Player News Retained List 24/25

[TobyDavis34]

I don't know if I can agree with that definitely think he's a squad position that we can use elsewhere; he's not going to get any better next season either.

 

[SSO]

Who's contract is actually up this summer? Like, is Phillips on a 2 year or 1 year deal?

Hopefully 1 on his wages.

 

[WRox]

I think we need:
LB
RB
CB
CDM
LW
RW
2x CF

Release:
McEachran, Eastwood (coaching role), Knightsbridge, Thorniley
Sell/loan:
El Mizouni, Rodrigeus, Sibley, Goodwin, Phillips, 1 of Bradshaw or Harris

Assuming it’s Championship again next year, I don’t think you’ll be too far off with this at all.

Maybe one less full back and one extra CM depending on how much Rowett likes HTA, Leigh, Currie and Kioso. I’d add Bennett to the released list.

I’d be a bit surprised if Phillips moved on based on how much of the deal we’d probably have to cover, and really surprised if Harris or Bradshaw did. I think they’ll be seen as adequate options if we sign an automatic first choice (I doubt Robinson, Morris or Hardie will drop even if their clubs do).

 

[Foley]

I think we need:
LB
RB
CB
CDM
LW
RW
2x CF

Release:
McEachran, Eastwood (coaching role), Knightsbridge, Thorniley
Sell/loan:
El Mizouni, Rodrigeus, Sibley, Goodwin, Phillips, 1 of Bradshaw or Harris

Would you be letting Kioso or Ter Avest go (I assume we won't have more than 2 right backs + Sam Long?)
Presumably Bennett will go and maybe Currie back?

 

[holdsteady]

Can't see us bringing in a full back next season if we have 5 contracted, the defence has been ok, its the attacking areas we need to prioritise.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Would you be letting Kioso or Ter Avest go (I assume we won't have more than 2 right backs + Sam Long?)
Presumably Bennett will go and maybe Currie back?

We're sorted for full backs once we bring in Currie. Bennett may retire but I wouldn't be amazed if he stayed as third choice, space allowing.

Obviously we require a good centre forward but we need a creative flair player to make our midfield less predictable (and reduce our reliance on long throws)

 

[WRox]

We're sorted for full backs once we bring in Currie. Bennett may retire but I wouldn't be amazed if he stayed as third choice, space allowing.

Obviously we require a good centre forward but we need a creative flair player to make our midfield less predictable (and reduce our reliance on long throws)

I don’t necessarily disagree but I was looking at how Rowett tends to recruit the other day, and wonder if he’ll see it that getting a top class winger and a big physical centre forward will solve that issue.

If I’ve got my years right then Tom Lawrence, Tom Ince, James McClean, Connor Mahoney and Oliver Burke have all been big signings for Rowett previously. Usually combined with a Benik Afobe (twice), Lukas Jutkiewicz, Zian Flemming, Matt Smith type.

I think that’ll be the blueprint for us this summer.

 

[Vancouver Yellow]

Personally I don’t really see why we’d prioritise any LB/RB come in.

I’d assume Bennett will be gone, leaving us with Currie who seems like an exciting prospect, and Leigh - who if you asked me in October, I’d have said he’s not a championship player, but since January he’s really earned the shirt and been great for us, so I’d be looking to sign him on possibly for another year.

On the other side, I think Kioso and Ter Avest are both good players.

Not sure our defence needs much tweaking, perhaps a CB to replace Nelson, maybe 2 CB’s? I think we’ll see 2/3 CM’s (including a strong DM), multiple wingers and strikers.

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Would you be letting Kioso or Ter Avest go (I assume we won't have more than 2 right backs + Sam Long?)
Presumably Bennett will go and maybe Currie back?

I wouldn't be that upset if Kioso was sold/loaned out.
I forgot about Currie coming back so we probably wouldn't need to get a 'new' left back in. Having said that, I am not sure we can rely on the fitness of either Leigh or Bennett who are picking up more and more injuries.

Personally I don’t really see why we’d prioritise any LB/RB come in.

I’d assume Bennett will be gone, leaving us with Currie who seems like an exciting prospect, and Leigh - who if you asked me in October, I’d have said he’s not a championship player, but since January he’s really earned the shirt and been great for us, so I’d be looking to sign him on possibly for another year.

On the other side, I think Kioso and Ter Avest are both good players.

Not sure our defence needs much tweaking, perhaps a CB to replace Nelson, maybe 2 CB’s? I think we’ll see 2/3 CM’s (including a strong DM), multiple wingers and strikers.

I don't think you prioritise any position during the summer window. You set out what positions you want to fill and then go out and get those players. Clearly a striker is a must for us this summer but we might sign 3 or 4 players before we get one in even though it is the main position we need to fill.

 

[Vancouver Yellow]

I don't think you prioritise any position during the summer window. You set out what positions you want to fill and then go out and get those players. Clearly a striker is a must for us this summer but we might sign 3 or 4 players before we get one in even though it is the main position we need to fill.

