Promotion watch (now with Poll)

Be interesting to see what happens with Smallwood and Walker this summer. Richie will get a new deal and possibly Walker now, if the price is right of course. He looked gone in January, and then released in June, but thats up in the air now after his recent performances.

Think we will make a move to keep all 4 loans too. Whether its permanent or another season long loan. Adaramola and Mellon are out of contract so could be available for free. Shepherd would require a fee, which we will pay if price is right, Khela has 2 years left at Brum so I can see another season long loan in L1 (HOPEFULLY!)

 

I think the 6 additions in January have cemented that claim. We were superb last night, despite having 8 regulars missing - and 5/6 of them would be in the starting 11.

The most exciting signing for me in January was Leigh - on paper. But if we had a fully fit squad he wouldn't be making my matchday 18 at the moment.

 

Mellon says he has another 2 years on his Burnley deal. I wonder if he signed an extension before going out on loan? I hope Smallwood and Walker stay but on the other hand I wouldn't be surprised if both fancied an easier life than a L1 grind. Walker as he might want to go back up north for his final few seasons? And Smallwood turns 35 next year, he might want an easier last season or two than another spell in L1.

 

Saturdays promotion watch...

Wimbledon vs Notts (12:30)
Walsall vs Grimsby (12:30)
Doncaster vs Swindon
Fleetwood vs Port Vale
Gillingham vs City

If Walsall drop points again on Saturday, the feeling in the fanbase before we've even kicked off will be electric!

 

Lapslie was a revelation last night. I hadn't realised we were signing a goal scorer. His hunger and his work rate were outstanding, and in his interview he did sound genuinely grateful be here.

 

That right on Mellon, really did think he was finished in June 2025 with Burnley.

With Walker and Smallwood, given their age, surely it just comes down to the best deal now. If Richie captains us to promotion (or even the title) you would think he wants to continue this journey and finish off with us - his last contract though so will have to add up for him.

 

As I said last night , he’s the Lapslie I remember at Mansfield .

 

With Walker and Smallwood I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up in a situation that Stockport were in with some of their older players like Sarcevic and Madden where they only offered 1 year deals but both players left to drop down to league 2 for a 2 year deal.
For me I'd be looking to keep Smallwood as much for his leadership and experience as for his on field performances, I'd be offering him a 1 year deal with a performance based year option if he plays x number of games that way he knows what he has to do and the club have themselves covered if it doesn't go well.

 

Tell Walsall that.

 

With Richie, he's done 3 years here, he might want a fresh challenge for his last season? He might have two in him at most but certain one more season. Or if we go up he might call it a day on a high? But if say York or Gateshead go up would he fancy it? Or a year at Hartlepool with every other Boro old lad?

I think if we offered Walker a good deal last summer he'd have signed. Sounded like we offered less money but an incentives based contract, but Carlisle were throwing money away left right and centre last year and there's no doubt he will have been told to hang about with it after it became public that Carlisle already opened talks with him before we triggered his extension. Tbf i reckon Mellon would be sold for a small fee as Burnley aren't going to use him in the PL and he's now over-age so he needs registering somewhere to be used. Sure they could loan him out for another 2 years but who does that really benefit unless he has a crazy growth and is Championship level by the end of next season.

 

They were still top the last time i checked?.....

Tbf, they took their foot off the pedal with far too many games left in the season. Even if everyone wins their games in hand on us, they still need to close and overtake and they are running out of time. If the gap between us and the pack is even still around 8 points or even down to 6 by the start of April, I'm confident we'd be up.

 

I hope he isn't looking anywhere like Accrington, Harrogate or York. He would be fine in League One and we should offer him a decent new deal. Last night's performance demonstrated what he can do in spades.

 

Why not?
Because its Bradford and no one in their right minds, would want to live in such a sh--t hole.
I actually thing Bradford is no worse than many a place around the country, but has far nicer surrounding area's

 

Yes, I found out when Walker lived on my street from chatting to him or his missus, that he knew my uncle weirdly who lives in a similar area to his family up there, sounded like the families had a knowledge of each other anyways as my aunt and uncle tried getting tickets out of him when they came down last. I'd guess he'd prefer to stay here but money is everything I suppose and as you say there are plenty of teams within an hour and he wont be short of suiters.

Walkers moved from Baildon now, I believe he's Bingley way out? Weirdly he lived on my road, then moved to the street next to my dad in Baildon and has since moved again, the house he was renting was on the market about 6 month back and has looked empty when driving past. But having a settled younger family makes a difference too. I believe he sold/selling his Edinburgh home around a year back? It was certainly on the market when he left Nab Wood.

 

Thanks to the amazing Lee Angol last night. At last he did something for City!

 

Yeah its not the best area in the world, my family just moved from there a few years ago to more west Edinburgh, sort of near the airport. I think Walkers in-law side were Leith based from memory of our conversations, which is a much nicer spot.

 

Not to worry, after the City of Culture, the streets will be paved with Gold
I actually thought Jamie had moved to Baildon from Saltaire