Nile Ranger

[Sufc.2008]

If MM is happy to bring him into the camp, I'm all for it. When on his game, he's unplayable.

 

[Tampa Blue]

Marmite

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Surely you remember him being jailed whilst still a Southend player?

Yes of course, but as a good progressive person I’m sure you’d agree that once court-mandated punishments have been completed people should be rehabilitated back into society - in part because they have paid their debt, and in part because that is the best way to reduce the chances of reoffending? If so, we need to walk the walk on that - but do so with our eyes open.

I’d struggle to opt for Nile coming back to the club, for all sorts of reasons and because we are at such a critical time. But if round the clock living arrangements, care and support is being provided and if it was (say) just until January to give him a small chance to show what he can do and thereby also help us at the same time, then I suppose I could see the thinking even if it does seem like a gargantuan risk.

 

[MisterStubbs]

If, and that’s a big if given his past but IF the lad can concentrate on his football then he’d be a right handful in this league.

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

I'm intrigued about this idea that he's be bad for morale. If he comes in with the big I am and I'm a Gangsta then I accept this. But if he is like this he won't get a contract. What about Ricky Otto. People can change though I accept as a retired social worker it ain't many. Hopefully Nile can be one of the few.

 

[Maldon Shrimper]

On what must of us know it's a big risk.However if MM thinks he is worth a risk he will get my support.After all MM neck is on the line not ours.

 

[thenobster]

Such a wrong message to send out. Yes, people make mistakes... but

 

[Hazey]

He has got so much talent, and would obviously be a class act if fit in this league. However, he's had so many chances throughout his career. At 29, there's no excuses for him anymore. I'd give him a go with the understanding that if he so much as has an unprofessional thought while with us again then his name would forever be mud with us fans. Fool me once ect ect.

Also, I'd hope any deal was on a month by month basis, with him only being payed if he plays. He's taken the **** out of too many clubs, time to earn your career.

 

[amsemp]

So torn on this one.

Ability wise: yes
Everything else: not sure

Was he not widely regarded as the architect of Brown’s (and subsequently our) downfall? Personality wise I think he’s a decent enough lad nowadays. Couldn’t stand the fella a few years back, but he does seem to have mellowed a bit.

Just worries me that he’s a guy who holds a lot of influence. If Nile Ranger decides to go full Nile Ranger, he’ll be a huge influence for the wrong reasons, especially with such a young squad. We’re just about getting our **** together.

Then again, I can’t see the likes of Macca putting up with a hint of bull**** from Ranger.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm intrigued about this idea that he's be bad for morale. If he comes in with the big I am and I'm a Gangsta then I accept this. But if he is like this he won't get a contract. What about Ricky Otto. People can change though I accept as a retired social worker it ain't many. Hopefully Nile can be one of the few.

If I remember rightly, I think it was around the sanctions for being late / missing training etc - I think there was a feeling from some players who fell foul of the sanctions that he was being treated differently and that undermined the whole system - and morale in the squad - in the latter days of Phil Brown’s time here. Right at the start of our very difficult period as a club... Coincidence?

That is all from memory of reports at the time - but please anyone do correct me if I’ve misrepresented that or got my timeline a bit out.

 

[Moley]

He's had a number and shown no change.

Would be an awful signing

Let’s stick with Acquah up top then shall we?

 

[Moley]

Start him against the scum on Saturday.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

Yes of course, but as a good progressive person I’m sure you’d agree that once court-mandated punishments have been completed people should be rehabilitated back into society - in part because they have paid their debt, and in part because that is the best way to reduce the chances of reoffending? If so, we need to walk the walk on that - but do so with our eyes open.

I’d struggle to opt for Nile coming back to the club, for all sorts of reasons and because we are at such a critical time. But if round the clock living arrangements, care and support is being provided and if it was (say) just until January to give him a small chance to show what he can do and thereby also help us at the same time, then I suppose I could see the thinking even if it does seem like a gargantuan risk.

We did try and rehabilitate him after his jail sentence and took him back (in contrast no such rehabilitation was offered to Jemal Johnson who was suspended pending an investigation and then sacked after being arrested - as opposed to Ranger's conviction). He returned but ended up getting sacked for other reasons.

Just how many chances do you want to give him?

 

[Jmayhew32]

When I think of Nile Ranger I think of his first game when he started against Sheffield United away and he was a massive part of us being 3-0 up within 30 mins.

He is a great footballer and I think he is definitely worth a short term deal. He knows he owes a massive debt to Southend United and I think we would see a different Nile to before.

I personally would be pleased the number 50 back on his shirt and hopefully he’d get a few goals. He’s got the ability to play far higher. With good deliveries now coming in from our wide players, I think him and Akinola would be perfect to have in and around that 6 yard box

 

[C'mon you Shrimpers]

billet him with Macca. Job done.

 

[SUBBlue]

billet him with Macca. Job done.

He’d probably end up corrupting Macca

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Just how many chances do you want to give him?

In terms of the specifics with Nile Ranger, I really don’t know enough to comment too much on what he was like, is like now, you name it. In terms of the principle of ‘giving chances’ though, I do think that we have laws, courts and prisons whose job it is to redress criminality to degree that is set out in statute, relative to the offence. It isnt part of that system that those who have served their sentence must be barred from opportunities forever. That is as wrong as it is self-defeating, excluding people on moral grounds from opportunity once they are back out among us is the surest and quickest way ever to see them back in old habits. Unless we are all in the Rumsfeldian world where there is only good or evil and you’re either with us or against us? I think we’re better than that.

Personally, from what I understand of the history I would not be offering him a return to Southend. I might offer to put in a heavily-caveated good word for him somewhere else, while also offering advice on how to get the best out of him and setting out the potential problem areas that need to be mitigated such as his living in Wood Green with a few local bad egg friends, imbibing a few things that he shouldn’t have, having too much time and money without the skills to put that to positive good use. Then if someone else felt they could manage that and wanted to give him a chance good on them. I think thats the absolute maximum I’d be doing if I was Ron.

 

[dannypav]

If MM is happy to bring him into the camp, I'm all for it. When on his game, he's unplayable.

It’s all about opinions , but never seen him ‘unplayable’.
Had some decent games and some dross.
Personally I don’t want him back.

 

[Blues ‘n’ twos]

When I think of Nile Ranger I think of his first game when he started against Sheffield United away and he was a massive part of us being 3-0 up within 30 mins.

He is a great footballer and I think he is definitely worth a short term deal. He knows he owes a massive debt to Southend United and I think we would see a different Nile to before.

I personally would be pleased the number 50 back on his shirt and hopefully he’d get a few goals. He’s got the ability to play far higher. With good deliveries now coming in from our wide players, I think him and Akinola would be perfect to have in and around that 6 yard box

I was going to mention the same game, that game he was unplayable, and if, and it’s a big IF, we could have that Nile Ranger, then it would be a yes from me, but.......

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

When I think of Nile Ranger I think of his first game when he started against Sheffield United away and he was a massive part of us being 3-0 up within 30 mins.

He is a great footballer and I think he is definitely worth a short term deal. He knows he owes a massive debt to Southend United and I think we would see a different Nile to before.

I personally would be pleased the number 50 back on his shirt and hopefully he’d get a few goals. He’s got the ability to play far higher. With good deliveries now coming in from our wide players, I think him and Akinola would be perfect to have in and around that 6 yard box

He knew he owed a massive debt to Southend when we stuck by him after he was jailed and we didn't see a different Nile after that.

This is an abused partner willing to take back their abusive spouse because unlike the previous 94 times 'this time he's changed'.