Yeah that’s exactly what I meant. I’m sure we’ll see multiple players come in before signing a striker, (just as Dembele came in towards the end of last years window, even though his position was the one that was arguably most important to fill) there’s other areas to look at rather than just up top - but my point was that I don’t see why we’d focus on R/LB.

 

[Witneyoldfella]

Phillips has a year left, thank god too, coming into his own late in the year, similar to a Josh Murphy 2 years ago.

Similar to Josh Murphy, surely not from what I have seen. Get rid...

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Yeah that’s exactly what I meant. I’m sure we’ll see multiple players come in before signing a striker, (just as Dembele came in towards the end of last years window, even though his position was the one that was arguably most important to fill) there’s other areas to look at rather than just up top - but my point was that I don’t see why we’d focus on R/LB.

Rightly or wrongly I think full backs have been one of our weakest areas this season. The fact that not one out of 3 right backs has been able to hold down the position says a lot (Kioso - 29 apps, HTV - 19, Long - 20 (admittedly over 3 positions)). I also think we can improve on Leigh and Bennett while Currie is still an unknown at this level.

 

[Foley]

Rightly or wrongly I think full backs have been one of our weakest areas this season. The fact that not one out of 3 right backs has been able to hold down the position says a lot (Kioso - 29 apps, HTV - 19, Long - 20 (admittedly over 3 positions)). I also think we can improve on Leigh and Bennett while Currie is still an unknown at this level.

Our defence has generally been very good (including full backs)
It is creatively where we have been weak and will have to improve on next season.

 

[Andy]

Our defence is clearly not good enough just look at our goal difference

 

[Steve Gilbert]

Our defence has generally been very good (including full backs)
It is creatively where we have been weak and will have to improve on next season.

Only 5 teams have conceded more goals than us and 3 of those are the current bottom 3. I would say we need to improve both at the back and up top if we want to finish comfortably in mid table next season.

 

[OX14]

Not sure our defence needs much tweaking, perhaps a CB to replace Nelson, maybe 2 CB’s? I think we’ll see 2/3 CM’s (including a strong DM), multiple wingers and strikers.

Don't forget Negru to come back as well. I'm not sure where his future lies but possibly a loan to league one if we stay up would do him a favour.

 

[werthersoriginal]

Only 5 teams have conceded more goals than us and 3 of those are the current bottom 3. I would say we need to improve both at the back and up top if we want to finish comfortably in mid table next season.

And in midfield.

 

[Eric Blair]

I think we need:
LB
RB
CB
CDM
LW
RW
2x CF

Release:
McEachran, Eastwood (coaching role), Knightsbridge, Thorniley
Sell/loan:
El Mizouni, Rodrigeus, Sibley, Goodwin, Phillips, 1 of Bradshaw or Harris

It's a decent list but I think we need fewer incomings but of a higher quality. LB we have Currie and Greg (and Brown as cover) and RB we have Kioso and Ter Avest (with Long as cover).

I would focus on CB (Nelson is a big loss) and maybe fish in a similar pond there (CB on loan from lower Prem side?). Cant argue against 2 x CF (maybe GOD back from loan and then splash the cash on one of the strikers who have been relegated or does that lack ambition?). Strong CDM and strong LW needed.

Release:
McEachran (so long and thanks for the teeth), Eastwood (defo coaching role please), Thornily, Philips (if it was a one year contract)
Sell/loan: El Miz, Sibley, Goodwin, Phillips (if two year contract), Dale, Negru (load only not sale). I would keep both Bradshaw and Harris. If we are getting two quality strikers in then I would think about letting Harris go.

Does anyone know what is happening to Max Woltman? I seem to remember the poor lad having a horrific injury. Getting the lad some game time on loan has to be on the cards, hasnt it?

 

[OX14]

Only 5 teams have conceded more goals than us and 3 of those are the current bottom 3. I would say we need to improve both at the back and up top if we want to finish comfortably in mid table next season.

You could argue our defence has been put under alot more pressure than other teams defence due to lack of quality in midfield and upfront that can hold onto the ball.

 

[Foley]

Our defence is clearly not good enough just look at our goal difference

3 wins in the past 5 games- all 1-0.
Since GR came in, our defence has been pretty good.

 

[Osleroad]

Don't forget Negru to come back as well. I'm not sure where his future lies but possibly a loan to league one if we stay up would do him a favour.

Salford might want to keep him for a fee

 

[SteMerritt]

Our defence is clearly not good enough just look at our goal difference

Goal Difference isn't a stat solely down to the defense though, we've only scored 43 goals, only 3 teams have scored fewer. That has just as big an impact in Goal Difference as conceding lots does.

 

[Osleroad]

It's a decent list but I think we need fewer incomings but of a higher quality. LB we have Currie and Greg (and Brown as cover) and RB we have Kioso and Ter Avest (with Long as cover).

I would focus on CB (Nelson is a big loss) and maybe fish in a similar pond there (CB on loan from lower Prem side?). Cant argue against 2 x CF (maybe GOD back from loan and then splash the cash on one of the strikers who have been relegated or does that lack ambition?). Strong CDM and strong LW needed.

