Offers made for Benson, Risser, Rooney and Cox (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

I'm sure Paolo will be literally shoving them out the fire exit!

Looks a good offer for Benno which is pleasing for him

Some great news to start the day....

So much better to off load these players permenantly rather than wait for loan deals...... Frees up all the wages, which probably hasn't been the case at least for Benson at Portsmouth anyway.... Hopefully this will give us the opportunity to extend loan deals for some of Paolo's other loan recruits....

I for one hope Benson signs for this other club..... He did a great job for us in league 2 and I'm sure he can do that for another club too...... Good luck to him if he does move on... Just a shame it didn't work out longer for him at Swindon...

local radio says that Benson has rejected offer of contract at Bradford

Helpme234 wrote:
local radio says that Benson has rejected offer of contract at Bradford

That doesn't surprise me, it was them that messed him about when we missed out in the November of 2011 and had to wait until the January before we got him.

Helpme234 wrote:
local radio says that Benson has rejected offer of contract at Bradford

That doesn't surprise me, it was them that messed him about when we missed out in the November of 2011 and had to wait until the January before we got him.

Would be good for Benson to move on much as he's served us well, Cox and Risser definitely have no future here, Rooney's a weird one, had spells of looking good but inconsistent and seemed to show a poor attitude at times on the field - if she showed the same attitude off it I can see why he may have fallen out with Paolo.

Just hope we don't lose Rooney for nothing.

Can't wait to see the reaction if benson signs for the club who are after him!

Wouldn't surprise me if Southend made a move for Benson
.
They wanted him when we signed him and is his home town club
.
To be honest Benson is the last of the 4 we need to go as he can still do a job for us - especially if Martin goes
.
Glad Rooney is only a loan - obviously has talent as he did show in patches for us
.
Maybe returning in his final year will kick start him - especially if loans have shown him it is not always greener

I'm really happy for Benson if he does get a two year contract as he has been a consummate professional and real Gentleman around the club...a big BIG factor in our title last season, on and off the pitch.
---.
Hoping he gets a really good deal.
---.
Good luck to the other guys as well as Smith and Risser always worked really hard but were never going to cut it at this level.....Rooney!?..
.surprised it is a League 1 club looking at him but good luck to the guy....is this one a loan swap deal for a forward?
---.
All good and positive but hoping we see it all agreed very quickly.

I like Rooney, dont think he has been given enough of a chance here in my oppinion..

Is that you Lovesey wrote:
I like Rooney, dont think he has been given enough of a chance here in my oppinion..

Disagree - Had plenty of chances but failed to deliver. We have better in terms of Ritchie, De Vita & Roberts.

Rooney like McNamee a few years back appear to struggle in away games.
We can't take passengers with the squad numbers.

Sorry to see Benson go as he is a top bloke. He did the award ceromony last season for our kids football club and stayed till 11pm signing autographs and chatting. Really nice chap and I wish him all the best.
*
Have to agree that Rooney doesn't seem to have been given a good chance but PDC is no mug...

Agree with all, that Paul Benson deserves to come out of this in front. he served us well but I fear he is not quite at the level required and would be too far down the pecking order to get much game time. As for Cox and Risser, any opportunity to move them out, permanent or temporary, should be grasped with both hands. Rooney is somewhat of an enigma; brilliant in flashes but anonymous for much of the time. With the development of Rafa, and with Roberts as back up, his future looks restricted at STFC. He needs to play games at his age and a move away is probably the best answer for him too.

They have all done their bit for us and I wish them all well. Good to see that Benson, all round decent guy, is being rewarded in the autumn of his career by a good contract. He deserves the best.
It sounds like the others mentioned are all in with a shout, apart from Chris Smith who was not mentioned. I wish him well too.

Thank you and good luck

Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake?

I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him.

It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock.

I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

CraftyPig wrote:
Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

No I think Leon Clarke was probably his biggest mistake! lol

Sell Sell Sell Sell

All good Div 2 players.

