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

Totally agree. Costelloe/Nevers/Eisa were hopeless out on the left.
I don't think MH had any other option really than playing Clayton and going narrow on the left.

 

Yes, we just fell a bit short. Not quite good enough to get promoted but the core of a good squad.
3/4 quality additions and we can go really close next season.

 

You're bob-on. Look at the bottom of this list and apart from Grimsby it's all the top teams, apart from us and Salford

On the flip side, from open play we had the best defence in the league!

 

We did have cover, they just weren't very good. Periara, Young, Nevers, Eisa, none of them took the chance when offered. But that happens at all clubs

 

I think you're right, though, chances are Gilliead does start a lot of games next season.

He's been a reliable servant for Hughes, and looked fit as a fiddle all season long.

 

Agree with what most people on here have said already but I'd also consider re-contracting Doyle in his combined player/coach role. It saves a wage vs. having a 2nd/3rd choice keeper plus a separate goalie coach.

 

We’ve done ‘ok’ this season. Even if we do go up, we’ve not exactly romped the league.
We’ve done ok at the back, got a decent keeper, a very good goal scorer.
The weaker areas for me have absolutely been in the midfield areas.
As others have pointed out - East, Osadebe and Smallwood are under contract.
If we re signed Gilliead and Clayton we’re left with the five midfielders that on the whole have flattered to deceive for large parts of the season - and offered little in terms of support for the forward players.
Surely we need to be looking to improve the midfield areas beyond what we have now?

 

New Deals

• 9. Andy Cook Contracted to: June 2023 - 2 years
• 11. Alex Gilliead Contracted to: June 2023 - 2 years
• 25. Kian Scales Contracted to: June 2023 - 1 year
• 13. Colin Doyle Contracted to: June 2023 - 1 year
• 40. Adam Clayton Contracted to: June 2023 - 1 year

***Sign up Critchlow and Banks if we can - 2 years each. Option of a 3rd.

Release

• 3. Liam Ridehalgh Contracted to: June 2023
• 4. Yann Songo'o Contracted to: June 2023 (on loan at Walsall until the end of the 2022/23 season
• 22. Oscar Threlkeld Contracted to: June 2023
• 30. Abo Eisa Contracted to: June 2023

No feeling either way

• 28. Charlie Wood Contracted to: June 2023
• 29. Heath Richardson Contract to: June 2023

 

Think it's the move to a tactic that suits more players that's helped. We played with a lot more fluidity now, look at that first goal on Monday for example.

The diamond helped us sure up the midfield when they weren't on form, and grind out a few draws in the process. But playing 3 CMs deep, playing Costelloe not really up front, not really out wide, not really as a 10 wasn't helping anyone. We never looked like we were controlling a game using the diamond, where as the 4231 we have moved back to suits far more of our attacking minded players and gives Gilly and Smallwood a bit more room to find nice passes whilst keeping shape.

 

Agreed. If we do manage to go up it's highly unlikely that we'll be knocking on the door for another promotion next season. So there will probably be games where we prioritise not conceding over scoring. In those circumstances the three of Gilliead, Smallwood and Clayton would be useful.
I see Smallwood and Clayton as competition for the holding role unless we are taking the ultra cautious approach against the top teams.

To me what we need is another attacking midfield option. Either a quarterback type who can ping early balls wide or through the channels to the forwards, and/or a box to box ball carrier (which is what Gilliead should be but isn't) and/or another No 10 as cover/competition for Walker. Osedebe could possibly be that third option, but we haven't seen enough of him yet to know.

 

Thought he was a midfielder?

 

Ho ho

 

Just realised Matt Derbyshire signed an 18 month deal, he turns 37 today.

 

I like Clayton. Tidy player. But he should be a squad player at best. Hasn't got the legs to last a game. Too Slow

Ive actually become a fan of Gilliead recently. I understand what he brings into the team. That being said, if we happen to start next season with a midfield of Smallwood an Gillead, im not gonna bother. Our midfield creativity has to be in the bottom half of the league. Its slow as feck, an it does not suit this system whatsoever

 

Morecambe and Accrington...

What?

 

Why, what are you expecting from those 2?

And why?

 

Sounds like Wrexham are signing Alfie May to go along with Mullin and Palmer, I can't see Wrexham wanting Cook as well.

Think we'll offer deals to Cook & Gilly. Maybe Clayton but not too sure on that one. Doyle probably gets a similar offer to what he has now and that's about it.

 

Not expecting much from either. They have just been relegated from Div 3. Had our team been in that division, we would have finished below FGR. Hope Mark has learnt a lot and can sign better this time.

 

We deffo need 2 in the middle. I would try and keep Gilliead, love his work rate and can be useful. Wouldnt break the bank for him though...

 

No idea, hazard a guess that it's later this week. Sparks did say last week that no contract talks would start until after the season has ended, so I imagine the players will find out today or tomorrow who will and wont be getting a new deal.