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[IsleofWightYellow]

Throwing him under a departing bus?
It sounds to me like he is saying that Clare has to fight for his place if he wants to stay. Not an unreasonable thing to ask from any player I would have thought.

Even you have to admit that KR’s words to Clare in the media recently have been harsher than usual / than with most players

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

Looks like KR has thrown down the gauntlet to Clare to either put in the effort and fight for the right to wear the shirt or put in a transfer request and clear off

He makes a fair point to Clare though he does appear to have sought to hide some of his own failings in the drama - let's hope it works for everybody

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

“...be straight with me. I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it... if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.”

Yeah what a wam message of welcome to a player returning from loan. Really sounds like he wants him here

 

[Foley]

Even you have to admit that KR’s words to Clare in the media recently have been harsher than usual / than with most players

Sure I agree.
But I am.not sure what he has said wrong? I assume that there have been some discussions that Clare may not want to be at the club in which case saying if you want to stay you need to really try hard to force your way into the team seems bot too outrageous

 

[Thomas/Brock/Jones]

I would think Burton very much want him as he seemed to be an integral part of their turnaround in form and we are just pushing for as much money as we can get from them tbh .

 

[RyanioBirdio]

I’m still a bit confused as to how an attacking midfielder who wore the number 9 shirt at Hearts ended up in this situation, but we are where we are. Hopefully the door really is still open for him to make his mark here, and we aren’t just using stern words while knowing he’s off. It would be interesting to see what he can do. I know he looks quite slight but he’s 6’2” with good pace, plus he isn’t afraid to have a bit of a go. He got 13 bookings last season which is positively Gorrin-esque. That’s probably a few too many and suggests he needs to improve his decision making a little bit, but at least it shows that he isn’t a dainty little flower. If we want more power in midfield, both in terms of ability to power forward and willingness to put a foot in, he could be a decent option.

If he goes, he goes. I think it would be a shame, though. He’s clearly capable of playing in midfield at this level as his loan showed, and we spent six figures on him. It would be good to at least see him in a more suited role before cutting him loose, but if not then that’s how it is.

 

[Manorlounger]

Sure I agree.
But I am.not sure what he has said wrong? I assume that there have been some discussions that Clare may not want to be at the club in which case saying if you want to stay you need to really try hard to force your way into the team seems bot too outrageous

My issue with all this is in the history of how Clare has been handled. KR had nothing but praise for him at the outset, he was a player with a future. Played as a right back didn't work out and he was moved to the midfield where, some of us, saw a good prospect. Obviously, KR did not see him in that light and he was shipped out to Burton.

This is the quote in the OxMail (yet another story lifted straight from Radox and one single broadcast - such slack, lazy journalism)

It is in the middle of the park that Robinson sees Clare playing next season – if he wants to.
Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford’s Wasn’t At The Game, the U’s boss said: “It’s down to Sean to come back as a number eight and to prove that is his position.

“If he doesn’t want to do it, that’s football – be straight with me.


“I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it.

“The game’s evolved for three or four years now where you’re begging, kicking and screaming for people to stay and we want them to play for us.

“That’s going to be our message to all the players this summer – if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.”

I really don't consider the tone and content as being that of a manager encouraging his players. Those are out and out threats. Of course if a player doesn't want to be at the club then they should go but, isn't that a conversation to have behind closed doors? This is all out in the open barely before the lad has had time to even pick a locker in which to hang his boots.
I have my doubts as to whether Clare will make it to pre-season.

 

[bazzer9461]

i don’t think we will sign Lee, at least I hope not. Not that I think he’s a bad player, he isn’t, but I’m not sure he offered us enough. Think we can do much better than Lee and Sykes and need to be striving to find players like McGuane, players who look like they’re bossing matches rather than just drifting around the pitch with the odd flick here and there.

Won’t be the only clubs striving to find players like McGuane

 

[horseman]

“...be straight with me. I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it... if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.”

Yeah what a wam message of welcome to a player returning from loan. Really sounds like he wants him here

He actually said that in general terms about any potential incoming and those here that are dilly dallying but why let a good story go eh

 

[Marked Ox]

My issue with all this is in the history of how Clare has been handled. KR had nothing but praise for him at the outset, he was a player with a future. Played as a right back didn't work out and he was moved to the midfield where, some of us, saw a good prospect. Obviously, KR did not see him in that light and he was shipped out to Burton.

This is the quote in the OxMail (yet another story lifted straight from Radox and one single broadcast - such slack, lazy journalism)

It is in the middle of the park that Robinson sees Clare playing next season – if he wants to.
Speaking to BBC Radio Oxford’s Wasn’t At The Game, the U’s boss said: “It’s down to Sean to come back as a number eight and to prove that is his position.

“If he doesn’t want to do it, that’s football – be straight with me.


“I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it.

“The game’s evolved for three or four years now where you’re begging, kicking and screaming for people to stay and we want them to play for us.

“That’s going to be our message to all the players this summer – if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.”

I really don't consider the tone and content as being that of a manager encouraging his players. Those are out and out threats. Of course if a player doesn't want to be at the club then they should go but, isn't that a conversation to have behind closed doors? This is all out in the open barely before the lad has had time to even pick a locker in which to hang his boots.
I have my doubts as to whether Clare will make it to pre-season.

