Rod McDonald joins Coventry

[DrillingCobbler]

Given that he was transfer listed, was never gonna play etc…to get a £1 for him and off the wage bill is a bonus. Frees up some budget etc.

What is frustrating though is that you roll the clock back 12 months, he was one of the 'coveted 4' who really excelled in the 2nd half of our championship season. The others being Smith, JJ and of course Ricky.

I remember thinking he was a real prospect, someone we could make some serious money from. But then along came Page, the rest is history as they say. The one time he did come off the bench during the early stages of JED's tenure was at Walsall. He looked mint, particularly going forward. Then he was bombed out again.

I've got to go back to Michael Warner (remember him?) when Atkins was manager to recall a player who looked so talented yet never played for some reason. He should do well up the road, best of luck to him.

[EssTeeFree]

To turn some of the arguments on their heads, Hoskins couldn't cut it at L2 for a manager who has had 2 successive promotions.  Yet he could cut in L1 for a manager who many (not me) refer to as clueless!

Bit harsh, Hoskins played over 40 times for Wilder

[Quintonside]

Bit harsh, Hoskins played over 40 times for Wilder

Yes and wasn't particularly good for him and couldn't hold down a starting position.

My point was more you could argue he wasn't good enough last season and yet this he was the best player prior to injury.

[everbrite]

Cornell was sh1t at Bury! Useless in fact!

He was the Chron's MOM. You weren't there where you. Mohoney played well too!

[everbrite]

Thanks Rod, after a poor start you proved everyone wrong and became our best centre half.
Don't worry apparently we are in for a young lad from the Northants combination div1 for an undisclosed flavour of crisps.  

We got £300,000 for him

[Quintonside]

where has this 300k nonsense come from?

[BrixworthCobbler]

Really wasn't as good as everybody bangs on about but good luck to him of course.

[EssTeeFree]

Yes and wasn't particularly good for him and couldn't hold down a starting position.

My point was more you could argue he wasn't good enough last season and yet this he was the best player prior to injury.

Understand the point you're making and agree just not sure Sam is the best example, Wilder must have trusted him and rated him to keep playing him and give him a contract. Also I think Wilder had said about him possibly being more of an asset in League One, presumably thinking we'd be defending more and therefore his pace and workrate would be useful.

You don't know until they play at that level, that's what I've said throughout this thread, on that we clearly agree.

[corno_ntfc]

where has this 300k nonsense come from?

Delusion.  Coventry City won't be throwing money around!!

[GrangeParkCobbler]

I don't get it......Coventry are going to really push for promotion from League 2 to League 1 next season, yet offer a player who is not good enough for League 1 a two year contract!! 

[tcobb]

Maybe he has the same agent as Hanley ? 

[Monkey]

Rod was good last season and came on loads but was dreadful in a pre-season game at Sileby and obviously Page made his mind up early about him.
I thought he'd probably drop down to the conference, so think he's done well to get a contract with a "big" L2 club (although not big, or stupid, enough to splash £300k on an average L2 player   ).

Will be interesting to see how he gets on - but personally I doubt he'll progress beyond a L2 squad player.

[Bertie]

Good luck Rod, played superbly in the latter half of last season, and got a pretty raw deal this season, and so we will never know if he could cut it at L1 level for us. I think he's a "confidence player" who needs a run of games to get himself established in a team. I think he will do a good job for Cov. They were a team I hated in the past for their brashness and jamminess, but don't like to see an established city club get *******ed by wide boy hedge fund types. Hope they turn it round, as long as they stay below us!

[ntfcgavin]

Coventry official site reporting it as a free transfer! Someone is telling porkies!

[Wolvo]

Really annoyed he never got a run in the side this year. Definitely has a future.

Always had the impression he plays better than he trains (if that makes sense). Wilder never seemed keen on him, but kind of ended up being forced to play... and his form meant no one could get in ahead. 2 managers later and about an hours time spent on the pitch.

I rated McDonald as the best centre back in our unbeaten spell.

[everbrite]

Coventry official site reporting it as a free transfer! Someone is telling porkies!

Oh dear...Just been on Coventry Forum and they reckon the rumoured fee is £300,000 

An earlier post suggested that apparently some Cov fans thought that they (Cov) had paid £300k for his services I like yarns like this.

[Alfred]

Rod will be ok alongside an experienced campaigner who can keep him switched on.

[guest2995]

Rod was a prospect that had a few good games . He also had some poor ones .
People bang on about players like they are world beaters . The truth is successive managers didn't rate him and even Wilder thought he was liable to mistakes .
Good luck to him at Cov but I bet he's on the bench again for them .

[guest2487]

Christ, when did Rod turn into the world's greatest centre back.

He's alright, I'd have kept him. He's definitely not as good as everyone is making out though.

[EssTeeFree]

Coventry official site reporting it as a free transfer! Someone is telling porkies!

Not necessarily, the 'fee' could have been £0 and we've just not disclosed that 

On a serious note though wouldn't be surprised if it is £0 up front with payments based on certain events and/or a % of anything the sell for in the future. Con would have known we didn't want him, doubt they offered much