Thetownend.com

Something is not sitting well with me regarding the club's attitude towards players new contracts.

We've got 2 players now - both of whom the majority of fans would like to stay - in a wrangle over potential new contracts.

Branco is not the only player out of contract in the summer so why is it just him who has to sign now if he wants to carry on playing?

Reeves must also have some problem as weeks ago it was supposed to be 'i and t crossing' only.

Seems to be heavy handed and self defeating to threaten a player with non-involvement unless he signs a contract.

Wonder what the other players whose contracts are up for renewal (or not) think of things

Seems to be working, doesn't it ;)

Exactly.

If it's not broken, don't fix. I think Mr. Power knows what he's doing.

I trust him more than many ex chairmen we have had, I think its fine as it is TBH.

If they won't sign then that in itself tells me that they are more interested in themselves than the club and why then would a club allow a player, who will be out of contract at the end of the season, to put himself in a shop window by giving him match time? doing so only benefits the player... Power is right, in business terms why give publicity to a player who will bring no reward or return the club? Take them out of the shop window as thats where the agent wants them to be...

It was nice to see Reeves and Rodgers both get some game time on Saturday though.

If we're going to be relying on them when Mass/Kas are off for Jan then I'm all up for giving them both a bit of game time.

How did they both play on Saturday to those who were there?

But that is exactly the position with quite a few of our 'top' players whose contracts expire this summer.

They are still playing

If you listen to what Power said he says Branco has actually said he wants to leave, as far as I'm aware no one else has said this so I'd imagine that is why just Branco has been frozen out!

The buck is seemingly stopping with Branco. From what I've read, the chairman has every right to take this strict stance.

Hardly a surprise that it's heavy handed given how Harley and ward were treated.

We are winning so nobody cares.

Power's model is based on picking up quality cheaply and cashing in at the right time. The whole thing collapses if contracts run down, so that's why he starts renegotiations early, and bins players who won't sign up. It's the only way to sustainability.

I'll be honest with you, neither player was tested in the time they were on the pitch. Town were keeping the ball comfortably enough against 11 men and once Notts County went down to 10, it took on the feel of an exhibition match. Town saved their legs and made sure no one else got booked or injured - sensible ahead of Xmas.

For what it's worth, Reeves looked the better of the two. Playing one-two's like they were going out of fashion!

According to the OTIB forum Branco is being lined up by them because we pay seveal players really low wages (ok then!).

Also he can play in midfield.....thats a new one on me!

http://www.otib.co.uk/index.php?/topic/166503-raphael-rossi-branco/

£350k and he's yours.

That Scrumpy poster knows our finances alarmingly well. Is it Sangita Shah?

Branco significantly celebrated after the 1-0 over City.

As City fans as have told us since, that's not their sort of player.

Exactly how is Ward being poorly treated - we appeared to panic into giving him a two year contract,  fairly shortly after it became clear that at best our style doesn't suit him - at worst his legs have gone.

He isn't getting a game and isn't going to get one, however i have not seen any suggestion his contract is not being honoured or that we have refused to let him leave, and he is being allowed to do his badges. I don't understand what the club are doing that's bad?

Equally with Harley, wasn't going to play not aware we were forcing out or not honouring contract so again what is the club supposed to do?

Wouldn't be averse to buying him, though, just to ratchet things up before we 'Welcome (Swindon) to Hell'.

Really? Jesus wept!

Its fucking Bristol not Galatasaray.

Inbreds.

No. This is how it goes: I'm really worried this rumour could be serious. Our season will fall apart if they steal Magic Rafa from us for less than a million. He's the lynchpin of our side and I'm almost in tears at the prospect of them blowing us out of the water. Let's fight this to our last breath.

See?

Most of me thinks Power would rather see Branco rot on the training ground than let him join a promotion contender.

...but as we're always told, everyone has a price.

I agree, isn't Branco out of contract at the end of the season? if he is then Shitty won't pay a fee for a player they can get on a free in a few months time.

More likely he will leave to go abroad because he is not good enough yet to go to a higher league like the Championship, maybe in a couple of years time he will be but hes definately around his level now.

He did play in one of the development games recently so still around the club

Ill always remember the terrifying sight as we reached the station after dicking them 4 nil back in the early 90's of 3 wurzels in a ford fiesta wanting to take on the entire 2k of Swindon fans walking back in the glow of victory.

Welcome to hell indeed.

:D

Don't mess with the gangsta!

https://mobile.twitter.com/SLloydBespoke/status/544529720961159168/photo/1

He may be good with buying players but that fool is buying a coat with one arm

Just checked out the OTIB thread about Branco on above recommendations. Jesus this is cringeworthy.

I also just sent Branco a screenshot of his 'touching the badge' celebration after beating City. Wonder what changed...?

That whole post-match celebration from him sticks in the throat a bit now.  More proof, not it was needed, that players kissing the badge as if they love the club is utter bollocks.

Link Sport have said they understand that Branco is happy at Swindon and doesn't want to leave but is unhappy with the terms of the new contract.

He was apparently happy when first offered it though, then pressumably his agent had a word.

Apparently being the operative word. We've no idea what the offer is, in terms of wage, bonuses, length or how it compares to his current deal. We don't know what alternatives he has, if he has alternatives and whether they've come in recently. His celebrations the other week showed he was up for it, but doesn't preclude him from ever moving on.

We don't know if he is wanted as a core part of the side going forward, or as a fringe player. Either is plausible. His contract offer may simply be giving him the message that he'll not get the football he needs to develop.

I think we would be, by and large, disappointed to see him move on, because whilst he is erratic at times, he shows glimpses of promise. But I wouldn't bet my house on him ever being a solid and consistent performer at League One level or higher. He may do, but we haven't seen enough of him yet.

