The whole story behind the Mat Ryan Trial

[Darren Clear]

CCM Fans,

If anyone followed the player movement thread from yesterday they would see that I sent a strongly worded email to Mariners Front Office asking some questions about the Mat Ryan trial to Rangers which I did not see the sense in for the life of me.

Today I was surprsied to answer a call on my mobile from none other than Lawrie McKinna who set me straight on a few issues that I'd like to share below.

1. Mat Ryan has a clause in his contract allowing him to go on trial at any stage to another European Club and the Mariners cannot say no

2. Arnie chose this as the best time due to the long trip down to Tasmania to play the Victory

3. Ally McCoist first spoke to Fergie about Mat Ryan (informally) and Fergie knew Lawrie would be in Scotland at Christmas time so that is essentially how the meeting was set up. (It was a bit more formal between the clubs I think but Fergie told Lawrie to expect a call from Rangers basically)

4. Rangers wanted Mat to train with the club as the UK clubs are concerned at his lack of height (he is only 6 foot) and they wanted to see him in person (again - due to his contract the club can't say no anyway)

5. Rangers will offer adequate compensation for Mat should he decide to go there (both in his personal terms and for the club)

6. The upside for the club is Mat can stay until the end of this season (plus ACL) and we get a good transfer fee (something the Club needs to keep going as we would all be aware)

7. The Mariners have tried to sign Mat Ryan and Rogic (among others) to longer term deals but their personal management has advised them to sign short term deals to keep their free transfer options open (admittedly this is only Lawrie's side of the story but it seems plausable)

8. Lawrie also said to watch this space as he could be going again in the near future and that Rangers could be a likely destination for him transfer wise

So in essence the whole scenario makes alot more sense now as the Club had to accept the bid and Ryan appeared to want to go as the personal terms were good and they are still a big club in terms of crowd support and overall interest etc. It is also encouraging to know that we weren't shopping players to Rangers as I assumed from media reports.

As I said to Lawrie - one of the reasons I love this club is that they take the time to answer these queries and I am happy to say my concerns were misplaced in this instance. I'm not sure how many other clubs would have their director of football on the phone to answer the concerns of a long time member but there you have it. Please spread the word to the other fans out there.

Cheers,
Darren

 

[MrCelery]

Not surprised by any of this.

But it still does not take away from being a silly idea in the first place. As evidenced by the sheer weight of feedback from the football community. Can't blame Lawrie for providing information to cover the Club's arse, and his own, from those wanting to point the finger.

If a finger has to be pointed, it seems it should be in the direction of the agent advising Mat.

I'm curious to know what is regarded as 'adequate compensation' for Ryan's trial. 3 points in Launceston would be nice!

As you say, it's a great Club that takes the time to respond, especially when the few staff put in 110% every day. It's not like they have much time to answer.

Love this Club! COYY!

 

[nebakke]

This does also touch on exactly the thing that has been annoying me whenever we see some of the rants from the commentators. The same thing happened last year, I can't remember the circumstances, but I'm guessing it was around Rogic or some such thing.
Commentators, such as Bozza, go on a rant about how the clubs, especially CCM, should be ashamed that they're not signing the players for longer, they should be offering the right kind of money etc. etc. etc.
Ignoring the rather large input that the players have in the conversation. It's not like the club's saying "here you go, have another 3 years" and the players then fall on their knees thanking them... Well it might be, but not with the likes of Rogic and Mattie in their current position methinks. Furthermore, for all of the arguing over Ranger's relegation, it's still "The Rangers" - If you were 20 and looking to move to Europe at some point in the future, would you not struggle saying no to "The Rangers" irrespective of their current position? Especially if the alternative was more A-league?
That is why players need good representation, to ensure that they don't get star struck.

That's not to say anything bad about our league btw. as mentioned, I just get annoyed that these things tend to get discussed as one-sided, poor management and that's that.

 

[dibo]

CCM Fans,

If anyone followed the player movement thread from yesterday they would see that I sent a strongly worded email to Mariners Front Office asking some questions about the Mat Ryan trial to Rangers which I did not see the sense in for the life of me.

Today I was surprsied to answer a call on my mobile from none other than Lawrie McKinna who set me straight on a few issues that I'd like to share below.
<snip>

Cheers Darren, that seems a pretty plausible account of events, particularly the parts to do with the free transfers.

I don't think Rangers is the place to go, but the height concern is one I've had raised with my by a very good keeper coach. He's obviously very very good technically, his distribution brings tears to the eyes and his command of his quarter of the pitch (it goes beyond the area) is exceptional, but if you're playing in Britain, there's a genuine need for height.

From time to time you'll have a John Sutton (OK, poor example), a Carlton Cole or a Nikola Zigic to whom your opponents will simply bomb balls in. Mat is good under the high ball but I can believe that they'll want to see for themselves.

