Francis' interview

[EastStandBlue]

For four consecutive seasons Barrett hasn't had a suitable partner alongside him. This season he hasn't had a permanent partner alongside him at any point. How is he supposed to hold a backline together when he has a new person next to him every other week?

It's a fair point for this season, definitely, but that argument doesn't hold for seasons previous.

Barrett and Clarke were essentially the same player. Fully committed defenders who are neither quick nor aerially dominant whose strengths lie within their ability to read the game and tackling. I never felt at ease with those two together at the back, and Tilson should have addressed this... We leaked goals like crazy with these two.

IMO, we've never looked stronger as we did when Dervite was signed. Obviously, a lot of that is contributed to Dervite's ability, but with Barrett pushed out onto the left hand side we looked considerably less likely to concede.

Barrett does need a commanding CB as a partner to dominate strong, aerial threats that he struggles with. But, at this level, defenders like this are snapped up very quickly, very easily. Look at Michael Nelson... Hartlepool's best defender signed as cover for Norwich.

League Two should, in theory, be a breeze for Barrett. Pacey strikers aren't as prevalent and a lot of the football is played in front of you rather than behind you, and this has always been an area Barrett has excelled in.

 

[EastStandBlue]

I completely agree. Peter Clarke is no better than Adam Barrett. The signing of Clarke instead of a tall, commanding defender, back in 2006 was a disaster and Barrett's reputation is one of the many things which suffered as a result. Alongside a suitable partner he'd be fine.

Whilst I tend to agree with that, it's also fair enough to say that Adam Barrett is no better than Peter Clarke.

 

[Beefy]

It's a fair point for this season, definitely, but that argument doesn't hold for seasons previous.

Barrett and Clarke were essentially the same player. Fully committed defenders who are neither quick nor aerially dominant whose strengths lie within their ability to read the game and tackling. I never felt at ease with those two together at the back, and Tilson should have addressed this... We leaked goals like crazy with these two.

IMO, we've never looked stronger as we did when Dervite was signed. Obviously, a lot of that is contributed to Dervite's ability, but with Barrett pushed out onto the left hand side we looked considerably less likely to concede.

League Two should, in theory, be a breeze for Barrett. Pacey strikers aren't as prevalent and a lot of the football is played in front of you rather than behind you, and this has always been an area Barrett has excelled in.

You say that my argument doesn't hold but then you make the same argument that I did - that it was the partnership of Barrett and Clarke which was the problem rather than either of them in particular. Both are decent lower league defenders who need a tall, commanding centre-half alongside them.

 

[EastStandBlue]

You say that my argument doesn't hold but then you make the same argument that I did - that it was the partnership of Barrett and Clarke which was the problem rather than either of them in particular. Both are decent lower league defenders who need a tall, commanding centre-half alongside them.

But that's the problem... Barrett needs a commanding centre-half in order to be effective and these are hard to come by, especially for clubs in our situation.

I'm not saying Barrett is a bad player, far from it, it's just him leaving might not be the worst case scenario as it'd allow us to undertake a much needed defensive overhaul. Walsall were extremely poor, but the defensive duo of Baldwin, a defender capable in the air, and Sankofa, a defender more suited with to the ball on the ground, looked effective and showed the benefits of having two defenders that compliment each other.

 

[Beefy]

From what I gather, I could have played Centre-half against Walsall and we'd have got a clean sheet.

 

[RobM]

The likes of Barrett won't leave - he won't get the alleged £3000 a week anywhere else.

 

[BaileytheQuitter]

While he says that he wants to stay I can't help but feel that the underlying pragmatics were that he, and most of the other out of contract player will be leaving in the summer.

Francis has been a good servant for the club but if Ron was to get an offer of £100k+ then surely he would accept. Shame, he's one of the few players remaining from the 'glory days'.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

While he says that he wants to stay I can't help but feel that the underlying pragmatics were that he, and most of the other out of contract player will be leaving in the summer.

Francis has been a good servant for the club but if Ron was to get an offer of £100k+ then surely he would accept. Shame, he's one of the few players remaining from the 'glory days'.

