Who should be offered a contract for next season?

[bristol_Wanderer3]

I'd be very surprised if Parky left, especially assuming we go up. He's not a fly-by-night guy, he hasn't proved himself at second-tier level yet, we'll be very keen indeed to keep him and he might be excited to see what he can do here, especially if we come out of embargo.

Even if we go up we won’t be splashing lots of money – those days is gone – and Parky will have an eye for an available bargain. With this in mind, I had a look at which Bradford players are out of contract this summer (according to Transfermarkt).

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footba ... nsfer-news

If we are going to raid Bradford this guy seems a good option also. He has clearly been looked at by other Championship clubs so we may be priced out, but he was one of the building blocks of Parky's success there so Parky might have some sway. Seems an ideal replacement for Moxey and a better player. Of the rest Darby (mentioned in relation to us in January and possibly improvement on Wilson) definitely seems a good option.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I'd be very surprised if Parky left, especially assuming we go up. He's not a fly-by-night guy, he hasn't proved himself at second-tier level yet, we'll be very keen indeed to keep him and he might be excited to see what he can do here, especially if we come out of embargo.

Even if we go up we won’t be splashing lots of money – those days is gone – and Parky will have an eye for an available bargain. With this in mind, I had a look at which Bradford players are out of contract this summer (according to Transfermarkt).

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footba ... nsfer-news

If we are going to raid Bradford this guy seems a good option also. He has clearly been looked at by other Championship clubs so we may be priced out, but he was one of the building blocks of Parky's success there so Parky might have some sway. Seems an ideal replacement for Moxey and a better player. Of the rest Darby (mentioned in relation to us in January and possibly improvement on Wilson) definitely seems a good option.

Yep, good spot - that one slipped through as Transfermarkt don't seem to know how long his contract is, but it is indeed until this summer. (There's three or four others they don't have details for, but they're all youngsters.)

While we’re about it, Scunny have about a dozen players out of contract this summer, including some regulars; sadly not Josh Morris, but:
Luke Daniels (GK, aged 29, 42 games)
Joe Anyon (GK, aged 30, 8 games)
Scott Wiseman (RB, 31, 22 games)
Jordan Clarke (RB, 25, 28 games)
David Mirfin (CB, 31, 30 games)
Charlie Goode (CB, 21, 27 games)
Jamie Ness (CM, 26, 11 games)
Stephen Dawson (CM, 31, 43 games)
Neal Bishop (CM, 35, 39 games)
Tom Hopper (CF, 23, 37 games)
Craig Davies (CF, 31, 15 games)

plus left-back Harry Toffolo (21, played 22), on loan from Norwich, where his contract’s up

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Jordan Clarke looked really good at the Macron. But shame neither Josh Morris nor Paddy Madden are in that list. Tbh not sure even they would cut it at the higher level. Amari'i Bell of Fleetwood has looked a really good left wing back, and he is apparently out of contract this summer.

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/amarii-b ... ler/278166

[Worthy4England]

Jayus wept. Miguel Velcro is who we need.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Jayus wept. Miguel Velcro is who we need.

Such a great touch. Everything just sticks to him.

[bristol_Wanderer3]

Jayus wept. Miguel Velcro is who we need.

Such a great touch. Everything just sticks to him.

Also useful in goal, or as a lone target man. Tremendous versatility.

[Worthy4England]

Did I mention I fecking hate autocunt.

[TANGODANCER]

I know there must be a very good reason Mark Beevers isn't up there but...???

[Burnden Paddock]

Jayus wept. Miguel Velcro is who we need.

Such a great touch. Everything just sticks to him.

The fee could be an issue. We need to be careful that we don't get ripped off.

[Harry Genshaw]

I know there must be a very good reason Mark Beevers isn't up there but...???

He's still under contract?

Whilst I'd be keen for us to sign Spearing up it'd have to be much reduced terms which could make negotiations tricky

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I know there must be a very good reason Mark Beevers isn't up there but...???

