Ken Bates "offered Beckford twice this season"

[crisp packet]

He's scored 15 goals for feck sake. I don't care whether you don't count them because they were against Swindon or Forest. Are you not counting his one against Chelsea? Or Nuge v Norwich?

Jesus Christ, there's some morons about. Maybe Beckford might do better if there wasn't so many twats on his back all the time.

What's Fryatt's Prem record like?

Been saying this all season !!!

Support our team ..... The negative pressure from the stands hasn't helped at all ? This past season .

Why do we have to compare our players with past players ?

[Babylon]

Fryatt over Beckford!? Brilliant. This has made my day.

Well he has a better strike rate in this league.... soooooo.

[Babylon]

As I said the other day I can't make my mind up on the lad. It's ok people blaming service etc for some of his performances, but he's also contributed to so many attacks breaking down with his terrible control and more often than not woeful passing.

If we got an offer on the lad then I'd have to weigh up what that was. If someone was prepared to pay a fee and take all his wages then I honestly think for what we are paying him we could get much better value for our £. If we end up loaning him out or giving him away and still paying a huge chunk of his wages then it's pointless because there is no real value there.

The Nugent / Beckford goals debate is ok, but league goals are what matter and he HAS failed to deliver those no matter what anyone says. For what they cost and are costing the club Nugent has been the much better value without question.

He has some talent on his day, he was brilliant against Boro, we just need more of them!

[norfolk-fox]

I dont know what to think towards beckford either I was pleased when signed him but never really happened for him in games then he improved under Pearson but felt he started to go to bad habits towards end season.

I hope he can turn it around if here next season but is he really going to fire us up to premier league?

My feeling on fryatt is alot his goals are either poaching or running with ball. He may not have pace like beckford but can cause problems running with ball at defenders which feel beckford hasn't done much this season (some may disagree) but is fryatt too much like Nugent? That's the question I ask and would they cancel each other out if he came back?

[ACF]

'kinell.

Beckford has his flaws, but before Fryatt left, you were all pointing out his flaws (one on ones?).

Foxestalk, home of the classic case of short term memory.

[Babylon]

'kinell.

Beckford has his flaws, but before Fryatt left, you were all pointing out his flaws (one on ones?).

Foxestalk, home of the classic case of short term memory.

And? Are people not allowed to point out flaws.

It doesn't matter how you try and swing it, his scoring rate Beckford has not been value for money. If he costs £2.5-£4m gets and gets 40k a week as rumoured I expect better, much much better. The very least someone who can control a football with his foot.

I wasn't a huge fan of Fryatt and I don't want him back. But he is what he is, a 750k striker earning probably at most a third or quarter of the rumoured wage Beckford is. But he scored the same as Nugent and more than Beckford this year = Value for money.

If we bring in the right players to be able to boss games next year we can get away with him in the team. If we don't then he's a luxury I'm not sure we can afford.

[Poakey]

Probably the best argument for Beckford yet but I'm still not convinced. I can forgive a slow start, see Danns, Konchesky and St Ledger (although he's well over-rated), I simply cannot forgive this stuff that's happened with Leeds at the weekend. His hearts set in Leeds and it's as simple as that.

I'm not happy about these things, he shows more affection to there fans then ours(although we have booed him).

Also the no show at the awards the other night but maybe it's the fact that he has been offered back to them makes him feel unwanted here?

Shame really but it looks like hes on his way.

[Raw Dykes]

oh for goodness sake dont people read the full statistics. Beckford got 15 goals this season....

He got 9 league goals. Even if you add his 6 cup goals, Fryatt still scored more, and would cost a fraction of the price.

you talk out of your arse. you really do.

Why do people not count cup goals? are they not important?

No! Cups are not important! The club wants promotion! Who expects us to win a cup, ffs?!

Beckford could score 200 goals a season in friendlies and cup games, and I still wouldn't want him if he can't score in the only competition that matters to us. It would be great to win a cup, of course it would, but I'm not expecting that, and winning a cup does not get us any closer to the PL. We could win both the FA Cup and the League Cup, but if we don't do well enough in the league, we'll still be stuck in the NPC.

Beckford is meant to be a goalscorer. That's his game. He was supposed to score the goals we needed to have a crack at promotion. That's why we signed him. That's why we gave Everton £2.5-£4m. That's why we give Beckford £40k a week, or thereabouts. We didn't sign him to try and win the FA Cup!

In how many of our 46 league games did he score?

7

Rubbish.

Fryatt over Beckford!? Brilliant. This has made my day.

Go on, then. Convince me I'm wrong if it's so easy! I'm not impressed by big names alone like some people.

[MPH]

He got 9 league goals. Even if you add his 6 cup goals, Fryatt still scored more, and would cost a fraction of the price.

