Thetownend.com

Swindon Town set to trim their squad
           
           

  AFTER the flurry of arrivals at the County Ground last week, Swindon Town are expected to start shedding players over the course of the next seven days
  with two first-team regulars from last term set to leave the club before the team jets off to Italy on Sunday.

           

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/news/headlines/9779422.Swindon_Town_set_to_trim_their_squad/?ref=rss
           
           
           

60 games is quite a lot... Let the guessing commence!

Connell and Smith

Why can't the adver just name them?

Ritchie and Caddis.

2.1m for the pair.

We have to pay the wages somehow

Sounds about right given recent arrivals and the leagues the clubs they have allegedly been offered new deals with are in.

I would guess it's Connell and Risser.

I'm going for Jonathan Smith and Oliver Risser.

Maybe Risser and Smith? Can't help but think its Connell and smith. Despite Connell being our top goal scorer that never seemed quite enough for DiCanio. Whoever it is I will wish them well.

Connell and Smith do seem to be the most likely.

Why Connell? We have Collins, Williams and Benson. Surely Connell is 4th choice and PDC wants 4 or 5 strikers? Bodin will be off, and Kerrouche/Magera aren't wanted.

Most likely to be a winger or midfielder i think. Smith is younger and has more of a future than Risser, so for my money Risser should be 1. Then De Vita probably, as he isn't going to play wide ahead of Roberts, Ritchie and Ronney.

Gotta be Connell and Smith IMO.

Risser is has a great muscular physique, is a good trainer and is very fit and Paolo likes his ability to play in more than one position, even if he is not the greatest player.

Also I know that Creepy and Boremuff are after Connell so cash in while he has a value.

I agree about DeVita, would be very surprised if Risser was on his way - who would certain people pick on then!!!

I think Di Canio is far from done in the transfer market and we will sign at least one more striker so would be no surprise if Connell moves on. I'm not sure he would make the step up anyway.

Only 2.....!

Connell and Smith immediately spring to mind. I wouldn't be too disappointed to see Connell leave but I rate Smith- even as a squad player, could step in and do a job.

Preston fans seem to think they may make an offer for Smith who is "allegedly" available for £50k.

http://www.pne-online.net/forum/showthread.php?73636-Jonathan-Smith

Before the end of the week and the Italy trip.  More to go on their return I would think

Whilst I believe his chances will be more limited I do hope Connell survived this squad trimming. I suppose magera could be included in the speculation as he made numerous appearances whilst on loan and here. I would prefer it to be magera and smith but as someone suggested Connell has allegedly attracted inteterest and would command a decent fee. If he is going to be fourth choice then cash in.

think connell kerrouche and magera will be moved on as now with benson williams and collins not forgetting miles storey we have enough strikers smith risser and cox should be moved on as well can see gk and defender coming in by end of the week then pretty much squad sorted and best squad we have ever had and manager happy days as a town fan!
 :clap:

That was my thought too.

Clarky, has nobody ever introduced you to our good friends, the comma and the full stop?

A mid-table team like Preston would be a decent move for him.

I think getting rid of Smith and Connell would be stupid, there I said it...

...but in Paolo we trust and all that...

Devita & Connell I reckon

Would like Smith to stay for another year although being linked to Preston (near his roots) could happen

Umm, noone has thought it could be Joe Devera

Paolo must bloody love Risser!

Until now!

It could be Kerrouche + Connell/Risser/De Vita/Smith

Or they will just be paid off and have their contracts cancelled.

It wont be Risser as if the club thought he was going to be moved on he wouldn't have been the chosen model for the Away shirt, the club shop is plastered with Risser!

Simon Ferry

Could be a few of them really, why anyone would shift Cox before he's even had a chance to prove himself is pretty stupid. What makes it even more funny is half the fans want him to go even though hes only made a handful of appearances.

Kerrouche has gone - pity he fell out with PDC.

