Summer 2021 Transfer Thread.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I would say though in an ideal world we need another dedicated right back to challenge Gethin. Not sure we will have space for that in the squad though.

Think we could use challenge to both Jones and John (if he re-signs)...

We have to have competition on both sides; one of the reasons for our poor first autumn/winter was the weak left flank. Brocky offers cover on both sides and in the middle, but is he genuine competition?

It'll be interesting to see whether we'll sign someone (else) who can play in more than one defensive position – perhaps someone like Josh Earl (not necessarily him, although since us he has been loaned out again to t3 teams Ipswich and Burton, but someone who can play wide and in the middle) - or more positionally 'specialist' players.

If the squad is capped at 22 overage outfielders, that's essentially two XIs plus two "spare" outfielders – and that's without counting underage freebies Thomason, Politic and Darcy. But it might include Greenidge, Edwards, Gordon, Comley and Crawford...

[BWFC_Insane]

I would say though in an ideal world we need another dedicated right back to challenge Gethin. Not sure we will have space for that in the squad though.

Think we could use challenge to both Jones and John (if he re-signs)...

We have to have competition on both sides; one of the reasons for our poor first autumn/winter was the weak left flank. Brocky offers cover on both sides and in the middle, but is he genuine competition?

It'll be interesting to see whether we'll sign someone (else) who can play in more than one defensive position – perhaps someone like Josh Earl (not necessarily him, although since us he has been loaned out again to t3 teams Ipswich and Burton, but someone who can play wide and in the middle) - or more positionally 'specialist' players.

If the squad is capped at 22 overage outfielders, that's essentially two XIs plus two "spare" outfielders – and that's without counting underage freebies Thomason, Politic and Darcy. But it might include Greenidge, Edwards, Gordon, Comley and Crawford...

I think you have to consider Brockbank as competition given I really don't think he's a centre back. Perhaps its a case of signing another versatile right/left back type on top? Given the squad restrictions I do think we need some versatile players. The way IE plays I'd rather we had more actual full backs than full backs/centre half hybrids given the overlapping runs from full back and their delivery are so key to us. Earl wouldn't fit as a LB.

[Prufrock]

If it's 22 over age outfield players then the squad size won't be a privilege. It's two per outfield position, plus another two, and Thommo and Politic don't count.

I agree that we need proper full back cover on each side.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

I would say though in an ideal world we need another dedicated right back to challenge Gethin.

I think you have to consider Brockbank as competition given I really don't think he's a centre back.

In that case, you've answered your own plea... unless you think (whispers) HariBro, bless him, isn't quite good enough in *either* position

[brommers95]

Happy with the extensions of Jones and Isgrove.

Could Dapo be next to sign on the dotted line?

[BWFC_Insane]

Isgrove signed on for 2 years.

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/is ... -new-deal/

Now I think it was right to keep him - 2 years? Not so sure. I do think on reflection the spirit in the squad is important and needs preserving I just worry if we're committing here before finding out how Lloyd will do in league one. Gethin 2 years for his age was fine but Issy for me its a riskier one.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Isgrove signed on for 2 years.

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/is ... -new-deal/

Now I think it was right to keep him - 2 years? Not so sure. I do think on reflection the spirit in the squad is important and needs preserving I just worry if we're committing here before finding out how Lloyd will do in league one. Gethin 2 years for his age was fine but Issy for me its a riskier one.

I sort of agree - on both players - that a two-year contract seems to be a big sign of faith in them, particularly as Evatt insisted these decisions would be made without emotion... and all the noises emerging are that the club expects another promotion tilt.

I do wonder whether it's the players/agents refusing to countenance one-year deals – after all, we agreed two for Greenidge, Comley and Gordon - or whether it's Evatt/FV figuring they might have a small resale value next summer if we did decide to upgrade.

[BWFC_Insane]

Isgrove signed on for 2 years.

https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/is ... -new-deal/

Now I think it was right to keep him - 2 years? Not so sure. I do think on reflection the spirit in the squad is important and needs preserving I just worry if we're committing here before finding out how Lloyd will do in league one. Gethin 2 years for his age was fine but Issy for me its a riskier one.

I sort of agree - on both players - that a two-year contract seems to be a big sign of faith in them, particularly as Evatt insisted these decisions would be made without emotion... and all the noises emerging are that the club expects another promotion tilt.

I do wonder whether it's the players/agents refusing to countenance one-year deals – after all, we agreed two for Greenidge, Comley and Gordon - or whether it's Evatt/FV figuring they might have a small resale value next summer if we did decide to upgrade.

See I have in my head that squad spirit and cohesion was clearly strong second half of the season and preserving that by not ripping it up is probably important. But that only gets you so far. And there needs to be a balance. Jones for me will likely be ok. Isgrove its a bit more - not sure. And my concern here is we may block ourselves in a bit. The step up from league two into league one is not minimal and whilst I expect a number to cope some (and we may not be able to predict which ones) might struggle. And that leaves us needing space to react and of course proactive recruitment of better quality.

