Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: steve@dcfd on May 15, 2024, 11:04:30 am
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https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2024/may/retained-list/
Rovers can confirm the retained and released list following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
We express our sincere thanks to those departing for their contributions during their time at the club and wish them the very best for their futures.
Players remaining under contract
Tom Anderson
Owen Bailey
George Broadbent
Jack Goodman
Kyle Hurst
Joe Ironside
Louis Jones
Ian Lawlor
Jay McGrath
George Miller
Joseph Olowu
Jack Senior
Jamie Sterry
Players agreed to new contracts starting July 1, 2024
Ben Close
James Maxwell
Zain Westbrooke
Richard Wood
Players offered new contracts
Hakeeb Adelakun
Harrison Biggins
Luke Molyneux
Transfer listed
Deji Sotona
Players not offered new contracts
Maxime Biamou
Ben Bottomley
Caolan Lavery
Liam Ravenhill
Tommy Rowe
Charlie Seaman
Jon Taylor
Options exercised on
Jack Degruchy
Bobby Faulkner
Tavonga Kuleya
Loan players returning to parent clubs
Hakeeb Adelakun
Conor Carty
Matthew Craig
Thimothée Lo-Tutala
Tom Nixon
Billy Waters
Scholars offered professional contracts
Freddie Allen
Will Flint
Jake Oram
Scholars not offered professional contracts
Max Adamson
Justin Bennett
Will Green
Chris Pooley
Harry Wood
DRFC_SM_970pix250pix copy.jpg
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Confirming what we thought about Tommy then. He’s been a great servant to the club over the years. Best of luck Tommy for the future.
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Personally wouldn't have got rid of Biamou but if the prognosis isn't great then understandable.
Everything else sounds good.
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Stunned one of Jones or Lawlor haven't been transfer listed.
Tommy Rowe I wish you all the best sir, what a great professional and guy who has given us everything.
Disappointed we aren't looking at something for Biamou but full confidence Grant has great attacking options up his sleeve.
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Hopefully something will be put out on the website/social media honouring Tommy Rowe. Right decision to release him but deserves some acknowledgement. Been a great servant for the club and seems a top guy and a great pro.
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Personally wouldn't have got rid of Biamou but if the prognosis isn't great then understandable.
Everything else sounds good.
I don’t think his injury record is great. Might be one of those where we have him train pre-season and see how he gets on and then possibly offer him something at a later date
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Right decisions all round I think, be quite a big surprise if all three of those sign but they have to offer them contracts. I am slightly surprised we didn't see a GK transfer listed. Obviously for the trainee rules keeping Jones as the backup is the right decision but thought Lawlor may have been listed.
Sad for Biamou but we have to be ruthless on fitness.
Hopefully something will be put out on the website/social media honouring Tommy Rowe. Right decision to release him but deserves some acknowledgement. Been a great servant for the club and seems a top guy and a great pro.
Absolutely agree. Feels like time's caught up with him but he's given the club plenty over the years.
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Good luck Tommy. I think the only position he didn't play in the end was goalkeeper. Shame about Taylor's injuries through the years, hope he can eventually sort it out, but releasing him helps the balance sheet significantly.
I did not agree with the new contracts for Close and Westbrooke and still don't, but what do I know. Let's see if the three offered contracts sign, and I hope TLT returns.
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Stunned one of Jones or Lawlor haven't been transfer listed.
Tommy Rowe I wish you all the best sir, what a great professional and guy who has given us everything.
Disappointed we aren't looking at something for Biamou but full confidence Grant has great attacking options up his sleeve.
Got to agree with you on Lawlor & Jones, not even L2 standards, they wouldn’t get any other EFL club showing any interest in them both
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Yes, I’m very surprised also that at least one of the keepers have not been transfer listed. Gutted about Max. Looked very good, but we can only come to the conclusion the decision not to offer him a contract is on medical grounds.
The rest of the list is pretty much expected. Wish them all the best especially Tommy Rowe.
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
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I can see one of Lawlor/Jones moving on (potentially on loan until their contracts end) if we manage to get somebody of TLT's ilk in. Wouldn't be surprised if GM is keeping his powder dry on that though until he's weighed up the options/costs. Plus if the only option with TLT is to get him back on loan, we might want to keep three on the books in case of a recall (remember Bursik?)