I thought he was injured aswell

Has he not been injured then? I thought he was aswell but a few comments on here seem to think he wasnt injured.

No idea

Yeah I heard he was injured as well as out of favour, looks like nobody seems to know for sure.

There is no benefit in keeping Risser, he has to go. I'd keep Smith, he did quite well and has time to improve.

Didnt Gordon Greer model the kit a month before we sold him?

I dont think it will be Alan Connell going, seen as he was back in Swindon today doing some light training.

milan misun

I'd like to think (in fact, I'd stake my life on it) that the commercial nous at the club can see that the advantage of saving a chunk of cash on an under-utilised asset outweighs the undoubted embarassment of having some spare posters knocking about.....

This.  Smith is still reasonably young as well as a far better player than Risser.


And last season it was Cuthbert just before he went.

Mt money is on Matt Ritchie, the curse of the TEF sponsorship means it must be.

Think Smith is going to Exeter

surprised it's only 2 myself.

Perhaps a swap for Troy Archibald-Henville then

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11719/7842227/

The article did say 2 before the end of the week/italy trip.  Still think there will be more after PDC has had a chance to see them back in action.  Magera/Cox/Lanzano etc.

Im still amiss as to why everyone reckons Lee Cox?

It's called guessing.

I seem to remember PDC mentioned in a radio interview (in early spring?) that he hadn't been playing well. He then disappeared from the 1st team, either through lack of form or an injury. I can understand why he's one of the contenders, however I'd personally like to see him given more time to prove he's worthy of a place.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/swindontown/news/9729736.Cox_vows_to_fight_for_shirt/?ref=rss

This was from May, he wasn't injured just dropped.

I don't, just said he might be one of the ones that he want to have a look at, especially if he had a bad injury that kept him out for a while.

He had 4 months to prove it in training everyday and obviously didn't

Mate of mine whos an Oldham fan says they've been linked with Jonathan Smith

just noticed on the sky sports site that skybet have Bournmuff as 3rd favourites now ahead of us

BBC radio say's.........Connell, Smith and Cox can go.

Little surprise.

Someone tweeted that they'd sell their ST if Connell left...

Harsh on all 3 for various reasons.

Smith is better than Risser. Connell scored important goals despite benig hauled off for PDC for not scoring with his first shot. And I'd love to know WTF happened with Cox and why we signed him in the first place, he was only here for 2 minutes.

I will say with recent additions they could all end up ending up frozen out so best for all concerned I suppose.

Being transfer listed later today - await the backlash from the Connell lovers and even worse from the Risser haters when the realisation kicks in that their favourites are going/staying!!

I think you may be surprised. Fiercely criticised PDCs treatment of Connell last season but I'm not convinced he is of  league 1 quality and think he need to move on anyway as PDC doesn't rate him. Think Smith is better than Risser, no more no less.

 But Cox, he was instrumental. Fuck you  PDC ;)

Yay Risser is staying, i wonder if i can get another shirt off him.

I thought devera mightve been one of them to be honest.

Can see why people are annoyed that we'd keep Risser over Smith but Risser is more versatile and plays a slightly different role, whereas Smith is very similar to Navarro by many accounts. Besides, we don't know the ins and outs of their contract: Risser may be half the price, or it may as simple that we need rid of one of them and feel that Smith is the more saleable asset.

Would be a shame to see Smith and Connell go because they gave it their all last year, but from a footballing point of view I'm not sure either is a huge miss.

It does seem harsh, but players don't show loyalty these days so why should the club?

i don't think connell would score enough at league 1, he missed a hell of lot of chances in league 2..

I hope pdc has told them this time!

Brilliant

Yeah, he pinned a little note to the horse's heads he left in their beds.

Not sure Connell would cut the mustard in L1, and have no opinion on Cox... but I'd keep Smith as a young (and probably cheap) backup. It's a shame he's going.

