Thanks: Jack Payne
This might be controversial, and it isn’t meant to be a sleight on Payne. I was utterly delighted when we signed the midfielder, convinced he would be our Player of the Year as we finished just outside the top ten in League One. At first, he looked to be the answer to our attacking questions, always busy and on the ball, looking to create and score. The problem was, whilst the package looked promising, the delivery wasn’t quite up to scratch.
I don’t pretend to know how much he earned, but it is safe to say he was a major financial investment when he arrived looking to fit the model of a player we could turn around for a profit. With one manager heading out and another coming in, Jack’s chances dried up. It wasn’t clear where he would fit into the new setup, and as we approached the new season it appeared he would be forced into being given a chance.
Thanks to Swindon, who came in and took him off our hands. That sounds harsh, but it freed up money for more incomings, and to be fair to Payne it gave him a chance to prove himself elsewhere. He’s bagged one goal for Swindon so far, whereas MA has invested the savings in our top ten squad.