The company hasn't got the best of reputations. It's a favourite place for junkies to fence electrical goods of dubious ownership for their next fix, hence the nickname Crack Converters.
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The 2011-2012 Football Thread
- Thread starter Jaffa Cake
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The company hasn't got the best of reputations. It's a favourite place for junkies to fence electrical goods of dubious ownership for their next fix, hence the nickname Crack Converters.
Yikes.
Looks like the Jordan Henderson deal is done, with Liverpool unloading David N'Gog into the bargain, putting Henderson at about £13 million cash. Overall it's a lot of money to pay for a prospect. The wisdom of the outlay rests in whether he's the next Xabi Alonso or the next Alberto Aquilani...admittedly I don't remember seeing him play, so I may just have to try and tune into the U21s to get a preview of our new purchase.
As the media have pointed out, we have a lot of midfielders at the moment, but are light on strikers and defenders. I expect a handful more signings this summer.
Henderson hasn't really stood out for me so far. He could come good, but man - if you're young and English your price tag really gets up there. Liverpool are supposedly looking at Scott Dann, who would be a good purchase if he's come back from his season-ending injury.
Speaking of young, English, and not exactly filling a club's most pressing need, United are in for a shout for Blackburn's young defender Phil Jones. Wonder what this could mean for Jonny Evans, unless SAF is keen to convert Evans into a left back, or play Jones more as a defensive mid?
It's impossible to pass final judgement on any U21, but I do think that both United and Liverpool overpaid for Jones and Henderson. One or the other or both may come good and end up being worth the money, but as you say English players are shockingly overpriced. For every Gerrard or Rooney there are plenty of Joleon Lescotts and Darren Bents - good players, to be sure, but vastly overvalued in strictly monetary terms.
So then, our new shirt. But before I go off on my now annual rant about our new polyester rags, here's a picture of Leroy's pride and joy wearing the full ensemble...
The basic shirt itself I don't really have any complaints about. As expected it's a bog-standard teamwear template – the Tiro 11 – with stripes added, and is exactly the same design that Stoke City will be sporting in different colours as their home and away shirts next season. It's not a classic but is still a big improvement on last year's effort from Adidas, which long-term readers will remember I wasn't keen on in the slightest. The new effort features proper, bold stripes – and pleasingly they feature on the back of the shirt as well as the front. So far, so good – and I could live with it quite happily. As I say, not a classic but not a disaster either.
My issue with the new shirt lies with the sponsor, Cash Converters. Now, what I'm about to write may come across as being rather snobbish, and if it does so I apologise. However, I maintain that they're not the kind of company you want to be wearing on your chest for two years (with an option of a third). Why? Well, you see...
As a city – and indeed as a club – we've long struggled with the image we present to the outside world. There are those who view us as a load of grubby little smackheads and Cash Converters' reputation that OllyW alludes to plays into our detractors hands all too easily. The fact that the club has also had some very well publicised financial problems in recent years is also going to provide plenty of ammunition.
Personally, I won't be buying a shirt with their logo on so it looks like I'll have to make do with my current wardrobe for the next two seasons (with the option of a third). Looking at the supporter's forums I'm not alone in that – and indeed, over the weekend I spoke with several City fans I know who mentioned the rumoured new sponsor and who also said they wouldn't be buying it. I won't be surprised if there's a hefty dip in the shirt sales figures next season. Luckily, I've my lovely pachyderm-pleasing 2008/09 home shirt I can turn to. Now, there's a proper shirt.
So, in conclusion, I think that it's a bit of a mistake going with Cash Converters. A leaked image of the shirt appeared on the internet a couple of weeks ago (on eBay of all places, which is essentially an online version of Cash Converters) and there was uproar over the sponsor. Today's launch smacks to me of being a bit rushed to try and counteract the backlash, certainly the language used by the club seems to be trying a bit too hard to convince us that this deal is a Really Good Thing.
The basic shirt itself I don't really have any complaints about. As expected it's a bog-standard teamwear template – the Tiro 11 – with stripes added, and is exactly the same design that Stoke City will be sporting in different colours as their home and away shirts next season. It's not a classic but is still a big improvement on last year's effort from Adidas, which long-term readers will remember I wasn't keen on in the slightest. The new effort features proper, bold stripes – and pleasingly they feature on the back of the shirt as well as the front. So far, so good – and I could live with it quite happily. As I say, not a classic but not a disaster either.
