Several players - Quinny, Alex, Rosie, Macca, Figgy and Steve Harper - are all at the point of having new contracts sorted. Brucey says delay is down to where City will be next season: Premier League or Championship. "Meanwhile, manager Steve Bruce has admitted that Hull’s perilous position in the Premier League is hampering attempts to agree new contracts with half a dozen of the current squad. Hull, despite taking seven points from their last three games, are just above the relegation zone with 12 games to play. Stephen Quinn, Liam Rosenior, Alex Bruce, Paul McShane, Maynor Figueroa and Steve Harper all have contracts that are due to expire in the summer." http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/spor...-sanction-as-bruce-waits-over-deals-1-7129012
That's bull, we won't be offering renewals to all of them. Personally I'd let them all leave (bar Rosenior) and replace them. I really don't see the point in keeping Harper as playing staff, even as a keeper he is now past it, he obviously has another job/career path lined up and we have two decent youth keepers waiting In the wings. To keep them all would be sentimental, it wouldn't show progression from the last two seasons. These are the players that aren't genuinely Pl quality (again bar Rosenior) so to keep them in the squad is a bit pointless, I don't care If they give a billion percent or whatever, with the money we get for staying up we should be looking to push On And improve the side.
This would appear to be a very sensible and prudent course of action; certain players could be invaluable in the championship but maybe surplus to requirements in the prem.
Harper has already said he's retiring & going into media/pundit & p/t coaching! There's no way Figs will get one. What's the point? With Townsend as back up & Rosie @ LB. Quinny, AB & Rosie I think will be offered!
I would keep Rosenior no question about it. I would give Bruce another 2 years as long as he is happy to be rotated, he really has impressed me this season. Quinn/McShane I would have a serious talk with to see if they are happy to be back up (probably not). Let the others go.
Can anyone remind me when Harper has let us down this season? I always think he's a good steady keeper and far more composed than McGregor.
Once PL survival has been assured then expect all to be signed and sealed. I bet they have been agreed in principal already. Sagbo and Figs will be going. The squad needs slight tinkering in the summer.
I said he was past it, it doesn't mean he's let us down. I just no longer consider him good enough to be a Premier League goalkeeper. I mean the bloke is approaching 40, even for a goalkeeper that's pushing it and as great an influence as he's been on the youngsters, I just think we need a better back up, especially if McGregor gets injured again. While Harper is pretty commanding, he doesn't have the reflexes or consistent shot stopping ability that McGregor has. McGregor himself has improved massively these last few weeks, I know MP doesn't have much influence on the keepers but Mags seems to have gotten a lot more confident, it can't be coincidence.