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Either Lawlor and Jones will have to go eventually I said beginning of the season neither is good enough and I’ve was proved right. We need a No1 keeper on season long loan or permanent as good as TLT. Aiming to be Champions that is a must.
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Were we crap for the first two thirds of the season due to the keepers, or because we were crap as a whole?
The only big player released apart from loanees is Rowe. Biggins and/or Moly would be ideal - Haks a bonus if we can get him.
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Sad to see one or two on the list to go, but as a club we cannot afford to pay people who cannot guarantee fitness. Nice to see three progressing through the ranks too.
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
Would make a lot of sense that one. We need some cover for Ironside because Miller is a completely different centre forward.
The goalie situation has me worried. Grant going in to the season with them two was him underestimating the quality of league 2. Surely he has realised, along with the GK coach.
Does this mean no contract offered to Tom Nixon then?
Can’t see Haks signing. If the Mansfield rumour is true, why would he?
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
Would make a lot of sense that one. We need some cover for Ironside because Miller is a completely different centre forward.
The goalie situation has me worried. Grant going in to the season with them two was him underestimating the quality of league 2. Surely he has realised, along with the GK coach.
Does this mean no contract offered to Tom Nixon then?
Can’t see Haks signing. If the Mansfield rumour is true, why would he?
McCann’s influence? The freedom he has playing how we play?
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I have utmost faith in Grant and I’m sure he realised what a difference TLT made. In Jones and Lawlor we have 2 decent second choice keepers
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I think it would be hard to offer Biamou a new deal at this very moment while he is injured. But I doubt the door is slammed shut there.
Other than that there are few surprises. Echo the thoughts of others that I would have expected to see one or both of the senior keepers transfer listed. Jack Degruchy must have something over the hierarchy here. No disrespect to him but I can’t ever see him breaking through. Needs to go elsewhere.
Eyes turn to agreeing new deals now. Interesting days and weeks ahead.
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
Would make a lot of sense that one. We need some cover for Ironside because Miller is a completely different centre forward.
The goalie situation has me worried. Grant going in to the season with them two was him underestimating the quality of league 2. Surely he has realised, along with the GK coach.
Does this mean no contract offered to Tom Nixon then?
Can’t see Haks signing. If the Mansfield rumour is true, why would he?
McCann’s influence? The freedom he has playing how we play?
I thought that before but like someone’s said before there has been a body language change.
Geography works for him there and they play attacking football.
Hope I’m wrong.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
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Jack Degruchy getting another year? Incredible.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
He is only 17 so he will be in the under 18 team next season. Like others keeping the options open on Degruchy and Kuleya is surprising
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
He is only 17 so he will be in the under 18 team next season. Like others keeping the options open on Degruchy and Kuleya is surprising
If he gets fit Liam Ravenhill could still end up being a player. If I was Scunny manager I’d sign him.
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No surprises there and not supporting sentimentality but Tommy Rowe does feel like a loss. When McCann joined he identified the triumvirate of Rowe, Taylor and Anderson as leading senior characters in the dressing room.
I have significant faith that the next Luke Molyneux/Hakeeb Adelakun is identified and will be brought in once we know where their future lies. It would be an important signing to keep at least one of those forward three for consistency sake going into next season - but i think the fact that others signed new deals several weeks ago now says a lot about the two that have held out.
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Some people made this point last summer. Jones or Lawlor can definitely compete for the starting spot, but not both of them. We need a very strong keeper, and then one of those two as the experienced competition. As it stands, this is not a strength for us, especially compared to those sides we are aiming to be competing with next season.
Perhaps another loan is the McCann plan.
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
Would make a lot of sense that one. We need some cover for Ironside because Miller is a completely different centre forward.
The goalie situation has me worried. Grant going in to the season with them two was him underestimating the quality of league 2. Surely he has realised, along with the GK coach.
Does this mean no contract offered to Tom Nixon then?
Can’t see Haks signing. If the Mansfield rumour is true, why would he?
McCann’s influence? The freedom he has playing how we play?
I thought that before but like someone’s said before there has been a body language change.
Geography works for him there and they play attacking football.
Hope I’m wrong.
