Odd that the club feel to announce this separately to the other squad numbers but I think it might be another way of making sure Whyte is here until at least January.
He has 2 years left and if we sold him in January, I'd personally drive to KR's place of residence and cut his gonads off. Why the panic or assumption he's going at any point? He's under contract.
He's also drawn a lot of attention in the media, with speculation linking him to a move to a championship team. Were we to sell him, we would likely be able to demand a higher fee in January than we would next summer, when the old "we won't pay that much as he's only got one year left on his contract" can be used by potential buyers in negotiations.He has 2 years left and if we sold him in January, I'd personally drive to KR's place of residence and cut his gonads off. Why the panic or assumption he's going at any point? He's under contract.
good overview that ^He's also drawn a lot of attention in the media, with speculation linking him to a move to a championship team. Were we to sell him, we would likely be able to demand a higher fee in January than we would next summer, when the old "we won't pay that much as he's only got one year left on his contract" can be used by potential buyers in negotiations.
Giving him the number 10 shirt and, most notably, "officially" announcing it before any of the others declares 3 things:
1) A statement is being made to Gavin - "This is how much we value you; giving you the cherished number 10 shirt and assuring you of a starting place in our first-team, ahead of giving such assurances to your other teammates".
2) A statement is being made to other clubs - "He's not leaving, not unless you chuck a ton at us".
3) A statement is being made to the fans - "We are in a stable enough position where we don't feel we need to panic-sell our best players, even for the very high prices being quoted in the press".
He's also drawn a lot of attention in the media, with speculation linking him to a move to a championship team. Were we to sell him, we would likely be able to demand a higher fee in January than we would next summer, when the old "we won't pay that much as he's only got one year left on his contract" can be used by potential buyers in negotiations.
Giving him the number 10 shirt and, most notably, "officially" announcing it before any of the others declares 3 things:
1) A statement is being made to Gavin - "This is how much we value you; giving you the cherished number 10 shirt and assuring you of a starting place in our first-team, ahead of giving such assurances to your other teammates".
2) A statement is being made to other clubs - "He's not leaving, not unless you chuck a ton at us".
3) A statement is being made to the fans - "We are in a stable enough position where we don't feel we need to panic-sell our best players, even for the very high prices being quoted in the press".
Probably to boost shirt sale with his name and number on the back.
Because when the forum sponsors a player it seems to have an unfortunate effect. They are suddenly half the player they were before we do so!why not?
Will there be a no. 9 shirt or anyone to wear it?In the Testing Day pictures, players are wearing the following numbers on their kit (not that this is a confirmation of squad numbers in any way):
Josh Ruffels - 3
Alex Gorrin - 6
Sam Long - 12
John Mousinho - 15
James Henry - 17
Jamie Mackie - 19
Nico Jones - 46
Fabio Lopes - 47
Will there be a no. 9 shirt or anyone to wear it?
Interesting if Gorrin really does have number 6. That's Hanson's number, what's that mean for Hanson if he has lost his number?In the Testing Day pictures, players are wearing the following numbers on their kit (not that this is a confirmation of squad numbers in any way):
Josh Ruffels - 3
Alex Gorrin - 6
Sam Long - 12
John Mousinho - 15
James Henry - 17
Jamie Mackie - 19
Nico Jones - 46
Fabio Lopes - 47
Interesting if Gorrin really does have number 6. That's Hanson's number, what's that mean for Hanson if he has lost his number?
Interesting if Gorrin really does have number 6. That's Hanson's number, what's that mean for Hanson if he has lost his number?
New set of pictures show Hanson and Brannagan out running, but no visible numbers.
I would guess from a blurry zoom of one of them at the number 8 for Hanson, if that wasn't a ridiculous choice and already locked down by Brannagan.
Another picture emerged. Brannagan is wearing 8. Still no clear shots of what Hanson has on.