Topp heads out of City (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Poor willy or billy at least we wont be wasting money on his wages in the reserves, maybe we can get a decent player who can handle the british game.

I can not believe that 'City' can write off £35,000. Plus all the extra costs this player has incurred; eg.Medical/Acccommod
ation/Salary etc.
Because he has not been tried in a 4-3-3 system,playing just behind the front Two.(Managerial Naivety?) He has not been in the 'Shop Window'. So any Scouts will not have seen his abilities, and been able to assess his potential.
If Spanish Scouts had seen him, perhaps a lucrative transfer deal, could have been brokered.
To cancel his contract and write off all the costs to the Club,is cause for serious concern.
Perhaps he has been thrown to the 'Unscrupulous Agents' that parasite their trade on vulnerable players like Willy Topp.
MAY I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH HIM 'ADIOS HOMBRE!'. I HOPE YOU FIND A CLUB, AND HAVE A GOOD HAPPIER CAREER, IN FOOTBALL.

How can anyone have an influence on a game either warming the bench or being stuck in the reserves! Very disappointed that this player hasn't been given either a run in the side or been loaned out to show what he can really do. Last season he was carrying those tight muscle injuries which over the summer were sorted out and I expected him at least to figure in some capacity this season. Alright the gob sh##e Osbourne might have been playing well in the reserves but in the 2 matchers he has played for the 1st team he has brought nothing to the table! He's been an none event! Against Chesterfield McCall gave Daley a free role at the tip of a midfield diamond a job I feel Topp could have risen to. The whole thing stinks and I think there is more to it than meets the eye! People can probably say that he didn't play well enough for the reserves well I'm not surprised. Probably sick of banging his head against the wall when the likes Osbourne are getting picked! Not happy at all with this utter mismanagement and waste of money!!

Come to think of it we might as well have done a Peter Ridsdale and spent £35,000 on a premier fish tank and tropical fish for the reception area! Talk about wasting money!

At last - BIG FAT CHILLY WILLY has been given the boot. Finally we can put an end to this unfortunate episode.

At the end of the day it was a gamble - just like buying any player. If it had worked then we would all be singing McCall's praises - alas this has not happened - do we need to mention the likes of David Hopkin/Petrescu et al in this section as to pointers of things going wrong ?
So we move on peoples ! At least we have got this sorted out before January and we can now target other signings after freeing up his wage.
I wish him well in his future move.

Get over it, he was a signing that didnt pay off and was quite clearly not good enough. When he 1st burst on the scene he played a nice few passes and yes I alaso thought he was going to be good. Having watched him several more times I realised his 2 things, his shots were never going to beat a keeper of any standard and he was lacking brains and positional sense.

I wish him all the best and hope things work out for him wherever he may go.

Send him to Bellend Road!

So there are one or two people on here advocating dropping players who are doing well scoring goals for second rate players who aren't cutting it in training/reserve games just so we can put them in the shop window and maybe get a lucrative deal for them?

1) There is no way we would get a lucrative deal for him, we might just get our money back but probably not.
2) Meanwhile our results suffer and we slip down the league.
3) Where do you play Omar Daley and Joe Colbeck in this 4-3-3 system?

In an ideal world we'd be 10 points clear and in a position to experiment a bit but unfortunately we're not. We're in a position where we have to fight for every point and I don't think we're doing too bad so far. We're certainly doing a lot better than we would be if we were playing our reserves to put them in the shop window!

I think he looked a good player potentially very good. Dissapointed he was never given a chance but i'm sure Stuart knows more then me...good luck Billy!! Hopefully see you on Showboat on Soccer AM sometime!!

It's all a bit Mickey Mouse this. Why sign a player in the first place if you can't find the formation to play him in? Surely that should form part of the process when you bring players in?
I am very disappointed he never got his chance - this all smacks of a repeat of Jim Jeffries stating that Carbone was not the man for a relegation battle?
Agree with Spenvalleyspartan - this whole thing stinks.

Utters wrote:
So there are one or two people on here advocating dropping players who are doing well scoring goals for second rate players who aren't cutting it in training/reserve games just so we can put them in the shop window and maybe get a lucrative deal for them? 1) There is no way we would get a lucrative deal for him, we might just get our money back but probably not. 2) Meanwhile our results suffer and we slip down the league. 3) Where do you play Omar Daley and Joe Colbeck in this 4-3-3 system? In an ideal world we'd be 10 points clear and in a position to experiment a bit but unfortunately we're not. We're in a position where we have to fight for every point and I don't think we're doing too bad so far. We're certainly doing a lot better than we would be if we were playing our reserves to put them in the shop window!

Although I am very disappointed to not be seeing the best of Topp, I do agree with Utters. There was clearly no place for him in the current set up, with the signing of Boulding in the summer.

When we play teams such as Wycombe, people on here lambast McCall for changing OUR shape to compete with their's. However, those same people are now suggesting changing OUR shaps just to give Topp a game. PRICELESS!

The fact is, we are scoring goals for fun and had it not been for our dodgy defence, we would be romping this league instead of sitting in a disappointing 2ND PLACE!!

That said, he is (WAS) a better player than Osborne (I'm not bothered what McCall has seen in training) and I think it was harsh to leave him out to give the kid a place. However, he was never going to get in the team in front of Thorne, Boulding or Bazza and I didn't think he was good enough to play on the wings.

A good decision to let him go. Now let's target Robbie Fowler as his replacement (instead of letting the Mariners get him)!

