The Hotel End

Andy Williams signed on free transfer from Doncaster Rovers - 31 year old striker (announced 21st May) - 2 year contract.

Also, Morgan Roberts & Sean Whaler sign first professional deals - Roberts on 3 year contract & Whaler on 2 year contract.

Billy Waters apparently of interest to Port Vale.

Brendan Moloney to leave at the expiry of his contract.

I would like to thank Brendan for his time with us, a great servant and player, particularly during our championship season.

Good luck, where ever you may end up Brendan.

3 1/2 years and 108 1st team performances. Had lengthy spells out with injury so the new contract may have reflected that. Only two goals tho'.

Unsurprising, but still disappointing to see another of our championship winning side leave. Will certainly be clapping him when Cobblers play him next.

The last one was pretty instrumental in firing Chris Wilder up for his post-match interview, if I remember correctly.

The one I remember was against ⚒Leyton Orient⚒ Actually it was Notts County apologies ; not sure if this is the one you meant. On his day a fine player, he also had a very pleasant Portugese Girl Friend who I sat next to at Wimbledon.

Good luck to Brendan in the future .
He was a committed player for us and was at times our best player .
He is too injury prone though and has lost some pace .
He will still do well elsewhere

He meant the winner at Notts County. Fine goal.

I think that this is the right decision from a footballing perspective. But having spoken with him several times before in the Melbourne Arms, can vouch that he is a top guy and wish him all the best for the remainder of his career. He was fantastic for us in the title winning season and a very good servant for the club overall.

And everyone always says the view is terrible at Wimbledon!  ;D

Shame to see another one of the title winners leave but Brendan will always get a warm welcome back I'm sure.

+1

York at home and Notts County away. Never scored against Orient!

one of many to leave in the next few weeks..... our squad is fu#king massive and expensive. 

As we've said before the problem is those we would like to see the back of who are bloating the squad (kasim, bowditch etc) are unlikely to have any takers whereas those we would like to keep hold of (crooks, jjot, ash Taylor) will likely be in demand.  I just hope that we either keep hold of RO'D or get a replacement - the thought of going into a new season with Cornell as first choice is too depressing to consider and for me will be an early test of Austin's managerial acumen.

Thks for correction - who scored the first goal at Orient? Would have sworn it was Maloney!
Well done tho!

Correction it was McDonald ☀️

.

Thks

I assumed he meant Wimbledon tennis  :P Well I'm in summer mode, Northants cricket are keeping up the form of Cobblers and Saints impressively!

Couldn't agree more, Cornell reminds me of a poor mans Chris Dung.

We had a surveyor on site, a few weeks back, Jake someone or other, we got chatting, and it turned out that he had done a goal keeping apprenticeship at Sixfields a few years back. He raved about Bunny, and slated Dunn. I told him that was the view from the stands also.
As an aside, Brendan Maloneys brother, was on a different site in central London, a couple of years ago, working as an underpinner. If you scratch the surface, theres Cobblers connections everywhere.

I see Stevenage have signed Sonupe for a 5 figure fee !!!!

£199.99?

That's a bit steep.£100.00

I know for certain that Maloneys wife wanted to return to ireland, will be interesting to see if he heads back home or stays in the football league.   Personally I think he has represented the club brilliantly and I'm sure he will get a good reception if he comes back.  lovely lad as well if anyone has ever had the chance to sit and have a proper conversation with him.

I thought he joined a league one club?

"Part of the 2016 league two title-winning squad, Moloney is understood to have agreed terms with a club in Sky Bet League One, and Austin admitted it was an offer that the Cobblers simply couldn’t afford to match."

I knew I didn't dream it up  ;D

Will be interesting to see where he ends up then. If its a "smaller fish" in League 1 then i'd be a little worried that we can't match terms despite having "a competitive budget that will be higher than when we won the title".......

Followed his wife as far as Fishguard!  ;D

Where did you see this quote?

I may have missed it, but I haven't seen anything quoting a league one club.

Maybe it was the offer of first team football rather than high wages? I'd have thought he'd be playing second fiddle to Facey at right back.

