David Brooks

I wouldn’t want him to go to Leeds or Southampton- I can’t think of two worse Clubs BUT it’s a choice best made by Brooks and the Club. David’s career is the main concern and if the best choice is one of the above then so be it. FWIW I think Soton would be a better choice of the two - less disruption and he’s likely to get more game time. I think maybe a less pressured environment might be better - with a mid table Champ Club, where he’d get plenty of game time and less stress. Maybe a Preston or Blackburn - close to his roots or a Bristol City perhaps ? Wherever he ends up I’ll be supporting him
 
Waz afcb said:
How is Brooks a waste of a wage?

I think people forget sometimes that we need players to act as back ups too. He may not be getting picked right now but he’s serving his purpose by acting as an understudy for those who are, there are only two wing positions so naturally some are going to miss out. He has looked bright enough at times when coming on too.

I can’t see him leaving in this window for the same reason that I can’t see Kieffer Moore leaving, they are both filling important roles in the squad as back ups and would need to be replaced if they did depart. I’m sure the summer is a different matter but I can’t see the club wanting to have to spend to replace fringe players in January.

The only first trainers I can see departing are Traore and Kilkenny, and that is because to put it bluntly, neither are serving any purpose to us right now and would not need to be replaced.
Click to expand...
As romantic as your hyperbole is, a fact remains.

Brooks hasn't looked anywhere near a PL player since his medical problem.

He was made captain against QPR.

If that isn't an endorsement from the manager to 'show me what you can do' I'm not sure what is.

We are all romantically involved with David Brooks, he was a wizard, a maestro for us in the past.

Unfortunately he isn't now.

Nostalgia aside whether you like it or not, he is currently ineffective, and therefore a waste of a wage.

We are a football club, not a charity, unless he can prove otherwise.

Ariola gave Brooks a fair few chances.

It seems, for one reason or another, Brooks is no longer in this seasons plans.
 
Waz afcb said:
How is Brooks a waste of a wage?

I think people forget sometimes that we need players to act as back ups too. He may not be getting picked right now but he’s serving his purpose by acting as an understudy for those who are, there are only two wing positions so naturally some are going to miss out. He has looked bright enough at times when coming on too.

I can’t see him leaving in this window for the same reason that I can’t see Kieffer Moore leaving, they are both filling important roles in the squad as back ups and would need to be replaced if they did depart. I’m sure the summer is a different matter but I can’t see the club wanting to have to spend to replace fringe players in January.

The only first trainers I can see departing are Traore and Kilkenny, and that is because to put it bluntly, neither are serving any purpose to us right now and would not need to be replaced.
Click to expand...

I'm not forgetting anything... but thanks for reverting to one of your patronising responses ;)

They are squad players and of course we need squad players. But those squad players need to be capable of stepping up and slotting into way a team plays and staking a claim for a starting spot. Useful having players around who understand they aren't realistically challenging for a spot, but good charscters. But with ffp they need to be on a low wage imo. Otherwise it detracts from bringing in players that have more suitable attributes, or potential.

Not sure Brooks has attributes and he's not on peanuts... 30 to 40k? A lot of money for someone who so far has looked a shadow of his early years.... 1st season? There are plenty of more suitable wingers available who'd likely have more impact when called upon. Maybe not this window, as squad overhauls take time. But even Jack Clarke, Armstrong mentioned immediately appear more like kind of players that'd suit current ai style more. They wouldn't cost more than Brooks current wage and chances are woukd be more useful/effective for us.

We need to keep moving forwards and progress. That includes offloading people on decent wages, to accommodate more suitable players.

Brooks is under contract for long time so is totally secure financially and its likely a given he'll be treated in particular sensitive manner shoukd we decide its time for a loan/move. I'm not totally writing him off and would love for him to recapture his old form more than anyone, but he has to prove himself... which he's largely failed to do this season when given the opportunity. Loan move to top championship club gives great (best imo) chance for him to gain confidence, regular football. And who knows, if he does well, back in contention next season.

Keeping a well paid but underperforming player out of sentiment is not feasible long term and its not doing anyone any favours imo. Like I say, he's under decent contract so is secure, but there has to be a time when professional, more business/results orientated decisions are made fir the benefit of the club. This doesn't mean mistreating him or being insensitive. But that also doesn't mean we shoukd be paying millions over years of someone's contract for someone making minimal impact at pl level.
 