I would like to think that the change in body language from Haks was due to him carrying a bit of a knock/being absolutely knackered having gone from not playing a great deal at Lincoln to running himself into the ground week after week here.
I'd love it if we sign him but if we don't I have faith in Grant to find another diamond out there. That task will be harder if neither winger signs and we need to find two replacements. Obviously Sotona isn't rated as having the potential to do any sort of job even as backup. We don't get many signings wrong but that appears to be one that we rushed into.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
He is only 17 so he will be in the under 18 team next season. Like others keeping the options open on Degruchy and Kuleya is surprising
If he gets fit Liam Ravenhill could still end up being a player. If I was Scunny manager I’d sign him.
I can see him taking a similar trajectory to Branden Horton. Not good enough for league football at the time of release but could end up working his way back there from Non-League. I was thinking he'd get a National League club but Scunny would very much make sense and Andy Butler will know Liam so there's a clear link.
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Sotana a truly amazing signing. Came in on two year deal, made a few eccentric appearances, then out on loan, comes back, immediately transfer listed. One for the ages.
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Can you imagine Adelakun and Wilks on either flank (if Molly goes)
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More chance Henry Wilks signing.
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Wasn’t Adamson really highly rated and scoring for fun
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Sotana a truly amazing signing. Came in on two year deal, made a few eccentric appearances, then out on loan, comes back, immediately transfer listed. One for the ages.
Might struggle to shift him like with Reo Griffiths.
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Going to miss TLT. He was rock solid in goal
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Sotana a truly amazing signing. Came in on two year deal, made a few eccentric appearances, then out on loan, comes back, immediately transfer listed. One for the ages.
Might struggle to shift him like with Reo Griffiths.
One would hope and expect that he's not a big earner.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
He was offered 2 year professional contract last Sept/Oct to start on 01/07/24 with an option of an extra year.
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Concur with what most have said.
Yes, surprised one of the keepers (Lawlor) wasn't listed but, until they identify another Keeper then you've got to keep at least one onside anyway I guess??
No surprises with Moly and Haks, who've got backstop positions, so can negotiate here and elsewhere. Not sure whats the issue with Biggins unless he feels he's worthy of better terms.
With all three, I guess McCann will impose deadlines so we can crack on planning ahead.
Sad for Max as he was a talented player but McCann can't be taking chances if there are injury concerns. We've just got ourselves out of that cycle of managing players more on the treatment table than on the pitch.
All the best to Rowe whatever direction he takes his career. He has been a very good servant helping the club through some difficult times.
If recent experience with McCann is anything to go by, he won't mess about and will get players through the door quite quickly. He definitely wants them for when pre-season starts.
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Just because players aren’t listed now doesn’t mean they won’t be later in the window. We may be waiting to sign a goalkeeper before listing one of ours.
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Just because players aren’t listed now doesn’t mean they won’t be later in the window. We may be waiting to sign a goalkeeper before listing one of ours.
Guess it depends on if they are happy warming the bench one or both may ask to move on
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Concur with what most have said.
Yes, surprised one of the keepers (Lawlor) wasn't listed but, until they identify another Keeper then you've got to keep at least one onside anyway I guess??
No surprises with Moly and Haks, who've got backstop positions, so can negotiate here and elsewhere. Not sure whats the issue with Biggins unless he feels he's worthy of better terms.
With all three, I guess McCann will impose deadlines so we can crack on planning ahead.
Sad for Max as he was a talented player but McCann can't be taking chances if there are injury concerns. We've just got ourselves out of that cycle of managing players more on the treatment table than on the pitch.
All the best to Rowe whatever direction he takes his career. He has been a very good servant helping the club through some difficult times.
If recent experience with McCann is anything to go by, he won't mess about and will get players through the door quite quickly. He definitely wants them for when pre-season starts.
Suspect Biggins is one who was on the released list, but who played himself into a contract by the end of the season.
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Sotana a truly amazing signing. Came in on two year deal, made a few eccentric appearances, then out on loan, comes back, immediately transfer listed. One for the ages.
Some absolutely wild threads about how great he was going to be early on in the season as well.
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Don't think any of the 3 contract offers will be accepted... Hope they are but I can't see it
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Sotana a truly amazing signing. Came in on two year deal, made a few eccentric appearances, then out on loan, comes back, immediately transfer listed. One for the ages.