No! Cups are not important! The club wants promotion! Who expects us to win a cup, ffs?!

Beckford could score 200 goals a season in friendlies and cup games, and I still wouldn't want him if he can't score in the only competition that matters to us. It would be great to win a cup, of course it would, but I'm not expecting that, and winning a cup does not get us any closer to the PL. We could win both the FA Cup and the League Cup, but if we don't do well enough in the league, we'll still be stuck in the NPC.

Beckford is meant to be a goalscorer. That's his game. He was supposed to score the goals we needed to have a crack at promotion. That's why we signed him. That's why we gave Everton £2.5-£4m. That's why we give Beckford £40k a week, or thereabouts. We didn't sign him to try and win the FA Cup!

In how many of our 46 league games did he score?

7

Rubbish.

Go on, then. Convince me I'm wrong if it's so easy! I'm not impressed by big names alone like some people.

Cup goals you tit! i said cup GOALS! not winning the actual cup!

[Raw Dykes]

Well, why would I think cup goals are important if I don't think cups are important you div?

Beckford could score 200 goals a season in friendlies and cup games, and I still wouldn't want him if he can't score in the only competition that matters to us.

I've got an idea. Why don't you read what I wrote before replying?

[Danno]

He got 9 league goals. Even if you add his 6 cup goals, Fryatt still scored more, and would cost a fraction of the price.

No! Cups are not important! The club wants promotion! Who expects us to win a cup, ffs?!

Beckford could score 200 goals a season in friendlies and cup games, and I still wouldn't want him if he can't score in the only competition that matters to us. It would be great to win a cup, of course it would, but I'm not expecting that, and winning a cup does not get us any closer to the PL. We could win both the FA Cup and the League Cup, but if we don't do well enough in the league, we'll still be stuck in the NPC.

Beckford is meant to be a goalscorer. That's his game. He was supposed to score the goals we needed to have a crack at promotion. That's why we signed him. That's why we gave Everton £2.5-£4m. That's why we give Beckford £40k a week, or thereabouts. We didn't sign him to try and win the FA Cup!

In how many of our 46 league games did he score?

7

Rubbish.

Go on, then. Convince me I'm wrong if it's so easy! I'm not impressed by big names alone like some people.

He's on 30K/Week.

[Simo86]

we'll still be stuck in the NPC.

We'll be stuck in a car park?

[Raw Dykes]

He's on 30K/Week.

That's what I thought, but others have said more than that. Some people say £30k, some say £40k, one person even said close to £50k. Does anyone actually know? Is there a reliable source anywhere?

Even if it's only £20k, it's still too much for what we're getting.

[Danno]

That's what I thought, but others have said more than that. Some people say £30k, some say £40k, one person even said close to £50k. Does anyone actually know? Is there a reliable source anywhere?

Even if it's only £20k, it's still too much for what we're getting.

He's on 30 K, i know someone who has connections. Mills is the highest earner on 35K. The reason we didn't sign Sharp was because he wanted more than 30K which Beckford is on.

[ACF]

And? Are people not allowed to point out flaws.

It doesn't matter how you try and swing it, his scoring rate Beckford has not been value for money. If he costs £2.5-£4m gets and gets 40k a week as rumoured I expect better, much much better. The very least someone who can control a football with his foot.

I wasn't a huge fan of Fryatt and I don't want him back. But he is what he is, a 750k striker earning probably at most a third or quarter of the rumoured wage Beckford is. But he scored the same as Nugent and more than Beckford this year = Value for money.

If we bring in the right players to be able to boss games next year we can get away with him in the team. If we don't then he's a luxury I'm not sure we can afford.

I'm not saying I choose either one, how can I form a good opinion about players when I'm lucky to see them 3 times a season?

It's more the absolute negativity, then comparing to Fryatt and Yakubu, who everyone complained about when he was here.

No doubt, if JB leaves, and does similar at wherever he goes, it'll be the same.

[Izzy muzzit]

Fryatt was 19 then, and scored 6 goals in just half a season for a second tier club. At that rate, he would have got 12 if he'd been here all of that season, which is more than Beckford got this season, aged 28, when he should be in his prime! When Beckford was 19, he was playing for Wealdstone (who?) in Isthmian Division 1 (8th tier) part-time and fitting windscreens!

He's had a whole season! Granted, he has improved a lot since Pearson returned, but it's still not good enough, especially when you consider his wages. He'd much prefer it if he was at Leeds, clearly, and so would I.

I hear what your saying but its still his first season and still second tier. To me, its clear to see he is a better goal poacher and a much more potent threat than fryatt (regardless of how hard he works - some of the best strikers throughout history didnt tear arse around like paul dickov - e.g lineker) Beckford has played in prem so he must have something! Fryatt was, and still is budget imo!

