2025 Roster and Transfer Discussion Thread

[FootyLovin]

Jovan is seeming to be the type of person to whom bad things manage to happen around without ever somehow being his fault.

Harsh take for a kid involved in an auto accident that at first reporting doesn't seem to be his fault. Factually correct statement, but harsh insinuation.

Wishing well to the pedestrian and Jovan and all the involved parties. That sort of thing can be a shock to the system for everyone involved, even without physical injury.

 

[BxLio91]

Maybe it's the kind of thing that makes him realize he can't take his talent for granted because it can all go away in an instant and he locks in this season. Hopefully.

 

[mgarbowski]

Harsh take for a kid involved in an auto accident that at first reporting doesn't seem to be his fault. Factually correct statement, but harsh insinuation.

Wishing well to the pedestrian and Jovan and all the involved parties. That sort of thing can be a shock to the system for everyone involved, even without physical injury.

I should have more clearly communicated that I'm concerned that this might be who he is rather than going with "is seeming to be ...." But I am concerned and I think it's reasonable.

• Unprecedented and vaguely explained visa trouble after coming here with presumably a valid work visa.
• Appeared in 3 of 3 games before the visa incident, was away for 5, then for [reasons] appeared in only 9 of the remaining 26.
• Car accident.

WRT to the latter, there are people who cause many accidents, people who almost never get into accidents, and people who fall in between- they get into multiple accidents that are rarely their primary fault, but they routinely fail the “last clear chance” test. If you drive in a city you should be prepared to avoid pedestrians who don’t do what they should, outside of suicide by car incidents.

OTOH sometimes bad luck really is bad luck. Maybe none of his is his fault. It's not enough to be a clear pattern yet, but add in what appears to be a poor work rate, and I believe it is troubling.

 

[Shwafta]

I should have more clearly communicated that I'm concerned that this might be who he is rather than going with "is seeming to be ...." But I am concerned and I think it's reasonable.

• Unprecedented and vaguely explained visa trouble after coming here with presumably a valid work visa.
• Appeared in 3 of 3 games before the visa incident, was away for 5, then for [reasons] appeared in only 9 of the remaining 26.
• Car accident.

WRT to the latter, there are people who cause many accidents, people who almost never get into accidents, and people who fall in between- they get into multiple accidents that are rarely their primary fault, but they routinely fail the “last clear chance” test. If you drive in a city you should be prepared to avoid pedestrians who don’t do what they should, outside of suicide by car incidents.

OTOH sometimes bad luck really is bad luck. Maybe none of his is his fault. It's not enough to be a clear pattern yet, but add in what appears to be a poor work rate, and I believe it is troubling.

I'm always willing to give people second chances. With Jovan, I'm willing to give him this off-season and start of a new coach as a second chance. Maybe he didn't click with Cushing but will buy into Jansen?

I remember there were some players that Dome got working nicely that the other coaches couldn't, so I'm hoping the same applies to Jovan. I really want Jovan to work out because he clearly has something in the bag...

 

[mgarbowski]

I'm always willing to give people second chances. With Jovan, I'm willing to give him this off-season and start of a new coach as a second chance. Maybe he didn't click with Cushing but will buy into Jansen?

I remember there were some players that Dome got working nicely that the other coaches couldn't, so I'm hoping the same applies to Jovan. I really want Jovan to work out because he clearly has something in the bag...

I'm rooting for him also. I'd rather follow a winning team with lots of exciting players than be right that one is maybe a dud.

 

[gbservis]

I'm rooting for him also. I'd rather follow a winning team with lots of exciting players than be right that one is maybe a dud.

I'm happy to be wrong but I'm in the "when people show you who they are believe them" camp.

1. Showed up out of shape
2. Training camp plus a month of the season was telling people he was only 60% fit.
3. Never runs hard in the press
4. Complained publicly about his lack of playing time but couldn't be bothered to run whenever he subbed on, even with our season on the line.
5. Looked progressively more out of shape as the season went on.

He thought he was too good for this league and he got a rude awakening. He responded by giving no effort at all and pouting. He's very talented and anything is possible but it's going to take a lot for him to turn it around and so far I see zero indication that hes motivated to change.

 

[ZYanksRule]

I'm happy to be wrong but I'm in the "when people show you who they are believe them" camp.

1. Showed up out of shape
2. Training camp plus a month of the season was telling people he was only 60% fit.
3. Never runs hard in the press
4. Complained publicly about his lack of playing time but couldn't be bothered to run whenever he subbed on, even with our season on the line.
5. Looked progressively more out of shape as the season went on.

He thought he was too good for this league and he got a rude awakening. He responded by giving no effort at all and pouting. He's very talented and anything is possible but it's going to take a lot for him to turn it around and so far I see zero indication that hes motivated to change.

I'm willing to give him another chance, but he did not look like he wanted to be here. Hopefully that changes in 2025, because he will not achieve his career goals by giving the kind of effort he gave in 2024.

 

[Shwafta]

This conversation makes me wonder - who is the fans' collective least favorite decent/good player on the team? Gotta be Mitrita right? He was pretty darn good for us, but most people are soured on him from his attitude + dp tag.

 

[gbservis]

I'm willing to give him another chance, but he did not look like he wanted to be here. Hopefully that changes in 2025, because he will not achieve his career goals by giving the kind of effort he gave in 2024.

I hope Jovan turns it around, he's clearly talented, but his attitude makes me think there is further to fall before he realizes he needs to change. Hopefully, Pascal can get through to him and prove me wrong.

 

[KevinJRogers]

He thought he was too good for this league and he got a rude awakening. He responded by giving no effort at all and pouting.

My read, too. He's going to be a man management challenge.

But, he's so young. I was a nightmare myself when I was that age. It's embarrassing to look back on it. So, let's give him a little space and see how he develops under a new coach. It could be just a matter of getting his head right.

 

[FootyLovin]

I'm happy to be wrong but I'm in the "when people show you who they are believe them" camp.

1. Showed up out of shape
2. Training camp plus a month of the season was telling people he was only 60% fit.
3. Never runs hard in the press
4. Complained publicly about his lack of playing time but couldn't be bothered to run whenever he subbed on, even with our season on the line.
5. Looked progressively more out of shape as the season went on.

He thought he was too good for this league and he got a rude awakening. He responded by giving no effort at all and pouting. He's very talented and anything is possible but it's going to take a lot for him to turn it around and so far I see zero indication that hes motivated to change.

• Unprecedented and vaguely explained visa trouble after coming here with presumably a valid work visa.
• Appeared in 3 of 3 games before the visa incident, was away for 5, then for [reasons] appeared in only 9 of the remaining 26.

For my part, these are the things that are red flags for me. There is plenty of professional related stuff to critique / question.

Having been in four minor car accidents as a driver, 2 definitely my fault, 1 when I was Jovan's age, another while I was #team40, I just don't feel the need to put this in the mix for Jovan. If he had failed the breathalyzer or there was indication he was driving recklessly, if he was buying guns or out clubbing until 4 AM during the season, if he comes back to camp again this year totally out of shape. Any of those I will certainly lay at his feet.

And, I'm with all of those who are rooting for him.

 

[Gotham Gator]

By the way, this McFarlane to Man City rumor has been a thing for at least two years now. Is it actually happening any time soon?

 

[gbservis]

By the way, this McFarlane to Man City rumor has been a thing for at least two years now. Is it actually happening any time soon?

From the reports, it will happen this month. As far as leakers go it doesn't get much more reliable than this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1843775031601705135