Match Thread Scunthorpe (Home) Saturday 23rd April @ 3.00pm.

The difference between Angol and Cook playing as the focal point up front was like chalk and cheese. Angol has so much more skill, mobility and an ever proactive eye onto how he can affect the game. Cook just waits for people to feed him the ball and thus, despite his goalscoring record in the lower leagues, remains two dimensional as a player. He's a trier no doubt. But to win promotion we need alot more than triers.

 

Very much a Cadamarteri type.

Great tricks, that foot work could look good at any level, but a luxury player is spot on.

We need ruthless buggers to get out of this division, so unless everyone around him score ten next season, we can't afford to give him a starting position.

It's a no from me.

 

Do you honestly think that Mark Hughes is going to base who gets a contract on the back of a dead rubber game against a set of kids?

 

Absolutely yes! Alongside the other games he's witnessed. Watching how these new players, to him, react to different match day situations whether it be against FGR or a set of kids from Scunthorpe, is key to the decisions he'll make. He'll have learnt yet more from the Scunthorpe game for example, about certain players inability to be more aggressive and clinical in the final third when you have a side on the rack at 2-0 up inside five minutes.

 

I think it's telling that other clubs have worked out who our best players are, with rumours of interest from League One in Paudie and Vernam.

I think we might just get the clear out some fans want, with the worst performers binned off and the better performers getting better offers elsewhere!

 

Yep, think you're right Jon. Add Elliott Watt to Vernam and Paudie and I'd say they'll be the three players who get signed up elsewhere, and probably in League One. Add to that, in my opinion, Bass will go back to Portsmouth or be signed elsewhere and Walker will get a Scots Premier side closer to his family home in Scotland. Piera? Not sure about. His future may be a bit more complicated. On other matters - it would be a yes from me to give Lee Angol a new contract. He is a class performer at this level but clearly the 'nub' is can he stay fit? With the right advice and fitness management, which Hughes seems really strong on, I think he will be re-signed.

 

I think Callum Cooke is a 50-50 to be here, I could see him staying - but I could also see him wanting to move on to progress his career.

I have visions of Watt signing for Barnsley or someone who have a development squad to fall back on if he's not getting game time. Would make sense anyway.

I actually think we'll end up signing Walker, but might be wrong.

 

They've already been told and already know. If they're out, they know, if they're in then those ones may be putting in the extra effort to get their agents to up their wages.

We don't get to 5pm on the last Saturday of the season before telling them, I bet they were told probably 2 weeks ago.

 

Well, we can't really start next season with the team that played against Scunthorpe or Tranmere because we'll just end up mid table again. Some will need to leave and new players will need to come in because this squad has shown even with Hughes input that they're only mid table at best.

 

Jon I hope you're right about Walker - he's class. But in the end it'll be about decent deal for him and/or being near to his family. Oh Callum Cooke! He's such a conundrum. Some weeks looks impressive, others like a headless chicken. I like the guy's attitude generally, but you gotta ask is he a player who could help power us to promotion? Sadly, I don't think so. I think MH has already shown in how much he's used him that he'll be on the way out.

 

I agree, the fact he has spent a lot of time on the bench since Hughes arrived suggests either he isn't interested in him for next season or Cooke has made it clear he has no intention of signing if a deal is offered. No great loss for me, 2 pre seasons of him talking about scoring double figures, two Season's of him actually scoring 3 and 2 goals respectively.

 

Where has he said he is not interested in signing again

 

I think there is a decent footballer in Cooke and with better coaching and better players around him , he may yet improve.
Playing in a midfield that has Evans, Gillead and to a lesser extent Watt and Sutton , even the best midfielders would struggle.
We have to try and retain some players, we can not start with a complete new squad of 22. i am just glad its not me that has to sort this mess.

 

Where have I said that is the case?

 

I can see why Peterborough let Cooke go. He’s neat and tidy to a point but the lack of goals and not being able to dominate even the weakest midfields in this division, tells me he’s probably reached his level. He’s had a few years here now in some of the poorest squads we’ve seen, yet hasn’t been able to hold down a regular spot. That for me says it’s time we parted company.

 

Totally agree.

He's one of those "tidy foorballers" we have a habit of signing.

 

Behave, Hughes won't have learnt anything about our squad from the Scunthorpe game bar the fact we simply aren't good enough. Showing passion for the shirt against a team already relegated won't make a blind bit of difference to who stays or goes.

 

Probably learned more in the display against Tranmere

 

100% sure he knows who is going already……..60% of them?

Those who are still under contract will remain but my guess is they will be second fiddle to incoming ?

 

I'd be concerned if they weren't