Thetownend.com

Somewhere to stick lists of players who we think will stay/who we think will go this summer, instead of putting it all in the Transfer Rumours thread, and keeping the idle speculation out of the Squad thread.

I think in August we'll see:
The Thompson 'twins', Ward (if he's not on too big a salary, which is unlikely), Storey, TAH (no-one will want to buy him anyway), McCormack (maybe), Luke Rooney, Bedwell.

Hopefully we'll get some decent cash from the Austin sale this summer, and, on top of that, presuming the board are cashing in their chips, we should get a good amount for Fods, we'll probably get a crap amount for Ferry (either because we let his contract run out and he moves on a free somewhere, or we sign a new contract and then let him go for peanuts), crap amount for Williams, and hopefully a decent rate for Caddis, presuming his move to Brum materialises.

I've not got my expectations set high for any real signings, or keeping Flint/Devera etc. on, but to be at all prepared for another shot at promotion next season we need to bring in a pair of decent left backs, Danny Hollands, another central midfielder for cover (and possibly a third if Kmac really wants to do 4-5-1), some decent wingers (though I think Luke Rooney once given a run of games will improve), and a clinical, quick striker. I don't expect any of these things, but I'd like 'em.

Id like to see Miller, Jmac, Navarro, Roberts go tbh. None have impressed me and I'd guess these are on higher wages.

Keep the rest with the exception of maybe De Vita or L Rooney. We need more quality out wide which will then stop Ferry being played there.

So, the seasons now over for us and now is the time the retained lists come out. Looks like the summer is going to be one consisting of a lot of change, and in all seriousness, I think change is needed. On paper we have a good squad, but heck of a lot of it consists of overpaid underperformers. A lot of our better players this season have been the younger and hungrier ones, which if built upon by MacDonald in the summer, could yield some success.

So the question is, who do we want to keep realistically and who do we want to bin?

I love the term..."the retained list" dates to the 50's/60's when the club held the contracts, and could just decide whether to retain a player at season's end or not.

These days it's the norm that once a player's contract ahs run down and not been renegotiated in the season, then they're on their way, either the club doesn't want them or their agent has sorted another club.

For this reason all our out of contract players, wil leave in the summer, with the possible exception of N Thompson, who as reported has been spoken to about re-signing along with the 5 youth lads.

I think they will take up the option on Flint and then sell him

Knowing us he will probably go to Port Vale for a small fee. He was heavily linked to them in January.

Taking the squad as it is today (including loanees) I'd keep:

Alan Mac
Flint
Devera
Ferry
Collins (unless we're offered cash)
Wes
Thompson
Luongo (if possible)
Ward
Storey

I'd bin:

Roberts
Williams
Miller
Navarro
McEveley
Byrne (unless he hits the gym and spends all pre-season using nothing but his left foot, yesterday's attempted clearance was a total embarrassment)

I'm undecided on both Rooneys.

Agree with all except Williams. He's frustrating as fuck to watch but he gives us something different up front with his pace. I still think he will come good either as a striker or as a winger

In my personal opinion, I'd keep:

Fodders
Troy
Jay Mac
Flint
Devera
McCormack
Thompson
Ward
Ferry
Lee Cox - Would fit in to a K-Mac midfield
Collins
Storey
A. Rooney

Undecided:
Navarro (Only if we play 4-5-1 and he's the anchorman)
L. Rooney


Bin:
Roberts
Miller
De Vita
Benson
Williams

Flint's a tricky one, wins everything in the air but struggles with players running at him.

We need to keep either him or Devera.. not sure on postbadbitches yet.

Mods, combine my thread with this one please.

Caddis?

I'd also agree with Lucian with the exception of Williams. I'd bin Luke Rooney if it meant keeping Benson, harsh on him as he's not had a fair crack.

I'm also not fussed on luongo. Depends if cox is any cop, whether ferry and macca stay, etc.

I'd sort of forgotten that TAH even existed. Then I remember that Godawful period at the start of the season when PDC tried to play him as a midfielder.

I missed loads out...

