roytoner Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 ATHLETIC have defended their decision to allow top scorer Lee Hughes to join Coca-Cola Championship club Blackpool on loan for the remainder of the season. The Seasiders made a surprise move for 18-goal Hughes, who is out of contract this summer, two hours before yesterday’s transfer deadline for emergency loans. “This is not a sign that we have given up on trying to qualify for the play-offs,” said manager Joe Royle. “But we have not been scoring with Lee in the side, which is why I wanted to try something different.” Athletic have been unhappy with the form of 32-year-old Hughes in the second half of the campaign and it is widely expected he will move on this summer when his contract at Boundary Park expires. Chief executive Alan Hardy said: “Lee’s form since January, when there was transfer speculation about his future, has disappointed both John Sheridan and Joe Royle. “Lee was not included in the squad for tomorrow’s league game at Leyton Orient as the manager wanted to look at younger strikers. “If Joe was not going to use the player for the rest of the season, there is no point him sitting here doing nothing.” Royle added the decision to allow Hughes to leave was his alone and was not done for financial reasons. He revealed he had earlier made an unsuccessful bid to bring in Crystal Palace striker Alan Lee before he joined Norwich City on loan. Athletic have also confirmed that the January offer of a new two-year contract to Hughes, which would have made him the club’s highest-paid player, had been withdrawn some time ago. Hughes is being linked with a summer move to Leicester, the runaway League One leaders, while Doncaster, who tried to sign him in January, remain interested. Lewis Alessandra is set to replace Hughes for tomorrow’s game at Leyton Orient, where Stefan Stam and Ian Westlake, both ineligible in midweek, will also be in the starting line-up. Neal Eardley, a substitute in midweek, is on international duty with Wales, but Kieran Lee is included in the squad for the first time under Royle. Athletic (from): Supple, Fleming, Lee, Lomax, Hazell, Gregan, Stam, Jones, Taylor, Westlake, Maher, Allott, Whitaker, Alessandra, Kabba, Smalley, Liddell, Ferreira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza699 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Athletic (from): Supple, Fleming, Lee, Lomax, Hazell, Gregan, Stam, Jones, Taylor, Westlake, Maher, Allott, Whitaker, Alessandra, Kabba, Smalley, Liddell, Ferreira. That IMO is a strong squad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoytonBlueLad Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Shame we didn't get Alan Lee. Just the sort of lump we could have done with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 (edited) That IMO is a strong squad! It's been a strong squad all season. Which is why we are all feeling so let down at the moment! It will be interesting to see where the goals come from on Saturday though. Assuming they do come. Edited March 27, 2009 by opinions4u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardlelatic Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 “This is not a sign that we have given up on trying to qualify for the play-offs,” said manager Joe Royle. “But we have not been scoring with Lee in the side, which is why I wanted to try something different.” Fair enough but NO ONE is scoring Chief executive Alan Hardy said: “Lee’s form since January, when there was transfer speculation about his future, has disappointed both John Sheridan and Joe Royle. “Lee was not included in the squad for tomorrow’s league game at Leyton Orient as the manager wanted to look at younger strikers. What now happens if 2 young forwards get injured tomorrow, Monday or even next week ??? What options do we now have ? “If Joe was not going to use the player for the rest of the season, there is no point him sitting here doing nothing.” Do nothing? I dont understand this part, many players including Dale stephens, Lee and other have been here all season and DONE NOTHING !!! Royle added the decision to allow Hughes to leave was his alone and was not done for financial reasons. So Joes thought process was, Leading scorer isnt scoring in the last 2 months when I wasnt here, I dont rate him so I will let him leave, reduce my sqaud size because I cant get anyone to replace him and will let the kids with little experience in end of season pushes for promotion have a go at getting us in the Play Offs ?? Pull the other one it plays Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchie82 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Are we supposed to believe that Royle thought Hughes was so :censored:e in 2 games that he wouldn't have made the bench during our push for the play offs? Bollocks. They have given up, so have I the seasons over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edhunteruk Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Are we supposed to believe that Royle thought Hughes was so :censored:e in 2 games that he wouldn't have made the bench during our push for the play offs? Bollocks. They have given up, so have I the seasons over. in which case will you now leave the board until next season then please.... this is about the 4th or 5th thread i have read with you posting the same....move on and get over it,or bring something constructive to the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wardlelatic Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 in which case will you now leave the board until next season then please.... this is about the 4th or 5th thread i have read with you posting the same....move on and get over it,or bring something constructive to the group. He is free to post his opinion, its one