Jobi has signed a new one-year contract

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

If we had unlimited resources, then yes, Jobi would be a 'nice to have' in reserve.

However, I really can't help thinking that this wage could have been used more purposefully towards signing a new player - preferably, a proven goal-scorer?

If we started up again on Saturday, he goes into the starting XI. Who would you have ahead of him?

I think the point is that that would be true based on his former pedigree. But he's 38 and hasn't played a full game of football for about 14 months now. I'd take a guess that he aint cheap either. Knowing he had a bad injury last season we effectively threw away being able to bring in at least and maybe 2 other players who could have contributed. I love the bloke and think he is 100% worth keeping on in some capacity but even if the season started next week and he started, how many games would he actually be able to play/theres a huge risk he gets injured again and thats it.

The 20 mins he played before the season finished showed that he was 100% ready and good to go. Honestly.

I have criticised all of the extensions handed out to the likes of Brill, Coulson, Dayton etc. I criticised us resigning Jobi when he came back after his first period with us. But this is absolutely the right thing to do.

[Beradogs]

Should have saved money and made Jobi player manager and got rid of Embleton. Sorry, the bloke is useless.

[KC & sunshine band]

Hopefully his 'player' wages are tied to minutes on the pitch.

yep - £5000 a minute

[Rich Tea Wellin]

If we started up again on Saturday, he goes into the starting XI. Who would you have ahead of him?

I think the point is that that would be true based on his former pedigree. But he's 38 and hasn't played a full game of football for about 14 months now. I'd take a guess that he aint cheap either. Knowing he had a bad injury last season we effectively threw away being able to bring in at least and maybe 2 other players who could have contributed. I love the bloke and think he is 100% worth keeping on in some capacity but even if the season started next week and he started, how many games would he actually be able to play/theres a huge risk he gets injured again and thats it.

The 20 mins he played before the season finished showed that he was 100% ready and good to go. Honestly.

I have criticised all of the extensions handed out to the likes of Brill, Coulson, Dayton etc. I criticised us resigning Jobi when he came back after his first period with us. But this is absolutely the right thing to do.

Fair enough. But truthfully (and with hindsight I know), do you think that 20 mins was worth a full year last season?

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Well of course not.

But the reason it's only been 20 minutes was down to 1) mishandling of his injury in the 2018/19 so as to get us over the line and 2) a global pandemic that curtailed the season with 25% still to go.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Well, yeah but number 1 we knew about before offering the contract and i'm still not sure Jobi playing 8 games or something would have been worth, no doubt an expensive, contract extension.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

I would have imagined it was discussed way back last season when he was being begged to carry on putting himself through the pain barrier.

[Sid Bishop]

Should have saved money and made Jobi player manager and got rid of Embleton. Sorry, the bloke is useless.

For me, Jobi looks a far better fit to be our next manager than Embleton.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

There have been a few 38 year olds who have done well in L1 and L2 eg Gareth Ainsworth of Wycombe. Jobi will hopefully be the same.

If not, expect the Embleton and Ling haters to have a field day.

Yeah, whatever you do, dont hold to account the people who make the decisions. Blame the fans, or something.

[AckneyAwks]

Jobi is probably the best footballer at the club, i would guess he is also the highest paid. Would be fantastic if he was five years younger and injury free, unfortunately thats not the case. The one year contract probably has a few clauses inserted to protect both parties due to the playing budget the club will be facing. If he was to breakdown with a long term injury maybe his salary would decrease due to him solely carrying out coaching duties. This season could be Jobi's last at the club as i think he will either be doing media work or evolving to a manager post at a league club.
Whoknows it could even be here.

[Stowaway]

Tbh I don’t care what it’s costing us: whatever it is, it’s worth it.

[Thor]

I’m pleased he has signed to play once more, his experience and influence on games cannot be underestimated. So many experts on here slating him, unreal. I for one will be pleased when he rams their negativity right back down their throats.

I’d also love him to manage this club one day, the man is an absolute class act and an excellent role model. He also knows foootball inside out.

[Sid Bishop]

I’m pleased he has signed to play once more, his experience and influence on games cannot be underestimated. So many experts on here slating him, unreal. I for one will be pleased when he rams their negativity right back down their throats.

I’d also love him to manage this club one day, the man is an absolute class act and an excellent role model. He also knows foootball inside out.

100% agree. I think ( provided he is over his injury / operation from last season ) he could still play a vital role when playing in the forthcoming season, he has kept himself very fit and would be at the very least, an ideal player to bring on in the last third of the game to steady things down a bit, he can hold the ball and also create chances. I would also love to see him take over some time in the future as manager of Leyton Orient and as you stated ''the man is an absolute class act and an excellent role model. He also knows football inside out.'' Yes he is the sort of man who if he was made manager, players would want to play under.

