Summer window

Too much of a leap of faith for me.

 

I certainly wasn't expecting us to be considering letting Batth go seeing as he's one of our best players and was massive for us last season.

I can only assume the new lads are equally superb but have age on their side.

 

Assumption is an interesting one though isn't it. This just seems far far too risky for me.

 

Maybe you are right but speakman n co have got more decisions right than wrong so ill trust them

Never know nectar or seelt might be quality n even better than baath

We just have to trust the club - as f**k all we can do

 

Appreciate the info, would prefer it if the striker had a bit of height about him though.

 

Fair enough pal that's your opinion. I still reckon there's plenty experience in the squad with Evans, 09, Pritchard and Gooch. Ballard isn't exactly inexperienced for being 23 either. Think we'll add one experienced CDM as well. If we are aiming to be a premier league side in May 2024 allowing players like Batth and Wright go is the right thing. Batth won't be on a pittance either.

 

It doesn't sound to me like it's the clubs decision, It's Batths. We can't just go around and give people longer contracts just because they want one. We've invested in our centre backs this summer to plan for the long term future of this club. The club have been upfront with Batth and they're looking after his interests by allowing him to move if he finds an offer that suits him. They could just refuse to let him leave this summer and make him stay until the end of his contract.

 

Other way round. Why do you think we signed to centre backs in the first place? Both youngsters.

They made the decision early with Batth. Think he deserves better personally.

 

They're actively trying to force him out this window?

 

Out of curiosity, what would you like the club to do in this situation to treat him better

 

Tell him he is valued and we appreciate his contribution and leadership skills. Thank him for his POTS performance last season. Offer him a one year with the option of another.

Not kick him down the road for younger players who had hardly played close to championship level.

 

Think most games we'd be ok with a youthful back line, but it's your high pressure games and games where we go a man down where someone of Batth's experience is invaluable.

Game management in tricky tight games, play offs etc, he's been there, they haven't.

 

Yeah.

 

The best thing in my opinion would be to let him see out his contract. I like Batth but we're moving in a different direction and I wouldn't really want to see him playing for us when he's 34 or 35.

 

He’s only 32 and showed no signs of decline last season.

For me the absolutely obvious approach is to tell him we will assess contract around March time. If he’s not playing enough to justify another deal, then we release him next summer.

We won’t get any more than £500k for him this window. It would make more sense if we could make a couple of million. But there’s no way we will.

 

Its not necessarily kicking him down the road though, its being honest with him and saying that we arent going to offer him a new deal.

If they dont think he is the answer after his current deal then they are doing the right thing by being honest with him

Don't get me wrong id rather were able to keep him this season then review at the end of the season. If we still think he can play at a high level then we offer him the deal you said but if he doesnt he is free to go

He doesnt seem the type of player to.throw his toys out the pram so would like to.think his attitude would remain class through the last 12 months of his contract if we didnt sell him this summer

 

Surely the approach should be to keep Baath until it seen of they are or not?

 

Doesn't make sense not to keep him and assess him and the new lads. If they are better he goes, if he is still the most reliable cb at the club he gets another year or two!

 

100%.

 

As i said id keep him but if the club think he has reached his peak or that we have better options then ill trust them

Its a massive risk - if it was me i wouldnt be selling him this summer, i would wait and see how he plays this season then judge around jan/feb time about whether he deserves a new contract or not