2 year deals to Stryjek, Grimmer, Tafazolli, Obita, Scowen, Wheeler & Thomson.
1 year deals to Mawson, Vokes, McCarthy, Freeman, Blunkell & De Barr
I am assuming Pattenden, Leathers, Ward & Mellor have 1 year extension in their current contracts
Plus Hanlan, Wing, Young, Gape & Forino.
That leaves space for at least 3 senior players plus a full complement of U21's.
I am guessing JJ & McCleary will retire & we will release Dickenson, Wakeley & Horgan
Of the development lads I guess we will probably release those not mentioned above (Hagan, Matshazi, Woodhouse, Kaninda, Makoli) though I have heard good things about Matshazi so depending on his age we might give him more time.
I think you’re going to have to be a bit more generous than that with the players you really want to keep in order to fend off interest from other clubs.
So maybe three year offers to the likes of Scowen, Taff, Max (if out of contract) and then two years for the likes of Grimmer, Thompson, Freeman, McCarthy, Wheeler and De Barr if he starts to make an impact.
One year on an age basis for McCleary and Vokes if we can afford their salaries which may be a struggle.
And then also a year for some of the youngsters that have shown a bit of potential as they’re a relatively cheap way to fill up a small squad - so maybe Leathers, Wakely, Pattenden, Woodhouse, Ward and Matshazi.
Given the apparent change of focus away from spending to achieve promotion, I suspect Tafazolli, Vokes, Mawson and McCleary will all be on their way. I would very much like to retain all of them.
I hope Scowen doesn’t join that list, although he’s clearly too good for this level.
Grimmer, Obita, Thompson, Wheeler, Freeman, De Barr, Stryjek I’d expect to re-sign. Mellor may depend on how his loan goes.
I think GA will be loyal to anyone who has been with us a long time and has been a trusted part of the club culture. If we are purely talking about making the team better on paper, there are a lot of players we could technically shift out, but there are so many who have the right attitude and enough talent. The likes of Gape, Thompson, McCarthy and Freeman are excellent characters who have been with us through serious ups and downs, are never going to complain about being on the bench, and are going to be fantastic for the culture. They all have enough talent to have us competitive...because they were all involved in our only ever promotion from L1!
We will surely have some significant turnover, but I expect it will be based more on decisions by the players out of contract than us kicking too many to the curb ourselves, or refusing to make offers. There are always some, but even in watching that GA interview yesterday, it is apparent how much he values the type of player cited above.
GMac is an interesting one, as I saw an interview where, contrary to retirement talk, he spoke about being inspired to carry on as long as possible now. We'll see if that holds up. I am one of those who think he has not had a good season at all (and based on how few MOTM votes he has gained all season, most would agree) but he has very high standards he has previously set to be judged by, which may be a little unfair as he ages.
There was a bit of needle between the Watford and Luton fans but nothing else. We had a decent following, but by the final we were clearly attracting the bulk of the supporters from eliminated teams.
What was the atmosphere/crowd makeup like? I've only seen the highlights from 'the only way is up 93/94 video. Were there loads of fans from each club chanting? Or was it more 'something to do midweek'?
It would be a brave team to offer Tafazoli an expensive contract with his injury record too. Ditto Mawson, even though his six week absence is only as a precaution of course.
As I recall the number of people who stayed fell away, presumably as their team got knocked out, but not alarmingly so. As the underdog we picked up some of the neutrals and fans of those teams we'd beaten.
Overall they were as much a novelty night out as anything. IIRK we retain the trophy as it's never been played since?
Out of all of the players who signed in the Championship, the only one I'd break the bank for would be Scowen as his work ethic and mobility around the pitch isn't matched by another. He wasn't given player of the season last year for no reason.
If Tafazoli stays fit for the rest of the season and performs then he should also be considered for one of the higher wages next season.
I think only Taffs and GMac signed in the Championship out of the current lot? Or maybe Obita too?
If we are going to spend anything over and above on wages, I would rather it was solely on the spine to build around. So Max, Taff, Josh and Vokes would be fine if we saved money elsewhere.
Comments
I went to both and the Lionel Richie game/concert unless it was all a dream.
Personally I would offer
2 year deals to Stryjek, Grimmer, Tafazolli, Obita, Scowen, Wheeler & Thomson.
1 year deals to Mawson, Vokes, McCarthy, Freeman, Blunkell & De Barr
I am assuming Pattenden, Leathers, Ward & Mellor have 1 year extension in their current contracts
Plus Hanlan, Wing, Young, Gape & Forino.
That leaves space for at least 3 senior players plus a full complement of U21's.
I am guessing JJ & McCleary will retire & we will release Dickenson, Wakeley & Horgan
Of the development lads I guess we will probably release those not mentioned above (Hagan, Matshazi, Woodhouse, Kaninda, Makoli) though I have heard good things about Matshazi so depending on his age we might give him more time.
Wing and Gape are contracted until 2024 anyway afaik
I think you’re going to have to be a bit more generous than that with the players you really want to keep in order to fend off interest from other clubs.
