Retained List

[drfchound]

But Bob, as I have said, since Baudry and Alcock came into the side we have been much better defensively.
Seventeen goals conceded in the last twenty games going back to the 2-0 loss at Plymouth against the thirty conceded in twenty two games up to that point.
To put that into perspective, Portsmouth have the best defensive record in the division but even they have conceded 18 goals in those last twenty games, one more than us.
The facts are there if you care to check.

[i_ateallthepies]

And there is the indisputable fact that we don't have a Left Back - please don't volunteer ATS.

And is there's nothing wrong with our defence, how come we almost alway concede first, and usually from the first opposition foray into our box?

Having said all of that, I'm not sure it's personnel so much as the coaching or tactics.  Fergie has always been an attack minded manager, relying on scoring goal more than clean sheets.
He should think about getting a top notch defensive coach rather than spending money on more defenders.

[RedRover45]

And there is the indisputable fact that we don't have a Left Back - please don't volunteer ATS.

And is there's nothing wrong with our defence, how come we almost alway concede first, and usually from the first opposition foray into our box?

Having said all of that, I'm not sure it's personnel so much as the coaching or tactics.  Fergie has always been an attack minded manager, relying on scoring goal more than clean sheets.
He should think about getting a top notch defensive coach rather than spending money on more defenders.

Wonder what Tony Adams is doing these days ?

[bobbymax]

And there is the indisputable fact that we don't have a Left Back - please don't volunteer ATS.

And is there's nothing wrong with our defence, how come we almost alway concede first, and usually from the first opposition foray into our box?

Having said all of that, I'm not sure it's personnel so much as the coaching or tactics.  Fergie has always been an attack minded manager, relying on scoring goal more than clean sheets.
He should think about getting a top notch defensive coach rather than spending money on more defenders.

Wonder what Tony Adams is doing these days ?

Isn't he coaching in the Primera Liga?

[RedRover45]

And there is the indisputable fact that we don't have a Left Back - please don't volunteer ATS.

And is there's nothing wrong with our defence, how come we almost alway concede first, and usually from the first opposition foray into our box?

Having said all of that, I'm not sure it's personnel so much as the coaching or tactics.  Fergie has always been an attack minded manager, relying on scoring goal more than clean sheets.
He should think about getting a top notch defensive coach rather than spending money on more defenders.

Wonder what Tony Adams is doing these days ?

Isn't he coaching in the Primera Liga?

Yep, I had to check but he's manager of Granada in the Spanish premier.

[German Rover]

Never mind a defensive coach. Get a top drawer psychologist in. Strengthen their minds and get them believing no one can beat them. I didn't believe in sports psychology until my 30s and now I work with one, it's changed my life and could do with the players. Copps has bought into it and it's extending his career, it's improved his decision making and made him a better player.

[RoversAlias]

Keegan and Evina are pretty much certainties to leave now. I would expect ATS to go as well unless he plays a blinder in the last few games. Can see Gary Mac staying on for another year and being a bit part player in L1 for us, which I'm happy with.

Etheridge will probably go if the last few months are anything to go by, but I hope Marosi stays.

[drfchound]

And there is the indisputable fact that we don't have a Left Back - please don't volunteer ATS.

And is there's nothing wrong with our defence, how come we almost alway concede first, and usually from the first opposition foray into our box?

Having said all of that, I'm not sure it's personnel so much as the coaching or tactics.  Fergie has always been an attack minded manager, relying on scoring goal more than clean sheets.
He should think about getting a top notch defensive coach rather than spending money on more defenders.

Pies, I repeat, our defence right now is as good as any in the division, the facts confirm this.
I guess that you are arguing that we still concede goals and I understand your frustration that we often concede the first one in the game.
However, if it is true that we concede early it is also true that we rarely concede another one in the same game, proven by only conceding 17 goals since the 2-0 at Plymouth.
How many goals conceded in those games would you consider to be good enough to call the defence good enough because the numbers stack up well enough for me to suggest it is ok right now.
You can come in as well if you want to Bob G with a response.
No doubt someone will come on and say it won't be good enough for league one but maybe there will be additions by then.
None of us know whether the current defence will be good enough and also none of us know whether additional players will improve things.
League one is next season so we can't know either way.
As for the left back position, yes I  agree that we don't have a specialist there but you can't argue that in the last 20 games it has been good enough to be part of the best defence in the division.

