Contract expiry

[The_Gun]

Schuey making the point that, as it stands, next season we'll have no players aged under 24 or over 29 - ie we'll lack both youthful exuberance and experience.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... coln-game/

He’s clearly been reading my posts!

[TonyDomingos]

Schuey making the point that, as it stands, next season we'll have no players aged under 24 or over 29 - ie we'll lack both youthful exuberance and experience.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... coln-game/

He’s clearly been reading my posts!

And I clearly haven't!

[Worthy4England]

I think which players are pretty important. When Plymouth had Aziz and Ennis grabbing 20 goals between them, as u24's for Plymouth, we were unloading Dapo and contemplating Dan.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Schuey making the point that, as it stands, next season we'll have no players aged under 24 or over 29 - ie we'll lack both youthful exuberance and experience.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... coln-game/

Yeah was gonna post this as I thought it was a fascinating thing to bring up.

Clearly the decision-makers had got into the idea we should be purchasing "prime of life" players. I understand why clubs don't want to hand big contracts to declining assets - many much richer clubs have made that their policy for decades - but I have to say after the early success with Dapo I've been very disappointed with our ability to find and develop good players who are young but first-team ready. I appreciate it's a bit of a crapshoot but it's been a disappointment.

At the other end, it sounds like Schumacher is quietly building the public case for older "winners". It'll be interesting to see who we're linked with.

[Worthy4England]

Schuey making the point that, as it stands, next season we'll have no players aged under 24 or over 29 - ie we'll lack both youthful exuberance and experience.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... coln-game/

Yeah was gonna post this as I thought it was a fascinating thing to bring up.

Clearly the decision-makers had got into the idea we should be purchasing "prime of life" players. I understand why clubs don't want to hand big contracts to declining assets - many much richer clubs have made that their policy for decades - but I have to say after the early success with Dapo I've been very disappointed with our ability to find and develop good players who are young but first-team ready. I appreciate it's a bit of a crapshoot but it's been a disappointment.

At the other end, it sounds like Schumacher is quietly building the public case for older "winners". It'll be interesting to see who we're linked with.

This one too depends on "who," gotta admit I didn't have Cameron Jerome and Scott Arfield in mind...

We clearly need a couple of can still deliver older heads if only to say something after they've scored against us that isn't shrug.

[TonyDomingos]

We probably need a new transfer window thread. I started the last one and it was a disaster, so I'll step back for this one!

[Prufrock]

Doesn't bode well for Conway...

[BWFC_Insane]

Schuey making the point that, as it stands, next season we'll have no players aged under 24 or over 29 - ie we'll lack both youthful exuberance and experience.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... coln-game/

Yeah was gonna post this as I thought it was a fascinating thing to bring up.

Clearly the decision-makers had got into the idea we should be purchasing "prime of life" players. I understand why clubs don't want to hand big contracts to declining assets - many much richer clubs have made that their policy for decades - but I have to say after the early success with Dapo I've been very disappointed with our ability to find and develop good players who are young but first-team ready. I appreciate it's a bit of a crapshoot but it's been a disappointment.

At the other end, it sounds like Schumacher is quietly building the public case for older "winners". It'll be interesting to see who we're linked with.

This one too depends on "who," gotta admit I didn't have Cameron Jerome and Scott Arfield in mind...

We clearly need a couple of can still deliver older heads if only to say something after they've scored against us that isn't shrug.

The trouble with Jerome and Arfield is that both were old enough to be bit part and both mainly played higher levels and I guess coming down to be bit part in league one didn’t exactly motivate them. What we need is a centre back in the wheater, Beevers more who have been round the block know the business and know what to do. And a midfield player in the Karl Henry mode (ideally minus the right wing stuff).

[dave the minion]

I know its the not the popular narrative, but Jerome was superb for us towards the end of that season - a consumate professional, presumably a decent motivator around the dressing room, versatile to be able to bring on as an auxiliary defender when needed, and canny (no one else could create the goal against Barnsley like he did in the play offs).

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

The trouble with Jerome and Arfield is that both were old enough to be bit part and both mainly played higher levels and I guess coming down to be bit part in league one didn’t exactly motivate them. What we need is a centre back in the wheater, Beevers more who have been round the block know the business and know what to do. And a midfield player in the Karl Henry mode (ideally minus the right wing stuff).

Not sure about the 'coming down' bit - some will relish the new task - but I fully agree with the age thing. Arfield was 35 and Jerome 36 on signing for us. There's a sensible zone way below that where players aren't necessarily going to have resale value but they will be proper ongoing selection options rather than cameo merchants and "good lads to have around". Kieran Lee was 32 and gave us two and a half very worthwhile seasons. Jon Dadi was just shy of 30 and gave us the same length of time.

I know its the not the popular narrative, but Jerome was superb for us towards the end of that season - a consumate professional, presumably a decent motivator around the dressing room, versatile to be able to bring on as an auxiliary defender when needed, and canny (no one else could create the goal against Barnsley like he did in the play offs).

I see your point but how did you feel when he started a game? I know I felt a deep "uh-oh" that I never felt with Bod or Sexy Keiran.

[Worthy4England]

Yeah, I don't have anything against Jerome, but when you look back at last season in 10 years time, no one is going to be saying he was a key signing who held that group together on the pitch when shit got tough.

