[Zigsuk]

Time to decide what to do with the considerable number of over thirties we have. Don’t know who is or isn’t in contract but here goes. And remember at their age none of them are likely to improve.

Fadz.Still think he seems overrated and at nearer 40 than 30 he isn’t going to improve. Let go.
Fleck. Just have to accept others that he was a good player as I never watched the Blunts, but assume he must have been to play for so long at a high level. But all I see currently is a small chunky bloke who looks more like a park player than a professional. Seems slow and often caught in possession. Maybe injuries and age have done for him, but definitely let go.
Donacian. Seems irrelevant if he’s any good or not when injuries prevent him playing. Let go.
Madden. ultimately very disappointing considering the rep he came with. Let go.
Grimes. Has been a good servant and captain and very unfairly maligned by many. Also not injury prone compared to so many others, but reluctantly time to let go.
Banks, Naylor, Palmer, really 50 50 on these three, probably keep but all three would preferably be squad players rather than first choices.
Grigg. Keep but needs better support otherwise he will become increasingly ineffective.
This leaves Dunkley and Williams who remain unknown quantities owing to injuries but will probably need to be offloaded. Pity in the case of Williams who like Grimes has been decent and often unfairly maligned
This should free up some space. Whilst experience can be valuable having too many crocks in decline isn’t the way forward and we mustn’t repeat the situation.
A good old un can be useful but a good young un will always be much better as Walsall have shown us.

This post has been edited by Zigsuk: 17 May 2025 - 08:55 AM

[Phil V 72]

Just a point on Madden, he’s under contract until June 26 so it’s not that simple

[Mr Mercury]

Zigsuk, on 17 May 2025 - 08:53 AM, said:

Time to decide what to do with the considerable number of over thirties we have. Don’t know who is or isn’t in contract but here goes. And remember at their age none of them are likely to improve.

Fadz.Still think he seems overrated and at nearer 40 than 30 he isn’t going to improve. Let go.
Fleck. Just have to accept others that he was a good player as I never watched the Blunts, but assume he must have been to play for so long at a high level. But all I see currently is a small chunky bloke who looks more like a park player than a professional. Seems slow and often caught in possession. Maybe injuries and age have done for him, but definitely let go.
Donacian. Seems irrelevant if he’s any good or not when injuries prevent him playing. Let go.
Madden. ultimately very disappointing considering the rep he came with. Let go.
Grimes. Has been a good servant and captain and very unfairly maligned by many. Also not injury prone compared to so many others, but reluctantly time to let go.
Banks, Naylor, Palmer, really 50 50 on these three, probably keep but all three would preferably be squad players rather than first choices.
Grigg. Keep but needs better support otherwise he will become increasingly ineffective.
This leaves Dunkley and Williams who remain unknown quantities owing to injuries but will probably need to be offloaded. Pity in the case of Williams who like Grimes has been decent and often unfairly maligned
This should free up some space. Whilst experience can be valuable having too many crocks in decline isn’t the way forward and we mustn’t repeat the situation.
A good old un can be useful but a good young un will always be much better as Walsall have shown us.

Grimes has never been unfairly maligned by many.
People recognise 100 % commitment and effort and his qualities but Occasionaly mention his limitations, that’s all.

[Phil V 72]

Mr Mercury, on 17 May 2025 - 09:28 AM, said:

Grimes has never been unfairly maligned by many.
People recognise 100 % commitment and effort and his qualities but Occasionaly mention his limitations, that’s all.

From the start of the season, Cook has only played him when he’s had no other option. Great servant that he’s been, I think his time with us might be at an end

[Bonnyman]

Interesting stat on Naylor from Derbyshire times , unless I read it wrong it said only 23 touches in 82 minutes, been a strange season for him was a Ferrari last year ( difference between non league and this league is marked) but this season started at centre back looked immense then looked flawed when the other teams hit full stride , looked very leggy this year, needs a good rest it’s not been great for him

[hilly81]

Bonnyman, on 17 May 2025 - 09:45 AM, said:

Interesting stat on Naylor from Derbyshire times , unless I read it wrong it said only 23 touches in 82 minutes, been a strange season for him was a Ferrari last year ( difference between non league and this league is marked) but this season started at centre back looked immense then looked flawed when the other teams hit full stride , looked very leggy this year, needs a good rest it’s not been great for him

I think Naylor will be a bit part player next season. He’s not been anywhere near as effective as I thought he would be.