Some absolutely wild threads about how great he was going to be early on in the season as well.
Ability was what we saw early doors, Attitude was what came across secondary...never looked up for the fight when things were tough that first few months of the season. The fact we were very quick to get him moved out suggests he was a square peg in a round hole...dare I say, disruptive? McCann seems to want him nowhere near the team.
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Don't think any of the 3 contract offers will be accepted... Hope they are but I can't see it
Me neither unfortunately.
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Very surprised we have not offered Biamou the chance to prove his fitness pre season.
If he is over the injury he got at Morecambe, we could have covered ourselves by offering a rolling short term contract.
Same for Ravenhill really, as injury robbed him of the chance to make a case.
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We may well be offering Biamou that chance. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he keeps training with us and ends up getting a contract when he's fit.
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Grant did say he would be fit for pre season. Didn't say if it would be with us though
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
Would make a lot of sense that one. We need some cover for Ironside because Miller is a completely different centre forward.
The goalie situation has me worried. Grant going in to the season with them two was him underestimating the quality of league 2. Surely he has realised, along with the GK coach.
Does this mean no contract offered to Tom Nixon then?
Can’t see Haks signing. If the Mansfield rumour is true, why would he?
McCann’s influence? The freedom he has playing how we play?
I thought that before but like someone’s said before there has been a body language change.
Geography works for him there and they play attacking football.
Hope I’m wrong.
I would like to think that the change in body language from Haks was due to him carrying a bit of a knock/being absolutely knackered having gone from not playing a great deal at Lincoln to running himself into the ground week after week here.
I'd love it if we sign him but if we don't I have faith in Grant to find another diamond out there. That task will be harder if neither winger signs and we need to find two replacements. Obviously Sotona isn't rated as having the potential to do any sort of job even as backup. We don't get many signings wrong but that appears to be one that we rushed into.
Its a shame about Sotona, when you think of the state of the team he was playing in at the time.
I do wonder what sort of impact he could have made if he wasn't asked to track back or play as a wing back. If he'd been allowed the freedom that Haks had ?
As for the rest very much as expected bar offloading a surplus keeper, if we can find another TLT, even on loan it would benefit us massively.
Also a big thanks to TR and JT, you both ran your blood to water for the cause and we will always be thankful for that. Good luck in your future careers.
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Re Biamou - could it be that Grant did have him in mind but has now had positive feedback from someone who is getting released elsewhere?
Cant help but think he will be looking at Josh Magennis who is available, and he had at Hull.
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I can maybe see Biggins signing but i think the other two were waiting to see what level we are playing at before deciding. Sadly I don't expect either to sign but hope i'm wrong
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I can maybe see Biggins signing but i think the other two were waiting to see what level we are playing at before deciding. Sadly I don't expect either to sign but hope i'm wrong
Similar thoughts here tbh
Both able to play L1 at a decent level so i wouldn’t blame them. Would be gutted tho.
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Re Biamou - could it be that Grant did have him in mind but has now had positive feedback from someone who is getting released elsewhere?
Cant help but think he will be looking at Josh Magennis who is available, and he had at Hull.
Wigan have also released Stephen Humphrys.
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I reckon Molly is off to join DS at Central Coast Mariners, they've got one spot left for an English player
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I reckon Molly is off to join DS at Central Coast Mariners, they've got one spot left for an English player
My thoughts also
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Sounds like a great opportunity and who can blame him if thats the case. I can't help but feel positivity in the 'our time will come' tweet that he sent out this week though.
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Biamou must be an injury concern and not worth the risk, I wonder if Grant is looking at Josh Magennis, scored a few goals under Grant at Hull
Would make a lot of sense that one. We need some cover for Ironside because Miller is a completely different centre forward.
The goalie situation has me worried. Grant going in to the season with them two was him underestimating the quality of league 2. Surely he has realised, along with the GK coach.
Does this mean no contract offered to Tom Nixon then?
Can’t see Haks signing. If the Mansfield rumour is true, why would he?
McCann’s influence? The freedom he has playing how we play?
I thought that before but like someone’s said before there has been a body language change.
Geography works for him there and they play attacking football.
Hope I’m wrong.