Cash in on Caddis
Bin Benson
Veto de Vita
Let Lee Cox do a pre-season (might be good, who the fuck knows?!)
Try Troy (when fit)

As for Williams, I've been on his side most of the year, but just lately I can't see it working out here. I have serious reservations over his mental and physical toughness, as well as his finishing. When he was blocked off yesterday and just gave up on it told a story.

I disagree with the first post that we have a good squad. We don't in my opinion. It is a collection of very average footballers created at a huge price(saint Di Canio's squad)
I couldn't give a shit who goes to be honest as none of them are anything special.

Williams reminds me of watching a lot of junior (U13 > U18) players; a bit of pace, all flair and skill but lacking in any kind of physical toughness, scared of heading the ball and not really being able to stick it in the old onion bag.

I reckon TAH will be a key player for us next season.

I'd like to see us keep:

Wes because we'd struggle to find better.
Alan Mac for his commitment to the cause. A great team player and leader on the pitch.
Ward for his experience.
Flint for his potential.
N Thompson likewise.
Storey as above.
Collins because he's about the only one of our forwards that can hold the ball up and also score a few.
Ferry because he's the best footballer we have.
Caddis if he wants to stay.

That's not a lot really.

Must Keeps

Flint
Devera
Wes
Ferry
N. Thompson
Macca

I'd like to keep

De Vita
Collins
Rooney (x2)
Caddis
Ward
Luongo

Don't care

Williams
Navarro
Storey
TAH
Benson

I'll drive them

JMac
Roberts
Miller

That's all I can think of for now

I'd keep: Fods, Ward, Flint, N Thompson, Ferry, McCormack, Collins, A Rooney, Devera, L Rooney, Caddis, Storey.

The rest can go or will be forced out (the latter applies to some of the above)

Between the ones we let go and the ones that want to go, I'm not sure how many of yesterday's starting 11 will be starting the first game of next season. Maybe 3?

I'd keep Thompson x 2, Fods, a very underrated Devera, Flint, Ward, Ferry, Macca, Benson, Collins, DeVita and the young uns. That would give us a solid base for next season.
I hope the others all go but in particular Roberts and Williams who I'd drive to their new clubs.
 

Evidence? Do you have access to his medical records?

You want evidence that I reckon he'll be a key player next season?

 :hmmm:

Must Keep:
Fods
Ward
Ferry
N. Thompson

Would Like to Keep:
Devera
Flint
McCormack
Caddis
A. Rooney

Time To Go:
Roberts, McEveley, Navarro, Miller

Everyone else I don't care much either way

Miller, Navarro, De Vita and Roberts to go. The rest to stay.

Me too.

I disagree with most of you it seems.

Roberts - the most creative player at the club and the only one with a quality delivery! has to stay
McEveley - keep very good LB, will thrive under Kmac and has more pedigree than most our team

Keep

Foderingham - Will be a miracle if we do
Thompson - can't see him staying either
Ferry - ditto
McCormack - Not as a key player but as back up.
Caddis - Not a chance of him staying
Devera - As long as he plays CB.
Flint - Needs to improve on his distribution a lot, but people seem to like him..
Ward - Crucial player
A. Rooney - Our best striker
Collins - 18 goals
McEveley - He was playing with injuries earlier in the season so we didn't see the best of him
L. Rooney - We paid money for him so unless we can recuperate some of the fee it's silly to release him.
Archibald-Henville - See above
Storey - promising
L. Thompson - promising
Cox - From what I've seen not a bad player

Not bothered either way

Williams - ajbfkdsfkjdsfjehfk
Benson - too old
Luongo - overrated
Bedwell - Never seen him play
Byrne - good at home, liability away from home. If he moves up to the wing I'd keep him.

Out

Navarro - slow, injury-prone, scouse
Miller - Should have retired last summer, his legs have gone
De Vita - Extremely average
Roberts - Not worth the money he's being paid.