Assuming Facey stays?

I thought everbrite said he had a Portuguese girlfriend?

Probably heading down the A43/34 😄

I read it also - so Wolvo is correct to quote it.  My guess its Wimbledon :o

Possibly in Chron.

Put me down for coventry. Just a hunch.  ;)

Yes, I've seen it now. It was in the Chron. Thanks.

Which would explain why his wife wants to return to Ireland!  :o Hopefully not though.

I hears Moloney was talking to Plymouth and Fleetwood.

Unless he's being a naughty boy, and not very careful, I don't think so! He has an Irish wife/girlfriend and a young daughter.

It looks like he missed the Ash Taylor "we got us in this mess and we're going to stick together to get us out of it" meeting.

This is assuming we offered him a competitive package. We may well have offered him a pay cut given our relegation and his poor injury record in recent times.

This seems likely. If I were Austin I'd be happy with the prospect of Facey at RB in L2 and wouldn't want another player in that position on a first team package.

BM to Wycombe

Boris Mathis would be a good signing for Wycombe.

I think Facey is absolute class - staying clear of injury and in my book he is clearly part of a promotion side at this level

Well you got where the great 'Defender' lived slightly wrong. I used to rely on you for accurate info'. ;)

Assuming he stays, which I would say is a big if - I agree he is classy.

I see MK have signed 2 ex-cobblers in Ryan Watson and Lawson D'Ath.

Given their short odds on a return fairly uninspiring signings other than their ages - interesting that D’arth would drop a division as well.

More than likely because no one in lg 1 wanted him

both toilet - and cheap

sums up MK really

going from league 2 to league 2 isnt dropping a division is it?!

Hopefully, Lawson will take all their set pieces #woeful

D'Ath was really good in his first season with us, he lost his way after that.

Reasonable eye for goal. Karate kicks at Cambridge.

Quite surprised no one has left yet .

It's all very quiet isn't it..

Technically correct but had he stayed at Luton it would be dropping a division - perhaps I should have said it differently 😀

Matt Crooks to Bradford?

He was released by Luton tho so not really dropping a division.

As I said previously , four players said they wouldn’t play in division 2 before the game kicked off at Oldham and some of those players played in that game

Maybe, but other teams have got to want these players first and in some cases the price has got to be right also.

it was 5 actually ...

What they told you that personally did they. Oh and if you are referring to the last game of the season that wasn't at Oldham... Just saying

It will be next season. How about that for a coincidence.

I must admit the same thing occurred to me - I don't want to shoot the messenger or be anti-ITK's but are we supposed to picture this group of 4 sitting in a dark corner of the dressing room plotting their escape with you or your source standing with your ear to the door?

Mentioned a lot on Twitter, Bradford fans seem keen.

Hope we can hold on to him.

seeing as I've missed this, who are the 4/5 players that have said this?

He won't say, he is "protecting his sources".

He said van Veen was one of them, I think.

Reading between the lines probably the others are Turnbull, O'Donnell and Bunney?

I'm not being snarky - B&S has refused to be drawn on the identities of the 4 players several times before. That said, if they were the 4 to leave (RO'D aside) I wouldn't be too disappointed.

But as I've said previously, teams need to be interested in them or others and clearly at the moment there not. Things may change, we shall see in the coming weeks.

If Van Veen isn't one of those players I'd eat one of my many hats.

I just hope any departures happen as early as possible to give Austin as much time as possible to get his squad together - I've just got visions of it dragging out over preseason and disrupting preparations.

I had heard similar a few weeks ago, and it wasn't Turnbull. But was Ash Taylor... Obviously don't know if there is any truth in that. But the other three names were the three that you listed.

Hmmm, Taylor or turnbull I wonder who would be the bigger loss. Didn't Taylor come out in an interview saying that he felt responsible for the relegation and was determined to do all he could to make sure we bounced back or am I imagining that (I know talk is cheap).