I would like to think that the change in body language from Haks was due to him carrying a bit of a knock/being absolutely knackered having gone from not playing a great deal at Lincoln to running himself into the ground week after week here.
I'd love it if we sign him but if we don't I have faith in Grant to find another diamond out there. That task will be harder if neither winger signs and we need to find two replacements. Obviously Sotona isn't rated as having the potential to do any sort of job even as backup. We don't get many signings wrong but that appears to be one that we rushed into.
Its a shame about Sotona, when you think of the state of the team he was playing in at the time.
I do wonder what sort of impact he could have made if he wasn't asked to track back or play as a wing back. If he'd been allowed the freedom that Haks had ?
As for the rest very much as expected bar offloading a surplus keeper, if we can find another TLT, even on loan it would benefit us massively.
Also a big thanks to TR and JT, you both ran your blood to water for the cause and we will always be thankful for that. Good luck in your future careers.
He had a chance to impress at Boston and even they didn’t want him. Club took a gamble and lost on this one.
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Hopefully something will be put out on the website/social media honouring Tommy Rowe. Right decision to release him but deserves some acknowledgement. Been a great servant for the club and seems a top guy and a great pro.
Hopefully there would be a position in the coaching team/club ambassador role in the future too if Tommy wanted it.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
Has another year yet - to 2025 - with a further option on top of that:
https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-hand-professional-contract-to-sam-straughan-brown-with-will-flint-also-offered-professional-terms-4363154
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I think ( I read) SSB accepted his contract offer before Flint did his .
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Sounds like a great opportunity and who can blame him if thats the case. I can't help but feel positivity in the 'our time will come' tweet that he sent out this week though.
Depends on his career aspirations. If he has L1 clubs queuing up like people say, he’d be better off going to a big L1 club probably. It depends what he thinks his ceiling is, more likely to get a Championship club after playing in L1 I’d say. May not be thinking like that.
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How are Degruchy and Kuleya getting options extended?
For what it’s worth I thought Kuleya looked ok in the chances he got but realistically neither is going to get a run in the team. Seems like a bit of a waste
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I assume we need some squad players and they have the perfect combination of being here already, being inexpensive and showing some prospect of improving.
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With Taylor leaving, GM might see Tav filling that position as back up.
The lad has been given a deal by different managers, which suggests that they see a player in him.
DeGruchy was used by FCUM at right back, so perhaps that is his thinking there.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
He is only 17 so he will be in the under 18 team next season. Like others keeping the options open on Degruchy and Kuleya is surprising
If he gets fit Liam Ravenhill could still end up being a player. If I was Scunny manager I’d sign him.
I can see him taking a similar trajectory to Branden Horton. Not good enough for league football at the time of release but could end up working his way back there from Non-League. I was thinking he'd get a National League club but Scunny would very much make sense and Andy Butler will know Liam so there's a clear link.
I learned yesterday morning that Scunny ARE now staying full time pro next season so given the connection between Butts and Tommy Rowe I wouldn’t be surprised if TR has a season there.
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I'm guessing max may get asked back for pre season just to see how he comes back from injury
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I've paid tribute to Tommy and Tayls on BST's dedicated thread but just wanted to say a word for Caolan Lavery.
His chances were blighted by serious injury and he never got a chance to show GM what he could do.
I dearly hope he regains full fitness, finds a decent club and gets back to scoring goals as he did at Scunny before joining us.
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I'm guessing max may get asked back for pre season just to see how he comes back from injury
He’ll probably get offers before that. He’s a very well-rounded centre forward for this level. If he’s fit I’d worry about us facing him.
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Two things that largely only exist in the minds of supporters - “pay as you play deal” and “prove fitness during pre-season”.
These people have bills to pay and unless they are an experienced Premier League player with loads of cash, they probably don’t have the money to pay those bills unless in work. Only a fool is going to accept a pay as you play deal (if they even exist). The cards entirely stacked in favour of the club.
Pretty much any player can find a contract or at least a wage somewhere. Might not be at level you want but it will pay the bills. Hanging around waiting to get a game and a wage, or going through gruelling pre-season without any guarantee of contract when all other squads are getting filled up, just so rarely happens.
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CBCB,
It happens all the time in football.
The lower down you go, the more frequent it is.
In the non-league game, short term deals are the norm.