Strange that the Caddis situation seems to have gone quiet (unless there's something I've missed?)

CraftyPig wrote:
Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake?

I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him.

It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock.

I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

Pardon my ignorance fellow reds but I don't get Cox - am I right in that he is not in the squad, but is he on loan somewhere? I cannot recall ever see him play but then I do not make every home game! I don't even know where he plays - can someone enlighten me?

Liked Benno though thought he was good for us but probably a top L2 player rather than a good L1 striker.

ChrisWantageRed wrote:
Strange that the Caddis situation seems to have gone quiet (unless there's something I've missed?)

Only that everybody's fed up talking about him!

ChrisWantageRed wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

No I think Leon Clarke was probably his biggest mistake! lol

leon who lol just about forgot about him
untill now!!!!!!

ChrisWantageRed wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

No I think Leon Clarke was probably his biggest mistake! lol

leon who lol just about forgot about him
untill now!!!!!!

oz ashes wrote:

ChrisWantageRed wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

No I think Leon Clarke was probably his biggest mistake! lol

leon who lol just about forgot about him untill now!!!!!!

The very name sends a shiver down yer spine! lol

oz ashes wrote:

ChrisWantageRed wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

No I think Leon Clarke was probably his biggest mistake! lol

leon who lol just about forgot about him untill now!!!!!!

What about the big lump of a striker he signed, Majoker (AKA Magera)...

bearwoodred wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

Pardon my ignorance fellow reds but I don't get Cox - am I right in that he is not in the squad, but is he on loan somewhere? I cannot recall ever see him play but then I do not make every home game! I don't even know where he plays - can someone enlighten me? Liked Benno though thought he was good for us but probably a top L2 player rather than a good L1 striker.

Midfielder, was on loan at Oxford, Oxford now don't want him, however suposedly there's been an offer from somewhere else. Only played seven or so times for us and won't be staying past the end of the transfer window I wouldn't have thought. Second tier Scottish football seems to be the right level for him at the moment, though still young, possible room for improvement. Wish him well.

Swindon1984 wrote:

bearwoodred wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

Pardon my ignorance fellow reds but I don't get Cox - am I right in that he is not in the squad, but is he on loan somewhere? I cannot recall ever see him play but then I do not make every home game! I don't even know where he plays - can someone enlighten me? Liked Benno though thought he was good for us but probably a top L2 player rather than a good L1 striker.

Midfielder, was on loan at Oxford, Oxford now don't want him, however suposedly there's been an offer from somewhere else. Only played seven or so times for us and won't be staying past the end of the transfer window I wouldn't have thought. Second tier Scottish football seems to be the right level for him at the moment, though still young, possible room for improvement. Wish him well.

thanks - not sure if I ever saw him play.

Swindon1984 wrote:

bearwoodred wrote:

CraftyPig wrote: Is Cox PDC's biggest mistake? I guess you could chuck Comazzi, Esajas, Gabilondo or Lanzano in the mix but the fact that would tip in Cox's favour is that we paid money for him. It is good news that these boys have offers as it will mean we should be able to keep Hollands, Martin and hopefully Bostock. I think that the doom and gloom has been overplayed in the last few days. I'm not sure much has changed apart from Patey is not as good as JW in communicating with the fans which obviously leads to speculation and nervousness.

Pardon my ignorance fellow reds but I don't get Cox - am I right in that he is not in the squad, but is he on loan somewhere? I cannot recall ever see him play but then I do not make every home game! I don't even know where he plays - can someone enlighten me? Liked Benno though thought he was good for us but probably a top L2 player rather than a good L1 striker.

Midfielder, was on loan at Oxford, Oxford now don't want him, however suposedly there's been an offer from somewhere else. Only played seven or so times for us and won't be staying past the end of the transfer window I wouldn't have thought. Second tier Scottish football seems to be the right level for him at the moment, though still young, possible room for improvement. Wish him well.

thanks - not sure if I ever saw him play.

