|
Post by squeeze. on Mar 10, 2024 17:30:14 GMT
Just had a look on Transfermarkt & couldn’t believe how many are out of contract this Summer.
Question is who would keep & who would you let go & does that change in League Two?
Gibbons Ahadme
24
Bonne Kachunga Morrison R Bennett Andrew Lyle Taylor Cousins Dunk Kaikai Fejiri Haunstrup Brophy Mannion Janneh Holden Louis Chadwick Yearn L Bennett Beckett McConnell Akanbi Njoku Sandiford Barton
25
Digby Thomas Stevens May Okedina Lankester Rossi Simper JJ Briggs
Jobe & Hoddle not on there.
At this point I would be offering deals to Liam Bennett & Michael Morrison. Possibly Dunk depending on what he wants to do. I know it’s horrible but there’s no sell on value from any of the others and none have really justified an extension.
Brophy possibly if we went down.
McConnell, Njoku & Yearn would also be offered deals & Akanbi depending how his recovery is. Hoddle & Jobe if they ain’t contracted.
What about the rest of you?
|
|
|
Post by El Goodo on Mar 10, 2024 17:41:37 GMT
Hoddle, Yearn & McConnell for sure are not out of contract. I doubt Njoku is either, nor Jobe or Akanbi. We have an extra year's option on Liam Bennett so he's effectively contracted for another season too.
Of the first-teamers out of contract I'd definitely look to keep: - Dunk (sentimental deals for legends clause) - Morrison - Brophy
Would be OK with also Taylor & Andrew. The rest, nah.
I'd look to sign Ahadme permanently. And possibly try to move on May.
|
|
cufcwill
On trial
Posts: 257
Favourite CUFC player: Wes Hoolahan
Favourite CUFC match: Newcastle (a)
|
Post by cufcwill on Mar 10, 2024 18:01:11 GMT
Think we have to keep a couple of players on simply because bringing in 10-15 players will be hard. Agree about Morro although I'd also say Andrew, Kaikai and Kachunga could all be useful squad assets, Mannion maybe as well but again wouldn't be surprised if he leaves to be number 1 elsewhere. Assuming Lennett's extension can be activated without trouble we should keep him, but also if a bid comes in I wouldn't be surprised for him to go. Ahadme could be worth looking into but would depend on the cost. Janneh, Haunstrup, Okenabirihie, Rennett, Holden, Chadwick and Beckett all leave and wouldn't be that happy with any of them staying on, possibly with the exception of Fejiri but only if he is on a very low salary and we've got 3-4 other strikers
For me that leaves a squad of: Stevens Mannion Briggs
Okedina Rossi Dunk Andrew Morrison Lennett Jobe Sandiford
Digby May Thomas Simper Yearn Hoddle
Lankester Kachunga Kaikai McConnell Akanbi Njoku (Ahadme)
Think it's fairly similar whether we stay up or go down, maybe Kachunga and Lennett wouldn't be there, but apart from that most of the personal will probably be the same. That squad leaves 15 'first team' players (16 with Gassan) with another 8 under 21s. I'd say that May and Simper could be moved on. Maybe if Gateshead get promoted Jobe goes there permanently but I doubt it.
|
|
|
Post by jamescufc7 on Mar 10, 2024 18:06:58 GMT
Given above I haven’t included the youth players expecting them all to be retained, so my list would be to keep:
24
Kachunga Morrison Andrew Lyle Taylor Dunk Kaikai Mannion (As back up)
|
|
|
Post by fatherjhackett on Mar 10, 2024 18:54:17 GMT
Jez & Money built an entire new side in summer 2013, so it can be done successfully. I'd keep Lennett, Mannion, Andrew (although he's slow), Morro, Kachunga (possibly), Dunk & Brophy for his versatility. I've no interest in seeing any of the remainder of senior players ever again, especially that winker Taylor. I've a feeling Berry might return, whether or not the Vermin stay up. Ahadme is the wrong kind of striker for the lumpen way we play.
The now perennial relegation scrap is losing its appeal. There evidently isn't the mentality in this club to blood-in our youth products. It's such a defensive place. Would this change if we went down?
|
|
|
Post by Andrewlang on Mar 10, 2024 19:16:15 GMT
I'd gut the squad to the bone, including some contracted players, and back myself to do better in the summer. None of them are impossible to replace ability wise and none of them appear to create the same team spirit mojo that retaining the likes of Liam and Greg provided.
So, I'd keep Morro with the intention of maybe phasing in someone like Jobe as the season progresses. I'd keep Lennett obviously, unless we get a decent hit on him that can go towards rebuilding the squad, and I'd keep the kids because they're going to be ace.
I like Digby obviously but he's scraping against his ceiling and if we're looking to push on I don't think I'd want him as part of my regular midfield.
Brophy would be a great squad player but nothing more. I've defended him for three years for what he's good at but it's such a big gap to what he's not good at that I don't think I'd be desperate to keep him (sorry JJ). I'm not fussed what we do there.
I don't trust Taylor particularly. I'd be happy to move him on.