My issue with the new shirt lies with the sponsor, Cash Converters. Now, what I'm about to write may come across as being rather snobbish, and if it does so I apologise. However, I maintain that they're not the kind of company you want to be wearing on your chest for two years (with an option of a third). Why? Well, you see...
Indeed. Despite the club claiming in their press release that Cash Converters "...do what eBay do and are essentially an offline version" they're really nothing of the sort. They buy goods from people at ridiculously low prices and sell them on second hand. They have a reputation of attracting two sets of customers – the financially desperate who have no option but to flog their possessions, and those who have stolen goods they want to move on quickly.
As a city – and indeed as a club – we've long struggled with the image we present to the outside world. There are those who view us as a load of grubby little smackheads and Cash Converters' reputation that OllyW alludes to plays into our detractors hands all too easily. The fact that the club has also had some very well publicised financial problems in recent years is also going to provide plenty of ammunition.
Personally, I won't be buying a shirt with their logo on so it looks like I'll have to make do with my current wardrobe for the next two seasons (with the option of a third). Looking at the supporter's forums I'm not alone in that – and indeed, over the weekend I spoke with several City fans I know who mentioned the rumoured new sponsor and who also said they wouldn't be buying it. I won't be surprised if there's a hefty dip in the shirt sales figures next season. Luckily, I've my lovely pachyderm-pleasing 2008/09 home shirt I can turn to. Now, there's a proper shirt.
So, in conclusion, I think that it's a bit of a mistake going with Cash Converters. A leaked image of the shirt appeared on the internet a couple of weeks ago (on eBay of all places, which is essentially an online version of Cash Converters
) and there was uproar over the sponsor. Today's launch smacks to me of being a bit rushed to try and counteract the backlash, certainly the language used by the club seems to be trying a bit too hard to convince us that this deal is a Really Good Thing.
Very dodgy-looking, this Cash Converters joint...I'm getting a mental pictures reminiscent of some scene from of Snatch. I think sometimes clubs look too closely at the money end of sponsorship deals and fail to step back and think about the potential symbolism.
Stripes on the back is always an improvement though. At the moment I'm considering getting a 2011 Columbus away shirt, and this season we are sponsorless, so it's a nice clean look.
I think sometimes clubs look too closely at the money end of sponsorship deals and fail to step back and think about the potential symbolism.Stripes on the back is always an improvement though. At the moment I'm considering getting a 2011 Columbus away shirt, and this season we are sponsorless, so it's a nice clean look.
Pah. You're just rubbing it in now.
Ah, but your club suits are rubbing pounds and pence between their fingers - money we are doing without this season, to the tune of a million dollars lost income.
But one has to find the positives. Shirt sales (and attendances) are down this season for Columbus, so I'm willing to stump up the cash for a shirt and put some money back in the club. I agree with you though, if I was a Hull City supporter I would not wear that Cash Converters shirt.
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Jaffa Cake, as a fellow supporter of a Championship club, I can only pour out my deepest condolences. Lord Blackadder is quite right, a shirt symbolises the club. The players wear it, the fans wear it and people watching at home or in the away end see it constantly. So when it's well and truly b*llsed up, it's extremely annoying.
You can however look forward to the release of the new fixtures which come out in 8 days time.
You can however look forward to the release of the new fixtures which come out in 8 days time.
Ooo, hello! Which team is it, might I ask? Do tell, and I'll reveal why your shirt sponsor is miles better than ours.
League Cup draw next Thursday, League fixtures next Friday. Then the away trip planning can begin in earnest.
Ooo, hello! Which team is it, might I ask? Do tell, and I'll reveal why your shirt sponsor is miles better than ours.
I'm a Peterborough fan. But believe me, in my numerous years of following them I have seen some truly terrible shirts. It probably doesn't compare to Cash Converters but I remember one particular season we were sponsored by Hotpoint who made the washing machines. Needless to say our success that season was pretty washed up.
