Well if a mass clear-out is deemed needed then doing it now is certainly the best possible timing to do it. None there that are particularly shocking to me, but as ever it will be the replacements that are the big talking point. I would guess a strategy of maybe two or three 'big name' signings (as in, most will have actually heard of them before) and the rest will be more obscure. Now, if this is Luzon's plan or Duchatalet's is another question entirely...
No real surprises and, as others have said, it depends on who comes in whether these are seen as good or bad decisions. I just hope that contract renewals/extensions are signed in the next couple of weeks and then new players are brought through the door sooner rather than later so we have time to gel pre-season.
I thought that Johnson and Eagles did ok for us, straight into the squad with little or no adjustment time, just what you'd expect from seasoned professionals .. I suspect that wages and/or the lack of a proffered long contract was the issue with them both .. neither really excelled though and I can see the logic of not re-signing them IF, repeat IF the selection/signings committee has a plan and/or replacement players well in mind .. we all hope that is the case
Glass half full We are clearing space for real quality replacements to go for autos and at worst top 6.
Glass half empty We need to break even so of course we release them immediately and sit tight for a month or two in order to keep wage bill down.
Some real quality in the squad but seeing the size of it emphasises just how important it is to hold on to Hendo, Cousins, JBG and Gomez.
Good luck to all. Church never did get the 30 a season his agent promised us, unless he was counting shooting practice before games (and even then he would be struggling). Hope all the kids get contracts, and a particular good luck to Osborne who looked such a prospect before his injury and to Gerard who is currently injured.
We need a new spine, Ben Haim, Buyens gone + need for a tall striker. Wonder if we could get that Odjidja-Ofoe from Norwich, Peeters mentioned him once would be a nice upgrade on Buyens.
We need a new spine, Ben Haim, Buyens gone + need for a tall striker. Wonder if we could get that Odjidja-Ofoe from Norwich, Peeters mentioned him once would be a nice upgrade on Buyens.
Well, suppose he passes the 'Belgian' test. However, only 3 appearances as sub only puts him on a par with Lepoint not Buyens. Reckon we need bigger Belgian frai.
I wonder if Church might pop up down at The New Den ? Didn't he nearly go in January ?
Church was definitely at his fittest of late as he must have put in some effort to shed some weight as he sought a new contract. If he gets regular football at another club, likely League 1, then I think he could do well.
A word of warning for Tony Watt whilst on the subject of fitness.......
got a horrible feeling, that the squad players will not be replaced, so in a years time we will once again be saying I wonder what would have happened if we had decent numbers rather than a paper thin squad
So add Bulot, Buyens and possibly JBG and Gomez to the list of departees and barely all we have left is a team of half decent goalkeepers.
Challenging summer ahead, methinks.
Hopefully, RD & KM know what they are doing and GL knows what he wants player wise.
They won't have released anybody so early without a game plan and some of the released players may even re-sign once they've got the player's agents to see sense on wages.
I expect only positives - KM made it perfectly clear thst CAFC are looking upwards and certainly not downwards.
Think Luzon said he wanted 5 or 6 signings and to keep key players. With TBH gone and Buyens and Bulot on loan that's now 8/9 signings we need. Then you've got Bikey who appears to be out of favour, plus players other clubs will be looking at, the obvious ones being JBG and Gomez.
Comments
A team of:
Watt - Vetokele
Ajderovic - Poyet - Cousins - Gud
Wiggins - .............. - Gomez - Solly
Henderson
You can't be serious!!
We are clearing space for real quality replacements to go for autos and at worst top 6.
Glass half empty
We need to break even so of course we release them immediately and sit tight for a month or two in order to keep wage bill down.
Some real quality in the squad but seeing the size of it emphasises just how important it is to hold on to Hendo, Cousins, JBG and Gomez.
Good luck to all. Church never did get the 30 a season his agent promised us, unless he was counting shooting practice before games (and even then he would be struggling). Hope all the kids get contracts, and a particular good luck to Osborne who looked such a prospect before his injury and to Gerard who is currently injured.
Reckon we need bigger Belgian frai.
If he gets regular football at another club, likely League 1, then I think he could do well.
A word of warning for Tony Watt whilst on the subject of fitness.......
You cannot be serious!!
Bye.
Challenging summer ahead, methinks.
If thats the Spurs guy, then KM said we had already enquired re a season long loan, but Spurs won't consider until pre season training
They won't have released anybody so early without a game plan and some of the released players may even re-sign once they've got the player's agents to see sense on wages.
I expect only positives - KM made it perfectly clear thst CAFC are looking upwards and certainly not downwards.