Contracts and squad rebuild

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I liked Craig Clay but he isn't in the same league as McAlister. I understand everyone saying Toto will be a big miss but we need to remember that Toto made many errors in many games that wouldn't go unpunished at a higher level plus he wasn't the greatest passer of a ball. At the risk of upsetting a few, I would rather he was here than Shaun.

Quoted from 75

I'd be interested in other peoples view regarding the need for such a dramtic rebuild of the squad and what people think of our contract renewal policy. I think PH may have decided early on that he wanted to go with a 4-3-3 formation this season or a derivative of it. But did we really need to release so many lads that had done us proud? Only pre season I know but I am not convinced by this new squad of players, I am worried we will struggle going on what I have seen so far. I am not convinced PH will be able to get his players to buy into a 4-3-3 seeing as he signed Frankie Artus, and Paddy Mccaughlin to play in a three man midfield before having to abandon it shortly afterwards then had those two as square pegs in round holes for the rest of their days at BP.

I am upset we have lost the majority of our promotion winning squad. I don't believe we needed this massive rebuild. I'd have liked to keep Nathan, Padraig and Craig Clay. Happy to lose Nsalia and Robertson (with a heavy heart). I understand Tait moving to the SPL, gutted to lose Nolan to a league one club but those I can understand why we couldn't compete. I am still angry we allowed Amond, a 37 goal centre forward to move on to a smaller club. The way he left after being offered a two year deal in January then going on to bag 37 goals and the club offering a ONE year deal in June is clearly a urine take by the club. If we are moving to a 4-3-3 then maybe Padraig wouldn't have fitted in? He'd played there for Morcambe, when he'd played there for us he did look ineffective.

I just think we handle contract negotions badly, perhaps as JF has had his hands burned in the past and had to pay off clowns. We hear of take it or leave it time limited offers, where if we were to negotiate slightly or try to accomodate a request or so maybe we would be able to keep proven assets like Carl Magnay, Jon Nolan (who could have been offered an extension after a few weeks of being here) and Richard Tait. We don't seem to reward excellence by tying players down to contracts mid season.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

I think your post reinforces the old adage that we all have differing opinions on players. The players you mention helped us to a poor 4th in non league so I can totally understand the need to re build the squad for a division (and a good deal more quality) above.

Time will tell but had we kept the same squad and then did badly, people would be screaming at the lack of ambition so you cannot win I suppose.

Quoted from Garth

Well you have upset me, for heading the ball, toughness and sheer reliability even if not as fast as mistake a match Toto, my vote goes to Shaun.

Quoted from 75

Good post, but am I alone in thinking PH's record is just about average really. We never really looked like winning the league at any point over his sole and the joint managerial partnership. When you keep knocking at the door, eventually someone will answer. Minimum expectations at this club at that level were play offs, he's never exceeded minimum expectations and gets a lot of the supporters backs up. He has credit in the bank now, but wait until we lose five on the bounce.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

I think there's a bit of a contradiction in your posts. If last season was average, meeting minimum expectations etc, why would you wish we'd kept that squad together for a shot at a higher league? I think the easy thing for PH to do would've been to keep far more of last seasons squad but he's rebuilt for a higher league. Higher risk but higher potential reward maybe?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I understand that - just think that Shaun will get found out in this league.