Kachunga is a bit meh for me. He's had his moments but not often enough and I'm not sure I see him being better in a better team...I could see Thomas being excellent in a better team for example, gutted he's probably injured for the bulk of next season.
I don't get the appeal with Mannion, he's just another average keeper. Stevens is fine but not someone I'd be desperate to keep if we got an offer for him.
Same with, say, Okedina, May and Rossi. They're fine but I'm not sure fine is really enough. I think I'd be inclined to roll the dice and see if we can do better than that. We could do considerably worse of course but that's all a bit too safe for me...I want to light a match and see if anything catches fire.
I'm fed up with this team. I don't like many of them and the ones I do like are average and should be easy enough to replace with similar at worst. I want them all gone tbh...I don't think that's what we'll do at all, but that's what I'd want right now.
Oh, and I like Gassan so I'd try and keep him about. He feels like the age profile we should be going for.
I love Dunk but he's got a shelf life like anyone else. If I was making the decision about anyone else who'd spent 6-7 months of the last two seasons injured I know what call I'd make.
Andrew
|
|
danielcufc
First team star
Posts: 8,260
Favourite CUFC player: Dion Dublin
Favourite CUFC match: Peterborough 1, Cambridge 5 London Road 3.1.1989
|
Post by danielcufc on Mar 10, 2024 20:27:59 GMT
Agree with pretty much Andrew has said above. I do wonder with Harrison that if he doesn’t get back to fitness, whether he would make his own decision about his future. He’s already planning a career out of football. I’d love him to stay, break the appearance record of course but he’s got to stay fit enough to do so.
I agree as well re Okedina, Rossi & May. If they are not going to be challenging for a start next season then can we keep carrying all of them.
|
|
|
Post by zx10racer22 on Mar 10, 2024 20:51:52 GMT
At the back, I’m happy with Stevens, Lennett, Morro and Andrew, who has recovered from a dodgy start to become one of our most reliable players. I’d give Okedina and Rossi time to establish (or re-establish) themselves as genuine first team players. Dunk gets a contract, obviously.
In front of them, I’d keep Thomas, Digby and Taylor.
Everyone else can go. Including some of those under contract for next season, like May and Lankester. I’d look to ship them out. They haven’t performed, period. Or, if they’ve been decent (Fej), they’ve been too injury prone.
|
|
|
Post by peu04e on Mar 10, 2024 21:24:48 GMT
I'm not quite so optimistic that we can go out and replace a large number of players with better ones. Sounds easy, but its not like anyone had deliberately set out to sign players who wouldn't improve us ever since we've been in League One. Players that can theoretically improve us are as ever going to be in demand by other clubs who can pay more. Especially goalscorers. Knibbs and Smith would have seen us easily safe by now if we'd kept them but we couldn't because Reading will have paid them more, despite being a disaster of a club. And some people wouldn't have wanted to keep Knibbs anyway, thinking we could sign better players. Our defence hasn't been the problem all season. Not even sure why people wouldn't want to keep Rennet, although a centre back who can step into the midfield with the ball to create a bit more impetus would be good certainly. Kachunga I would definitely keep if we can and Brophy too. Andrew is solid on the whole. People are too quick to dismiss players if the team isn't setting the world alight. Clearly midfield is a major priority, but Garry Monk is going to ultimately need to create a team than is greater than the sum of it's parts, even if we sign a whole host of new players.
|
|
Mark of Carnage
Reserve team substitute
Responsibility, Resilience, Respect
Posts: 2,556
|
Post by Mark of Carnage on Mar 10, 2024 21:50:25 GMT
Is there going to be a lot of extra money this Summer in every club's coffers for the 24/25 season from the big increase in money from the new Sky TV package?
If so, how do peops think that would affect our ability to compete in an inflated market for players given that many of the more wealthy clubs in L1 and L2 will be able to use all that extra money on improving their squad while clubs that aren't quite so big will likely find areas in their budget other than player fees and wages may take up chunks of that extra money.
All this talk of improving our squad and I'm wondering to what extent it will be possible for us to compete in the market this Summer. I guess we might get a better fee for Liam Bennett in the Summer, assuming someone comes in for him, with all that Sky money sloshing around which will help.
|
|
|
Post by dada3536 on Mar 10, 2024 22:30:23 GMT
Have to say I agree with a lot of the above. The performances haven't been there and recently I don't feel like the application has been either - this time last year (and even before the results started mirroring the uptick in performances) I really felt like everyone at the club was putting their all in to get us out of the mire even if the talent wasn't always there.
Contrast the attitudes of Smith and Knibbs for example with almost anyone in the team this year bar a few who clearly do care (Morrison, L Bennet, Lankester, Stevens, possibly Andrew too).
Our current midfield is awful and should definitely be where we look to focus on this summer.
Having said all of that, we probably can't completely gut the squad given how hard it is to compete for signings at our level so I would try to keep out of the out-of contract players:
Ahadme on a permanent if possible Extend L Bennett's contract as long as he will agree to Andrew Morrison Taylor (even if the attitude was questionable yesterday, we can't afford to pass up a player of his quality) Ryan Bennet (I do think our defence is doing the job, its in front of them that is the problem but I would try and play one of him or Morrison with a new CB) maybe Kachunga if he is cheap enough (no idea what his wages are)
Unlikely that all of the above accept, Rennett and Taylor in particular feel unlikely to be here next year but worth a go imo.