Not sure why so many people think Leon Clarke was such a big mistake. He had exactly the characteristics we were looking for - the physical presence that PDC finally realised was necessary, hard working, with an eye for goal. If it hadn't been for that one bust-up, he might have scored a shedload for us last season and might still be doing it now. Two men with big egos had a fall out and both were too proud to compromise. That's all. Compared with some of PDC's duff signings, who have been mentioned above, Clarke doesn't even register on the mistakeometer. Plenty of people have fallen out with PDC and plenty more will no doubt do so in the future. I don't think that puts them in the "big mistake" category - unless they also happen to be useless and/or lazy. Whatever Clarke is, I don't think he's either of those things.

Oi Den! wrote:
Not sure why so many people think Leon Clarke was such a big mistake. He had exactly the characteristics we were looking for - the physical presence that PDC finally realised was necessary, hard working, with an eye for goal. If it hadn't been for that one bust-up, he might have scored a shedload for us last season and might still be doing it now. Two men with big egos had a fall out and both were too proud to compromise. That's all. Compared with some of PDC's duff signings, who have been mentioned above, Clarke doesn't even register on the mistakeometer. Plenty of people have fallen out with PDC and plenty more will no doubt do so in the future. I don't think that puts them in the "big mistake" category - unless they also happen to be useless and/or lazy. Whatever Clarke is, I don't think he's either of those things.

Have to agree with that Den, Clarke has kept his mouth shut with regards to his side of the bust up and yes he was wrong with his behaviour after the Saints game, but a mistake to bring him here, don't think so, he has proved elsewhere he can score goals and I thought when he returned this season he took stick from the fans but kept his cool and Flint probably deserved his red when flattening him, (don't think he was under orders from Paolo to do that, though), lol

Paolo had 'announced' these approaches yesterday (LR mentioned it in a post in the evening).

We have to wait and see. Although clubs might have made offers they might be derisory (they know through all our media antics that Paolo needs to free-up wages and playing staff).

The individual players also have to agree personal terms, which may not be as good as they are on here. All encouraging though - hopefully we'll be able to keep some more of our loanees.

Is that you Lovesey wrote:
I like Rooney, dont think he has been given enough of a chance here in my oppinion..

I do agree with you Lovesey, that Luke Rooney has never been given any sort of run in the team since his arrival.
When he first joined Swindon Town he seemed to excite the crowd every time he came on as a sub,

old town robin wrote:

Oi Den! wrote:
Not sure why so many people think Leon Clarke was such a big mistake. He had exactly the characteristics we were looking for - the physical presence that PDC finally realised was necessary, hard working, with an eye for goal. If it hadn't been for that one bust-up, he might have scored a shedload for us last season and might still be doing it now. Two men with big egos had a fall out and both were too proud to compromise. That's all. Compared with some of PDC's duff signings, who have been mentioned above, Clarke doesn't even register on the mistakeometer. Plenty of people have fallen out with PDC and plenty more will no doubt do so in the future. I don't think that puts them in the "big mistake" category - unless they also happen to be useless and/or lazy. Whatever Clarke is, I don't think he's either of those things.

Have to agree with that Den, Clarke has kept his mouth shut with regards to his side of the bust up and yes he was wrong with his behaviour after the Saints game, but a mistake to bring him here, don't think so, he has proved elsewhere he can score goals and I thought when he returned this season he took stick from the fans but kept his cool and Flint probably deserved his red when flattening him, (don't think he was under orders from Paolo to do that, though), lol

In hindsight signing Clarke was a big mistake as he got bombed out in disgrace within weeks. We could have been lumbered with his wages and were lucky that Charlton stepped in. The fact he is on his 17th (I think) club and at least 4th since us suggests he is not one to settle and was a gamble that didn't pay off. But yes credit to him for keeping shtum, and he obviously has something as he's scored goals at our level.

