Current contract situation

[streathamdave]

Just been checking out who is under contract for next season and actually it is a decent number. I'm sure some of you know, but I didn't till I checked things out.  It is as follows

Lawlor
Sterry
Maxwell
Olowu
Anderson
Wood
Broadbent
Miller
Jones
Bailey
Ironside
Hurst
Senior
Mcgrath
Westbrook
Close
Goodman
Sotana
Straughton-Brown

We have an option on Degrouchy and I can't find details of when Will Flint's first pro deal runs until. So that is 19-21 players as things stand. Add to that hopefully Lo-Tatalla, Adelekun, Molyneux and Faulkner and probably Biamou and a right back for balance (Maybe Nixon). I realise we might not be able to sign all of those and might try and move a couple of those under contract players on (Sotana already out on loan), but I think it means that players like Kuleya, Ravenhill, Bottomly and a few others will probably not be renewed. I would not be surprised if at least 1 U18 player is given a contract but others will know better than me who. If all those sign you've got a squad of about 28 which is still a bit on the large side, but could easily be cut down to about 25 which seems about right. It doesn't leave much room for surprise new signings though.  *Just to add it would be great to keep Craig on loan next season, but that must be a long shot.

[Ryaldinhio]

I think this leaves the ones that were out of contract and not yet renewed as...

Luke Molyneux
Bobby Faulkner
Jon Taylor
Tommy Rowe
Harrison Biggins
Max Biamo

GM said hoping 2 or 3 will sign.

For me it would be in order:
Molly
Max Biamo
Faulkner
Biggins

Release Taylor and Rowe.

I'm a little concerned that Bobby will be released, I think he has great potential and we should be looking to maximise that even if for revenue purposes. I'm also concerned Tommy will be offered 12m as a squad/utility player.

Out of what's left surely Molly and Max are the 2 that GM referred to initially?

[Dabbermoo]

To add to that,GM has stated he wants a squad of 24 and with 33 players currently there will still be a relatively big turn over of players leaving and a couple of quality players if available coming in.

[streathamdave]

Bobby being released would be a big error in my opinion.

[mushRTID]

I think he will try and get rid of Lawlor.
Sotona has no future, he will be out on loan again.
Got a feeling Anderson might move on.

[Guernsey Exile]

Bobby being released would be a big error in my opinion.

Wasn't he on the radar of Everton?

[streathamdave]

No Idea Guernsey, but we should be giving him 3 or 4 years. We could probably hold onto him for a couple of years and still be able to sell him on. I tried to get odds for him playing for England but Paddy power wouldn't offer me any.

[KingKendrick]

No doubt he is full of spunk throws himself into everything but his ability on the ball is very limited which I think will stop clubs higher up the pyramid taking him on. The way we are playing the minute with the build up from the back I think he really would struggle. But then again I didn’t think Anderson or wood could do it either but they’ve proved me wrong.

He just needs to get himself fit and play first team football then see where he is at in 12 months time with a season under his belt. Anything more than 2 years would be a mistake in my opinion.

[NickDRFC]

No Idea Guernsey, but we should be giving him 3 or 4 years. We could probably hold onto him for a couple of years and still be able to sell him on. I tried to get odds for him playing for England but Paddy power wouldn't offer me any.

Playing for England might be a touch optimistic! Branthwaite, Guehi, Tomori were regulars in the Championship at his age, and he’s struggled for game time in what was for long parts of the season one of the poorest defences in the country.

I’ve not seen much of him but there have been glowing reports on here so I’d be happy for him to get a new deal, but McCann must either think he’s not good enough or not ready given how little game time he’s had and the fact that he went out and bought Jay McGrath who can’t be much older than him. Will be interesting to see how his career turns out, either with or away from us.

[GazLaz]

Is Faulkner fit? There becomes a point (probably very soon) where she should play every game if he is.

[Metalmicky]

Is Faulkner fit? There becomes a point (probably very soon) where she should play every game if he is.

pronoun confusion alert.......

[Chris Black come back]

20 in August. This season a total of 10 minutes of league football. One minute against Gillingham in September and nine minutes against Crawley in October. Last season a lot more. Total of 19 league appearances and a goal.

[Campsall rover]

No doubt he is full of spunk throws himself into everything but his ability on the ball is very limited which I think will stop clubs higher up the pyramid taking him on. The way we are playing the minute with the build up from the back I think he really would struggle. But then again I didn’t think Anderson or wood could do it either but they’ve proved me wrong.

