Top managers...

[INTERUNITED]

Know when it's time to get rid of players when they are on their way down (Alex Ferguson was a master at it), we give them 2 year deals. Wilder has been, and will be fantastic for us, but he needs to learn that loyalty in football doesn't win you things. Sharp (love the bloke, but father time catches up with all of us), Jags, Rodwell, Norwood and Stevens have been piss poor for some time now, and should have been moved on. I hope we are preparing for next season already, as there is a big rebuilding job needs doing at the end of this season.

 

[guancheblade]

Know when it's time to get rid of players when they are on their way down (Alex Ferguson was a master at it), we give them 2 year deals. Wilder has been, and will be fantastic for us, but he needs to learn that loyalty in football doesn't win you things. Sharp (love the bloke, but father time catches up with all of us), Jags, Rodwell, Norwood and Stevens have been piss poor for some time now, and should have been moved on. I hope we are preparing for next season already, as there is a big rebuilding job needs doing at the end of this season.

Wilder gives them 3 year deals!

I'm not so sure its about them declining. Rather impsoter syndrome has set in.

Last season they were bouncing and just enjoying the thrill ride of the prem and playing with no fear. All of a sudden now they're expected to be Prem level players and they freeze. Now they just look uncomfortable like they don't want to be here. I think the majority of them would rather be playing their football in the Championship, especially when there are no fans there in the Prem.

 

[Bladesman]

Know when it's time to get rid of players when they are on their way down (Alex Ferguson was a master at it), we give them 2 year deals. Wilder has been, and will be fantastic for us, but he needs to learn that loyalty in football doesn't win you things. Sharp (love the bloke, but father time catches up with all of us), Jags, Rodwell, Norwood and Stevens have been piss poor for some time now, and should have been moved on. I hope we are preparing for next season already, as there is a big rebuilding job needs doing at the end of this season.

Rodwell has barely been seen.

 

[Iceybabey]

Tbf, Rodwell could be our best player....but we'll never know....dont where the fooker is

 

[AWetFlannel]

I don't remember people wanting these players shipped out at the end of last season. Why haven't you included McGoldrick and Basham to this list?

 

[dillis]

We need to start being ruthless. We finished 9th last season and didn’t capitalise. Just rested on our laurels. We need a fairly decent overhaul in the summer and I include Didz and Billy in that.

Bash will be 33 so we need to be thinking about a replacement. That being said he’s been my player of the season so far.

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

It's a really good point. He did it with Duffy (even if his hand was forced) and based on us last season and where he has ended up, it was the correct call.

He also did it with the likes of Matt Done, Jake Wright, K Freeman, Not signing Madine etc.

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, and no one expected some of the players to nose dive so quickly, but we now look like we are left with dead wood for the next 2 years with a relegation hangover as well. I think a lot of new faces or going to be needed in summer - at least 5 first team challengers

 

[INTERUNITED]

I don't remember people wanting these players shipped out at the end of last season. Why haven't you included McGoldrick and Basham to this list?

Because they were still playing well at the end of last season, and were not a cause for concern this. Didz is 33 now, and we should be looking to replace him shortly though. We also need a long term replacement for Bash.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Because they were still playing well at the end of last season, and were not a cause for concern this. Didz is 33 now, and we should be looking to replace him shortly though. We also need a long term replacement for Bash.

We should try to find equally good replacements for all our older players, and we have tried.

If McGoldrick is still playing well when his contract goes into its final 6 months, should we extend it or not?

 

[ancientblade]

We should try to find equally good replacements for all our older players, and we have tried.

If McGoldrick is still playing well when his contract goes into its final 6 months, should we extend it or not?

mcgoldrick is a fantastic footballer but hes not a striker he cant hit a barn door and cant see that changing in the championship

 

[INTERUNITED]

We should try to find equally good replacements for all our older players, and we have tried.

If McGoldrick is still playing well when his contract goes into its final 6 months, should we extend it or not?

Yes for 1 year. Would you give him longer? Also if he's not playing well/not playing at all, would you still give him a contract?

