Here's what Steve Cotterill said when asked about selling Sam Baldock: "Sam has another year left on his contract and we don't have to sell anyone. I've not been given a remit that says I have to sell anyone, so I don't see that happening. Sam is an important part of my plans going forward and, of course, I want him to still be here next season. There are quite a few of the boys who fall into that category. But Sam is a goal-scorer and he does pounce on mistakes and score goals out of nothing. I can play him down the middle or I can play him wide and he always scores. Players like that are hard to come by." http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/...ss-Cotterill/story-20988565-detail/story.html
Sam Baldock is not for sale, insists Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill. please log in to view this image Bristol City striker Sam Baldock celebrates scoring the winning goal in Friday's win over Notts County. Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill is adamant star striker Sam Baldock will not be going anywhere during the close season. Currently enjoying the most prolific season of his career, City's 25-goal top-scorer still has a year to run on his Ashton Gate contract. But it will be a major surprise if his outstanding performances in League One do not attract interest from bigger clubs when the transfer window reopens in the summer. Cotterill is adamant the club does not need to sell its prized asset in order to balance the books. Owner Steve Lansdown recently pumped in millions of pounds of his own money to convert debt to equity and has backed Cotterill in the transfer market since he took over as boss in December. City's manager is confident he will be able to retain the services of his top goal-scorer and build a team around him for next season. Cotterill said: "Sam has another year left on his contract and we don't have to sell anyone. I've not been given a remit that says I have to sell anyone, so I don't see that happening. "Sam is an important part of my plans going forward and, of course, I want him to still be here next season. There are quite a few of the boys who fall into that category. "But Sam is a goal-scorer and he does pounce on mistakes and score goals out of nothing. I can play him down the middle or I can play him wide and he always scores. Players like that are hard to come by." Baldock emphasised his importance to City when scoring twice in Saturday's 2-1 home win over League One strugglers Notts County at Ashton Gate. Having netted the only goal from the penalty spot at Walsall a week earlier, the former MK Dons and West Ham forward grabbed a late winner against the Magpies to take over at the top of the League One scoring charts. Cotterill talked up his captain after the game, insisting there is more to come from him. He said: "I think Sam can improve. He has definitely got better in the short time since I've been here. "I cannot remember how many goals he'd scored at that point, but I wouldn't mind betting he's doubled that. "He works tremendously hard and he runs and, if you do that in this game, you make things happen. Hopefully, the harder he works, the luckier he will get. "Sam is a clever boy and you don't have to tell him too much. He is bright and picks things up quickly. I like him a lot." Saturday's victory over Notts County rendered City safe with three games to play and the pressure will be off when they visit bottom side Stevenage today. But they were not at their best and defeat was hard to take for a Magpies side that looked anything but relegation candidates. Cotterill conceded his team had been fortunate, but was in no mood to apologise. He said: "We did not pass the ball quick enough. We had a slow start, didn't get out of our own half for the first ten minutes and scored the first goal against the run of play from a breakaway. Maybe it was because the players felt we were safe. But we've shown good character, determination and spirit, all the things you need to stay in a game. Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/...tory-20988565-detail/story.html#ixzz2zVU0jZsu
Good to hear, but everyone has their price, even Ronaldo and 25 goals will have created more interest than will be welcome. We need to get him and his agent sat down PDQ!
I would suggest if we intend keeping him, we offer him a new longer contract to avoid the "Maynard scenario"
Its a risk keeping someone with a year left but if we go up and he scores 30 goals its a worthwhile one and worth more to the club money wise than the transfer fee we would get from a sale
I would offer him a contract for a another year that way he gets to see if we gain promotion and has the chance to leave if we don't. If we go in with a longer contract he could reject it on the fear of another season like this one. The difference with Sam to Maynard is that Bakdock is club captain and some players enjoy the recognition. So hopefully he signs and we get to keep the player that could not score against a barnyard door. But I have said it before, if he leaves and comes back against us with his other team I will applaud him like Jon Stead they both played with their hearts on their sleeves.
Threads merged. As for the selling of Baldock we have been here before..... Do we learn from our lesson's or stick by our guns? I hope we stick. Just imagine this season if we had kept Adomah, Davies & Stead.... Those 3 alone would have got us probably about 10-12 points, pushing us up to a play off place. We don't want to be saying this time next year. If only we had kept Baldock.... I agree with ROD, offer him a year extension with a little pay rise. Then if we don't get promoted and he wants to leave. We'll get a fee for him. Baldock is a MUST KEEP at all costs.
Hopefully we can keep him, but if a mid table championship club came in with a good offer we might lose him
As i said in previous posts give sam a new contract with a get out next season, if we do not go back up. Having said that if he does not want it then sell,we only want players 100% committed to the cause. This season has been a complete disaster,SC i am sure will not allow that next season. Sam give us another season,if city do not do it next season we will be here for a long time to come. The league is as weak a league as i can remember.
I forget how many times i have heard all this spiel just before a club sells their best player.. I sincerely hope not this time...
He is settled at City and on a good salary, including Captain's bonus. And he has been getting a few win bonus's recently. As we have seen from the financial tables, not many clubs can offer way more than us - QPR, Derby, Notts Forest, maybe. The clubs that don't get through via the play-offs and maybe a handful of others. But they wouldn't guarantee him 1st team football, or the respect of being club captain. Premiership clubs coming down - it just isn't their style to sign up Division 1 goal-scorers. Surely Wolves would be looking for a proven championship goal-scorer, and Sam would realise that. It's a risk leaving a club for another one. For Albert it hasn't really worked out. For Bolaise it has. I hope he stays. One more season and he will be in the Championship anyway...
If its true, that is terrible news Because it shortens the odds of us winning it considerably, which means I stand to make less when we romp home (which we surely will). Seriously, that is a huge relief if true. Cant see anything stopping him from getting at least another 20+ goals next season, and holding the Div 1 Championship trophy aloft at the new Ashton Gate come the end of
IMO the Maynard scenario would not be repeated with Sam because he appears to be a totally different person to NM. He is a good captain, works hard for the team and the club and in interviews gives reasoned thoughtful comments to all questions. the total opposite to NM. He may decide he wants a higher standard of football than League One but if that is the case, I think he will go about it in away that shows respect for the club, supporters and himself.