Waynus wrote:

Utters wrote: So there are one or two people on here advocating dropping players who are doing well scoring goals for second rate players who aren't cutting it in training/reserve games just so we can put them in the shop window and maybe get a lucrative deal for them? 1) There is no way we would get a lucrative deal for him, we might just get our money back but probably not. 2) Meanwhile our results suffer and we slip down the league. 3) Where do you play Omar Daley and Joe Colbeck in this 4-3-3 system? In an ideal world we'd be 10 points clear and in a position to experiment a bit but unfortunately we're not. We're in a position where we have to fight for every point and I don't think we're doing too bad so far. We're certainly doing a lot better than we would be if we were playing our reserves to put them in the shop window!

Although I am very disappointed to not be seeing the best of Topp, I do agree with Utters. There was clearly no place for him in the current set up, with the signing of Boulding in the summer. When we play teams such as Wycombe, people on here lambast McCall for changing OUR shape to compete with their's. However, those same people are now suggesting changing OUR shaps just to give Topp a game. PRICELESS! The fact is, we are scoring goals for fun and had it not been for our dodgy defence, we would be romping this league instead of sitting in a disappointing 2ND PLACE!! That said, he is (WAS) a better player than Osborne (I'm not bothered what McCall has seen in training) and I think it was harsh to leave him out to give the kid a place. However, he was never going to get in the team in front of Thorne, Boulding or Bazza and I didn't think he was good enough to play on the wings. A good decision to let him go. Now let's target Robbie Fowler as his replacement (instead of letting the Mariners get him)!

Unless Fowler plays for nothing he wont be coming to city we cant afford his boot laces.

Any chance someone could get Topps side of the story we've only heard one side of it so far

I don't think Parker can move from his desk and actually go out until its game time !!
Surely by now Billy will be at Heathrow getting on a plane to somewhere warmer ?

or maybe he doesnt want to after the negative coverage hes given

Lenny_the_legend wrote:
I don't think Parker can move from his desk and actually go out until its game time !! Surely by now Billy will be at Heathrow getting on a plane to somewhere warmer ?

Does Parker even attend the games? That may explain why his match reports don't materialise until Monday Mornings.

As for getting Topp's side of the story, would we understand him anyway? I know his English has improved, but he still may not be able to say 'scape goat' or 'hung out to dry' LOL.

Looks like SM can't tell his Topp from his bottom.

Waynus wrote:

Lenny_the_legend wrote: I don't think Parker can move from his desk and actually go out until its game time !! Surely by now Billy will be at Heathrow getting on a plane to somewhere warmer ?

Does Parker even attend the games? That may explain why his match reports don't materialise until Monday Mornings. As for getting Topp's side of the story, would we understand him anyway? I know his English has improved, but he still may not be able to say 'scape goat' or 'hung out to dry' LOL.

I know what you mean Waynus - I'm sure he just listens to the Pulse or BBC radio Leeds !!

I notice the other story on this is headlined "Wrong player at the wrong time".

I totally disagree. Topp is potentially the best player we've had since Beni Carbone. He's had a fair few problems and hurdles to overcome, and Stuart has frozen him out. He is the right player at the wrong time.

Best of luck in Spain, Willy. You deserve it. I look forward to seeing you in a Chile shirt sometime.

If Grimsby can afford Fowler why can't we? Anyway Fowler is one of the richest sportsmen in Britain with business interests outside football making him a multi millionaire. If he was to drop down to the basement division he would be doing it for regular football not finicial gain and what better place than to become a hero in the land of crap attendances than at City!

I feel a little disgusted that this football club have enticed a player from Chile whom, we are told, was seen and signed by McCall, all finances set up by ML & JR and then dumped on his backside without being given a fair crack of the whip.
Something here stinks big-time and I do not believe that we, the fans, have been told the full truth.
I hope that someone at the club has the balls to speak out on this waste of money and put their hands up.
I for one hope that the lad comes back to bite them on their arses.

We will never hear the truth - "you want the truth, you can't handle the truth !!"
All we know is that he has been and gone, his bags packed, adios little amigo and good luck !!

Lets get into the transfer actrivity quicker than the rest and get a new solid centre half (or give Bower his chanec SM when he is fit !) and MAYBE a striker when Thorne's back goes on Boxing Day !!
Get TJ to pack his suitcase and send him back to London !! Give Ainge a chance !!

Lenny_the_legend wrote:
We will never hear the truth - "you want the truth, you can't handle the truth !!"
All we know is that he has been and gone, his bags packed, adios little amigo and good luck !!

Lets get into the transfer actrivity quicker than the rest and get a new solid centre half (or give Bower his chanec SM when he is fit !) and MAYBE a striker when Thorne's back goes on Boxing Day !!
Get TJ to pack his suitcase and send him back to London !! Give Ainge a chance !!

Bower hasn't played that much for the same reason Topp hasn't. Because he's fallen out with McCall. McCall has his favourites and they get a game even when they make mistakes. Those who are out of the circle stay out of the circle.

Evans. Bower. Topp. Arnison. Ricketts.

peanut4 wrote:

Lenny_the_legend wrote: We will never hear the truth - "you want the truth, you can't handle the truth !!" All we know is that he has been and gone, his bags packed, adios little amigo and good luck !! Lets get into the transfer actrivity quicker than the rest and get a new solid centre half (or give Bower his chanec SM when he is fit !) and MAYBE a striker when Thorne's back goes on Boxing Day !! Get TJ to pack his suitcase and send him back to London !! Give Ainge a chance !!

Bower hasn't played that much for the same reason Topp hasn't. Because he's fallen out with McCall. McCall has his favourites and they get a game even when they make mistakes. Those who are out of the circle stay out of the circle. Evans. Bower. Topp. Arnison. Ricketts.