He's still under contract?

Correct. Howard, Alnwick, Beevers, Derik, Pratley, Chris Taylor, Proctor and Wilkinson are contracted to June 2018; Amos and Vela to June 2019.

[officer_dibble]

Thought procter was a one year deal?

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Thought procter was a one year deal?

Nope

[Harry Genshaw]

Once we know what division we're playing in next year, any chance you could do a Bosman list for us to peruse DSB?

[LeverEnd]

Relevant question: Will we have Parky as a manager, assuming we go up, and can he work the same magic a level higher? Not a negative view, just wondering what he's thinking right now. If we do go, somebody will probably be head hunting him as a safe bet.

Was discussing this the other day. Why was he never poached earlier during his success at Bradford? I suspect it's to do with the one dimensional nature of the football his teams play.
So yes, he does have something to prove at Championship level. I think he is organised and efficient enough to keep us up which will be great first season, but then only time will tell if he has the attacking coaching nous to push on.
Clearly he'll need access to better players too, but we don't know what the finances will be like.
As long as we are skint he's absolutely the best we could get, and has done a fantastic job this season.

This is just wrong IMHO. The same sort of thing was thrown at Allardyce by Newcastle, Spurs, West Ham fans.

There are managers who work to what they have available and maximising that, in whatever way they can, to get results. Parkinson is one of those. He is exactly the sort required by a club who are very light on financial resources. Very similar in my view to when Allardyce was here at first. Finances very tight but he found ways to maximise what he had.

I think the managers to avoid are the ones who bang on about "projects" and playing in a "certain way". That is fine and good if you have the time and cash to build that sort of side. But when you don't you end up with a manager insisting on things that simply don't work.

I think we've been incredibly flexible this season. Going from a restrictive, diamond midfield, to a more flowing with creative outlets 4-5-1, to a functional 3-5-2. The football has altered to suit the players we had. When Zach and Sammy were flying we played to their strengths. When we lost them we had to find a way of playing to suit Morais and Le Fondre. We've done it.

None of that is one dimensional. None. I think we've relied on a target man at times, as many teams do, but that has been down to a lack of any passing or movement quality in midfield. Something that Parky has had little opportunity to change over the season as it is an area we've been well stocked in numbers wise and with the squad size restrictions.....

Lets get over the line then worry about it. I'd not swap Parky though for anyone right now. We've finally found a manager who isn't a clueless dreamer after a string of those. We want someone who can nurture us through against the still tricky financial backdrop, by necessity that may not be pretty for the next few years. But christ, we've seen the alternative and desperately must avoid going backwards.

I wouldn't swap him either. Im speculating as to how he's viewed among club chairmen. We've not relied on a target man 'at times', we've massively relied on one. Managers don't get these reputations for no reason. He has done very well to adapt to changes in the squad no doubt about it His style relies very heavily on physical strength, organisation and directness over creativity, and it's been great to see a strong determined Bolton team. But it can look one dimensional and predictable in style if not tactics. Hes perfect for us right now but clubs in a better position might not fancy him for that reason.

[Hoboh]

7 out of 16 so far stand out, big savings there.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Once we know what division we're playing in next year, any chance you could do a Bosman list for us to peruse DSB?

Sure, and I'll keep an eye out for useful material, but there's no mystery to my methods - for now I'm just scraping Transfermarkt, any monkey could do it.

7 out of 16 so far stand out, big savings there.

Some big savings, but maybe not that many. Votes so far:

39 Morais
38 ALF
38 Wheater
37 Spearing
36 ATaylor
32 Madine
24 Dervite
21 Clayton
16 Wilson
13 Henry
12 Thorpe
2 Buxton
2 Davies
2 Walker
1 Moxey
0 Trotter

The biggest saving will be Mark Davies, whose contract was extended back in February 2013 when Garty/Eddie were still signing large cheques. Moxey and Trotter followed in summer 2014, when the purse-strings weren't quite so loose but we still handed out competitive contracts. But acad-grad Walker will be on nowt; it'll be relative buttons for Buxton (signed by Parky as a 32-year-old free agent who'd just failed a trial with Charlton); with loanees Henry and Thorpe we're probably only paying slices of their salary; and Wilson was a lower-league Lennon signing.

