I wonder how many people who say they would take him back are doing so based on fond memories or of actually seeing him play the last 3 years? Three years is a long time. Ibrahimovic went from PSG-quality to LA Galaxy-quality in the same period.
whilst i see what you are getting at, Ibrahimovic went from 34 to 37 and suffered a serious injury. JC is still only 25.
I wonder how many people who say they would take him back are doing so based on fond memories or of actually seeing him play the last 3 years? Three years is a long time. Ibrahimovic went from PSG-quality to LA Galaxy-quality in the same period.
And Zlatan has more talent at 37 than Cousins will ever have.
The point is.... how much do those wanting Cousins back REALLY know about him NOW, not three years ago?
If you say “Yeah, see him all the time, he would do great here” then that is one thing. But if you look at the posts they are mainly based on memories.
And Zlatan has more talent at 37 than Cousins will ever have.
The point is.... how much do those wanting Cousins back REALLY know about him NOW, not three years ago?
If you say “Yeah, see him all the time, he would do great here” then that is one thing. But if you look at the posts they are mainly based on memories.
Zlatan's quality is not in question. The fact that his career started to fade in his 30's is the point. Cousins should be coming to the peak. I agree that if we haven't seen him for 3 years then you can't judge, which is why Gallen would know, bearing in mind his strong QPR connections.
nostalgia rules too many hearts over heads on here .. he was super keen to get away from CAFC when things weren't going too well .. there are surely players out there who are more talented, younger, hungrier and not so mercenary .. Cousins back to the Valley ? .. a big NO from me
I think that's pretty unfair. He had won player of the year a couple of years on the bounce and had the opportunity to stay in the Championship when we were relegated.
And Zlatan has more talent at 37 than Cousins will ever have.
The point is.... how much do those wanting Cousins back REALLY know about him NOW, not three years ago?
If you say “Yeah, see him all the time, he would do great here” then that is one thing. But if you look at the posts they are mainly based on memories.
Zlatan's quality is not in question. The fact that his career started to fade in his 30's is the point. Cousins should be coming to the peak. I agree that if we haven't seen him for 3 years then you can't judge, which is why Gallen would know, bearing in mind his strong QPR connections.
I'm sure Gallen will be aware of Cousin's current form and fitness, but then he will be aware of other players who can play that position for us and will no doubt have discussed things with Bowyer. Gallen left QPR before Cousins joined, so won't have seen him close up in training.
And Zlatan has more talent at 37 than Cousins will ever have.
The point is.... how much do those wanting Cousins back REALLY know about him NOW, not three years ago?
If you say “Yeah, see him all the time, he would do great here” then that is one thing. But if you look at the posts they are mainly based on memories.
Zlatan's quality is not in question. The fact that his career started to fade in his 30's is the point. Cousins should be coming to the peak. I agree that if we haven't seen him for 3 years then you can't judge, which is why Gallen would know, bearing in mind his strong QPR connections.
I'm sure Gallen will be aware of Cousin's current form and fitness, but then he will be aware of other players who can play that position for us and will no doubt have discussed things with Bowyer. Gallen left QPR before Cousins joined, so won't have seen him close up in training.
I agree but Gallen has a closer relationship with QPR than most other clubs, possibly all other clubs. So I'm confident his contacts there would give him an honest appraisal. They've no reason not to as Cousins has left QPR.
And Zlatan has more talent at 37 than Cousins will ever have.
The point is.... how much do those wanting Cousins back REALLY know about him NOW, not three years ago?
If you say “Yeah, see him all the time, he would do great here” then that is one thing. But if you look at the posts they are mainly based on memories.
Zlatan's quality is not in question. The fact that his career started to fade in his 30's is the point. Cousins should be coming to the peak. I agree that if we haven't seen him for 3 years then you can't judge, which is why Gallen would know, bearing in mind his strong QPR connections.
I'm sure Gallen will be aware of Cousin's current form and fitness, but then he will be aware of other players who can play that position for us and will no doubt have discussed things with Bowyer. Gallen left QPR before Cousins joined, so won't have seen him close up in training.
