MBK Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 According to the mercury: Allen's joy on first day back by BILL ANDERSON It was all change as Leicester City turned up for pre-season training today with seven new players and new manager Martin Allen in place. One player in particular had a special spring in his step - 19-year-old midfielder James Wesolowski who yesterday signed a four-year extension to his contract. It proves the young Australian is very much in Allen's plans for the future, as could be striker Joseph-Desire Job, whose transfer City are hoping to complete by the end of this week. With Wesolowski joining Iain Hume in signing a new contract, Allen has shown he values some of those he inherited just as much as the new men. He said: “I am chuffed to bits that Wesolowski has signed a contract extension. He has energy, enthusiasm and I am looking forward to working with him and helping him get into the full Australian squad.”
MBK Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Great news. I think a few of us have forgotten just how excited we were with the emergence of Wesolowski. He ended last season showing the true ability he has and if he's over his injuries he'll only get better.Incidently, his run of games at the end of last season were the most games he's ever continously played in the first team. Could that be because of Worthington's change to the fitness regime after remarks that our team was so unfit? I think Kelly was a big reason as to why Weso kept picking up niggling injuries, the fitness regime was shit. Allen won't make the same mistake, i'm sure Weso will be fit as a fiddle as will the other players. Could be a massive season for Wesolowski, if he fulfills his potential then we have one of the best young midfielders in the league by a country mile. No news on Mattock signing a contract yet though? I agree however next year his aim is to get the rigours of a full season (25 games minimum), with the year after giving him a chance to blossom into a good player. If he does improve and bids come in for him, I bet Lm30 that he'd turn them down to remain with us. See his preference to work his way into our team to joining the senior Aussies.
davieG Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 From OS Leicester City are today delighted to confirm that midfielder James Wesolowski has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him at the Walkers Stadium until 2011. Australian Wesolowski (19) joined the Foxes from Northern Spirit in 2002 - and has progressed through the club's academy system to first team level. He caught the eye during the 2005-06 pre-season campaign and following his performance in a 3-0 win at Kettering Town, was selected as a member of the touring party to Norway. After suffering the set-back of a broken leg, the tough-tackling midfielder made his comeback against Plymouth in January 2006 - and went on the make a number of impressive appearances before bad luck struck again as he sustained another broken leg away at Brighton less than a month later. Wesolowski came back fighting fit in the 2006-07 campaign, and has now made a total of 29 appearances for the Foxes. City boss Martin Allen said: "I am chuffed to bits that James has signed a contract extension. "He has energy and he has enthusiasm. I am really looking forward to working with him and helping him to get in to the full Australian squad." Wesolowski has previously been called up to train with the full Australian international squad, but has yet to make a senior appearance for his country. The youngster joined up with his City team-mates this morning for the first day of pre-season training at the Belvoir Drive training ground.
Thracian Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 at least a -2 for all of your ass kissing Judge him after half a season FFS. Any bugger can request a few flowers are planted and some facilities are moved around. "Ass kisser"? That's a new allegation for sure. Not certain Kelly and Worthington would agree. I think it's important that a new manager imposes his personality on a place and emphasises that things have changed. The way MA's done that shows some individualism, a bit of personality and God knows we've needed that as well. MA with MM have taken some positive action since the season ended and, after the last close season's perpetual anti-climax that's to be welcomed. Indeed, I refuse to have any negative thoughts until they are justified by events. But half a season's managerial leeway before MA's judged? You clearly don't know me. He might get 45 minutes if the last manager is anything to go by!
Newcastle_Fox Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Really hope Weso fulfills his potential, quite alot of him reminds me of Neil Lennon, he could develop into half the player and stay fit this season it would be great. Jus the other concern Mattock needs to sign his new deal, he has got bags of potential aswell and a full season would do him no harm.
Thracian Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Really hope Weso fulfills his potential, quite alot of him reminds me of Neil Lennon, he could develop into half the player and stay fit this season it would be great.Jus the other concern Mattock needs to sign his new deal, he has got bags of potential aswell and a full season would do him no harm. My information is that Mattock signed his two year deal weeks back. The club were expected to announce it on his birthday but as far as I know they never have.
Manwell Pablo Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 My information is that Mattock signed his two year deal weeks back. What about Louis has he signed.
Thracian Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 What about Louis has he signed. My last information back in May was that he was going to sign but had a six months recallable loan sorted out with Notts County if he didn't figure in the first team squad.
Master Fox Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 My last information back in May was that he was going to sign but had a six months recallable loan sorted out with Notts County if he didn't figure in the first team squad. The way people were talking about Gradel after the Sunderland youth final, I would have thought he will feature in the first team quite a lot next season?