Who would you rather have playing for us in the prem?

I sincerly hope he proves you wrong next season! (if he is still with us)

[MattyFromLE]

Been saying this all season !!!

Support our team ..... The negative pressure from the stands hasn't helped at all ? This past season .

Why do we have to compare our players with past players ?

Spot on!

[Raw Dykes]

I hear what your saying but its still his first season and still second tier.

True, it was his first season here, but I still don't think 9 league goals and 6 in the cup is good enough from the player who is meant to be our main goalscorer and is costing £30k a week. Maybe I could forgive him if he seemed more committed to us, or if he chipped in with a lot of assists, or didn't have the first touch of a rapist, but I think he's massively overrated, and I think he would much prefer to be at another club. We'd be better off replacing him.

To me, its clear to see he is a better goal poacher and a much more potent threat than fryatt (regardless of how hard he works - some of the best strikers throughout history didnt tear arse around like paul dickov - e.g lineker)

The stats don't lie - Fryatt has scored more this season than Beckford and he works harder and he gets paid about half as much. I know strikers don't have to work as hard as Dickov to be good players. Yakubu is a good example, but he does score a good amount of goals. Beckford hasn't, and that's all he's supposed to do.

Beckford has played in prem so he must have something! Fryatt was, and still is budget imo!

This just sums it all up for me. I don't mean this personally, I reckon most of the people defending Beckford are thinking the same as you. It sounds like you value the player's "name" more than you value the player's performances. Everton understandably took a gamble on signing Beckford on a free transfer because he scored a lot in League 1. Fryatt scored one more than him, in the same division, in the same season, and if he'd been available on a free then, he might well have got his chance in the PL, as well. Beckford was a squad player for Everton and was sold on after just one season.

Imagine we sign Vardy from non-league, and we somehow got someone like Defoe, as well. Now imagine Vardy turns out to be a great striker at this level, and bags us 18 league goals in his first season, and runs himself ragged in every match. At the same time, Defoe looks uninterested and demoralised to be playing in the 2nd tier. He only scores 9 league goals, and a couple of hat tricks in the cup. Vardy's on £10k a week, and Defoe's on £40k a week. Who would you say is better? I just know that we have some fans who would definitely say Defoe, and they would be saying that based purely on his reputation and how famous his name is. Imagine you're the manager. The owners say you have to sell one of them. Which one do you sell? I know some of our fans would say Vardy. "Yeah, ok, Vardy scored the goals that got us to the PL, and only cost a fraction of the cash we spent on Defoe, but the kid's want Defoe's name on their shirts. He's more famous!"

Calling Fryatt "budget", just because he hasn't played in the PL yet, is a bit shallow. I'm just glad you're not the manager.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not Fryatt's biggest fan, and I do think we should be aiming higher, but I really don't understand why people are saying Beckford is better. If you want a striker who can score as many as Beckford has this season, then we can get one for a fraction of the price, or get two of them for the same price, with some change. If you want a big name striker who costs £30k a week, then fine, but why don't you expect them to be amongst the top scorers in the division?

Who would you rather have playing for us in the prem?

Well, Beckford has got one season's experience of the PL, but if it's a choice between him and Fryatt, I'd still go with Fryatt. Fryatt's goalscoring record is pretty much the same as Beckford's. Fryatt's 3 years younger and has the better workrate. Fryatt costs a lot, lot less than Beckford. Beckford strikes me as a manager's nightmare, in terms of the work they have to put in to keep him happy, whereas I expect managers don't find it at all difficult to motivate Fryatt.

I sincerly hope he proves you wrong next season! (if he is still with us)

Me too! I don't think he will be here, though. I think it looks likely that Leeds will take him. I expect Leeds want him to go, Leicester want him to go, and Beckford himself wants to go. I also wouldn't be surprised if Beckford scores a shitload for them next season and our fans start moaning and using it to slag NP off for selling him. I still think it's the best thing to do, though, because I really can't see Beckford improving that much if he stays here. He'll still want to be elsewhere, and he'll still be costing £30k a week. That money would be better spent on two or even three good players who really want to prove themselves at this club.

[Izzy muzzit]

Nice dissertation I can see where you are coming from tho.

Regardless I do hope Beckford stays at leicester as i think he will continue to improve, even with the money issue i still would not change my mind. I did not mean fryatt is budget due to the fact that he hasnt played PL, i meant to say that he is such a simple player and so easy to predict. I think Beckford is so much more of a threat, unpredictable and quick, much harder to play against at any level regardless of his name! Twinned with nugent I fail to see how this will not continue to contribute drematically to us actually winning games consistantly next term.

[Guest]

I don't get the Beckford love in.

