Ex-Player Thread Mark Sykes

[EastStandKieran]

But tbf if we get promoted we would need a pretty decent overhaul of our playing staff to compete and try and avoid relegation at the end of the 1st season.
If we are able to stay in the championship we would with the extra funds be able to start competing rather than worrying about relegation. Luton and Coventry seem to have managed and with Blackpool doing so well in their first season it shows they had a top side last season in L1

I don’t agree I think we would just need a couple of additions eg another striker or two another LB and RB sign player like Holland and Whyte , Kane on permanently We’ve got a very good team just need a couple of extra quality players and I think we would finish anywhere between 12th-20th in our first season in the championship

 

[m]

I don’t agree I think we would just need a couple of additions eg another striker or two another LB and RB sign player like Holland and Whyte , Kane on permanently We’ve got a very good team just need a couple of extra quality players and I think we would finish anywhere between 12th-20th in our first season in the championship

Again stating that we absolutely 100% want promotion(!) I think you're under-estimating the gulf. Peterborough and Hull looked a class above last season and look where they are. Blackpool are a great encouragement of course, although they were certainly a class above us come the end of last season!

 

[EastStandKieran]

Again stating that we absolutely 100% want promotion(!) I think you're under-estimating the gulf. Peterborough and Hull looked a class above last season and look where they are. Blackpool are a great encouragement of course, although they were certainly a class above us come the end of last season!

Of course we want promotion what’s the point of starting every season if you don’t want to progress and imo the only way we can progress is by gaining promotion we’ve been in the play offs two seasons in a row so the next step has to be getting promoted and if we do go up and come straight back down at least it would be a fun journey

 

[EastStandKieran]

Again stating that we absolutely 100% want promotion(!) I think you're under-estimating the gulf. Peterborough and Hull looked a class above last season and look where they are. Blackpool are a great encouragement of course, although they were certainly a class above us come the end of last season!

And with regards to hull they had a championship team similar to Rotherham this season but Peterborough yeah they was very good last season

 

[m]

And with regards to hull they had a championship team similar to Rotherham this season but Peterborough yeah they was very good last season

My point is that one or both are seemingly at risk of relegation - even considering Derby and Reading's woes.

 

[EastStandKieran]

My point is that one or both are seemingly at risk of relegation - even considering Derby and Reading's woes.

I will admit I didn’t actually realise hull were in the relegation zone I thought they was mid table I suppose we will
Just have to wait and see how we do once we get there

 

[bazzer9461]

My point is that one or both are seemingly at risk of relegation - even considering Derby and Reading's woes.

I would say Derby definitely Reading however got away with a six point suspension they should have been given the full 12 points

 

[Nadi-]

Again stating that we absolutely 100% want promotion(!) I think you're under-estimating the gulf. Peterborough and Hull looked a class above last season and look where they are. Blackpool are a great encouragement of course, although they were certainly a class above us come the end of last season!

No question there is a gulf.
Blackpool brought in Bowler, Lavery and Wintle from Cardiff on loan.
The addition on Lavery has given them real competition up front, and Bowler causes problems out wide.
Good start to the season even without Ballard or Simms.

 

[MJB]

God, I dearly hope we don’t pick up three points tomorrow.

Winning at football - shudders - so very, very unbecoming.

 

[harrymark1]

Regardless of which division we are in next season, Sykes needs to be offered a contract which means he signs. He is our most natural successor to James Henry, his versatility as well is a bonus. He seems to go under the radar but he has matured this season and his decision making is much better.

 

[OX14]

Regardless of which division we are in next season, Sykes needs to be offered a contract which means he signs. He is our most natural successor to James Henry, his versatility as well is a bonus. He seems to go under the radar but he has matured this season and his decision making is much better.

Agree, maybe Sykes and the club are seeing what division we will be in next season before discussions over a new contract will be had.

 

[NorthWestOx]

Regardless of which division we are in next season, Sykes needs to be offered a contract which means he signs. He is our most natural successor to James Henry, his versatility as well is a bonus. He seems to go under the radar but he has matured this season and his decision making is much better.

