Most liked posts in thread: Players out of contract in June 2023 including Retained List

Again, no explanation of what he does well, just the age old "the good stuff he does goes unnoticed".

Comparing him to Josh Cullen is a bit daft though. EVERYONE noticed Josh Cullen and he was praised very highly during his spell.

 

Not really Steve. He’s too slow nowadays and is restricted to just that one lone position , sat in front of the back four. He’s too immobile to be anything else?

 

I think what their season shows is that if you can get out ahead at the start of the season then it's easier to stay ahead. They had 9 wins and a draw from the first 10 I think and from then on were just as average as everyone else really

 

We’ve retained the core of the team here which is solid enough. Hopefully this gives us the scope to add a few higher quality players (rather than recruiting an entire squad as last year).

All you need is a few good quality players supported by a foundation of solid, reliable guys. I’d say we have the latter and just need to add that extra quality/spark in the forward areas. If we can achieve that then we will be in with a good shot at top 3.

 

1975gent if you added all the giveaway games we would not have been that far away.

 

Most teams can say that but some horrific home results against out of form teams and all those late minute goals ultimately cost us a top 3 place. So you are probably right.

Improving our home form and defending leads are the two things we drastically need to improve on next term.

 

I agree. That said I keep Smallwood as our holding midfielder and bring someone in with creativity. I dont mind keeping Gilliead as a squad member. I like his engine and he isn't a bad footballer by any stretch. He just doesn't pair well enough with Smallwood.

 

I think the Osadebe injury hurt us in terms of formation and the player he could have been. Get him fitter over the summer, get him over his fear of breaking his leg again, and we will see a different player in August.

 

Quite possibly. Also, Walker has not looked the player he was last season since coming back from injury and we lost Chapman just at the point when he was hitting a bit of form, which left us really weak down the left for the crucial last few games.

 

The two things are definitely interlinked. We may have had far fewer injuries than Northampton, but they still managed to finish in the top 3 whilst we missed out on promotion altogether. They had strength in depth to cover their injuries, we had a big squad which should have enabled us to do the same with our fewer injuries but unfortunately, the quality was not there.

 

Is Sam Stubbs a typo @Silverbantam ?

 

Yes I do agree tbh, we have only seen glimpses of Eisa and he is obviously injury prone, move him on. Just hope MH feels the same!

 

Cook , Clayton , Stubbs , Gilliead , that would be it .

 

These are the only ones I'd offer new contracts, regardless of what league we are in.

• 3. Liam Ridehalgh offer 1 year deal as back up (I don't see Foulds returning and think he will sign for Harrogate permanently in the summer).
• 9. Andy Cook Offer 2 year deal and give him the keys to the city.
• 11. Alex Gilliead Can't actually believe I'm saying this but offer 18mth/2 Yr deal.
• 13. Colin Doyle offer new deal in a coaching role only and bring in new back up keeper.

 

Send East out on loan. Osadebe is a tough one as not really had a chance. He is a utility man anyway and can be used in a few positions as cover.

Gilliead, Smallwood, Clayton plus 2 more. That will do. If we improve on the ones we have and Gilliead and Clayton are squad members I will be satisfied with that.

 

Would agree with that.
That said, if Gilliead played at the levels he has shown in recent weeks I’d be happier.
Not sure if the players have raised their levels or if the tactics have changed to a more attacking mindset.

 

I also think that the person who signed off giving Threlkeld such a long contract should be sacked if they are still at the club

 

Forget Stubbs. I just looked and we signed him til summer of 2024

 

Out of them I'd offer Cook a new deal, but I have a real feeling he will turn out to be a one season wonder.

The rest can go. Nothing special.

 

Two new strikers up front home and away never in a million years under Sparky