 

[CornwallBlade]

It's a really good point. He did it with Duffy (even if his hand was forced) and based on us last season and where he has ended up, it was the correct call.

He also did it with the likes of Matt Done, Jake Wright, K Freeman, Not signing Madine etc.

I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, and no one expected some of the players to nose dive so quickly, but we now look like we are left with dead wood for the next 2 years with a relegation hangover as well. I think a lot of new faces or going to be needed in summer - at least 5 first team challengers

But he’s still keeps playing bloody Lundstram who had said he wants out - shocking management. I’d rather have someone from the U18’s than that shithouse. He was ruthless with Duffy so this single issue, for me, is the root of why the team has gone off. He’s lost the dressing room.

 

[Seth Rollins]

We should try to find equally good replacements for all our older players, and we have tried.

If McGoldrick is still playing well when his contract goes into its final 6 months, should we extend it or not?

Yes.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Know when it's time to get rid of players when they are on their way down (Alex Ferguson was a master at it), we give them 2 year deals. Wilder has been, and will be fantastic for us, but he needs to learn that loyalty in football doesn't win you things. Sharp (love the bloke, but father time catches up with all of us), Jags, Rodwell, Norwood and Stevens have been piss poor for some time now, and should have been moved on. I hope we are preparing for next season already, as there is a big rebuilding job needs doing at the end of this season.

Agree with most of that but not Sharp he will score goals in championship and he is a better player now than 4 years ago.
Sharp,Basham and Mcgoldrick will be big players for us next season.
They are not showing signs of falling away must keep them .Not ideal building a promotion challenge round 3 veterans but in my opinion they will play a big part.
Building a team from the rest is Wilder and the princes big problem ,that bit wont be easy.

 

[AWetFlannel]

Yes for 1 year. Would you give him longer? Also if he's not playing well/not playing at all, would you still give him a contract?

Would he accept a year if Stoke offered him two? Recently Willian left Chelsea because he wanted a 3 year deal and then wouldn't give him it, it caused a lot of debate amongst pundits and Chelsea fans.

I'd give him a contract if I thought he could still do a job for us. Given Billy, Norwood, Didsy etc have been absolutely outstanding for us in recent years I'd lean towards keeping them.

Some fans wanted Billy gone in the Championship, what a mistake that would've been. We shouldn't give out contracts for sentimental reasons, but players that have proven themselves for our club, for our manager, in our strange system shouldn't just be discarded because they're old.

 

[Champagneblade]

Tbf, Rodwell could be our best player....but we'll never know....dont where the fooker is

Now Fleck is out, he's certainly in with a shout for 'best fit midfield player' if we can find him.

 

[1889]

It’s a difficult one, but I think if we’re going to get promoted back to The Premier League we’ve got to strengthen and build our squad for the PL season, whilst we’re still a top Championship team. We need to find another ten Jayden Bogle type players, with pace, athleticism and youth.

We should have learned this season that we can’t compete on wages or attract established players once we’re actually amongst the elite. If we have ambitions of coming straight back up I’m afraid that means we need to clear out many of the older squad members, who whilst they might do a job in the Championship, won’t cut it in the PL another two years from now.

 

[SwissBlade]

Know when it's time to get rid of players when they are on their way down (Alex Ferguson was a master at it), we give them 2 year deals. Wilder has been, and will be fantastic for us, but he needs to learn that loyalty in football doesn't win you things. Sharp (love the bloke, but father time catches up with all of us), Jags, Rodwell, Norwood and Stevens have been piss poor for some time now, and should have been moved on. I hope we are preparing for next season already, as there is a big rebuilding job needs doing at the end of this season.

I don't really get your point, Billy, Jags and Norwood have all been used as back up, for me this is sensible. We have highly experienced players to come in when needed. Stevens was excellent last season, up until the restart. However, i think all of the players you've mentioned have played more games than us fans, Wilder or the player themselves have played more games than expected.

Rodwell i've no idea whats happened.

Giving any player just a 1 year deal is madness, because halfway through the contract they're free to negotiate a new deal elsewhere and it would always be an issue, see Lunny for how fans can react to a player.