[The_Gun]

Kieran Lee was fantastic, eh? He was a Championship level player plying his trade in L2 - not something which must happen very often. Not the profile of player we’re desperate for now, but I still miss him.

Looking at the some of the signings made by our rivals, Ollie Norwood to Stockport on a free last summer stands out as the type of deal we should have been doing. Experienced defensive midfielder who’d spent most of his career at a higher level, and still with plenty to give.

[Worthy4England]

Kieran Lee was fantastic, eh? He was a Championship level player plying his trade in L2 - not something which must happen very often. Not the profile of player we’re desperate for now, but I still miss him.

Looking at the some of the signings made by our rivals, Ollie Norwood to Stockport on a free last summer stands out as the type of deal we should have been doing. Experienced defensive midfielder who’d spent most of his career at a higher level, and still with plenty to give.

Yeah, that sort of impact. It felt to me with both Jerome and Arfield that their signing were maybe more to do with "off pitch," than game day.

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Kieran Lee was fantastic, eh? He was a Championship level player plying his trade in L2 - not something which must happen very often. Not the profile of player we’re desperate for now, but I still miss him.

Looking at the some of the signings made by our rivals, Ollie Norwood to Stockport on a free last summer stands out as the type of deal we should have been doing. Experienced defensive midfielder who’d spent most of his career at a higher level, and still with plenty to give.

Yeah, that's sort of what I meant in reply to my old mate BWFCi. It's not the age of the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog. Of the age. Or something.

Norwood is a very good comparison to Lee – released by a Sheffield club, humble enough to take a trial and prove himself. He'd just turned 33 when he signed a three-year deal, so I'm not sure we'd have been ecstatic with that length of risk – Sexy Kieran was given 18 months then extended – but that's for them to sort out.

Lee and Norwood effectively dropped two divisions (from their last games for their Sheffield club) and didn't deem it beneath them to graft. I guess that's about identifying character.

Yeah, that sort of impact. It felt to me with both Jerome and Arfield that their signing were maybe more to do with "off pitch," than game day.

Had more than a tang of the Robbie Blake about it. (34 when signed, since you ask.)

[BWFC_Insane]

The trouble with Jerome and Arfield is that both were old enough to be bit part and both mainly played higher levels and I guess coming down to be bit part in league one didn’t exactly motivate them. What we need is a centre back in the wheater, Beevers more who have been round the block know the business and know what to do. And a midfield player in the Karl Henry mode (ideally minus the right wing stuff).

Not sure about the 'coming down' bit - some will relish the new task - but I fully agree with the age thing. Arfield was 35 and Jerome 36 on signing for us. There's a sensible zone way below that where players aren't necessarily going to have resale value but they will be proper ongoing selection options rather than cameo merchants and "good lads to have around". Kieran Lee was 32 and gave us two and a half very worthwhile seasons. Jon Dadi was just shy of 30 and gave us the same length of time.

I know its the not the popular narrative, but Jerome was superb for us towards the end of that season - a consumate professional, presumably a decent motivator around the dressing room, versatile to be able to bring on as an auxiliary defender when needed, and canny (no one else could create the goal against Barnsley like he did in the play offs).

I see your point but how did you feel when he started a game? I know I felt a deep "uh-oh" that I never felt with Bod or Sexy Keiran.

I agree that’s the distinction I think. Someone who still has some years left but has been discarded by a higher level club. Rather than someone who maybe is on the edge of retirement. Game has changed a bit hasn’t it in the last few years and fewer 31/2 year olds drop they just keep going at their level. Used to be common to drop down and start building up a coaching career alongside.

Big Sam built experience throughout didn’t he initially. Hendry, Marshall and to some extent Farelly.

Kieran Lee the recent example of the type we need. He’s never been replaced. But same note neither has MJ. He filled a gap and broadly I’d say knew what he was doing.

[Worthy4England]

Yeah MJ would fit for me. DM who was indeed a DM.

[TANGODANCER]

Looks like my "Go with what we've got" might not be so far off after all..

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ning-fans/

[Worthy4England]

Looks like my "Go with what we've got" might not be so far off after all..

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ning-fans/

Not sure I'd be owning up to it being "your go with what we've got," TD... Insano's looking for who did it!

[TANGODANCER]

Looks like my "Go with what we've got" might not be so far off after all..

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ning-fans/

Not sure I'd be owning up to it being "your go with what we've got," TD... Insano's looking for who did it!

Ha, that'd be under the "Banging one's head against a brick wall" thread..

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Max Conway will have his contract extended and get pre-season to stake his first-team claim.

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/2 ... ax-conway/

“We think he's a young player who's got some talent,” Schuey told the BN. “He has done really well at Crewe last season. I spoke to Lee Bell, their manager, and he has been really impressed with him.

“I went and watched them against Cheltenham recently, the game was a bit of a battle and it wasn't a brilliant football spectacle, but he did OK, Max did well.

“We will get him back in pre-season and we'll figure out what the plan looks like. If we recruit people who play in his position, then the plan might be to send him out on loan again.

“But if he comes in and really impresses us, then we go, well, you could be involved in this squad. So, we'll just see how it goes, but the club is certainly going to look to take up his option.”