Unfortunately, unless we get promoted, we could make Sykes one of highest earners and he could still double his money at a Championship club.
Of course, if we do get promoted, I would hope Sykes and Brannagan are offered contracts they can't turn down.

 

[Bornyellow]

Ultimately if Sykes was going to sign I think he would have by now. If we go up things may change but I reckon he’s going elsewhere.

 

[Foley]

Regardless of which division we are in next season, Sykes needs to be offered a contract which means he signs. He is our most natural successor to James Henry, his versatility as well is a bonus. He seems to go under the radar but he has matured this season and his decision making is much better.

It sounds like he has been offered a new contract a number of times.
I think that the only way he will sign is if we are promoted. In reality the only way that we will keep Brannagan also will be if we are promoted.

 

[Yellowmania]

Always think it’s strange that Sykes always seems to do the post match walk around the ground on his own away from team mates. He’s normally first down the tunnel, he does applaud the fans so nothing wrong with that, just seems odd he’s not with his teammates for most of the walk. Probably just a time for him to reflect on the game and what he did so not reading too much into it.

 

[bazzer9461]

Regardless of which division we are in next season, Sykes needs to be offered a contract which means he signs. He is our most natural successor to James Henry, his versatility as well is a bonus. He seems to go under the radar but he has matured this season and his decision making is much better.

Weren’t Charlton interested in Sykes last summer. I bet he’s glad he didn’t go there

 

[Bornyellow]

Always think it’s strange that Sykes always seems to do the post match walk around the ground on his own away from team mates. He’s normally first down the tunnel, he does applaud the fans so nothing wrong with that, just seems odd he’s not with his teammates for most of the walk. Probably just a time for him to reflect on the game and what he did so not reading too much into it.

Agreed always found it strange there’s been plenty of times before where he wouldn’t even walk round the pitch he’d just stand near the dugout

 

[Big Ron]

Weren’t Charlton interested in Sykes last summer. I bet he’s glad he didn’t go there

I believe Ipswich made serious enquiries.

 

[bazzer9461]

I believe Ipswich made serious enquiries.

But probably couldn’t afford him

 

[tonyw]

Regardless of which division we are in next season, Sykes needs to be offered a contract which means he signs. He is our most natural successor to James Henry, his versatility as well is a bonus. He seems to go under the radar but he has matured this season and his decision making is much better.

Agree that he is lightyears better this season than the previous two.
He's always been hard-working and skillful, but this year he has finally added some end product to his game (rather than looking like a deer in headlights every time he got near the penalty area), and he's now a really solid player.

Good enough for a Championship team to pick him up though? Harder to say. Would be a bit of a risk as to whether he could make that step up in quality. Although I guess the price-tag (or lack of one) will make it a more attractive risk for someone to take.

I can see why Sykes and his agent might be willing to make a bet on themselves though, given the wages on offer. He certainly seems to be an ambitious lad.

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Agree that he is lightyears better this season than the previous two.
He's always been hard-working and skillful, but this year he has finally added some end product to his game (rather than looking like a deer in headlights every time he got near the penalty area), and he's now a really solid player.

Good enough for a Championship team to pick him up though? Harder to say. Would be a bit of a risk as to whether he could make that step up in quality. Although I guess the price-tag (or lack of one) will make it a more attractive risk for someone to take.

I can see why Sykes and his agent might be willing to make a bet on themselves though, given the wages on offer. He certainly seems to be an ambitious lad.

If you look at any teams that go up in this division you have to improve massively just to stay up,which means getting better players in.
Branagan is one player who is good enough but you look at the rest and defensively we need a new back four.
Browne is good enough but Taylor has struggled in the Championship before
Sykes could do well but other than that we will need new blood

 

[Scotchegg]

We'll have to do our business early if we get promoted with an entire squad needed other than Cam, Browne and maybe an out of contract Sykes!!!