True, so therefore he is not managing his side correctly simply by playing people because he likes them/gets on with them ergo he is not the manager we all think he is/expected to be ?

So if he didn't like Bower in the summer why still have him here ? Why did he not send him on loan / cancel contract ? Will he be gone In Jan then ?

Lenny_the_legend wrote:
We will never hear the truth - "you want the truth, you can't handle the truth !!" All we know is that he has been and gone, his bags packed, adios little amigo and good luck !! Lets get into the transfer actrivity quicker than the rest and get a new solid centre half (or give Bower his chanec SM when he is fit !) and MAYBE a striker when Thorne's back goes on Boxing Day !! Get TJ to pack his suitcase and send him back to London !! Give Ainge a chance !!

cant understand why you are having ago at tj he hasnt really had a poor game since taking over from arnison and as much as i would like arnison to be given another go at rb as he looked like he was getting better after a shaky start tj seems to have made that berth is own for now

waynus paynter still banging in goals for swindon including a real peach of a goal last saturday would be a good signing if bazza left but i doubt he would drop down to league 2

It is a disgrace as far as i'm concerned, the lad is 21 and in Bradford from Chile just wanting to play football. His commitment was there and his skills and football knowledge just needed work which only comes in games. This season we have had so many injuries and he hasn't been given a chance. McCall has changed formations played Boulding on the left various times and not once do we see Topp in the equation. I don't feel McCall has his favourites as everyone has been given a chance at some stage. I suspect something else has gone on.

Security word - away-boat says its all really

and further to my point at the start of the sean Lawn was talking about back to back promotions making us a championship club. In order to get there and survive we will need places with deft touches and a different style and ability. As far as I see it we have jsut let that kind of player go. So in a few years we will be looking for 100k plus to buy topp mark 2. Bad decisions all round.

I'm sorry Rick but I don't see what you are seeing with TJ. He is not a RB, he drifts too far into the centre (example being Chesterfield's second goal which he also turned his back on) and does not get tight enough to the attackers coming forward and stands off instead of getting a foot in. Surely I am not the only one with this assesment ? Personally when he played at CB last season he looked very good and comfortable. I'm not saying he is a bad player - just not the player for that position.

topp has the skill theres no doubt about that but we are a league 2 outfit at the minute where to be fare not alot of football is played on the ground where his skills would shine and until we get out of this league we cant afford to just keeping paying his wages until we reach the next level we have done that for far too long but i do wish him all the best

Lenny_the_legend wrote:
I'm sorry Rick but I don't see what you are seeing with TJ. He is not a RB, he drifts too far into the centre (example being Chesterfield's second goal which he also turned his back on) and does not get tight enough to the attackers coming forward and stands off instead of getting a foot in. Surely I am not the only one with this assesment ? Personally when he played at CB last season he looked very good and comfortable. I'm not saying he is a bad player - just not the player for that position.

i agree with you on the fact i would prefer him at cb instead of clarke but i was refering to your post saying ship him back to london to me thats harsh for player who isnt as bad as some defenders we have
i like yourself and others would like tj to be given ago at cb as he can pass a ball and is quite quick as well as tackle even though sometimes he dives in and that would give arnison another chance but stu seems to think rb is his slot for now

I do agree with the point made about stuart having his favourates because at the end of the day matt clarke would not be in the team and bower would. i feel disgraced that mark is not in the team as he is our longest serving player and has proven hisself in leagues 2,1 and at championship level(for a bit). if matt clarke was playing well then fine but lets face it hes not and has been at the centre of a lot of goals this season.

I feel a bit sorry for willy as he didnt do anything wrong i agree that mcall did not give him a chance and i totally understand if hes not the right man for the job then fine but dont pay 35k for someone who isnt right.

i also feel that mcall likes to keep things from the fans which i understand to an extent but this was first weed herd of willy topp in ages and i think mcall needs stop being so secretive.

i would like to know why bower is not in the team and if mcall came out and gave a reason then i would kind of understand but once again we dont no nout.

peanut4 wrote:

Lenny_the_legend wrote: We will never hear the truth - "you want the truth, you can't handle the truth !!" All we know is that he has been and gone, his bags packed, adios little amigo and good luck !! Lets get into the transfer actrivity quicker than the rest and get a new solid centre half (or give Bower his chanec SM when he is fit !) and MAYBE a striker when Thorne's back goes on Boxing Day !! Get TJ to pack his suitcase and send him back to London !! Give Ainge a chance !!

Bower hasn't played that much for the same reason Topp hasn't. Because he's fallen out with McCall. McCall has his favourites and they get a game even when they make mistakes. Those who are out of the circle stay out of the circle. Evans. Bower. Topp. Arnison. Ricketts.

Well thank God that Evans wasn't one of his favourites, as the bloke was one of the worst players I have seen wearing a City shirt in recent years.

The bloke couldn't hit a barn door with a barn door.

Bower is a bit of a luxury in this division.

Topp flattered to deceive.

Arnison is unlucky to be kept out by Moncur, who should be moved into the centre of defence in favour of Matt Clarke, with either Tom Clarke or Arnison taking the right back slot.

Ricketts, well he could be the original Marmite, you either loved him or hated him.

I think Stuart has provided a stick with which he will be roundly beaten, if things don't go according to plan this season.
I feel very sorry for Willy Topp, because he never got a fair chance at Valley Parade. Here we had a player with exceptional talent and the management team were not able to harness and nurture that talent. It's not as if the City team is full of great players who play for 90 mins giving their all for the club, is it? Most of them manage about 30 mins. a game. In Willy Topp we had a real gem and the management couldn't help the lad. What a sorry state of affairs. I would even have built the team around Topp, because he could have provided skills rarely seen in the leagues below the premier league.