Flint - Not fussed, think he's found his level
Devera - keep to play CB with Ward
Wes - he only has a year left so offer him a new deal or sell him
Ferry - Keep
N. Thompson - Keep - expecting to leave
Macca - Keep
De Vita - Let go
Collins - keep
Rooney (x2) - Let go
Caddis - Will be sold
Ward - Keep
Luongo - let go
Williams - Not sure - still under contract though
Navarro - keep
Storey - keep
TAH - keep
Benson - let go
JMac - let go
Roberts - not sure
Bedwell - let go - get some real competition
Byrne - not bothered
Miller- let go
Cox - pre season needed

As Brum have no money I would be dissapointed if we sold Caddis to them for peanuts
I also expect either Wes or Thompson (n) to be sold as well

I'd keep Foderingham, Devera, Thompson, Flint, Ward, Ferry, McCormack, Thompson, Collins.

Unsure on Williams and De Vita, both are good players and have ad some really good games but they both appear to be confidence players and it seems the previous could get the best out of them but the current can't.

Have no opinion on the likes of Storey, Rooney or Cox because they haven't played enough. Think Storey is the next Andy Caton.

Roberts, Navarro, Miller, McEvely can definitely go.

So you do have an opinion on Storey then?!

If he stays Miles will score goals IMO.

They may not have cash, but they may have other players that they want to give us in a swap.

Doubt Roberts is going anywhere unless its as a wage dump, KMac clearly likes him given that he is tasked with being our main creative force, not always successfully mind.

Ferry, Flint and Alaaaan Mc stayed on the pitch longer than everyone else, which says they are off I think.

Flint we should get a fee for though, if this means signing up Joe Dev for another year and, hopefully, Troy coming good, then he won't be a huge loss

Wes, would be a much greater loss, and, as such, we need to hold out for a much bigger fee, he's worth seven figures I think. We'll probably sell for a lot less

On this, getting a decent fee for Caddis should be a priority, if Brum can't afford it then hopefully another Champ club will come in for him

We need to get out decent young uns under contract quick smart, Nate dog in particular, but I'd give Miles another year.

I suspect we may well have the same forward line next year, Rooney has already done a deal according to Brum paper, can't see anyone taking Williams off our hands, personally I'd convert him back to a winger.
Collins, is the only one we could probably get a fee for, and I'd hope we wouldn't be looking to cash in, at this level he's an asset.

As for midfield, we'll see back of Alan, Miller and  Ferry (I'll weep), we are stuck with Roberts & Navaro I suspect.

I'd like to get Lunungo on a year loan if we can, think with a pre season under his belt, he could fly. We could end up playing him in middle with Alan Nav as holding mid. I'd like to keep Rafa, he can't be on much, but whatever, we need new wide men.

In defence, wouldn't be disappointed to see us start season with Nathan, Ward, Troy/Joe D, Byrne combo. Just hope Byrne can learn to use his left a bit more if we really are signing him. If we can't afford to renew Nathan and Joe D, we are in a load of trouble.

So, August 13, first game of the season looks like this.

                  Wes/ A N OTHER (Bedwell isn't ready)
            Ward (C)      Troy
Thompson N                        Byrne

            Navaro
                  Lunungo
Williams                           Roberts
         Rooney A    Collins

Subs.
Bedwell
Joe D
Thompson L
Storey
Rooney L
SOME LOANEE GEM KMAC HAS UNEARTHED, IDEALLY A CENTRE MID


It's not a  terrible side, it probably won't win the league, but it shouldn't struggle at bottom either.

There is no way in hell we should be going into next season with Byrne as our left back of choice...

Disaster.

In fact I don't think we should be signing him full stop.

Judging by his tweets, I don't think he is joining.

There is no way in hell we should be going into next season with someone who cant use his left foot as our left back of choice...

I'd pretty much agree with that although I'd fuck most of your 'don't cares' off as well.

Perhaps K Mac can do the honours and drive the minibus away with the rest of the useless cunts.

:D

I would add Ward and Collins to the must keep list, Macca , L. Rooney and Luongo to the dont care and Navarro and De Vita to the I'll drive them

I want to marry DMR.

I agree with this except I would add Storey to the Would Like to Keep category.

I think people are a bit harsh on Roberts. He's probably our most created player this season.

I wish you'd fuck off you monotonous prick.

He's also our highest earner, for the money he's on he should be having a Ritchie style effect. Otherwise why not let him go and bring in a better player on half the wages. Maybe even lower than that...

Roberts clearly gave away the goal on 46 minutes but at least didn't hide after that. He always wanted the ball and worked hard. And had the balls to take a pressure penalty.

