https://gtfc.co.uk/retained-and-released-list-2024-25/

Both keepers going it looks like

Agree with all on the list.. got to sort the keeper situation out next year

Hume the only one to be offered a new deal. Wright made available for transfer the right call but bold nonetheless. No fúcking about. Can’t argue with any of it in the cold light of day.

Ruthless with the GKs !

For the love of god do NOT leave Steve Croudson have any say in getting a new goalkeeper

Must have a keeper lined up then, I expected one of them to go and one to stay.

Well that is a surprise thought we would have kept one of the keepers as a no.2 apart from that pretty much as expected

14 players plus possibly Hume
Hardly any surprises except possibly those made available

Plenty of funds freed up for new talent

It will be DA own squad from now….

Wow, big call not even keeping Wright as a number 2. Seems like a really nice lad but doesn't possess the footballing ability for a DA side. Could be a mutual.decision, perhaps Wright informed he was going to be number 2 and preferring to seek pastures new. Everything else pretty much as expected. They all go with good wishes but not sure we'll see any of them in the football league

Eastwood did well last few games but not the long term answer. All correct calls for me.

No massive surprises with players released. All the best for the future and genuinely thanks for their efforts. Especially Thompson who played a huge part in the turn around last season.

Both keepers either gone or available to go is bold, but maybe a clean break and reset in that position is for the best. Hopefully it's a sign of having our eye on someone.

Anyone know the situation with Henry Brown and Seb Auton?

14 players remain on the books and in the manager’s plans, plus Hume, who if the consistently correct “Alan Buckley” is to be believed, has already signed a new deal.

The best retained set of players for how many years?

Tyrell Warren
Lewis Cass
Cameron McJannet
Jason Daði Svanþórsson
Darragh Burns
Géza Dávid Turi
Harvey Rodgers
Doug Tharme
Evan Khouri
Kieran Green
Charles Vernam
Danny Rose
Cameron Gardner
George McEachran
Denver Hume

Quoted from Mappers

https://gtfc.co.uk/retained-and-released-list-2024-25/

Both keepers going it looks like

Well Wright is going if someone wants him, can only see that being a National League side but every club views things differently so who knows and maybe at another club he will do well. Lincoln fans really rated him and can’t believe my comments as to the quality of his performances for town.

Given our defensive record probably a shame that all remain under contract but hopefully a close season of coaching will improve this area but I would hope to see at least one new addition comes in preference being a central defender and of course a left back if Hume moves on.

Quoted from Brad

Eastwood did well last few games but not the long term answer. All correct calls for me.

Was thinking this earlier. Was absolutely superb at Port Vale and has been generally very solid since coming back into the side, but it’s a small sample size. He hasn’t had a consistent spell as a number one in his career at the age of 28, and would presumably have been too expensive to keep on as backup.

Feels a tad harsh on Eastwood and whilst I sometimes think it's good to do the nice thing, we're not a charity.

He impressed when he came back in but still question marks over his fragility and thought he showed a few glimpses of his earlier shaky self in the game on Saturday.  I'm sure the decision wasn't made on that or even the 3 games he played since coming back.

We can do better and we need to do better.  Right decisions all round.

If Auton is offered pro terms I'd rather we just go all-in on a top drawer 'keeper rather than trying to get 2 OK ones.  Auton can be cover and even if the No 1 gets injured it still allows us to bring in an emergency loan.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Well Wright is going if someone wants him, can only see that being a National League side but every club views things differently so who knows and maybe at another club he will do well. Lincoln fans really rated him and can’t believe my comments as to the quality of his performances for town.

Given our defensive record probably a shame that all remain under contract but hopefully a close season of coaching will improve this area but I would hope to see at least one new addition comes in preference being a central defender and of course a left back if Hume moves on.

Not sure, rated at Lincoln - wasn't disastrous here. Think he was ok for a team kicking around mid table, just not (for me anyway) what we need for next level. Clubs in bottom half of L2 could do alot worse than Jordan Wright.

His distribution was an issue for me because i think it's fundamental to how we were trying to play. Other clubs won't have the same issue.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Anyone know the situation with Henry Brown and Seb Auton?

Both were offered contracts - I believe Henry's was longer - not sure if they're both agreed. I believe Callum Storr was also offered an extra year too.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Well Wright is going if someone wants him

Yeah, this is the crucial bit.  Don't want to sound like I'm going in on the lad, but if you're a L2 manager are you signing him this summer?  Even a top end of the Conference side will probably fancy their chances of getting better for their money.

Quoted from Mikey_345

Not sure, rated at Lincoln - wasn't disastrous here. Think he was ok for a team kicking around mid table, just not (for me anyway) what we need for next level. Clubs in bottom half of L2 could do alot worse than Jordan Wright.

His distribution was an issue for me because i think it's fundamental to how we were trying to play. Other clubs won't have the same issue.

It was more than just his kicking for me, but even that wasn't because of how we play.  He struggled to get distance or accuracy, even the most long ball of sides who have no intention of using their 'keeper as a sweeper will be disadvantaged by that.  Serious lack of command of his area, painfully indecisive when coming to collect through balls and quite easily beaten at tight angles.  

Coming here from a higher level makes me think he's on a half decent wage, with two years to go too.  If we can get someone to take that over then I'll be very impressed!

I

The question is who is going to buy wright and Carson?
Surely we have a keeper lined up

Imagine if we're picking up any fee's for both of them, they'll be miniscule

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Imagine if we're picking up any fee's for both of them, they'll be miniscule

If there’s money involved we’ll be the ones paying it.

Much needed ruthlessness given the number and manner of goals conceded this season. Good luck to all those leaving.

It was easy to play it safe in the goalkeeping department. Fair play to Artell for being bold; it will be interesting to see what the strategy is here.

Quoted from FrazerGTFC

The question is who is going to buy wright and Carson?
Surely we have a keeper lined up

I'd imagine they are available for free transfer.