If Mat is smart, he'll get looked at by some other clubs too, and maybe get a look in over on the continent where they play the ball on the floor a little more and his distribution will be valued. For cultural adjustment and football quality, he wouldn't be able to go better than Holland - practically *everyone* speaks English and they play good, technically focussed football.

 

[Darren Clear]

Cheers Darren, that seems a pretty plausible account of events, particularly the parts to do with the free transfers.

I don't think Rangers is the place to go, but the height concern is one I've had raised with my by a very good keeper coach. He's obviously very very good technically, his distribution brings tears to the eyes and his command of his quarter of the pitch (it goes beyond the area) is exceptional, but if you're playing in Britain, there's a genuine need for height.

From time to time you'll have a John Sutton (OK, poor example), a Carlton Cole or a Nikola Zigic to whom your opponents will simply bomb balls in. Mat is good under the high ball but I can believe that they'll want to see for themselves.

If Mat is smart, he'll get looked at by some other clubs too, and maybe get a look in over on the continent where they play the ball on the floor a little more and his distribution will be valued. For cultural adjustment and football quality, he wouldn't be able to go better than Holland - practically *everyone* speaks English and they play good, technically focussed football.

For what it's worth Lawrie also said that he felt he'd be a better fit on the continent but that no interest had been shown from there as yet and that Mat may have more chance to be noticed at Rangers. Regardless we can only deal with the clubs who make enquiries.

 

[dibo]

Absolutely. Rangers might be a stepping stone.

 

[Roy Law]

Well done Darren, clears up a lot of questions.

 

[FFC Mariner]

I think if someone offered me a (reputedly) 10x salary increase, I'd be off like a shot.

Dibo's point about long ball, big lad up top etc probably applies more to Scotland than any league outside league 1&2 in England.

However, I can't recall him struggling under the high ball here when faced with a hoofball team ( scum, Perth)

 

[BrisRecky]

Matty should give MVV in Holland, the coach there has a youth focused
mentality...yep MVV...not that i'm byast or nothing

 

[kevrenor]

I still think it is a daft move, and daft of the club to facilitate it ... ok, it is a trade-off that Maty wouldn't want a trial during the season deciding final round say, but hey if his manager is of that mind, who can tell what he'd recommend. What Bozza has said is spot on .. he isn't privy to the details outlined here when asked on air to comment. It would have saved a lot of heat if the Arnie had mentioned the trial clause when interviewed on Sunday after the game, or Turnbull had mentioned previously! I love my club, but some times I shake my head..

 

[kevrenor]

Absolutely. Rangers might be a stepping stone.

No, just no.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Iker Casillas is under 6ft just quietly. He goes ok.

 

[Bex]

Wouldn't a successful ACL campaign, more development from Arnie/Mossy/Crawley/Clarky/current teammates and continuing socceroos duty be a better stepping stone than Rangers?

 

[style_cafe]

I think it would be a great move.
I was a guest at Rangers a few years ago & must say it`s a fabulous club with a great history & sensational training facilities.
If you`ve never been to the UK you just wouldn`t understand the football culture that exists there. They live & breathe football.
If Matty was to move to Rangers it would be absolutely ideal for him.
As I understand it he would be able to play the season out with us & play in the ACL plus we would get a transfer fee.
Rangers would presumably rise from the fourth division to the top flight with rises in divisions each year.
This would allow Matty a chance to get used to the different paces of each division.
He would be able to grow, as a player,with a rising Rangers team.
Also with the culture over there, he would be on display to other clubs as they watch Rangers resurrect their status as one of the OLD FIRM.

On the downside Glasgow is the arsehole of the earth.
He would have to live in England or maybe Edinburgh & commute to training.

 

[kevrenor]

Excellent piece by Seb Hassett in today's SMH. I'm on a tablet and can't post a link, sorry.

 

[BrisRecky]

what is it with our goalies ( or their management) that sends them off on half cocked excursions over seas?

 

[FFC Mariner]

Link to Hassets article

http://m.smh.com.au/sport/football/...but-gosfords-a-better-bet-20130107-2ccsw.html

 

[Bex]

Link to Hassets article

http://m.smh.com.au/sport/football/...but-gosfords-a-better-bet-20130107-2ccsw.html

I think Hasset makes a good point. Rogic in particular can still learn a lot by staying with the Mariners.

 

[garlo]

The only good thing I've read here is that Lawrie made the call . .thats the kinda guy he is ! Top man !

 

[ballantyne]

Mat will always be small for the EPL. FIFA has just announced that the best players are not in the British Isles, so it would seem that continental Europe is his better bet. Thing is, wages are high in the EPL which will be of particular interest to his agent.