For this position, its a really big call though. Say one of the three gets a serious injury early on next season, and whichever youngster comes in struggles for a bit of form, how do you stop the goals? You've not got a lot of experience to turn the tide around. I'd prefer to have an experienced CB in the squad as well (even someone who's getting on a bit and won't be a regular starter). Someone like Faye who can step up when needed but also share their years of playing off the pitch.
I would be looking at bringing in a first choice centre half if I was the manager. A big hard motherfucker in midfield, a left back and two proper wide players. From there it would be rebalancing any outies with innies.
Baz's take on the out of contract players (pretty sure that Darlows should say 'but that is unlikely')... Callum Elder - out of contract The Australian defender is coming to the end of his option year, and will leave the club this summer unless fresh terms can be struck to extend his stay. Elder has been in and out of the side this season, often playing second fiddle to Jacob Greaves, but owing to the quad injury picked up by Alfie Jones recently, has had an extended run in the side. Rosenior must decide whether to keep the experienced performer or go elsewhere, though the club's decision to try and sign Harry Toffollo from Nottingham Forest in January is, perhaps, a signal of where their intentions lie. Lewie Coyle - out of contract with an option year One of the players where the club does hold the option to extend it by a further 12 months, and in all honesty, it would be a significant surprise if that was not to happen. Coyle has been excellent when called upon this season, particularly since coming back into the side after Cyrus Christie picked up a knee injury at Bristol City. Every squad needs players, and characters like Lewie Coyle, and it would be a major surprise if the right-back wasn't offered 12 months at the very least. Alfie Jones - out of contract with an option year The fact Jones was picked as Liam Rosenior's Player of the Year tells you everything you need to know about how the head coach values his central defender. Jones has been exceptional this season, and though the club hold the option of activating a 12-month extension as they do with Coyle, I suspect the 25-year-old will be pinned down to a longer-term deal, and rightly so. Karl Darlow - end of loan As it stands, the goalkeeper will be heading back to Newcastle United when his loan ends after Monday's trip to Kenilworth Road, but that is likely to be him saying his farewells. City are desperate to make his loan move permanent, Darlow wants to come and there is a willingness from all sides to strike up a deal, so that's one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks. Malcolm Ebiowei - end of loan Despite arriving with a fair amount of excitement, it's fair to say the teenager has not delivered anywhere near the level both Rosenior, his staff, and the supporters expected. Ebiowei is just 19 years of age, and has not yet played a lot of senior football, so he needs to go somewhere next season where that can happen, he needs to knuckle down and focus on playing games. Sadly for him, that isn't going to come at City and he'll return to Crystal Palace. Dimitrios Pelkas - end of loan Another signing that arrived with a great deal of excitement, but in truth, the move hasn't really got going and it's likely the Greek international will return to Fenerbahce. Pelkas' contract in Istanbul comes to an end this summer, and though there is the option to extend it by a further 12 months, it remains to be seen if that will happen. There remains a slim chance Pelkas could return to City next term, though at this stage, it would be unlikely. Aaron Connolly - end of loan The striker has been out injured since hurting his toe at Stoke City in January, but prior to that, had started his spell from Brighton really well. Rosenior had made clear his desire to keep the Republic of Ireland international at the MKM Stadium beyond the end of his loan spell. Despite his frustrating lay-off following that innocuous injury in Staffordshire, Rosenior remains a keen admirer of Connolly and is still expected to try and make his move permanent. Tyler Smith - out of contract with an option year The striker was sent out on loan to Oxford United in January, joining fellow City man Brandon Fleming at the Kassam Stadium. It's fair to say, the move hasn't worked out. Smith has struggled to make an impact with the U's, playing just seven times in a spell that has been hampered by injury - he's yet to score a goal. While Rosenior spoke glowingly about Smith before his move to Oxford, it's hard to see where he fits in moving forward so it would be a surprise if his option year was activated. Billy Chadwick - out of contract with an option year The City youngster has bagged 11 goals in 20 appearances during a successful loan spell at non-league Boston United, but it's unlikely he'll come back into the first team fold under Rosenior. In fact, the City boss suggested last month that while he's been impressed with his work with the Pilgrims, it's likely he Hull-born forward will be moved on.
Doesn’t hurt to have a third. Greaves could end up covering left back at times making an opening. An injury, fatigue or drop in form to either first choice centre half creates an opening. Need 3 solid options pushing each other if you’re serious about making a promotion push IMO.
In Baz's list, where is Greg Docherty? He signed a three year deal in August 2020. Doesn't that mean his contract is up at the start of next season? Is there an option year?
"I'm enjoying my time here, it's a great place to be at, at the moment and the future is bright here, so I definitely want to stay. As a player, that's what you want (longer contract), the club's a great place to be and there are exciting times ahead at this club, and I want to be here for the long-term." - Alfie Jones
Someone on Baz’s Q&A asked if Livermore’s coming back because he heard a rumour Liam’s already spoken to him. I really hope not. Based on what Meyler said on a podcast, he forced his way out of the club. Don’t see why we should do him any favours now he’s unemployed.
Doubt it would be anything to do with 'doing him any favours now he's unemployed'. The sort of player we've been missing in the middle ... but maybe a year or two too late for us now?
Just don't think we should lose our heads over an anecdote when I'm sure players we otherwise adore have potentially done similar and we just don't know about it.
I don’t care if he was first or last player to do it. He signed a contract then behaved like a **** when the club wouldn’t allow him to leave in the midst of a relegation battle. Don’t want people like that back at the club.
The entire squad got on the piss in pre-season when taking that famous pre-season photo, is that any better?
