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Post by mike_CUFC on Apr 2, 2024 12:17:28 GMT
If we survive this year, it'll be the longest we've spent in this division continuously, won't it? I think joint longest but yes we have typically used this League as a skipping stone (missing as much as landing it has to be said). Also saw the old BST v GST on a few tweets yesterday and it could be said yet again we play better during BST, I'd argue that injuries during the GST affected us more than a one hour time change mind!
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danielcufc
First team star
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Favourite CUFC player: Dion Dublin
Favourite CUFC match: Peterborough 1, Cambridge 5 London Road 3.1.1989
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Post by danielcufc on Apr 2, 2024 12:25:57 GMT
If we survive this year, it'll be the longest we've spent in this division continuously, won't it? I think joint longest but yes we have typically used this League as a skipping stone (missing as much as landing it has to be said). Also saw the old BST v GST on a few tweets yesterday and it could be said yet again we play better during BST, I'd argue that injuries during the GST affected us more than a one hour time change mind! It will be the longest next year if/when we stay up Mike. We did 3 seasons in the early 2000's under Roy Mac & Beck.
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Post by El Goodo on Apr 2, 2024 12:30:57 GMT
Hoping the injury will have kept him off people's radars but he may well be putting himself out there with recent performances. I did notice after his goal yesterday he grabbed the badge very enthusiastically and gave it an almighty kiss, and yes I know a lot of players do that and then sod off a few months later but there was something in it that made me think we have a decent chance of keeping him. I think he likes it here & has clearly felt valued by all 3 managers (Bonner made it very clear that he was our #1 forward priority in the summer). Location probably helps too, given I'd imagine he's been based in East Anglia almost if not the whole time he's lived in the UK. He's at the age where he'll want to be a first choice somewhere & also be able to settle at a club & properly develop, so I'd say we've got a decent chance. Larger stumbling block I'd imagine would be the financial aspect from Ipswich's side. Goalscorers cost money & they'd be looking to recoup at least some of what they paid for him. Hopeful something benefitting all parties could be worked out though. There's certainly no chance they'll want him in their squad next season, whether they're in the Prem or not.
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Post by robinredder on Apr 2, 2024 12:32:49 GMT
I may have missed it (sorry if I did) but I did expect a Samuel Beckett reference somewhere. Have we let our standards drop? Ahadme, you bloody star. From when he came on halfway through the match at Barnsley we’ve gone up a gear. I refer you to my earlier post, m’lud. Page 6ish. Waiting was involved. If he’d scored twice, I was ready with another.
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Post by Andrewlang on Apr 2, 2024 12:34:27 GMT
"I did notice after his goal yesterday he grabbed the badge very enthusiastically and gave it an almighty kiss, and yes I know a lot of players do that and then sod off a few months later but there was something in it that made me think we have a decent chance of keeping him"
Yeah, I noticed that. He does apparently love it here but that was when Bonbon was here...I can't imagine anything much has changed since, mind. He's obviously not too bothered about travelling around given that he was born in Spain - but - he's spent most of his time in England as an East Anglia boy so maybe that swings in our favour?
Ah, who knows. Just stay up please, United. We can worry about how many points we're winning the title by in June.
Edit - beaten to it.
Andrew
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danielcufc
First team star
Posts: 8,334
Favourite CUFC player: Dion Dublin
Favourite CUFC match: Peterborough 1, Cambridge 5 London Road 3.1.1989
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Post by danielcufc on Apr 2, 2024 12:35:25 GMT
Can only guess the promotion quote was very much tongue in cheek. No reason why we cannot improve year on year and eventually aim for that, but stability has to be the short term aim. We do need a major review of all aspects of the club at the end of the season though. Monk may well want to bring in his own fitness coach, Goalie coach etc. Injuries have disrupted us yet again this season, can we do anything to lessen them or speed up the recovery. This season has mirrored last season in too many ways, which means certain lessons haven’t been learnt. As others have recently said, recruitment is one area that must be addressed, that’s in terms of the players we sign, Age, recent injury history and current playing level, future sell on value. I’d like to see us take a risk on one or two potential Gems from a lower league, back Monk to get the best out of them and create a really good mixture of youth and experience. Jobe and Liam Bennett look like real prospects, if we can add the right players in the right positions and with the right profile then there is no reason we can’t have a comfortable season and then with natural player progression we can steadily enhance our ambitions. Right now the sole ambition is the here and now, stay up and then let’s have a new start. Agree with all you have said Dan, and particularly about us doing the major review off the pitch. Monk should be allowed to make changes to the backroom staff if he so wishes. I've mentioned before about fitness levels and the amount of injuries we suffer in training. Maybe this is because of a smaller squad or carrying permanently injured players like Haunstraup & Fejiri in the last 2 years. Think we must get smarter in our recruitment and try to add one or 2 quality loan players if we can. I mean more of the Gassan, Mcgrandles, Cundy ilk than JK Gordon. I believe as well that there needs to be some tough decisons made about the squad players over the summer as well. Can we can carry Okedina & Rossi again who have hardly featured under 3 head coaches particuarly with the emergence of Jobe? What about Adam May who the same applies to? Have some maybe got to allowed to leave if we can move them on?