Last edited:
AFCBade said:
Was he close to returning in august as we all thought he was to exit on that last day until something happened
Click to expand...
Yes, it nearly happened, but I think it was about finances. There was an alternative loan kicking about to Millwall, which apparently Moore turned down late in the day.
 
Kudos said:
After Solanke we don't have another recognised striker outside of Moore.

Mepham is one of 3 fit CBs at the moment so I can't see us wanting to loan him.

We do have a glut of wingers in the squad but we're currently so short of fit full backs to the point we're playing our single fit one and a winger. We've also converted one to CM and have two more away on international duty.

We have Christie at CM and Tavernier at LB, Semenyo and Outtarra on international duty and Traore on long term illness. I think we're only left with Brooks and Sinisterra, possibly Kluivert (who has been playing as a number 10) left to challenge for two spots in a position that often get subbed.

If anyone is going anywhere it would be with a replacement lined up for a deal that suits Bournemouth.
Click to expand...
We could recall Anthony as Parker played him at right back or wing back once or twice I think. But, that might mean Leeds recalling Sinisterra.
 
The way he put the afterburners on and made the full back look like he was running in treacle was a joy to watch on tv.

Would be keen to see him do similar in the Premier League as it’s only a question mark on his pace and intensity/work rate, that sees him drop down the pecking order.
 
First of all... All of the above... Brooks had a good game last night and was clearly up for it after his limited game time and being hauled off at QPR 0-2 down and we won 3-2 without him... That had to hurt...

Back to taking on defenders, good balls in, a carbon copy attempt of his Liverpool miss, but this time, calmly slotted home, and busy interplay with Hill and Christie... A good performance and great to see him back to those levels...

However, we do need to consider the opposition... not meaning to put a downer on it at all but Swansea were dogsh*t last night... and at 3-0 down after 15 mins they were not in the game... scoreline, mentally and physically...

Brooks needs to prove he can do all of last night, against PL opposition... Which we all know he has it in him... it's just proving to Iraola he's still got it.

For me, I still wonder if he's properly fit still... Didn't seem to be a need to remove him at 70 mins, but still we did... Of all the players that wants/needs minutes it's Brooks so the only reason I can think of for taking him of was he was tired... lack of minutes, lack of energy... I don't know... But a good showing nonetheless...

Let's hope he features at WHU and shows us all he's back to his best...
 
Last edited:
SteveJonesLegend said:
..For me, I still wonder if he's properly fit still... Didn't seem to be a need to remove him at 70 mins, but still we did... Of all the players that wants/needs minutes it's Brooks so the only reason I can think of for taking him of was he was tired... lack of minutes, lack of energy... I don't know... But a good showing nonetheless...

Let's hope he features at WHU and shows us all he's back to his best...
Click to expand...
He was holding his hamstring and signaling to the bench that he needed to come off.
 
I expect I wasn't the only person in that ground who was supremely confident that he'd score that one-on-one. His finishing and vision is right up there and he consistently produces goals. Obviously Iraola seems to favour players with incredible work rate and less finishing ability but I still hope Brooks can force his way in. It does seem like he'll go though and if he does I will be rooting for him.
 
richnrg said:
He was holding his hamstring and signaling to the bench that he needed to come off.
Click to expand...
Ahh ok... That's fair enough then if that was the case...

Re him staying or going, it's a tough situation really...if he can regain his fitness and match sharpness will he still get his regular football he's said he wants...

Whilst Iraola has settled the side a lot more, we have an abundance of talent in those attacking positions and Iraola does still mix things up... How much is 'regular'...? If he wants to be starting week in week out, then I'd be getting his agent to start looking asap... Not sure any of out attacking options have been awarded that luxury (excluding Dom)...

If I was him I would see this season out and just keep plugging away... If he gets his levels back to where they need to be the rest will take care of itself, be there here or sadly somewhere else...
 
I think if Brooksy left under any circumstance...many of the DC ST holders would be well p*ssed off and somewhat deflated....especially those that are very adamant about watching attack - minded and pretty football.
Has there ever been a player in our History with that level of skill and presence ?
 
Others may disagree but I thought there was a balance upfront with Brooks (who’s left footed) on the right and Sinisterra (I think right footed) on the left that we don’t see when Brooks is playing in other combinations.

It’s giving us a different approach to playing the same system, rather than the more aggressive press we see fromTavernier and Semeneyo. Probably better equipped to play through a packed defence.

There will be a time and a place for each, I’m sure
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

;