I should add that of those 20 recent games we had kept 8 clean sheets.
In the same period, Portsmouth have had 9 and Plymouth have had 7.

[BobG]

It's always the case that defences, rather than attacks, come under pressure in the league above. If we stand still Hound, we will concede more next season than this. And we don't look all that convincing this do we?

BobG

[ravenrover]

There are a number of games we have won this season but got away with blue murder defensively. Definitely need to strengthen, as we do with a strong no nonsense midfielder JMHO

[drfchound]

It's always the case that defences, rather than attacks, come under pressure in the league above. If we stand still Hound, we will concede more next season than this. And we don't look all that convincing this do we?

BobG

If we don't finish in the top two or three then I would say it is inevitable that we will concede more goals next season than this.
In reality I think most of us would be happy with a consolidation top half finish next year so perhaps we will concede more goals.
As for getting away with blue murder defensively this season, well I guess that every team could say the same.
Look at how Plymouth "got away with it" in our 1-0 defeat to them recently.
Colchester got away with it when Alfie didn't take his chance.
Fans of every team will tell you about the difficiencies of their own team, it is a natural trait.
How many times do we squirm in our seats when the opposition has a corner or a free kick in a good position?
Do you think that opposition fans don't feel the same when we have these opportunities?

I didn't say that we will stand still either.
I acknowledged that DF will want to bring in new players next season but i also said that it doesn't guarantee they will be better than what we already have.

It is all too easy to be critical of our own team while thinking that everything is rosy in our opponents back yard.
I bet fans of 23 other teams in our division are very jealous of our team right now.

[Al4475]

Love that last sentence!

[BobG]

You're very good at avoiding the substance of a debate aren't you Hound?! What the hell has the opinion of supporters of other clubs got to do with what our club does over the summer?

BobG

[Mr1Croft]

If ATS is on the retained list, then Fergie shouldn't be.

[BobG]

Oh Lord. Twice in a minute we've gifted Blackpool chances..... 

Bob

[drfchound]

You're very good at avoiding the substance of a debate aren't you Hound?! What the hell has the opinion of supporters of other clubs got to do with what our club does over the summer?

BobG

......and you are very good at not responding to a question Bob.
I asked you how many goals conceded in 20 games would be acceptable to you?
I am still waiting.......
As for the supporters of other clubs thinking, well it has no bearing on what our club does over the close season and I didn't say it did.
I clearly suggested what they might be thinking right now.

As for our defence, how do you think they did today.

[Sammy Chung was King]

In my opinion if we retained our defence and it played almost every game of next season if we have a good season you would be looking at us conceding about sixty odd goals. We are weakest in our back up all throughout the squad. Left back is a problem that needs solving either Garratt proves good enough or Taylor-Sinclair otherwise we need at least one left back.

In total i think we will need at least one younger quicker winger, a left back, centre back, defensive midfielder, possibly another specialist right back which would allow Blair to play as a winger. Maybe Lund could be that guy and also for me another striker. About six players to come in and maybe shave a few off the fringe players a few need a new start.

[drfchound]

SCWK, i wouldn't argue with much of you post.

What i am discussing with Bob is about this seasons circumstances, not next seasons.

Oh Lord. Twice in a minute we've gifted Blackpool chances..... 

Bob

Which two minutes were they in then Bob?
As you were not there i guess you were listening to a commentary without an opportunity to make up your own mind.

[Rovers91]

Never mind a defensive coach. Get a top drawer psychologist in. Strengthen their minds and get them believing no one can beat them. I didn't believe in sports psychology until my 30s and now I work with one, it's changed my life and could do with the players. Copps has bought into it and it's extending his career, it's improved his decision making and made him a better player.

The club will work with sports psychologists.

[BobG]

Oh do grwo up Hound. You're old enugh to know better. I have ears. I have eyes. Player said the words. Supporters write the words that I read on here. And they concur the defence wasn't too clever. What match were you watching? Do you understand the concept of defence?