A club might have a core group on a longer contract, say for the season, but the squad is made up with short term renewable deals.
For a player, they need to weigh up the chance of getting a longer contract at a higher level, with an early settlement at a lower level with reduced earnings.
It is an unsecure profession!
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Oh it’s definitely there outside the 92, absolutely. We are a 92 side though, which was the focus of this. Non league all kinds of crazy stuff like dual registration, no contract relationships, which you wouldn’t see in league football.
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It would be daft to sign an injured player, although we have been daft enough to do so in the past.
The issue is recovery from injury, and being able to prove you are good to go.
I would never sign a player who can't pass a medical, but at the same time you might have someone who is not fit now, but should be by August.
So what do you do to get to the point where you can make a proper decision on fitness?
A short term agreement minimises risk, and might be for the best in specific circumstances, like Max as an example.
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I think the key thing with Biamou is that we signed him at a time when our options were very limited. Transfer window shut and we couldn't get any more loans in either, so our only option was a free agent.
Approaching a summer window we will have a much bigger pool of options that we can viably look at.
That's not to say Max didn't do well for us, he looked a good player, but was always likely to be a short-term option with his age and injury record.
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Two things that largely only exist in the minds of supporters - “pay as you play deal” and “prove fitness during pre-season”.
These people have bills to pay and unless they are an experienced Premier League player with loads of cash, they probably don’t have the money to pay those bills unless in work. Only a fool is going to accept a pay as you play deal (if they even exist). The cards entirely stacked in favour of the club.
Pretty much any player can find a contract or at least a wage somewhere. Might not be at level you want but it will pay the bills. Hanging around waiting to get a game and a wage, or going through gruelling pre-season without any guarantee of contract when all other squads are getting filled up, just so rarely happens.
That’s just nonsense, most clubs have a load of trialists every summer trying to get a contract.
To suggest any player can get a contract is just utter tripe, yes maybe at Thorne colliery for £15 a game.
But to stay professional these guys have to prove themselves time and time again.
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One name I am missing is Sam Straugham-Brown - I thought he was offered a deal about the same time as Flint?
He is only a 1st year scholar so deal kicks in when that is completed I believe.
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Two things that largely only exist in the minds of supporters - “pay as you play deal” and “prove fitness during pre-season”.
These people have bills to pay and unless they are an experienced Premier League player with loads of cash, they probably don’t have the money to pay those bills unless in work. Only a fool is going to accept a pay as you play deal (if they even exist). The cards entirely stacked in favour of the club.
Pretty much any player can find a contract or at least a wage somewhere. Might not be at level you want but it will pay the bills. Hanging around waiting to get a game and a wage, or going through gruelling pre-season without any guarantee of contract when all other squads are getting filled up, just so rarely happens.
That’s just nonsense, most clubs have a load of trialists every summer trying to get a contract.
To suggest any player can get a contract is just utter tripe, yes maybe at Thorne colliery for £15 a game.
But to stay professional these guys have to prove themselves time and time again.
Clubs often have trialists in to boost numbers for training purposes.
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Two things that largely only exist in the minds of supporters - “pay as you play deal” and “prove fitness during pre-season”.
These people have bills to pay and unless they are an experienced Premier League player with loads of cash, they probably don’t have the money to pay those bills unless in work. Only a fool is going to accept a pay as you play deal (if they even exist). The cards entirely stacked in favour of the club.
Pretty much any player can find a contract or at least a wage somewhere. Might not be at level you want but it will pay the bills. Hanging around waiting to get a game and a wage, or going through gruelling pre-season without any guarantee of contract when all other squads are getting filled up, just so rarely happens.
That’s just nonsense, most clubs have a load of trialists every summer trying to get a contract.
To suggest any player can get a contract is just utter tripe, yes maybe at Thorne colliery for £15 a game.
But to stay professional these guys have to prove themselves time and time again.
Clubs often have trialists in to boost numbers for training purposes.
Of course, but there are loads of players without a club every summer who are fighting for a new contract somewhere.
Especially in league 1 and 2
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Re Biamou - could it be that Grant did have him in mind but has now had positive feedback from someone who is getting released elsewhere?
Cant help but think he will be looking at Josh Magennis who is available, and he had at Hull.
Magennis signed for Exeter on a one year deal.