Most people would look to Barrett and Fish as leaders in the race for player of the season and the two players to receive contract extensions have been err erm...Barrett and Fish. So Allen and Hessy are on the same wave length as fans. On the other hand Barrett is 33 this month and not many clubs give 33 year olds 2+ year contracts. Still, it feels like the right thing to do now, lets hope it feels that way in 2015.
Very good decision for the moment whilst we are in League 2 but if we get promoted this season and fingers crossed we do, how will he cope in League One with a much quicker and more football style of game? Bournemouth were quite happy to be shot of him don't forget. I don't want that to take anything away from how he has been playing this season however as he has looked extremely solid but just a question to bare some thought.
bristol407 I share your apprehension about 2015. I have liked what I have seen of Barrett. I think that if we were to reward him ( at this moment in time ) - it should have been with a one year extension ( with a built in clause of a ? percentage increase if we gain promotion ) & the option of another year - dependant on appearances in 2013/14 - because by then I would definitely be looking to have Davies & Essam playing regularly ( therefore Barrett won't drain our finances if age catches up with him ) - and not forgetting we've also got the new lad Devante McKain.
Expect Barrett has been given longer contact as he has been brillant so far and if he does struggle later he will still help the younger players. He is a leader and i am sure the club will want him to coach them as he is getting older.
jesus .... and i have been accused of being negative in the past ? listen to urselves, u want barret to be given a new deal then moan wen he is tied down to a proper long term deal. i despair
Majorclarkent - I will take the liberty of speaking for 99.99% of all Gills fans and mention one word as an example of 'players' who have been a spectacular failure and a huge drain on our finances during a period of injury McCammon
Without the benefit of a crystal ball it is impossible to know how individual players will be next season, let alone the season after. Remember all those high hopes we had for Simon the Sun King and then................
I am happy about the new contract feel it is right as he will only be 35 at the end of the contract which is not too bad because he is a rock for us I would be more worried that he would move on at the end of the season on a free than him declining so good work by Gillingham.
You can't compare this deal to the McCammon one. Firstly, McCammon was given the deal before he signed for us,and secondly he had a history of injuries, and thirdly he had fallen out with all his previous clubs, and fourthly we had a knob like Stimson spending all the budget on him. Barrett fits none of this criteria.