I agree but Gallen has a closer relationship with QPR than most other clubs, possibly all other clubs. So I'm confident his contacts there would give him an honest appraisal. They've no reason not to as Cousins has left QPR.
Knowing why QPR really let Cousins go might reduce the chance of us being interested in him...
I expect there are dozens of names on the list of potential signings and that Cousins’ availability has been recognised. If all the bits and pieces that go into approaching and signing a player fit then I see no reason to not sign him.
He was one of our best and most consistent performers over two years in the Championship. He allowed more skilful and creative players like Stephens to shine. All teams need players that allow others the freedom to perform and Cousins is that unselfish player that I expect teammates have a hell of a lot of time and respect for.
I remember his strengths more than the weaknesses others have highlighted and would welcome him back should it get to the stage where that is a possibility.
Cousins is a straight forward one for me. Easily championship quality on his day. That MOM performance against M'boro will always stick out in my mind. Yes he makes mistakes, but all action midfielders do, unless your name is Kante. He would definitely fit a Bowyer system. The questions would be a) is he too injury prone? b) can we afford him? c) would he entertain a return?
It may well be it's impossible to take a view on his fitness, and we decide to look for a safer option. We all know there's not much room in the budget for mistakes...
He suffered a significant injury late in his first season with QPR, which extended to the start of the second but started 23 games and was in the match day 18 for 42 games in the Championship last season. Such STATISTICS do not suggest any continuing injury problems. Clearly the QPR manager who bought him rated him and McClaren rated him enough to give him 23 starts last season.
That Warburton does not rate him or has other other alternatives is football. It appears he did not pull up any trees but name me a QPR player who did.
Anybody who had studied Derek Hales statistics at Derby and West Ham would never have resigned him. In fact he came back twice the footballer.
What is this mercenary nonsense? Cousins like 100s of others have done left a club who received a transfer fee for his services after they were relegated.
This, after this club had wasted £100,000s trawling Europe for short term fixes for a broken team and was at the very nadir of its operations. Any player offered an opportunity to move away from the chaos at that time would have likely done the same. His transfer suited all parties.
Cousins career has been one of those where he was offered good opportunities which may not have best served his natural talents. Throughout his time in the academy he was a full back and central defender regularly earning national honours.
Recognising Solly was the first choice right back he expected to go out on loan only to find Chris Powell had other plans. No one seemed more surprised than he when he earned his elevation to the first team as a defensive midfield player. He performed very well in the role.
Due to his mobility and engine Powell with limited resources chose to move him from the defensive role to a more fluid role allowing Poyet to step up and take the defensive midfield role. Cousins did a job for the team. I almost gained the sense in those early days he had a nose bleed every time he reached the rarified atmosphere of the opposition box. He was even played on the left to protect the left flank.
I recognise there are professional coaches far more expert than I in these things but Cousins when I saw him in the U23s looked every inch a natural and instinctive defender.
He is now 25yrs old, has circa 200 Championship games under his belt and can be effective in 3 or 4 positions, is out of contract and knows the club.
Gallen will have a view on his time at QPR while Jackson will know him very well.
He was an ever present in our side for 3 years even captaining the team on occasion.
Much has been made about our "modest" budget. One way to manage such limitations is by building in utility/ competition in operating with a reduced squad size. In terms of planning Djiksteel, Solly, and Pratley are all out of contract in 12 months.
Fitness concerns and financial expectations permitting the guy has a notable upside.
He suffered a significant injury late in his first season with QPR, which extended to the start of the second but started 23 games and was in the match day 18 for 42 games in the Championship last season. Such STATISTICS do not suggest any continuing injury problems. Clearly the QPR manager who bought him rated him and McClaren rated him enough to give him 23 starts last season.
Last season, other than the final few weeks Cousins was fully fit. During that season he started 23 games, i.e. half their games in what was a mediocre QPR team which finished 19th. For 14 games last season he didn't even come off the bench. He was then released.
If he had been anyone else, I doubt we'd be screaming to sign him up.
