Most liked posts in thread: Retained list

FCD and Foulds are centre backs who can play full back. We definitely need specialist full backs for first choice next season

 

I'm in parlance with the club on all of the players released.
In fact, I'm disappointed that there's several still under contract, that we'll still have at the club throughout next season.
The likes of AOC did well this season for us, professional, often putting his body on the line, and seemed happy enough often playing a utility role.
However, if we want out of this division, then there's no room whatsoever for sentiment, or making do with what we have.
Bolton is the blueprint, from January they were head and shoulders the best team in this division.
None of the released players, and many still under contract would get a sniff of their first team.
Dallying with playoffs shouldn't be an option, next season top three has to be the grail.
I'm happy with the players offered new contracts, they're seen as potential, and ( hopefully) have to improve to break into what will be the first team.
New (ish) CEO, new Manager, 50% new squad, new backroom team, let's hope it gives rise to a new era of progression.

 

Keeeeeeeev.

You promised you'd stop with the HornSby stuff.

 

I read that when Don Revie signed Mick Jones, he was pondering between Jones or Paul Aimson. Aimson was class and, when he left us to join Huddersfield, I went to Leeds Road a few times purely to watch him play.

 

No complaints at all with anyone who's been released. They're all the right calls. Slighty surprised that Foulds has been offered as deal but I'd expect it'll be on the basis of being a backup player, so no real issues there.

Looks like the right calls around. But it leaves us massively in need, in terms of recruitment. By my reckoning:

A left back, right back, centre back, 1 or maybe 2 CMs, another winger or two and at least 2, probably 3 strikers. 8 or 9 new players, minimum. Probably more.

 

Looks like Zeli will still be affiliated to us in 2025 if we going to keep supporting his rehabilitation!!

Bless him, hope he does eventually get fit and picks up playing again or moves on to a coaching type role somewhere.

 

There must be some really poor right backs in league 2 then for AOC to get that

 

Happy to see this list.

Anthony O’Connor-pass back
Billy Clarke-sick note
Clayton Donaldson-sick note
Connor Shanks-not fussed
Connor Wood-poor season
Harry Pritchard-sick note
Lee Novak-sick note
Will Huffer-sick note
Zeli Ismail-sick note

 

Find this obsession with keepers a bit bizarre.

Statistically our defence wasn't a problem, wasn't even approaching an issue, regardless of who was playing centre back, right back, or in goal. Our defence was on par with everyone in the play offs except for Newport County.

But going forward, we were pathetic.

Only 6 teams scored fewer than we did, and only three teams scored significantly fewer.

But let's overanalyse the O'Connor's, Wood, O'Donnell and Hornby

Still, when the only players that the club ever award POTY to are defenders, you can sort of see why City fans are utterly obsessed with defending.

 

I’d keep Hornby, I think he’s a talented young keeper, like the way he commands his area. Canavan and Callum Cooke contracted for another year anyway.

 

Should be a blank list

 

I'll look forward to a group breaking through in 3 or 4 years time, masters of looking busy and passing 5 yards backwards

 

mental going in for novak with how often he's injured

 

Different budget? My capital budget is separate to the day to day.

 

Watt dropping back for the ball all the time is a problem. And then when he does its nearly always the hollywood pass.

 

Yeah, Paul Aimson, another City hero of mine..

 

AOC will do okay with a new club. He didn't do as badly here as some people make out but the club and him need a fresh start.

 

Wood made it clear last summer he was getting homesick, this was always going to be his last season up here. Other than him then, who would you have kept?

As for where do we get the money to replace them, pretty obvious, from the saved salaries the released players were getting

 

Ought to have saved a few quid.
Depends on the nee manager but wouldn’t be surprised to see Evans and O’Donnell possibly moved on

 

It's just a shame that we couldn't off load the other O'Connor as a pair.