Quoted from crusty ole pie

Well that is a surprise thought we would have kept one of the keepers as a no.2 apart from that pretty much as expected

Wright is contracted otherwise I think Eastwood would have stayed, if they had kept Eastwood and couldn't get Wright out of the door they would not be able to bring anyone in

Good luck to those departing, hope they all get fixed up.

No real surprises for me.. big call on the goalkeepers, but probably the right one. Eastwood has been unfortunate, with the freak injury, and I’m sure will get a first choice position in National League. Wright.. well .. that for me has been the big disappointment.. came with a decent reputation .. but tbh never showed it. For his size and build he was weak in his area, seemed to really lack confidence. Distribution/ball at feet nowhere near the standard needed, good shot stopper - but not vocal - no authority/presence.. which never helped the back line. May sound incredibly harsh but that was my overall assessment. That said.. really do hope he can get a club, restore confidence and rebuild his career.. there has to be a decent keeper in there somewhere.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

It was easy to play it safe in the goalkeeping department. Fair play to Artell for being bold; it will be interesting to see what the strategy is here.

Lump on , on a big 1 you would hope  after what must be called a failure in terms of the Eastwood/Cartwright experiment and not actually upgrading on Crocombe ; something that i expected to happen 2 years ago - crucial  to get it right this time round .

Not sure we need two keepers. One better one, and if he gets injured, Auton playes the rest of that game, but because he has not played enough first team football we are allowed to bring one in on an emergency loan.

Wonder if we'll go down the route of a loan keeper from a top club?

The likes of Doncaster and others i cant remember right now did that this season.

Christy Pym (Mansfield) and Jed Steer (Cambridge) are both competent keepers and have been released.

Quoted from sam gy

Wonder if we'll go down the route of a loan keeper from a top club?

The likes of Doncaster and others i cant remember right now did that this season.

Who's BHA got on the books? Carl Rushworth/Tom McGill we seem to have good ties with them! then sign Seb as cover, all goes Pete Tong get an emergency loan in!

No qualms at all with any of that.

Slight surprise that we've not made Cass available as well as Carson to give us some more wiggle room to bring at least a couple of better defenders in but we'll see how it all pans out over the next few weeks.

Quoted from diehardmariner

It was more than just his kicking for me, but even that wasn't because of how we play.  He struggled to get distance or accuracy, even the most long ball of sides who have no intention of using their 'keeper as a sweeper will be disadvantaged by that.  Serious lack of command of his area, painfully indecisive when coming to collect through balls and quite easily beaten at tight angles.  

Coming here from a higher level makes me think he's on a half decent wage, with two years to go too.  If we can get someone to take that over then I'll be very impressed!

I

Agree with this. Seems harsh but he’s just not up to it. I’m sure he’s a nice lad but is there any part of his game that you could categorise as being “good”? When there’s plenty of parts to his game that you would categorise as “poor” or “below average”. Correct decision to see if someone else wants him. And for the love of God don’t let Croudson be part of the recruitment process for the next keeper.

All the right decisions made and even a surprising one regarding Wright but really the best one. Who knows the circumstances but with Eastwood being told he won't get a new deal there is already a plan to bring in a new keeper and maybe Wright doesn't want to stay and be #2 here either.

I'd expect any transfer to be a free, if he's on decent wages he might be tempted to just sit it out like Donovan and Pyke did, hanging around like a bad smell. He's a young player for a goalkeeper though and has many years ahead of him, I could even see a NL or other L2 side being willing to take a punt on him being able to use his experience gained with us to improve himself. A lot of it looks like a confidence thing and we can't keep giving him games waiting around and hoping he comes good. I really wanted him to live up to the potential seen in his past but he never looked comfortable between the sticks and would flap at the most simple of catches, never looked assured or able to command his box.

Getting rid of the deadwood is good, many loans have not worked out and good luck to them in future on dealing with injuries and kicking on in future. Ainley was an okay squad player but Artell knew him well and you could see he never lived up to his earlier potential that Artell saw in him much like Mullarky who was moved on. Thompson did a job for us but never looked the same after getting injured and it seems to have affected him heavily.

Jamal Blackman released by Shrewsbury

Loans going back doesn't make things dead - they could be re-negotiated?

Retained list - brutal but fair !!

Spend on 1 proven striker, 1 rough diamond striker, 1 quality keeper, 1 right back, sort out the left back role, and a new No 10 like McAtee played for us, hustler / bustler / tackler / shooter.

Can we afford a tough midfielder as an enforcer like Thompson was prior to his injury? Shame, he had some solid games and shook up opponents when fit !

Well, that's my wish list, and I'm sure that Dave Artell has placed HIS wish list with the data crunchers !

Hopefully, the released players will free up some decent salaries for new players to compliment those already here.

Stronger starting point than last season, I think !!

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Christy Pym (Mansfield) and Jed Steer (Cambridge) are both competent keepers and have been released.

Jed Steer is at Peterborough under contract according to Wiki?

Quoted from acko338

Loans going back doesn't make things dead - they could be re-negotiated?

Retained list - brutal but fair !!

Spend on 1 proven striker, 1 rough diamond striker, 1 quality keeper, 1 right back, sort out the left back role, and a new No 10 like McAtee played for us, hustler / bustler / tackler / shooter.

[/b]Can we afford a tough midfielder[b] as an enforcer like Thompson was prior to his injury? Shame, he had some solid games and shook up opponents when fit !

Well, that's my wish list, and I'm sure that Dave Artell has placed HIS wish list with the data crunchers !

Hopefully, the released players will free up some decent salaries for new players to compliment those already here.

Stronger starting point than last season, I think !!

The guy who Salford had on loan , the no 6.. Fornah? He’d be ideal for that role.. but guess he’ll have a host of options

Would imagine this is where those personal development plans & target setting come in handy. Can turn around at the end of the season and you’ve got something concrete to base your decision on, rather than just being vibes-based and having to hold your hands up and say “got that one wrong”.

Let’s not forget that Luke Waterfall was made available for transfer ahead of the 21/22 season, mind.

