Just out of curiosity - just wanted to see what we all think next seasons squad/will look like. Out of contract we have Johnson, Eagles, Diarra, Church, Etheridge, Wilson, Onyewu (remember him), with Buyens and Bulot returning to Liege. So despite a lot of corners saying we have players signed on long term deals, we are potentially losing 6 players from the current match day squad. It's noted the club are trying to get Etheridge off the books before the season end, though Church has made a claim to stick around and assist us finishing as high as possible. As for the rest, I think Eagles is the number one priority on the list. His direct approach has seen a more exciting approach being taken on the field. Somewhat like American football, when he gets the ball he is capable of taking the ball 10-20 yards forward easily, and has helped us when soaking up pressure. Next would be Diarra - an experienced head and still capable at this level. Some of the stories he will have for the youngsters of players he been in the side with etc must be having a positive effect. Bulot - KM was quoted as saying he's expensive so despite me wanting to keep him on a permanent, it would have to be the right deal. I don't know what ''expensive'' is at the club, but anything over 12-15k and we should look elsewhere. Johnson - his start was impressive, but the years at Wolves do seem to have taken a lot of confidence out of him. When the going gets tough he has been prone to errors - do the fact he's so vocal has contributed to some very good performances. I'm a maybe with this one. As a back up, sure. Buyens - a bit of an enigma. He can show touches of brilliance and other times completely anonymous. I'd like to think we could potentially sign better. Church - stepped his game up, but next season I want Watt, Igor and 2 new strikers. One to challenge the front two, another as experienced back up. KAG to go out on loan for the whole season. Onyewu - bye. As for who could be sold - Watt, Igor and JBG are the assets everyone mentions that they hope we keep. I think the front two will be retained, but with JBG having a year left the club would have to see what offrs arrive if a new contract isn't discussed. I do remember reading an interview with JBG where he did mention wanting to experience different levels of football and a reason why he joined us. I think it was he who probably wanted a 2 year option rather than a longer deal, though that is guess work. Realistically how much would we receive for a player with a year left - £2million max? So for next season, I'd be hoping for this: Henderson Solly - Gomez - NEW - Wiggins (though could maybe see us selling Rhoys and replacing adequately) JBG - NEW - Cousins - Eagles/Bulot Watt - Igor Yours?
I think the following players will be gone, Onyewu, Wilson, Church, Reza, Polish Pete, Daniel, Munns, Nego, Cumberbatch, Etheridge,Tucudean, possibly Ben Haim. I think new contracts will be offered to Obileye, Johnson, Eagles and Diarra. Holmes- Dennis and Pigott will come back into squad. Pope will be sold. Yoni Buyens will go back to SL, but we will keep Bulot. We will bring in five permanent players and maybe two network loans.
I forgot about Browne and Osborne, I think they will be gone as well. Moussa has another year on his contract and will stay, if he ever gets fit. LePoint has a two and half year contract. If Sant Truiden get promoted can see him going there. In answer to Super's question I have decided to park my morals and beliefs and will be going next Season. I have missed it more than I expected to and have come to the conclusion that RD and KM are here for the duration. The only person I am hurting is myself. I know I am being weak and lily livered, but I can't stand another Saturday spent looking around B and Q, I am a broken man.
GK - Henderson, NEW, Pope LB - NEW, Wiggins, Holmes-Dennis RB - Solly, NEW, Youth Player CB - TBH, Gomez, Johnson, NEW, Youth Player CM - Cousins, NEW, NEW, Buyens, Diarra RM/LM - JBG, NEW, Eagles, NEW, Bulot FW - Watt, Vetokele, NEW, NEW I won't be too upset if the likes of Wilson, Moussa, Le Point and Church move on. JJ has another year to run on his deal and may be retained in the Andy Hughes role of ambassador/coach/mediator. Bulot and Buyens look to be playing for new contracts (elsewhere?) and I don't particularly rate them that highly. Henderson Solly - Gomez - TBH - New JBG - Cousins - New - Eagles Watt - Igor
i think we should keep bulot and buyens. they've stepped up the last few weeks and would be good alternatives even if they dont start. i would hope pope becomes number 2 next year, maybe play him in the cup to keep him going and to stop henderson from over playing. we should do everything we can to keep JBG, Watt and Vetokele. this squad is now capable of being a contender. it would be a disaster to let it be dismantled. Plus, if they were sold, i can imagine those fans who have given KM a second chance (recently) being unforgivable from that point on
What about the Harriotts? I honestly can't imagine any world where any of Watt, JBG and Igor will be sold. As I said on another thread we're about 3 players away from a promotion chasing first XI (I agree with the consensus that it's cb, lb and cm) Even the cash in on JBG before his contract runs out philosophy is a strange one; if he stays and runs his contract down yet contributes towards a promotion challenge and play off place then we've lost nothing And yes I am believing in a promotion challenge next season. As I was this season. And the season before last. And the season before that
I personally think that one player will be sold in the Summer for large money. Whether that will be Watt, Cousins, Gomez or Vetokele I don't know. But I can see RD trying to balance the books. It makes no Football sense and I would like him to build on this Season, for a push to the play offs, next season.