League Cup draw next Thursday, League fixtures next Friday. Then the away trip planning can begin in earnest.
Indeed. Unfortunately I'm moving to Sheffield come the end of August but I'm determined to make some of our away matches in and around the north. I'll certainly pay a visit to the KC Stadium as it is one that hasn't been ticked off my list.
Ah, after a spell of self-sponsorship you'll be sporting Peterborough Renewable Energy's Green Energy Park across your tummies next season.
At the heart of everything that we do at Green Energy Parks is a desire to deliver community-led solutions to waste in an innovative and sustainable way.
Green Energy Parks eliminate the need for landfill, taking the materials that would be buried and turning them into either re-useable products or energy for homes.
The Posh then are clearly taking the commendable step of allying with a company which is investing in our futures, and our children's futures and all that. We meanwhile are allying with a company investing in purloined PSPs and the like. Gah.
At the heart of everything that we do at Green Energy Parks is a desire to deliver community-led solutions to waste in an innovative and sustainable way.
Green Energy Parks eliminate the need for landfill, taking the materials that would be buried and turning them into either re-useable products or energy for homes.
The Posh then are clearly taking the commendable step of allying with a company which is investing in our futures, and our children's futures and all that. We meanwhile are allying with a company investing in purloined PSPs and the like. Gah.
It's a shame then that both Sheffield clubs find themselves in League One as you move up. But at least Sheffield should be a good base for other Yorkshire clubs and the Midlands too.
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Yeah, I was definitely rooting for Sheffield Utd to cling to safety but to be frank, they couldn't organise a party in a brewery let alone win when it mattered unfortunately.
How do you reckon you'll get along next season?
Yeah, I was definitely rooting for Sheffield Utd to cling to safety but to be frank, they couldn't organise a party in a brewery let alone win when it mattered unfortunately.
How do you reckon you'll get along next season?
I don't know, what goes on with transfers over the next month or so are obviously going to be a big factor.
The team was essentially stripped down and rebuilt over the course of last season, and while there are promising signs we're still very much a work in progress. If we get the right signings in, keep everyone fit and get a run of form going, we might find ourselves bothering the play-off places.
How about the Posh? I suppose as a newly promoted side the priority is to make sure you don't go straight back down...
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I can see you guys getting the play-offs. But the Championship is such a lottery for the most part, clubs that were challenging for promotion last season can just as easily see themselves scrapping in a relegation dogfight the following season.
Yeah, we will undoubtedly finish in that bottom half. Finishing anywhere above 15th is probably a massive achievement. It'll be tough, especially when we lose Craig Mackail-Smith who has just been phenomenal. We love to attack but I feel losing him will mean we won't have the cutting edge anymore in terms of outscoring the opposition. I can see quite a few scrappy 1-0's and draws next season.
How is Aaron McLean getting on at you guys since we sold him to you? Has he been playing or is he more used to keep the subs bench warm?
I can see you guys getting the play-offs. But the Championship is such a lottery for the most part, clubs that were challenging for promotion last season can just as easily see themselves scrapping in a relegation dogfight the following season.
Yeah, we will undoubtedly finish in that bottom half. Finishing anywhere above 15th is probably a massive achievement. It'll be tough, especially when we lose Craig Mackail-Smith who has just been phenomenal. We love to attack but I feel losing him will mean we won't have the cutting edge anymore in terms of outscoring the opposition. I can see quite a few scrappy 1-0's and draws next season.
How is Aaron McLean getting on at you guys since we sold him to you? Has he been playing or is he more used to keep the subs bench warm?
Curious how Slovenia captain Robert Koren is getting on at Hull City. Also, Matty Fryatt has the best strike rate of all of your forwards, he looks set to be a key player up top.
He's been getting a few games, but he's not exactly been prolific – three goal in 23 appearances tells its own story, although he tends to be played more to act as a foil to our other strikers, Fryatt in particular. He got a brace against Sc•nthorpe mind, so he gets a big plus point for that.
From a peterborough point of view, Mackail-Smith would be a big, big loss.
He's got a tendency to ghost in and out of games, but I like him. He got seven goals last season and assisted a bunch more, although he often finds himself deployed on the wing rather than his preferred central role.
He's got splendid hair as well which is important.