Quoted from AdamHaddock

Much needed ruthlessness given the number and manner of goals conceded this season. Good luck to all those leaving.

That is true but we still have the same defenders!

All correct decisions....

People saying Artell has been brutal, but he has to be if we want to progress.
I also think he would move a couple more contracted players on aswell, if the released list wasn't so big as it is.

Hoping none of the loans make their way back aswell.
Only one I think could be possible would be Obikwu, but we certainly need to do better than him.

Think Wimbledon showed last season and against us on the last day the importance of a decent defensive unit.
Goodman in goal was superb and the 2 big commanding lads in the middle gave Rose and Obikwu nothing barring long range scraps.

Offensively we have a solid framework to build on next season barring a new striker, another winger and CM, but defensively we need reconstruction, starting with a solid dependable keeper, a RB and LB and a big commanding vocal unit at CB to partner McJannet/Rodgers. See Tharme as cover myself. Would also like to see a destroyer of a CDM allowing McEachran the licence to get forward and make an impact further up the field.

Overall can see 6-7 in permanent with 2-3 in on loan. Means a smaller squad than last year but we managed without the likes of Pyke, Wilson, Carson (out on loan) last year anyways.

UTM

Quoted from Stew0_0

Think Wimbledon showed last season and against us on the last day the importance of a decent defensive unit.
Goodman in goal was superb and the 2 big commanding lads in the middle gave Rose and Obikwu nothing barring long range scraps.

Offensively we have a solid framework to build on next season barring a new striker, another winger and CM, but defensively we need reconstruction, starting with a solid dependable keeper, a RB and LB and a big commanding vocal unit at CB to partner McJannet/Rodgers. See Tharme as cover myself. Would also like to see a destroyer of a CDM allowing McEachran the licence to get forward and make an impact further up the field.

Overall can see 6-7 in permanent with 2-3 in on loan. Means a smaller squad than last year but we managed without the likes of Pyke, Wilson, Carson (out on loan) last year anyways.

UTM

Agree with this. Though I wonder if Turi could be that player? He certainly showed he was tough in the tackle but composed on the ball on his couple of cameos this year.

In a way I think it’s positive we’re being that bit more ruthless with Wright and shows we’re going to seek to upgrade (or already have upgrade). That’s a big contrast as it indicates we aren’t having to hang onto players we don’t think can cut it.

A change of scenery may be good for Wright too. His confidence looks absolutely shot.

Quoted from Stew0_0

Think Wimbledon showed last season and against us on the last day the importance of a decent defensive unit.
Goodman in goal was superb and the 2 big commanding lads in the middle gave Rose and Obikwu nothing barring long range scraps.

Offensively we have a solid framework to build on next season barring a new striker, another winger and CM, but defensively we need reconstruction, starting with a solid dependable keeper, a RB and LB and a big commanding vocal unit at CB to partner McJannet/Rodgers. See Tharme as cover myself. Would also like to see a destroyer of a CDM allowing McEachran the licence to get forward and make an impact further up the field.

Overall can see 6-7 in permanent with 2-3 in on loan. Means a smaller squad than last year but we managed without the likes of Pyke, Wilson, Carson (out on loan) last year anyways.

UTM

Apart from the gilt edged chance Rose should have buried from Greens cross.

Regards Eastwood he played better last few games but we never won a game.I forget who but early season someone posted Sheffield United regarded him mentally weak and when we played Sheff Weds there fans barracked him and he lost the plot. He wasn't the first and won't be the last to suffer from this but we need a commanding keeper Henderson was 19-20 and made a competent league 2 keeper in Mckeown look urine poor in comparison. They are out there and we need one.

What if nobody comes in for wright (apologies if already asked)? Do we pay up his contract or keep him on.

The fanfare Lincoln fans gave him suggested that he was a solid keeper who would be a superb signing.

Quoted from Stew0_0

Think Wimbledon showed last season and against us on the last day the importance of a decent defensive unit.
Goodman in goal was superb and the 2 big commanding lads in the middle gave Rose and Obikwu nothing barring long range scraps.

Offensively we have a solid framework to build on next season barring a new striker, another winger and CM, but defensively we need reconstruction, starting with a solid dependable keeper, a RB and LB and a big commanding vocal unit at CB to partner McJannet/Rodgers. See Tharme as cover myself. Would also like to see a destroyer of a CDM allowing McEachran the licence to get forward and make an impact further up the field.

Overall can see 6-7 in permanent with 2-3 in on loan. Means a smaller squad than last year but we managed without the likes of Pyke, Wilson, Carson (out on loan) last year anyways.

UTM

I like the idea of George with more freedom but for me his best games have come in the deeper role.
Trying to get the balance right in midfield is going to be tough. Feels like we need some more physicality in the side in general but also wouldn’t mind an upgrade on Khouri in terms of end product in the final third. Whether that comes from him or somebody new I don’t know.

Quoted from Brad

I like the idea of George with more freedom but for me his best games have come in the deeper role.
Trying to get the balance right in midfield is going to be tough. Feels like we need some more physicality in the side in general but also wouldn’t mind an upgrade on Khouri in terms of end product in the final third. Whether that comes from him or somebody new I don’t know.

Yeah I think George is far better suited to that defensive midfield role tbh, he's so good at it, not sure he offers loads further forward. There's a reason he's barely scored in his whole career.

Quoted from Teesknees

Jed Steer is at Peterborough under contract according to Wiki?

Had his contract cancelled by mutual consent announced today for "personal reasons". You'd expect he has something lined up for such a thing as he's from that area and was playing sharing duties with Bilokapic who has been transfer listed. Maybe another case of being told they want to bring in somebody else as #1 and he's not prepared to stay and be a bench warmer. Strange one since their fans really rate him and he was a hero for them in the cup. Be surprised if he ends up at this level though as I'd expect he could play higher.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

What if nobody comes in for wright (apologies if already asked)? Do we pay up his contract or keep him on.

We can’t unilaterally terminate his contract without paying him up, either as a lump sum or in instalments. There’s absolutely no value whatsoever in us doing that, though.