Thracian Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 The way people were talking about Gradel after the Sunderland youth final, I would have thought he will feature in the first team quite a lot next season? Around 19 goals in 21 matches last season is phenomenal for a right winger and he was close to that rate the season before. He was also part of a demonstrably successful team, as he was the season before. Winning things is important at whatever level and with Gradel's record I feel guilty having any reservations about him. He was one of our few outstanding players in the Academy play-off final at Sunderland until accumulated injuries forced his substitution, scoring one goal and teasing the home defence for the whole of the first hour. But fans should understand that what you get with Gradel is a traditional winger, pure and simple. He's small, fast, tricky, takes people on, passes into dangerous places and not only looks for goalscoring opportunities but has the accuracy of shot to take them. What you don't get is defensive covering and tackling thrown in. He tries sometimes but to me he always looks lost defensively - it just doesn't seem to be a natural part of his game. Personally I couldn't give a toss. History shows that teams can be successful without having a defence-minded winger. In Gradel's case his strengths are potentially more important than his weaknesses. After all we never score goals from the right wing anyway so he'd certainly improve us in that area. He's also quite creative and disrupts the organisation of defences. My remaining doubt is whether Gradel is, as yet, fast enough or strong enough to do for the first team what he does for the Academy and has done for the Reserves. As part of an attacking set up he'd always be an asset and could probably be introduced slowly from the first team bench so long as he's given time to build his confidence and adapt. But, in reality, I expect half a season in the reserves first is more likely, especially with the number of players likely to be competing for places.
Simi Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 4 Year contract, definately a good sign that he has a future at the club.
Geo V Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Im not sure if Gradel plays right-wing or not but maybe the fact that we havent signed Newton or followed up tabloid speculation about Trevor Sinclair may be a sign that Gradel may have a big chance within the first team this season? Its good to see MA offer 2 year deals to the older players and the likes of Weso. Chambers and Hume got at least 3 year contracts. We have got to make sur ewe dont get in silly messes like we have with Douglas and De Vries!
Daggers Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Around 19 goals in 21 matches last season is phenomenal for a winger and he was close to that rate the season before. He was also part of a demonstrably successful team, as he was the season before.Winning things is important at whatever level and with Gradel's -1 record I feel guilty having any reservations about him. He was one of our few outstanding players in the Academy play-off final at Sunderland until accumulated injuries forced his substitution, scoring one goal and teasing the home defence for the whole of the first hour. But fans should understand that what you get with Gradel -1 is a traditional winger, pure and simple. He's small, fast, tricky, takes people on, passes into dangerous places and not only looks for goalscoring opportunities but has the accuracy of shot to take them. What you don't get is defensive covering and tackling thrown in. He tries sometimes but to me he always looks lost defensively - it just doesn't seem to be a natural part of his game. Personally I couldn't give a toss. History shows that teams can be successful without having a defence-minded winger. In Gradel's -1 case his strengths are potentially more important than his weaknesses. After all we never score goals from the right wing anyway so he'd certainly improve us in that area. He's also quite creative and disrupts the organisation of defences. My remaining doubt is whether Gradel -1 is, as yet, fast enough or strong enough to do for the first team what he does for the Academy and has done for the Reserves. As part of an attacking set up he'd always be an asset and could probably be introduced slowly from the first team bench so long as he's given time to build his confidence and adapt. But, in reality, I expect half a season in the reserves first is more likely, especially with the number of players likely to be competing for places. Previous Thracian score = -0.5 New Thracian score = -4.5
The Reverend Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Great news with Weso. He will go on to become a brilliant footballer no doubt - its such a shame about his breakages. He needs to get fit ASAP, and Allen will aid him in doing so, unlike Kelly.
lookwhaticando Posted 3 July 2007 Author Posted 3 July 2007 does he now have the longest contract in the squad? Thus far, I reckon so.
Simon Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 Am quite shocked that we've given him such a long extension to his contract, but pretty damn pleased with it. If he does manage to recover from his injury set-backs he could be one helluva player for us. But its also a risk- if he does continue to get injuries then it'll be a bit of a waste. What with MA's new fitness regime though, I'm sure he'll do much better. Shows MA's intent for him with this- he's got him singled out as a starter for next season.
Jimmy Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 they have obviously got enormous faith his injury nightmare is a thing of the past then
lookwhaticando Posted 3 July 2007 Author Posted 3 July 2007 ... and in somewhat related news, he appears to have taken on the number 11 shirt from Danny Tiatto.
Jimmy Posted 3 July 2007 Posted 3 July 2007 is there a definative list or just a pic of training, cus the numbers on trianing tops are normally random
lookwhaticando Posted 3 July 2007 Author Posted 3 July 2007 is there a definative list or just a pic of training, cus the numbers on trianing tops are normally random From the LC World interview with Allen - it was on his training top. I'm inclined to believe the numbers are genuine, and they'll no doubt be formally announced on the OS tomorrow or in the near future. They're not that random, many of them make sense - Casino Jimmy is number 1, replacing the transfer listed Douglas... McAuley is now number 5 in place of McCarthy... Hughes, also transfer listed, now has McAuley's old number... N'gotty is number 6, Kishishev number 4... I don't think they're random, I think they're pretty much as they will be.
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