@OxfordBlue Should this topic be merged with the “Who’s staying and Who’s going” thread?
From an outsiders perspective, it does look like some of the players were only playing for the fans and/or wage and not for the passion of playing for the manager/head coach.
I’m nervous and worried about the club, through different outlets, were have a good idea that we are blacklisted by many teams/agents/managers and I hope that things are changed soon to hopefully put us back on the correct course…
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If the clubs have any nous, they’d realise that it was down to lack of supply.
You wouldn’t expect Gordon Ramsay to whip up a gourmet meal out of the contents of a compost heap. Likewise, under the Dodo’s abhorrent style of football, Kone is left fighting for scraps.
If I was him, I’d be off. The influential people in getting the work permits done and playing football that helped him excel have all gone. Football is only a short career you have to make the most of it.
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Next season feels very important for whether Kone goes on to have a stellar career. Outstanding first half of season not sure second half was even Lg1 standard. What changed? Was it getting tired, did defenders work out how to play him, just form, playing style, head turned , believed the hype (my secret working rule of thumb- if a player gets a wanky haircut - sell) or a combination of some or all. Needs to start well which if I was his agent suggests don’t play at too high a level next season even if an opportunity came up to join a low level championship club. Have to say I would be tempted by Luton however if an option but May also be worth listening to what our plans are.
why would he go to a team in same league as us ? feel he will only leave if a step up in league
Started this thread so we’ve got a clearer picture of who’s still around come the first day of pre-season — essentially, who’s staying and who’s going.
A lot of the names being mentioned in the comments are actually still under contract for next season.
Plenty of fans are calling for changes — players like Hartridge, Butch, Declan, and George are all being mentioned as ones they’d like to see moved on. Don’t forget, all our U23 loanees are set to return too, and a few might get a look in during pre-season.
Woodhouse is one to watch. He’s only 20, left-footed, and can play anywhere across a back five. If Dodds sticks with that system, don’t rule him out as a squad option — potentially offering cover for Harvie or Leahy (if he signs a new deal). Plus, Reach is out of contract, so there’s potentially space there.
Because he will have a proper manager playing positive football, much higher wages, very high probability of getting a winners medal, bigger attendances and he won’t be in a nut house! The only downside I can see is Luton is a shithole, but he doesn’t have to live there.
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Rumour has it that Wigan and Bolton are interested in signing Bakinson…1m and Bakinson for Morley ?!!
Bakinson is a weird one. He came with a fairly decent pedigree but has failed to make his mark on games. Some bits of breaking up play and a few attempts at poking the ball forward but there must be more to him than we’ve seen. Then again, I thought the same about Ian Westlake and nuff said.
I can see McCleary and Vokes going to Gillingham.
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Take the money or player and run for the hills!
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Caleb seems to have said his thank you’s and goodbyes, wished us luck on social media.
Bakinson would be very lucky to be offered a chance at either of the clubs mentioned above.
Kone is a strange one if you believe the size of bids mentioned in January are anywhere near accurate. Surely the summer will be filled with people trying to take him on the cheap now, and if so it would seem silly financially and in playing terms to sell at a low price rather than give him a rest, a pre-season and attempt to get him back to where he was.
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There ain’t nothing like a Dane, nothing in the world
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It seems that for a variety of reasons the team next season is going to be VERY different. If the owners are truly planning to move us forward we’re going to need significant investment.
GK - I presume this will continue to be Norris, but I can’t recall what the terms were upon him joining. Not at all convinced by Norris, his distribution is pretty poor but i guess it’ll depend how we want to play next season which is a mystery for now. I don’t think Rav or George are good enough from what i’ve seen. My gut feeling - NORRIS (and new understudy keeper)
RB - Grimmer will stay as he is an exemplary leader and communicator. But we need a better attacking option. The young lad Imray from Crystal Palace would be a great option but it’d need a change of heart by Palace. I like Pattenden but he seems completely out of the picture with Dodds. Fin Back looked like he had good potential but hard to say for sure currently. My gut feeling - NEW RB (Grimmer understudy)
CB - Low gone, Taylor gone. Bradley I would be very surprised if the management group pursued due to age, profile etc. Hagelskaer obviously deemed not good enough and will presumably leave. Skura deemed not good enough. My gut feeling - 2 NEW CB’s (+2 New understudies)
LB - Harvie is quality but perhaps needs a better understudy. Reach I like for quality on the ball and versatility and I’d like to keep but not convined we will. My gut feeling - HARVIE (+ New understudy)
PIVOT - We do not currently have anyone that can play this position effectively, since (whistful sigh) the wonderful Aaron Morley. My gut feeling - NEW PIVOT
CM - Butcher, Bakinson will leave. Leahy is a decent back up option and excellent guy to have around for his personality and versatility. Scowen out for the season. Simons is raw but I hope we do buy him. Westergaard - think he could be good but needs trust and a run of games which I’m not sure will be afforded to him. My gut feeling - New CM (Simons as understudy)
10 - Humphries left. Lowry definitely looks to have potential and may be a regular alternative option. My gut feeling - NEW 10 (Lowry as understudy)
FRONT 3 - McCleary, Lubala, Kodua, Hanlan to leave. Sadlier i think might leave. Berry has obviously been deemed not good enough. Fred and Udoh to stay. I actually think Kone might possibly stay until January as he’s not ready yet. My gut feeling - KONE + 2 NEW WINGERS WITH REAL PACE (Fred, Udoh + 1 New understudy)
So I think we’ll have a first team squad of Norris, Grimmer, Harvie, Scowen (injured), Leahy, Simons, Westergaard, Lowry, Kone, Fred, Udoh. So effectively we might need around 13 new signings to get us up to 22. Sufficed to say, if recruitment is as bad as it was in January, we would be in real trouble. Lets hope they have a really good plan and we haven’t been blacklisted as some have suggested, and Dodds is ready to implement a mych more progressive, passing style. Its going to be an ‘interesting’ Summer.
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When do you think the club will release their retained players statement? It seems like most club released this 3 or 4 days after their season had finished, will it drop at some point this week?
I would imagine in the next day or so. I’m hoping we trim the squad down from its bloated state or at least have some strategy to the signings.
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We have until Friday due to us being in the PO semi’s. I can’t find the tweet but it was from a reliable account.
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keeping Gmac, and leahy above Sadlier is crazy
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