Okay, let's say we do this. Does anyone even know what his wages are? And if they are high (and I bet they are) then wouldn't it be wiser to just funnel that money to Aribo so we can keep him?
Okay, let's say we do this. Does anyone even know what his wages are? And if they are high (and I bet they are) then wouldn't it be wiser to just funnel that money to Aribo so we can keep him?
Cousins' wages are irrelevant he's out of contract at the end of the month. It comes down to how much he feels he's worth and if anybody is willing to pay it.
Difference with now and 3 years ago is then he was 22 still a young prospect who was looking at reaching the Premier League and fetched plenty of attention which is why we were all so desperate to tie him down to a new contract in the summer of 2015. It's fair to say his career has stalled over those 3 years at QPR.
1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer for the Championship teams paying the big wages and might now only command a salary that might go into our wage structure.
Okay, let's say we do this. Does anyone even know what his wages are? And if they are high (and I bet they are) then wouldn't it be wiser to just funnel that money to Aribo so we can keep him?
Cousins' wages are irrelevant he's out of contract at the end of the month. It comes down to how much he feels he's worth and if anybody is willing to pay it.
Difference with now and 3 years ago is then he was 22 still a young prospect who was looking at reaching the Premier League and fetched plenty of attention which is why we were all so desperate to tie him down to a new contract in the summer of 2015. It's fair to say his career has stalled over those 3 years at QPR.
1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer for the Championship teams paying the big wages and might now only command a salary that might go into our wage structure.
Thanks. Makes sense. Yet one thing you said has me thinking......
"1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer.."
Another way to look at it is that 1 goal in 3 years in The Championship means he is not Championship material and thus we should look elsewhere rather than hope to accomplish what QPR could not. Maybe he will be "under the radar".... because he should be?
Okay, let's say we do this. Does anyone even know what his wages are? And if they are high (and I bet they are) then wouldn't it be wiser to just funnel that money to Aribo so we can keep him?
Cousins' wages are irrelevant he's out of contract at the end of the month. It comes down to how much he feels he's worth and if anybody is willing to pay it.
Difference with now and 3 years ago is then he was 22 still a young prospect who was looking at reaching the Premier League and fetched plenty of attention which is why we were all so desperate to tie him down to a new contract in the summer of 2015. It's fair to say his career has stalled over those 3 years at QPR.
1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer for the Championship teams paying the big wages and might now only command a salary that might go into our wage structure.
Thanks. Makes sense. Yet one thing you said has me thinking......
"1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer.."
Another way to look at it is that 1 goal in 3 years in The Championship means he is not Championship material and thus we should look elsewhere rather than hope to accomplish what QPR could not. Maybe he will be "under the radar".... because he should be?
I am not sure what weight should be applied to the number of goals scored for a defensive midfielder, especially if playing for a team that keeps losing.
Okay, let's say we do this. Does anyone even know what his wages are? And if they are high (and I bet they are) then wouldn't it be wiser to just funnel that money to Aribo so we can keep him?
Cousins' wages are irrelevant he's out of contract at the end of the month. It comes down to how much he feels he's worth and if anybody is willing to pay it.
Difference with now and 3 years ago is then he was 22 still a young prospect who was looking at reaching the Premier League and fetched plenty of attention which is why we were all so desperate to tie him down to a new contract in the summer of 2015. It's fair to say his career has stalled over those 3 years at QPR.
1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer for the Championship teams paying the big wages and might now only command a salary that might go into our wage structure.
Thanks. Makes sense. Yet one thing you said has me thinking......
"1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer.."
Another way to look at it is that 1 goal in 3 years in The Championship means he is not Championship material and thus we should look elsewhere rather than hope to accomplish what QPR could not. Maybe he will be "under the radar".... because he should be?
I am not sure what weight should be applied to the number of goals scored for a defensive midfielder, especially if playing for a team that keeps losing.
Surely, he should be assessed on how many goals QPR conceded...........oh dear
Comments
The point is.... how much do those wanting Cousins back REALLY know about him NOW, not three years ago?
