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Post by redintheface on May 13, 2024 14:13:27 GMT
Signs a one year contract extension with the O’s. Interesting decision albeit not one I altogether agree with. I guess we’ll have to see how things work out but I can only hope it’s not indicative of the clubs wider ambition in the close season transfer market.
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Post by mujtahido on May 13, 2024 14:16:04 GMT
I think it's a really good decision Pratley can still perform to a high level on his day and is a great person to have around the dressing room
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Post by aussieluke on May 13, 2024 14:36:49 GMT
Considering the average age and experience of the players we have currently, I think Pratley is still a useful person to have in and around the Matchday squad.
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Post by Fisch on May 13, 2024 14:43:29 GMT
I understand his contract stipulates that one "Pratley year" has 100 months.
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Post by Thor on May 13, 2024 14:44:25 GMT
Personally he deserves a new 1 year deal he's earned it. He proven he is still capable of playing at this level and I promise you in football the word sentiment does not come into it and if anyone thinks RW has thrown him a bone you couldn't be more wrong.
This is what Richie had to say.
When managers talk about having a good dressing room, it’s because they have people like Darren Pratley in them. Prats is someone that all young players should look up to in terms of the way he looks after himself, the way he trains and the way he communicates with others.
“For me, it was a no-brainer for us to give him another year because, one, he is still fit and has shown over the last couple of seasons that he can contribute on the pitch. And, two, apart from him we are a very young squad.
“His experience and approachable nature are brilliant for us and he is someone that has a big impact on our younger players in terms of guiding them and helping to talk them through the closing stages of games.
“I’m really delighted to still have him as part of our group.”
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Post by dohnut on May 13, 2024 15:10:30 GMT
Hard to criticise that decision. Just hope he is able to play a decent number of minutes. We want players on the pitch as well as leaders in the dressing room.
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Post by peterthepunter on May 13, 2024 17:36:41 GMT
Hard to criticise that decision. Just hope he is able to play a decent number of minutes. We want players on the pitch as well as leaders in the dressing room. His on the pitch performances last season were certainly up to snuff. The decision makes perfect sense. I have the impression he is being lined up for a coaching role in due course, so that adds some value too.
I certainly don't think this will discourage other players who are considering their contracts.
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Post by dubioushubris on May 13, 2024 18:15:20 GMT
This is one of those where I wouldn't have minded either way. We do need experience in the squad and Pratley showed this past season he can still play, but when it catches up with you it can catch up with you fast. So long as he can still come off the bench to help see out games then it'll be worth it.
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Post by Ramrod on May 13, 2024 18:41:03 GMT
This is one of those where I wouldn't have minded either way. We do need experience in the squad and Pratley showed this past season he can still play, but when it catches up with you it can catch up with you fast. So long as he can still come off the bench to help see out games then it'll be worth it. And it looks like he's seen as having a coaching role as well next season so it all pretty much justifies his one-year contract. |
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Post by SW O on May 13, 2024 21:36:34 GMT
100% in favour. His fitness level is remarkable and he often outshone more than half the players on the pitch.
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Post by redintheface on May 14, 2024 6:29:15 GMT
Hard to criticise that decision. Just hope he is able to play a decent number of minutes. We want players on the pitch as well as leaders in the dressing room. Pratley is a known quantity and , I imagine, relatively inexpensive, so from that standpoint I get it. Someone with high potential might not provide a quick return on investment so signing Pratley for another year is an understandable “ risk averse” option. I do wonder though to what extent he can continue to perform on a regular basis across a 46 game league season. He might give the impression that he can defy time but ultimately it’s a battle he’s going to lose. Pratley gives his thoughts on his extra year at the O’s below:- |
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Post by eca on May 14, 2024 6:41:53 GMT
There was one game when in the later stages he lost a challenge or the ball ran kindly to the other player it was around the centre line in then pitch I saw him vigorously running back trying to catch the other player the distance into our penalty area - the fact is it was late in the game and he could of just shown a token effort to recover but his running with determination was very noticeable
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Post by alfresco on May 14, 2024 9:23:35 GMT
Very sensible signing. Pratts is fit as a butchers dog, and you cant buy that amount of experience.