He just needs to get himself fit and play first team football then see where he is at in 12 months time with a season under his belt. Anything more than 2 years would be a mistake in my opinion.

Anderson and Wood don’t play football. They are out and out defenders. They give the ball to others who can play football.
So no reason whatsoever why Faulkner can’t play in a GM team. 

[streathamdave]

Can't blame Mccann for wanting to field experienced defenders when he came in after last years shambles. But that said, I don't think he was given  the opportunity he deserved when we were playing crap earlier in the season and then  he got injured. If the point you are making is that he needs to kick on next season then I agree with you, but 19 league games for a 19 year old albeit quite a few as sub is not bad. I'd rather the number of games per season was the other way around, but it is what it is.

[selby]

 CBcb, two goals one at Hartlepool and one at Walsall both first time volleys from a player supposed to have no ball skills , watch the videos if you think that, and then think of how many strikers we have had lately you would trust to do the same instinctively and get them on target with that power.

[ss1953]

Rowe has been a fantastic and loyal player all his time at Rovers. Been asked to cover every position except goalie and centre forward it would seem. Never complained or moaned.

Whilst he’s getting older and slower, still a great man to stick on to do a job.

Do hope he stays with us in some capacity.

[Northants Nomad]

For balance to this, expressing my own opinion and not wishing to say others' opinions are invalid...I'm not a paid-up member of the Faulkner fan club. I fear all too often that sentimentality is allowed to rule over evidence, as it has when we've released other so-called 'home-grown' players. He's a big lad, willing to get stuck in and inevitably going to be a player that fans will warm to for his combative, no-nonsense style. But when you get through the veneer of emotional attachment to a lad who had come through the ranks, I don't actually see. a top player in there. He's clumsy, and when he played he's been raw and some of his challenges have been risky - he's got away with a few. He doesn't feel to have developed enough in the last couple of years to be ready to be first choice or even fist backup. He got more game time a season or so ago at a time when we were, let's be honest, garbage. He shone because he played with heart, but that will only get him so far.
Sorry, but I don't see him as the future of the defence and, for me, if he moves on, I won't be that bothered. For his own career, he needs to get somewhere where he can play regularly and show that he's a more cultured defender than the wild child we've seen to date.

All that said, I respect others views and appreciate we all see the game, and our players, through different lenses.

[Dabbermoo]

For balance to this, expressing my own opinion and not wishing to say others' opinions are invalid...I'm not a paid-up member of the Faulkner fan club. I fear all too often that sentimentality is allowed to rule over evidence, as it has when we've released other so-called 'home-grown' players. He's a big lad, willing to get stuck in and inevitably going to be a player that fans will warm to for his combative, no-nonsense style. But when you get through the veneer of emotional attachment to a lad who had come through the ranks, I don't actually see. a top player in there. He's clumsy, and when he played he's been raw and some of his challenges have been risky - he's got away with a few. He doesn't feel to have developed enough in the last couple of years to be ready to be first choice or even fist backup. He got more game time a season or so ago at a time when we were, let's be honest, garbage. He shone because he played with heart, but that will only get him so far.
Sorry, but I don't see him as the future of the defence and, for me, if he moves on, I won't be that bothered. For his own career, he needs to get somewhere where he can play regularly and show that he's a more cultured defender than the wild child we've seen to date.

All that said, I respect others views and appreciate we all see the game, and our players, through different lenses.

Completely agree with all of this, GM sees more of him than any of is and BF isn't playing and hasn't played when fit then he can't fit the mould. Move on BF your time is done, he has done absolutely nothing to deserve a new contract, yes he's young and may have potential but on evidence of this season he isn't fulfilling that potential and the proof to that is he hasn't played this season apart from a couple of sub appearances.
He will be well down the pecking order as last choice CB, it will take something very bad to happen to RW, TA, JO, JM, OB for him to even get in the side and get minutes and for me that's not going to happen. Thanks for last seasons efforts but time to go.

[ravenrover]

Incoming........