Likewise. I'd agree that he may develop and get better. Connell is a likeable bloke and seems to come across quite well, but as Sam says you can't be sentimental in football. Cox is a strange one, not sure why he's listed as you stated he hasn't really been seen much. Surely signing Cox is a lesson to PDC to thoroughly scout his players first before signing them.

That said, there is no way on earth Risser is L1 quality either (he looked out of his depth in L2...), so it is strange that he is retained ahead of Smith.

Risser's a square peg for a square hole. He also improved toward the end of the season, did he not even pick up a MOM or two?

Cox has been/is injured. Maybe he's just a bit injury prone and isn't worth the risk.

He hasn't been injured.Best way to say it is he is simply a cunt

Cox to newco Rangers

Care to elaborate?

Not much to work out really. horrible little cunt

You really don't like him do you?

I wonder how Magera fits into all this, probably being released also but if he goes we only have 3 main strikers?

Didn't PDC say at some stage last season that he would be coming back with a clean slate?  Guess if he is back and doesn't shape up in pre-season then he will be shipped out sharpish.

Was it one of those smokescreens for rehab?

I guess Smith has some sale value, Risser has none (as he is awful!) Neither are going to play so money for Smith then release Risser later on

tans only asked, no need to have a go at him like that :)

I don't know why everyone is so anti risser? he started off a bit slow but as the season went on I felt he improved. He made mistakes and gave away the ball at times. He even scored an own at Wembley. He does his job well and does the things that go un-noticed. He's also chipped in with a few good goals as well. I hope he makes the step up into league 1.

He won't. I know a few on here have said what a nice bloke he is etc, and you've got to respect him for that, but I just don't think he'll be good enough in League One. He looked poor last season (minus a few games!).

I thought he was good towards the end of the season and, as is typical of foreigners coming to play in England, I believe in this, his second season, we will see a vast improvement and show us just why Paolo rates him. (Assuming fans give him the chance - although I think his card is already marked.)

Risser is one of the worst players we've ever had. That is all. I've got nothing against the guy but he is horrifically out of his depth.

It's the same old story Barry, one or two turn against somebody and it soon becomes a deluge.  Risser goes about his job - which was to provide the muscle in midfield - in a quiet sort of way, goes unnoticed until he makes a mistake (and his passing sometimes let him down) and then the anti-Rissers start firing up.  He provided more muscle in midfield than Ferry, Cox and Smith if they combined!!  I actually had to change my seat because I used to sit next to a guy who was so anti Billy Painter it was untrue, if I hadn't moved I am sure I would have slapped him!!  Billy came good and so will Risser I believe.

Those who said Risser improved towards the end of the season, did you go to Gillingham away? His performance was embarrassing and he was taken off immediately after costing us their second goal. He may be a nice guy, but he is a very limited footballer who will be shown up badly if he plays in League 1. I can only assume he will be on his way out later in the summer.

Did we pay a fee for Cox? I'm sure I remember reading he cost 70k...looked good on his debut against Crawley but not sure what happened after that. No surprise that Smith and Connell are off as neither would play on a regular basis, they will get new clubs easy enough.

If he wasn't Namibian I don't think he would have made it as a professional footballer. The novelty of being Namibian and playing for their national side has undoubtedly helped him greatly. After all he can put on his CV that he's an international footballer, however bad they may be.

Yeah. That's why he played a hefty role in a team that won the league last year and is being kept on by our manager.

You're young so i'll let you off the "ever had" comment. Yes i did go to Gillingham away Chris. Was he any worse than anyone else that day?

To say Risser is one of the worst players we've ever had is a tad unfair, we've had Dossevi, Pericard, Thrope, Cureton, Comazzi and Lanzano to name a few. He is in no way as bad as those

I would say so, as he cost us a goal and regularly passed to the opposition but in fairness there were a few garbage performances (thank fuck we won't see Murray in a red shirt again).

So if that is the case why does PDC misjudge him so badly then?  As we all know PDC does not suffer fools easily and if he was as bad as some on here make out would have been shown the door a long time ago.  "In PDC we trust!"

