Shame... But Charlton will exist long after Small has gone, best wishes to him though, we got promoted in 2019 and lost a Defender to Preston, so must be a sacrifice we're forced to make when we go up to the Championship each time now.
Imagine the chance to play in his natural position at Preston is playing a part, as dont see it much of a move forward, and Edwards is the better Left-Back.
That's a real shame, both from the fact that he's a really promising player I'd like to have kept, but also if he was going to leave I think he could have done a lot better than Preston.
Was still a very good signing on a free transfer and glad we got 18 months from it.
Doesn't mention if we get compensation - thought we would give his age?
He's a good player. I do think we will be looking for a proper right wing back (ie one who is defender first..... kind of like Edwards but on the other side). Simple fact that the standard is higher and I do think we need a different kind of player out there.
So I would have liked to have kept him of course, but get an Edwards mark 2 on the right side and I would be happy (and one who has a better delivery than TS).
Disappointed in Thierry himself as well really. Yes I know footballers have every right to try and make as much dough as they want but I thought he may have a bit more loyal to the club that gave him a chance when his career was going nowhere but oh well
I think if Jones' had really wanted him he'd have signed - suspect we didn't maybe offer quite as much for that reason, Jones was happy to keep him but also thinks budget could be better spent??
I can’t pretend I’m not really disappointed. There’s a bloody good player there and he’s only going to get better. He gave his all for the shirt, but losing any player who was a key part of promotion to a now direct rival leaves a bitter taste.
I'm with you, I think the kid was on to a winner with us, whether he crashes or flourishes to be honest depends on 2 factors, the coach his entrusting and the environment his in. He has the potential ability, comes across as a great kid, however I do think he is poorly advised.
A second player we’ve lost to Preston despite a Playoff win. I think it’s a huge shame, it’s so easy to forget that Small is only 20 and there was a time that Real Madrid were casting their eye over him. The sky’s the limit with him if he can figure it out, it’s a shame he’s taking another gamble in terms of a new setup but he’s also got a 4 year deal presumably on good money. His biggest contribution though will be showing us how we need to set up to get the best out of a Jones team and there are other players who can fill that role, we just have to find them and get them in
No end product but clearly a nightmare for defenders, was a real threat. Ridiculous to have got to the point where a 20 year old goes on a free. Definitely would’ve rather he stayed, we’d have to spend a bit of money to get a good enough replacement.
Bit of a nothing move for him footballing wise. They aren’t gonna be pushing for promotion next season.
You’ve forgotten about the fact he’s now got the national railway museum in York on his doorstep. The chance to have all that history just a 2 hour drive away is a big pull
A real shame (IMO) as I think he was improving all the time. But a 4 year contract at a Northern club might suit him better. Players don't always move just for the money - his birthplace is Solihull so maybe prefers it "up there" - although looking at the map Solihull to London is probably closer...but suspect you can get a lot for your money in Preston.
Not bothered by this at all - he tailed off a lot back end of the season - no end product - there is way better out there - IMO Preston have signed a player who can excite for 10 mins per match
I loved watching him in L1 but he’s not a Championship standard player yet, end product is missing for that and he has a tendency to do the flashy thing rather than the sensible thing. That of course makes him exciting to watch.
Think we’ll see a different style RWB come in which will frustrate some to start with
Really sorry about this felt like Theirry had found a home here and would have continued with his development but he has decided to leave so we move on
Not that disappointed. If you look at his stats they are not all that. And, as a defender he got caught out on several occassions. Agree he was exciting to watch, and would have liked him to stay, but for me, didn't have the all round skills for a Jone's team, especially as we are now in the Championship. I'm sure CL will follow his career at Preston!!
This is no disrespect to Small as I think he’s a talent I’d have loved him to stay and develop with us - but moving to PNE does not smack of being as highly rated as some of us might have thought.
Of course he could have had other offers from ‘better’ teams and PNE just offered the most money.
Definitely a position we need to fill and will be interesting to see who, and what type, of players we get there. But there 100% will be better options than small.
I think fans are too harsh on lower league footballers. It’s a short career, and can end at any time. He may have been offered £500-750k more over that four year contract. But even an extra £100-200k more isn’t to be sniffed at.
It’s the players that already have £10m plus in the bank that should be criticised more. And managers. Pep could have gone anywhere & was already set for life, before taking the City job.
He was one of our best players. Will be a real miss.
I thought he and Ramsay complimented each other, but was one of a few players who didn't start the season great, probably started the season worse than anyone from 2023-24, as even when we were winning games, I thought he showed none of his ability that we'd seen from the few months from the end of the season prior.
I think having Ramsay behind him just worked what with Kayne being a natural Right-Back, Thierry didn't have that whenever he had to fill in at Left Wing-Back so was more ineffective.
Comments
Imagine the chance to play in his natural position at Preston is playing a part, as dont see it much of a move forward, and Edwards is the better Left-Back.
Was still a very good signing on a free transfer and glad we got 18 months from it.
Doesn't mention if we get compensation - thought we would give his age?
So I would have liked to have kept him of course, but get an Edwards mark 2 on the right side and I would be happy (and one who has a better delivery than TS).
Got to move on now, and I think we will.
He was one of our best players. Will be a real miss.
We move on
Think we’ll see a different style RWB come in which will frustrate some to start with
Of course he could have had other offers from ‘better’ teams and PNE just offered the most money.
Definitely a position we need to fill and will be interesting to see who, and what type, of players we get there. But there 100% will be better options than small.
I think having Ramsay behind him just worked what with Kayne being a natural Right-Back, Thierry didn't have that whenever he had to fill in at Left Wing-Back so was more ineffective.