[adamtherover]

Slightly concerned that if we regain most of the players that took us to 20th in the league, and don't recruit the quality of the Jan signings then next season we could be looking at 20th again?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

For balance to this, expressing my own opinion and not wishing to say others' opinions are invalid...I'm not a paid-up member of the Faulkner fan club. I fear all too often that sentimentality is allowed to rule over evidence, as it has when we've released other so-called 'home-grown' players. He's a big lad, willing to get stuck in and inevitably going to be a player that fans will warm to for his combative, no-nonsense style. But when you get through the veneer of emotional attachment to a lad who had come through the ranks, I don't actually see. a top player in there. He's clumsy, and when he played he's been raw and some of his challenges have been risky - he's got away with a few. He doesn't feel to have developed enough in the last couple of years to be ready to be first choice or even fist backup. He got more game time a season or so ago at a time when we were, let's be honest, garbage. He shone because he played with heart, but that will only get him so far.
Sorry, but I don't see him as the future of the defence and, for me, if he moves on, I won't be that bothered. For his own career, he needs to get somewhere where he can play regularly and show that he's a more cultured defender than the wild child we've seen to date.

All that said, I respect others views and appreciate we all see the game, and our players, through different lenses.

Completely agree with all of this, GM sees more of him than any of is and BF isn't playing and hasn't played when fit then he can't fit the mould. Move on BF your time is done, he has done absolutely nothing to deserve a new contract, yes he's young and may have potential but on evidence of this season he isn't fulfilling that potential and the proof to that is he hasn't played this season apart from a couple of sub appearances.
He will be well down the pecking order as last choice CB, it will take something very bad to happen to RW, TA, JO, JM, OB for him to even get in the side and get minutes and for me that's not going to happen. Thanks for last seasons efforts but time to go.

A bit unfair to judge when he's not had the opportunities, due to injury and then the team picking itself since February. McCann confirms the same re Nixon. Not because he's below the standard but simply due to the strength of those currently wearing the shirt and the tactical options from the bench.

The only caveat to that is of course the preference of McGrath over Bobby.

From Faulkners perspective, he's going to need a reset in the summer and get  regular football. He can't develop without that. If McCann rates his potential then a half season loan somewhere might be the best option.

[Ryaldinhio]

There is a couple of contracts which we haven't discussed that IMO should be reviewed, Grant and Cliff.

This run is getting DRFC noticed and WILL get the job they are doing noticed. Bear in mind whilst it may be the best budget we have had for a while it isn't even the best budget in league 2 they are working with. There could be a number of teams sniffing round them at the end of the season if they aren't already, Mansfield, Notts C, Rotherham, Sheff W. There is plenty of bigger clubs and bigger budgets that could come knocking now.

I honestly believe GM wouldn't jump again
mid project BUT I would be trying to extend before their stock gets much higher!

[Draytonian III]

For balance to this, expressing my own opinion and not wishing to say others' opinions are invalid...I'm not a paid-up member of the Faulkner fan club. I fear all too often that sentimentality is allowed to rule over evidence, as it has when we've released other so-called 'home-grown' players. He's a big lad, willing to get stuck in and inevitably going to be a player that fans will warm to for his combative, no-nonsense style. But when you get through the veneer of emotional attachment to a lad who had come through the ranks, I don't actually see. a top player in there. He's clumsy, and when he played he's been raw and some of his challenges have been risky - he's got away with a few. He doesn't feel to have developed enough in the last couple of years to be ready to be first choice or even fist backup. He got more game time a season or so ago at a time when we were, let's be honest, garbage. He shone because he played with heart, but that will only get him so far.
Sorry, but I don't see him as the future of the defence and, for me, if he moves on, I won't be that bothered. For his own career, he needs to get somewhere where he can play regularly and show that he's a more cultured defender than the wild child we've seen to date.

All that said, I respect others views and appreciate we all see the game, and our players, through different lenses.









Totally agree, if wasn’t from the area and hadn’t played in the junior set hardly anyone would be concerned

[Campsall rover]

He was 18 yrs old last season when he played in the 1st team.
Yes 18
He is hardly grouping to be the finished article is he as a CB

He has tremendous potential imo.

[ncRover]

No doubt he is full of spunk throws himself into everything but his ability on the ball is very limited which I think will stop clubs higher up the pyramid taking him on. The way we are playing the minute with the build up from the back I think he really would struggle. But then again I didn’t think Anderson or wood could do it either but they’ve proved me wrong.

He just needs to get himself fit and play first team football then see where he is at in 12 months time with a season under his belt. Anything more than 2 years would be a mistake in my opinion.

Wood is a really good passer of the ball hence why he’s played so many years in the championship. No worse than Olowu in that regard. Don’t let his old-school appearance and demeanour fool you.