[RichThomps1]

 Hibbo98, on 25 June 2025 - 08:45 PM, said:

Butterfield sounds interesting. Tall defensive midfielder, got decent reviews in under 23’s football by all accounts so it’s odd he’s never been out and tested himself on loan.
Sounds like he ran the show in their new stadium test event so much so that Everton fans were a bit surprised he was released.

Last couple from Everton have been decent anyway

I’d like to think Paddy Byrne will know all about him

This post has been edited by RichThomps1: Yesterday, 09:02 PM

[Cartman]

 ash_cfc, on 25 June 2025 - 08:47 PM, said:

Pretty sure he was either with us for a while pre season last year, or rumoured to be incoming. Either way it’s not the first time he’s been mentioned on here.

Barker was very highly thought of when a youth player at City, may still be a player there

On the Mandeville rumours, he’s been amazing for us, but wasn’t a first choice when we had a full squad at start of last season so may think he’d get more football elsewhere

[DPCFC]

 Cartman, on 25 June 2025 - 09:17 PM, said:

Barker was very highly thought of when a youth player at City, may still be a player there

On the Mandeville rumours, he’s been amazing for us, but wasn’t a first choice when we had a full squad at start of last season so may think he’d get more football elsewhere

What Mandeville rumours? Surely that Boreham Wood thing is a wind up.

[Westbars Spireite]

 Cartman, on 25 June 2025 - 09:17 PM, said:

Barker was very highly thought of when a youth player at City, may still be a player there

On the Mandeville rumours, he’s been amazing for us, but wasn’t a first choice when we had a full squad at start of last season so may think he’d get more football elsewhere

If he was to go, he wouldn't be having to look at the NL and certainly not anyone as tinpot at them.

[ash_cfc]

I put on here about 2/3 weeks ago Mandeville was told his game time would be more limited this coming season, due to the impending arrival of Markanady at the time & has interest from a handful of clubs. Club weren’t at that time actively looking to move him on, fully respectful of his long term standing here but PC truthful and wouldn’t stand in his way if an opportunity came for him to be a first team regular elsewhere.

Personally & selfishly I’d be disappointed if he left. It’s a long old season and having the ability to play RM, RW, RB & CM is invaluable when the game is much more “squad” orientated these days.

[danblue]

 SpireRam, on 25 June 2025 - 08:30 PM, said:

Brandon Barker in the training pics too. He’s been around the block for a 28-year-old.

Former Man City youngster but most recently with Avro.

The very definition of a squad filler.
Looked at his stats and he's never had a full season.
Strange we'd be having him in unless it's a favour to keep fit

[Waller is my hero]

https://www.manchest...czvc546irm6had9

[DIFH]

 Cartman, on 25 June 2025 - 09:17 PM, said:

Barker was very highly thought of when a youth player at City, may still be a player there

On the Mandeville rumours, he’s been amazing for us, but wasn’t a first choice when we had a full squad at start of last season so may think he’d get more football elsewhere

Maybe Cook recognised he was knackered, he virtually carried the team defensively and attacking. He hardly loses the ball .

This post has been edited by DIFH: Today, 03:21 AM

[CFC91]

 Westbars Spireite, on 25 June 2025 - 09:27 PM, said:

If he was to go, he wouldn't be having to look at the NL and certainly not anyone as tinpot at them.

I’d be suprised if he left. His versatility alone is worth having him involved even if not as a starter

[Phil V 72]

 danblue, on 25 June 2025 - 10:00 PM, said:

The very definition of a squad filler.
Looked at his stats and he's never had a full season.
Strange we'd be having him in unless it's a favour to keep fit

For me, I’d prefer squad fillers to be in the U21 bracket if possible so they don’t count to the 25

[Blue95]

 ash_cfc, on 25 June 2025 - 09:44 PM, said:

I put on here about 2/3 weeks ago Mandeville was told his game time would be more limited this coming season, due to the impending arrival of Markanady at the time & has interest from a handful of clubs. Club weren’t at that time actively looking to move him on, fully respectful of his long term standing here but PC truthful and wouldn’t stand in his way if an opportunity came for him to be a first team regular elsewhere.

Personally & selfishly I’d be disappointed if he left. It’s a long old season and having the ability to play RM, RW, RB & CM is invaluable when the game is much more “squad” orientated these days.

I’d be gutted, he’s a huge asset to the team. Won’t be able to replace him easily.

[Westbars Spireite]

 CFC91, on 26 June 2025 - 06:37 AM, said:

I’d be suprised if he left. His versatility alone is worth having him involved even if not as a starter

I'd be shocked and disappointed.

[Search & Destroy]

 Waller is my hero, on 25 June 2025 - 10:13 PM, said:

https://www.manchest...czvc546irm6had9

Nah, he’d not last 10 minutes

[Westbars Spireite]

 Search & Destroy, on 26 June 2025 - 08:20 AM, said:

Nah, he’d not last 10 minutes

From Man City to a factory team and back to the football league at 28? Highly unlikely.

This post has been edited by Westbars Spireite: Today, 08:29 AM

[Goku]

 Blue95, on 26 June 2025 - 07:12 AM, said:

I’d be gutted, he’s a huge asset to the team. Won’t be able to replace him easily.

No chance he leaves imo

[dim view]

ash_cfc, on 25 June 2025 - 09:44 PM, said:

I put on here about 2/3 weeks ago Mandeville was told his game time would be more limited this coming season, due to the impending arrival of Markanady at the time & has interest from a handful of clubs. Club weren’t at that time actively looking to move him on, fully respectful of his long term standing here but PC truthful and wouldn’t stand in his way if an opportunity came for him to be a first team regular elsewhere.

Personally & selfishly I’d be disappointed if he left. It’s a long old season and having the ability to play RM, RW, RB & CM is invaluable when the game is much more “squad” orientated these days.

I find your conclusion a bit disturbing. Cook's system allows Mandy to be a first team regular AND accept limited game time - summat Mandy should revel in, just like every other member of the squad.

Why on earth should that unsettle Mandy? I suspect Cook would drop off his chair never mind not stand in his way if Mandy put what you've writ to him.

Now, if Bradfud offer £750k for him, that's another matter.

[SpireRam]

Donacien training with the squad. Surely means he’s another sticking around?

[JonB]

SpireRam, on 26 June 2025 - 08:57 AM, said:

Donacien training with the squad. Surely means he’s another sticking around?

He was on the released\retained list as one offered a contract so likely not a surprise he is training with us.

[Blue95]

Noticed Madden is in pre season training

[GrassmoorSpireite]

 Blue95, on 26 June 2025 - 09:01 AM, said:

Noticed Madden is in pre season training

All this guff about him leaving, injured etc

He will still be here and maybe Cookie sees him as the main back up/ rotator for Grigg? There’s not many out there we can bring in for minimal to no fee so why not keep 2 experienced goal scorers and let a young lad learn from both of them?

Grigg has qualities Madden doesn’t and the same in return Madden has qualities Grigg doesn’t, Jesus a young lad willing to learn from 2 of the best lower league strikers has the whole world in his hands