I know he gets stick and has been very disappointing this season, but i'm sure there is a decent league 1 player in there*





*See also Williams, A

I just don't think we should piss away money trying to find out.

As he has another year on his contract, do you think we should pay it up & let him leave?

I don't know, how much is it?

On the basis that he's on at least 10k a week that year would be worth just over 1/2 million. ;)

Yeah, loose change for Jed.

Seriously, I think a loan could be an option if he plays like he did this year again. I bet there's a few decent wing players knocking about on a fraction.

People are blind when it comes to Roberts quality. Best deliverer of a ball at the club. 2 assists yesterday for example.

The guy would be in pretty much any league one squad and he needs to be kept in ours.

Also our only source of creativity in the first leg. Guess it's his apparant wages that are the issue.

Has McEveley really been that bad this season?! I play Saturday league football nowadays, so don't make many games, but he was very good last season, albeit in a lower league.

And herthab, I agree. He's a boring cunt

This

Agree with that.

I would expect that most of the players who aren't out of contract would be on the type of wages that other clubs at our level would struggle to pay, yet aren't good enough for the championship.
So, I think, regardless of whether we would like to see them stay or go, we'll still have TAH, Navarro, Roberts, L Rooney, Benson, Williams, McEveley and Ward.
Wes and Collins are likely to attract fees so I wouldn't be surprised to see them leave; in fact expecting it with Wes.

I'd like to keep Devera, Ferry, McCormack, Thompson and Flint but wouldn't be surprised to find we can't  / won't afford any of them.

Good, so it will be easy to shift the useless cunt then.

Not quite 10k but not miles off...

People are forgetful how long it took him to have a few decent games.

He's looked better since Ritchie left, however IIRC even Di Canio called him expensive!

I would keep (would like to try and keep):

Wes
Flint
Thompson
Ward
Ferry
Collins
Benson
L. Thompson
Williams (good player in there somewhere)
Storey
Bedwell

Not fussed/would allow to leave (f it didn't cost us):

L Rooney
A Rooney
TAH
Rafa
Byrne (not sure if he's signed?)

Would let go/allow to leave:

Miller
Navarro
Jmac
Roberts (wages)
Caddis (to generate some £'s)

Add the 5 youths who have just signed pro deals to the keep lot and you've got 16. Add 3 or 4 loans/free's and I wouldn't be too despondent with that.

I like him when he performs. I think he'll be here next season, I think people are over-estimating how easy it is to 'get rid' of players.

It's really quite a straightforward situation...all out of contract players will leave bar N Thompson. All in contact players will stay unless we receive a suitable offer, then they will be sold. Players going will be replaced youth team players.  That should keep us under the wage cap and also allow for the wages to be paid.

I can see us keeping L.Thompson/Miles as well as Nathan, they certainly wont be a bank breakers. We have options on Flint and Ferry so we would be stupid to not activate those and then sell if we have to. I think we could pick up a little bit of cash for both Ferry and Flint.

Realistically there will be a large turnover of players, I just hope it is done in a methodical way and not just a rushed shedding of players to ease the budget.

Letting Flint and Ferry leave on a free would be a ridiculous decision imo. Both still reasonably young and been important for us this season.

When you get in a mess, ridiculous decisions happen.

So you really think Jed and the boys are that skint?

Seen or heard nothing so far to make me think otherwise.

Surely the point is we have to live within our means.

If Black was funding us to the tune of £1m a season (don't know if this is the right number but seems about right), we would need to cut our overall costs by that amount, or sell players to generate part of that amount.

On the basis that we can probably save over 250k not paying extortionate agents fees, a little squad trimming & no transfer fees out I don't see why the whole squad needs to be sold.

I guess one problem may be keeping the better players in the knowledge that we are unlikely to be a team challenging for promotion.

You're assuming that with a bit of trimming, the level of performance can be maintained...the last few seasons, even 09/10 had its moments, have been decent in generating income from TV, the odd cup run, good league performances and a positive buzz around the place.  It is possible, to keep that going, but perhaps more likely we'll start to see a drift away of crowds etc. Maybe a coincidence that the Brentford home crowd was down on previous PO 1st legs, but perhaps indicative of a feeling that things aren't great behind the scene.

