Summer 2025 transfer rumours

I'd be triggering it too. If it's another season where Richards picks up random injuries again, there's no long term commitment and we move on next summer. If he's good and picks up form again, get a new deal ironed out by the winter.

 

Two recent promotions out of L2 and the fanbases probably had kick on optimism in June after their promotions, Stockport & Mansfield.

Stockport went down the "thanks for your service" route and offered their people that got them to the position roles as squad players at best and laid out that the show has to go on. Mansfield decided to stick with most of their players who won promotion. Two very different outcomes once L1 came in. Mansfield pretty much rebuilding now, Stockport still looking upwards.

 

Will Collar is an MK dons player now, fair few wanted him.

 

The two clubs you mention will have had very different budgets last season.
Stockport lost £5m+ in winning league 2, so will have lost at least that last season.

 

Obviously money speeds it up, but my point was more around not moving on from L2 players and having to use them can be an issue and might slow down club progression. Just looking over the last few seasons, most of the teams that have kicked on, or at least not in trouble in L1 since their promotion had fairly chunky ins and out lists over the first seasons in L1. The ones that don't and try keep the momentum from their L2 squad haven't really kicked on.

 

Sounds like Barrow are in talks to get Smith back on a permanent deal.

 

Yes, the point I'm making is that, based on budgets, Stockport and Mansfield finished probably where you would expect them to finish last season.

Mansfield have good owners but I'd be very surprised if they are putting in £5m+ per season.

 

A man with a plan, it worked pretty well for Parky during his time at Valley Parade, it would be interesting to know if he works under similar circumstances at Wrexham, or does he have a Head of Football Operations and a Head of Recruitment.

 

That said looking at the above, Smallwood ticked most of the plus boxes. Granted he would have been a year older but;
Doesn't seem to suffer injuries - tick
Fits the formation / style - tick
Experience of playing in a higher league - tick.

Anyway we have moved on. Lets hope Power, or an incoming signing, proves an upgrade on Smallwood.

 

Must of changed his mind or been offered more money as I heard he didn't really want to drop back down to L2

 

Chucking the kitchen sink* at it, aren't they?

*solid 24ct kitchen sink by the looks of things.

 

500% , I’m the biggest advocate of moving players on, assuming the money is there to do so of course . I erred caution on Cookie just yesterday , people are making lots of assumptions in his case. Rightly, we have to be prepared.

 

Stockport fans think the same, they believed he wanted to go back down south closer to the family area. I mean, MK isnt exactly northern, but his new club is still about 100 miles north of where he grew up..... closer than Greater Manchester I suppose?

 

He's turned down their initial offer. Wouldn't be surprised to see a 'cancelling of contract by mutual consent' and us paying him the difference between what Barrow are offering and what he'd get if he stayed on the books with us.

 

They are going down the Wrexham route with their oil money .

 

Yeah can see that one happening. Some Swindon fans thought they were talking to him last week. Cant see him or Wilson being here for too much longer.

 

Smallwoods downside is / was he’s losing pace , ie turned far too easily and can’t catch up. It’s only going to get worse . Sensible to do what was done, because L1 pace is a large jump , he’d struggle with tbh.

 

Edited for you .
They have had a succession of players chasing that egg for the last what 5 seasons and they seem to do nothing when they get there?

It’s a long list of failures .

 

Fair comment. Although remember when Stuart's "legs had gone" .
Joking apart, I hope GA can quickly rebuild the togetherness the squad had at the end of last season now that we have some new faces.