Noel Hunt - Gone?.........maybe not

[RHB]

The Echo has confirmed today that Noel Hunt is still in talks with PB and the club are offering him a deal but it means he has to go on to the list as this has to be put out by a certain time so that other clubs can talk to him.

The deal offered is more in favour of the club than Hunt and is linked to him playing regularly. I'd love him to stay for his enthusiasm and leadership skills alone, but the price has to be right. What this space I reckon.

 

[Supa Shrimpa]

I worry about his fitness levels. Perhaps offer a pay per play deal ?

Saying that, his movement and hold up play is first class and much better than the majority of strikers we had over the past few years. Could be a good guy to work with Williams on the training ground.

 

[kentblues]

Pleased to hear this- fit we will struggle to get better at this level. So he went on list because we wouldn't extend on current terms but actually have been offering an alternate contract that we continue to negotiate on. Linked in some way to number of performances- something many have mooted. I think the consensus has been keep him if we can get the right deal so as you say watch this space.

I think he will want to stay- I think we are quite local now and probably there are a limited number of other L1 clubs who would take a punt (can't believe he would consider L2). So hopefully a resolution will be found.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

I would be over joyed to see him with us next season AND with him playing 30+ games we would have a potency that has been lacking.
I forget the game (it was forgettable!); one of the dismal late run of losses but Mooney got subbed and Hunt came on and for the last 15-20 minutes we created a series of chances and should have got level; plus the attitude in the team, specifically Tye visibly lifted when the change came.
Smashing bloke, very entertaining, leads by example.
IF he plays 30+ games then we are all, I suggest, better for it.

We need your magic hands to do for Noel what you did for BBBC, step forward Mr Ben Clarkson!

 

[AndyT]

Yep, agree with the above, but he must be 100% fit.

When he came on for Wozza early on against Chesterfield, he really struggled and was off the pace, almost to the extent that he could easily have been substituted himself.

I really like him, but we have to play to his strengths. Into feet. He hasn't got the legs to chase through balls these days and run into the channels so much.

Here's hoping he can stay fit, as others have said, as there's 20 goals in him at this level.

 

[MK Shrimper]

God no. Just get rid!

 

[Ricky Otto]

If we can get a deal where he won't be a drain on finances while sitting in the treatment room then it's a no brainer. We were 100% right not to take the option on same terms but a deal weighted to how often he plays and contributes is the way to go.

 

[united we stand]

Re his fitness, wasn't his long lay off due to a bad tackle on him that would have put any player out? Or was it that other players would not have been out at all/ for as long?

i would be very happy for him to stay,superb player and reads the game so well,
Writing this has remined me of something that has put a smile on my face- " our Hunt is better than your's":smile:

 

[Lincoln Shrimp]

No thank you. Time to go in a new direction. Let's get some young and hungry players in. Follow the Peterborough model. That's the way to go imo.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Get rid. We knew it was a gamble with his fitness and it hasn't paid off. I don't see his fitness improving.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Great idea to me, the one bit of class we had in the side. Looked real quality at the start of the season, and only a horrible tackle at Crewe injured him.

 

[Jai]

No thank you. Time to go in a new direction. Let's get some young and hungry players in. Follow the Peterborough model. That's the way to go imo.

Must they not have eaten for a few days before they sign? Can you be old and hungry? I think we should be told.

I do agree to a point but you can't just switch to a Peterborough transfer model overnight, just as much as you couldn't switch to a Crewe model overnight (developing young players through an academy).

Peterborough have enjoyed success with their policy of bringing through good non-league stars to the point but they implemented it gradually (and you could argue that it isn't that successful seeing as they only finished above us due to our disastrous run at the end).

I'm not saying it's a bad way to go but you can't just suddenly say 'right, from now on we're only going to be signing young players from non-league'. Peterborough are now the go-to club for all promising non-league stars. They have a rep that has been built up over years. Southend will not have the same pull and you really don't want to end up with a squad of Dean Holness's, Mark Salters, Isaac Laynes and Shane Wardleys as we will be back down into the basement league before you can say Ben Smith.

Southend are not big, rich or successful enough to have any other transfer policy than sign the best players available from wherever they can be obtained from.

Personally I like the idea of signing people like Simeon Akinola, there's definitely a lot of talent from non-league but I also think Hunt is quality when fit and his experience is helpful so I don't think he should be disregarded.

 

[Napster]

Mark Salters.

292 goals for Frome, that's some record.

 

[gpd]

I hope Noel considers the offer. His presence is a bonus and his experience is worth building a team around...but ONLY if he plays regularly. A regular team member doing what he does best gives PB to strengthen other positions for a fruitful season ahead with a sustained push for promotion. We badly ran out of steam this year. Perhaps Noel will give us the same reward with goals that a certain Mr Corr did when we stuck by him? A fit Noel Hunt would be like a brand new signing. In fact it WILL be a new signing.

 

[Mick]

I would be over joyed to see him with us next season AND with him playing 30+ games we would have a potency that has been lacking.
I forget the game (it was forgettable!); one of the dismal late run of losses but Mooney got subbed and Hunt came on and for the last 15-20 minutes we created a series of chances and should have got level; plus the attitude in the team, specifically Tye visibly lifted when the change came.
Smashing bloke, very entertaining, leads by example.
IF he plays 30+ games then we are all, I suggest, better for it.

We need your magic hands to do for Noel what you did for BBBC, step forward Mr Ben Clarkson!

Ah .... but was it Mooney going off or Hunt coming on that heralded the improvement.:winking:

It wouldn't have taken a genius to work out that we needed that sort of contract with Hunt a year ago; something linked to fitness and games played. If he wouldn't have accepted that, that would have told us all we needed to know about his fitness prognosis.

 

[mrsblue]

No thanks,

Noel has proved beyond any doubt that the last 3 year's he has done virtually nothing and he is hardly to improve next season.

£500 per game..minimum 45 minutes played.

 

[Evening Echo]

Hunt could yet be staying at Blues

NOEL Hunt could yet be staying at Southend United.

More...

 

[SufcUpAndDown]

This forum makes me laugh, a couple of people last year said, don't sign him only do it on a pay as you play, the majority of the forum, and the big posters said, don't be silly someone of Noel Hunts stature can't be offered this? Now look? He has not played a lot since 2013.... It was a gamble that cost us a fair bit, I can see he has brilliant quality if he was fit, got to be a pay per play deal.

 

[Jai]

All depends on the deal for me. We can't afford to make him a big earner given his injury record. It's up to Hunt now whether he risks looking for another club or sticking and taking a hit on pay. If he's not taking up much of the bill it's a gamble worth taking for his quality.

 

[SufcUpAndDown]

Ah .... but was it Mooney going off or Hunt coming on that heralded the improvement.:winking:

It wouldn't have taken a genius to work out that we needed that sort of contract with Hunt a year ago; something linked to fitness and games played. If he wouldn't have accepted that, that would have told us all we needed to know about his fitness prognosis.

See all the old posts before he signed, I agree with you... Most said no.... I agree, It should have been linked to fitness...