a hard no or a hard yes. But, in reality, the fact is that not a single one of us know the truth of this case for 100% definite. We can speculate, we can use probability and common sense, but we don’t actually know the definitive truth of his or her true involvement, how the events unfolded, what led to them or what the upshot was. Only the 2 of them do. Never the less, violence of any kind is rarely acceptable, and Violence of men v women is shocking and unacceptable 99.9% of the time. But, surely, if we are getting bogged down in morality, the question we need to actually be asking now is, “doesn’t a person, no matter who, deserve a second chance to move on in life?”. If he did do it, then who is to say that Schultz isn’t massively repentant, ashamed and remorseful. It may not be violence, but I’d hazard to say that every single person on this thread has done something they are ashamed of at some point in their life. Something they’d take back if they could. This guy can’t change the past, but he can definitely help shape the future. And if DR has spoken to him, judged his character and decided he can help SWFC then that’s good enough for me.

He was joking mate

Fair play. I totally respect your opinion. But lots of people here are talking like it’s categorically proven that he did it, when in reality all that’s happened is that he’s been charged. No one knows if he’s guilty until the case is heard. Admittedly ive not seen the full facts of the case, but that’s also one of the main reasons im keeping a slightly open mind until proven either way…. And if he’s guilty then he deserves the maximum punishment possible.

Right up front I’d say that any suggestion of domestic abuse doesn’t sit right with me at. And nor should it with any decent person, obviously. But, if we zoom out, there are some basic facts that we can’t ignore. With13 games left, DR clearly believes that we need another left back. MJ is currently the preferred starter. He’s cracking going forward, but sometimes suspect defensively. DR clearly doesn’t think RJ is a viable answer. If he did he’d be playing. HP was brought in, clearly un-match-fit, looked ropey, then got injured. The only other option we have is SB from the U21’s. What surprises me is that some folk think there is a huge room full of out of contract, available footballers who are fit, talented, skilful and just twiddling their thumbs waiting for Weds to give them the nod to come and play immediately. As we all know, in reality, any player available at this point in the season has either got fitness, health, attitude, character, age or legal issues. The pool of availability is actually a murky puddle at best. In all honesty, is DR sees NS as I viable starter, then I’m happy for us to take him for the season and hope he helps us stay up. Treat him as innocent until proven guilty and let the court case play out. If he’s found innocent then maybe we’ve revived a once excellent player. If guilty then we move on.

Unfortunately, I’m Not surprised by this in the slightest, which is the sad state we are in. The stupid thing is, even DC must realise that the only chance he’s got of getting any money back is by getting us to the prem or selling us on…. And either way we need to be successful for that to happen, so why be tight with money now? I’m not saying getting us back into sanctions with another spendageddon, but £3m on a real striker and a no.6 in Jan would literally have been all we needed. Not being flippant, but if you’ve lost £132m what the f*ck difference would it make loosing £135?

Exciting signing. Lots of potential. Would seem to fit nicely in our system as a link / no.10. Weirdest haircut I’ve ever seen.

So yeah, ive gone past starting to feel pessimistic about this window and im now well into full disappointment mode ….. but im trying to stay positive for 24 more hours. With DR and Beadle in place I don’t believe for one second that we haven’t been looking far and wide for players. I’m positive we’ve tried for 10/20/30+ over the window. Yes DC threw some money at the US kid, but he still chose to say no. I just think we’re an almost impossible sell for 99% of the players we’re chasing. My last fraction of positivity comes from believing that we still have targets on our list. We absolutely will have. The question I’m asking myself though is, if first Biereth and then McGuire were on our targets in descending order, who the hell is next on the list?! I’d never heard of either of em

Funny old game, football, and what it does to you. And funny old team SWFC. Like with Biereth last week and now the American lad, I’m now getting anxious about loosing out on a player who, 6hrs ago I wouldn’t have known existed even if a hit him with my car.

American sport in general predominantly structured and fed by the college system. Young, physically fit athletes play college sport and then aged 21-23yrs they move to the US professional leagues via a draft. Strength, power, speed, athleticism are all top valued traits in NFL, NBA, NHL, MBL and Football. That age bracket and player profile is exactly what we’re looking for. Makes sense that we’re looking in the MLS.

So Ive spent the last few weeks, and I even posted about it last week, wondering what the true sticking point was for us in securing players - is the market just stagnant? is it the money DC is prepared to offer? the money other clubs are asking for? are players being scared off by the position and reputation of SWFC as a club? or are they getting better offers elsewhere? Just finished listening to DR’s press conference and it turns out it’s all of the above not sure why I’m surprised to be fair. However, in true 40yr owls fan style, I’ve not learnt my lesson, I’m ignoring the facts, and I’m still checking my phone every 30 seconds hoping / believing we’ll pull something out the bag before the window closes!

Regards Michael Smith, multiple things can be true at the same time. Yes he has had multiple 20+ goal seasons. Yes those were in league 1. As with many players, it’s probable that he is effective and reasonably dominant at a certain level but ineffective at the next. He isn’t fast or mobile enough to play DR-ball. He doesn’t have a good enough touch to be the no.9 focal point / link in our new system and style. Moving him and Gregory on now to clear space and wages is the right move.