Could it be that Hourihane has had his hand forced by the player? In the sense that he's got a year left on his contract, fully fit, yet not being selected? The player hasn't signed a new deal, we bring in Kelly. As a coach you know Russell is a top player but you can't pick someone who wants to be off (regardless of how professional they've been) when you have Yoganathan and Kelly chomping at the bit.
Agree with this. As others have mentioned too though, his mobility is poor without the ball. Players can just glide past him at times. I think the other options offer so much more defensively, closing down, keeping pressure on them with the press, better shape etc. Its a shame because he's got an abundance of quality when on the ball. Saying that, if he had both, he'd be top end championship player imo
Wouldn’t be surprised if Russell went in the next week. We have a decent midfield and need cash to reinvest.
Both him and Phillips need to learn to smile. They look so bored, even when scoring. If I was on five grand a week or whatever I'd be walking round all day long with the stupidest big grin on my face, so much so that people would be slapping me.
I would say he's least suited to way Hourihane wants to play of the midfielders he has at to choose from. Russell has many assets but high press high energy isn't two of them.
Maybe it's because half of that 5k a week will be deducted in taxes, and it never gets spent well enough? Doubt it though - I think he's just a morngy bugger
I think the same was our most productive midfielder last season. Linked to championship clubs recently. Wouldn't be surprised to see him leave before the window ends. And people saying he doesn't tackle etc is just untrue for the most last season for definite YT posted the after game stats to back this up last season aswell.
I think it’s a combination of the two. He will have been behind on his pre-season due to his Jamaican commitments but Hourihane is probably also of the belief that he will be sold if we get a decent offer due to him only having a year left so it’s allowed him to start with a midfield that doesn’t include Russell.
It works out that he'd be keeping 59% of that £20+k a month after tax as the higher rate of 40% only kicks in after £50, 270 earned and 45% after £125,140 earned. So on £5k a week his take home pay would be £2944 per week. If paid monthly, for comparison with most folk, that's £12759 take home a month after tax and national insurance. I'd look grumpy too if I only earned that a month
Not bad for a part time job in the third tier of football. Obviously we don't know the exact amount, and there will be bonuses too, but the level players are now paid is obscene and fans seem tolerant if not encouraging of it.