Cheers

BobG

[Syme]

Congratulations drfchound and welcome to the 'You've Been Told to "Grow Up" by BobG Stakes' proudly brought to you be Crab Apples and Cheers.

I'm delighted to tell you that you've already pulled level with a select bunch of luminaries including Yargo, idler and Leeds Fans. You're only just behind Askern Reds and Everyone, but you've got a way to go to catch IC1967. Still, there's plenty of time to go yet. Happy hunting.

IC1967 - 5
Askern_Reds - 2
Everyone - 2
Dare to Dream - 1
del boy - 1
Dickos - 1
drfchound - 1
idler - 1
Leeds Fans - 1
mjdgreg - 1
Rigoglioso - 1
Sammy Chung was King - 1
Wroey - 1
Yargo - 1
Yorkiered - 1

[idler]

Whatever happened to IC1967?
Did he grow up or just morph into someone else?

[bobjimwilly]

You've got too much time on your hands "Syme"

[Syme]

Whatever happened to IC1967?
Did he grow up or just morph into someone else?

Once you get your fifth you're done for.

No one really knows what happens, but tread lightly.

[Syme]

You've got too much time on your hands "Syme"

I'd say that was probably true of anyone posting or reading at this time of night.

But, yes, I definitely have.

[drfchound]

Congratulations drfchound and welcome to the 'You've Been Told to "Grow Up" by BobG Stakes' proudly brought to you be Crab Apples and Cheers.

I'm delighted to tell you that you've already pulled level with a select bunch of luminaries including Yargo, idler and Leeds Fans. You're only just behind Askern Reds and Everyone, but you've got a way to go to catch IC1967. Still, there's plenty of time to go yet. Happy hunting.

IC1967 - 5
Askern_Reds - 2
Everyone - 2
Dare to Dream - 1
del boy - 1
Dickos - 1
drfchound - 1
idler - 1
Leeds Fans - 1
mjdgreg - 1
Rigoglioso - 1
Sammy Chung was King - 1
Wroey - 1
Yargo - 1
Yorkiered - 1

LOL, cheers Syme.

I had no idea that i had joined an exalted club.
I get the picture and will leave him to stew in his own juices.

[DonnyEl]

Current contract situation:

Loans
24. Niall Mason (End of the Season)
25. Connor Grant (End of the Season)
2017
7. Gary McSheffrey
13. Marko Marosi
18. Paul Keegan
20. Aaron Taylor Sinclair
21. Joe Pugh
31. Joseph McCormick
2018
1. Ross Etheridge
2. Craig Alcock
5. Mathieu Baudry
6. Andy Butler
9. John Marquis
11. Andy Williams
15. Joe Wright
17. Matty Blair
26. James Coppinger
27. Cedric Evina
33. Louis Jones
-Tony Donaldson
2019
2. Mitchell Lund
3. Tyler Garratt
4. Luke McCullough
10. Tommy Rowe
14. Harry Middleton
19. Liam Mandeville
22. Will Longbottom
23. Alfie Beestin
29. Reece Fielding
38. Ian Lawlor
39. Alfie May

[Campsall rover]

In my opinion I would release the following:
Etheridge, Evina, McCormack, Keegan, McSheffrey, & Pugh
Depending on the signing of a proven left back I would then also release eirther one of ATS or Garrett.
We need max of 4 new players. A proven Left back definately, possibly a right back unless DF sees Lund being the regular in that position.
As well as Alcock has done in League 2 i have my doubts about him in league 1 although I would have him on the bench due to his versatility.
A central/left sided midfielder, and another striker.
As much as I like Jordan Houghton how do you accommodate both him and Luke McCulloch in the same team. Neither are going to be happy with sitting on the bench.

[wing commander]

You cant release Evina or Etheridge you can only give them Free's and hope someone takes them and in Cedrics case, he actually wants to go..He got a bumper contract last time and that's the problem...
   I would make Middleton available because I'm not a fan and Alcock because I think we need better....

[GazLaz]

Surprised you say Alcock. He's quality.