Breaking News Retained/Released list - Wood and Waldron released

[Yorkshire Blue]

Any others who could possibly step up?

I doubt it. The Academy was basically gutted and is being rebuilt. Will likely take a few years for anyone of note to come through and until we are EFL again anyone who is any good can be snapped up on the cheap anyway.

The one who should have been pushing for a first team spot around now is Henry Sandat. He’s just turned 20.

 

[Jim Levenstein]

Really thought this would have been done by now tbf

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

No mention on this thread of the influence of the manager (or management team if you like) on motivating players or tactics. Or training. Or even formations.

It seems to be a black & white issue - this player is good or this player is bad. Is it really that simple?

 

[RobB11]

Does anyone know what is happening with Faulkner and Macdonald? Both young midfield players who may now be able to step up more? Are they under contract?

Definitely not going to make the grade. Not settled or torn up trees at isthmian north and ESL level, never going to be up to this standard

 

[Exiled Shrimper]

Any others who could possibly step up?

I think there are some good prospects within the Academy, although @Yorkshire Blue is right to identify the threat of an elite Academy coming in and prizing them away without having to pay any compensation.

The club, and the Community Foundation, have done an excellent job in maintaining - and now beginning to grow - the youth department again. The two initial years in the National League, following on from the pandemic years, were particularly tough because there was a lot of uncertainty. I’ve spoken before about that period being a ticking time-bomb, with funding gradually withdrawn, an exodus of staff and players, before a failure to return to the EFL confirmed we’d no longer be able to run an elite Academy.

But there were individuals that stuck by the club, including Danny Heath, a lifelong supporter who coaches the U19s and heads the youth department now, as well as other coaches and players (Beau MacDonald being one). At half-time in extra-time on Sunday, I allowed myself to dream a little about what a return to the EFL would mean to them personally, alongside all the benefits for the club. Alas, it wasn’t to be.

But one thing the Academy has always been good at is battling adversity and making the most of any situation. The U19s operate as close to an elite Academy operation as is possible; we’ve recruited strongly from Category 2 and Category 3 Academies in the area. We have an U18s team in a lower division to give players plenty of game-time. There are younger age groups who play Academy opposition. Meanwhile, some of the opposition in the Academy Division of the National League U19 Alliance is as strong and intense as the EFL Youth Alliance.

What competing in the National League U19 Alliance, with gameday being a Wednesday, offers is a chance for our young players to dual-register and play men’s football on a Saturday. Some of our first-years did that last year.

What we should be watching out for are those players that progress up the non-league pyramid in those dual-registrations; can they make the step up from the Senior League to Isthmian North, then Isthmian Prem, maybe even National League South. That, as well as any offered a professional contract, will be a key indicator.

 

[Shrimpergonzo]

Macauley Bonne is already on holiday in Tanzania according to his insta, so I guess we can assume the meeting with him has already happened.

 

[Leeboy]

Macauley Bonne is already on holiday in Tanzania according to his insta, so I guess we can assume the meeting with him has already happened.

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Not necessarily - he was interviewed in the Echo before the Final saying this holiday has had to be delayed twice because of the Rochdale and FGR games.

I reckon they'll talk to him when he returns

 

[Shrimper]

Not necessarily - he was interviewed in the Echo before the Final saying this holiday has had to be delayed twice because of the Rochdale and FGR games.

I reckon they'll talk to him when he returns

Another member suggested we have to tell the league by Saturday. So likely already spoken.

 

[leeblue]

The discussion with Bonne is simple will you stay on 700 pound a week and be a squad player?
If not, goodbye sir and thank you for you efforts.
He's on a good wedge and that could definitely be used more effectively.

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

Surely now days discussions can be done over teams etc no real need to be in the same room

 

[NZamba Legend]

Surely now days discussions can be done over teams etc no real need to be in the same room

Exactly- just send a snap

 

[Harry Bullocks]

I’m guessing Monday morning pow wow, when decisions and announcements made

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Not necessarily - he was interviewed in the Echo before the Final saying this holiday has had to be delayed twice because of the Rochdale and FGR games.

I reckon they'll talk to him when he returns

What is to say that with a proper pre season, and being settled, that Macca won't have a good goal return and get into double figures?
Strikers have good seasons and lesser ones; & we now have a chance at a more positive, going forward, faster, midfield set up with Leon, Keenan and Cokes which ought to give space for whoever is up top;- and we haven't had that for a few seasons.
Or alternatively Macca could play right of midfield linking up with Gus.
I personally do hope he is with us next season.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

What is to say that with a proper pre season, and being settled, that Macca won't have a good goal return and get into double figures?

Is 10 goals a good goal return for a forward?

Even if we give him a pass for not being fit for his first 3 months, we have the evidence of the past 6 months.

He’d be fine as a fourth choice forward but is he willing to be paid as a fourth choice forward?

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Is 10 goals a good goal return for a forward?

Even if we give him a pass for not being fit for his first 3 months, we have the evidence of the past 6 months.

He’d be fine as a fourth choice forward but is he willing to be paid as a fourth choice forward?

"10 goals"? No, got to be 15 plus if he gets regular game time/starts.
"Pass for not being fit"? that is generous and as a pro he should have not been so rusty BUT we also "have the evidence of the past 6 months" when the team (it is a team game) have hit form at the right time, and statistics for assists are (the same as many) other than the final finish, in that they are non binary.
With the now usual 5 subs the bench is more imortant; and even a 3rd or 4th striker off the bench is now of a higher value than in the seasons on zero, then 1, then 3 subs.
The bottom line decision is probably just that, the final cost and reward figures.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Macauley Bonne is already on holiday in Tanzania according to his insta, so I guess we can assume the meeting with him has already happened.

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I did hear that Mtibwa Sugar FC were interested.

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

Macauley Bonne is already on holiday in Tanzania according to his insta, so I guess we can assume the meeting with him has already happened.

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Stalker alert!

 

[Jim Levenstein]

Why would Walker agree to that?

Well he could have offers elsewhere and we might offer to pay up 3 months to terminate his deal now. Or he might not have any offers and we offer to pay up 6 months and he might think worth the gamble to find somewhere else. All negotiations

 

[SHRIMPERR]

The issue with Bonne is he has actually had the chances to score around 10 goals but time and time again he misses great chances. He was also very lucky with his penalty at Forest Green as it only went in off the keepers back. The club can 100% do better with the money he’s on.

 

[Somerset Ex-TTB]

Its in the program from the final, that Bonne was supposed to be on holiday in South Africa, but had to cancel it, and wasn't sure he could get a refund. Looks like it just got moved. I hope it was booked before he joined us last year, not thinking he was playing football, let alone involved in paly off games.