I bet the next news from the club is they are offering Conlon an extended contract till the end of the season. Yeah great choice Stuart! Get rid of one of your most skill full and youngest players. Unless there is something else that hasn't been said, these are very poor excuses to let Topp go. why keep hold of players who continually make error's everytime they are on the pitch? Answer that one Mr McCall!

freespeech wrote:
I bet the next news from the club is they are offering Conlon an extended contract till the end of the season. Yeah great choice Stuart! Get rid of one of your most skill full and youngest players. Unless there is something else that hasn't been said, these are very poor excuses to let Topp go. why keep hold of players who continually make error's everytime they are on the pitch? Answer that one Mr McCall!

He cant and whats more he or his sidekick havent spoken to Topp for weeks,no wonder the lads gone.Come on someone come clean.

Can we take a reality check? Last time we looked we were still second in the league. This doesn't make releasing Topp a correct decision, but let's put everything in context.

good riddance:a director buy and sm had to go along with it. sad to say but SM, despite his words, never rated him or else he would have played him.

A director buy maybe as a publicity stunt just like visiting Mexico to try attract young players and sign them before the big boys in Spain and Italy got them!!!

as for enticing him from Chile--- utter garbage as he was already registered with a Belgian club whose only purpose was, and still is, a processing centre for hopeful young players from all over the world who need a conduit to get into Europe to ply their trade.

Topping did well out of this deal, Topp and his agents did well out of it. Did we spend our modest money well? A RESOUNDING NO.

The player had virtually no experience when we signed him having only played spasmodically for clubs in the lower reaches of Chilean football-- he was loaned out to one club whose ground capacity was 2000!!

would we spend £35000 plus wages on a so called striker from the blue square south east 3rd tier or whatever knowing that he was a striker with no strike record.

A real stumer of a deal in which we got seriously burned--again!!

move on guys, get some decent young English talent in on half this guy's wages and without agents demanding late night trysts in pubs with the chairman!!

good riddance:now what else can we argue about?

peanut4 wrote:
Can we take a reality check? Last time we looked we were still second in the league. This doesn't make releasing Topp a correct decision, but let's put everything in context.

well said anyone would think we were struggling near foot of table

Overall all this is very demoralising. Just a few points:

1. Agree that you cant argue he was the wrong player and inwrong league 'cos we never saw him.

2. Agree that if he can only play in one system then why but him in the first place. Also how this constitutes as an excuse is bewidering, considering the player is compared to a certain Robbie Blake who if my memory serves me right plated mainly in a front two. (SIMON Parker go back to Bristol cos since you been reporting we have had nowt but bad news and bad reviews due to mixing with the players, management etc and afraid to rock the boat e.g. Only one side of Topp story told.

3. It all smacks of short termism i.e. yes we ALL wanna get out of this division asap however we all wanna then progress further. E.g. Topp type players required?? maybe as we go higher. Baz Conlon for instance has played all his career at this standard and has gone through many clubs prob as a result of clubs seeing him doing a job then offloading in order to improve.
(By the way Baz was given plenty of time/chances to improve and Stu's comment regarding judging attackers by goals strangely did not apply then

4. Smacks of favourites hence prob Bower situation as well as Topp.

5 The seemingly disgusting treatment of Topp maybe of putting to others. Yes these are guesses and puting 2 n 2 together but that is the clubs fault due to poor communication to the fans.

6. Is it me or does anyone else feel that there is a certain stubborness within the management team? One example of this that comes to mind is the refusal to 'have a go' in football terms at L**ds Urinal when they were there for the taking i.e. put Thorne and/or Bulding on for 20 mintes. We had nothing to lose.

6. Dont agree with those having a go at Moncur. Yes he is 'tinny' and not the greatest crosser but he is alot better than Arnison who we shoild off-load (if anyone else wud want him) and is been asked and judged playing out of position thus in reality the management team should be queationed for this situation.

7. My dear friend Waynus. How old are you? you appear to have an ever changing opinion on every subject and enjoy upsetting the other contributors. (For instance only a few days ago Topp was good enough etc now maybe not. Just thought that you may be going through puberty.

tyker wrote:
good riddance:a director buy and sm had to go along with it. sad to say but SM, despite his words, never rated him or else he would have played him. A director buy maybe as a publicity stunt just like visiting Mexico to try attract young players and sign them before the big boys in Spain and Italy got them!!! as for enticing him from Chile--- utter garbage as he was already registered with a Belgian club whose only purpose was, and still is, a processing centre for hopeful young players from all over the world who need a conduit to get into Europe to ply their trade. Topping did well out of this deal, Topp and his agents did well out of it. Did we spend our modest money well? A RESOUNDING NO. The player had virtually no experience when we signed him having only played spasmodically for clubs in the lower reaches of Chilean football-- he was loaned out to one club whose ground capacity was 2000!! would we spend £35000 plus wages on a so called striker from the blue square south east 3rd tier or whatever knowing that he was a striker with no strike record. A real stumer of a deal in which we got seriously burned--again!! move on guys, get some decent young English talent in on half this guy's wages and without agents demanding late night trysts in pubs with the chairman!! good riddance:now what else can we argue about?

