“Hopefully not in this window…”

[belton rover]

Grant has just said when talking about Bailey playing in the Championship at some point.
I hope I’m overthinking this.

[dknward2]

He's playing for a club in the bottom 4 of league 1 championship clubs won't be looking at our players I would expect a team in the top 10 of our league to maybe try a cheap offer a day before or on transfer deadline day

[GazLaz]

His anticipation and improvement in the box is great.

[drfcsteve]

He's playing for a club in the bottom 4 of league 1 championship clubs won't be looking at our players I would expect a team in the top 10 of our league to maybe try a cheap offer a day before or on transfer deadline day

He’s one of the top scorers in the league playing for a struggling team and he’s not even a striker, I think clubs might be sniffing.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

His goals and performances just won't go un-noticed.  I'd argue to progress as a club we need to stay up first then be looking to grow the squad and to do that it probably needs a Molyneux or Bailey to be sold for good money.

I agree with Gaz his movement and determination is what is getting him the goals, almost like a striker in the 6 yard box.

[BillyStubbsTears]

His anticipation and improvement in the box is great.

That's exactly what he has. Like the best strikers (or defenders) he realises a split second before everyone else where the ball is going.

I've taken to just concentrating on watching him at every set piece, not the ball. He's never more than yard away from where it drops.

[Fal]

Can’t see him going in this window to be fair, in the summer maybe.

[Bessie Red]

We need to try & extend his contract now he is that important to us. Then at least we can put a big price on his head if anyone cones sniffing.

[belton rover]

He’s our Bryan Robson - Captain Marvel

[Chris Black come back]

If he carries on like this, it is probably fair for everyone if he goes in the summer. It would be optimistic to think we can go up this season so he is in League One next season with us and will then be 28. The lad deserves a move to the Championship and so long as we get a big old fee for him, that's a good deal for everyone. So long as we spend it well...

[Padge_DRFC]

He needs to be in midfield on Saturday. So Pearson needs to come back in for sure.

[drfchound]

His anticipation and improvement in the box is great.

Was saying just that at the game, he is a striker in disguise.
The way he got across and in front of the defender for the first goal was very Billy Sharp like.

[drfchound]

He needs to be in midfield on Saturday. So Pearson needs to come back in for sure.

He was in midfield against Orient.

[Chris Black come back]

It is January and he has scored 10 league goals.

In comparison, it's a bit of a difficult test to define 'midfielder' as you would bring in people like Sadlier (11 in 19/20), Wilks (14 in 18/19) or Paterson (14 in 01/02) but it is probably fair to think of them as wide or wide forward players. Maybe some debate there.

Best comparisons I can find in recent history for genuine midfield players are Taylor Richard (10 in 20/21) and Tommy Rowe (13in 16/17). Rowe could sometimes play wider left in midfield, so maybe Richards is the best we have.

We are only in January though and you would think Bailey would sail past all of these come May on current output.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Hopefully he isn’t going this window but in the summer we should prepare to get the best price and use it wisely to upgrade the whole squad.

Love to keep him forever but let’s be clear eyed about it. The goals he’s scoring his ability in the air and to play to a very good standard in defence and always be available for selection make him a player who should attract interest.

In the past we’ve sold too cheap so hopefully we get a proper fee considering all of the above. 1.5m for Whiteman was a steal so we should be asking more if we stay up

[colincramb]

Hopefully he isn’t going this window but in the summer we should prepare to get the best price and use it wisely to upgrade the whole squad.

Love to keep him forever but let’s be clear eyed about it. The goals he’s scoring his ability in the air and to play to a very good standard in defence and always be available for selection make him a player who should attract interest.

In the past we’ve sold too cheap so hopefully we get a proper fee considering all of the above. 1.5m for Whiteman was a steal so we should be asking more if we stay up

Sorry, I can’t agree with this. Unless the lad makes it clear he wants to leave in the summer then we should do everything we can to keep him and build the team around him. I suppose it depends what kind of club we want to be, doesn’t it?

[Ryaldinhio]

Anyone who thinks we should sell this lad is bonkers. His endurance fitness and availability is unbelievable. Plus wherever he plays the is a 7-8 out of 10 minimum without a blip.

We should build the team around him. I sit in the west stand and after his goals when the half empty South stand booked out 'we've got Owen Bailey' it was unreal how loud it was. That will make the hairs on his neck stand up and I think he will appreciate that and be at home here.

Talk of a million or two? Couple yrs back TB donated £2.5m to the train museum so I doubt he will be interested in a small bid for the lad. If he goes it will be because he has asked to and that would only be for a big championship club IMO. Middlesborough were my concern being close to home for him, but we aren't that far are we! Here's hoping he stays forever.

