Rowdies Signing News 2012

Permalink Reply by Paul Peluso on December 27, 2011 at 5:35pm

The Rowdies have signed English midfielder Stuart Campbell. The 34-year-old last played for League Two side Bristol Rovers. The press release also announces the departure or Jeremy Christie and the fact that Mozzi Gyorio and Shane Hill have not been re-signed but are being invited to camp.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Peluso on December 27, 2011 at 5:38pm

Here's a quick comment to this item: Why did they let Christie go? He was the team's most recognizable player. Campbell may work out but he's much older than Christie and could easily end up being another Adam Nowland (a lot of us remember how that one turned out).

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Permalink Reply by Charles Cole on December 27, 2011 at 5:39pm

Hey thanks for starting the thread, came here to do just that.

This is an interesting pick up. It seems like he has played a fairly high level in recent years, but can anyone else chime in on his fitness? At 34 he could still contribute quite alot at the U.S. minor league level as long as he is physically fit and motivated.

Upset about the Mozzi news. So how do these player options actually work? I assumed that it meant the team could resign a player under pre-existing salary agreements or whatever, without further negotiation. But could it be that Mozzi wants more money? Or has expressed a desire to move on and the Rowdies for some reason are honoring that?

Will hate to lose him, but we'll see what happens and if he shows up for the preseason camp. I predict he won't and instead will test the waters at other clubs, who no doubt will be interested in picking him up. Really going to miss his dead ball ability and his crossing, but admit that he can be off and on overall. Still, a young up and coming Canadian international who will be tough to replace.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Cole on December 27, 2011 at 5:44pm

Just a side note, but Yamada is now officially the only player left from our inaugural season. That is pretty serious player churn.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Arnold on December 27, 2011 at 5:51pm

They've cut every player that's had a serious injury this past season. I'm only surprised it's taken this long for them to cut Christie.

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Permalink Reply by Nicholas J.E. Murray on December 27, 2011 at 5:53pm

I hate to be a wet blanket, but I'm not feeling positive about this.

1. Cambell certainly brings a lot of experience. He was captain at Bristol Rovers during his career there. However, being a former captain who was just flat released seven days ago raises a big red flag for me. Is there any gas left in the tank at 34 yards old, and is he going to provide at minimum equal value that Christie did? If a team he captained, and even interim-managed earlier this year, was willing to drop him this easily, what does that say?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16274718.stm

2. As I understand it, the club would have negotiated the terms for the option year of the contract prior to the contract being signed for last season. Maybe Gyorio was due a raise and management didn't think he was worth it? However, I can't imagine Mozzi was among the Rowdies' big-ticket items last season. If he was making a minor raise, or the same, what does it say that with what he brought to the team last season they want him to 1. earn a roster spot again, and 2. maybe do so at less money? This, to me, is another red flag.

3. With today's movement, the Rowdies have 12 players under contract for next season. That could raise to 14 should Gyorio and Hill re-sign. But if the past two seasons are any indicator, that still means the club will need to make 8-10 signings in the next two months.

The current roster - GK - Attinella; D - Arango, Hayes, Rodrigues, Sanfillipo, Scott; M - Campbell, Savage, Yamada, Yoshitake; F - Ambersley, Clare.

Add in that Clare and Rodrigues may not be available for the start of training camp thanks to their involvement in the MISL, and this squad is currently bare-bones.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Cole on December 27, 2011 at 6:05pm

That is kind of what I was thinking with Mozzi, that it has something to do with money. Good point on him possibly being due a raise and the club not agreeing he has earned it. Given Coach Hill's performance last season I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt if it is his player evaluation that has led to this move.

Regarding Campbell we'll just have to wait and see. That link you provided makes it sound much more like his leaving Rovers has to do with "artistic differences" than anything fitness related. This guy certainly has the experience we need in the midfield, just hope his legs have a couple years left in them. Our season's aren't exactly grueling, although the weather will take some major adjustment to.

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Permalink Reply by Aron Retkes on December 27, 2011 at 6:52pm

i dont know what happens off the pitch but from what i saw on it last season, axing him and keeping savage makes no sense to me. my boss happens to play soccer with some of the staff including perry and as soon as i heard the news i mentioned it to him. he said hell pass along the concern i wonder what kind of answer he'll get.

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Permalink Reply by Charles Cole on December 27, 2011 at 7:22pm

Have to agree that given the choice, I'd take Mozzi all day over Savage. Savage has his moments, but I wouldn't describe him as being any less hot/cold than Mozzi and he isn't nearly as dangerous going forward.

Any thoughts on us losing Christie? He has struggled to stay fit the last two years and I can't say I didn't see this coming, although they seem to have pushed it very late maybe hoping he'd be able to get fit? Hopefully he lands on his feet somewhere, he'll still always be our World Cup Hero.

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Permalink Reply by Whitestar Warriors on December 27, 2011 at 9:52pm

I would of let Christie play one more year, but it looks like you better not get injured or your axed like with Sattler.

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Permalink Reply by Jared Selph on December 27, 2011 at 10:25pm

That seems to be the case. I'd like to know how many of these decisions are Coach Hill's and how many are from management.

I've recently befriended a guy from Bristol who just moved to the area and I've been telling him about the Mob, tifo, road trips, etc. and convincing him to come to the games. Only problem is he's a Bristol City fan, so signing a Rovers player might not go over so well with him. :-D