[bald reynard]

Got to say that I think the (likely) signing of Vardy, WILL mean that Beckford will be shipped out. Having just seen the montage of Vardy goals for Fleetwood (on TB's 'Vardy Speculation' page), his pace will mean he'll defo start for City. Nige won't play him, Nugent AND Beckford - and Nugent is more likely to complement his style than JB. Vardy will be the 'poacher' that Beckford only sometimes becomes. The £1m+ fee will have to be offset by sales - and I think it will be a striker that will make way for him. We won't be getting much for Vassell, Nugent will stay, Waggie will be staying (knowing Nige's love affair with him), along with Schlupp, Hopper & Panytiou (or however it's spelt) - JB's gotta go ?!

[Happy Fox]

If we sign Kane as well then I think Beckford's days are numbered.

[Raw Dykes]

Nice dissertation I can see where you are coming from tho.

Regardless I do hope Beckford stays at leicester as i think he will continue to improve, even with the money issue i still would not change my mind. I did not mean fryatt is budget due to the fact that he hasnt played PL, i meant to say that he is such a simple player and so easy to predict. I think Beckford is so much more of a threat, unpredictable and quick, much harder to play against at any level regardless of his name! Twinned with nugent I fail to see how this will not continue to contribute drematically to us actually winning games consistantly next term.

Sorry, I can ramble on sometimes!

Beckford certainly has a lot more pace than, not just Fryatt, but a lot of players in the division, and it is true that he has improved a lot since Pearson returned. Having said that, I don't think this does make him more of a threat, because other areas of his game let him down, like his control, work-rate and decision making. He gives the ball away too often and he doesn't hold up the ball.

If he does stay, I'll back him (not that I haven't already - I'd never boo individual players), but I will expect to see yet more improvement and consistency. I'll also expect him to look more like he wants to be here. I want to see him look much, much more like a player worth £30k a week (obviously, I mean relative to other players. No player is really worth that much).

I will be surprised if he stays, so I hope no-one's gutted to see him in a Leeds shirt next season. If he does go, I don't doubt it will be best for this club.

[thybluefox]

I find myself defending Beckford on a nearly daily basis at the moment it seems.

I can't argue with the fact he's not been as good as he should have been this season. And that his touch is at times shocking. But I can't help but think he gets an unfair share of the criticism this season, and is becoming a scapegoat for the whole squads failure.

The biggest thing that annoys me when people talk about him is that they say he has an ego. You'll know though that if you talk to anyone connected with the club day-to-day, he is one of the nicest blokes at the training ground. I know this doesn't make him a decent footballer, but its still unfair stick.

I just can't help getting the feeling that he's on the edge of being a very decent forward, he's pretty much consistently improved all areas of his game since Pearson came in, and I just know that if he leaves he'll do well wherever he goes next.

But, I'm still undecided about whether I'd want him to stay or go. Part of me thinks that after what has in reality been a failed season for him, he will struggle to win over the fans next season no matter what he does. So, maybe moving him on and getting some fresh blood, someone that will run their legs off and please the fans, is a good idea.

[MPH]

I find myself defending Beckford on a nearly daily basis at the moment it seems.

I can't argue with the fact he's not been as good as he should have been this season. And that his touch is at times shocking. But I can't help but think he gets an unfair share of the criticism this season, and is becoming a scapegoat for the whole squads failure.

The biggest thing that annoys me when people talk about him is that they say he has an ego. You'll know though that if you talk to anyone connected with the club day-to-day, he is one of the nicest blokes at the training ground. I know this doesn't make him a decent footballer, but its still unfair stick.

I just can't help getting the feeling that he's on the edge of being a very decent forward, he's pretty much consistently improved all areas of his game since Pearson came in, and I just know that if he leaves he'll do well wherever he goes next.

But, I'm still undecided about whether I'd want him to stay or go. Part of me thinks that after what has in reality been a failed season for him, he will struggle to win over the fans next season no matter what he does. So, maybe moving him on and getting some fresh blood, someone that will run their legs off and please the fans, is a good idea.

What gets me is that you could start a thread saying Nugent has been our player of the season and not get many negative comments in it. Nugent only scored 1 goal more than Beckford did this season. Granted, he had a slow start to the season.. but 15 goals for the season is not that bad. It isnt great But it isnt bad either.

The way some people carry on on FT you'd think the guy had been masquarading as the Pedo Bear or something..... Give him better service and watch him go...

He also scored a hat-trick against forest! My memory isnt that great but i do not remember the last time someone did that for us...

I think the problem is expectations. We spent millions and people expected us to walk this division picking up every award in our path becuase we are the great Leicester City. When in truth the turmoil and changes brought about the last few years means we have not had a settled side for a long long time. If we could get through a season without drastic changes to the team or management structure then maybe everyone would be able to settle down a bit more.