Depends on how Sean Clare and his Agent have been acting. Maybe KR is getting fed up with that.

 

[ttg17]

“I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it.

“The game’s evolved for three or four years now where you’re begging, kicking and screaming for people to stay and we want them to play for us.

“That’s going to be our message to all the players this summer – if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.”

I'm by no means on the 'Gobbo' bandwagon but this is such a weird quote. Maybe it looks worse transposed and made more sense in context but "I'm sick of it" comes across as really petulant. Who's he referring to that he's had to 'beg' over the last three or four years? I can't think of any player who's downed tools or agitated for a move away in the way he seems to be suggesting. Maybe Fosu? The likes of Dickie and Whyte didn't seem to have bad attitudes.

 

[Scotchegg]

We've been too nice over the last couple of seasons and the team needs a bit more fight. If that comes from a more demanding manager then that's a good thing. 100% those that are here should be fighting for their place and not looking to run contracts down. Whether that applies to Clare, Sykes, Moore or others, I would expect the situation to be the same.

 

[RyanioBirdio]

I'm by no means on the 'Gobbo' bandwagon but this is such a weird quote. Maybe it looks worse transposed and made more sense in context but "I'm sick of it" comes across as really petulant. Who's he referring to that he's had to 'beg' over the last three or four years? I can't think of any player who's downed tools or agitated for a move away in the way he seems to be suggesting. Maybe Fosu? The likes of Dickie and Whyte didn't seem to have bad attitudes.

But doesn’t it sound tough?

 

[LeftSideBoy]

“...be straight with me. I’m not chasing people anymore, I’m sick of it... if you don’t want to be here, be straight with me and we’ll sell you and you can go.”

Yeah what a wam message of welcome to a player returning from loan. Really sounds like he wants him here

He’s paid thousands a week, to do a job. If you don’t want to do it, there will be someone else that is more than happy to do so! It’s that simple. We’re not a charity. Why should we carry players that aren’t 100% committed to the club?

 

[IsleofWightYellow]

He’s paid thousands a week, to do a job. If you don’t want to do it, there will be someone else that is more than happy to do so! It’s that simple. We’re not a charity. Why should we carry players that aren’t 100% committed to the club?

That’s fine, but 90% of modern managers realise that human psychology matters in football now, you can’t just hammer players constantly and expect them to perform.

I get paid thousands a year to do a job but I’d still rather my manager said ‘Yeah, I’m looking forward to him coming back to the office, if he knuckles down he’ll be an asset to the team for sure’ than ‘Make your mind up, stay or go, see if I care!’

 

[dickwalton1964]

Agreed. In my 60+ years of supporting the club, Hebberd stands out as the best all round midfielder. Houghton, Magilton were indeed very good as in a different way was Les Phillips. In the same way Joey just pips Simmo and Brock as the best winger I have seen In an Oxford shirt.

I’m only 50 years a fan, compared to your 60, but yes Hebberd the best ever Oxford player for me let alone midfielder. Ray Houghton was a super footballer too but Hebberds sheer athleticism and drive was something to behold in his pomp. Magilton was a silky player, lovely touch and vision but Hebberd was your all round midfielder - can’t really think of a weakness to his game.

 

[tim lane]

I’m only 50 years a fan, compared to your 60, but yes Hebberd the best ever Oxford player for me let alone midfielder. Ray Houghton was a super footballer too but Hebberds sheer athleticism and drive was something to behold in his pomp. Magilton was a silky player, lovely touch and vision but Hebberd was your all round midfielder - can’t really think of a weakness to his game.

I couldn't agree more, Dick. I'm in the '50 years a fan' category and for me Trevor Hebberd is the finest player we have ever had. In his prime, as some journalists acknowledged, he should have played for England.

 

[Manorlounger]

He’s paid thousands a week, to do a job. If you don’t want to do it, there will be someone else that is more than happy to do so! It’s that simple. We’re not a charity. Why should we carry players that aren’t 100% committed to the club?

Wouldn't disagree, in principle. However, if I had an employer who spoke publicly, in those terms, I'd be asking myself, do I really want to work for someone with such a lack of respect for the individual? Would those who might have been happy to take those thousands a week, that you mention, be interested in applying for the position?

 

[werthersoriginal]

I'm by no means on the 'Gobbo' bandwagon but this is such a weird quote. Maybe it looks worse transposed and made more sense in context but "I'm sick of it" comes across as really petulant. Who's he referring to that he's had to 'beg' over the last three or four years? I can't think of any player who's downed tools or agitated for a move away in the way he seems to be suggesting. Maybe Fosu? The likes of Dickie and Whyte didn't seem to have bad attitudes.

Yes that was odd. Maybe it referred to Sykes or even Forde, we haven’t heard whether he’s signing the new contract

 

[ubermeistervonmeat]

I couldn't agree more, Dick. I'm in the '50 years a fan' category and for me Trevor Hebberd is the finest player we have ever had. In his prime, as some journalists acknowledged, he should have played for England.

Also one of the most geuinely modest mild and unassuming players you could hope to see - I am getting close to 50 year a fan and I concur he is the best I have seen play for the Yellows