Move on the following contracted players if possible: Okedina and Rossi, with the aim of blooding Jobe next year May Simper (don't think he'll ever make it)
|
|
|
Post by flouncingarburyboy on Mar 10, 2024 22:41:00 GMT
I'd gut the squad to the bone, including some contracted players, and back myself to do better in the summer. None of them are impossible to replace ability wise and none of them appear to create the same team spirit mojo that retaining the likes of Liam and Greg provided. So, I'd keep Morro with the intention of maybe phasing in someone like Jobe as the season progresses. I'd keep Lennett obviously, unless we get a decent hit on him that can go towards rebuilding the squad, and I'd keep the kids because they're going to be ace. I like Digby obviously but he's scraping against his ceiling and if we're looking to push on I don't think I'd want him as part of my regular midfield. Brophy would be a great squad player but nothing more. I've defended him for three years for what he's good at but it's such a big gap to what he's not good at that I don't think I'd be desperate to keep him (sorry JJ). I'm not fussed what we do there. I don't trust Taylor particularly. I'd be happy to move him on. Kachunga is a bit meh for me. He's had his moments but not often enough and I'm not sure I see him being better in a better team...I could see Thomas being excellent in a better team for example, gutted he's probably injured for the bulk of next season. I don't get the appeal with Mannion, he's just another average keeper. Stevens is fine but not someone I'd be desperate to keep if we got an offer for him. Same with, say, Okedina, May and Rossi. They're fine but I'm not sure fine is really enough. I think I'd be inclined to roll the dice and see if we can do better than that. We could do considerably worse of course but that's all a bit too safe for me...I want to light a match and see if anything catches fire. I'm fed up with this team. I don't like many of them and the ones I do like are average and should be easy enough to replace with similar at worst. I want them all gone tbh...I don't think that's what we'll do at all, but that's what I'd want right now. Oh, and I like Gassan so I'd try and keep him about. He feels like the age profile we should be going for. I love Dunk but he's got a shelf life like anyone else. If I was making the decision about anyone else who'd spent 6-7 months of the last two seasons injured I know what call I'd make. Andrew Difficult to disagree with any of that. Monk has inherited a squad which has been shaped by 2 previous managers. Whatever we think about Harris (I know, I know) he was pretty honest about the fact that his target recruitment was very different from Bonner's. And this is absolutely not a dig at Strang but it must be incredibly difficult when your targets change again. And then again. Yup, absolute clear out and then let Monk dictate who he wants.
|
|
|
Post by kentishu on Mar 10, 2024 23:18:50 GMT
What a lot of nonsense on this thread!
We have a decent squad on the whole, and the only players I know I would want out are Taylor, because he is a clear bad apple, and Lankester and Simper because neither are good enough at this level. Of course, Monk will release others, and rightly so, but I don't know who they should be. Let them all fight for the right to stay next season, and keep us up in the process! Even the likes of Janneh have shown they can perform this season, and anyone that Monk wants to keep because he thinks he can get them playing well consistently in the future, that's fine with me.
Far more important is to find a genuinely creative midfielder and a hungry, aggressive goalscorer, if we can do that we will be absolutely fine.
Kentish
|
|
lionel
Reserve team substitute
Posts: 2,126
|
Post by lionel on Mar 10, 2024 23:43:24 GMT
Dunk- It's a conversation for Monk and Dunk. There's an argument to keep or release. Part of me would take direction on where Harrison is. I don't get the impression that being a pro-footballer is his only pursuit so will continue when it's not there. I see it more that he will be a pro whilst he can still give positive impact.
Last season showed he was more vulnerable to injury but his form was exceptional when playing. That trend with injury has continued this season. Does he want to do another season if injury and rehab are going to be part of the process?
However, Wes came back from a huge injury and fitness was brilliant for two seasons in late 30's. The negative is that we saw the impact of age catching up with Jabo and the GK ( Can't remember his name).
Either way; Harrison will be a proper legend and something will need to be named after him.
|
|
nickpom
Reserve team regular
Posts: 3,152
Member is Online
|
Post by nickpom on Mar 11, 2024 8:10:14 GMT
What a lot of nonsense on this thread! We have a decent squad on the whole, and the only players I know I would want out are Taylor, because he is a clear bad apple, and Lankester and Simper because neither are good enough at this level. Of course, Monk will release others, and rightly so, but I don't know who they should be. Let them all fight for the right to stay next season, and keep us up in the process! Even the likes of Janneh have shown they can perform this season, and anyone that Monk wants to keep because he thinks he can get them playing well consistently in the future, that's fine with me. Far more important is to find a genuinely creative midfielder and a hungry, aggressive goalscorer, if we can do that we will be absolutely fine. Kentish Strange how we all see things differently - Lankester would be in my top two to retain... he is genuinely talented and just needs some people around him with a similar level of understanding
|
|