Rumours that Jose Riga will replace Paul Hart next season, with Karel Freye being appointed our manager / first team coach.
Own opinion - I think Riga will depart in the summer. In regards to the under 18's, there seems to be a growing amount of speculation regarding Gomez and Chelsea.
5 of the starting 11 came through the Academy, the U-18's are Champions, who needs the fantastic European scouting network? Now if we can just keep Poyet and get Gomez and Edwards to sign contracts...........................
I think dick plumb said that Paul Hart has turned down two contract offers, & will be leaving this summer.
http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/dillon-phillips-morgan-fox-charlton-1510172.aspx Fox and Phillips signed up for 2 and 3 years respectively.
So Pope and Phillips have contracts but Hamer doesn't? I hope Pope starts next season as our no.1 because I think he's exceptional, and it seems now is the time to bring him in. Maybe Phillips will go out on loan next season, as Pope is doing.
Goalkeeper is the easiest position to fill for three reasons: 1) Most big clubs have three good 'keepers to cover the one first-team position so there are always keepers looking for a chance of games 2) The rules allow for borrowing a keeper if you really need one, but not for outfield players 3) It is easier for a 'keeper to come into a strange team and know what his job is than for most outfield positions. (Of course you ideally want a settled back five, but I am talking about emergencies). We could easily pick up an experienced keeper at the end of his career to tide us over if Pope is injured. I would prefer to keep both Hamer and Pope but I could not blame any player finding a better hole to go to, at least until RD comes clean about his real intentions. Especially if RD's idea of a competent keeper is Ulien-Thuram. One bad game and that clown would be taking his place. No-one needs that sort of pressure.
To be fair, I don't think Riga has played him once, so I think Ulien-Thuram is just here till the summer. Plus to be fair, goalkeepers tend to come good later and hang around longer than outfield players, so he may yet come good, but after these Leeds affair, he can do it elsewhere for me.