But it’s an interesting situation. If we’ve told Wright he has no future at the club then it’s his prerogative to sit on his contract - it’s not his fault we offered him the deal we did. But doing that also puts him in a difficult position.

This has been his first season as a number one, and it hasn’t worked out. If he doesn’t play for another 12 months, where does that leave his career as a free agent at 27? He really needs to go somewhere and play.

The reality is though, whether he goes out on loan or on a permanent transfer, whoever comes in for him probably won’t fancy matching his current package, which will have been decent by all accounts. In that scenario, I imagine we find ourselves covering a portion of his wages, circa 20%, take it as a lesson learned and move on.

Ultimately, I think that’s close to what will happen. There’ll be a taker for him. He’ll be motivated to move on, and well motivated to accommodate prospective suitors.

Quoted from Poojah

We can’t unilaterally terminate his contract without paying him up, either as a lump sum or in instalments. There’s absolutely no value whatsoever in us doing that, though.

But it’s an interesting situation. If we’ve told Wright he has no future at the club then it’s his prerogative to sit on his contract - it’s not his fault we offered him the deal we did. But doing that also puts him in a difficult position.

This has been his first season as a number one, and it hasn’t worked out. If he doesn’t play for another 12 months, where does that leave his career as a free agent at 27? He really needs to go somewhere and play.

The reality is though, whether he goes out on loan or on a permanent transfer, whoever comes in for him probably won’t fancy matching his current package, which will have been decent by all accounts. In that scenario, I imagine we find ourselves covering a portion of his wages, circa 20%, take it as a lesson learned and move on.

Ultimately, I think that’s close to what will happen. There’ll be a taker for him. He’ll be motivated to move on, and well motivated to accommodate prospective suitors.

I agree with all that but I suspect we will be coughing up more than 20% of his contract.

Letting both keepers go is the correct  decision for me.

I think you've got to look at it in the round on Wright's contract. Artell and the rest of the backroom appear to have got a lot more transfers right (lol) than wrong at this stage, it's inevitable some aren't going to work out and the keeper is just one of them.

Maybe there will be a taker and if not I guess we face a bit of a hit but on the face of it McEachran, JDS, McJannet, Hume, Tharme and Warren all look like big-ish wins on the market front, with only Wright and Davies (through injury) on the other side of the ledger.

Jed Steer has not been retained by Peterborough.

He wanted to leave for “personal reasons”.

Quoted from toontown

Yeah I think George is far better suited to that defensive midfield role tbh, he's so good at it, not sure he offers loads further forward. There's a reason he's barely scored in his whole career.

I don't think Greeny was known for his goals tally prior to joining us but with encouragement and coaching from DA he's shown that he can get among the goals. A lot depends on DA's assessment of George and what role he thinks is best suited for him.

Quoted from toontown

Yeah I think George is far better suited to that defensive midfield role tbh, he's so good at it, not sure he offers loads further forward. There's a reason he's barely scored in his whole career.

In agreement with this.  First few months he was here I really thought McEachran would be better suited to playing further forward and it was just a case of waiting for Thompson to get fit to free him up, in fact I think Artell played Khouri in the deeper role a few times to allow such to happen.

However, whenever he's moved forward he's looked quite ineffective, which is odd as he's got all the natural attributes you would probably want to do so.  The sample of what we've seen from him is limited so impossible to say if Turi comes in as a deeper role or further forward.  

Hate to say it too as he's a player I've simply really enjoyed watching in the last year, but I think we will have serious interest in McEachran this summer and that particular dilemma might be taken out of our hands.

Quoted from diehardmariner

In agreement with this.  First few months he was here I really thought McEachran would be better suited to playing further forward and it was just a case of waiting for Thompson to get fit to free him up, in fact I think Artell played Khouri in the deeper role a few times to allow such to happen.

However, whenever he's moved forward he's looked quite ineffective, which is odd as he's got all the natural attributes you would probably want to do so.  The sample of what we've seen from him is limited so impossible to say if Turi comes in as a deeper role or further forward.  

Hate to say it too as he's a player I've simply really enjoyed watching in the last year, but I think we will have serious interest in McEachran this summer and that particular dilemma might be taken out of our hands.

Personally see Turi as a like for like replacement to GM whether he stays or not . If he's here more of a rest would be helpful but you could say that for a lot of them - I'm not even sure recruitment is as simple as just getting better players in in our case but as important maybe is better support players who can 'do a job ' carrying effectively 4 or 5 dead weights was probably the reason we didn't make the play -offs imo and the lack of options off the bench left some knackered and just having to play full games even though they were physically shot .

Quoted from rancido

I don't think Greeny was known for his goals tally prior to joining us but with encouragement and coaching from DA he's shown that he can get among the goals. A lot depends on DA's assessment of George and what role he thinks is best suited for him.

Green confirmed in his interview after the Wimbledon game that he's had more scoring chances this season than the rest of his career combined.

Green seems to be getting put forward for media duty a lot and I have to say he is always a great listen.

Never thought the two keepers were good enough with their feet for how we want to play xo it’s ruthless but correct.

Everything else as expected really. Hopefully Hulme signs and then the only one I’m a bit worried about keeping is McEachran so hopefully he stays.

Quoted from AndyGTFC

Never thought the two keepers were good enough with their feet for how we want to play xo it’s ruthless but correct.

Everything else as expected really. Hopefully Hulme signs and then the only one I’m a bit worried about keeping is McEachran so hopefully he stays.

I think we need to be philosophical about the prospect of players leaving for fees, be it McEachran, Khouri, JDS or anyone else.

For decades now we’ve consistently failed to bring through or bring in rough diamonds, turn them into players and then move them on for significant profit. It’s what healthy, proactive clubs do, and our failure to do so in recent times is symptomatic that we have for so long been neither of those things.

It’ll be a shame if we have to sell any of our better players this summer, but it should be seen as a sign of progress, not failure. There are few apex predators in football.