There are two sides to this. I won't begrudge any of these players for having the ability to make the best decision for their careers, whether in terms of finance or development.

If it were Jed in charge, it would be odds on what was said to him and what was put into the actual offer would be two different things.

Its not impossible this has happened, but Power hasn't given the impression he fucks people over like that.

Raffa's best mate at the club is Yaasser Kasim. Now if Branco goes elsewhere imho that's no great loss but if the Iraqui Pirlo gets pissed off that's a whole different story

Sounds like his agent has got involved.  Rafa will be back playing non league football in no time.  Just look at our expensive league two promotion winning squad.  Aside from caddis and Ritchie the rest aren't pulling up trees.  Rafa has to accept a phil smith type role or disappear into obscurity.  He is a squad player and that's all.......we could replace him 100 times over.  If he stays well he might just improve and get the gig in a season or two.

Just don't want him poisoning the squad atmosphere in the background. 

Gladwin signing a new deal

Great news

So were Reeves and Branco.

Let's hope this one actually goes through

How on earth having you reached the he conclusion that he is poisoning the atmosphere in the squad? What complete rubbish.

He hasn't,he's just said that he doesn't want him poisoning the atmosphere in the squad,not that he is. There is a difference. Personally,I hope Branco signs a new deal because if he carries on improving he's going to be an asset to us

Good to see Gladwin is set to sign an extended contract.

According to the BBC, Power is pissed as Branco agreed a new contract, shook on it, then changed his mind.

If he'd wanted a better deal and they couldn't agree then fine, but don't agree then go back on your word.

I'm not too worried about any player leaving, Power and Cooper have already shown they can bring decent players in almost at will. If anyone does leave I'm sure they'll find someone else.

I won't believe anything until he actually signs it.

We heard that Branco and Reeves were about to sign new deals about a month ago and they still haven't

Yeah, that's true. But Sam is confident that this isn't the case here in his article about it.

I really hope he stays. I get the feeling Ben will be loyal to Town for picking him up from the non-leagues and showing faith in him. At least for this season...

Like Branco............

Can football fans lose the romantic guff once and for all, and accept that, just like them, a player will look at the contract on offer, think about whether they could do better or not, and make a decision on that basis? Not accepting doesn't mean they're club-hating bigheads, just that they've made a calculation (which may turn out right for them or not).

Our model collapses if all our bargain buys get L1 market-rate renewals before they've got a proven resale value, so we might have to get used to more marginal players taking their chance elsewhere.

A fair point well made....

1. Wes Foderingham (2015)
3. Nathan Byrne (2015)
7. Ben Gladwin (2015)
10. Andy Williams (2015)
14. Jake Reeves (2015)
16. Connor Waldon (2015)
17. Ryan Harley (2015)
18. George Barker (2015)
21. Matty Jones (2015)
22. Darren Ward (2015)
23. Jack Barthram (2015)
24. Curtis Da Costa (2015)
25. Tyrell Belford (2015)
26. Anton Rodgers (2015)
27. Antonio Josue (2015)
29. Raphael Branco (2015)
30. Harry Agombar (2015)

Here are your STFC out-of-contract players. Not a great deal of negotiating ahead. Reeves clarity plus Williams and Byrne next with Fods reviewing at the end of the season depending where we are.

Once we have got Agombar tied down to a new contract I think the rest will follow, thats the catalyst for me!

He is, indeed, the lynchpin. We shall no doubt discover that Agombar has activated a clause in his contract to sign on for another year.

Easy money.

We have the option to extend Byrne by a year as per her current contract terms so no real need to panic with him although obviously would be nice to get him on a longer deal.

I think you could be right.

Except about the "her" bit.

It will be interesting to see comes the end of the season what happens with Williams, we know he is on big money so would he want to stay here and accept a pay cut knowing the club and having proven himself after his serious injury and getting first team football or will he take his chance elsewhere now he has proved his scoring record again and move for big wages.

As long as nobody wants to ocme and buy him in January as we need to keep the 3 amigo's together scoring the goals

What about Smith?

Is he not contracted until 2016?

I'd also like to see Belford stay if we lose Wes I think he could step up to take the shirt

Gladwin signs

Gladwin just signed a 2 year extension.

Nice

Shirt over head (almost) picture?

(http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/cms_images/newsgladwin247-2147827_478x359.jpg)

Works for me! :)

When he signed 18 months was mentioned but maybe I am wrong.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25843334

 Swindon Town have completed the signing of Charlton Athletic striker Michael Smith for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Robins, who are ninth in League One.

Sounds like a bit of brinkmanship from Power to me and, yet again, it works.

Think Branco was trying to improve the offer, Power called his bluff. Or compromises were made. Either way sounds like good news to me.

Power really is no mug is he?

The benefit of being an ex player

As OP, do you feel better now?

This.

We all know that Branco could become a good player in the future but at this stage of his career trying to hold the club to ransom was a silly idea from his agent.

All worked out fine by the look of it.

Fair play to the lad

Good news this, got to keep squad harmony high.

Could/should this have been kept quiet?

You don't have to go public to warn other players/agents. Perhaps it's more about Power metaphorically flexing his muscles at the fans to show that he's in control and not to be messed with?

I don't know. I'm not concerned nor critical, just thinking out loud.

You raise a good point. With the state of our finances and the quality of football our players are putting out they could put up fights and ask for more money so it does feel like he was trying to 'stop the rot' by saying Branco won't play again.

Maybe Yaser had a word? :P

Feel relieved, yeah.

With this probably being the best football I've seen in my time (coming up for 50 years) to see the potential of the current squad not being realised by us would be a bit of a bummer (again)

Wrong thread?

So then is Branco signing his contract, or is he faffing about again?