BBC tweet that Magera is close to leaving the club.

I think we can all find a game where someone's had a bad day (apart from Lord's Caddis and Fez who are without fault), but using one game to fit an agenda is silly.

He never really joined though, did he.   ;)

Genuinely sorry to hear that Connell has been listed.  I liked him right from the start.  Attitude has been spot on and, with the right support, I could see him doing well for someone next season.  And probably against us.

Transfer listing payers is very old hat isn't it? In the days before agents no doubt there was a 'transfer list'. Names just get circulated around now don't they. Interesting to make it formal. It also seems that Lanzano is intent on staying put and picking up his wages, rather than taking a severance package (not that there is anything particularly wrong with that).

The 'muscular presence' was negated on occasion by nimble midfielders passing it around him and his evident lack of mobility (which I argue caused him to put it past Wes at Wembley; he couldn't get his body into an effective position)... in L1, this might be even more prevalent as I would expect the standard to be higher. No one could argue he doesn't win hopeful hoofed balls, but against more technical midfielders, I fear his short-comings will be highlighted further as games (and balls) pass him by.

I'm not surpised he's transfer listed these players, considering the quality (and wages) of player he's brought in. But like others I cant believe Risser isn't on that list! Yes lovely bloke and puts in 100% effort but he's not up to L1.

Thank fuck for that  :)

Didn't the washbag do an article on Risser? I'm sure they highlighted his value to the team by outlining how he breaks up play just by being in the right place and close down then channels and wot not. Even if he didn't get to the ball his presence alone was enough to hinder the opposition's attacks  meaning he actually played a very valuable role.

As I said earlier.... square pegs, square holes and all that jazz

Exactly my thoughts, not a phrase you here all that often these days at our level.

I presume there isnt an actual list where teams can publish the names of players they know longer want?

What about round pegs and round holes? Or triangular pegs and triangular holes, for that matter?

Indeed

I actually have Risser down as more of a Rhombus, but thought I'd keep it simple for the masses.

What utter shite.

So, are you saying that you are correct and PDC is totally wrong over Risser?

PDC is just proving he isn't shapist!

Risser trains hard and is on a bloody low wage. Not a great player but will be used as a example as to if you adhere to paolos way train hard do what your told and keep fit you will be given a fair chance

That can only mean one thing......we're signing another striker or bostock is coming in, could be both.

This is a very good point. Paolo's made a point of fucking those off who don't do what he wants. This only works if the reverse holds true; train and do what I say and you'll get a chance.

I would rather have Pericard or Cureton over Risser.

He doesn't add anything to the team at all. The fact that he had 10 good players around him certainly helps protect him. He can't pass, he's slow, he always falls over, he runs around like a headless chicken. What does everyone see in him?

I see your logic, but assume that it's only us fans that see it that way. Wow...we've signed a Czech international, when in reality he hasn't been that good for us (Magera obviously). Managers I would hope would take a more pragmatic approach and look at the player rather then the status of them.

It certainly helps him get trials and generate interest. If he wasn't an international I doubt we'd have found out about him and taken him on trial.

Are you high? What the hell did Pericard or Cureton offer they couldn't score in brothel and did nothing of note for the team.

Shit a brick. We were better than i thought last season then. Seems we won the league effectively playing with 10 men for about 3/4's of the games.

Maybe Paolo should be knighted.

Risser is no Simon Ferry but breaks up play and generally gets in the way of opposition attacks. He's a decent defensive who gives 100%. To say we haven't had worse is ridiculous beyond belief.

Do we look at all international squads then? No offence to Namibia but they wouldn't be my first port of call if i was gaffer.

Thats exactly the point he does the stuff no-one notices, he sits in front of the defence and lets the others get forward. Why aren't others complaining about Ferry and his lack of goals from midfield?

