Vermaelen Signs New Long-Term Contract

[Letters]

Why do we constantly BASH Zimm when he brings up very valid points.

He spends two paragraphs above saying how we're giving players who are always injured long contracts and the final one saying how we should be trying to get RvP re-signed, a player whose injury record is awful.

I myself have opined in the past that we should have sold RvP. That opinion is looking a bit silly right now as he's carrying us, but if he gets a long term injury again which, given his history, isn't hugely improbable, then what use is he on the treatment table? With players with poor injury records the gamble is always do you keep them and hope they get better luck with injuries or get rid? It's impossible to know really. If you sign them and they spend the next 5 years mostly on the treatment table then it's easy to look back with 20:20 hindsight and say it was a bad decision. If you sell them and they spend the next 5 years playing consistently well for someone else then you can say that was a bad decision too.

[Fats]

And so, therefore, we do not bash Zimm! And all is well.

Attacking him personally for what his views are is pointless

[Fats]

He spends two paragraphs above saying how we're giving players who are always injured long contracts and the final one saying how we should be trying to get RvP re-signed, a player whose injury record is awful.

I myself have opined in the past that we should have sold RvP. That opinion is looking a bit silly right now as he's carrying us, but if he gets a long term injury again which, given his history, isn't hugely improbable, then what use is he on the treatment table? With players with poor injury records the gamble is always do you keep them and hope they get better luck with injuries or get rid? It's impossible to know really. If you sign them and they spend the next 5 years mostly on the treatment table then it's easy to look back with 20:20 hindsight and say it was a bad decision. If you sell them and they spend the next 5 years playing consistently well for someone else then you can say that was a bad decision too.

Understood but a player that has had no real opportunity to prove he has shaken off injury problems is given a new contract.

RVP has shown quality, always has, I as you have Letters have had reservations about the very point in keeping him, but when he plays consistently well it makes it worth it.

[Marc Overmars]

RVP was worth keeping for his 3 months a season because he was still more prolific than anyone we had tbh.

[LDG]

Understood but a player that has had no real opportunity to prove he has shaken off injury problems is given a new contract.

RVP has shown quality, always has, I as you have Letters have had reservations about the very point in keeping him, but when he plays consistently well it makes it worth it.

Sorry dude, but RVP has been given a number of new contracts, and off the back of some very long lay offs. You quite rightly point out that he is worth it, as his talent is undeniable when fit.

However, exactly the same can be said with Vermaelen when fit. Everyone has been desperate to have him back and playing, and the reason for this, is that he is a very talented, committed, leader and defender. It's obvious from watching him what he can bring to the side.

So, it wasn't zimm-basing, per say, it was picking up on the negativity he exuded when everyone was actually pleased to have some good news. His point may be valid to an extent, but you can't on the one hand say Vermaelen signing is not positive, yet RVP signing would be, when both players have been injury prone, and both players have talent.

[Syn]

Great news. Don't know about anyone else, but I think it'll feel like a new signing when we get him back.

In other news, we should play Toure Vermaelen at DM. He needs to share the kicking responsibilities alongside Song otherwise Song is going to get sent off every other game.

[bignev]

Great news. Don't know about anyone else, but I think it'll feel like a new signing when we get him back.

In other news, we should play Toure Vermaelen at DM. He needs to share the kicking responsibilities alongside Song otherwise Song is going to get sent off every other game.

He could probably do a decent job there. However we need him more in defence so it's a non starter.

[server too busy!]

I was under the impression that Vermaelens injuries have been down to a strange genetic condition to do with his achilles. They have now been sorted on BOTH feet so it is unlikely he will be facing these spells out again. Also as far as I'm aware these are the only major injuries hes sustained.

[Fist of Lehmann]

Thought Stoke were the only ones who signed genetic mutants.

[Letters]

Thought Stoke were the only ones who signed genetic mutants.

No, GW does too.