Release:
McEachran (so long and thanks for the teeth), Eastwood (defo coaching role please), Thornily, Philips (if it was a one year contract)
Sell/loan: El Miz, Sibley, Goodwin, Phillips (if two year contract), Dale, Negru (load only not sale). I would keep both Bradshaw and Harris. If we are getting two quality strikers in then I would think about letting Harris go.

Does anyone know what is happening to Max Woltman? I seem to remember the poor lad having a horrific injury. Getting the lad some game time on loan has to be on the cards, hasnt it?

Don't know the situation with CB's at Leicester but it wd be good if we could get Nelson one way or another (I know zillions)

 

[werthersoriginal]

3 wins in the past 5 games- all 1-0.
Since GR came in, our defence has been pretty good.

It's interesting, lately we tend to score one goal in a game. Whether that goal is the means of triumph or just a consolation depends on how many we let in. I'm not sure what it means but I suspect the answer is the performance of the midfield.

 

[Jaboysmith]

It's interesting, lately we tend to score one goal in a game. Whether that goal is the means of triumph or just a consolation depends on how many we let in. I'm not sure what it means but I suspect the answer is the performance of the midfield.

1 goal in each of our last 7 games, 4 being from long throws, one being from a corner, alongside a cross into Mills, and a long ball over the top to Harris then put in by Dembele.
Hardly tiki-taka, but it works.

 

[OX14]

Salford might want to keep him for a fee

Possibly but it depends if the club can see a future for him here and wether he is good enough for the championship or wether he is likely ever going to be?

 

[Foley]

Only 5 teams have conceded more goals than us and 3 of those are the current bottom 3. I would say we need to improve both at the back and up top if we want to finish comfortably in mid table next season.

Since Rowett came in, we have conceded as few or less than 14 other teams. So our defence has been very good

 

[Ewes]

It's a decent list but I think we need fewer incomings but of a higher quality.

If we look at the season as a whole, the only players who regularly and consistently get praised and labelled as ‘solid players at Championship level’ have been Brown, Cumming and occasionally Moore. Even CamBran has blown hot & cold all season (partly due to injuries I know).

Therefore, to become a Top 30 team, we need to replace everyone else without exception. But that’s not realistic or affordable in one summer.

For me, the priorities this season are giving one or two fringe players a run-out once relegation isn’t an option. Plus proper scouting of new players in their remaining games (not just relying on stats or released players lists). Plus do a ‘roots and branches review’ to measure the success or otherwise of players brought in by the current recruitment team (my gut feeling is they’ve brought in more duds than gems, if so replace Ed & Co).

Then, assuming GR stays as head coach, identify who he thinks we need to get into the Top 30. And who he wants in his coaching team. And use Beano as a strikers coach.

Offer extended/new contracts to Brown & Cumming. Sign 2 new wingbacks, 2 new wingers, someone in the mould of Scott Twine who can score from distance, hit a good free kick and clear the front post defender with his corners. Plus 2 new goalscorers. Someone like Aaron Collins who has consistently been a top goal scorer in every division he’s played in over 2-3 seasons. We know Posh’s Ricky-Jade Jones is a good prospect also.

 

[Eric Blair]

If we look at the season as a whole, the only players who regularly and consistently get praised and labelled as ‘solid players at Championship level’ have been Brown, Cumming and occasionally Moore. Even CamBran has blown hot & cold all season (partly due to injuries I know).

Therefore, to become a Top 30 team, we need to replace everyone else without exception. But that’s not realistic or affordable in one summer.

For me, the priorities this season are giving one or two fringe players a run-out once relegation isn’t an option. Plus proper scouting of new players in their remaining games (not just relying on stats or released players lists). Plus do a ‘roots and branches review’ to measure the success or otherwise of players brought in by the current recruitment team (my gut feeling is they’ve brought in more duds than gems, if so replace Ed & Co).

Then, assuming GR stays as head coach, identify who he thinks we need to get into the Top 30. And who he wants in his coaching team. And use Beano as a strikers coach.

Offer extended/new contracts to Brown & Cumming. Sign 2 new wingbacks, 2 new wingers, someone in the mould of Scott Twine who can score from distance, hit a good free kick and clear the front post defender with his corners. Plus 2 new goalscorers. Someone like Aaron Collins who has consistently been a top goal scorer in every division he’s played in over 2-3 seasons. We know Posh’s Ricky-Jade Jones is a good prospect also.

Your point is fair but I worry about doing too much too quickly. It's been white knuckles at times but we have a team already that is capable of staying in the Championship under GR. If his later half point tally was replicated in the first half I'm thinking we would be mid table.

We don't need major surgery is my view but instead requited targeted key signings in a few areas - CB, DM, CF (x2?) and LW.

There are a fair few players that should leave but who would go with my absolute respect and thanks for getting us to where we are.

 

[Eric Blair]

Then, assuming GR stays as head coach, identify who he thinks we need to get into the Top 30. And who he wants in his coaching team. And use Beano as a strikers coach.

Also, it would be utter madness if we let GR leave (I know you arent saying that but it's a point I want to make)