I seem to remember Maclean going to Peterbro from non-league and not doing a bad job. Worth alot of money now. Sometimes a risk is worth taking particularly in potential. But totally agree we are 2nd in the league and Stu will quite rightly point to the fact and if we go up say i told you so and everything will be forgotten.

tyker wrote:
good riddance:a director buy and sm had to go along with it. sad to say but SM, despite his words, never rated him or else he would have played him. A director buy maybe as a publicity stunt just like visiting Mexico to try attract young players and sign them before the big boys in Spain and Italy got them!!! as for enticing him from Chile--- utter garbage as he was already registered with a Belgian club whose only purpose was, and still is, a processing centre for hopeful young players from all over the world who need a conduit to get into Europe to ply their trade. Topping did well out of this deal, Topp and his agents did well out of it. Did we spend our modest money well? A RESOUNDING NO. The player had virtually no experience when we signed him having only played spasmodically for clubs in the lower reaches of Chilean football-- he was loaned out to one club whose ground capacity was 2000!! would we spend £35000 plus wages on a so called striker from the blue square south east 3rd tier or whatever knowing that he was a striker with no strike record. A real stumer of a deal in which we got seriously burned--again!! move on guys, get some decent young English talent in on half this guy's wages and without agents demanding late night trysts in pubs with the chairman!! good riddance:now what else can we argue about?

think your quote isnt quite correct regarding the signing of topp

he was signed by stu and not lawn (stus own words)topp came over on trial after lawn met topping and a deal was struck providing stu liked what he saw he played a reserve game and stu thought he had potential and subbed him before other scouts got a sniff of his ability so on stus say so again (stus own words)we shelled out £35000 and if i am correct carlisle and west brom were two teams at the time that were interested in his service had we not signed him i aint slating stu or lawn its a deal that just didnt work had we not payed a penny for him nobody would be bothered but the fact we have as got city fans talking

what as playing in front of playing in front of 2000 fans got anything to do with topps ability most clubs apart from the top 6 or 7 sides in chile dont get over 10000 fans how many other clubs over the world get over 12000 fans like us by playing in there football leagues 4th tier


the only think i can agree with you is £35000 for a player who had no english football knowhow when we havent paid for a player in six seasons was a bad error of judgement but if topp was a hit it would have been classed a steal so surely even you must give them the benifit of the doubt for that

yes mcclean went to peterborough for big money from non league football:the only difference is he was scoring goals for fun in the uk in leagues far better than those in which Topp has featured:check out Topp's record in Chile as a player:it is virtually non existant:

a player from non league in UK SCORING GOALS FOR FUN AS OPPOSED TO A PLAYER FROM HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD WHO COULD NOT EVEN GET THAT MANY GAMES IN LOWER STANDARDS:

If he had been any good at 16 onward he would have gone to Argentina and then to Spain.

He gets a paid air fare to Belgium:he is signed as having a few nice flicks here and there and then comes to us for money that could only be afford once ML came on board



slight differences do you not agree!

my last comment on TOPP-- garbage,we were ripped off and he will be playing sunday league soccer in Chile before too much longer!

I toatally agree that Topp was the wrong type of player for this division. After all remember it is 4TH DIVISION!!! You have to play the nitty gritty football to get out of the division.
We are 2nd at the moment, some may say we are fotunate some may not but the facts remain we are in this position with half the team that Mcall has as his first choice out.
I still say we will go up and I cant wait for the first choice team to be back playing as all the rest of the teams in this division will be scared stiff of us!!!

What a waste of money. Have we got that money to waste? Dont mean anything bad on topps part,he never got a chance.Not just the £35,ooo we paid for him but the prvate op at yorkshire clinic plus his flight back home to recover. Just dont understand the whole episode. Are we gonna do the same with Rory boulding? I know he cost nowt but the team has been down to the bare minimum and the lad still not got a look in. Think we need to think about another striker as Thornes back problem worries me. As for a comment on TJ,dont rate him much and would give Arnison a chance. Not gonna mention Clarke. Bring Bower back!

I guess we need to have a W/Billy tracking system, to see how he fares elsewhere. Hope all of you totally commtied fans of W/B will keep us informed. i am not a Fifa Coach, a manager, a assistant manager,trainer, or indeed former pro, So I cannot talk in an informed manner about Topp. What I saw was a luxury player reminescent of Carbone. Yes there are lots of 'ball jugglers' doing all sorts of things on TV adverts BUT they are not full time pro's winning a slot in a team. All that glitters is not gold!!

peanut4 wrote:
I notice the other story on this is headlined "Wrong player at the wrong time".

I totally disagree. Topp is potentially the best player we've had since Beni Carbone. He's had a fair few problems and hurdles to overcome, and Stuart has frozen him out. He is the right player at the wrong time.

Best of luck in Spain, Willy. You deserve it. I look forward to seeing you in a Chile shirt sometime.

Totally agree. I wanted to post the same statement on that thread, but Parker didn't allow any comments to be posted.

Topp - Right Player at the Wrong Time!

From reading a few of the comments here, it would appear that a lot of City supporters think that you need a pack of workhorses or donkeys to get out of our league. As long as the players are running about, hoofing long balls up to the likes of Conlon in the hope that he might nod the ball down to Boulding or Thorne then that is the way to play football and all is well! Yes that's one way to play and often it comes off, but the likes of Willy Topp could and would have added another dimension, which could have been utilised on days when wellying the long ball didn't work, as for instance last Saturday. Legions of English trainers have lauded the merits of hard-working, super fit players, but have tended to neglect ball skills and I have no doubt that Stuart belongs to that school of thought. No room for shirkers or prima donnas, but donkeys and headless chickens, as long as they're mobile, seem to be ok. I don't really want to knock Stuart, because he's a good lad doing a good job for Bradford City, but I feel desperately disappointed that he could not give Willy Topp a fair chance. Stuart had the chance to provide League 2 with a bit of flair and finesse, silky skills in abundance and maybe could have won the league in style with some of his players learning to play to the skills of their exceptionally talented team-mate. Well, that's all speculation now, who knows what might have been possible?