For once, I have faith in our recruitment system to replace anyone we lose with something which is of net benefit to the squad as a whole.

Quoted from Poojah

I think we need to be philosophical about the prospect of players leaving for fees, be it McEachran, Khouri, JDS or anyone else.

For decades now we’ve consistently failed to bring through or bring in rough diamonds, turn them into players and then move them on for significant profit. It’s what healthy, proactive clubs do, and our failure to do so in recent times is symptomatic that we have for so long been neither of those things.

It’ll be a shame if we have to sell any of our better players this summer, but it should be seen as a sign of progress, not failure. There are few apex predators in football.

For once, I have faith in our recruitment system to replace anyone we lose with something which is of net benefit to the squad as a whole.

Agree with the last paragraph. Conteh replaced with Thompson who was exactly what we needed at the time. Thompson was then upgraded to McEachran last summer.

If we go back to the sale of Bogle, that money was frittered away on a number of players who later left for nothing or got paid up.

If we sell our better players for profit and re-ivest in the squad nobody could complain at that.

I think some are over egging the pudding somewhat though. None of our players are in the McAtee class, and he is only playing in league one.

Players like Khouri have certainly improved, but he is still very limited as a player at this stage of his development, and it might be better for him and others to spend more time under the tutelage of a manager like Artell.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

If we sell our better players for profit and re-ivest in the squad nobody could complain at that.

I think some are over egging the pudding somewhat though. None of our players are in the McAtee class, and he is only playing in league one.

Players like Khouri have certainly improved, but he is still very limited as a player at this stage of his development, and it might be better for him and others to spend more time under the tutelage of a manager like Artell.

Fair comment, but McAtee was sold on the basis of his (unquestionably brilliant) performances in the National League. League players have an inherently higher resale value.

Quoted from Poojah

Fair comment, but McAtee was sold on the basis of his (unquestionably brilliant) performances in the National League. League players have an inherently higher resale value.

Perhaps they do, but none of our players come close to his standard which is the point I'm making.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Perhaps they do, but none of our players come close to his standard which is the point I'm making.

It’s difficult to compare apples with oranges, but if McAtee is a top-end League One player, I’d like to think someone like McEachran could step-up to that standard with the right environment around him.

For the record I’m not suggesting we’re looking at mindblowing sums of money; we made something like £250k out of McAtee if memory serves. But I don’t think it’s out of the question the likes of McEachran or the younger Khouri could fetch somewhere in that ballpark.

Let's not forget too, with the best will in the world, we're not football scouts or managers.

Plenty said Clifton wasn't good enough for the duration of his time with us, but an experienced and successful manager in Grant McCann thought otherwise. He's gone on to start 27 league games (41 league apps in total) for the league champions, scoring 6 goals. Like it or not, he's gone on to bigger things.


I don't think it's out of the question that teams may be interested in a number of our players.

Quoted from Stew0_0

Would also like to see a destroyer of a CDM allowing McEachran the licence to get forward and make an impact further up the field.

UTM

MeEachran has just been voted player of the season for his outstanding performances as a defensive midfielder, so I'm a bit puzzled as to why you'd want to take him out of that role and put him in a position where he's unfamiliar, and possibly uncomfortable with?

If Clifton doesn't feature in Doncaster's League One plans and became available, would he fit into our current style of play? I seem to remember his passing wasn't the best part of his game.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Perhaps they do, but none of our players come close to his standard which is the point I'm making.

Would personally disagree on that I would just argue they play in a  less explosive way and in different areas of the pitch ; remember at league 2 Mcatee hardly set the world alight (with the caveat of a shoulder injury ) and has hardly set the world on fire at Bolton although he has shown he's a good league 1 player at both them & Barnsley .

Quoted from A Brace Of Tees

MeEachran has just been voted player of the season for his outstanding performances as a defensive midfielder, so I'm a bit puzzled as to why you'd want to take him out of that role and put him in a position where he's unfamiliar, and possibly uncomfortable with?

I'd be delighted if George is still here in August whatever position he plays (apart from GK obviously)!

Quoted from diehardmariner

Feels a tad harsh on Eastwood and whilst I sometimes think it's good to do the nice thing, we're not a charity.

He impressed when he came back in but still question marks over his fragility and thought he showed a few glimpses of his earlier shaky self in the game on Saturday.  I'm sure the decision wasn't made on that or even the 3 games he played since coming back.

We can do better and we need to do better.  Right decisions all round.

If Auton is offered pro terms I'd rather we just go all-in on a top drawer 'keeper rather than trying to get 2 OK ones.  Auton can be cover and even if the No 1 gets injured it still allows us to bring in an emergency loan.

I don't see an issue with Auton as a backup/second keeper. Harry Wainman became 1st choice 'keeper, following the departure of Charlie Wright, and Harry was only 19. So if we get a new first choice keeper then Auton can develop as his understudy on the bench and used if necessary.

I think the few points made about him going out on loan might come into play to be honest, not something I had considered.  

He'll be too old for youth team games and we've a distinct lack of reserve team games now.  Should he stay I think he will need to continue to get game time on a regular basis.  

Nothing to say we can't get a young lad on loan from somewhere higher up the leagues to warm our bench whilst Auton gets experience elsewhere though.  

What can we do to improve on our defence next season, bearing in mind that all the defenders from this season, hopefully Hume too are under contract and are responsible for our poor defensive record this last season?

.... and the lack of goals from midfield

Quoted from Ruuger

What can we do to improve on our defence next season, bearing in mind that all the defenders from this season, hopefully Hume too are under contract and are responsible for our poor defensive record this last season?

I think we are a bit light on numbers defensively anyway so still expecting some reinforcements.

Carson is available for transfer which leaves us with 1 LB assuming Hume signs a new deal. Warren has played his best stuff in a back 3 and Svanthorsson has been our best player from RB/RWB this season.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think we are a bit light on numbers defensively anyway so still expecting some reinforcements.

Carson is available for transfer which leaves us with 1 LB assuming Hume signs a new deal. Warren has played his best stuff in a back 3 and Svanthorsson has been our best player from RB/RWB this season.