If they don’t want to be playing in the old fourth division then they should have f ucking put in a bit more effort over the season.
If they signed contracts with relegation wage related clauses then tough sh it. Should have performed better over the whole season.
If they have been told they might be training with the youth team next year then either put in the effort to challenge that or f uck off elsewhere.

Not interested in players who think they can just turn up and be picked without trying or think they are better than the circumstances they find themselves in.
Those that train best and show good team and work ethic should get the start.

Van Veen counts as three...Bunney to the Conference!
Anyone else?  ;)

Who gives a s***? Literally none of those listed did well for us did they?

Ash Taylor aside, plus even he is replaceable. We got relegated. Most of them are s***!

Well that's telling 'em

The players in question told the manager during the course of the week leading up to the Oldham game and after we had been relegated .
It may be that other clubs haven’t come in for them or we require a fee . In some instances we need to recover a fee we paid originally . We also pay good wages and others will not match them . Who knows ?

i think you do

Did they say they 'won't play in League 2' or 'they don't want to play in League 2', because there is a huge difference?

Did all 4 players walk up to you and Austin at the same as a group to say this? Or did each player walk up to you and Austin individually to state this?

Lol .... I am not party to every intimate discussion but those players didn’t want to drop a standard and will look elsewhere . Whether they get what they want is another matter of course.
I don’t know any more than anyone else about the current state of play because it’s the summer break and people are away . Plus I can’t be bothered to ask and am more interested in the World Cup and the cricket !

KvV doesnt surprise me, Turnbull has previous as he did this when Cov went down, RoD  would be ashame and Bunney can go if he wants. Also Taylor would surprise me considering he's been talking about making up for last season.  However any player that doeabt have the gaul for a hars league 2 season and a promotion challange can sod off.

Don't forget little Billy. Surely looking for a career elsewhere. Then there's Kazim playing the game [not football], thinking sooner or later, the Club will pay him off.

He did back in 2015 - perhaps he or she has moved on. What I can remember she was communicative and pleasant person.

The only one I know who was definitely keen to move on Was Crookes. He's a good player, providing the club gets a decent fee (250k? plus sell on) then I reckon it would be everyones interests for him to go. If we can't get that amount then Id hope we'd gam ble by keeping him here, tell him to up his game etc…and if x is offered for him in January he's free to talk with said club.

The thing with Crookes is that he's gonna be on big bucks and he is fairly injury prone. The latter concerns me and could effect what level he ultimately peaks at. He picks up niggly injuries, which isn't a good sign for a young footballer. He then takes a few games each time to get into his stride. Reminds me of Josh Low in that regard!

dreamland

I dont think another club in div 3-4 would accept less than that for him, we probably would.

Marvo’s said on twitter that crook’s girlfriend is pregnant and is refusing to move from their home in market harborough - obviously in this day and age commuting is not out of the question but with a little one on the way I’m guessing he’d be reluctant to move any great distance.  Perhaps the convenience of Northampton’s location will  work in our favour.

Port Vale just signed Ricky Miller so perhaps means they've pulled out of the mooted Waters deal...

As I've said before, hope Billy stays as he has the work ethic DA is looking for...and if played up front with Williams, will bang in a few

Frankly other than O'Toole I don't think I'd bat an eyelid if any of the squad left.

Lawson D’Ath is a decent creative midfielder. He should do well in a lower league club

Agree with this - The majority of the squad last year is garbage - We finished where we did for a very good reason - The facts are alongside one of the worst managers in our history these players are actually not very good!

I sometimes wonder if 1994 never happened

With pre-season training starting tomorrow I would hope there will be some news soon about an assistant manager - it seems very odd that Austin didn’t have something lined up when he got the job.

DA has already said that he has spoken to 3 or 4 people about the role. He wants to take his time and get the right one. He also said he's relaxed about the situation but I'm sure this week we'll probably know who it is.

Every one of your posts continue to add fuel to my opinion that you don't have a clue about what you believe you do, keep up with the good work. I will be 100% certain in the not too distant future.

Yes, I read the interview a couple of weeks ago - I just find it strange that he’s asked 4 or 5 people when usually they have coaches/assistants that they have previously worked with/have a relationship with.