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I generally prefer influential midfielders to have flowing locks, but there are always exceptions - Steven Gerrard being the obvious one, though Raul Meireles has somehow managed to be an effective midfielder despite having no hair at all. And then you have the odd full-maned flop such as Alberto Aquilani and -ahem- Plucky and Fun-Loving Jimmy Bullard.
I'd suggest where he could buy a cheap second hand one, but given how much we're paying him he can probably afford to buy new...
By the way, a warning – if any of our Fantasy Football regulars start getting cheeky about the Cash Converters thing, you might get a shock when your fantasy team's shirt is unveiled next season.
Just saying, like.
Just saying, like.
Columbus 2-1 Real Salt Lake.
Major controversy for Crew fans...after going down 1-0 in the 7th minute, Columbus worked their way back into the game and won a penalty in the 76th or so minute. Up steps 36 year-old veteran striker and fan favorite Jeff Cunningham - he is on 132 career MLS goals, a single goal away from tying the league record for career goals scored, and he is Columbus' designated penalty taker...
...but wait! Peruvian striker Andres Mendoza, our expensive and controversial Designated Player, is already at the spot. He stands over the ball and refuses to let Cunningham take it. Words are exchanged, and captain Chad Marshall jogs up from central defense to try and mediate. Cunningham decides not to press the point, retreats, and waves Marshall away - the latter gestures helplessly to the bench.
Mendoza steps up and absolutely blasts the ball powerfully, dead center and into the roof of the net - a perfectly taken penalty. He subsequently gets an assist on the winner, but is booed off by some Crew fans due to the penalty incident. After the match, some Tweets fly hither and thither from local notables over whether Mendoza knew about Cunningham's record.
Mendoza is the topic of some extremely heated debates between Columbus fans over his attitude, work ethic, loyalty to the team etc. Detractors call him lazy and arrogant, an expensive flop. Supporters think his skills are unappreciated and he needs better service, and that he shouldn't be expected to bleed Black & Yellow. Personally I don't care if he is an egotistical mercenary - I want to see fight, and I want to see goals. He showed both tonight.
Long post, but it was a big night for our little club. We had a score to settle with Salt Lake. This was our down payment.
I'll try and keep the stolen electronics jokes to a minimum.
Major controversy for Crew fans...after going down 1-0 in the 7th minute, Columbus worked their way back into the game and won a penalty in the 76th or so minute. Up steps 36 year-old veteran striker and fan favorite Jeff Cunningham - he is on 132 career MLS goals, a single goal away from tying the league record for career goals scored, and he is Columbus' designated penalty taker...
...but wait! Peruvian striker Andres Mendoza, our expensive and controversial Designated Player, is already at the spot. He stands over the ball and refuses to let Cunningham take it. Words are exchanged, and captain Chad Marshall jogs up from central defense to try and mediate. Cunningham decides not to press the point, retreats, and waves Marshall away - the latter gestures helplessly to the bench.
Mendoza steps up and absolutely blasts the ball powerfully, dead center and into the roof of the net - a perfectly taken penalty. He subsequently gets an assist on the winner, but is booed off by some Crew fans due to the penalty incident. After the match, some Tweets fly hither and thither from local notables over whether Mendoza knew about Cunningham's record.
Mendoza is the topic of some extremely heated debates between Columbus fans over his attitude, work ethic, loyalty to the team etc. Detractors call him lazy and arrogant, an expensive flop. Supporters think his skills are unappreciated and he needs better service, and that he shouldn't be expected to bleed Black & Yellow. Personally I don't care if he is an egotistical mercenary - I want to see fight, and I want to see goals. He showed both tonight.
Long post, but it was a big night for our little club. We had a score to settle with Salt Lake. This was our down payment.
By the way, a warning – if any of our Fantasy Football regulars start getting cheeky about the Cash Converters thing, you might get a shock when your fantasy team's shirt is unveiled next season.
I'll try and keep the stolen electronics jokes to a minimum.
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Indeed it is, but at least there'll be a couple of Steel City derbys to look forward to in the coming months
In other news, having just returned from my wedding in Turkey, there are strong rumours out there that Galatasary are close to signing Drogba...
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