Kevin Davies

[TANGODANCER]

Mention in today's BN that no contracts are to be offered till were safe from relegation.

[knobby]

Well , I look at that list and out of the 10 my opinion would be that not one of them would be first choice regular next season (or the rest of this season for that matter). I would imagine Ream would replace Knight , Bogdan has replaced Jussi (IMO) - Steinnson is borderline with fairly good showing of late.
I would in all honesty fire the lot of them off and continue with Coyles strategy (forced or otherwise) to bring in fresh young players on less money and build a future for the club around them. Yes we need a squad but not a bit part player like Davies on 40K per week, you could i imagine get 3 young hungry players for that sort of cash and bolster the squad numbers that way and probably improve the overall quality.

[Andy Waller]

In answer to your other question, I'm not sure who's out of contract at the end of the season but let me know who is and I'll give a yay and nay next to each.

According to Alan Nixon in the Mirror, we have 10 contracts up in the summer (it was 11 with Cahill):
Jussi Jaaskelainen - yes
Gretar Steinsson - no
Zat Knight - yes
Paul Robinson - absolutely no
Ricardo Gardner - no
Sean Davis - no
Robbie Blake - no
Martin Petrov - yes
Kevin Davies - no
Ivan Klasnic - Not sure how much he's on but I'd say yes

Is this if we stay up or go down?
You'd keep Knight?!

Yes to Klasnic?
No to Gretar, must be partly because we have a lot of options back there.
SKD has 16 games to impress us/someone for next year, his years of service doesn't count for anything if he's not going to look like he's bothered.

I agree. Klasnic doesn't look arsed and the team has looked a hell of a lot better without him around.

Gretar is doing pretty well for me, but if he could get better money elsewhere, I wouldn't be suprised if he went.

[David Lee's Hair]

Steinnson is the only one I'd consider re-signing as he's only just 30. The rest are all getting on a bit... out of loyalty I'd offer Jussi and SKD contracts (possibly with coaching options) on minimal wages...

SKD may take it, Jussi would be off quicker than I'd be if I was having a fumble with Eva Mendes...

[Raven]

Jussi Jaaskelainen - yes
Gretar Steinsson - no
Zat Knight - depends if we can get anyone else
Paul Robinson - no
Ricardo Gardner - no
Sean Davis - no
Robbie Blake - no
Martin Petrov - no
Kevin Davies - Yes
Ivan Klasnic - No

I'd keep Steinsson, if he continues his current form till the end of the season.

Can't argue with that and did have him as a yes at first

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Mention in today's BN that no contracts are to be offered till were safe from relegation.

Eminently sensible.

It's difficult to say who I'd offer new contracts to - there are so many variables, including indefinables like OC having replacements in mind. They may also be on frees this summer because more than a few clubs will be belt-tightening. It also depends how much money the player wants, which will depend partly on his current contract (possibly handed by a beneficial predecessor) and may no longer reflect his importance to the club. If (for example) Jaaskelainen is at the top of our wage range, and Bogdan continues to hold the first-team place down, there's a lot less reason to spend a large percentage of the wage budget on a bench-warmer.

All that said, at the moment there are some players who would have to do a hell of a lot before May to earn any contract at all – Sean Davis, Robbie Blake and Ricardo Gardner. Many would be tempted to add Paul Robinson, who improved beyond recognition in Coyle's finest months but whose demise may be terminal.

More to the point, Robbo turned 33 last month. It's hard to imagine us doling out the kind of contract wanted by ageing players - and everyone on the list is in their 30s. Steinsson is the youngest - he turned 30 this month – but Klas turned 32 this week, Zat's 32 in May, Sean Davis turns 33 in September, Petrov turned 33 this month, Gardner turns 34 in September, Kevin Davies turns 35 in March, Robbie Blake turns 36 in March, Jussi turns 37 in April.

With Tuncay having just turned 30, and unless Jussi and KD (and Petrov?) are prepared to accept lower contracts, there could be a thirtysomething exodus. That in itself may prompt the club to keep a bit of experience around; say, Zat and Steiner could become the elder statesmen, along with Ricketts (who turns 31 in October).

[Beefheart]

Mention in today's BN that no contracts are to be offered till were safe from relegation.

Eminently sensible.

It's difficult to say who I'd offer new contracts to - there are so many variables, including indefinables like OC having replacements in mind. They may also be on frees this summer because more than a few clubs will be belt-tightening. It also depends how much money the player wants, which will depend partly on his current contract (possibly handed by a beneficial predecessor) and may no longer reflect his importance to the club. If (for example) Jaaskelainen is at the top of our wage range, and Bogdan continues to hold the first-team place down, there's a lot less reason to spend a large percentage of the wage budget on a bench-warmer.