One or two rumours of R O'D to West Brom on twitter - unlikley i'd say

Rico to come back as a number 2 and as player coach..  ;D

I'm a fan of RO'D but I can't see that happening - if it did he would end up doing a mark bunn at villa and have splinters (but a large bank account).

In any case it looks like he's under contract until the summer of 2020 so they'd have to shell out a few quid for him (unless there's some kind of relegation release clause which is unlikely or he would have presumably gone by now). Does this mean that we're edging closer to the Cornell era - Evers will be happy!

You misunderstand (again) - he is not my first choice type at all but he does not warrant the unfair and mindless criticism handed out by some on here. He could come good like Archer!!

Only teasing mate 😁

How is it "mindless" when people base him on his time here and actual performances, whereas you say he could come goodlike Archer!

The twitter account that mentioned O’Donnell has generally been pretty accurate more times than not. Also sparked the Bradford Crooks rumour.

Cornell is a poor mans Chris Dunn, in fact I think Dunn is better than him.

No you weren’t

To be fair Cornell has had some good games for us but never gets a run in the side.
Cup games or Check a Trade.
He is a good penalty stopper

O'Donnell link to baggies....

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/west-brom-window-goalkeeper-transfers-14821772

If you say so 😘

The ROD to West Brom rumour has even made the BBC football gossip column.

Seems their goalkeeping coach has worked with ROD before, and as much as I don't want to see him leave, if we can get some money for him it will be a good move for both parties.

Does leave us with Cornell as number one if we don't get anyone in mind you.

The biggest out has been announced, or should it be off. JJOT has had his pony tail removed - shock, horror  :o

The pony tail's going to Sc***horpe. They're using the KVV money plus a player for the purchase.

Let’s hope that the pony tail wasn’t the source of his power a la Samson!

He looks very strange without it....

I knew I was right

As you always are........in your own mind.

I know I'm sad but the only players I haven't identified from training photos are Kasim, O'Donnell, Bowditch & Bunney. However, I think Bowditch is still injured, so could explain that one.

By the way Kevin van Veen has been training today.

Didn't know Bowditch was even injured...

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/top-10-worst-football-league-haircuts/5/

Injured playing for Stevenage. There was a picture of him recently with other injured players (from other clubs) at St George's park, I think.

nothing sad about it - we have all been doing it.

bunney has gone to blackpool

Season long loan.

Thanks, you've made me feel better now  :)

No loss. Hardly good, didn't wanna be here from day 1 clearly.

Thought we saw the best of him when played in his best position (wing back) and the worst for most of it when JFH put him in for Buchs at LB.

Scapegoated by a large number of fans, not surprised he has moved on. Turnbull staying as LB/CB cover for Buchs or do we get a new left back in.

Also wonder what will happen if Buchs is as bad as he was last season, lets hope he isn't.

Scapegoated ?
He was sh*t , simple as that .

Hopefully Blackpool play him LWB, has a storming season and we sell him for loads of cash after a year away.

In my opinion. Played out of position and fans needed someone to blame.

The signing of Bunney, immediately dropping Buchanan for him followed by a couple of terrible Bunney showings was possibly the biggest JFH created disaster and that's saying something. Not Bunney's fault if he's c***, but how JFH thought he could play left back, god only knows. Did he even see him play before signing him? Embarrassing.

I'll agree there, does make you wonder if he did ever see him.

Bunney gone out on loan,O'Donnell set to join W.B.A only Kasim and Bowditch to go.

It was only a tease! Where is your sense of humour ::)

Oh right, good one🤔

I'm not really fussed about ROD going - don't get me wrong he's a good keeper, but in the last few years we've had Ingram, Smith, Duke, Clarke and Nicholls who were all as good if not better - he's not irreplaceable.   I do think that we need to replace him though as Cornell is more Freddy Hall than Freddie Woodman

He's more F>ck Hall  than Freddy Hall...........good at Pens tho'.

RO didn't train yesterday.

