oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) ‘I deserved a chance’ Reporter: Matthew Chambers Date online: 20 October 2010 SEAN Gregan believes his career at Athletic is over. The 36-year-old, outstanding last season, has been frozen out of the first-team picture this time around. Manager Paul Dickov has preferred to use two of captain Reuben Hazell, Jason Jarrett and Jean-Yves Mvoto as centre-backs in his new-look side. It has left Gregan cutting a frustrated figure on the sidelines and his request to be made available for loan was granted by the club two weeks ago. Now, having agreed a three-month deal to join ambitious Blue Square Bet Premier club Fleetwood Town, which he expects to officially wrap up tomorrow, the former Preston and Leeds man has expressed his sadness at the way affairs have transpired at Boundary Park. “I have said all along that I just want to play,” said Gregan, who emphasised that it was his choice to hand over the captaincy to Hazell last week. “I would have thought that after last season I deserved a chance in the side, but that is football I suppose. “I understand the management wanted to go down a different route. But I would rather have been told in pre-season instead of hanging around for a dozen games waiting for a chance that was never going to come. I don’t think it has been handled particularly well.” Even once his loan spell is up in January, Gregan doesn’t expect to add to his 132 appearances in an Athletic shirt. But despite the manner of his exit from the club, the man who made 75 consecutive Athletic appearances up to the end of last season remains enthusiastic about football. Four Football League clubs and two from the Conference, including Fleetwood, wanted to bring him in. And Gregan, who lives in Preston, said he was pleased to have arranged the switch to the West coast. “It is a great set-up at Fleetwood,” he added. “They are building a new £4million stand, are full-time and very professionally-run. What yer tryin' to say Sean? “At this stage of my career I need to be playing football, and a move too far away from home wouldn’t suit me in terms of seeing my three children.” Gregan will work under Fleetwood manager Micky Mellon, the former Blackpool midfielder who guided the club to promotion last season by defeating Alfreton in the Blue Square North play-off final. Edited October 20, 2010 by oafcprozac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 A broadside at Dickov, for sure. Maybe he has a point, but that's football for you. I guess you can't really be made available for loan when you're clearly unfit, as he was at the start of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayItLivo Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) Yes you did Sean, yes you did. It was disgusting that after his contribution last season that he wasn't given a crack of the whip this season, especially given that he's the best centre back in the squad. I can see why Sean wanted to leave though, to be told that Jason Jarrett an average midfielder who's never played centre back before, is higher upin the pecking order than an experience centre back and club captain, coming off his best season for years, is quite frankly an insult. Gregan deserves better. Edited October 20, 2010 by PlayItLivo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razza699 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Yes you did Sean, yes you did. It was disgusting that after his contribution last season that he wasn't given a crack of the whip this season, especially given that he's the best centre back in the squad. I can see why Sean wanted to leave though, to be told that Jason Jarrett an average midfielder who's never played centre back before, is higher upin the pecking order than an experience centre back and club captain, coming off his best season for years, is quite frankly an insult. Gregan deserves better. Seeing that Im still with the opinion of that I agree with Dickov , however like Greegs said Dicko should have told him in the pre season to get a jog on not now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch_KTF Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Yes you did Sean, yes you did. It was disgusting that after his contribution last season that he wasn't given a crack of the whip this season, especially given that he's the best centre back in the squad. I can see why Sean wanted to leave though, to be told that Jason Jarrett an average midfielder who's never played centre back before, is higher upin the pecking order than an experience centre back and club captain, coming off his best season for years, is quite frankly an insult. Gregan deserves better. Yep. So, now that Greegs has been turfed onto the scrapheap, do we have any players left who are "worth the admission fee alone"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy_Fent Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 there have been times this season where we've needed Gregan, but I think that the reason why the club wants rid has a lot to do with the wage-bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lookers_Carl Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I agree that if he truly wasnt part of Dickov's plans he should have been told sooner, and should not have been handed the captaincy. But as much as I appreciated his contribution last season, nobody should be getting in the side on sentiment. The one time i seen him in a Latics shirt this season he looked overweight and well off the pace. I think the club have called this one right, although again, much like the release of Warne, the way it has been handled