Akpom was training with the U21s during pre-season, not alone

TeaCider

TeaCider

Well-known member
It's came out in the last few days that Akpom was training with the U21s for most of pre-season, rather than being sent away by himself, and Wilder was checking up on it throughout, puts a slightly different angle on the whole situation to how I'd understood it.

Arguably still disrespectful, but that's something that happens all the time in football and makes me less irritated about Wilder's treatment of him.
I presume it was the same with Ikpeazu given how many reports there were of seeing him around Teesside during pre-season.

As a recent and fitting example from elsewhere, Marcus Forss spent pre-season with Brentford's B team.
 
TeaCider said:
It's came out in the last few days that Akpom was training with the U21s for most of pre-season, rather than being sent away by himself, and Wilder was checking up on it throughout, puts a slightly different angle on the whole situation to how I'd understood it.

Arguably still disrespectful, but that's something that happens all the time in football and makes me less irritated about Wilder's treatment of him.
I presume it was the same with Ikpeazu given how many reports there were of seeing him around Teesside during pre-season.

As a recent and fitting example from elsewhere, Marcus Forss spent pre-season with Brentford's B team.
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Wilder said it was partly because Chuba was out of condition, his season ended later, so he was not up to speed to train with the 1st team but he did want Chuba to know he had to impress him.
 
erimus86 said:
All a pack of lies. Wilder desperately trying to cover his **** after he's been made to look a fool.
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Multiple people had seen Akpom and Ikpeazu hanging around Teesside during pre-season, so I doubt it's a lie.

More importantly, Akpom himself said:

"There wasn’t much conversation until I returned. When I did come back I was training with U21s which was obviously tough, but the main thing for me was keeping fit. I came in every day and did my work as best I could because I wanted to be fit and I wanted to be match ready.

"Now I’m glad to be back with the first team and it feels like I’m playing my part, so I’m happy with that and I hope the gaffer is happy with me. Now it’s just time for us to get some wins.""
 
TeaCider said:
He never denied that?

He openly said that the likes of Hall, Ikpeazu, Coulson and Akpom weren't part of his plans and he needed to find themselves another club on multiple occasions.
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And now he's not saying Akpom wasn't part of his plans, saying he was excluded for conditioning and mentality checking purposes.
 
erimus86 said:
All a pack of lies. Wilder desperately trying to cover his **** after he's been made to look a fool.
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He doesn't look a fool though he selected him and he's done well. People are allowed to change plans and views on things. It doesn't make them a fool
 
erimus86 said:
And now he's not saying Akpom wasn't part of his plans, saying he was excluded for conditioning and mentality checking purposes.
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This quote is from June, before Akpom rejoined the first team plans:

“There are some players that are not part of the plans that we will be looking to move on, there are also a couple we’ve put bombs under in the first team.

“I’ve had it at my previous club where I’ve said to them, ‘You’re not part of the plans’, but for whatever reason they ended up being in the end. They came back after the summer and went, ‘I don’t really want to leave this place’, and they got their finger out."

“There are a couple in the group that could fall into that category, but if they go the other way, then I’ve ultimately made the right decision. But if they come back and prove me wrong, that’s good for me because I still think they’re good players and they could have something to offer."


Where's the contradiction there with Akpom's situation?
 
It's actually interesting looking back at some of the interviews about the situation that he doesn't mention Akpom that often.

This was his response when asked about Coulson's future immediately after the Bishop Auckland game:

"Hayden’s available. He knows the situation. He’s available for other teams to take, Grant Hall is available, and Uche is available too. There are players there that understand the situation, although they’re obviously still contracted to us at the moment."

No mention of Akpom and that was the 4th of July.
 
I just don't get it. He'd never coached Akpom yet he was deemed surplus to requirements when we only had Watmore and Coburn. Then when we can't sign anyone he's back in the fold whilst complaining he's not up to speed as he missed pre-season that he was excluded from.

In Akpom interview he talks about having no contact from the club after the season ended until he arrived back. No training programme or anything.
 
Who'd be a manager?
Plays Akpom and he struggles "what a chump for playing that guy?"
Plays Akpom and he thrives "what a chump for saying you didn't think he was good enough and had to prove himself."
Damned regardless of what happens in some fans eyes.

For me he's handled Chuba perfectly.
 
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