• Nigel Adkins has been given the Tranmere job on a permanent basis signing until the end of the 25/26 season. Continue the discussion here.

The Squad for 2019-20

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15 Mar 2010
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Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
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John King
I know it seems harsh to pick the squad apart before we have even been down to PP for the victory celebrations, but there are some big decisions to be made now. I think we basically need to keep the core of the side that played from February onwards, as the majority of those players have the quality to play in League One. We will obviously then have to fill out the squad with greater quality and depth in a number of areas.

I also take it as read that we will try and keep Norwood and Monthe (the latter more likely than the former).

My decisions regarding the out of contract and loan players would be as follows:

McNulty - offer a coaching role
Buxton - played an important cameo role yesterday, but release sadly
Zoum - release
Miller - release
Dagnall - release
Tollitt - release
Stockton - release
Gumbs - release
Pilling / Wharton - keep one and release the other, depending on the assessment of the youth coaches. I have not seen enough of them recently to know who has made the better progress.
Harris - one year deal
Ridehalgh - one year deal
Nelson - two year deal
Morris - two year deal
Pringle - out of favour recently with Mellon, and his workrate can be questioned at times. However, he has the quality to play at a higher level and we need as much raw talent in the squad as we can get. Offer a one year deal.
McCullough - one year deal (two if not for his injury record)
Smith - one year deal

Mellon - freedom of Birkenhead

Unsure if I have missed anybody out ?
 

ADD

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2 Jun 2018
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Norwood
I know it seems harsh to pick the squad apart before we have even been down to PP for the victory celebrations, but there are some big decisions to be made now. I think we basically need to keep the core of the side that played from February onwards, as the majority of those players have the quality to play in League One. We will obviously then have to fill out the squad with greater quality and depth in a number of areas.

I also take it as read that we will try and keep Norwood and Monthe (the latter more likely than the former).

My decisions regarding the out of contract and loan players would be as follows:

McNulty - offer a coaching role (Yes as long as Jacko buys into it)
Buxton - played an important cameo role yesterday, but release sadly. Tempted to offer a 1 year deal. Is Caprice on another year?? If not I would release him also.
Zoum - release
Miller - release
Dagnall - release
Tollitt - release
Stockton - release
Gumbs - release
Pilling / Wharton - keep one and release the other, depending on the assessment of the youth coaches. I have not seen enough of them recently to know who has made the better progress. I think Wharton has already been released???
Harris - one year deal
Ridehalgh - one year deal
Nelson - two year deal
Morris - two year deal
Pringle - out of favour recently with Mellon, and his workrate can be questioned at times. However, he has the quality to play at a higher level and we need as much raw talent in the squad as we can get. Offer a one year deal. Not 100% sure about this one - I find he has disappointed.
McCullough - one year deal (two if not for his injury record)
Smith - one year deal. Only one I disagree with. Someone who by now can't finish 90 minutes is not worthy of a contract IMO and he has not developed as I had expected he would.

Mellon - freedom of Birkenhead

Unsure if I have missed anybody out ?
RLC agree with almost all - see my observations above!!
 
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Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
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I think Caprice has been one of our best players this season and created our two best chances yesterday. He still has a year on his contract and definitely deserves a crack at League One in my opinion. Plus, we won't necessarily be able to sign two right backs in the next couple of months.

I agree to an extent about Smith, and he is the one I would have the greatest doubts about. He has not been able to hold down a place since the arrival of Morris and his first half of the season was better than his second. However, he is still very young with time to develop and given that we can't go out and sign twenty players this summer, there are one or two that will probably have to be kept on, even if there are question marks against them.

You are probably right about Wharton.
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
Thanks for starting this thread, RLC. You saved me a lot of work! You haven't missed anyone, except for the junior pros who most of us haven't seen. I generally agree with your opinions but would add that of those still under contract, Davies and Jennings should be offered extended and improved contracts. With Banks, Perkins, Caprice and Mullin, we need to see how they perform in League One. With Gilmour, it is a question of how he develops. With Ellis, we need to see how well he recovers. Miller is an unusual case in that he won't be paid until he starts playing again. Presumably once he is fit he will be available to play for the remaining four months of his contract. So there is no need to decide until we see him in action again.

Listening to the interviews on Quest last night, it seems likely but not certain that Norwood is going. Given the right deal, he may be tempted to stay. However, Monthe gave the opposite impression.

I think that most will stay and form the bulk of next season's squad, thereby keeping the spirit and maintaining the momentum. However, as with the season just ended, I expect the squad to be strengthened and at least four or five new players to be involved in our opening game.
 

bigmart

bigmart
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Ian Muir
I would offer Morris a contract, think he would be a useful addition, I am not sure if Smith is still under contract or not at Bristol City.

I would not offer McCullough a contract, think he is likely to be out for several months of next season. As for the rest I would agree with the comments above.
 