So maybe three year offers to the likes of Scowen, Taff, Max (if out of contract) and then two years for the likes of Grimmer, Thompson, Freeman, McCarthy, Wheeler and De Barr if he starts to make an impact.
One year on an age basis for McCleary and Vokes if we can afford their salaries which may be a struggle.
And then also a year for some of the youngsters that have shown a bit of potential as they’re a relatively cheap way to fill up a small squad - so maybe Leathers, Wakely, Pattenden, Woodhouse, Ward and Matshazi.
Clubs of our size don't give out three-year extensions, especially not to players aged 30+
Given the apparent change of focus away from spending to achieve promotion, I suspect Tafazolli, Vokes, Mawson and McCleary will all be on their way. I would very much like to retain all of them.
I hope Scowen doesn’t join that list, although he’s clearly too good for this level.
Grimmer, Obita, Thompson, Wheeler, Freeman, De Barr, Stryjek I’d expect to re-sign. Mellor may depend on how his loan goes.
Horgan and JJ unlikely to re-sign.
We’ve done a few 3 year deals in our time, particularly around the Championship season.
I don’t see a huge risk in signing Josh Scowen for 3 years. I think we’d be on safe ground there and would be better to get him tied down. Max too.
Taff’s definitely a bit more risky, he’d be 34 in the final year but he’s a very fit man - albeit one that does get injured a fair bit.
I’d rather give him 3 years and keep him than lose him to someone else that does.
I can see it with Max - although I can equally see clubs swarming all over him!
I think GA will be loyal to anyone who has been with us a long time and has been a trusted part of the club culture. If we are purely talking about making the team better on paper, there are a lot of players we could technically shift out, but there are so many who have the right attitude and enough talent. The likes of Gape, Thompson, McCarthy and Freeman are excellent characters who have been with us through serious ups and downs, are never going to complain about being on the bench, and are going to be fantastic for the culture. They all have enough talent to have us competitive...because they were all involved in our only ever promotion from L1!
We will surely have some significant turnover, but I expect it will be based more on decisions by the players out of contract than us kicking too many to the curb ourselves, or refusing to make offers. There are always some, but even in watching that GA interview yesterday, it is apparent how much he values the type of player cited above.
GMac is an interesting one, as I saw an interview where, contrary to retirement talk, he spoke about being inspired to carry on as long as possible now. We'll see if that holds up. I am one of those who think he has not had a good season at all (and based on how few MOTM votes he has gained all season, most would agree) but he has very high standards he has previously set to be judged by, which may be a little unfair as he ages.
I’ve seen mention of giving McCarthy a longer extension than Wheeler - Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey!
Oh wait it seems it’s the donkey that gets the longer extension 🙄
With the current deficit you can forget Vokes, Scowen and Tafazoli. All were signed on Championship deals and that’s no longer relevant.
Not sure there will be a huge amount of offers for Vokes. He will be 34 next year and hardly a prolific goal scorer now.
There was a bit of needle between the Watford and Luton fans but nothing else. We had a decent following, but by the final we were clearly attracting the bulk of the supporters from eliminated teams.
Tap and upload
Cheers. Doh
What was the atmosphere/crowd makeup like? I've only seen the highlights from 'the only way is up 93/94 video. Were there loads of fans from each club chanting? Or was it more 'something to do midweek'?
It would be a brave team to offer Tafazoli an expensive contract with his injury record too. Ditto Mawson, even though his six week absence is only as a precaution of course.
It’s very simple. It’s an easy cost/benefit decision.
It really is insane how good Mawson, Taff, and Forino are for L1 level, while also all being extremely injury prone.
without knowing the cost.
They’d have to really club together.
As I recall the number of people who stayed fell away, presumably as their team got knocked out, but not alarmingly so. As the underdog we picked up some of the neutrals and fans of those teams we'd beaten.
Overall they were as much a novelty night out as anything. IIRK we retain the trophy as it's never been played since?
Afraid it’s not true that the 93/4 tournament was the last one.
can’t remember who won 94/5……
Out of all of the players who signed in the Championship, the only one I'd break the bank for would be Scowen as his work ethic and mobility around the pitch isn't matched by another. He wasn't given player of the season last year for no reason.
If Tafazoli stays fit for the rest of the season and performs then he should also be considered for one of the higher wages next season.
I think only Taffs and GMac signed in the Championship out of the current lot? Or maybe Obita too?
If we are going to spend anything over and above on wages, I would rather it was solely on the spine to build around. So Max, Taff, Josh and Vokes would be fine if we saved money elsewhere.
When you get your claws into a player you don't let up do you.
I hear Taf's relieved you've got a new scape goat!😂
Does Gareth think the same way you do? On starts between the two players over the last couple of seasons maybe not?
Not sure Forino should be in that same sentence just yet? He's really got it all to prove?
Wholeheartedly agree. Josh is the one player I would least like to lose.
Scowen signed after we’d been relegated back to league one
It was the season we got promoted to the 2nd Division for the first time that we started with 5 on contract.
Ainsworth knows