[Phil V 72]

hilly81, on 17 May 2025 - 09:50 AM, said:

I think Naylor will be a bit part player next season. He’s not been anywhere near as effective as I thought he would be.

I was struggling to work out his position last night, it seems like we’re trying to push him up to support the attack

[meowdmucker]

You've not mentioned Jacobs either who is well into his 30s . A decent footballer but one who doesn't do enough for me. OneIthink that should be released.

[dim view]

meowdmucker, on 17 May 2025 - 10:01 AM, said:

You've not mentioned Jacobs either who is well into his 30s . A decent footballer but one who doesn't do enough for me. OneIthink that should be released.

Or Palmer.

I'd give Donacien a pre-season pending an offer. He suffered a new injury but before then played his way to full fitness and made a big impression (to me anyway).

[Zigsuk]

You can tell that Naylor was once a quality player, same with Grigg, but unfortunately their best days are behind them. As I have said elsewhere it would be nice but we couldn’t get players of the quality of Naylor and Grigg at their peak.
It makes the success of Jack Lester all the more remarkable and even unique. A class player who might have been past his best still very much at his best. But you always take a chance with such players and more often than not they don’t work out. Grigg and Naylor have been good signings and have had some success for us, but think of all the signings we’ve had in the past who came with some sort of reputation and have been absolute dross. Jason Lee Eubanks Blake to name but two, however there have been dozens of others.

[Zigsuk]

dim view, on 17 May 2025 - 10:10 AM, said:

Or Palmer.

I'd give Donacien a pre-season pending an offer. He suffered a new injury but before then played his way to full fitness and made a big impression (to me anyway).

Did mention Palmer but forgot about Jacobs. Easily done for most of this season. I think Jacobs is another 50 50 for me. Wouldn’t mind keeping him but wouldn’t be too bothered if he went. Again you can see he was a decent player once upon a time.

[lindave]

Zigsuk, on 17 May 2025 - 08:53 AM, said:

Time to decide what to do with the considerable number of over thirties we have. Don’t know who is or isn’t in contract but here goes. And remember at their age none of them are likely to improve.

When I 1st read this I got a bit worried you were wanting to get rid of us old codgers in the stands.

Fadz.Still think he seems overrated and at nearer 40 than 30 he isn’t going to improve. Let go.
Fleck. Just have to accept others that he was a good player as I never watched the Blunts, but assume he must have been to play for so long at a high level. But all I see currently is a small chunky bloke who looks more like a park player than a professional. Seems slow and often caught in possession. Maybe injuries and age have done for him, but definitely let go.
Donacian. Seems irrelevant if he’s any good or not when injuries prevent him playing. Let go.
Madden. ultimately very disappointing considering the rep he came with. Let go.
Grimes. Has been a good servant and captain and very unfairly maligned by many. Also not injury prone compared to so many others, but reluctantly time to let go.
Banks, Naylor, Palmer, really 50 50 on these three, probably keep but all three would preferably be squad players rather than first choices.
Grigg. Keep but needs better support otherwise he will become increasingly ineffective.
This leaves Dunkley and Williams who remain unknown quantities owing to injuries but will probably need to be offloaded. Pity in the case of Williams who like Grimes has been decent and often unfairly maligned
This should free up some space. Whilst experience can be valuable having too many crocks in decline isn’t the way forward and we mustn’t repeat the situation.
A good old un can be useful but a good young un will always be much better as Walsall have shown us.

[60s 70s Spireite]

dim view, on 17 May 2025 - 10:10 AM, said:

Or Palmer.

I'd give Donacien a pre-season pending an offer. He suffered a new injury but before then played his way to full fitness and made a big impression (to me anyway).

How much of a new injury for older players is down to the time they were out for an old injury?
Players retire for a reason- usually their bodies no longer can do what they used to, not that they have stopped enjoying the game.

