Squad for 2022/23

Big opportunity for some day and they missed the target by a mile. Consistency is the problem.

Would keep Howard and Feeney. The rest go.

Try and get Whelan, Mellish and Abrahams off the books.

Loan out Dixon, Bell and Fishburn on 1 year loans.

I thought we could keep Riley but we need to look up and go with something different.

Give Simmo a two year contract with a clause for a third and let him build his own structure.

I would replace Skelton too.

I would try and get Simou for another 6 months too.

If only we had a Thread about this Marko!

Merged…

Who do we keep? If they want to stay? Out of contract

Mark Howard Magnus Norman Rod McDonald Morgan Feeney Kelvin Mellor Joe Riley Brennan Dickenson Manasse Mampala Lewis Alessandra Jamie Devitt Taylor Charters Gime Toure Danny Devine

MacDonald and Feeney for me.
Howard has been an excellent signing, not only organising the defence but with his saves as well. But time is catching up with him. Would be great as a coach/ reserve keeper.
Kelvin has been useful when fit. Riley has his moments.
The rest, not really good enough, in my opinion.

The following are under contract

Jack Armer, Joel Senior, Callum Guy, Omari Patrick Jon Mellish Corey Whelan Lewis Bell Kristian Dennis Tobi Sho Silva Tristan Abrahams Josh Dixon Sam Fishburn Scott Simons Gabe Breeze

Mellish , Whelan and Abrahams encouraged to seek a signing on fee elsewhere?

Tristram has been crap at half a dozen clubs, so difficult to see who would want him. The other two should have more luck.
Let's hope Senior comes back properly recovered, and we get the player we were promised.

Loanees
Dynel Simeu Mitchell Roberts Lukas Jensen Owen Windsor Tyrese Omotoye

Simeu I think we all want back, and he didn't come until Christmas, settle until February. I think we have chance of him coming back, at least until the January window.
On the odd occasions he got a game, Jensen looked ok. He might be worth another crack.
Roberts needs to get better. Windsor looked ok but didn't get played much, at least he scored, unlike Omotoye.

Am I alone in thinking Mellor might be worth another year? Starting the new season as back up if nothing else

The fact Simmo keeps bringing on Toure lately suggests he might be something in him - if Simmo stays wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a contract offer too

Now that we’re all but safe, this is what I’d do.

Those out of contract,

Offer new contracts
Riley (2 years)
Feeney (trigger his option but try to extend further)
Devitt (1 year)
Howard (1 year)

Release
Norman
Mellor
McDonald
Devine
Charters
Dickenson
Toure
Alessandra
Mampala



Of those still under contract,

Stay
Senior
Mellish (only as a defender)
Armer
Guy
Gibson
Sho-Silva
Dennis
Patrick

Transfer list
Dixon
Abrahams
Whelan

Loan out
Simons
Breeze
Bell
Fishburn


Need to clear out some of the crap if we want to avoid another season of struggle, although quite who is going to make these decisions I don’t know, given we likely won’t have a manager in a months time.

As the Blues bid to take another big step towards safety today, Simmo says it's still too soon to be talking contracts #cufchttps://t.co/TUD0UfrpZo

— Jon Colman (@joncolman) April 9, 2025

Quoted from ccu on Sunday, 20 March 2025

Did I read Simpson would help on that front regardless of stay/go or have I imagined that?!

Feeney has an option, we want to be activating then offering him longer/better!

Simpson said in the pre match interview on YouTube this week that he is having nothing to do with the player contracts.

Hopefully that might change, but for now those at the top of the club should be activating Feeney’s option for a start.

UNDER CONTRACT FOR 2023

GK - Breeze*, Simons*. (Half season loan each so that they get game time. Other to be 2nd choice)

DEF - Senior, Armer, Whelan, Mellish.

MID - Guy, Dixon. (Loan or release for Dixon)

WIDE - Gibson, Patrick, Bell. (Loan or release for Bell)

STR - Dennis, Sho-Silva, Abrahams, Fishburn*. (Release Abrahams, loan for Fishburn)

(*Indicates 1st Year Pro)


OUT OF CONTRACT IN SUMMER

GK - Howard, Norman. (Let go)

DEF - Mellor, Feeney*, McDonald. (Must try and offer acceptable deal to Feeney for additional year, let others go)

MID - Riley, Devine, Devitt, Charters. (Deals for all, pay as you play for Devitt)

WIDE - Dickenson, Toure. (Let go)

STR - Alessandra, Mampala. (Let go)

(*Indicates Club Option available)


LOANEES BACK TO PARENT CLUB

GK - Jensen.