I'm just wondering if DA has plans for Khouri to be a backup LB!

Quoted from Ruuger

I'm just wondering if DA has plans for Khouri to be a backup LB!

He will be our left back if he stays - JS said as much to me in conversation

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

What if nobody comes in for wright (apologies if already asked)? Do we pay up his contract or keep him on.

The fanfare Lincoln fans gave him suggested that he was a solid keeper who would be a superb signing.

Someone would have him on loan. It would just be a case of how much of his wages we'd be left to cover.

Quoted from Ruuger

What can we do to improve on our defence next season, bearing in mind that all the defenders from this season, hopefully Hume too are under contract and are responsible for our poor defensive record this last season?

It's not the defenders that were the issue, it was the way they were set up.
Set pieces were our achilles heel all season, so you have to look further than the players, imo anyway

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

It's not the defenders that were the issue, it was the way they were set up.
Set pieces were our achilles heel all season, so you have to look further than the players, imo anyway

That in itself could be construed as a ‘lazy take’ though couldn’t it?? Too many factors just to assume it’s the ‘instructor’ to blame.. or the defenders alone.. whatever.. it’s probably a combination of lack of concentration, following instruction, taking in instruction, understanding between colleagues, uncertainty in certain situations what the keeper is going to do .. ie come out and challenge/assert, and also not being good enough in certain situations individually.

It’s a known issue, they’re aware, addressed it.. initially I think the retained list yesterday said quite a bit imho, but also there’ll be more too’s and fro’s before we start up again, there’ll be more input into how we set up/defend preseason than what there was last time. Etc etc. End of the day they want to improve..I’m sure they will in that respect.

Quoted from marinerjase

That in itself could be construed as a ‘lazy take’ though couldn’t it?? Too many factors just to assume it’s the ‘instructor’ to blame.. or the defenders alone.. whatever.. it’s probably a combination of lack of concentration, following instruction, taking in instruction, understanding between colleagues, uncertainty in certain situations what the keeper is going to do .. ie come out and challenge/assert, and also not being good enough in certain situations individually.

It’s a known issue, they’re aware, addressed it.. initially I think the retained list yesterday said quite a bit imho, but also there’ll be more too’s and fro’s before we start up again, there’ll be more input into how we set up/defend preseason than what there was last time. Etc etc. End of the day they want to improve..I’m sure they will in that respect.

Well put and shows how many variables are involved. You  need a leader or commanding figure at set- pieces and that starts with an assettive and vocal ' keeper, one who is strong in their air.

We lost set pieces when "Hunt to Waterfall - goal" stopped working !!

Missing the "get to the 1st ball" urgency factor with lousy deliveries 8 out of 10.

Surely there must be some form of target routine for a corner or set piece taker to practice getting the kicks into an area away from a keeper's grasp or over the 1st defender at least ??

Quoted from acko338

Surely there must be some form of target routine for a corner or set piece taker to practice getting the kicks into an area away from a keeper's grasp or over the 1st defender at least ??

Youd like to think so, but if none of the players are capable of consistently hitting the sweet spot then they have to utilise the best of the worst to take the set pieces

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

It's not the defenders that were the issue, it was the way they were set up.
Set pieces were our achilles heel all season, so you have to look further than the players, imo anyway

Agree. Not sure how much value we get out of a couple of the back room staff if I’m honest.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

It's not the defenders that were the issue, it was the way they were set up.
Set pieces were our achilles heel all season, so you have to look further than the players, imo anyway

Plus if you're getting overrun  in midfield, it leaves the backline woefully exposed.

The best teams defend as a team, from the front.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Agree. Not sure how much value we get out of a couple of the back room staff if I’m honest.

Who do you think we are "carrying"?

Am genuinely interested - I have my own thoughts, felt there is one being carried and another who is very lucky - I change my mind regularly - fickle football fans you see!!

Quoted from Watch and Shoot

Who do you think we are "carrying"?

Am genuinely interested - I have my own thoughts, felt there is one being carried and another who is very lucky - I change my mind regularly - fickle football fans you see!!

Just to put my two pence in, I think Croudson has made every goalkeeper that has come in worse, maybe he slightly improved Crocombe? Although he’s a great guy, I think we could do better than Davies, and Pearson is maybe the only one I would keep, but I still feel we could improve upon Pearson, and I feel Artell may have similar thoughts, as I’m sure if he was given the opportunity to choose his own back room staff, the setup would look very different. I’m willing to wait another season, however I would maybe look at the value Greg (the S&C coach) brings, as we’ve had a hell of a lot of injuries over the last few years, I know sometimes that’s just football, and I feel the pitch contributed to it this last season, but maybe it’s something to monitor. Just my opinion, happy to hear differing ones

Quoted from Watch and Shoot

Who do you think we are "carrying"?

Am genuinely interested - I have my own thoughts, felt there is one being carried and another who is very lucky - I change my mind regularly - fickle football fans you see!!

As much as He's a great guy and very generous on a night out.... Have to Question what on earth Steve Croudson has done whilst being here.

He had a big input on Both Cartwright and Jordan Wright, both of whom were pretty poor, Especially considering we paid a fee for Wright...

He is supposedly our set piece coach also, We are hopeless at both attacking and defending set pieces.

Quoted from TheultimateMariner

Just to put my two pence in, I think Croudson has made every goalkeeper that has come in worse, maybe he slightly improved Crocombe? Although he’s a great guy, I think we could do better than Davies, and Pearson is maybe the only one I would keep, but I still feel we could improve upon Pearson, and I feel Artell may have similar thoughts, as I’m sure if he was given the opportunity to choose his own back room staff, the setup would look very different. I’m willing to wait another season, however I would maybe look at the value Greg (the S&C coach) brings, as we’ve had a hell of a lot of injuries over the last few years, I know sometimes that’s just football, and I feel the pitch contributed to it this last season, but maybe it’s something to monitor. Just my opinion, happy to hear differing ones

I assume you're involved within the first team squad to be passing judgement on coaches and what they do? Croudson yes, responsible for defending set pieces and the goalkeepers but how do you know what Artell assigns Davies/Pearson to do? We're also very lucky to have Greg, one of the best around at what he does, and he's turned down many approaches from other clubs because he loves the area. Injuries we've had aren't exactly players that haven't been injured before, i'd look more to recruitment rather than something in-house. Vernam, Davies, Obikwu, Luker, Thompson all arrived here with known injury problems.