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Post by Andrewlang on Apr 2, 2024 12:41:27 GMT
"I believe as well that there needs to be some tough decisons made about the squad players over the summer as well. Can we can carry Okedina & Rossi again who have hardly featured under 3 head coaches particuarly with the emergence of Jobe? What about Adam May who the same applies to? Have some maybe got to allowed to leave if we can move them on?"
Yeah, I don't think much has changed since three weeks ago for me. A couple of good results doesn't change my view that most of this squad needs to be released or made available for transfer.
Sounds negative after the last two games but I think keeping this squad guarantees a season of struggle again. Rebuilding might mean the same, but at least it there's a chance it doesn't.
Andrew
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Post by El Goodo on Apr 2, 2024 12:42:32 GMT
I think there'll, rightly, be a lot of personnel change in the summer. We are a bit unfortunate in that the area of the pitch where we're probably weakest (midfield) is also the area where we have the most contracted players. Cousins is the only one whose deal is up in the summer & obviously Thomas is now out until some time in 2025.
Even if we did decide we want to move on the likes of Digby, May, Lankester & Simper, they're under contract so we'd need to be either take a hit in terms of investment by letting them leave on frees (assuming there are clubs that would want to sign them) or, under extreme circumstances, pay up their deal or come to a mutual arrangement. Same is true of the likes of Okedina and Rossi – both of whom we've invested in in order to try to do the thing everyone wants us to of developing assets. We paid fees for both of them & gave them longer-than-average contracts. How wise would it be to write that off at this point?
Tough one really. A lot also depends on how Monk plans for us to line up. You're OK with 4 first-team CBs if you're playing 4 at the back (supplemented either by youth options or some versatility from elsewhere to cover multiple injuries), but you need a group of 5 if you want to line up with 3.
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imp566
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Posts: 16,066
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Post by imp566 on Apr 2, 2024 13:10:17 GMT
I think there'll, rightly, be a lot of personnel change in the summer. We are a bit unfortunate in that the area of the pitch where we're probably weakest (midfield) is also the area where we have the most contracted players. Cousins is the only one whose deal is up in the summer & obviously Thomas is now out until some time in 2025. Even if we did decide we want to move on the likes of Digby, May, Lankester & Simper, they're under contract so we'd need to be either take a hit in terms of investment by letting them leave on frees (assuming there are clubs that would want to sign them) or, under extreme circumstances, pay up their deal or come to a mutual arrangement. Same is true of the likes of Okedina and Rossi – both of whom we've invested in in order to try to do the thing everyone wants us to of developing assets. We paid fees for both of them & gave them longer-than-average contracts. How wise would it be to write that off at this point? Tough one really. A lot also depends on how Monk plans for us to line up. You're OK with 4 first-team CBs if you're playing 4 at the back (supplemented either by youth options or some versatility from elsewhere to cover multiple injuries), but you need a group of 5 if you want to line up with 3. Why do you assume they would all go on free transfers? If they are in contract, if a team wants them, they will have to come to an agreement with us for their transfer. If he can get money for a player like Azeez, then I trust Ben Strang to get the best deal from any of those transfers. Not convinced we will lose all of them anyway; Digby and Lankester I think will still be here next season. May and Simper could well attract a bid from League 2 teams.
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Post by El Goodo on Apr 2, 2024 13:11:57 GMT
I mean in a worst-case scenario of really wanting them gone, hence "even if...".
Also I think all of them will be here next season.
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danboyb
Youth team substitute
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Post by danboyb on Apr 2, 2024 13:23:28 GMT
It really is a tough one cos I actually like and rate a few of the players I’d release. As Daniel said, can we really carry the likes of Okedina, Rossi, May etc for another season. I would only keep one of Okedina/Rossi. Jobe has jumped ahead of both of them and he looks a better prospect than both. Jibs and Rossi were clearly rated by Bonner/Strang and contract length proves that. But early signs are that Monk doesn’t particularly rate either of them and neither did Harris before him. Rossi would prob be the one he keeps, with Okedina being made available.
I can see a mutual termination of Simpers contract. Hoddle is highly rated and probably ahead of Simper already. I feel for Lewis but it’s an area we must strengthen, so probably best for everyone that he moves on (if we go down that changes) I think May would interest quite a few League 2 sides, I’d be looking to get him out till Jan and then see how he’s done. He needs a consistent run of games, I can’t see him getting that here.
On those we release, I’ve always wanted Brophy to stay and that hasn’t changed. I think he’s showing signs of improvement under Monk and he’s the type of player that every squad needs. I was 50/50 regarding KaiKai, but I’m now in the keep him camp. He often frustrates, but you can’t fault his assist/goals tally this season. Was also very impressed with his overall work rate yesterday. I think we’d struggle to get better. Kachunga is the only other one that I’m 50/50 on. He’s had a good habit of being in the right place at the right time, but hasn’t been as consistent as I’d like.