Only one I'm bothered about is Connell on the list, but he did miss an awful lot of chances so I'm not surprised he's on the list. IMO the 2 new CM guys Miller and Navarro are better than Cox and Smith, so again not fussed with them going and as for Lanzano, anything we can get for him would be decent!

Unless your name is Alan Connell  ;)

I just had someone tell me that Alan Connell was a striker the same class as Charlie Austin

Fucking hell

As he was continually overlooked by Di canio in league 2 it was blatantly obvious he had it all to do if he was kept on.
Nice guy,did his job to the best of his ability and will be fondly remembered. He'll get fixed up somewhere else and we move on.
That's football for you

After watching the end of season DVD I would say at least 4 of his goals last year just hit him and went in.

Have a word.

Connell gave all he had, in every game, but his quality just isn't there and his finishing wayward at times and his timing off too. He was a poor trainer to start with but became accustomed to our training after a while (something a lot of players didn't e.g. Cox/Clarke/Ferry to a certain extent) but didn't have the quality needed.

I am not bothered at any of the 4 leaving TBH and there are a few more that can leave too if the right offer comes in, apparently.

The only one that maybe a slight surprise is of course Cox but PdC has seen enough of him in training and how he is with the rest of the players, his attitude and workrate to say he is not right for the club, and I trust Paolo totally on that.

But how many moaned on here about Connell not starting games last season...

So where may they be off to then? Connell to Crawley as mooted?

We can do better than Connell ability wise i think but could do a hell of lot worse too. Ok he missed a few (but so have plenty of top level strikers over the years), kept going back for more.

I'm convinced that given more opportunities he would have netted 25 goals last season. I may be in the minority but i'm sorry to see him go. Great attitude too.

That just isn't true

I have heard Crawley, Boremuff and Rotherham mentioned may just be forum bollox like we get on here though.

Not really bothered about any of these lot leaving... Connell did a job for us but isnt good enough for the step up in my opinion. Smith is good backup, but with the players brought he's been shifted down the pecking order. Those moaning that Risser is staying, please give it a rest. Risser is versatile and a handy player for certain games, who was on a par with Smith in the second half of the season (bar Wembley). But more importantly, he's not worth any money and is probably on peanuts. We'd have no chance of getting a fee for Risser, but Smith would fetch at least what we payed for him 2Ok - Logical isnt it really? Two players with similar roles within the squad, one is saleable the other isnt, who do you get rid of!?

At least it's not Ferry or Benson making way. If the odd squad player has to be sold here or there to keep first team regulars then so be it. Probably been said too many times on this thread already, but there really is no room for sentiment.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Even with more games I really didn't see a 25 goal forward in Connell last year, When he did have his opportunities I can think of plenty of times he missed easy chances.

Well he got 13 and I doubt he played in half the games so there's your 25. Yes he missed a few but as a striker you have to get in those positions. Not all strikers do!

Connell played 32 games last season, not 23. So by your logic he would have score more like 15-18 goals not 25.
Which isnt guranteed because generally, he was less dangerous when starting matches.

I like your logic, I will be telling my sunday league team I am a 4 goal a season striker next year if they play me more often  ;)

Ahhhh we just talking league games then Cibo? Yeah you're right he was involved in 32 games of the 46 games played. I notice you omit to say that he only started 13 and came on as sub in the other 19. He ended up with 11 league goals. Ok agreed he looked more dangerous as sub but based on minutes per game i would say he was capable of 25.

Paolo obviously doesn't agree though so that's all that matters. My logic works in my head anyway.

So has Lukas Magera returned for pre season then?

Swindon Town FC ‏@Official_STFC

Striker Lukas Magera to leave the club by mutual consent #STFC

The 4 transfer listed players won't travel to Italy with the rest of the squad.

Feel a bit for Connell and Smith but as has been said elsewhere, that's football - and a sign of how well Paolo and the board have strengthened the squad already this summer.

