Contracts

[DIW]

I would agree that getting rid of Weir, Kay, Tiryaki, Devaney makes sense. Also Enoch has been appalling this season, (although injured) but I can't see him doing it for us again so he can go. I would also get rid of Labadie who, despite being talented has clear issues regarding attitude etc.
McGurk - not sure about. I think there is the potential for him to be a very good player at this level. Whether RM can get it out of him...mmm. I think he'll offer him a contract though.
Raven's future may depend on Holmes somewhat I think, and if Ho,mes does go then Kay may just get a reprieve.

 

[OneNightInGayParis]

Based on a combination of Ronnie's selections to date and my own preferences, thoughts on starting next season thus:

GK: Fon Williams
DEF: Holmes / Buchanan / Taylor / Goodison
MID: Robinson / Welsh / Akins / ANO
ATT: ANO / ANO
SUBS: McChrystal / Bakayoko / Coughlin / McGurk / ANO

That is 16 players with a squad of 20 made up of Kirby / Stockton. This suggests that there are 2 places free for either existing players. kids or new signings. I don't think that RM will bring more than 2 kids into his full squad and there are enough signings in the first 16 to suggest that 2 of the existing squad may get contracts. I would keep Raven - partly for his versatility - and perhaps Power.

Ronnie will have his work cut out in signing at least a midfielder and 2 forwards and may be thinking of using the loan system to fill one of his attacking options. This will become even more of a test if we "lose" anybody - Buchs / Holmes / poss Ash Taylor looking the greatest risks. On the basis of the above the funding would be supplied by the release of Kay / Weir / Labadie / Devaney / Enoch.

 

[Boz]

Kirby and Stockton have been offered 12 month pro contracts, Vaulks a 6 month one. So 2.5 kids, if they all accept.

 

[SonkORLY?]

Ronnie will have his work cut out in signing at least a midfielder and 2 forwards

Why?

 

[OneNightInGayParis]

Why?

Clearly not an issue to find any old midfielder and forwards, but a replacement of Wallace's calibre and 2 strikers who can score 30 goals between them? Easy? Think not.

 

[OneNightInGayParis]

Kirby and Stockton have been offered 12 month pro contracts, Vaulks a 6 month one. So 2.5 kids, if they all accept.

Delighted for them all! 6 months is a bit of an odd one for Vaulks; hope he justifies an extension. Good news.

 

[WildRover]

wouldnt surprise me if he hasnt got wallace/baxter tied up for next season on season long loans, if he is gonna cull as much as he is planning

 

[GroundsmansFork]

I think I would keep Welsh. Not the most skilfull of players but a grafter. Enoch should go, Weir and Kay also. Look forward to next season which I couldn't say at this time last year. Should be quite an interesting squad by all accounts. Who is Ronnie going to poach from Rotherham, anybody worthwhile?

 

[SonkORLY?]

Clearly not an issue to find any old midfielder and forwards, but a replacement of Wallace's calibre and 2 strikers who can score 30 goals between them? Easy? Think not.

lol you didn't say that

he should be able to replace enoch with better for the same money

 

[amplesou]

wouldnt surprise me if he hasnt got wallace/baxter tied up for next season on season long loans, if he is gonna cull as much as he is planning

Who,s baxter !

oh the lad from Everton mid season..but he has,nt played under RM so that won,t happen ..!

 

[TheBunnyBellEnd]

According to the conversations between the players on Twitter last night Goodison is retiring at the end of the season.

He WILL be a big loss and may fit in with Ronnies comments about making the stregthening of defence a priority.:-k

 

[Rob]

Should get rid of the following:-

Raven
Labadie
Devaney
McGurk
Tiryaki
Showunmi
Weir

I'd keep Kay as backup for defence and as useless as Akins is i'd keep him simply because he's never injured and appears to have made some improvements.

The priority is to sign 2 x strikers capable of putting the ball in the net and a proper midfielder.

I'd like to see them make a play for Gary Jones now Rochdale have been relegated. The money we save getting rid of Devaney should easily pay his wages and he's local too.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

According to the conversations between the players on Twitter last night Goodison is retiring at the end of the season.

He WILL be a big loss and may fit in with Ronnies comments about making the stregthening of defence a priority.:-k

I expect you are right. He is the one player who has survived under Little, Moore, Barnes and Parry. That's quite an achievement, but he will have to retire one day and maybe the time has come - either by his choice, Ronnie's or by mutual agreement.

Even if Goodi stays, the defence needs strengthening. It's a miracle we survived last season with just three specialist centre-backs, despite a few lengthy injuries but fortunately few suspensions.

The more I think about it, the more I think we will see a lot of changes in personnel. Ronnie has already mentioned that the attack, defence and the flanks need strengthening. That's everywhere apart from central midfield where we only have Welsh, Weir and Labadie!

 

[Boz]

I would have thought Goodi had another season in him, if he is going hope it is by his own choice. I'm not sure that in a small squad there is scope for more than 3 specialist central defenders BBTC. We also had Raven and Holmes who could cover in central defence this season. So long as we're not in a situation where we end up having to field a striker there, as we once did with Gareth Taylor, fine.

Up until last Saturday, we'd done pretty well defensively so I hope the manager's remarks about the defence being a priority were heat of the moment. The signals coming from the club suggest a large-scale turnaround of playing staff. I have reservations about this approach, as the squad this season has been adequate. However with the later start to the new season, there is more scope than usual for bedding-in time for late recruits.

 

[Boz]

See that Max Power has signed a 1-year deal, which is good news. Also that Kirby, Stockton and Vaulks have signed their first pro contracts.

 

[Ian]

The priority is to sign 2 x strikers capable of putting the ball in the net and a proper midfielder.

It's easier said than done and I think we have to be realistic here. Anyone of that nature isn't going to be looking for a club in the summer. Plus, we don't have much pulling power.

Just saying, I don't think we should raise our expectations too high.

 

[bring back the cowshed!]

Who's going.

Just posted on the OS, Ronnie has had quite a clear-out. The majority of those whose contracts are up are being released. No real surprises, except perhaps Zoum. The others are Kay, Labadie, Showunmi, Tiryaki, Weir, Coughlin, Raven and Devaney.

Only OFW and McChrystal are on two-year deals, so we must wait to see who out of Goodison, Welsh, Robinson, Taylor, McGurk, Holmes, Buchanan and Akins stay. I'd be surprised if everybody accepts a new contract, but I expect next season's starting line-up will be more familiar than those we've seen in recent years, which should help.

Looking on the bright side, Ronnie must be pretty confident of getting better players than those released. I just hope he's right.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

BBTC, I believe Zoum is also on a two year deal. I certainly hope so anyway, as I think we should definitely retain him.

 

[Boz]

Zoum is definitely on a 2-year deal. Les signed him up when it became clear Cresswell was likely to be gone.

There is some suggestion Kay is also on a 2-year deal...](*,)

I did wonder if Ronnie might have offered Weir another deal. Adequate squad player and he has featured on the bench consistently since RM arrived.

 

[WildRover]

tbh, id sign OFW on another couple of years on top of what he has left....mcgurk, holmes, akins have had their options picked up, so we have them anyway, if the others sign up we have 11....makes a change to have most of the squad ready for the following season rather than the revolvig door policy we have had in recent years.