Hope we get a fee for Rooney and Benson as they both cost STFC a fare bit of money.Or will it be more money lost

Darren please see other post. FFS give it a rest.

dreamofacleansheet2 wrote:
Darren please see other post. FFS give it a rest.

FFS GIVE WHAT A REST ????

Benson cost us nothing - he was in exchange for another free transfer Clarke
.
In fact Benson has made us money by helping us get promoted and go on the cup runs we have - ala he scored against Wigan
.
Most of our signings have in fact been free transfers - only Connell and Smith have "cost us money" and PdC said they were always signed for L2 only an a decision was made at board level to grant them a free transfer to secure a good move for themselves
.
The "pay-offs" we have no idea how much they cost - it could be 0% or they could be 100% - purely depends on the player - but the talk of millions being paid out is total nonsense

London Red wrote:
Benson cost us nothing - he was in exchange for another free transfer Clarke . In fact Benson has made us money by helping us get promoted and go on the cup runs we have - ala he scored against Wigan . Most of our signings have in fact been free transfers - only Connell and Smith have "cost us money" and PdC said they were always signed for L2 only an a decision was made at board level to grant them a free transfer to secure a good move for themselves . The "pay-offs" we have no idea how much they cost - it could be 0% or they could be 100% - purely depends on the player - but the talk of millions being paid out is total nonsense

Sorry LR i 4got that Benson was a free for run away clark

So every player apart from Rooney Connell and Smith cost money...

and as you said YOU have no idea how much the payoffs cost..and we never will???..

London Red wrote:
Benson cost us nothing - he was in exchange for another free transfer Clarke
.
In fact Benson has made us money by helping us get promoted and go on the cup runs we have - ala he scored against Wigan
.
Most of our signings have in fact been free transfers - only Connell and Smith have "cost us money" and PdC said they were always signed for L2 only an a decision was made at board level to grant them a free transfer to secure a good move for themselves
.
The "pay-offs" we have no idea how much they cost - it could be 0% or they could be 100% - purely depends on the player - but the talk of millions being paid out is total nonsense

London Red,

''Pay-offs'' of players contracts would be extremely unlikely to be 0%.

Much more likely a compromise agreement is reached and the current example is Joe Cole. Liverpool are reported to have paid him £3 million to leave, although with 18 months left on his contract, their liability was close to £7 million.

I appreciate this deal is at Premiership salaries, but I make this about 43% to get the player off Liverpool's books and he has walked straight into a job with West Ham.

There is no such thing as a free transfer. "Free transfer" = no fee payable to a club but the player can fill his boots with a signing on fee. I doubt there are many players we've signed for nowt.

Oi Den! wrote:
There is no such thing as a free transfer. "Free transfer" = no fee payable to a club but the player can fill his boots with a signing on fee. I doubt there are many players we've signed for nowt.

You get owt for nowt Den!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joey - I didn't actually say a percentage - the point was each case will be unique
.
0% pay offs though are not that uncommon - Atuki is a prime example!
.
He approached the club about terminating his deal as he wanted to resurect his career - so wont hVe gone in and demand a large pay off to go (plus no mention of him in the post balance sheet events backs that up)
.
PdC also said that Lanzano was due to leave in Jan without receiving a penny in compensation. That didn't happen but I doubt he then demand a large pay-off 6 month later
.
If players demand 100% - clubs will do what we did to Whalley and let them rot in the stands - if we have to pay it all why let them then earn more elsewhere on top!
.
The most common scenario thoug is as you suggedted with Cole
.
He was rumoured to be on 90k a week at Liverpool - West Ham are unlikely to match that - so his agent went to Liverpool pay him the £3m difference and he will be gone
.
Liverpool do it as it "saves" them Xm
.
That is probably the exact situation we have seen with most of ours who have left
.
Anyway as I said in another post our post balance sheet expenditure was £500k - that included the transfers of Rooney, Wes and pay-offs to JPM, Lucas, Prutton and Comazzi
.
Now the transfer fees would take up most of that - so that shows the pay-offs are relatively small - as Prutton and co would have been on more than most our squad last year!
.
Yes we don't really want to be paying £25-50k to players - but that would make it in the region of £175-300k for the 7 paid off - a long way from the millions suggested