This.  There's a lot of love for Risser on this Forum, because he's a nice guy, but as a football he's not that great.  Towards the end of the season he was dire and imo is nowhere near good enough for League 1, even as a squad player.  Why PDC thinks would prefer to keep him over Smith is beyond me, but it was clear he preferred Risser when he continued to play him when he was playing shite.

Really disappointed for Smith.  He's a young player who I thought might have a good future at Swindon.  As for Connell, not overly surprised as judging by last season he wouldn't have got a look in this season.  Still a kick in the teeth considering he was top scorer and personally I think he's been treated quite shabbily.

Bit sad for Connell, liked the way he played

Connell has had his best season to date. At the age of what? 30? Not good enough for L1.

Would like to have seen J. Smith stay.

So you think you are right and PDC is wrong!!  We are all entitled to our opinions but the way some of our fans set out to crucify certain players is totally wrong.  If they are pulling a red shirt on we should get behind them - whatever!!

Totally agree ronnie. It's only 'coz he's a nice bloke that i defend him though. Presumably Paolo thinks the same.

Connell could do the business in L1. Not much of a step up and lets be honest there are some utter gash strikers in there. Hell, he's a much better player than some of the L1 strikers we've had who have done reasonable jobs.

Interesting to see where he goes. If it is to a L1 club - he will score past us FACT!

Wouldnt imagine Connell would have been too happy to start the season as 4th choice striker anyway.  Obviously that could have changed very quickly for any number of reasons.  I'd imagine he would probably wont mind moving clubs where he can be further up the pecking order.

Based on last year Connell was always going to go, we have signed better versions of Smith and there was obviously something that went on with either the scouting or attitude/fitness with Cox.

I don't think anyone should be surprised with what has happened.  Connell at best 2nd/3rd choice striker last year except for a few games on the run.  We have 2 new strikers that would have made him 4th/5th choice. The wise move is to get a little bit back for him.

Like a lot of people I am a Connell fan and wished that PDC would have given him more games but you trust his decisions or it all goes to rats. Got to say that Connell is nowhere near the same level of Simon Cox/Austin/Painter and that is why we need players of that quality in L1, so if he is not good enough in PDC's opinion then he moves on. The same can be said of Smith, I preferred him to Risser as a midfielder who broke up play and got in solid tackles, but did not have any other real attributes apart from that, and once again we need better in L1. Regarding the other Cox, not too sure what has happened there, I thought he was injured towards the end of the season but who really knows?  :hmmm:

You make a good point about goals per minutes... Would be interesting to see a comparison of his too others. I just dont think that if he played double the amount of games then he would score double the amount of goals. Especially considering at least two of his goals were disputable. De Vita's overhead kick at Crawley (which I think was Connell's but it was definately debatable) and Jervis's shot at Wimbeldon, which upon watching on the season review DVD I still think was his... His stats could look so much different. 9-10 goals this season then nobody would care about him leaving. Would just like to clarify I dont think Connell was awful, did a job, but there are much better around.

Haha Risser must be an awesome bloke, I bet he wont even start a league match next season, i've heard he isnt a bad coach maybe one for the youth team?

Smithy going to York it seems

If Cox/Austin/Paynter is the bench mark we use for our strikers - then we need to pretty much get rid of all of them....

I'm not really sure what your point is, as you say we're all entitled to an opinion and mine is that Risser isn't good enough.  It doesn't mean I'm going to boo and jeer him when he does play however.

Some of our fans also need to take off the rose tinted glasses and realise that PDC isn't always right, as proved by the number of players who he's brought in and subsequently shipped out.

How many of those 32 appearances were substitute appearances or starts where he was hauled off within half an hour? By no means an amazing striker but a capable back up. I would have kept him, he was our top scorer last season after all.

I don't think Paynter can be put in the same category..

I'm glad Connell is gone, if only because it will the the incessant bitching and whining about him not playing.

Mind you, no doubt the fans will find another reason to decide they are better than Paolo at his job.