shared by many Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 It's been a strong squad all season. Which is why we are all feeling do let down at the moment! It will be interesting to see where the goals come from on Saturday though. Assuming they do come. Strong in terms of numbers, but in terms of quality not good enough. You only have to look at the squad list which have been typed out on recent posts, and the amount of players you wouldn't be bothered about if they were to leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeF Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Kieran Lee as a right back? Hope he gets given a chance under Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Strong in terms of numbers, but in terms of quality not good enough. You only have to look at the squad list which have been typed out on recent posts, and the amount of players you wouldn't be bothered about if they were to leave. They have the quality. They simply didn't deliver on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Break The Silence Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 He is free to post his opinion, its one shared by many Including me....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza699 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Are we supposed to believe that Royle thought Hughes was so :censored:e in 2 games that he wouldn't have made the bench during our push for the play offs? Bollocks. They have given up, so have I the seasons over. Its not that black and white, I think there is alot more than meets the eye than just 2 poor games Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchie82 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 (edited) in which case will you now leave the board until next season then please.... this is about the 4th or 5th thread i have read with you posting the same....move on and get over it,or bring something constructive to the group. Who the are you to tell me what to post? I was adding my point of them giving up alongside the comment about Hughes being needed if they are indeed serious on getting top 6. Drop him yes, send him to Blackpool no. If your bored of my posts don't read them. FYI my posts are usually about the ticket office staffs norks/cans/milkers and are great my tubby friend Edited March 27, 2009 by Markoasis Swearing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edhunteruk Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Who the are you to tell me what to post? I was adding my point of them giving up alongside the comment about Hughes being needed if they are indeed serious on getting top 6. Drop him yes, send him to Blackpool no. If your bored of my posts don't read them. FYI my posts are usually about the ticket office staffs norks/cans/milkers and are great my tubby friend who the f**k are you to call me tubby??? i'll give you the norks cans and other threads,but dont make it personal hughes has been like a sulky little boy since january,he is a free agent in the summer...we dont have a reserve squad otherwise im sure joe would of stuck him in there. sending him out when he is leaving anyway is fine,they will pick up his wage freeing up cash for us the season is only over when it is mathematically impossible to progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Break The Silence Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 who the f**k are you to call me tubby??? i'll give you the norks cans and other threads,but dont make it personal hughes has been like a sulky little boy since january,he is a free agent in the summer...we dont have a reserve squad otherwise im sure joe would of stuck him in there. sending him out when he is leaving anyway is fine,they will pick up his wage freeing up cash for us the season is only over when it is mathematically impossible to progress. Shut it fatty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Shame we didn't get Alan Lee. Just the sort of lump we could have done with. The Palace fan decide me answered, “Donkey. We shipped him out to Norwich,” before saying (in refer to a quote off here I mentioned to him the other day), “put it this way, if Kabba makes Phil Starbuck look good, Lee would make Starbuck look like an international superstar.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza699 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 who the f**k are you to call me tubby??? I wouldnt worry mate he called it me it must be a stock reply Calm down Tubby. I'm glad you found the humour but I didn't mention Cancer never mind laugh at it. It was just a bit of 'armless banter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoytonBlueLad Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 The Palace fan decide me answered, “Donkey. We shipped him out to Norwich,” before saying (in refer to a quote off here I mentioned to him the other day), “put it this way, if Kabba makes Phil Starbuck look good, Lee would make Starbuck look like an international superstar.” Damn you and your Palace informants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ritchie82 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 I'm sorry for the language guys. I'm sorry for offending the fat lads as well. Keep the faith we'll reach the play offs easily now our goalscorer has gone. Afterall our defence is water tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leeslover Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Damn you and your Palace informants There are many Liverpool fans in my office as Palace ones, although strangely their knowledge seems to be gleaned more from internet sites than memories of standing on the Kop with their grandfathers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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