Cet Homme Charmant

Credit to the Tele for keeping on-message and naming them correctly

I lived in Nijmegen in the Netherlands for 5 years till 2002 and regularly went to watch local team NEC, who spent most seasons mid-table or fighting against relegation. Their local rivals were Vitesse from just up the road in Arnhem, who were bigger and generally more successful than NEC. The 'Gelderland Derby' is one of the most bitter and hate-filled in the Netherlands, and regularly sees violent clashes between fans. Vitesse were one of the 'sub-top' clubs that also included the likes of Utrecht and AZ, who while having occasional success were never quite as big as the the top three of PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord. They got through to the last 16 on the Europa Conference League as recently as 2 years ago, beating the likes of Spurs and Rapid Vienna on the way. That changed dramatically this season however, as while NEC have had for them a very good season and currently sit 7th in the Eredivisie, Vitesse have been consigned to relegation for the first time in 35 years. Even without an astonishing 18 point deduction for repeated breaches of licensing regulations and providing false information to the investigating authorities, they would still be deep in the relegation zone. Not only that, they are so deeply in financial trouble there is a real risk they will even be refused a license to play in the Eeerste Divisie next season. There's every possibility therefore they'll be liquidated and have to start again from scratch in the lower semi-professional and amateur leagues, like Rangers had to do a decade or so ago. Unlike the Rangers fans however, the Vitesse fans are at least trying to do something about it and have set up a survival fund which has already collected 1.5m euros. I've just watched them lose 1-0 at Utrecht and this is their players publicising the fund after the match. Of course their plight is causing much joy and hilarity amongst the NEC fans. As I still have a wee soft spot NEC I should be chuckling away as well, but I can't help but feel a wee bit sad for them, albeit it's entirely of their own making.

I know he's a bit of a dick, but fair play to Yogi, that's some performance from a man of his age

I don't disagree, he's obviously playing at our level for a reason, or more likely multiple reasons. Nevertheless, if we let him go, it will be difficult to get a replacement who'll contribute as many goals and assist as he's done in the last two-and-a-half seasons. I can see why some would be indifferent to him leaving as he can be incredibly frustrating at times, last night being yet another example. But he's also brought a lot of positives to the team which I think some overlook or for one reason or other just don't appreciate. I won't be devastated if he leaves, but I think some who'll be happy to see the back of him underestimate just how difficult it will be to find a replacement who'll contribute as much over a full season as he does.

I'm sure there are, but very few will produce the same amount of goals and assists

Anyway, back on topic, I totally understand that we have to live within our means, but we should really push the boat out when it comes to Oakley. I've not checked our win rates with and without him, but I'm pretty sure it will be like comparing night and day.

General Nonsense for this shite

For some but certainly not for all. Plenty have left us and went on to have good careers. There also hilarious examples where their careers crashed and burned, the aforementioned O'Ware being one. But if we're being honest his career nosediving was more due to a bad knee injury than leaving the Ton.

Tam O'Ware was widely disliked by the Ton fans not so much for the fact he moved on, but for the way he did it. In contrast to Ricky Lamie who left on good terms with the club and the fans, and was generally admired and respected as a result. While I wouldn't be happy if some of the current squad rejected a new contract for a better offer elsewhere, I wouldn't hold any personal animosity towards them as long as they weren't a dick about it, like O'Ware and some others were.

While money on its own is rarely the sole factor in any career move, it's often a significant one. Footballers of course have a short career, so if they get offered a contract elsewhere on substantially more money it would be churlish to resent them for it, particularly in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. If it happens to be to another Championship club though, and in particular Falkirk or Partick, it would indeed be a hard one to take.

Surprisingly feisty for an end-of-season dead rubber

Attendance looks around about 1500, which is probably what you would reasonably expect for a relatively meaningless end-of-season game. Cutting the admission to a tenner may have added a few hundred, so might have been worth a try. EDIT to add: Turns out it was over 2000 which is pretty decent.

I actually thought Kirk was very solid today. But yeah, another season in the Championship at his age is probably a bridge too far.

It's been the metaphorical roller coaster, but the mid-season run when we were firing on all cylinders was magnificent and thoroughly enjoyable. And we've still got every chance of finishing 5th, the same as last season which was generally considered a good one. A very mixed season for sure, but to call it really disappointing is a bit unfair, IMO. As with all close-seasons, who we let go and acquire will be critical.