 

[Foley]

If you look at any teams that go up in this division you have to improve massively just to stay up,which means getting better players in.
Branagan is one player who is good enough but you look at the rest and defensively we need a new back four.
Browne is good enough but Taylor has struggled in the Championship before
Sykes could do well but other than that we will need new blood

Blackpool have done very well despite losing one of their best players.
I disagree that you need massive change.
You need very good management and 4 to 5 quality additions.
Didn't Taylor just play for Bristol City in the Championship? He played 67 games in 3 seasons. I wouldn't bet against him scoring g in the Championship in the right team.

 

[werthersoriginal]

If you look at any teams that go up in this division you have to improve massively just to stay up,which means getting better players in.
Branagan is one player who is good enough but you look at the rest and defensively we need a new back four.
Browne is good enough but Taylor has struggled in the Championship before
Sykes could do well but other than that we will need new blood

Have Blackpool signed a whole new team? We’d certainly need a few more in but I don’t think it would be an Ipswich-style revolution

 

[WhyteMustard]

Always think it’s strange that Sykes always seems to do the post match walk around the ground on his own away from team mates. He’s normally first down the tunnel, he does applaud the fans so nothing wrong with that, just seems odd he’s not with his teammates for most of the walk. Probably just a time for him to reflect on the game and what he did so not reading too much into it.

I have thought exactly the same and as you say nothing wrong with it.

The bloke is pure class and to think some people on here would of been pleased if we'd let him go to say Ipswich for 250k.

Holding onto the likes of Sykes and Cam in the Jan window was huge and the club was rightly applauded for it

 

[bazzer9461]

Have Blackpool signed a whole new team? We’d certainly need a few more in but I don’t think it would be an Ipswich-style revolution

And nothing had happened there.

 

[tonyw]

Blackpool have done very well despite losing one of their best players.
I disagree that you need massive change.
You need very good management and 4 to 5 quality additions.
Didn't Taylor just play for Bristol City in the Championship? He played 67 games in 3 seasons. I wouldn't bet against him scoring g in the Championship in the right team.

It's a little hard to predict though, isn't it.

I mean Peterborough & Blackpool both appear to have used the same strategy. As you said, 4-5 new additions to complement the core of the squad that got them promoted.

But although Posh were a much better side than Blackpool last year, they've really struggled and look set for an ignominious relegation.
The players that got them up (Pym, Kent, Beevers, Szmodics, Clarke-Harris etc.) have really mostly failed to make the step up to the next level.

Same the year before - Coventry did great; Wycombe struggled.
And the year before that - Luton did great; Charlton struggled

(I'm ignoring the perennial Barnsley/Rotherham yo-yoing because those two clubs basically permanently seem to play in the 2.5th tier)


Which I guess means it all comes down to the highlighted part of your post - can the management hack it, and understand how to set the team up for success in a better league against higher quality opponents?

 

[MJB]

Always think it’s strange that Sykes always seems to do the post match walk around the ground on his own away from team mates. He’s normally first down the tunnel, he does applaud the fans so nothing wrong with that, just seems odd he’s not with his teammates for most of the walk. Probably just a time for him to reflect on the game and what he did so not reading too much into it.

Yes, I’ve noticed this often too.

Sykes alone at the front, Agyei was often alone at the back.

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Blackpool have done very well despite losing one of their best players.
I disagree that you need massive change.
You need very good management and 4 to 5 quality additions.
Didn't Taylor just play for Bristol City in the Championship? He played 67 games in 3 seasons. I wouldn't bet against him scoring g in the Championship in the right team.

Yes they have and they were the best team last season in my opinion look how much stronger they were than us

We need a new keeper but keep Stevens as back up

The amount of goals we concede is shocking for this level let alone the next level, would keep Mc Nally, Long and Moore but as back up

Branagan , Browne and Skyes are the three definitely worth keeping in a starting eleven

Taylor may have played 67 times but scored only 7 goals again I would keep him as a back up

If we can sign Baldock and Kane great plus Thornilley we have a nucleus of a team

Also keep Williams as he is so versatile

 

[The Mighty Aldo]

Have Blackpool signed a whole new team? We’d certainly need a few more in but I don’t think it would be an Ipswich-style revolution

Our current team would still be hard pressed to beat the Blackpool of last season they were strong and powerful all over the pitch