leaves alot to be desired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Yes you did Sean, yes you did. It was disgusting that after his contribution last season that he wasn't given a crack of the whip this season, especially given that he's the best centre back in the squad. I can see why Sean wanted to leave though, to be told that Jason Jarrett an average midfielder who's never played centre back before, is higher upin the pecking order than an experience centre back and club captain, coming off his best season for years, is quite frankly an insult. Gregan deserves better. I agree, but perhaps we deserved better when his very public divorce affected his performances for much of 08/09 (when he was dropped) and the rumours of his role in Doggy Gate and being arrested on SUSPICION of DD (of course he was acquitted) but lead to the club being in the spotlight of negativity. Oh and the fact he started 07/08 poorly before getting injured and missing most of the season after getting ripped a new one at Accrington and Hartlepool. Greegs is my favourite player since probably Beckett and certainly since Dux left for Bury, yes he has been treated a bit harshly by Dicky, but I'd rather have a manager that lives and dies by his decisions. Don't forget many on here were not sad to see him be released 17 months ago and were perplexed when DP re-signed him. He was awesome last season and during his initial loan spell, I'd much rather he leave Oldham Athletic with that fresh in the memory than a run of dodgy performances culminating in the consensus that Greegs is actually past it after-all. He leaves a hero on last season's showings alone. Thanks for the memories Sean, good luck at Fleetwood! Time to move on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueJazzer Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 He was n the gym this morning. I wanted to ask him about it but as we were both naked in the changing rooms at the time I thought it might seem a bit gay!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opinions4u Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) In Dickov's defence: Maybe Gregan was part of the original plan. But as soon as it became clear that Purdie, Worthington, Lomax, Holdsworth, Jacobsen etc were going to remain on the payroll additional action had to be taken and Gregan was the obvious target. Smalley out for a month, Gregan out for 3 months. Dikabe or whatever he's called fired off at the first opportunity. I suspect it won't be the last. Edited October 20, 2010 by opinions4u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) In Dickov's defence: Maybe Gregan was part of the original plan. But as soon as it became clear that Purdie, Worthington, Lomax, Holdsworth, Jacobsen etc were going to remain on the payroll additional action had to be taken and Gregan was the obvious target. Smalley out for a month, Gregan out for 3 months. Dikabe or whatever he's called fired off at the first opportunity. I suspect it won't be the last. I think the fact he was injured on the first day of Pre-season (when not fully fit after his op anyway) coupled with his relapses and being way off the pace added to his horror show v Burnley ressies (L0-6) made Dicky's mind up for him. Set-pieces aside I don't think we're missing him as much as we were say 6 weeks ago. M'Voto for me improves every game and is becoming a dominant force and I think he'll continually improve once he gets a settled partner after already playing with Rubes, McDonald and Jarrett. What the defence needs now is a settled run together, clean sheets against two of the division's biggest (height wise), and big spenders augers well. (Sheff Wed and Col U) Edited October 20, 2010 by oafcprozac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukers1 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 He was n the gym this morning. I wanted to ask him about it but as we were both naked in the changing rooms at the time I thought it might seem a bit gay!!!! Isnt Greegs on a hefty appearence fee as well as his basic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Isnt Greegs on a hefty appearence fee as well as his basic. Not so sure, he came back on a reduced wage BUT we did offer him a year extension late last year, whether that was improved or not I don't know. Either way, we will be saving a few readies by letting him out on loan. If only some of our squad players had similar desire and self-respect to earn their wages elsewhere on loan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueJazzer Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I'm not making any comments as to his 'hefty appearance'..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I thought his appearance fee was a string of sausages and a taxi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayItLivo Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) Yep. So, now that Greegs has been turfed onto the scrapheap, do we have any players left who are "worth the admission fee alone"? Nope, Pav and Gregan are both gone. They were the only players you'd pay to see. Edited October 20, 2010 by PlayItLivo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcshuck Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I agree, but perhaps we deserved better when his very public divorce affected his performances for much of 08/09 (when he was dropped) and the rumours of his role in Doggy Gate and being arrested on SUSPICION of DD (of course he was acquitted) but lead to the club being in the spotlight of negativity. Oh and the fact he started 07/08 poorly before getting injured and missing most of the season