Should the manage to get a place back in the side that is? We all know what they are capable of. Whelpdale is, IMHO, potentially the best play we have and I think we may see that should he come back into the side following his knee injury. I think there are a couple of factors like his contract is coming to an end, PT plays to a way that favours him more than MA did, he's no longer guaranteed a oplace in the first 16 let alone 11. These 2 could come back and be like 2 new signings for us. Am I just being hopeful? Is it too late for either of them to earn new contracts?
I can't see them being offered new deals, don't think its been exaggerated when people say they are the highest paid players as when we signed them we faced competition from a lot of clubs who were willing to literally throw money at them to get them. I personally like Whelps and Lee but at the moment, with our current squad, theres a certain glass ceiling in this division and we need to improve the squad quite a bit to really push on and get into the play offs. I agree that Whelps can be immense on his day but I'd be hard pressed to recall a time when he really did have an excellent day, I really like Charlie Lee but centrally I actually think we have better now with Gregory, Linganzi, Hessenthaler and Dack all being above him in my personal pecking order. In an ideal world I would like to see Whelps offered a new deal but potentially on a smaller wage with incentives that mean he has to be playing and playing well to take home something close to what he's on now, with Charlie Lee thanked for his service but allowed to leave, freeing up some wage to spend in the summer.
I was going to explain my thinking, but gfclukey has done it very well. I don't think either of them has obtained the heights of when we first signed them, so let them go. I wonder if Taylor may have been alluding to them last week when he said that he was open to loan offers for players that weren't getting a game
How many times have Whelps and Lee been the difference between winning and losing, too few I would say. Scoring goals from midfield is what separates the winners from the also ran, as 2 of our highest paid earners they don't give us what the wages deserve.
The main weapon for us when Lee and Kedwell play, is Lee's long throw to Keds in the box,which did produce some goals. I don't think that's reason enough to keep him though.
I believe Whelpdale's consistent performances in the last two seasons are more than enough to offer him a new deal. He was regularly our best player and scored 12 in his first season with us and still got 7 last season in a team that created less chances than did under Hessenthaler. He's been unfortunate to have spent long spells out injured this season but without question he is still probably the most talented midfielder we have at the club. With regards to Lee he's a fighter and will give everything in a match, technically he's not the best player but will get the bit between his teeth and keep biting. Again another player who flourished under Hessenthaler but unfortunately his disciplinary record goes against him. He does have the experience at this level and always plays much better with Whelps in the team. Me personally, offer him another 12 months on reduced terms. He's previously said before he loves playing for the club so if he is that committed to the cause and would be willing to take a pay cut, then why not keep him? Always an extra option to have.
I think Whelpdale has plenty to offer us and PT's style of play would benefit him. I would like to see Whelpdale offered another year with an option to extend. I can't comment on wages, contract content etc as I have no idea about them but as a player Whelpdale (fully fit) would be one of the first names on my team sheet. As for Lee well he had been played out of position before his injury and I still believe he is good enough for the first team. I would certainly like to see them in a Gills shirt again before the end of the season. Time will tell though.
Lee....................14 starts, 0 goals, 2 assists. Whelpdale...........17 starts, 1 goals, 3 assists. Weston...............14 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist. Dack....................9 starts, 1 goal, 4 assists. Hess....................9 starts, 0 goals, 2 assists. Linganzi...............9 starts, 0 goals, 1 assist. So there's little to choose between them all, except young up and coming on a low wage or older injury prone on a high wage. sorry but they need to go.
That's a very short term view Grumpy. And even though they have been out with injury recently they are hardly "injury prone". (Talking of injuries) How many other people can say that they would literally bust a bollock for the club?
Ok I take what you are saying but I was referring to the amount of games you were looking at as short term not that you were looking at youth. My apologises for not making myself clearer.
Neither Lee or Whelpdale are 'has been's or are past it. I'm with Peg Leg here in that disposing of two of the most influential players in the team…..not just on their day would be incredibly short sighted.
Whipdale and Lee have been going backwards since they have been at Gills! Both looked real quality but they have not produced enough for the last season and a half. Can not see them staying unless both take big pay cuts and produce more between now and end of season, which will be hard with both young Hessy and Dack playing well aswell as Linzighi when not injured.
Could have done with Lee at Stevenage, probably a few other games as well much earlier in PT's reign when the ball's being taken to the corner and the team is all standing around instead of making their presence felt. I like the way contractual opinions on another thread are being made on players that are not playing. How do you measure that? I have seen so many comments on Lee's wages throughout his time with us, the only thing i ask can anyone support that theory for me please with an official link or even media speculation that at least supports its article with actual numbers, because to be honest I ain't got a clue what the guy is on, the same has I haven't with other players? I've vocally before have given my support to Lee, even officially in his youtube question time, I reiterate once again that support for him in the team.
Keep both... For me it's the defence that really needs changing... bye bye Barrett and Legge... at least
Is it always the defence that's to blame. I've picked 3 games where we ended up with a draw so as not to focus on only our best or worst performances, Whelpdale and Lee played some part in all 3. Against Brentford at home. we had 43% possession. Against Swindon away. we had 50% possession. Against Bristol City at home we had 40 % possession possession is normally the job of midfield (you don't want the defence holding on to the ball) If the opposition have 60% possession that's 60% of the match our defence is under pressure. To me if the midfield could control their side of the game our defence would manage quite well.
Interesting to see you've picked 3 matches from early on in the season when we were still using the MA tactics of getting the ball up the park as quick as possible... Thus by-passing midfield most of the time... Which inevitably resulted in the opposing team going straight back on the attack. At least now PT is trying to change our playing style, which I believe will suit the more gifted in our squad (Whelps especially). Barrett and Legge ('Bless Them'... copyright quote Martin Allen... ) are not the most technically gifted, and are more suited I'm afraid to MA's more direct approach. So I believe we should be looking for a combative, but also more creative center back pairing (maybe in the mold of Simon King). I've just looked at the corresponding recent match against Brentford, as they are the best team in this league, and our possession was 48%. Improvement which I feel could get even better with a combination of the combative Lee and touch and style of Whelps... married with a sprinkling of Dack and Hessy as well.
