Why don't we just release AJ?

[finnster01]

As this is all about opinions, heres mine. Just imagine the scene, two Fulham Supporters sitting in a pub discussing their teams poor run of form. One says to the other "its bad is'nt it, who can we blame, I know AJ". The other responds with thats not fair, he has hardly played this season, to which the other responds exactly, he has not scored any goals, so its natural we should blame him.

Sorry Finn but just why should we get shot of him, its not his fault that we paid a lot of money for him. Last season, though the goal returns were not good, he was still our joint highest scorer and befor he was steamrollered by that Russian, things were looking quite good. So why should we get rid of him?

Mr Peabody,

It's just a simple business decision. If your employees don't perform their duties at an adequate or better level, they become a liability and you have to decide whether paying them the big wages or look elsewhere. In AJ's case it is a very simple decision to make.

[Peabody]

I assume from that response, that you know for a fact that AJ is receiving more than the going rate?

[finnster01]

I assume from that response, that you know for a fact that AJ is receiving more than the going rate?

Well, he isn't playing is he? Imagine you were his manager and had to give him his semi-annual review? Not much there to write is there? So now you look at the previous 6 months. Not much there either. Then you know you have to report to your boss your reports ranked in order. The last 10% performers will be replaced, at least in my company I will make sure they will. Fulham isn't running a charity either, at least it wasn't last time I talked to MAF. I fully expect to see AJ gone in the summer one way or another.

[TonyGilroy]

It's fair to think that he's of no benefit to us (at present at least) but to get rid NOW you have to deal with the inconvenient fact of his contract which would need to be paid up.

So we keep him and hope for better things to come or hand him a cheque for£4M or so and say f**k off.

Tricky choice.

[RidgeRider]

Mr. Gilroy, once again, makes a very good point. I think the smart thing to do is to let him heal up, get him some minutes, find a way to get him some goals, and then you can consider selling him, of course, this all needs to be done in the context of the team's goals.

This is what makes it so tricky.

[finnster01]

If you run a business the decision is easy. No money, why bother?

[RidgeRider]

Finn, your point is well made and I agree with you as well. The bottom 10% is the GE way and the have been very successful with employee management using this method.

The big difference is rank and file reductions are a bit easier on the pocketbook.

AJ is contractually bound to the team more like a 'C' level executive. So, with buyout clauses etc., letting him leave is trickier because of that financial penalty. His market value has to have plummeted so selling becomes tricky and we don't really know if he can come back and be a contribution. He did score some goals last year but I am as frustrated with him as you and others are, it's just "what do you do" that is tricky. Your solution is a bit more clinical and may actually be the best solution but I still have some reservations.