DEF - Roberts, Simeu.

STR - Omotoye, Windsor.


We need GK first choice, RWB cover, CB first choice, LWB cover, CM x2 first choice and cover, WM cover & STR cover.

Surely if we cut our budget any further two things will happen…

1. Simpson will leave the club.
2. We’ll be relegated next season.

Lower budget = shitter manager and even shitter players than we have this year.

I think the bull market in football is over-25 years of rampant player power and crazy wages.There will be a lot of soul searching over the next few months at many clubs with budgets but it’s very clear our costs across all parts of the club have been cut deeply.

In reality, most non playing costs are fixed so any further erosion will inevitably come from player budget.The custodians are wanting to get out/get money back so unlikely to put money in unless forced-and PD has left the building.

Will be interesting to see what NC says when the 21 accounts are published soon and they will have to say more about the PP loan I guess.

I think the reset will be good for football in the medium term but it will be challenging for many clubs-with benefactors thin on the ground.

Quoted from crunchblue on Sunday, 20 March 2025

With Simpson only contracted until end of season and us having no director of football, who the hell is going to decide on player contracts in May?

We wouldn’t want to be losing the likes of Feeney because there’s no one there to make a decision.

Have no fear we have our previous DOF waiting in the wings ready to step in when in a crisis, Steve Pattinson!

Quoted from Taffy-P on Sunday, 20 March 2025

Quoted from Happyblue on Sunday, 20 March 2025

UNDER CONTRACT FOR 2023
GK - Breeze*, Simons*. (Keep both , but loan out one , other stays as back up )

DEF - Senior, Armer, Whelan (See if another club will take him ) , Mellish.

MID - Guy, Dixon (Loan out)

WIDE - Gibson, Patrick, Bell (Loan out )

STR - Dennis, Sho-Silva, Abrahams (See if someone will take him) ,Fishburn*.

(*Indicates 1st Year Pro)


OUT OF CONTRACT IN SUMMER
GK - Howard (offer ) , Norman (release)

DEF - Mellor (release) , Feeney*(trigger clause /offer new deal ) , McDonald (release )

MID - Riley (not sure, swaying towards offer ) , Devine (release) , Devitt (offer ) , Charters (offer )', Dixon (release )

WIDE - Dickenson, Toure. (Release both )

STR - Alessandra, Mampala. (Release both)

I’d keep Dickinson and Mellor and release Devitt (try and get Alex Newby) I would also get Pat Brough back

Kind of understand Mellor ,but Dickinson has done nothing in two years.

Quoted from Happyblue on Sunday, 20 March 2025

UNDER CONTRACT FOR 2023
GK - Breeze*, Simons*. (Keep both , but loan out one , other stays as back up )

DEF - Senior, Armer, Whelan (See if another club will take him ) , Mellish.

MID - Guy, Dixon (Loan out)

WIDE - Gibson, Patrick, Bell (Loan out )

STR - Dennis, Sho-Silva, Abrahams (See if someone will take him) ,Fishburn*.

(*Indicates 1st Year Pro)


OUT OF CONTRACT IN SUMMER
GK - Howard (offer ) , Norman (release)

DEF - Mellor (release) , Feeney*(trigger clause /offer new deal ) , McDonald (release )

MID - Riley (not sure, swaying towards offer ) , Devine (release) , Devitt (offer ) , Charters (offer )', Dixon (release )

WIDE - Dickenson, Toure. (Release both )

STR - Alessandra, Mampala. (Release both)

I’d keep Dickinson and Mellor and release Devitt (try and get Alex Newby) I would also get Pat Brough back

I doubt half their Players even know what Green Britain Group are!

Quoted from Laffy on Sunday, 20 March 2025

I’m expecting a further cut in the player budget now that PD isn’t underwriting anything

I think that's right. NC will waffle on about sustainability but the financial target will be break even which means a cut to the player budget. That means we can't afford to keep players that are high injury risks, e.g. Toure, Dickenson and Devitt.
It's interesting Forest Green have had a run of bad form, having been runaway leaders. I'd even fancy Colchester to win tomorrow night in their support Ukraine special match. FGR's parent company Green Britain Group is suffering badly from the soaring energy prices and Dale Vince has had to bail the company out and sell off investments. FGR will clearly be cutting their player budget next season which might be sapping player morale.

I’m expecting a further cut in the player budget now that PD isn’t underwriting anything

UNDER CONTRACT FOR 2023
GK - Breeze*, Simons*. (Keep both , but loan out one , other stays as back up )

DEF - Senior, Armer, Whelan (See if another club will take him ) , Mellish.