I'm not sure you could say that Obikwu and Luker had 'known' injury problems. Both played plenty of games the previous season and, as young lads, you wouldn't have expected them to struggle after recovering from their initial pre-season issues. It wouldn't surprise me if both had mostly injury-free seasons next time around. We've seen Khouri struggle with injuries over the years but he was a regular this season and played the majority of the minutes.

Quoted from Hagrid

As much as He's a great guy and very generous on a night out.... Have to Question what on earth Steve Croudson has done whilst being here.

He had a big input on Both Cartwright and Jordan Wright, both of whom were pretty poor, Especially considering we paid a fee for Wright...

He is supposedly our set piece coach also, We are hopeless at both attacking and defending set pieces.

And there lies the problem. Stick or twist?

How are we questioning the coaching staff when we have literally no knowledge on what goes on at training?
Why can we do better than Davies or Pearson? based on what?

Quoted from TheultimateMariner

Just to put my two pence in, I think Croudson has made every goalkeeper that has come in worse, maybe he slightly improved Crocombe? Although he’s a great guy, I think we could do better than Davies, and Pearson is maybe the only one I would keep, but I still feel we could improve upon Pearson, and I feel Artell may have similar thoughts, as I’m sure if he was given the opportunity to choose his own back room staff, the setup would look very different. I’m willing to wait another season, however I would maybe look at the value Greg (the S&C coach) brings, as we’ve had a hell of a lot of injuries over the last few years, I know sometimes that’s just football, and I feel the pitch contributed to it this last season, but maybe it’s something to monitor. Just my opinion, happy to hear differing ones

I don't disagree with anything said apart from I would swap the Davies and Pearson around.  Davies is well thought of further afield than Cleethorpes.  Cos he isn't a ranter or raver doesn't mean he hasn't got his finger on the pulse.......

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

How are we questioning the coaching staff when we have literally no knowledge on what goes on at training?
Why can we do better than Davies or Pearson? based on what?

Cos if you don't question you just accept the status quo and follow blindly - thought the last 20 years would have told everyone on here question, question, question.

If you ask Why 4 or 5 times you should normally get the actual answer or rationale

Probably don't need to take life so seriously. Nobody is going to read the Fishy and sack anyone (anymore).................

Quoted from Maringer

I'm not sure you could say that Obikwu and Luker had 'known' injury problems. Both played plenty of games the previous season and, as young lads, you wouldn't have expected them to struggle after recovering from their initial pre-season issues. It wouldn't surprise me if both had mostly injury-free seasons next time around. We've seen Khouri struggle with injuries over the years but he was a regular this season and played the majority of the minutes.

Obikwu's issue was known from the year before, and Khouri suffered with meningitis

Talking about known unfit players, how many games has Max Wright played without recurring pulls, strains etc since moving away ?

Has he reduced his training a la Paul McGrath style to prolong his playing times, and if so, would that approach help any of our players to get more match time?

Can a full pre season help the squad towards 90 minutes / twice per week match fitness, or are we shattering them somehow, so that they run out of steam at the hour mark??

Other teams seem to run like the perpetual Battery Bunny for the full length of games, and this has been our downfall in several games when we have the lead.

We can't say that we are running too fast for long periods,  as some of the build up play can be overtaken by snails running across our back line !

Answers on a postcard, please !!

Quoted from Watch and Shoot

Cos if you don't question you just accept the status quo and follow blindly - thought the last 20 years would have told everyone on here question, question, question.

If you ask Why 4 or 5 times you should normally get the actual answer or rationale

Probably don't need to take life so seriously. Nobody is going to read the Fishy and sack anyone (anymore).................

I'm not saying they are good enough(Because i don't know how much of an input they actually have), but i'm confused how people can say they aren't good enough.
Not forgetting we've just had our best finish in 19? years, then question the coaching team is odd.

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

I'm not saying they are good enough(Because i don't know how much of an input they actually have), but i'm confused how people can say they aren't good enough.
Not forgetting we've just had our best finish in 19? years, then question the coaching team is odd.

I think it is because they/we see error after error on a pitch and you look at reacting to that.

We were 8 minutes away from the play offs (I have sort of estimated when Harrogate and Port Vale got there second goals after we were two up in both games)  Players and Coaches were responsible for that.

I do get the progress although it doesn't mean we shouldn't question what/when/why

Finishing 9th should not qualify anyone for a Get Out of Jail Card if we have the ambition to finish higher

Am certainly not criticising your thoughts or your post - you have as much a right as anyone else to an opinion - we all do

Can’t remember a single season where people haven’t moaned that the players aren’t fit enough over 90 minutes. Same every year. Was the same when Hurst was here and supposedly all the players were superhuman fitness freaks and had done pre-season with Eliud Kipchoge.

What will help with stamina over 90 minutes is being able to keep hold of the ball and control possession. But then people don’t want to watch that & moan whenever the players aren’t constantly running full pelt up & down the pitch and burning people down the touchline. Can’t have it both ways folks.

Quoted from Watch and Shoot

I think it is because they/we see error after error on a pitch and you look at reacting to that.

We were 8 minutes away from the play offs (I have sort of estimated when Harrogate and Port Vale got there second goals after we were two up in both games)  Players and Coaches were responsible for that.