I guess Colebeck and Daley do offer a 'bit of flair' who I do not think are 'donkeys'. Neither do I think that Boulding and Thorne are 'headless chickens'. But hey what do I know.

dannbradfc wrote:
Overall all this is very demoralising. Just a few points:

1. Agree that you cant argue he was the wrong player and inwrong league 'cos we never saw him.

2. Agree that if he can only play in one system then why but him in the first place. Also how this constitutes as an excuse is bewidering, considering the player is compared to a certain Robbie Blake who if my memory serves me right plated mainly in a front two. (SIMON Parker go back to Bristol cos since you been reporting we have had nowt but bad news and bad reviews due to mixing with the players, management etc and afraid to rock the boat e.g. Only one side of Topp story told.

3. It all smacks of short termism i.e. yes we ALL wanna get out of this division asap however we all wanna then progress further. E.g. Topp type players required?? maybe as we go higher. Baz Conlon for instance has played all his career at this standard and has gone through many clubs prob as a result of clubs seeing him doing a job then offloading in order to improve.
(By the way Baz was given plenty of time/chances to improve and Stu's comment regarding judging attackers by goals strangely did not apply then

4. Smacks of favourites hence prob Bower situation as well as Topp.

5 The seemingly disgusting treatment of Topp maybe of putting to others. Yes these are guesses and puting 2 n 2 together but that is the clubs fault due to poor communication to the fans.

6. Is it me or does anyone else feel that there is a certain stubborness within the management team? One example of this that comes to mind is the refusal to 'have a go' in football terms at L**ds Urinal when they were there for the taking i.e. put Thorne and/or Bulding on for 20 mintes. We had nothing to lose.

6. Dont agree with those having a go at Moncur. Yes he is 'tinny' and not the greatest crosser but he is alot better than Arnison who we shoild off-load (if anyone else wud want him) and is been asked and judged playing out of position thus in reality the management team should be queationed for this situation.

7. My dear friend Waynus. How old are you? you appear to have an ever changing opinion on every subject and enjoy upsetting the other contributors. (For instance only a few days ago Topp was good enough etc now maybe not. Just thought that you may be going through puberty.

Firstly, no, I went through the joys of puberty nearly 3 decades ago!

As for changing my opinion on Topp, can you confirm where that is, as I cannot find it. I have said all along that he is a very skillful and exciting player. I was looking forward to seeing him play this season.

However, I am a realist. We chased Boulding through the summer and made him our number 1 target. He has come into the side and between Thorne, Bazza & Boulding, we have scored goals-a-plenty. As a result, Topp wasn't going to get a game up front.

I also said we shouldn't change formation for ANY player, especially if we are going well. Reality check needed fella... we are in 2nd place. Why change the formation?

At the start of the season, we had Daley & Colbeck doing the business on the wings. McCall wants to play with two out-and-out wingers, hence the deal to sign Jones. Topp isn't the right player for that role.

Having said all that, as mentioned clearly in my post, he is better than Ossie and should have been at least 4th choice striker and on the bench.

So, "adolescent dannbradfc",please tell me where my opinion changed! You are the one that seems so eager to get an argument raging, as you always seem to do when I post. P!ll0ck

PhantomBantam wrote:
Looks like SM can't tell his Topp from his bottom.

Or waits for the opposition's website to post their match report!

We're on to you Parker!

just been reading about players out of contract or who can move without a fee beening paid and have found a player who i think would be a good signing for us kevin gall of carlisle (ex yeovil) again can play up front or midfield very skillful can remember when he played against us for yeovil looked the part and the fact he is 26 and as vast experience of league 1 and 2 surely he is type of player we should be looking at to help us get out of this league also regarding steve jones got told earlier by a burnley fan who works within the club he can leave for nothing in january maybe signing these sort of players in transfer window along with another defender should go along way to getting us promotion

get rid of simon parker bring back david markham remember him anyone

I cant help but think that the Topp saga stinks of a lack of forward thinking, the club wants back to back promotions but realisticly how many of the current team would be good enough for the next tier? Mclaren, M.Clarke, Lee, Arnison, Conlon, M.Boulding,Bullock or even Thorne?
All are the wrong side of thirty and all would be out of their depth, if not they would be playing at that level now.
It seems strange to loose Topp he was 21 and could have been one to bring on next season, Have we suddenly received a new backer who is going to pump money into the club so that we can buy an almost entire new 1st team next year? where are the young players coming through, if Osbourne is the best we'r in trouble!

Bantam-in-Greece wrote:
I feel a little disgusted that this football club have enticed a player from Chile whom, we are told, was seen and signed by McCall, all finances set up by ML & JR and then dumped on his backside without being given a fair crack of the whip.
Something here stinks big-time and I do not believe that we, the fans, have been told the full truth.
I hope that someone at the club has the balls to speak out on this waste of money and put their hands up.
I for one hope that the lad comes back to bite them on their arses.

With comments like that, I hope you stay in Greece. "I for one hope that the lad comes back to bite them on their arses"! Are you a fan or not??

Yes, we are all disappointed it hasn't worked out for him, but to wish negativity on the club, UNBELIEVABLE!

Why do you still insist there is a cover-up? He was signed, showed glimpses of what he can do, but never became the full player. In the meantime, we signed Boulding and Topp dropped down the pecking order. We suddenly had three strikers that could put the ball in the back of the net. This season, he was no longer competing with tw4ts like Eddie Johnson for a place up front or trying to get included in front of Ndumbu-Nsungu or Medley. This season he had good players in front of him and it just didn't work out.