after getting ripped a new one at Accrington and Hartlepool. Greegs is my favourite player since probably Beckett and certainly since Dux left for Bury, yes he has been treated a bit harshly by Dicky, but I'd rather have a manager that lives and dies by his decisions. Don't forget many on here were not sad to see him be released 17 months ago and were perplexed when DP re-signed him. He was awesome last season and during his initial loan spell, I'd much rather he leave Oldham Athletic with that fresh in the memory than a run of dodgy performances culminating in the consensus that Greegs is actually past it after-all. He leaves a hero on last season's showings alone. Thanks for the memories Sean, good luck at Fleetwood! Time to move on... Does that make Mr Penney a genius? Nope, Pav and Gregan are both gone. They were the only players you'd pay to see. And Davies went ages ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) [quote name='oafcshuck' post='436136' date='Oct 20 2010, 17:42 PM' ]Does that make Mr Penney a genius? Nope, our backs to the wall style last season was ideal for Greegs - battening down the hatches is his game. Playing so high up the field this year isn't and would have made a mug out of him imo - the comparison being with us marking Brentford's MacDonald out of the game only 6 months after he made a mug out of Greegs all evening Edited October 20, 2010 by oafcprozac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikejh45 Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Nope, Pav and Gregan are both gone. They were the only players you'd pay to see. But now I pay to see a team, not an individual. As a few people will recall and no doubt take the opportunity to remind me, I was not on the big man's Xmas card list a couple of years ago but last season when I did get to see Latics, Gregan was literally a man mountain and fully deserved his accolades that went with being player of the season. However, as I've only seen Latics about 3 times so far this season, I'm reliant in the main on match reports on here. So I'm going to throw a question out to those who think Dickov has erred but based on other people's observations: Given that there is unanimous agreement that Gregan would certainly stiffen up the defence, would his inclusion have us reverting to a deeper line and enlarging the gap between defence and attack and would the rest of the team still play the "high-octane" game if they had a larger area to cover OR would Gregan be as effective in the current set up with the back 4 pushing the halfway line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_Og Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Yep. So, now that Greegs has been turfed onto the scrapheap, do we have any players left who are "worth the admission fee alone"? Has anyone ever gone through a turnstile saying that the cahnce to see any centr half is worth the admission alone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 (edited) Given that there is unanimous agreement that Gregan would certainly stiffen up the defence, would his inclusion have us reverting to a deeper line and enlarging the gap between defence and attack and would the rest of the team still play the "high-octane" game if they had a larger area to cover OR would Gregan be as effective in the current set up with the back 4 pushing the halfway line? Gregan would struggle, as I said earlier in the thread - we'd be better marshalled at set-pieces but overall we'd be deeper. Yes, Gregan is capable of strutting out of defence with the ball but wholly incapable of making up ground at pace if caught in position. Gregan's game is a little like Russia's tactics when invaded - he concedes territory by dropping deeper and deeper. M'voto has pace and covers ground with ease and this was particularly apparent v Brentford and as I said, a player at Brentford who destroyed us in March when Greegs was marking him - hardly had a kick last week. The tempo would also be slower I reckon too, due to Seany Boy having the turning circle of a A380. Edited October 20, 2010 by oafcprozac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafcprozac Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Has anyone ever gone through a turnstile saying that the cahnce to see any centr half is worth the admission alone? Bobby Moore perhaps? Struggling after that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlossopLatic Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Has anyone ever gone through a turnstile saying that the cahnce to see any centr half is worth the admission alone? This is way before my time but didn't 46,000 pack into BP to see a Bobby moore captained West Ham in the 60's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_Og Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 This is way before my time but didn't 46,000 pack into BP to see a Bobby moore captained West Ham in the 60's Fair point, Gregan/Mooore, Moore/Gregan.. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milnrow latics Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 This is way before my time but didn't 46,000 pack into BP to see a Bobby moore captained West Ham in the 60's About 20,000 less than that. 2-2. They scored from inside their own half, a hoof upfield that bounced over Bollands; head (our goalie) on the bone hard pitch. Match would have been called off these days. West Ham team wore gloves much to our amusement. "Soft Southern ...." You can guess the rest. Love to say great days but they were still a long way off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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