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cufcwill
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Post by cufcwill on Apr 2, 2024 13:35:12 GMT
It really is a tough one cos I actually like and rate a few of the players I’d release. As Daniel said, can we really carry the likes of Okedina, Rossi, May etc for another season. I would only keep one of Okedina/Rossi. Jobe has jumped ahead of both of them and he looks a better prospect than both. Jibs and Rossi were clearly rated by Bonner/Strang and contract length proves that. But early signs are that Monk doesn’t particularly rate either of them and neither did Harris before him. Rossi would prob be the one he keeps, with Okedina being made available. I can see a mutual termination of Simpers contract. Hoddle is highly rated and probably ahead of Simper already. I feel for Lewis but it’s an area we must strengthen, so probably best for everyone that he moves on (if we go down that changes) I think May would interest quite a few League 2 sides, I’d be looking to get him out till Jan and then see how he’s done. He needs a consistent run of games, I can’t see him getting that here. On those we release, I’ve always wanted Brophy to stay and that hasn’t changed. I think he’s showing signs of improvement under Monk and he’s the type of player that every squad needs. I was 50/50 regarding KaiKai, but I’m now in the keep him camp. He often frustrates, but you can’t fault his assist/goals tally this season. Was also very impressed with his overall work rate yesterday. I think we’d struggle to get better. Kachunga is the only other one that I’m 50/50 on. He’s had a good habit of being in the right place at the right time, but hasn’t been as consistent as I’d like. Agreed about Rossi and Okedina, think finding interest in them shouldn't be hard, Okedina especially I can see quite a few L2 sides being interested in. I think all 3 of Brophy, Kaikai and Kachunga have qualities to offer for us, as does Lankester who has a year longer, but none are good enough to be consistent starters imo but would all be good squad options, so focusing on getting some more competition in those areas is something I think we should look to do.
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Post by El Goodo on Apr 2, 2024 13:49:24 GMT
It does feel like it's probably the end of the road with us for one of Rossedina, and I agree it feels more likely that it's Jubril. Then again, he's a young player with room still to improve – no reason why he can't be one of the pool next season that could very likely consist of him, Morrison, Jobe & Ibsen Rossi.
These conversations are always complicated further by the financial aspect – they're very rarely purely footballing decisions. Kaikai's allegedly our highest-paid player & I think, if that's true, it changes the complexion of the decision around him quite significantly. Likewise, Kachunga's apparently in that top bracket too.
Under most circumstances I'd absolutely want Kaikai as part of our squad next season. But in the circumstance of him being our highest-paid player, I'm not so sure.
Ultimately I don't think there's a single player out of contract this summer that I couldn't understand an argument for releasing, and the same goes for most of the contracted players too.
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malotru
Youth team star
Posts: 1,389
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Post by malotru on Apr 2, 2024 14:31:10 GMT
Jobe looks a real prospect and will be a real contender for a 1st choice CB. Then we will need a wise old head to play alongside him. If we stay up then I wonder if Monk offers deals to Rennet or Morrison. I still rate Rennet and overall he’s been a good signing even wi t several high profile errors. He was a Bonner signing which may have been the reason he’s prepared to travel a long way from his home to train and play for us but I get the impression that Monk (and the previous manager) that he was their reliable pro’s pro in the pitch and they trusted him due to his career in the Prem and Championship. He probably won’t stay unless offered enough to think about relocating down here but I would be pleased if he signed on again. Could see Mansfield signing him if they go up and we release him.
Will be interesting to see when Morrison returns from injury with Jobe doing so well. Would be happy to see him sign on again but I don’t think we will offer contracts to both MM and RB.
Just another 6 points please and then I can really deep dive into who I would like to stay and who can do one.
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imp566
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Post by imp566 on Apr 2, 2024 14:48:12 GMT
Jobe looks a real prospect and will be a real contender for a 1st choice CB. Then we will need a wise old head to play alongside him. If we stay up then I wonder if Monk offers deals to Rennet or Morrison. I still rate Rennet and overall he’s been a good signing even wi t several high profile errors. He was a Bonner signing which may have been the reason he’s prepared to travel a long way from his home to train and play for us but I get the impression that Monk (and the previous manager) that he was their reliable pro’s pro in the pitch and they trusted him due to his career in the Prem and Championship. He probably won’t stay unless offered enough to think about relocating down here but I would be pleased if he signed on again. Could see Mansfield signing him if they go up and we release him. Will be interesting to see when Morrison returns from injury with Jobe doing so well. Would be happy to see him sign on again but I don’t think we will offer contracts to both MM and RB. Just another 6 points please and then I can really deep dive into who I would like to stay and who can do one. Morro will come back in when he is fit, have no fear about that, it's just that with Jobe making such an excellent start, there is no need to rush him back. I can see Andrew moving to LWB allowing Morro to slot back in a LCB (of 3), especially in the away matches. It could be that we see 3 CBs in all matches for the remainder of the season though.
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