I would place Doncaien in the ‘injury prone’ category and say thanks but no thanks. As good as he clearly is.
Looks like Madden is getting to that stage also, although the fact he has a contract until next year gives us a headache.

[dan.25]

I think Fadz is absolutely class and, in my opinion, has a massive role to play next season.

Starting with last night, he made an absolutely clutch tackle/block that denied a certain goal.

In general:

His anticipation is excellent, making up for whatever he lacks in pace, as he's often off the mark early due to his reading of the game.

In the first leg, I watched him on and off the ball for a bit, and his communication was top. Always calling to other players, always wanting the ball, always organising.

He is comfortable with the ball at his feet, which is something not consistently true of Palmer and Grimes (and, to be honest, most L2 centre-backs).

He is limited, of course, by age and type - my Cov fan mate at work has laboured the point that he's never been the quickest! But I think he is very valuable to this team and, I hope, to the next one.

I think paired with a more rangy, ball-playing centre back he would shine. Can we find one of those though? Unsure.

Finally - the value of having big, experienced personalities around the club is massive. Ritchie Humphreys and Ian Evatt from Cookie's first spell spring to mind. For me - let's give him a full pre-season, surround him with a bit of pace, let him dictate games and see where we are at Christmas.

[jack bauer]

i think you need a blend of youth, experience and players in their prime, i can't see us clearing out all the over 30's, well in fact we can't as some are under contract, i'm sure there will be a well constructed recruitment plan set on bringing together a "team" a "squad" that has the attributes and balance to deliver what cook wants,

[MrTall]

meowdmucker, on 17 May 2025 - 10:01 AM, said:

You've not mentioned Jacobs either who is well into his 30s . A decent footballer but one who doesn't do enough for me. OneIthink that should be released.

In my opinion, Jacobs has done nowhere near enough in his time here to warrant another contract.

[Walton Spireite]

MrTall, on 17 May 2025 - 08:33 PM, said:

In my opinion, Jacobs has done nowhere near enough in his time here to warrant another contract.

First out of the door

[Siberian Spireite]

Well,stealing the out-of-contract list from the pinned thread:

Bailey Hobson
Darren Oldaker
Ryan Colclough
Jamie Grimes
Tyrone Williams
Mike Jones
Ryan Boot (GK)
Ollie Banks
Ash Palmer
Michael Jacobs
Kane Drummond
Connor Cook
Lewis Gordon (+ an option)
Vontae Daley-Campbell (+ an option)
Liam Jessop
Ashton Rinaldo (GK)
Ali Mohiuddin
John Fleck
Janoi Donasien
Kyle McFadzean

I’d favour offering Gordon, Banks (if interested) and Boot new deals/extensions, probably McFadzean too if not too expensive on wages.

Naylor and Madden are finished, I fear, but their contracts are not.

[jack bauer]

Siberian Spireite, on 17 May 2025 - 10:39 PM, said:

Well,stealing the out-of-contract list from the pinned thread:

Bailey Hobson
Darren Oldaker
Ryan Colclough
Jamie Grimes
Tyrone Williams
Mike Jones
Ryan Boot (GK)
Ollie Banks
Ash Palmer
Michael Jacobs
Kane Drummond
Connor Cook
Lewis Gordon (+ an option)
Vontae Daley-Campbell (+ an option)
Liam Jessop
Ashton Rinaldo (GK)
Ali Mohiuddin
John Fleck
Janoi Donasien
Kyle McFadzean

I’d favour offering Gordon, Banks (if interested) and Boot new deals/extensions, probably McFadzean too if not too expensive on wages.

Naylor and Madden are finished, I fear, but their contracts are not.

pretty much yep, i'd allow donaicen to train with us pre-season see where that leads,if he can regain match fitness, he's a good player at this level, jacobs is another... such technical ability and can be such a talent but does he give us enough? i dunno.

[Mr Mercury]

jack bauer, on 17 May 2025 - 10:48 PM, said:

pretty much yep, i'd allow donaicen to train with us pre-season see where that leads,if he can regain match fitness, he's a good player at this level, jacobs is another... such technical ability and can be such a talent but does he give us enough? i dunno.

I’d have Donacian nowhere near sadly