Sorry Waynus just read your post from yesterday when you asked me how i knew Topp would leave immediately.
Not trying to sound mysterious or awkward but i cant say, dont want to get anyone in trouble at club, also got told why he went so soon and why he was frozen out but not sure if i could be held liabel if that bit of info is wrong and wouldnt want to mislead anyone, but he was right about Topp!!

Halifax Bantam wrote:
Sorry Waynus just read your post from yesterday when you asked me how i knew Topp would leave immediately.
Not trying to sound mysterious or awkward but i cant say, dont want to get anyone in trouble at club, also got told why he went so soon and why he was frozen out but not sure if i could be held liabel if that bit of info is wrong and wouldnt want to mislead anyone, but he was right about Topp!!

No problems HB. Good call whoever it was.

Understand your concerns about telling us the rest, but you have no need to worry. Libelous means make a statement that is deliberately harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign. Surely that is not the case if your source is trustworthy.

Just one question if you don't want to explain. In your opinion (knowing what you know) who is to blame, McCall, Topp or Lawn?

ricky wrote:
get rid of simon parker bring back david markham remember him anyone

Yeah, I remember him. Legend at City for his reports/interviews and stories. Much better than 'Peter' Parker.

Didn't David go on to help write the following books;
The Bradford City Story - The pain and the Glory
The legends of Bradford City.

Parker wouldn't have known where to start.

I also worked with his brother, Andrew Markham, at the beginning of the 90's.

ricky wrote:
just been reading about players out of contract or who can move without a fee beening paid and have found a player who i think would be a good signing for us kevin gall of carlisle (ex yeovil) again can play up front or midfield very skillful can remember when he played against us for yeovil looked the part and the fact he is 26 and as vast experience of league 1 and 2 surely he is type of player we should be looking at to help us get out of this league also regarding steve jones got told earlier by a burnley fan who works within the club he can leave for nothing in january maybe signing these sort of players in transfer window along with another defender should go along way to getting us promotion

Good shout Ricky, but he aint good enough. I believe he was on loan at Darlo just after Christmas and in 8 appearances scored no goals. He is currently back in League 2 with Lincoln, having signed a 6 month loan deal. He has only played 7 times for them, scoring none.

Any others on your list we could consider?

What about trying for Snodgrass (on loan) from Leeds. Another one that interests me would be Tresor Kandol, however, having banged in 5 goals in 6 appearances for Millwall, I am not sure he would come. He is currently on loan from Leeds until Janaury. How about negotiating a purchase for him involving the clause in Delph's deal?

Congratulations Halifax Bantam. You've beaten Parker, Waynus and Knight McCall to the story.

Sack all 3, they're useless.

"Ricky-Burnley" and "Waynus" :-
"get rid of simon parker bring back david markham remember him anyone?"

COULD BE "TYKER" IN COGNITO!
Failed footballer and failed 'Journo'!.(Tykers words)

David Markham was very Conservative in his manner and reporting. I don't think he would relish todays' High Tech Stress and Pressure, to meet the 'Deadlines', and 'Hold the Back Page' mentality, via Lap-Top/Internet reporting.
Todays' 'Journos'' have it all on, to try and obtain stories. Managers have to be very guarded, on their statements to the 'Media'.
In our present world of 'Compensation Culture',ensuring you will not be 'Sued', restricts all forms of public reporting.

I still think 'Waynus' should be Citys' official 'FANS' reporter.

Freddy wrote:
"Ricky-Burnley" and "Waynus" :- "get rid of simon parker bring back david markham remember him anyone?" COULD BE "TYKER" IN COGNITO! Failed footballer and failed 'Journo'!.(Tykers words) David Markham was very Conservative in his manner and reporting. I don't think he would relish todays' High Tech Stress and Pressure, to meet the 'Deadlines', and 'Hold the Back Page' mentality, via Lap-Top/Internet reporting. Todays' 'Journos'' have it all on, to try and obtain stories. Managers have to be very guarded, on their statements to the 'Media'. In our present world of 'Compensation Culture',ensuring you will not be 'Sued', restricts all forms of public reporting. I still think 'Waynus' should be Citys' official 'FANS' reporter.

Cheers Freddy. Not sure the 'fans' would want me though, not if these forums are anything to go by anyway.

My 'rose-tinted' glasses and 'victimisation' of certain players would not be stood for.

"With comments like that, I hope you stay in Greece. "I for one hope that the lad comes back to bite them on their arses"! Are you a fan or not"??

Thanks for your comments Waynus.
(If I was as disrespectful as you I would have written "Waynarse" but I was raised with more respect than that)
Nice to get your insults again.

1. Yes, I will take your advice and stay in Greece - I find it by far a better place to live than BD6.

2. By'coming back to bite their arses' I was referring to the fact that when Topp makes it big-time, someone at City will rue the day that they gave him away for free after spending quite a lot of money on the fella, almost as much as me when I come over to watch City.

A fan?? you don't know the meaning of the word, sonny.

Along with BCTID on the 606 forum, I find Waynus's match reports invaluable, as I am a long time (51 yrs) City fan who rarely gets to see the team any more, and I think they both give a true fans perspective, as opposed to a journo's.
OK, so he can get a bit carried away (don't we all sometimes), and now and again it gets a bit personal, which is usually a mistake I think. I don't always agree with his comments by any stretch of the imagination, but even at 63 years old, I wouldn't call the guy "sonny". I have a feeling that he's probably in his forties anyway. He's a passionate Bantam, and we need more of that passion.
Anyway, sorry Waynus, I'm sure you are more than capable of sticking up for yourself, but keep the match reports & comments coming!
Security word: acid-text Appropriate?

By the way, do we have a "Bantam-in-Portugal" who might want an old codger to come and stay with them for a few weeks/months?

