Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:57 am  

Bullseye wrote:

Indeed Bulliac.

Talking to Stuart Duffy yesterday he was of the opinion that this season was pretty much a foregone conclusion from the start given the playing resources we had. Many of our players simply weren't wanted by other clubs and we can see the reason for that in their performances.

We're at a level now where it will take some proper money to ensure we're not in another "holding pattern" season. Whether Chalmers is in it for real should be apparent before long. He's brought in some useful players but too late for them to do much good this season and some of them have been injured immediately.

I doubt we'll manage it but we need to keep the likes of Chisholm, Gibson, Sironen, Peltier, Smith, Moore (if he avoids chokey) and our better kids.

Add to that some half decent part timers including some tough, aggressive forwards in the Alex Rowe mould and I will be on board.

Spot on, But we didn't have any funds to spend at start of year, all had to go toward the running of club rather than new players...Plus the fact it all happened the week before the season started so any above average player would already have a contract and would of cost a fortune to get them released from those contracts..
I feel whoever we sign for next year itll never be good enough for the majority of fans. Were not going to sign big players anymore. Really do hope that with the FT players we try hardest to keep those u mentioned, as well as our young lads, there are some real good part time players out there if we can get them on board. As long as we try stay away from loan/DualReg players we will be ok. Theres time to get a full squad together now. Going to be a very interesting off season. Looking forward to it.

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:50 am  

Who to keep? Jeez.
Kinda depends if we know who is actually bankrolling us this season and next, I'm still not convinced I know the answer to that. Do we have the funds to bring in Championship level players al-la Toronto, or are we still cloth cutting?

As has been said, assuming we have some decent funds from somewhere (don't want to bother contemplating much else on the everlasting downwards spiral) we should look to keep the players with geniune quality such as Chisholm, Moore, hallas, Smith, Gibson. Then add in the players with passion, desire, potential like Keyes, magrin and peltier and keep as many of our own products as possible such as Ryan (doubtful) kirk, and Oakes. I'd let maccani, mendeika, Thomas, halafiifi and Davis go. We need far far less reliance on the short term loan system next time around, proper season long loans or a decent DR setup if we really must.

All depends on who wants to play third tier rl for us and if they belive that it's only temporary and that as an organization we can genuinely turn things around and challenge for promotion at the first attempt....I'm yet to be convinced, but hopefully the players will be.

[Bullseye]

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:08 am  

On the eve of the season we had a squad of players no other club wanted. A few of our kids proved to be better than that but plenty of more experienced players showed why no other club wanted them during our period of upheaval.

If some of the dross is still with us in 2018 it'll be obvious we're not seriously competing.

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:11 am  

Assuming that the contracts for the current squad are void since we are relegated I suggest that we wait until a week or so before the season starts and then look to recruit from whoever is available. It seemed to work out OK this season.

[Bullseye]

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:55 am  

Alas most contracts were 1 year ones anyway so most players will be free agents - not that many will receive offers.

[Bulliac]

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 2:09 pm  

BullyBully13 wrote:

Spot on, But we didn't have any funds to spend at start of year, all had to go toward the running of club rather than new players...Plus the fact it all happened the week before the season started so any above average player would already have a contract and would of cost a fortune to get them released from those contracts..
I feel whoever we sign for next year itll never be good enough for the majority of fans. Were not going to sign big players anymore. Really do hope that with the FT players we try hardest to keep those u mentioned, as well as our young lads, there are some real good part time players out there if we can get them on board. As long as we try stay away from loan/DualReg players we will be ok. Theres time to get a full squad together now. Going to be a very interesting off season. Looking forward to it.

Well, you can't speak for all fans but apart from a tiny minority I'd guess that most will be happy just to get a half decent side (we are in the third division, after all) which holds it's own and maybe gives the occasional impression of being a candidate for something, even if it's just the Railway cup, or what ever it is.

For what it's worth, I'd consider keeping anyone who wants to stay, depending on finances, who we might have coming in and players who might be in 'priority' positions. Though, until we know what we have, or more to the point, what we don't have, we won't be able to identify what the priorities are. What is an absolute must is that we are not depending on loans and DR next season. Note, I don't mean we shouldn't have any, just shouldn't be depending on them to get a side on the field.

I make no bones about the fact I'd love to see a new coach installed. I'm as aware as anyone of the problems we've had this season and it hasn't been easy for Toovey but we haven't improved one iota to me - in fact we've gone backwards.

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:02 pm  

Scarey71 wrote:

If the restructure is to include a magic ticket back to SL then I hope, as a team, we do just enough for mid table mediocrity next year. That should lob a spanner in their works.

Don't think it will be SL but SL2 or whatever they choose to call it. This would in effect be a promotion from where we will be next season. And if that is the case then expect another season of saving money to spend after the restructure.

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:31 pm  

You are right Bulliac we have gone backwards. To me it coincided with Leon`s injury problems. When he was half fit we seemed to be competitive, once it was obvious he could not get about the pitch and subsequently retired, we never looked at all threatening near the opposition line. Yet some people said Leon was crap!!!!
As for Toovey I`m not convinced. For certain please get rid of Mendika, Halafifi and Davies, The rest except the youngsters and those signed for next year I`m not bothered whether we keep or get rid.

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:43 pm  

ifallwerelikemumby wrote:

You are right Bulliac we have gone backwards. To me it coincided with Leon`s injury problems. When he was half fit we seemed to be competitive, once it was obvious he could not get about the pitch and subsequently retired, we never looked at all threatening near the opposition line. Yet some people said Leon was crap!!!!
As for Toovey I`m not convinced. For certain please get rid of Mendika, Halafifi and Davies, The rest except the youngsters and those signed for next year I`m not bothered whether we keep or get rid.

The saddest thing about the whole season is that Leon (who has been one of Bradford's and Great Britain's best players) ended his career by being booed off the pitch by his own home town fans. Disgraceful.

Re: Who would you keep? : Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:47 pm  

fifty50 wrote:

Assuming that the contracts for the current squad are void since we are relegated I suggest that we wait until a week or so before the season starts and then look to recruit from whoever is available. It seemed to work out OK this season.

They don't become void between Division's in the championship. Whitehaven tried that trick last year to get rid of top earners and were told they couldn't do that.