All that said, at the moment there are some players who would have to do a hell of a lot before May to earn any contract at all – Sean Davis, Robbie Blake and Ricardo Gardner. Many would be tempted to add Paul Robinson, who improved beyond recognition in Coyle's finest months but whose demise may be terminal.

More to the point, Robbo turned 33 last month. It's hard to imagine us doling out the kind of contract wanted by ageing players - and everyone on the list is in their 30s. Steinsson is the youngest - he turned 30 this month – but Klas turned 32 this week, Zat's 32 in May, Sean Davis turns 33 in September, Petrov turned 33 this month, Gardner turns 34 in September, Kevin Davies turns 35 in March, Robbie Blake turns 36 in March, Jussi turns 37 in April.

With Tuncay having just turned 30, and unless Jussi and KD (and Petrov?) are prepared to accept lower contracts, there could be a thirtysomething exodus. That in itself may prompt the club to keep a bit of experience around; say, Zat and Steiner could become the elder statesmen, along with Ricketts (who turns 31 in October).

It's clearly the policy to get the average age of the squad down. It could be a very young squad indeed next season. I'd want to see NRC offered a new contract in the summer. He'd be amongst the oldest at just 27 I think, and would provide the leadership needed to all these youngster.

[Sponge]

Mention in today's BN that no contracts are to be offered till were safe from relegation.

Eminently sensible.

It's difficult to say who I'd offer new contracts to - there are so many variables, including indefinables like OC having replacements in mind. They may also be on frees this summer because more than a few clubs will be belt-tightening. It also depends how much money the player wants, which will depend partly on his current contract (possibly handed by a beneficial predecessor) and may no longer reflect his importance to the club. If (for example) Jaaskelainen is at the top of our wage range, and Bogdan continues to hold the first-team place down, there's a lot less reason to spend a large percentage of the wage budget on a bench-warmer.

All that said, at the moment there are some players who would have to do a hell of a lot before May to earn any contract at all – Sean Davis, Robbie Blake and Ricardo Gardner. Many would be tempted to add Paul Robinson, who improved beyond recognition in Coyle's finest months but whose demise may be terminal.

More to the point, Robbo turned 33 last month. It's hard to imagine us doling out the kind of contract wanted by ageing players - and everyone on the list is in their 30s. Steinsson is the youngest - he turned 30 this month – but Klas turned 32 this week, Zat's 32 in May, Sean Davis turns 33 in September, Petrov turned 33 this month, Gardner turns 34 in September, Kevin Davies turns 35 in March, Robbie Blake turns 36 in March, Jussi turns 37 in April.

With Tuncay having just turned 30, and unless Jussi and KD (and Petrov?) are prepared to accept lower contracts, there could be a thirtysomething exodus. That in itself may prompt the club to keep a bit of experience around; say, Zat and Steiner could become the elder statesmen, along with Ricketts (who turns 31 in October).

It's clearly the policy to get the average age of the squad down. It could be a very young squad indeed next season. I'd want to see NRC offered a new contract in the summer. He'd be amongst the oldest at just 27 I think, and would provide the leadership needed to all these youngster.

NRC is only on a one year contract? I hope not!

[Beefheart]

Mention in today's BN that no contracts are to be offered till were safe from relegation.

Eminently sensible.

It's difficult to say who I'd offer new contracts to - there are so many variables, including indefinables like OC having replacements in mind. They may also be on frees this summer because more than a few clubs will be belt-tightening. It also depends how much money the player wants, which will depend partly on his current contract (possibly handed by a beneficial predecessor) and may no longer reflect his importance to the club. If (for example) Jaaskelainen is at the top of our wage range, and Bogdan continues to hold the first-team place down, there's a lot less reason to spend a large percentage of the wage budget on a bench-warmer.

All that said, at the moment there are some players who would have to do a hell of a lot before May to earn any contract at all – Sean Davis, Robbie Blake and Ricardo Gardner. Many would be tempted to add Paul Robinson, who improved beyond recognition in Coyle's finest months but whose demise may be terminal.

More to the point, Robbo turned 33 last month. It's hard to imagine us doling out the kind of contract wanted by ageing players - and everyone on the list is in their 30s. Steinsson is the youngest - he turned 30 this month – but Klas turned 32 this week, Zat's 32 in May, Sean Davis turns 33 in September, Petrov turned 33 this month, Gardner turns 34 in September, Kevin Davies turns 35 in March, Robbie Blake turns 36 in March, Jussi turns 37 in April.

