Planning for League One

Just seen Town have been ruthless with the players that they are letting go next season. That’s what we need. Yes, we love the players now but tough decisions are required.

Take Kav for example. He is nowhere near League 1 ready. He would get eaten alive in league 1. We have to be smart and create space for those that can come in and make a difference.

 

Defenders, an option would be Sam Lavelle whose contract is up at Carlisle. I know, I know, but he's had success leading Morecambe to promotion from League Two and then getting signed for £300,000 by Charlton Athletic. Good defender, victim of circumstances?

Matty Pearson released by Town would be one we could build around. They let him go because they want a more attacking back 3. We are more likely to need just quality defenders, which Pearson has generally always been to my knowledge.

Nathan Lowe I mentioned before, 6'4, would be a right loan from Stoke. Cook/Lowe/Kavanagh wouldn't be a bad place to start.

If we were gonna be aggressive, I'd like George McEachran from Grimsby Town. Most tackles in League Two last season, only 24, but he's not exactly a Richie Smallwood as he likes to pull the strings and create, and draws a lot of fouls. He still occupies the same deep lying position.

 

it was only the other week people were saying sam walker needed replacing if we went up .

 

McEachran still a year left on his deal until, July 2026

 

I'm with all that but I'd have Crichlow has a utility player ...

 

They had to be awful second half of the season
Watched highlights from Saturday
Men against boys

 

Decent enough keeper with a good defense in front of him

 

Will be interesting if this stance is used when we are discussing Andy Cook. Club legend and one of my all time favourites, but at his age after the injury he has just had, I'm not sure we'll see the Andy Cook we know and love. We will have to be serious when looking at what striker(s) to sign this summer.
When it comes to Jamie Walker, I personally wouldn't have signed him this year, let alone for the coming season.

 

What other position can Crichlow play other than CB?

 

Don't know, let's wait and see...

 

Going to get pelters for this, but I just don't rate him. Seems like a good lad, but I rate Richards over him. How Tayo won MOTM on Saturday I don't know! Actually thought he was one of the worst on the pitch LOL

 

Yeah agreed, I think we only end up keeping him if we need a cheap option.

 

Well we already know he definitely can't play DM.

 

Lads expiring
1. Sam Walker - I'd offer another 1 year deal.
3. Lewis Richards - Think he has an option we can trigger?
4. Sam Stubbs - Release.
6. Richie Smallwood - Offer another 1 year deal.
7. Jamie Walker - Release.
13. Colin Doyle - Retire.
18. Ciaran Kelly - Trigger 1 year option.
19. Vadaine Oliver - Release.
20. Paul Huntington - Release.
22. Callum Johnson - Release.
29. Harry Ibbitson - Release.
30. Romoney Crichlow - Trigger 1 year option.
31. Zac Haidi - Release.
38. Gab Wadsworth - Release.

I hope we keep Walker and Smallwood, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them explore the market. I'd stick to 1 year deals for both due to age and if they can handle L1. Fairly certain that Sparks said at some point everyone had a trigger option on their deals, I wouldn't be surprised to see us use that for most and then if they cant make the step up, we dont have a huge commitment and could try move them on in Jan if they aren't up to it (Richards, Kelly & Crich). Of the loans, i'd try for Shep and Tayo again but i cant see Shep happening.

Lads still here
2. Brad Halliday Contracted to: June 2026
8. Calum Kavanagh Contracted to: June 2026
9. Andy Cook Contracted to: June 2026
10. Antoni Sarcevic Contracted to: June 2026
15. Aden Baldwin Contracted to: June 2026
16. Alex Pattison Contracted to: June 2026
17. Tyreik Wright Contracted to: June 2026
23. Bobby Pointon Contracted to: June 2026
25. Joe Hilton Contracted to: June 2026
32. George Lapslie Contracted to: June 2027
37. Tommy Leigh Contracted to: June 2027

Lads to try move on
5. Neill Byrne
12. Clarke Oduor
14. Tyler Smith
33. Adam Wilson
Tempted to put Wright in this list? I just cant see where he's used at the minute other than back up LWB, of which he struggled in L2 nevermind the step up.

 

I felt the same last summer but now, I'm really glad he stayed and finally got his promotion medal with us.
The reason I felt we should probably part ways last year was purely because of his injury record but this year, that hasn't really been an issue at all. He's actually been part of the match day squad 38 times and has played in 35 league games (16 starts and 19 as a sub) - which is more match appearances than he's had in any season since he's been here. However, he's also played less minutes this season due to the amount of games he's come on as a late sub. He's only scored once but has six assists and you could argue that the way he's been asked to play at times this season hasn't helped with that, as at various times he's been used as a CF, AM, CM, RW and DM.
So in the end, I think it was the right decision he stayed last summer and I'm really glad he did, but now is definitely the right time to say thank you and goodbye, and to wish him all the best for wherever life takes him next.

 

Stubbs has had a good season he is better than Byrne in my opinion

 

He's had a good season elsewhere, but at this point it's fairly obvious that he just isn't to GAs taste.

 

Honestly think all the promoted sides will struggle without strong transfer windows. We all lost to teams who were relegated or nearly relegated and all had some seriously dodgy runs (this includes the play off winners Though I don’t really care about that rn.

I worry particularly about the striker situation. Love Kavanagh but he’s not going to carry a L1 side yet. Cook may not be the same after the injury either.
Midfield we need more depth- Smallwood, Pointon, Pattison, Sarcevic and Halliday are all up to it but we can’t guarantee an injury free season. Need leaders badly imo. We fell apart without Smallwood. Would murder to get Adaramola back .
Defence needs some bolstering too, same situation as midfield IMO. Get Shepherd in again hopefully and seasoned L1 players.
On the plus, Sam Walker is good enough in net.

I’m torn between the need to be ruthless bc it will be a struggle and desperately wanting to keep this team together bc they’re a top set of lads who seem to genuinely love Bradford City.