[Chris Black come back]

Nobody will disagree to how good he has been for us but as a club we have to be far, far better at buying better, selling better and developing better. We cannot continue with the model we have.

[NickDRFC]

He needs to be in midfield on Saturday. So Pearson needs to come back in for sure.

He was in midfield against Orient.

Byrne won’t be allowed to play at the weekend so I’m guessing Padge meant Pearson should come in rather than Bailey drop back.

[RoseTInteD]

His contract is until the end of next season. I can't see McCann letting him go even with a good offer.

Besides, he is having the time of his life with us so why would he want to leave?

[DRFC_DonnyRed50]

His contract is until the end of next season. I can't see McCann letting him go even with a good offer.

Besides, he is having the time of his life with us so why would he want to leave?

Pretty sure he’s contracted for another 18 months. But that makes this summer v important. He either signs a new deal, or we have to sell him. Can’t afford to let a player of his calibre leave on a free.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Hopefully he isn’t going this window but in the summer we should prepare to get the best price and use it wisely to upgrade the whole squad.

Love to keep him forever but let’s be clear eyed about it. The goals he’s scoring his ability in the air and to play to a very good standard in defence and always be available for selection make him a player who should attract interest.

In the past we’ve sold too cheap so hopefully we get a proper fee considering all of the above. 1.5m for Whiteman was a steal so we should be asking more if we stay up

Sorry, I can’t agree with this. Unless the lad makes it clear he wants to leave in the summer then we should do everything we can to keep him and build the team around him. I suppose it depends what kind of club we want to be, doesn’t it?

A smart one or an emotional one? I don’t want to sell him but if someone offers 4m he’s going to want to leave anyway. So prepare for that because it’s the most likely outcome rather than fight it all summer and fudge/rush the window.

Not sure how we’d build a good enough team around him without any money either. That’s not knocking the board it’s just reality. Imo better to sell high and invest in the squad as a whole.

Any small club doing well at a higher level uses selling their assets to invest and maintain that higher level. We can use it to push at the higher end of the table.

[KingKendrick]

His contract is until the end of next season. I can't see McCann letting him go even with a good offer.

Besides, he is having the time of his life with us so why would he want to leave?

Pretty sure he’s contracted for another 18 months. But that makes this summer v important. He either signs a new deal, or we have to sell him. Can’t afford to let a player of his calibre leave on a free.

If there is genuine interest which id imagine there will be then shake hands and sell in the summer. He’s at his peak value with us and if a club at a higher level comes in who no doubt will pay more we can’t hold anything against him for that. Never misses a game, can play him anywhere. Has given his all for us. This is the model of where we are at to improve players and sell them at a profit something which have been very poor at doing

[TonySoprano]

Grant has just said when talking about Bailey playing in the Championship at some point.
I hope I’m overthinking this.

Can't find where he said this, do you have a link ?

[i_ateallthepies]

Owen may decline a contract extension and decide he want's the chance to increase his earnings.  He could always sign again later if things don't go as we all expect.

[Chris Black come back]

His deal runs to 2027 with option presumably in favour of club of another 12 months. That takes him to 2028 when he would be 29. It’s possible at that stage he could walk for free but unless we are in Championship then his options at that level might be limited. This summer is likely our best chance to get a very good fee and him to get a very good move and prove himself while in his absolute prime.

[belton rover]

Grant has just said when talking about Bailey playing in the Championship at some point.
I hope I’m overthinking this.

Can't find where he said this, do you have a link ?

It was his after match interview on Sky

[ncRover]

£2m for Bailey can pay for the wages of his replacement, a new striker, two new centre halves and a permanent goalkeeper’s wages for the year can’t it?

All about offering decent wages at this level. Most are free transfers on contract expiries.

[i_ateallthepies]

Everyone assuming that any monies incoming from transfers would automatically go into the playing budget.  Not necessarily.

[Alan Southstand]

I’ve said it elsewhere on this forum, but if we were to sell him then we need 3 players to replace him. He’s the best goalscorer, the best midfielder and the best centre back we’ve got! And he is our captain par excellence.

That raises 2 issues:
1. Recruitment - this has been poor this season, overall. Do you trust our recruitment to suitably replace those 3 positions and make us competitive in this league?
2. Squad - not good enough at this level or so it’s proving, so far this season. There is work to be done in so many areas. We don’t have a permanent keeper, a good enough striker and we’re reliant on 5 decent loans every season. This season has shown that if you get it wrong with loans it can soon come back to bite you.

Personally, I’d have him sign a contract extension now - why wait? It, at least, protects our asset and ensures we get an eye watering lump of cash that, hopefully, lets us regenerate the squad. Talk of £2M or whatever is not in the ballpark of what we’d need.