I do get the progress although it doesn't mean we shouldn't question what/when/why

Finishing 9th should not qualify anyone for a Get Out of Jail Card if we have the ambition to finish higher

Am certainly not criticising your thoughts or your post - you have as much a right as anyone else to an opinion - we all do

I don't see how the coaching staff are responsible for Danny throwing his head at the ball in front of Wright or how they're responsible for the incompetency of officials to not spot that Tolaj was a mile offside? Each to there own I suppose, but to swing it the other way they've got plenty of credit in the bank from the 20 games we won.

Quoted from ska face

Can’t remember a single season where people haven’t moaned that the players aren’t fit enough over 90 minutes. Same every year. Was the same when Hurst was here and supposedly all the players were superhuman fitness freaks and had done pre-season with Eliud Kipchoge.

What will help with stamina over 90 minutes is being able to keep hold of the ball and control possession. But then people don’t want to watch that & moan whenever the players aren’t constantly running full pelt up & down the pitch and burning people down the touchline. Can’t have it both ways folks.

Plenty fit enough this season in my view. Problem was, which isn’t really controllable, you did start to see fatigue due to the amount of games and lack of options to freshen up at various points of the season. Again theres not really anything you can do about that to a large extent.

Quoted from acko338

Talking about known unfit players, how many games has Max Wright played without recurring pulls, strains etc since moving away ?

Only 22 appearances last season, playing 26% of available minutes for Halifax with what looks like two big periods out of the squad completley - presumably injury.

Season before he did ok and made 40 appearances,

it seems a long time ago that somebody heard that Giles had been released but no news on Brown, Storr and Auton. Anybody heard anything?

Quoted from Dodorondon

it seems a long time ago that somebody heard that Giles had been released but no news on Brown, Storr and Auton. Anybody heard anything?

Brown Auton Offered Pro Deals
Stoor A further year Scholarship

Thank you

Quoted from Hagrid

As much as He's a great guy and very generous on a night out.... Have to Question what on earth Steve Croudson has done whilst being here.

He had a big input on Both Cartwright and Jordan Wright, both of whom were pretty poor, Especially considering we paid a fee for Wright...

He is supposedly our set piece coach also, We are hopeless at both attacking and defending set pieces.

Hagrid - you made me smile - a previous life - back in the day i was taught when writing up section reports - tell them their faults but always finish with something positive - they like that - you have however adopted "big them up then knock them down policy" - it really doesn't matter if his kit is always well pressed after that - love it!!

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

How are we questioning the coaching staff when we have literally no knowledge on what goes on at training?
Why can we do better than Davies or Pearson? based on what?

Because it's all part of this modern phenomenal " the blame game". Too many people assume without any facts to back it up, just supposition. I don't think for a second that DA would continue if he felt he was being " hamstrung" by inferior back-up staff. Yes, he was given the coaching team when he took over but we are now 18 months down the road and no manager in any industry would continue if he felt his support staff weren't up to it. The days of The Leech are behind us when a large number of admin and coaching staff lived in their own comfort zones with no danger of being replaced.

Quoted from Watch and Shoot

Hagrid - you made me smile - a previous life - back in the day i was taught when writing up section reports - tell them their faults but always finish with something positive - they like that - you have however adopted "big them up then knock them down policy" - it really doesn't matter if his kit is always well pressed after that - love it!!

I thought it was the excrement sandwich? bury the criticism in between 2 positives.

Quoted from bedders78

I thought it was the excrement sandwich? bury the criticism in between 2 positives.

Smith is a personable young man, However..............................., you can see your face in his boots though.

I do think the lack of height in the squad is the main factor in the many goals we've conceded from set pieces. When you've got 2 or 3 players over 6 feet tall, none of them massive (and, let's face it, Rodgers isn't that great in the air), and the opposition has 5 or 6, you're going to struggle. I'm not sure if it is just the ones that I remember, but we seem to concede a lot from headers at the near post. Not sure if that is something we can do something about with the current personnel. Do we put some of our big guys at the near post leaving us literally short around the middle of the goal, or just try and disrupt the runners/jumpers better? The all-in wrestling that we seem to see at set pieces now doesn't really favour us, either, as we have a lot of relatively slight players who are going to get shoved around if the opportunity arises.

Just a brief observation of keepers. Very few command the box these days. Most are shot stoppers. A friend who is a Palace supporter is a great admirer of ‘our’ Dean Henderson though describes him as essentially a brilliant shot stopper. Many keepers come out to block but fewer and fewer commit to catching crosses.

Quoted from Mikey_345

Plenty fit enough this season in my view. Problem was, which isn’t really controllable, you did start to see fatigue due to the amount of games and lack of options to freshen up at various points of the season. Again theres not really anything you can do about that to a large extent.

Maybe it was playing the majority of games on a turnip patch that knackered the players out

Quoted from Dodorondon

Just a brief observation of keepers. Very few command the box these days. Most are shot stoppers. A friend who is a Palace supporter is a great admirer of ‘our’ Dean Henderson though describes him as essentially a brilliant shot stopper. Many keepers come out to block but fewer and fewer commit to catching crosses.

Nearly every team we played against this season seemed to have a keeper that came out to catch crosses

Quoted from Spurn boy

Nearly every team we played against this season seemed to have a keeper that came out to catch crosses

And when Jake came back he caught far more balls than he punched.

Quoted from Spurn boy

Nearly every team we played against this season seemed to have a keeper that came out to catch crosses

Hume's delivery might have influenced this a little. He's not one to whip a ball in, but tends to curl it more and I reckon this gives the keeper more of a chance to claim it, unless it is in just the right area.

Quoted from Maringer

The all-in wrestling that we seem to see at set pieces now doesn't really favour us, either, as we have a lot of relatively slight players who are going to get shoved around if the opportunity arises.

My point exactly. Perfect example was at the corner that led to the Wimbledon goal. The Ref had already had a word with some of the players for doing the Argentinian Tango with each other before the corner was taken. Then when the ball comes over, instead of ball watching, George Mc has his back to the ball and is trying to do his best impression of Anton du Beke with one of their players by grabbing and holding him round the waist. That infuriates me when i see that.
Maybe if we had a team of players who concentrate on what the ball is doing and where its going, then we may defend a little better.