StaffsBantam wrote:
Along with BCTID on the 606 forum, I find Waynus's match reports invaluable, as I am a long time (51 yrs) City fan who rarely gets to see the team any more, and I think they both give a true fans perspective, as opposed to a journo's.
OK, so he can get a bit carried away (don't we all sometimes), and now and again it gets a bit personal, which is usually a mistake I think. I don't always agree with his comments by any stretch of the imagination, but even at 63 years old, I wouldn't call the guy "sonny". I have a feeling that he's probably in his forties anyway. He's a passionate Bantam, and we need more of that passion.
Anyway, sorry Waynus, I'm sure you are more than capable of sticking up for yourself, but keep the match reports & comments coming!
Security word: acid-text Appropriate?

Cheers StaffsBantam. I appreciate your comments and kind words.

Yes, a passionate fan, but not quite in my forties. Not too long before I get there though, uhm!!

I do get carried away and I understand we all have opinions, which we are entitled to post. However, I just get frustrated when people have digs at the club after what we have been through over the past six years.

We have clearly made a clanger with Topp, but to wish it comes back to 'bite them on their arses' is surely disrespectful. Firstly it wasn't even 'bite US on OUR arses' and secondly, despite being disappointed, I would never dream of wanting further misery on the club, just to prove a point! .

Bantam-in-Greece said I was being disrespectful. Why? For asking him to stay away from Valley Parade? I don't think that is being disrespectful. Saying he wants a 'flop' and a 'drug-taker' to come back and bite us on the arse is, in my opinion, disrespectful towards OUR football club.

I will keep the reports coming. However, this weekend's will be late as I am going on my Christmas do straight after the game.

Keep the faith and thanks again.

Waynus wrote:

StaffsBantam wrote: Along with BCTID on the 606 forum, I find Waynus's match reports invaluable, as I am a long time (51 yrs) City fan who rarely gets to see the team any more, and I think they both give a true fans perspective, as opposed to a journo's. OK, so he can get a bit carried away (don't we all sometimes), and now and again it gets a bit personal, which is usually a mistake I think. I don't always agree with his comments by any stretch of the imagination, but even at 63 years old, I wouldn't call the guy "sonny". I have a feeling that he's probably in his forties anyway. He's a passionate Bantam, and we need more of that passion. Anyway, sorry Waynus, I'm sure you are more than capable of sticking up for yourself, but keep the match reports & comments coming! Security word: acid-text Appropriate?

Cheers StaffsBantam. I appreciate your comments and kind words. Yes, a passionate fan, but not quite in my forties. Not too long before I get there though, uhm!! I do get carried away and I understand we all have opinions, which we are entitled to post. However, I just get frustrated when people have digs at the club after what we have been through over the past six years. We have clearly made a clanger with Topp, but to wish it comes back to 'bite them on their arses' is surely disrespectful. Firstly it wasn't even 'bite US on OUR arses' and secondly, despite being disappointed, I would never dream of wanting further misery on the club, just to prove a point! . Bantam-in-Greece said I was being disrespectful. Why? For asking him to stay away from Valley Parade? I don't think that is being disrespectful. Saying he wants a 'flop' and a 'drug-taker' to come back and bite us on the arse is, in my opinion, disrespectful towards OUR football club. I will keep the reports coming. However, this weekend's will be late as I am going on my Christmas do straight after the game. Keep the faith and thanks again.

Bet you are on your own at the do and Bantam in Greece this chap doesn't know a lot about anything hes only a child.Oops a feel a reporting coming.

lookout wrote:

Waynus wrote:

StaffsBantam wrote: Along with BCTID on the 606 forum, I find Waynus's match reports invaluable, as I am a long time (51 yrs) City fan who rarely gets to see the team any more, and I think they both give a true fans perspective, as opposed to a journo's. OK, so he can get a bit carried away (don't we all sometimes), and now and again it gets a bit personal, which is usually a mistake I think. I don't always agree with his comments by any stretch of the imagination, but even at 63 years old, I wouldn't call the guy "sonny". I have a feeling that he's probably in his forties anyway. He's a passionate Bantam, and we need more of that passion. Anyway, sorry Waynus, I'm sure you are more than capable of sticking up for yourself, but keep the match reports & comments coming! Security word: acid-text Appropriate?

Cheers StaffsBantam. I appreciate your comments and kind words. Yes, a passionate fan, but not quite in my forties. Not too long before I get there though, uhm!! I do get carried away and I understand we all have opinions, which we are entitled to post. However, I just get frustrated when people have digs at the club after what we have been through over the past six years. We have clearly made a clanger with Topp, but to wish it comes back to 'bite them on their arses' is surely disrespectful. Firstly it wasn't even 'bite US on OUR arses' and secondly, despite being disappointed, I would never dream of wanting further misery on the club, just to prove a point! . Bantam-in-Greece said I was being disrespectful. Why? For asking him to stay away from Valley Parade? I don't think that is being disrespectful. Saying he wants a 'flop' and a 'drug-taker' to come back and bite us on the arse is, in my opinion, disrespectful towards OUR football club. I will keep the reports coming. However, this weekend's will be late as I am going on my Christmas do straight after the game. Keep the faith and thanks again.

Bet you are on your own at the do and Bantam in Greece this chap doesn't know a lot about anything hes only a child.Oops a feel a reporting coming.

Perhaps a 'child' compared to your senior years, but I would hardly say approaching 40 constitutes being a child!

Well said LOOKOUT FROM ECCLESHILL . Looks like people are coming round to my way of thinking and woken up.

PS that me not going to the do then. Rather talk with the fans in the pubs.