I hate keep on quoting the Q and A, but I am sure Ron said that Francis is his favourite player, and he has no plans to sell him, or any of the top earners.
Just words from Ron 'boys' apparent non trust worthy mouth though!
Just like he said Moussa will be agreeing a new 2 and a half year deal!

Lets hope it is true aye?

 

[BrettieAngell]

If we received an offer for Francis, with one year left on his contract I can't see us keeping him.

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

The likes of Barrett won't leave - he won't get the alleged £3000 a week anywhere else.

He hasn't received that here either this season ;)

 

[RobM]

This year, more like!

 

[BaileytheQuitter]

I hate keep on quoting the Q and A, but I am sure Ron said that Francis is his favourite player, and he has no plans to sell him, or any of the top earners.
Just words from Ron 'boys' apparent non trust worthy mouth though!
Just like he said Moussa will be agreeing a new 2 and a half year deal!

Lets hope it is true aye?

How many times have we heard 'we won't be selling Barnard/Bailey/Eastwood'. For that reason, combined with our financial position it seems possible that if we get a half decent off Francis will be off.

Simon can say 'I want to stay' as much as he likes but does he really want to play for a club that can't pay his wages, won't be able to offer a wage rise, etc.

Sadly Francis (along with possibly Moussa) is the only player I consider to be too good for League Two. Would love him here, and if he was to stay then he'd be a vital part of next season but £100k or above and it's bye bye Francis.

 

[adsmithers]

Even though this is just words and you never know what to believe

Francis say's

We've got to play for ourselves, some of the lads are out of contract in the summer, and will be either looking to earn a contract somewhere else or here, especially some of the younger lads, I know I've got a year left on my contract, and I still want to play for this football club.

Whether you believe this or not, it is quite a nice thing to hear.

Straight back up!

Im so in love with himm <3

 

[BigStu]

I dont dispute the fact that Francis has been one of our best players this season but how much was his move to Peterborough down to money ?

Ron has allready stated we pay a few players high championship wages and Francis was one of the players from this period of championship football, and think Peterbourogh was offering a lot lower wage for Simon.

Saying that i hope he stays as he has the ability to create chances and win matches ( if only we had the strikers to convert the crosses but thats another story ! )

 

[Frankie the half breed]

WE LOVE YOU SIMON FRANCIS! what an absolute legend for saying that! He will rep it up in League Two! He is a quality right back.

 

[Grayson]

Did we not accept an offer for him in January?

The only way we're keeping him is if he rejects other clubs. We've shown we're willing to accept a bid for him already, sadly.

 

[Tommy2holes]

For what its worth i think francis barrett moussa grant and scannell will be the only survivors along with herd spencer and o'keef as low earners.

The likes of laurent jcf sankofa mildenhall and macca will all depart.

In my mind you will not find a more comitted centre back than barrett , but im sorry as a player he is way past his best and will probably be ok in league 2 . He is not even in the same league as peter clarke.

Out of all the loanees i would like us to sign baldwin along with another solid centre half and quality left back with herd as cover .

In the centre we need experienced players particularly out wide .

Upfront we need a veteran and not on the mould of furlong or freedman who were past it. We need someone in the kevin philips mould he still knows were the net is. We should also look at teams like dagenham and try to poach all of there better players. They have done well, are on peanuts and would want to join a team with more than 3 times there fan base going for automatic promotion without moving home.

 

[united we stand]

whose strengths lie within their ability to read the game and tackling. Iquote]

I would argue very strongly that an awfull lot of those last dutch tackles he does that the crowd loves are becasue he was out of position in the first place. If he had read the game correctly he could deal with the problem with ease.

 

[SUFCStu]

Would be one of my top 2 players to keep for next season along with Grant.

But if another offer does come in, can not see us keeping him :'(

 

[EastStandBlue]

I would argue very strongly that an awfull lot of those last dutch tackles he does that the crowd loves are becasue he was out of position in the first place. If he had read the game correctly he could deal with the problem with ease.

A lot of the last ditch challenges they made were because the ball was played either behind or straight through the defence for strikers to run on to, something we don't do nearly enough.