I doubt he will start 46 games, but in a situation where we are winning 1-0, and the opposition is starting to get on top, Pratts coming on to steady the ship, is a good thing.
Off the pitch, he is a wonderful role model to young lads
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Post by buffalobill on May 14, 2024 12:33:29 GMT
I’ve got no problem with another year for DP.
Total professional, who if he didn’t think he was good enough, would I reckon hang up his boots.
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Post by Thor on May 14, 2024 12:55:40 GMT
Hear from the man himself
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Post by redshank on May 14, 2024 13:00:18 GMT
DP will do for me.
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Post by dohnut on May 14, 2024 13:22:22 GMT
Hard to criticise that decision. Just hope he is able to play a decent number of minutes. We want players on the pitch as well as leaders in the dressing room. His on the pitch performances last season were certainly up to snuff. The decision makes perfect sense. I have the impression he is being lined up for a coaching role in due course, so that adds some value too.
I certainly don't think this will discourage other players who are considering their contracts.
I think we can all see the sense in this decision and I have no complaints especially if he is moving towards a coaching role. If however he is simply in as a player then he needs to contribute more minutes on the field of play. He is not the only senior pro in the dressing room and who knows who is available out there as a potential replacement. He needs to contribute on the pitch as well as in the dressing room if he has signed solely as a player. |
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Post by tattyfilarious on May 14, 2024 14:06:51 GMT
There was one game when in the later stages he lost a challenge or the ball ran kindly to the other player it was around the centre line in then pitch I saw him vigorously running back trying to catch the other player the distance into our penalty area - the fact is it was late in the game and he could of just shown a token effort to recover but his running with determination was very noticeable I see too many PL players just jogging back after giving away the ball. Yet another reason I don't watch MOTD or pay to watch someone on more money a week that I used to earn in a year fail to keep a shot on target from ten yards or kick the ball into row Z when under pressure. Known as poncing about in your own area. |
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Post by dohnut on May 14, 2024 14:20:57 GMT
There was one game when in the later stages he lost a challenge or the ball ran kindly to the other player it was around the centre line in then pitch I saw him vigorously running back trying to catch the other player the distance into our penalty area - the fact is it was late in the game and he could of just shown a token effort to recover but his running with determination was very noticeable I see too many PL players just jogging back after giving away the ball. Yet another reason I don't watch MOTD or pay to watch someone on more money a week that I used to earn in a year fail to keep a shot on target from ten yards or kick the ball into row Z when under pressure. Known as poncing about in your own area. Thats an interesting point. Maybe Thor is best placed to comment. But team orders may come into play and perhaps there are times when chasing back may look good but not best overall. Hanging about further forward is also about what the opponent needs to do. Chasing back means your marker can also chase forward. Don’t know, i’m a dinosaur when looking at current tactics and spend half my time trying to work out the system being used at any one point. Not too sure the players always know. Or maybe you are right and they are lazy. As for skills, or lack of. Today’s PL players are skilful beyond reason. But will screw up at times. They are human. |
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Post by Thor on May 14, 2024 14:53:45 GMT
His on the pitch performances last season were certainly up to snuff. The decision makes perfect sense. I have the impression he is being lined up for a coaching role in due course, so that adds some value too.
I certainly don't think this will discourage other players who are considering their contracts.
I think we can all see the sense in this decision and I have no complaints especially if he is moving towards a coaching role. If however he is simply in as a player then he needs to contribute more minutes on the field of play. He is not the only senior pro in the dressing room and who knows who is available out there as a potential replacement. He needs to contribute on the pitch as well as in the dressing room if he has signed solely as a player. At Derby he was our best player by far, that's at the season end and he still wanted it badly. For sure he can't do what he did 10 years ago, but what's he's giving now is still superb. |
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