Sensible management is to give experienced players 2-3 year deals as it gives the player and the club security and if they keep themselves fit, they can be key players

Its worth noting that a Premier League squad size is 25 players, we need players to fill those places and each one of the players you've mentioned, except Rodwell has played their part.

 

[Tynemouth Blade]

One of the most frustrating things about our current plight is that we had a fantastic opportunity to 'kick on' after our first (successful) season back in the EPL, even though our performances after the restart we're often flakey to say the least.
However, despite Wilder saying he knew where we needed to strengthen and what was required and despite the Prince making positive comments regarding 'establishing' ourselves in the EPL, the recruitment was poor and contracts were awarded to 'senior' players which were, let's say, excessive!
Another bizarre signing was Rodwell, why?
By the end of last season everyone could see what needed to change and that teams had, as they have again this season, 'sussed us out' and seen just how easy it is to play us!
And we've done nothing to change, apart from being in (for us) a big money striker who doesn't play and when he does contributes the grand total of fuck all!
Then we've got our other big money striker who just doesn't....
While all this has been going on, all the other teams in the EPL, Liverpool aside, have strengthened and moved forward.
Look a Villa!


End of this rant

 

[TJ blade]

Rodwell has barely been seen.

Who's Rodwell?

 

[ancientblade]

sharp and mcgoldrick have definetly got 1 more year left in em at championship level albeit probably from the bench and if were keeping mcburnie and brewster weve got to start pairing em up for the rest of this season were down anyway but let em start building a partnership up weve got 43m invested in these 2 weve got to start playing em

 

[Latters]

mcgoldrick is a fantastic footballer but hes not a striker he cant hit a barn door and cant see that changing in the championship

He isn’t “a fantastic footballer” though. He’s alright and you could say he’s excellent for a free signing. But that’s just it; it’s caveated by the “for a free signing” part. His first touch is very good and his short passing is decent, but he dribbles into trouble a lot of the time, his finishing is appalling, he rarely sets up chances for others and gives away far too many silly free kicks when we’re in good positions trying to put pressure on. He loses us more momentum up the pitch than he gains us.

I think people get carried away when it comes to Didsy because he has a tidy first touch and his gait is sort of floaty. Jesus, I saw someone compare him to Dennis Bergkamp on here the other week, which is one of the silliest things I’ve ever read. Likening McGoldrick to possibly the most gifted technical footballer of the Premier League era is just ludicrous.

I know Didsy is popular, and I like him as a player, I just think he’s massively overrated by a lot of our fans and there’s too much sentiment around him, so I’m expecting a slating for this.

 

[Yoonited]

He isn’t “a fantastic footballer” though. He’s alright and you could say he’s excellent for a free signing. But that’s just it; it’s caveated by the “for a free signing” part. His first touch is very good and his short passing is decent, but he dribbles into trouble a lot of the time, his finishing is appalling, he rarely sets up chances for others and gives away far too many silly free kicks when we’re in good positions trying to put pressure on. He loses us more momentum up the pitch than he gains us.

I think people get carried away when it comes to Didsy because he has a tidy first touch and his gait is sort of floaty. Jesus, I saw someone compare him to Dennis Bergkamp on here the other week, which is one of the silliest things I’ve ever read. Likening McGoldrick to possibly the most gifted technical footballer of the Premier League era is just ludicrous.

I know Didsy is popular, and I like him as a player, I just think he’s massively overrated by a lot of our fans and there’s too much sentiment around him, so I’m expecting a slating for this.

Very fair summation Latters. For me the difference between adequate and fantastic is composure, which bless him, he shows very little of when golden opportunities to score arise.
Still up there on value for no money mind

 

[Tezza1889]

Little bit unfair on Sharp, as he's been pivotal in (the few) goals and assists since he's got into the side..

The chip cross to the back stick last night should have been finished, like the one to bash that was..

Sharp looks a threat, and knows the little tricks in this league.

At least thats something.. Because the others are embarrassingly not at the races, didsy excluded.