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Banks, Perkins and McCullough (if we sign him) have tons of League One experience, so there is no doubt that midfield trio can make the step up. The same applies to players like Morris and Pringle, at least in terms of ability.
 
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Alan King, Barry Dyson
Banks, Perkins and McCullough (if we sign him) have tons of League One experience, so there is no doubt that midfield trio can make the step up. The same applies to players like Morris and Pringle, at least in terms of ability.
Agreed, but I am expecting a new left-back, probably two new midfielders and one (possibly two) new strikers to play in our first game. And that assumes Sid and Manny will both stay.
 
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Agreed, but I am expecting a new left-back, probably two new midfielders and one (possibly two) new strikers to play in our first game. And that assumes Sid and Manny will both stay.
Yes, I don't disagree that we will have to bring several players in. However, I think we already have a core of League One players, largely due to the work we did in the January transfer window.

I think the centre of midfield is an area where we are strong and I would not be surprised to see Perkins and Banks play in the opening game. Similarly, I think MM likes Ridehalgh and I think he could remain as first choice.

I agree that we will have one, possibly two new centre forwards, depending on Jennings' role.
 
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aldo
Problem is who we going to find that can score 30 goals. It's going to be interesting to see who comes in
 

Sparky

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Chris Greenacre
I think macca will go sadly. At his age he still wants to play and he won’t be a regular with us in League One. I’m sure he’ll get offers of regular football in league 2 or the national league and maybe even a 2 deal which at his age isn’t to be sniffed out. Yes he’s getting on but he’ll be no slower than he was 5 years ago. Good luck to him if he leaves. Wonder if Wrexham or Fylde fancy him. Similarly Harris - will be accept a likely bit part role next season at his age? That’s the reason Richie Sutton left of course for a 2 year deal at Morecambe.

I’d like to think Nors would stay if the only offers were from league one clubs. He’s been linked with the likes of Swansea and Sheff Wed plus Sunderland who currently lead v Charlton. IF he goes to a championship club then like Steve, goes with our best wishes.

Manny is a tough one to call. He’s younger but like Nors May have offers closer to his southern roots
 
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I’d like to think Nors would stay if the only offers were from league one clubs. He’s been linked with the likes of Swansea and Sheff Wed plus Sunderland who currently lead v Charlton.
I think it very much depends on the type of League One club that comes in for him. An Ipswich or Sunderland - who are staying down - could make him an offer that blows us out of the water, and you could not blame him if he wants a final lucrative contract before he retires.
 

Boz

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30 Sep 2005
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Iain Hume
I broadly agree with RLC and ADDs views above and will limit comment to areas where either they or I disagree.

Buxton. Probably the hardest call. Adam does have a footballing brain and is relatively versatile. Seems to be out injured a lot and carrying too much weight, unsure if the latter is a factor slowing his recovery time. On balance, would offer him another year, but Micky may think otherwise.

Pringle. Question would be how much would his wage be, having come from a Championship side. Don't think he's done enough to merit being one of our top earners, but if his wage demands are realistic and MM is confident in getting him to show the necessary committment then give him a deal.

McCullough. I'm with bigmart on this one. We're already contractually obliged to Mark Ellis, who's unlikely to be fit until next year and maybe Gumbs, who was injured while playing for us under contract. Unlikely to be able to play until the end of the year at the earliest, depending on how the recovery goes. If he's without a club come 2020 and able to play, maybe sign him up then.

Jonny Smith. Has another year on his contract at Bristol City. Probably the right call leaving him out of the 18 yesterday, though I might have had him on the bench ahead of Dagnall. However, he's scored more goals than Morris or Pringle for us and apparently has more assists than that pair too. If Bristol City would let him come back for another year, I'd be inclined to say yes.
 
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It is a pity Buxton can't change his lifestyle and get into better shape. He definitely has the ability to be a Football League player, with other squad members describing him as one of the most technically gifted players at the club.

However, he is simply carrying too much timber and is too immobile to play as a full back at higher levels of the game.

In addition to the reasons Boz gives, I think Smith is worth keeping on for his impact from the bench. Both Pringle and Morris need to work their way into the game, whereas Smith is more direct in style.
 
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If we want competition for Ridehalgh at left back, Dan Butler at Newport would be worth considering. He is out of contract and was excellent yesterday.
 

ONIGP

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28 Feb 2018
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Eddie Bishop
It is a pity Buxton can't change his lifestyle and get into better shape. He definitely has the ability to be a Football League player, with other squad members describing him as one of the most technically gifted players at the club.

However, he is simply carrying too much timber and is too immobile to play as a full back at higher levels of the game.

In addition to the reasons Boz gives, I think Smith is worth keeping on for his impact from the bench. Both Pringle and Morris need to work their way into the game, whereas Smith is more direct in style.
Wow! Buxton's lifestyle? Spill!!
 
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