3 year contracts

[Martinmalta]

Cannot understand the logic of giving an upcoming star aged between 21 and 24 a contract of 3 years. As in the case of Austin, the same will happen with Luongo. He will impress in his first year; if we are promoted he may establish himself as a Premier player and guess what......he will only have 1 year left on his contract with Premier clubs waiting in the wings! We used to give 4 year contracts, however, to players 29 or 30 years old! Now that was something stupid. But to a young player with potential and hungry to succeed?

[Tarbie]

Cannot understand the logic of giving an upcoming star aged between 21 and 24 a contract of 3 years. As in the case of Austin, the same will happen with Luongo. He will impress in his first year; if we are promoted he may establish himself as a Premier player and guess what......he will only have 1 year left on his contract with Premier clubs waiting in the wings! We used to give 4 year contracts, however, to players 29 or 30 years old! Now that was something stupid. But to a young player with potential and hungry to succeed?

Works both ways though doesn't it Martin?

We gave Diakite, SWP and Hoilett 4 year contracts and look how they worked out. Cost us an absolute packet for very little return!

[Martinmalta]

Works both ways though doesn't it Martin?

We gave Diakite, SWP and Hoilett 4 year contracts and look how they worked out. Cost us an absolute packet for very little return!

Its what I meant about giving 4 year contracts to a player of 28/29, like SWP was. In Diakite's case, I think it was very unfortunate it did not turn out to be a good idea as he was very good when he came first. As for Hoilett, I understand your point. One thing you should keep in mind is that the players we signed from the lower divisions (CA included) earn nowhere near what the likes you mentioned earned on a 4 year contract. That's why I emphasized 'an upcoming star aged between 21 and 24 a contract of 3 years.'

[Kevin Mcleod]

Old has been mercenaries will only sign for four years, young prospects only want three. That's life, that's what all the people say, flying high in April, shot down in May.

[MYU]

It just goes to show that players have more power than the football clubs, bring on the wage cap.

[QprQpr]

What happens when they turn out pony after the 1st year? we are lumbered with them for 4.....

[MattyRangers]

All very well picking out he example of a player that (we hope anyway) succeeds. So easily goes the other way and the player in question flops and, to use Luongu (or however you spell it!) as an example, we would all be saying "why the hell did we give any proven player from Swindon a 4 year deal!!

I think 3 year deal is perfectly fine - if he has a great season this season then we offer a new 3/4 year deal. Until we know how he will fit in 3 years is more than enough.

[qpr]

Got to agree however Diakite & Hoilett is a good example. If Lullongo flops then we're stuck with him

I see both points

[stanistheman]

What happens when they turn out pony after the 1st year? we are lumbered with them for 4.....

How about a 3 year with a 1 year option?
i see the point being made here. phillips was given a 4 year deal yet austin on 3.
Guess the players and agents are the ones who dictate the offer.

[TBLOCKRANGER]

I think clubs should be smarter with their contracts rather than simply handing out 3/4 year contracts with no early exit clauses. Does appear contracts are all all drafted in favour of the player, don't really get that in any other industry, must be limited number of avaible players out there.

Could do 4 yr contracts with a review clause after say two years where if the player has say
1 more than certain days injuries, or
2 on the bench for say 50% or more of league games or
3 serious discipline issues

Then the contract can be terminated

If however after say 2 years the player scores high on the above he gets a 25% pay rise for next two years.

Austin would have benefited and SWP not which can't be a bad indicator.

The risk though if only one club implements this then players will just not go to the club. Something however needs to be done about contracts and power of agents and players, as Tarbs says certain clubs are living beyond their means and that can't be right, if the club's expenditure can get controlled then our ST would go down which must be good.

[MattyRangers]

Tblock, I agree, your ideas there are pretty good, however, the issue is that players seem to call the shots these days (in most instances anyway) and can afford to demand terms more favourable that those you've outlined.

[Rich]

It takes a good scout and a good coach to offer the right player the right contract. After spotting a good player who you think fits the club it then comes down to luck in terms of injuries & if they can play with the others players at the club. Will other players and the coach bring the best out of you? Will you join thinking you're the main striker and then get played on the wing? Will the fans know this? If not and you underperform in the position you aren't comfortable in, will they boo and jeer and make your game harder? Will half cut fans who have been in the boozer for 3 hours before kick off even contemplate this?

It's a tricky one. Who knows what the right length of contract is regardless of age, nationality etc

[surrey_hoop]

Cannot understand the logic of giving an upcoming star aged between 21 and 24 a contract of 3 years. As in the case of Austin, the same will happen with Luongo. He will impress in his first year; if we are promoted he may establish himself as a Premier player and guess what......he will only have 1 year left on his contract with Premier clubs waiting in the wings! We used to give 4 year contracts, however, to players 29 or 30 years old! Now that was something stupid. But to a young player with potential and hungry to succeed?

I have absolutely no problem us handing out 4 year deals to 29/30 year olds. What I have a problem with (and what stung us badly in the past) is handing out 4 year deals to 29/30 year olds who were joining us purely for the money. As I seem to state ad nauseum on this site, players are playing in their peak for longer now, so age is becoming an increasing less important factor in football than it was say 20-30 years ago. What is becoming more important is the attitude of the player, their motivation for joining and their ability to train well and play for the shirt - what used to be called professionalism.

In terms of offering longer contracts to 21-24 year olds, I think 4 year deals are fine. It is still difficult at that age to ascertain whether players are going to reach their full potential.