With Tuncay having just turned 30, and unless Jussi and KD (and Petrov?) are prepared to accept lower contracts, there could be a thirtysomething exodus. That in itself may prompt the club to keep a bit of experience around; say, Zat and Steiner could become the elder statesmen, along with Ricketts (who turns 31 in October).

It's clearly the policy to get the average age of the squad down. It could be a very young squad indeed next season. I'd want to see NRC offered a new contract in the summer. He'd be amongst the oldest at just 27 I think, and would provide the leadership needed to all these youngster.

NRC is only on a one year contract? I hope not!

2 year contract. So he'd be in his last year next year. Just think we should get him tied down!

[Sponge]

2 year contract. So he'd be in his last year next year. Just think we should get him tied down!

I see. Agreed. A top performer for us this year.

[bristol_Wanderer3]

I thought we signed NRC on a 3yr deal? Also has Ricketts signed a new contract since he joined us? - coz if not he should be out of contract too, this being his 3rd season.....

In terms of that list I would consider keeping Jussi, Steinsson, Knight, SKD and Petrov....very much dependent on their form for the rest of this season, our alternatives in their positions, and what we would have to pay them....

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I'd like to see Petrov have another year,shouldnt be offering two tho. Steinsson I'd also like to see stay but given Coyle doesnt seem keen on him and we have Mears,Riley and Ricketts all able to play there I think he'll be off.The long servers could be offered reduced rates and coaching options,the rest,including Knight are probably better off elsewhere.Knight wont want to be a sub and we wont want him to be a first choice.Wheater and Ream should be the future.

[ChrisC]

I'd like to see Petrov have another year,shouldnt be offering two tho. Steinsson I'd also like to see stay but given Coyle doesnt seem keen on him and we have Mears,Riley and Ricketts all able to play there I think he'll be off.The long servers could be offered reduced rates and coaching options,the rest,including Knight are probably better off elsewhere.Knight wont want to be a sub and we wont want him to be a first choice.Wheater and Ream should be the future.

No.. Garlic bread is the future! I've tasted it

[Ianmooreslovechild]

Garlic bread!

[wanderers_on_tour]

I'd like to see Petrov have another year,shouldnt be offering two tho. Steinsson I'd also like to see stay but given Coyle doesnt seem keen on him and we have Mears,Riley and Ricketts all able to play there I think he'll be off.The long servers could be offered reduced rates and coaching options,the rest,including Knight are probably better off elsewhere.Knight wont want to be a sub and we wont want him to be a first choice.Wheater and Ream should be the future.

Have to disagree there pal. Knight has been outstanding since Cahill as left. He's prone to the odd flap or two but as things stand i'd have him ahead in the side ahead of Ream any day of the week. Although it's harsh judging Ream before he's played for us its also a tad naive to say he is the future just yet...

If Ream blows Knight totally out of the water then like you say he may be better elsewhere but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. As thing's stand i'm chuffed with the defence atm, looks solid enough to anchor us in the premiership at least.

[Ianmooreslovechild]

Knight has improved as he has before when Cahill was out but he still looks half asleep a lot of the time.How many times did arsenal players run in round the back of him in the first half today? I like Wheater@s aggression and ability to attack the ball,knight doesnt really have that.Both lack pace and ideally you do need one of your centrebacks to have some pace especially when you play a high line.Ream may not turn out to be good enough but even so our attempts to sign williams this week suggest that coyle doesnt plan to be using Knight next season.

[William the White]

Knight has improved as he has before when Cahill was out but he still looks half asleep a lot of the time.How many times did arsenal players run in round the back of him in the first half today? I like Wheater@s aggression and ability to attack the ball,knight doesnt really have that.Both lack pace and ideally you do need one of your centrebacks to have some pace especially when you play a high line.Ream may not turn out to be good enough but even so our attempts to sign williams this week suggest that coyle doesnt plan to be using Knight next season.

Knight had an excellent game tonight, real energy and commanding.

Wheater looked a liability early on but grew into it.

If Ream is any good my choice would be him and Knight.

But I see no need to change a team that is taking us forward.

I think you are consistent in your attitude to knight, but consistently unfair.

[officer_dibble]

Thought Knight looked half asleep first half! Think it was Ramsey who ghosted padt him to toe poke at Bogdan?

[boltonboris]

Knight switched off once or twice, but so did Wheater. Knight has more pace than Wheater, but Wheater has better distribution.

Not much between the 2, but Knight seems to command a bit more respect from other players. One thing Wheater does have over Knight though, is that he takes up MUCH better positions on low crosses into our box.

Both have been playing well of late though and I see no reason for an unforced change as yet

[BWFC_Insane]

Wheater reads the game well but is slow.

Knight is more mobile but is clumsier and sometimes doesn't read the game well.

However as said, at the moment its working, no need to change.