Ben Close

[GazLaz]

He’s a great player but he’s another player who’s odds on to play less than 30 games next season.

[Chris Black come back]

Senior plays contracted for next season:

Jones
Lawlor

Olowu
Wood
Anderson
McGrath
Maxwell
Senior
Sterry

Bailey
Close
Westbrooke
Broadbent
Hurst

Ironside
Miller

[DearneValleyRover]

Totally bewildered, our best form has coincided with both Close and Westbrooke being out injured. That’s 2 players who have questionable fitness levels and have zero ability to tackle signed. Yes the new physio is doing well however what happens if he leaves?

Correlation is not causation.
Our best form has coincided with fabulous signings of TLT, Haks and Craig. TLT has given us a bedrock for a solid defence brimming with confidence and strengthened with Maxwell back.
To suggest our form is linked to these two quality players missing is a bit simplistic for me as about 10 cogs have been changed, turned or lubricated in some way.

Where did I say that, I stated our best form has occurred when neither have played, neither in my opinion have done enough to secure another contract. I hope I’m wrong but I still expect both to spend over 40% of their new contracts in the physio room

[JonWallsend]

I think this will  be an excellent  signing. Close is a proper player and this will  add competition  for places. With no insight  into wages etc (and without access to Gaz lazs data bank) not sure we could recruit a player of his type on a 2 year deal. He gives us something  different. He is not being hailed as the new Wellens or Stock but as another cog in the machine. He'll  be in the team on merit and if he isn't, and is only on the bench, then it would suggest  we will have a really solid functioning  midfield next season

[redarmi66]

Hes a very good player and can make things happen. Needs protection though and Bailey can provide that. Needs to stay fit. Really rate Matty Craig but he wont be with us next year.

[belton rover]

I think our incredible recent run without Close might be clouding some judgment here. Ben was THE difference when we had a mini run earlier in the season, before he was injured again. Hopefully, his injuries are behind him and we can look forward to him being back to his best more consistently.

[Campsall rover]

Only just seen this.
Quite surprised as most seem to be.
He is a very good footballer with the ball but without it he is a bit of a passenger.
Luxury player in a physical league.

We have to trust GM on this one. Thought his wages combined with Taylor and Rowe would free up some considerable funds and give us the chance to sign Lo Tutola and Adalukan and Biamou.

[Bills view]

McCann must have a plan but it in three seasons watching him (when he's played) I can't work this out.

For so long the midfield was questionable at best and we are offering contracts to them all.

[Colin C No.3]

Close is a ‘luxury’ player in this division that demands high work rate & physicality. He’s ’easy on the eye’ with the ball in space but ask him to go into a 45/55 tackle or track back 40 yards….forget it.

Even  Adelukan got a ‘cheeky tackle’ in against Crawley which broke up their attack & took away their initiative. Incredibly and wasn’t booked by Coco The Clown ‘refereeing’ the game.

[EasyforDennis]

I don't think the decision on Taylor will be a difficult one!!

[Campsall rover]

I don't think the decision on Taylor will be a difficult one!!

It shouldn’t be although I feel desperately sorry for JT 
He always gave 100% when he played and no one gets injured on purpose.

What about Tommy Rowe. Is GM going to surprise us with him and offer him another contract?
He has been a great servant of the club but times up for him imo. As I have said many times this season and last season he is a shadow of the player he was in 2018/19

[EasyforDennis]

I don't think the decision on Taylor will be a difficult one!!

It shouldn’t be although I feel desperately sorry for JT 
He always gave 100% when he played and no one gets injured on purpose.

What about Tommy Rowe. Is GM going to surprise us with him and offer him another contract?
He has been a great servant of the club but times up for him imo. As I have said many times this season and last season he is a shadow of the player he was in 2018/19

Agreed, plus I would imagine they are both amongst the highest paid at the club.

[ncRover]

We need 2 attacking midfielders to sign now.

It looks like 1 will be Biggins the way things are going. I know he’s been good recently but I don’t think another 2 years of him and Close is wise.

It’s proven over a season and a half to be a bottom half league 2 combination.

[ravenrover]

Rowe more a utilty player this season,  no longer 1st choice reduced contract offer take it or leave it

[sedwardsdrfc]

The thing at the moment is we don’t know how much GM has to spend in the summer. Can’t get my head around both Westbrooke and Close, players who won’t play every game, plus Wood who is old.

I prefer to have a smaller squad with higher quality and while these lads might fit the quality part I’m not sure they help with a smaller squad.

That said if we’re going for it in the summer we might be further strengening these positions in summer.

[Avsuptem]

If Wood can perform like he has been week in week out who cares about his age ?

[dickos1]

Totally bewildered, our best form has coincided with both Close and Westbrooke being out injured. That’s 2 players who have questionable fitness levels and have zero ability to tackle signed. Yes the new physio is doing well however what happens if he leaves?

Correlation is not causation.
Our best form has coincided with fabulous signings of TLT, Haks and Craig. TLT has given us a bedrock for a solid defence brimming with confidence and strengthened with Maxwell back.
To suggest our form is linked to these two quality players missing is a bit simplistic for me as about 10 cogs have been changed, turned or lubricated in some way.

Where did I say that, I stated our best form has occurred when neither have played, neither in my opinion have done enough to secure another contract. I hope I’m wrong but I still expect both to spend over 40% of their new contracts in the physio room

I think I’ve asked you this elsewhere and don’t think you answered? But why do you think westbrooke will spend a lot of time on the treatment table?

[sedwardsdrfc]

If Wood can perform like he has been week in week out who cares about his age ?