I look back to January when the signing we all expected to make a difference did nothing really and the ones we thought less of initially were instrumental. So I just hope we get the balance between sentiment/reward and cold hard decision making right.

[The_Gun]

I suspect both Jones and Isgrove, even if they've received pay bumps, will still be relatively cheap for League One. So given they are both high-character guys who work hard and are well liked, tying them down for a couple of years seems a low risk tactic.

Edit: And to your point on 'blocking ourselves in', BWFCi, as long as we're able to cut the dead wood we should still have plenty of room to bring higher quality players in, who may ultimately end up relegating Jones and Isgrove to the bench, but they're not the worst options to have as back-ups.

[BWFC_Insane]

I suspect both Jones and Isgrove, even if they've received pay bumps, will still be relatively cheap for League One. So given they are both high-character guys who work hard and are well liked, tying them down for a couple of years seems a low risk tactic.

Edit: And to your point on 'blocking ourselves in', BWFCi, as long as we're able to cut the dead wood we should still have plenty of room to bring higher quality players in, who may ultimately end up relegating Jones and Isgrove to the bench, but they're not the worst options to have as back-ups.

That's a big as long as though. And I'd have said for Isgrove absolutely another year - perhaps with an option for a second. Its more longer term. But want both in squad for next season its more a question of progressing over time.

[TANGODANCER]

Trust the gaffer; he's done okay so far.

[The_Gun]

I suspect both Jones and Isgrove, even if they've received pay bumps, will still be relatively cheap for League One. So given they are both high-character guys who work hard and are well liked, tying them down for a couple of years seems a low risk tactic.

Edit: And to your point on 'blocking ourselves in', BWFCi, as long as we're able to cut the dead wood we should still have plenty of room to bring higher quality players in, who may ultimately end up relegating Jones and Isgrove to the bench, but they're not the worst options to have as back-ups.

That's a big as long as though. And I'd have said for Isgrove absolutely another year - perhaps with an option for a second. Its more longer term. But want both in squad for next season its more a question of progressing over time.

Crawford, Greenidge and Comley won’t be here next season. Edwards maybe has a slim chance of staying on, but unlikely. If we have to pay them off that’s what we’ll do - no way we’ll waste squad spaces on them.

[irie Cee Bee]

Have no issues with Jones and Isgrove getting 2 year contracts. They played well and deserve it. They know Evatts style and he trusts them. What we need is to bring in 5 or so players who have played higher up the pyramid to improve the squad, and not make the mistake of everybody's contract expiring the same time, a lesson learnt last summer. Some good players contract exprires a year from now.. Lee, MJ names quickly come to mind. The club needs stability.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Wiggin
• contracts offered: Lee Evans, Owen Evans, Jamie Jones, Kyle Joseph, Chris Merrie, Tendayi Darikwa, Joe Dodoo, Will Keane and Viv Solomon-Otabor
• released: Zach Clough, Dan Gardner, Corey Whelan and Alex Perry

[sonicthewhite]

Pretty happy re Jones and Isgrove. They've earned, small resale value next summer as DSB mentioned and good team players. Not the worst 1st choices in those positions and excellent back-ups if Evatt finds better quality upgrades to start there.

[Bruce Rioja]

Jones and Isgrove were both piss poor last season when it came to delivering a decent final ball. Next season they'll have less time and less space afforded them. That's my concern here.

[TonyDomingos]

Jones and Isgrove were both piss poor last season when it came to delivering a decent final ball. Next season they'll have less time and less space afforded them. That's my concern here.

And they will be a year older and a year wiser. It'll be reet.

[Bruce Rioja]

Jones and Isgrove were both piss poor last season when it came to delivering a decent final ball. Next season they'll have less time and less space afforded them. That's my concern here.

And they will be a year older and a year wiser. It'll be reet.

I like that line of thinking. Top fella.

[Prufrock]

Really can't see anyone paying to take either off our hands. On the other hand I struggle to see us getting anyone better as "back up" at League 1 level, and we'll need back up, so they only way it becomes a "problem" is if we get promoted straight through at which point I'll be happy to have the problem.

We're also not privy to the financials. I'm convinced for example that Eoin's three-years was to keep the headline wage down for FPP (we can't pay you that, but we can pay you this and give you an extra year). Obvs no FPP but it could be a similar concern about keeping the weekly wages down to sustainable levels especially when we don't know if we'll be carrying the wages of players we don't expect to be involved.

TL;dr, I'd have preferred 1 year for each but I'm not going to lose any sleep.

[Mar]

Wiggin
• contracts offered: Lee Evans, Owen Evans, Jamie Jones, Kyle Joseph, Chris Merrie, Tendayi Darikwa, Joe Dodoo, Will Keane and Viv Solomon-Otabor
• released: Zach Clough, Dan Gardner, Corey Whelan and Alex Perry

I'd be tempted to take a punt on Zach Clough. Has shown he can perform at that level but hasn't worked out for him. Maybe landing somewhere where he loves and would be appreciated would help.