London Red wrote:
Joey - I didn't actually say a percentage - the point was each case will be unique
.
0% pay offs though are not that uncommon - Atuki is a prime example!
.
He approached the club about terminating his deal as he wanted to resurect his career - so wont hVe gone in and demand a large pay off to go (plus no mention of him in the post balance sheet events backs that up)
.
PdC also said that Lanzano was due to leave in Jan without receiving a penny in compensation. That didn't happen but I doubt he then demand a large pay-off 6 month later
.
If players demand 100% - clubs will do what we did to Whalley and let them rot in the stands - if we have to pay it all why let them then earn more elsewhere on top!
.
The most common scenario thoug is as you suggedted with Cole
.
He was rumoured to be on 90k a week at Liverpool - West Ham are unlikely to match that - so his agent went to Liverpool pay him the £3m difference and he will be gone
.
Liverpool do it as it "saves" them Xm
.
That is probably the exact situation we have seen with most of ours who have left
.
Anyway as I said in another post our post balance sheet expenditure was £500k - that included the transfers of Rooney, Wes and pay-offs to JPM, Lucas, Prutton and Comazzi
.
Now the transfer fees would take up most of that - so that shows the pay-offs are relatively small - as Prutton and co would have been on more than most our squad last year!
.
Yes we don't really want to be paying £25-50k to players - but that would make it in the region of £175-300k for the 7 paid off - a long way from the millions suggested

Morning London Red can you tell me if the swindon-town-fc.co.u
k has got the figures right for T.A. and Collins with all the add ons .Iwas quite shocked at how mutch T.A. will cost all told if these figures are correct.

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:

Is that you Lovesey wrote:
I like Rooney, dont think he has been given enough of a chance here in my oppinion..

I do agree with you Lovesey, that Luke Rooney has never been given any sort of run in the team since his arrival.
When he first joined Swindon Town he seemed to excite the crowd every time he came on as a sub,

Got to say he blew hot and cold on the pitch and looked petulant when he went through periods of not having the ball, doesn't look a mature player. As for being given a chance, no-one owes him game time, it needs to be earned. I think DeVita did far more to earn a starting place than Rooney ever did from seeing his attitude on the pitch. On that basis isn't it in the best interest of STFC that DV got picked over Rooney? Desperately wanted Rooney to do well as he looked really skilful but also looked like a player who would chuck his toys out of the pram when things weren't going so well. I'm sure if he was prepared to knuckle down in training and show the right attitude when he was on the pitch, he would've had a run in the side.

Swindon1984 wrote:

Old-Stager, Hilperton wrote:

Is that you Lovesey wrote:
I like Rooney, dont think he has been given enough of a chance here in my oppinion..

I do agree with you Lovesey, that Luke Rooney has never been given any sort of run in the team since his arrival.
When he first joined Swindon Town he seemed to excite the crowd every time he came on as a sub,

Got to say he blew hot and cold on the pitch and looked petulant when he went through periods of not having the ball, doesn't look a mature player. As for being given a chance, no-one owes him game time, it needs to be earned. I think DeVita did far more to earn a starting place than Rooney ever did from seeing his attitude on the pitch. On that basis isn't it in the best interest of STFC that DV got picked over Rooney? Desperately wanted Rooney to do well as he looked really skilful but also looked like a player who would chuck his toys out of the pram when things weren't going so well. I'm sure if he was prepared to knuckle down in training and show the right attitude when he was on the pitch, he would've had a run in the side.

Quite right. He seems to be light years behind De Vita in terms of attitude and application.