Again, true. I ignored those facts.. Was just trying too display my point that if he played double the games he wouldnt be guranteed double the goals. I think i'll wait until our squad is fully formed before I definitively decide wether Connell was worth getting rid of or not, like I said if it provides funds to keep key players or bring more in then i'll be happy. If at the start of the season we are desperate for goals and our strikers arent firing then i'll be pissed, just the fickle nature of football.

Looks, let's get this straight. As fans we see players for 90-180 minutes per week, or less. We play football manager, read all the gossip and news, participate in "debates" on forums and we read twitter.

Paolo on the other hand, spent years in the professional game - meaning years of being trained, he finished 1st at Coverciano, in both his qualifications, and he sees all of our players almost everyday in training and gets to see their attitude, their potential, their improvement and their ability. Of course fans know more... Jesus... ::)

I don't think Risser is an awful player, he started the season very poorly but got a lot better as it went on, had an absolute blinder away to Southend. I do feel however that he's more out of his depth at League One than a player like Connell who could have still been useful as an impact player, but again i'm not against the decision to get rid.

I'm not even so sure that Risser is safe which people seem to be suggesting. The four transfer listed players I assume are the ones the club were unable to agree mutual termination packages for, they could still be working on Risser's

Can't see why we'd pay Risser off, he's versatile and gives his all when necessary and by all accounts is a really good bloke to have around the place. Every squad needs a few players like him.

I like Risser...i think he will be a better player with that little extra time at a higher level.

Connell must be gutted....i hope he gets a good move.

No problems with those being transfer listed. I felt Smith could have developed more but we need to move on. I like Risser - nowhere near the bad player some people think but he is and has got an eye for a goal.

I think risser may only be staying as hes the only one left out of the first load of players Pdc signed last season like a kind of reminder not to go down that road again.

Magera,Esejas,Gabilondo,Smith,Kerrouche,Lanzano,Atiku,Connell all gone

Edit: Fair enough Cibo and Devera and Devita are all here but probably will only be considered back ups

Gutted for Connell.

Thank you for the flick header against Wigan.

Connell's a journeyman, he's used to it.

i don't really see the problem, he's good enough to play as a 1st choice in L2, ok maybe he should have had more time last season, but not necessarily good enough to be regarded as so in L1. 

if he would be happy to play 4th fiddle then by all means keep him here but he deserves to be playing regular football and if he can get this with a move then he'll be happy with that.  no need to feel sorry for him really?

Risser actually won me around during the course of the season. He played all over the place covering a variety of positions and that i feel is a hard task in itself. Some games he looked heavy footed other times he looked like he was trying too hard with his momentum of challenges getting him into difficulties and other times he just looked brilliant with him scooping the MOM award. He has the right attitude and although not a regular next season I would imgine he sets a good example to others.

As for smith well to me he started the season well but as his regular run in the team got disrupted this seemed to adversley affect his performance. I think in the end his position became a problem for us in the centre as Ferry seemed to be the first name in centre midfield slot and it was who to partner him with that never really fell into place. I think Dicanio defineitly wanted to address this and has done so with the midfielders signed. Other peoples opinions seem to suggest that some of the new signings will slot into our midfield nicely so im not too fussed about smith leaving and would wish him well.

Connell is the unluckiest one for me and im definitely in the Connell fan camp. I thought he was on the end of a few of Dicanios knee jerk substitutions. I would see Dicanio displeasure at something Connell had done, with all the arms flying in the air and then the predictable signal to the bench for someone to warm up and to replace connell when it actual fact to me he was doing no worse or better than any other player on the pitch. Also he finshed as our top goal scorer and i for one would have liked to see him play in league 1 as i thought his goals this season justified a chance. We have signed some decent players in his position so i have to admit i beleive he has moved down the pecking order but i would have liked to see how these new signings played first before getting rid of our top goal scorer.

I wonder what we are asking for him?

Surely he wouldnt go on a free after last season.  If we're after a reasonable amount, whatever that may be, and no one comes in for him I can see him inching his way back into the squad.