A lot of money to pay out every week for a glorified Walmart Greeter. They shoot horses, don't they? Of more interest, Ponders, what is your take on the reburial of Richard III? I always thought he had a raw deal and was a competent administrator. Shame he got stabbed in the back by a bunch of treacherous taffys like Sir Chris. Or is Dick3 a bit too modern for you?
I agree, I think at least one player will be sold, but it won't be Watt or Vetokele. Vetokele went 3 months without scoring and I don't think he will get 20 goals this season and because of this I don't think he will attract a big enough bid for us to accept it, now with Watt he has only been here 2 months and I don't think he will want to relocate again that quickly so think we will keep hold of him too.
No point in being a supporter if one doesn't, however great the odds against. I cannot think of anything that would kill off support quicker than management saying "We are aiming at a season of consolidation". It would be bollox anyway because nowadays players have short contracts, and it is near impossible to hang on to a player, even if he is on a contract, if he wants to "better" himself. And so many good players are available on Bosmans. There is no point in trying to build a team for promotion in three season's time. Those days are gone. It is like so many other facets of life nowadays. It has to be instant.
I reckon Douche will cash in his chips on JBG. The carefully crafted "Beckham" comparison raised his profile, and the likes of Bournemouth or Derby might fancy him for £3m if promoted. As for the others, I would keep Eagles but Johnson is showing signs of rust already.
An interesting take on the summer dealings is that we have a chairman who doesn't have to sell - so we might get decent money for once. I won't begrudge the club selling a player if it benefits the club in the longer term. Something slater and jiminez didn't get credit for was resisting poor bids for good players - especially after the money men pulled out. It gave us a fighting chance of survival.
If he manages to get £3m for JBG I will understand how he got to be so stinking rich in the first place.
Not surprised. I always suspected you of being a weak sister. Or to continue the Richard III theme, a bit of a Baron Stanley. As for myself. I will never surrender. I will retreat with other bitter and malicious fans of like mind to the highest point in Kent (Betsom's Hill?) and survive on wild berries (luckily there are decent toilet facilities nearby) until the club looks like this: Owner: stinking rich and an Addicks fan who attends every match plus many u21 and academy matches Director of Football: Curbs CEO: anyone who can tell the truth Manager: Sir Chris u21 Coach: Nathan Jones Henderson Solly, Morrison, Gomez, Wiggins (if 100% fit otherwise NEW) Wilson/JBG, Cousins, Poyet, (for LM see if Holmes-Dennis and Eagles can cope between them, otherwise NEW) Two from Vetokele, Watt, Kermorgant Rest of squad: Pope, Bikey, Obileye, Diarra, Moussa (if 100% fit), NEW striker, and re-sign Bradley Pritchard on a fat salary just to annoy Vol (no need to play him). Push on with the Academy development. Grade One is vital.
Joking apart, it all come down to this. It is impossible to balance the books with modern English football clubs. With so many fabulously rich people putting their (usually) ill-gotten gains into clubs, transfer fees and wages become increasingly inflated. Clubs who do not have such additional input cannot compete and will sink down the table, and sooner or later down the tiers, causing gate-money and ancillary income to fall. Running a football club is a loss-making hobby for the very wealthy. Although clubs should be "run as businesses" that means keeping proper books, minimising waste, and maximising opportunities for income. It does not mean breaking even, even less making a profit, in the medium or longer term. The only way anyone can make a profit from, or even balance the books of, a football club is by short-term asset-stripping like the Oystons. If that is RD's plan we are doomed.
