It must be time to discuss the obligatory who shall we keep or release thread! The out of contract players at the club are I think as follows: Chris Neal Ben Smith Carl Regan Ian Sharps Shane Cansdell-Sherriff Lionel Ainsworth Sean McAllister Nicky Wroe James Collins What are your opinions on these players, would they do well in League 1?
Macca, Ainsworth, Regan and Smith should go. There seem to be ridiculous levels of McAllister love-in on B&A. He's a decent player, but not one we realistically should be offering a contract to next season considering Turner hasn't played him for 8 months. Ainsworth has talent, a huge amount, but failed to light up the world on loan at Burton, hasn't featured for us since January and is out of favour with Turner. Allegations of a fall-out between the two rumble on, and Ainsworth's almost indecipherable Tweets suggest he's off. I can see him flourishing the odd game for someone like Rotherham. Regan was only ever signed as cover and is simply not good enough for League One, and the same applies to Smith. Neal's been better than Smith this season and his excellent last few weeks mean he deserves a new deal. On current form he deserves to be number one next year, but in an ideal world that wouldn't happen. However, I maintain that he is overly criticised; every keeper (even the prem ones) will make mistakes. Another good, experienced keeper would be good though. SCS is our best CB imo (lots of acronyms there!) and deserves a new deal. I think Sharps has undergone a real return to top form in the last few months and again I feel (although bizarrely I seem to be in the minority) is good enough for League One. Been there, got bags of experience and is an excellent leader. These all make for useful attributes, and when combined with the fact he's bloody good as well, he deserves a new deal. Collins goes without saying, and I believe Wroe does too.
Hate these threads - horrible part of the manager's job - especially when the squad's performed outstandingly well all season. But still ... Neal has earned another contract and not as back-up. He's making huge progress, his distribution's very good and some of his saves lately have been outstanding. Getting better on crosses. If he can continue that and keep the howlers to a minimum (but get over them when they happen as quickly as has done), he can be a very good League 1 keeper. Perhaps been our player of the month for April. Smith - I'd guess he'd want to go anyway but we need a keeper to compete with Neal. Can Smith do that now? Time to release if not. Regan - similar. We need cover next season and he's experienced and has done better than some give him credit for but I expect he'll be released. Sharps - our leader, has to get an offer. Some doubt his pace but he looked pretty quick chasing back at Accrington. The man's an inspiration, he's not that old and we'd miss him. SCS - like Sharps, a contender for player of the season. Key part of an excellent defence and, with Grandison and Goldson developing, I'm not persuaded this is the right time to change things at the back. A definite retain for me. Ainsworth - I'd love him to stay but only if the relationship's right and I don't know enough to comment on that. His display at Derby was one of the best of the season from anyone and he was unlucky to lose his place and not get back after all the assists. If we can afford a risk then take it here. McAllister - Lenny are the b&a comments about Dave McA, rather than Sean? Another one unlucky not to have played more. I think League 1 might suit him better as he might have a bit more time and his ball retention's good. Depends who our targets might be - could do a lot worse than have him in our squad though. Wroe - retain. Collins - retain, retain, retain. Getting better all the time. Also Wildig - offer a contract as he's indicated he wants to sign. Turner will no doubt be more ruthless, as he must. In the end, any player can be replaced - just think of some of those we've replaced in recent years (Hart, Edwards, Holt, Tierney, Davies etc)
Out- Smith, Regan, McAllister. If Woods is given the chance he has the potential to be better than McAllister. Ainsworth is a must keep in my opinion. He has torn higher league defences apart this season.
I think Ainsworth would be a huge gamble. From what I've seen, I would be tempted to offer him a deal, but I can't see him staying even if that were the case. However, Turner gets to see him in training and whatever GT does, I will accept. He knows best! No, they are referring to Sean Mac being offered a new deal as he's going to be better in League One apparently. They also seem to think he's better than Wroe, and the bloke next to me at Accrington (I know, not B&A!) was saying how much better he is than Richards. I can't see anything in his game that really suggests he will be better than anything we can get over the summer. This is a nasty time, and not a time for sentiment. The likes of McAllister and, much as I hate to say it, Ainsworth have not been contributing to the team in the slightest in the last few months just as we've hit top form. They are both tidy players, but there is an issue with Ainsworth clearly, and our performances recently suggest we can manage without them.
Goalkeeper Ben Smith, right back Carl Regan, midfielder Sean McAllister and winger Lionel Ainsworth have not been offered new deals, but GT has offered new contracts to the captain Ian Sharps, goalkeeper Chris Neal, defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff and midfielder Nicky Wroe. GT had already offered a new contract to James Collins.
No big surprises there. I'd have liked McAllister to get a deal - been very unlucky to miss out since Christmas and think he could do well in L1. Also really sorry about the seemingly inevitable Ainsworth departure. They all deserve credit for their involvement and I hope they get good deals elsewhere. I suspect we might see one or two back at the Meadow with another team. Now we've just got to fret about whether the other five will sign or move on. And of course speculate about new players joining. I do think we need a slightly bigger squad next season.
No chance. Has been rumoured that we were interested in Carayol though, but not many seemed keen on the idea. Is he any good? Have to ask, seeing as he plays in a struggling team.
Mowbray is interested in Carayol. Would also have liked McAllister to have got something, but we now need at least one goalie, defender and two midfielders, plus one or two more to get the squad bigger. Regan is signing for Bristol again I heard.
Entirely predictable unfortunately from the Ainsworth point of view. It does leave space for another keeper, defender and midfielder. I have a feeling that Collins might reject the new contract. If he does accept, we are over-burdened with strikers, some of which lack the required quality. Morgan could be on his way if a sensible offer comes in or Bradshaw on a season long loan to a league 2 club.
if wrighty played poorly in L1 it was down to pisspoor management and a club hell bent on relegation. thankfully he has found a great club and manager
I think there might be a loan out and a new striker in by the end of august if Morgan doesn't find his scoring boots. Gornell will hopefully come good this season, fingers crossed.