His age doesn’t matter but the reality is it’s likely going to be a factor in the number of games he plays. And in a small squad that’s important

[jmt23]

Close is an extremely good player at this level, his passing range is excellent, by far the best playmaker, but he needs quality and strength around him.
We will need some squad players, but I think we can find better than Biggins, I have not seen anything other than a worldie once every season, other than that he just runs around- I think we could find better, Bailey is an example of this.Grant also believes Broadbent will be a star at some point, I’ve seen some good flashes, but looks like he’s struggled to make an impact.

I have my fingers crossed on Matty Craig, he has said he would like to come back when his spell ends too, but the caveat to that was,if spurs allow    me too.

[Spud]

I doubt Craig will be back here next season, he'll surely be moving up the pyramid.
A few hopefuls clinging onto he said he'd like to come back, it was a pretty loaded question from what I saw & that was a young, shy, not wanting to offend,  lad's answer.

[Campsall rover]

If Wood can perform like he has been week in week out who cares about his age ?

Exactly. Age is only a number. Don’t remember anyone saying Copps was too old when he was 38/39/40

[ForsolongaRover]

If you were to define the archetypal McCann player I don’t think it would be anything like Close and I just do not see how he would fit into the pace and pattern of play which has brought us success since the Sutton game. Craig is like two players compared with Close and fits the template perfectly. I thought/hoped that it was only McCann’s judgment of goalkeepers (pre TLT) that was faulty!

[Filo]

Senior plays contracted for next season:

Jones
Lawlor

Olowu
Wood
Anderson
McGrath
Maxwell
Senior
Sterry

Bailey
Close
Westbrooke
Broadbent
Hurst

Ironside
Miller

Sotona has another year left

[The Dav]

The keeper situation really worries me ! They both need to go for me…..and get this lad in if possible on a perm or at least another season long loan.

[danumdon]

Its understandable that many are a bit dubious about Ben's new deal.

What we have to appreciate is that GM sees these players every day and knows their capabilities and weaknesses, armed with that info and what he expects to be able to get from his other squad players and who he may be able to bring in for competition, this should give him a basis to build a squad with.

We can all guess about players, tactics and combinations but at the end of the day GM will be making the big calls, i'm quite happy for this to be the case, he gets far more right then he gets wrong.

What we do know is that he's managed to turn the squad around with some very capable players brought in, we may not be able to keep many of them but it gives us a flavour of what GM is looking for and how he intends to integrate players into the squad. The signing of players like Wood, Westbrooke and Close is key as they will all be first team starters when available and have the quality that at this level will stand us in good stead. We don't know who's next on the block (hopefully Moly) but its going to great to see what's in store for us next season.

Keep them coming Grant.

[WarwickRover]

What a waste of a contract …… what has done to deserve a renewal …… baffling….. the midfield maestro central to the way that teams overpowered and ran thro us for the previous two years ……

[Colin C No.3]

Close is a ‘luxury’ player in this division that demands high work rate & physicality. He’s ’easy on the eye’ with the ball in space but ask him to go into a 45/55 tackle or track back 40 yards….forget it.

Even  Adelukan got a ‘cheeky tackle’ in against Crawley which broke up their attack & took away their initiative. Incredibly and wasn’t booked by Coco The Clown ‘refereeing’ the game.

Welcome for another two whole years Ben.

What do i know.

[adamtherover]

Senior plays contracted for next season:

Jones
Lawlor

Olowu
Wood
Anderson
McGrath
Maxwell
Senior
Sterry

Bailey
Close
Westbrooke
Broadbent
Hurst

Ironside
Miller

deffo need to move one or maybe both keepers on..

[ncRover]

He’s a talented player and both he and Westbrooke have been at times very good together, but another one with questions over physicality. With Broadbent also contracted next season, we have largely the same centre midfield next season as this.

In my opinion…

Westbrooke and Close rotate for the deeper playmaker role that Craig currently occupies rather than play together  - watch the way Craig often shows to receive the ball from the GK and defence.

Bailey has the all action role. Broadbent is the deputy that is unlikely to see many minutes - he replaced Bailey in the last home game.

Then for the attacking midfield role it will be between 2 others. Midfielders who are energetic and can press high.

That’s the make up of the midfield roles I’ve noticed this season.

[Northants Nomad]

Totally bewildered, our best form has coincided with both Close and Westbrooke being out injured. That’s 2 players who have questionable fitness levels and have zero ability to tackle signed. Yes the new physio is doing well however what happens if he leaves?

Correlation is not causation.
Our best form has coincided with fabulous signings of TLT, Haks and Craig. TLT has given us a bedrock for a solid defence brimming with confidence and strengthened with Maxwell back.
To suggest our form is linked to these two quality players missing is a bit simplistic for me as about 10 cogs have been changed, turned or lubricated in some way.

Where did I say that, I stated our best form has occurred when neither have played, neither in my opinion have done enough to secure another contract. I hope I’m wrong but I still expect both to spend over 40% of their new contracts in the physio room

Where did you say it?
"our best form has coincided with both Close and Westbrooke being out injured."
That's correlation being implied as causation and also, as I said, "suggests our form is linked to these two quality players missing".

Again, in your sentence above "I stated our best form has occurred when neither have played, " - that's correlation being implied as causation.

I was merely pointing out many other factors that have contributed to the turnaround. I actually believe that Ben and Zain would have contributed to the turnaround if they had continued to be fit, BECAUSE of the the other changes made. I believe that their absence has not in any way acted as an causation of the upturn.

At least we agree on one thing - we both hope you're wrong!