MID - Guy, Dixon (Loan out)

WIDE - Gibson, Patrick, Bell (Loan out )

STR - Dennis, Sho-Silva, Abrahams (See if someone will take him) ,Fishburn*.

(*Indicates 1st Year Pro)


OUT OF CONTRACT IN SUMMER
GK - Howard (offer ) , Norman (release)

DEF - Mellor (release) , Feeney*(trigger clause /offer new deal ) , McDonald (release )

MID - Riley (not sure, swaying towards offer ) , Devine (release) , Devitt (offer ) , Charters (offer )', Dixon (release )

WIDE - Dickenson, Toure. (Release both )

STR - Alessandra, Mampala. (Release both)

Did I read Simpson would help on that front regardless of stay/go or have I imagined that?!

Feeney has an option, we want to be activating then offering him longer/better!

With Simpson only contracted until end of season and us having no director of football, who the hell is going to decide on player contracts in May?

We wouldn’t want to be losing the likes of Feeney because there’s no one there to make a decision.

Quoted from crunchblue on Wednesday, 09 March 2025

I’m glad someone else has noticed that Armer is slow for a full back. I got slaughtered by some old guy in the paddock for suggesting this.

Not sure how people can't see it, even Grainger was quicker. Does Armer have a wonderful left foot? Yes. Is he quite good defensively? Yes. Does he have enough pace to play left-back? No. Armer played a lot of football for PNE at left centre back and that's where he will end up and I think he'll be a success.

I’m glad someone else has noticed that Armer is slow for a full back. I got slaughtered by some old guy in the paddock for suggesting this.

I'm warming to the 5-3-2 formation, it seems quite effective and seems to suit quite a few of our players. I'd build next season's team around:

GK- NS- Need a new keeper who is comfortable with his feet

LWB- NS- IMO Armer isn't quick enough to play this role long term and should be moved into an LCB role, a quick attacking wing-back is needed

LCB- Mellish

CB- Feeney

RCB- NS- Need a ball playing right-sided defender to bring the ball out of defence and step into midfield to create an overload which Mellish has done on the left

RWB- Senior

CM- Riley

CM-Guy

AM- NS- Devitt isn't a long term solution, may suit Gibson but I think we could do slightly better

ST- Patrick

ST- I like Dennis but I feel we need a quicker younger player who is intelligent and can run the lines like Patrick does.

Quoted from theElephantsLug on Sunday, 06 March 2025

Quoted from lbtufty on Sunday, 06 March 2025

2 years: Feeney

1 year: Howard, Norman, Mellor, McDonald, Riley, Devine and Devitt

6 months: Charters

Released: Dickenson, Toure, Alessandra and Mampala

Season-long loan: Simeu

I know some of the names might be surprising, I just think the backline especially still needs a couple of experienced heads like Mellor and McDonald (3 and 2 league promotions respectively), if the bodies are still willing. Certainly not past it in age, Mellor’s about 8 months younger than Dennis for example and McDonald’s more than 2 years younger than KD.

Norman- Utter Garbage
Mellor-Can do better
McDonald-Can do better
Devine-Absolutely bang average
Devitt-Can do better

Let’s look forward and not backwards, eh. If we want to avoid going through the same clart next season then we’ll need a clean slate.

Quoted from lbtufty on Sunday, 06 March 2025

2 years: Feeney

1 year: Howard, Norman, Mellor, McDonald, Riley, Devine and Devitt

6 months: Charters

Released: Dickenson, Toure, Alessandra and Mampala

Season-long loan: Simeu

I know some of the names might be surprising, I just think the backline especially still needs a couple of experienced heads like Mellor and McDonald (3 and 2 league promotions respectively), if the bodies are still willing. Certainly not past it in age, Mellor’s about 8 months younger than Dennis for example and McDonald’s more than 2 years younger than KD.

Norman- Utter Garbage
Mellor-Can do better
McDonald-Can do better
Devine-Absolutely bang average
Devitt-Can do better

Let’s look forward and not backwards, eh. If we want to avoid going through the same clart next season then we’ll need a clean slate.

2 years: Feeney

1 year: Howard, Norman, Mellor, McDonald, Riley, Devine and Devitt

6 months: Charters

Released: Dickenson, Toure, Alessandra and Mampala

Season-long loan: Simeu

I know some of the names might be surprising, I just think the backline especially still needs a couple of experienced heads like Mellor and McDonald (3 and 2 league promotions respectively), if the bodies are still willing. Certainly not past it in age, Mellor’s about 8 months younger than Dennis for example and McDonald’s more than 2 years younger than KD.