If you say “Yeah, see him all the time, he would do great here” then that is one thing. But if you look at the posts they are mainly based on memories.
The fact that his career started to fade in his 30's is the point.
Cousins should be coming to the peak.
I agree that if we haven't seen him for 3 years then you can't judge, which is why Gallen would know, bearing in mind his strong QPR connections.
So I'm confident his contacts there would give him an honest appraisal.
They've no reason not to as Cousins has left QPR.
Absolutely ran the game...
He was one of our best and most consistent performers over two years in the Championship. He allowed more skilful and creative players like Stephens to shine. All teams need players that allow others the freedom to perform and Cousins is that unselfish player that I expect teammates have a hell of a lot of time and respect for.
I remember his strengths more than the weaknesses others have highlighted and would welcome him back should it get to the stage where that is a possibility.
It may well be it's impossible to take a view on his fitness, and we decide to look for a safer option. We all know there's not much room in the budget for mistakes...
It has nothing to do with nostalgia.
He suffered a significant injury late in his first season with QPR, which extended to the start of the second but started 23 games and was in the match day 18 for 42 games in the Championship last season. Such STATISTICS do not suggest any continuing injury problems. Clearly the QPR manager who bought him rated him and McClaren rated him enough to give him 23 starts last season.
That Warburton does not rate him or has other other alternatives is football. It appears he did not pull up any trees but name me a QPR player who did.
Anybody who had studied Derek Hales statistics at Derby and West Ham would never have resigned him. In fact he came back twice the footballer.
What is this mercenary nonsense? Cousins like 100s of others have done left a club who received a transfer fee for his services after they were relegated.
This, after this club had wasted £100,000s trawling Europe for short term fixes for a broken team and was at the very nadir of its operations. Any player offered an opportunity to move away from the chaos at that time would have likely done the same. His transfer suited all parties.
Cousins career has been one of those where he was offered good opportunities which may not have best served his natural talents. Throughout his time in the academy he was a full back and central defender regularly earning national honours.
Recognising Solly was the first choice right back he expected to go out on loan only to find Chris Powell had other plans. No one seemed more surprised than he when he earned his elevation to the first team as a defensive midfield player. He performed very well in the role.
Due to his mobility and engine Powell with limited resources chose to move him from the defensive role to a more fluid role allowing Poyet to step up and take the defensive midfield role. Cousins did a job for the team. I almost gained the sense in those early days he had a nose bleed every time he reached the rarified atmosphere of the opposition box. He was even played on the left to protect the left flank.
I recognise there are professional coaches far more expert than I in these things but Cousins when I saw him in the U23s looked every inch a natural and instinctive defender.
He is now 25yrs old, has circa 200 Championship games under his belt and can be effective in 3 or 4 positions, is out of contract and knows the club.
Gallen will have a view on his time at QPR while Jackson will know him very well.
He was an ever present in our side for 3 years even captaining the team on occasion.
Much has been made about our "modest" budget. One way to manage such limitations is by building in utility/ competition in operating with a reduced squad size. In terms of planning Djiksteel, Solly, and Pratley are all out of contract in 12 months.
Fitness concerns and financial expectations permitting the guy has a notable upside.
If he had been anyone else, I doubt we'd be screaming to sign him up.
Difference with now and 3 years ago is then he was 22 still a young prospect who was looking at reaching the Premier League and fetched plenty of attention which is why we were all so desperate to tie him down to a new contract in the summer of 2015. It's fair to say his career has stalled over those 3 years at QPR.
1 goal in 61 games over 3 years being released by a struggling Championship team suggests he'll go under the radar this summer for the Championship teams paying the big wages and might now only command a salary that might go into our wage structure.
Put him in a better team group, with good spirit and a nurturing environment, and you've every chance of making him a more productive player.
Exactly what Bowyer was saying about signing players and improving them.
1x 3-step stepladder £19.99
1x Dulux White (eggshell) 2.5L. £17.99
2x Rhododendron Seed Pks (@1.99)£3.98
1x Silly fedora hat for POTY do £79.99
1x Football Trap Priceless