The problem is the contracted players are probably the highest earners. We all know what footballers are like, they rarely take wage cuts.


And Paolo Di Canio's wages. Also, agents fees were £450k in our league 2 season from what I've read.

But given the fact none of us even know what the turnover was last year, it's all supposition.

I think some people are being a tad dramatic about the potential cuts.

Case in point: Paul Caddis. Birmingham offered us some money for him yet we refused the offer. We can't be that eager to get him off the payroll.

The sale of Ritchie, bought a bit of time. We know he had to go to see the wage bill paid for a couple of months to the end of the season. Then the season ticket money should help through the summer, so it's not an emergency, better to wait and see what the market throws up

So why not trigger Ferry's extension to see what the market throws up for him?

:contract: who knows?

It's a fair point about the cup ties and trying to retain the crowd levels as they will certainly drop if we are not successful. However, as someone else said we have also lost a fair chunk of wages on coaching staff in replacing PDC & his crew with Kevin Mac & Cooper.

Ultimately the future for us (unless we get another chairman that is happy to piss away millions), is to get young players in, make them better & sell them at a profit.

It's what most lower league teams do year after year, and regardless of what some of us might think it is our natural level.

IF we HAVE to get him off the wage bill we can't afford to, just in case.

IF.

But he's surely good enough to get other offers isn't he. Franchise and the like worst case.

And if we HAVE to get Caddis off the wage bill can we afford to refuse any offers? Just in case.

Guess we'll see.

Oooooh I just hope the retained list is published sooner rather than later.

Let's remember also that Marlon Pack's deal was with a view to signing him permanently for 100k. There was intent there to pay money for a player.

It's clear that cuts will be made but some people are getting a bit carried away with it all. We are one of the largest clubs in the 3rd tier so even when breaking even we can still be competitive.

Hahaha. A lot of those who wanted us to live within our means are the same ones moaning about budget cuts and player sales! I wonder if the irony is lost on them?

I suspect it is Herthab. I think we just have to accept that some people have to have something to whine and moan about. I lapped up the good times - you have to in football, let alone when you follow Swindon.

I want a happy medium, someone who can cover "small"(ish) losses year on year with the odd break even->profit from player sales.

HTH :)

To be honest, true break even fills me with dread. Not even the Diamandis-Wills dream team managed that.

A break even wage bill, worst case, is likely to be around £3.0m. About £2.6k per player-per week average for a 22 man squad.

Supplement with some loan signings and bringing through a couple of promising youngsters. I don't see why it couldn't keep us in the top 10 of league 1. If the manager was good we could push for promotion, the standard of league 1 wasn't that good this year.

You do wonder why we couldn't have sold Caddis ahead of Ritchie. I guess the answer is probably up front payments, but what might have been...

Assist stats for the season. Ritchie got a whole 2 more than Roberts.

http://espnfc.com/stats/assists/_/league/eng.3/english-league-one?cc=5739#

Interesting to see Simon Ferry on there too. The Simon Ferry we released.

The difference (I guess) between the two is that Ritchie gets more goals.

I actually think Roberts will become more valuable next season. There is definitely a good player somewhere.

I would let Flint and Macca go

That would leave us with only Ward and that young kid that's come through the ranks.

Would have to go out and sign another centre back.

Just the 12 goals mind, almost all of which were pre-Jan

And Troy,but yeah would still get rid of them.Need some pace at the back.Both have been a liability for large chunks this season imo

Which makes getting rid of Devera all the more frustrating.

The problem is these players we offered stupid money when they signed and expect stupid money now.

Flint, although inconsistent at the start, improved drastically throughout the season, a lot of which imo is down to playing alongside an experienced old-head in Ward. I think with the right tutelage he has a lot of potential. Macca probably did get found out at CB but is comfortably a L1 standard CM & as has been mentioned previously his versatility has definitely worked in his favour wrt being offered a new deal. If Ferry had been able to play anywhere else other than CM then I think we could well have gambled on him in all honesty!!

I certainly wouldn't let them go. But if we can't afford them we can't afford them.

Who can we afford to keep though

or can we find mugs to take some of our overpaid shit off our hands.