As predicted, Ainsworth, Smith, Macalister and Regan released. Lionel is apparently on his way to Rotherham ( I wonder if Evans different style of man management can get more consistency out of him). I can see the logic of all these moves and hope Sharps, SCS, Wroe , Neal and Collins all put pen to paper on their new contracts. Of these five I would mind the least if we lost Neal due to his many lapses away from home. I have seen rumours linking us to Harper (Hull midfielder), Paynter (Leeds striker) and Mooney (Orient striker) who I think have all been released. Of these I would like Paynter - Marc Richards move to us looks dead as he is being linked with many other clubs but may well stay with Vale. I did not think we would see that many changes as we already have the basis of a viable League 1 squad for next season.
I would hate us to sign Marc Richards: a despicable man, filthy player and actually not that good. I don't know a great deal about the other players and I expect the majority of summer signings (with the possible exception of Wildig) to be players we have heard little about (i.e. Grandison, Collins). I think this current squad would finish in mid-table in League One, and with the right investments could well move towards play-offs.
we had harper on loan trust me you wouldnt want him,he spends more time waving his arms about and talking than he does playing football,give him a wide berth
Oh, old James Harper, used to play for Reading! Not a Turner signing, a once good player, about thirty and nowhere what he was. Hence the stint at Wycombe
Paynter, Billy - don't look that good on paper. 122 games for swindon and 45 goals, that's the same as what we've got. I know it was at League 1 level but is he worth the risk with injury at Leeds and only 3 goals to his name in 22 games? Mooney doesn't sound great either, never seemed to fit in at any club and never above ten goals after moving from Cork City.
Paynter hasn't been released but placed on the transfer list requiring a fee. Looked good at Swindon when they were challenging for promotion from League 1 under Danny Wilson. Bound to be on good wages at Leeds and do we really want to pay a sizeable fee for him?
Ainsworth appears to have posted some nice tweets to the club and fans. Good luck to him and i hope we don't encounter him next season!!
