fcimp wrote:Well, Ratu came with the potential to be a quality british centre as admitted by a few on here but sadly it has been coached out of him and he is now destined for the lower leagues. I suppose it was to be expected, very few improve under Morgan.

Mrs Barista wrote:Hmmmm....Strange how just 12 months ago there was such open cockiness about:
1) The union of Mike Ratu and the Midas development touch of Justin, and
2) The increasing proportion of "young British talent" at Rovers (which bizarrely is something utterly unimportant now you're pushing double digits on the overseas players front - see the VT:lol: )

MrPhilb: "Another good young british player, Maybe moulded to replace Jake Webster who is out of contract at the end of 2010 and the quota yet again decreasing. Lets see if Justin can get the best out of him." Ooh, yes, let's. Good job that decreasing quota's had such a massive impact

barham red: "We work on the opposite mentality to your team, we sign potential young english players and give them room to develop, your lot sign players that had potential, usually in the early nineties and let them graze in the KC retirement home" Do you? You do know the average age of FC's squad is lower than Rovers, though? Let's not start on the overseas discussion or we'll be at 50 pages before we know where we are.


Captain Dave:"By the sounds of some of the comments seems a decent prospect and I'm sure working with JM and the team will be of a big benefit to him." Can't put a price on that sort of benefit.
Mild Rover:"Welcome to Michael Ratu - another promising young British squad member." So long, farewell, auf wiedersen, adieu..look at you, all proud about more British players coming, now you don't care, shame on you
j_hunter_hkr: He has just been awarded Leeds Reserves Player of the Year. I think that's ground enough to say he's an excellent prospect given the quality players Leeds produce.." Is, or was?
Gordon Gekko: "Ratu has a decent pedigree and will get the chance to establish himself as a SL player, a chance he may well not have got at Leeds." OK, then..
SirStan:"'I'm happy with this signing, cos it was authorised by someone who knows what they are doing. " Indeed, another one signed on a 2 year and released after one. Justin's getting a bit of form in this respect
Easty: "We've now backed that up with Leeds reserve player of the year. Now whatever the Hull fans say is full of bitterness. Where looking to a youthful side with alot of cracking young English talent and to me i have to say thankyou to Rovers as this is the future." What, one with 10 overseas players and a higher average squad age than FC? "Cracking" indeed.
Gavin Miller - Legend: "Good signing. Young, British and coming from the best club for youth development in the country. The fact Leeds wanted him to go out on loan for a year rather then sign for another club speaks volumes" What did it say, again?


And he made a good start too..
Big Spender: If reports about Ratu and his impressive pre season training is true we may even see Jake on the wing.
Alex Mc: Like the look of Ratu
SirStan: Mike Ratu - very impressed with him, and I see him pushing for a starting berth
Alex Mc: Main positves for me were Mike Ratu and Jake Websters performances.
Gordon Gekko: Mike Ratu - Very impressive. Quick feet and very strong with a pretty decent fend.
Alex Mc, about Kris Welham\; For me he has always been a bit over rated For me, Ratu is a better long term option.
Kingmaker: Ratu made over 20 tackles and stood up very well. Him and Welham were superb tonight.

Oh, well, if nothing else it's good evidence that people saying "<insert player name here> will only get better under Morgan's guidance" is utter crud.

rednwhite wrote:I' m very concerned for your well being and strongly suggest you get help try looking up O.C.D

Mrs Barista wrote:Use the foe function.

Look, this is a thread about Ratu's early departure.- the pedigree of Ratu and the huge opportunity he'll get at Rovers
- how great Rovers squad is based on young British talent
- how the KC is a retirement home for Aussies

Then expect, one year later not to be reminded of this, some might say unfounded arrogance, when:
- Ratu is binned off less than a year into his contract having played 5 matches
- Rovers have increased their overseas contingent by 2 and released 5 British players
- FC have a younger average player age and 4 fewer overseas players

Some might question my sanity, but these are the facts, I'm afraid. If you don't like them use the foe function, my love. This is a thread about Ratu's departure, yet I seem to be the only one on topic.

FC Wembley 08 wrote:Maybe FC should go in for him..... Our International Coach of the year nominee could tap into his potential and turn him into a better player than Morgan has!!

Bobbin' Along wrote:That would send Smokey into total meltdown. Let's do it!