Esteve and CJER....not all that.

[fatboy47]

....apparently...I've seen some big bottom lips in my time...but here's probably the best yet...

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[jedi_master]

Haha!

Maybe it didn't occur to them that the reason Esteve and Egan-Riley 'didn't get tested' (against arguably the best team in the division, who we have two clean sheets against) is because the entire team defends superbly as a unit and limits chances to an almost ridiculous level. The centre backs never look flustered or have to make last ditch tackles because their positioning, pace and strength is beyond this division. You don't earn our defensive record via luck.

[BurnleyFC]

Worth more than their entire team and decrepit stadium combined.

[Woodleyclaret]

Best partnership since Ben Mee and Tarks they seem to have a telepathic understanding of what each other will do in any situation

[BurnleyFC]

Worth more than their entire team and decrepit stadium combined.

But only if we manage to tie CJ down.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Joint best defensive record of all time so far, guess it's all just good luck

[jedi_master]

But only if we manage to tie CJ down.

Yes - that is becoming a worry. He has earned the right to ask for parity with pretty much anyone else in the squad, give him it. He will make us it back in spades in a transfer fee.

[NottsClaret]

But only if we manage to tie CJ down.

Unfortunately, I don't see any reason for him to sign now. Whatever we offer, he can easily get elsewhere as a free agent in the summer. If we miss out on promotion, I'm sure one of the promoted sides would be delighted to take him on a free. If we do go up, then he can sign our deal anyway, if he doesn't get a better one.

We can't grumble, he was benched or sent out on loan for most of the time he's been here.

[Goliath]

Unfortunately, I don't see any reason for him to sign now. Whatever we offer, he can easily get elsewhere as a free agent in the summer. If we miss out on promotion, I'm sure one of the promoted sides would be delighted to take him on a free. If we do go up, then he can sign our deal anyway, if he doesn't get a better one.

We can't grumble, he was benched or sent out on loan for most of the time he's been here.

He's basically like a loan signing for us now this season. There will be about 20 teams sniffing around him already, if not more.

[jedi_master]

Maybe CJ has an agreement with the club on a contract, but he will only sign it if we go up.

[BurnleyFC]

Maybe CJ has an agreement with the club on a contract, but he will only sign it if we go up.

No pressure then…

As you say, it’s gone worryingly quiet on his contract situation. I’d be gutted if we lost him for a pittance in the summer.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Joint best defensive record of all time so far, guess it's all just good luck

I think a lot of the reason is down to system.

We are so compact and we slow the game down so much that very rarely do our CBs ever come up against players one on one.

The biggest test will be whether they can do the same in the premier league where the players are quicker and stronger than anything at this level.

[RVclaret]

I think a lot of the reason is down to system.

We are so compact and we slow the game down so much that very rarely do our CBs ever come up against players one on one.

The biggest test will be whether they can do the same in the premier league where the players are quicker and stronger than anything at this level.

In fairness Esteve has already shown he can compete physically with PL strikers. I remember him winning duels against Antonio and Nunez and thinking this lad has got it. What i like about Humphreys is he also has the physicality to match them, he’s a big lad and not slow. The question is Egan-Riley, he’s not the tallest for a cb and not as quick as Esteve, but he does read the game well and his ability on the ball is probably PL quality. Worth remembering all are still youngish and still have half a season, plus pre season, to develop.

[Yorkshirelad]

Unfortunately, I don't see any reason for him to sign now. Whatever we offer, he can easily get elsewhere as a free agent in the summer. If we miss out on promotion, I'm sure one of the promoted sides would be delighted to take him on a free. If we do go up, then he can sign our deal anyway, if he doesn't get a better one.

We can't grumble, he was benched or sent out on loan for most of the time he's been here.

The lad has played really well for us this year and I hope he signs a new contract but my fear is he won’t. I don’t know if the circumstances were the same but he did it when he was at Man City I think.

[fatboy47]

You'd think that if CJ had any intention of extending he'd have done it by now....you can bet we've done our dammnedest to tempt him..

....up to him I guess, but atm he's always one tackle away from a career threatening injury (see Beyer).. if that happens (god forbid) he's only getting paid till May.

If I were his dad I'd be having words with him.

[boatshed bill]

You'd think that if CJ had any intention of extending he'd have done it by now....you can bet we've done our dammnedest to tempt him..

....up to him I guess, but atm he's always one tackle away from a career threatening injury (see Beyer).. if that happens (god forbid) he's only getting paid till May.

If I were his dad I'd be having words with him.

I guess he could be waiting to see which division we will be playing in next season.

[fatboy47]

I guess he could be waiting to see which division we will be playing in next season.

Massive risk, given that he could have a contract that included both scenarios and a sensible release fee clause.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Had a Leeds mate txt me saying Esteve is head and shoulders over any defender he’s seen at this level

[Spijed]

I can't see us keeping Esteve, even if we get promoted.

Certainly get a very good fee though.

[boatshed bill]

Massive risk, given that he could have a contract that included both scenarios and a sensible release fee clause.

Also, would it surprise you if his agent has already got him fixed up?

[RVclaret]

Esteve needs to improve his passing if he wants to make it at a top club / internationally, I think. Even last night he tried switching it 5/6 times and 0 found the man. Contract to CJ who zips them across with real venom and accuracy.

[fatboy47]

Also, would it surprise you if his agent has already got him fixed up?

Yep, because he's sure not playing like he's headed elsewhere, and nobody's giving him a 4 year gig if he does an acl next week.

His choice....he'll know what's on offer, for sure though.

[jedi_master]

Esteve needs to improve his passing if he wants to make it at a top club / internationally, I think. Even last night he tried switching it 5/6 times and 0 found the man. Contract to CJ who zips them across with real venom and accuracy.

This was why I posted a 'comparative' thread a month or so ago (not to denigrate one or the other as such). Imagine the player you'd have with Esteves physical attributes and CJ's distribution...

[colne-claret]

I rekon CJ will sign a new contract but it will have an attractive release clause within it.

[burnmark]

Reminds me of the time one of their lot was on a fan forum either on Sky or You Tube or the ilk just after the Kompany Promotion season. He declared that we’d not been as good as what the general consensus was and had been quite lucky at times with last minute winners etc. A Millwall fan wiped the floor with him together with getting short shrift from the presenters and other supporters.

Bitter.

[fatboy47]

Reminds me of the time one of their lot was on a fan forum either on Sky or You Tube or the ilk just after the Kompany Promotion season. He declared that we’d not been as good as what the general consensus was and had been quite lucky at times with last minute winners etc. A Millwall fan wiped the floor with him together with getting short shrift from the presenters and other supporters.

Bitter.

Right now, clinging to the hope that Burnley fail is the only thing keeping many of them from sticking their heads in the oven.

[BurnleyFC]

In fairness Esteve has already shown he can compete physically with PL strikers. I remember him winning duels against Antonio and Nunez and thinking this lad has got it. What i like about Humphreys is he also has the physicality to match them, he’s a big lad and not slow. The question is Egan-Riley, he’s not the tallest for a cb and not as quick as Esteve, but he does read the game well and his ability on the ball is probably PL quality. Worth remembering all are still youngish and still have half a season, plus pre season, to develop.

In the second half last night Egan-Riley chased one out over our byline which their right winger (might’ve been Solomon) was going for.

He was rapid.