Another big saving might come if - and it's a big if - Spearing accepts a slashed wage. I voted yes but I assume that like a lot of voters this is predicated upon a deal being good for the club, not the player's agent. Hearteningly, the other four of the top five voted above are Parky/Ken signings, so therefore presumably affordable.

[BWFC_Insane]

Relevant question: Will we have Parky as a manager, assuming we go up, and can he work the same magic a level higher? Not a negative view, just wondering what he's thinking right now. If we do go, somebody will probably be head hunting him as a safe bet.

Was discussing this the other day. Why was he never poached earlier during his success at Bradford? I suspect it's to do with the one dimensional nature of the football his teams play.
So yes, he does have something to prove at Championship level. I think he is organised and efficient enough to keep us up which will be great first season, but then only time will tell if he has the attacking coaching nous to push on.
Clearly he'll need access to better players too, but we don't know what the finances will be like.
As long as we are skint he's absolutely the best we could get, and has done a fantastic job this season.

This is just wrong IMHO. The same sort of thing was thrown at Allardyce by Newcastle, Spurs, West Ham fans.

There are managers who work to what they have available and maximising that, in whatever way they can, to get results. Parkinson is one of those. He is exactly the sort required by a club who are very light on financial resources. Very similar in my view to when Allardyce was here at first. Finances very tight but he found ways to maximise what he had.

I think the managers to avoid are the ones who bang on about "projects" and playing in a "certain way". That is fine and good if you have the time and cash to build that sort of side. But when you don't you end up with a manager insisting on things that simply don't work.

I think we've been incredibly flexible this season. Going from a restrictive, diamond midfield, to a more flowing with creative outlets 4-5-1, to a functional 3-5-2. The football has altered to suit the players we had. When Zach and Sammy were flying we played to their strengths. When we lost them we had to find a way of playing to suit Morais and Le Fondre. We've done it.

None of that is one dimensional. None. I think we've relied on a target man at times, as many teams do, but that has been down to a lack of any passing or movement quality in midfield. Something that Parky has had little opportunity to change over the season as it is an area we've been well stocked in numbers wise and with the squad size restrictions.....

Lets get over the line then worry about it. I'd not swap Parky though for anyone right now. We've finally found a manager who isn't a clueless dreamer after a string of those. We want someone who can nurture us through against the still tricky financial backdrop, by necessity that may not be pretty for the next few years. But christ, we've seen the alternative and desperately must avoid going backwards.

I wouldn't swap him either. Im speculating as to how he's viewed among club chairmen. We've not relied on a target man 'at times', we've massively relied on one. Managers don't get these reputations for no reason. He has done very well to adapt to changes in the squad no doubt about it His style relies very heavily on physical strength, organisation and directness over creativity, and it's been great to see a strong determined Bolton team. But it can look one dimensional and predictable in style if not tactics. Hes perfect for us right now but clubs in a better position might not fancy him for that reason.

He's not had a chance elsewhere because nobody takes risks on lower league managers anymore. Simple as that. And he also doesn't seem the self promoting type either, so arguably nobody has taken much notice.

I fundamentally disagree about style. I think organisation, physical strength and the ability to go direct are ESSENTIALS in modern English football. They are the basics you have to have in your game. We had the extra creativity with Sammy and Zach and since they've gone we've had to go more basic with crosses into the box. But when we've had creativity in the side we played some good stuff.

[LeverEnd]

They are essential. And great to see. I still think as someone else said that we could play a bit more through midfield, even with the players we have. I'm not complaining though.
You're right about managers though, only way Big Sam was getting to the Premier League was by dragging us up there. Let's hope history repeats itself.