[DuvB]

There have been a few 38 year olds who have done well in L1 and L2 eg Gareth Ainsworth of Wycombe. Jobi will hopefully be the same.

If not, expect the Embleton and Ling haters to have a field day.

Yeah, whatever you do, dont hold to account the people who make the decisions. Blame the fans, or something.

The fact that it took so long to finalise a deal, indicates to me that a lot of care has been put into constructing a deal that protects the club's interests as well as the player's. We will never know but I would be surprised if it didn't relate to the player's time on the pitch.

[Thor]

There have been a few 38 year olds who have done well in L1 and L2 eg Gareth Ainsworth of Wycombe. Jobi will hopefully be the same.

If not, expect the Embleton and Ling haters to have a field day.

Yeah, whatever you do, dont hold to account the people who make the decisions. Blame the fans, or something.

The fact that it took so long to finalise a deal, indicates to me that a lot of care has been put into constructing a deal that protects the club's interests as well as the player's. We will never know but I would be surprised if it didn't relate to the player's time on the pitch.

Absolutely this, spot on.

Age is just a number, it's how you look after yourself that determines you future.

Look at Sheringham played in the premier at 40, gazza who was a far superior player was finished at 32/33 the difference being one looked after their body and the other less so. Jobi looks after himself you can see that, his fitness levels are high, the game never passes him by and his experience and know how is vitally important in the role he plays.

[Sid Bishop]

Yeah, whatever you do, dont hold to account the people who make the decisions. Blame the fans, or something.

The fact that it took so long to finalise a deal, indicates to me that a lot of care has been put into constructing a deal that protects the club's interests as well as the player's. We will never know but I would be surprised if it didn't relate to the player's time on the pitch.

Absolutely this, spot on.

Age is just a number, it's how you look after yourself that determines you future.

Look at Sheringham played in the premier at 40, gazza who was a far superior player was finished at 32/33 the difference being one looked after their body and the other less so. Jobi looks after himself you can see that, his fitness levels are high, the game never passes him by and his experience and know how is vitally important in the role he plays.

An even better example of a player looking after himself and playing for a long time was the Great Stanley Mathews who played on in competitive League football until he was around 50 years old.
He was very much into his own special fitness and diet regime many years before similar methods became an essential part of the modern game.
For students of the game, some interesting reading here.............
''His daughter Jean Gough told how Matthews would wear lead in his shoes walking to the ground, so that "when he put his football boots on they felt like ballerina shoes."' Having trained to a level of fitness few other players would reach, by the mid-1950s he was able to cut back on his intense training as his level of fitness was by then ingrained in his body. He never smoked; instead, he was very conscious of every item of food and drink he consumed, and he maintained a rigid daily training regime from childhood up until his old age. In an interview with the FA he said, "I had some very good advice and started to eat more salads and fruit, and every Monday I had no food. Just one day, on a Monday, but I felt better." The only time he knowingly consumed alcohol was when drinking champagne out of the FA Cup in 1953.''
Stanley Matthews https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Matthews

[Thor]

It’s funny Sid as they say today to cut down on calories for 2 days for better health benefits. He was doing it 70 years ago!

I know as a 50 year old I could chase down and beat anyone my age, if you want to sprint, I’d beat you, if you wanted distance I’d dust you for sure. My heart rate is still In the late 40’s. I know if I actually put my mind to it I could still play semi pro football. I do beleive it’s all in the mind, plus obviously looking after ones body and brain.

[Dohnut]

It’s funny Sid as they say today to cut down on calories for 2 days for better health benefits. He was doing it 70 years ago!

I know as a 50 year old I could chase down and beat anyone my age, if you want to sprint, I’d beat you, if you wanted distance I’d dust you for sure. My heart rate is still In the late 40’s. I know if I actually put my mind to it I could still play semi pro football. I do beleive it’s all in the mind, plus obviously looking after ones body and brain.

By the time I was 60 I’d enjoyed a decent fitness regime, heavy duty stuff. Pounding the streets and regular gym workouts. My reward was a hip replacement and knees that cause me pain every day. Until the hip issue I always felt invincible, Then the reality of the body wearing out hit home.

At 72 I still exercise every day though try not to pressure the joints too much. More Cardio stuff. But it’s bloody hard to shift the pounds.

[redintheface]

Well of course not.

But the reason it's only been 20 minutes was down to 1) mishandling of his injury in the 2018/19 so as to get us over the line and 2) a global pandemic that curtailed the season with 25% still to go.

Sorry, but who is it you believe is responsible for “ mishandling” McAnuff’s injury?

[DuvB]

The first surgeon probably