Brilliant... now the Mark Bunn rumours can begin!  :P

There must be plenty of GK available on a free and we should get reasonable money for RoD.

Colin Doyle (Bradford) is available, unsure if he would drop down a league though.

why?

Suppose what you class as reasonable.

He is under contract, so that would need to be taken into consideration.

RRC

Ha ha - it will be his goal kicks next; which aren’t too bad!

Agree with whoever said ROD is replaceable. He is an okay keeper, not been here long enough to have any affinity to him though and if he doesn't want to be here then f*ck him.

Did he have one? If he did doesnt mean its for next to nothing. The RCC might be £500k for example

or, a relegation release clause might be exactly what it is - and there is no money involved.

why would an RRC be for a sum of money that no-one would pay for him anyway, he wouldn't have it in the contract in the first place.

Good keeper and if he can make himself a millionaire over the course of a 3 year contract at WBA then fair play to him! Aka Bunn.

One things for sure, he won't be getting many games for them barring an injury to their first choice and if that happens they will no doubt go and buy another number1 keeper in any case.

He's never played for a big club so it would be a no brainer for him if WBA double/treble his wages to sit on their bench!

Who knows, and if it is then let's hope it has a value attached to it.

Although if he was that desperate to move on and could do so for free, surely the club would have announced that he intended to leave and replaced him/told us Cornell is number one?

It doesnt mean he can leave for free. It will be that following relegation if a club bids the release clause amount he can leave, works the same as a minimum release clause. A RCC was to work for both parties

I did say some time ago that I heard RO had a release clause attached to relegation. If so, a bad bit of business by the club. I'm not bothered if he goes but I'd like to see us make some money out of it.

my release clause mean't he can go for free.

you are thinking of a minimum release clause.

RCC works the same as a MRC. Just means he can leave if a club activates the fee following relegation. It could well be set at NIL but im sure the club werent that stupid!!!

This is my understanding too.

Take Jonny Evans as an example - his contract stated he could leave WBA for £3m if they were relegated:
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11698/11218661/jonny-evans-has-3m-relegation-release-clause-in-west-brom-contract (http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11698/11218661/jonny-evans-has-3m-relegation-release-clause-in-west-brom-contract)

Did we get a sell on fee for Ricky Holmes?

have we ever got VFM for any player we have sold

Exactly.

Until he leaves we wont actually know. I still think he will stay. If WBA wanted him they would have signed him by now. If he has RCC, WBA would be easily be able to afford him.
I personally think the media put 2 and 2 together and thoughts there's a story to write

I think he will go.

This might be aload of nonsense but Football League World have published this article... are they on to something?

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-northampton-town-signings-that-can-make-them-a-force-in-the-18-19-season/

No becauase the whole article is "These would be good for them" rather than "Thiis is what we've heard (made up)"

That might be a pointless click bait transfer speculation article, but it’s the first pointless click bait article I’ve seen involving us. Makes a change on Bale to United ad infinitum.

An unfortunate side-effect of having to make several signings in January when you are threatened with relegation, players will want something to sweeten the deal / give them some security.

I'd imagine the players signed on permanent deals in January either had a relegation release clause or refused to have the relegation wage drop in their contract. Otherwise they would have known there was a good chance they were effectively signing for reduced terms.

I’ve got mixed feelings about the rumoured comings and goings - I agree that if they don’t want to be here f@@k them but it’s undeniable that if we were to lose RO’D, Taylor and crooks for example despite our crap season it would massively weaken us. I suppose it depends on who we bring in to replace them and if KT gives Austin the funds to reinvest.

I'm not sure it's worth repeating... however, apparently Sam Walker was at Sixfields last week. The goalkeeper we had on loan a fair old while back.

He's had a few years in the 1st team at Colchester and has done well by all accounts

Great, always thought having 4 keepers already contracted, was never enough...

Well R O'D is clearly off and if anyone thinks any of the other 3 are good enough (yet) to be starting then we have issues.

I would think Coddington will be off - Cornell I can live with being number 2, so as/when R O'D goes we will need a new number 1 and I would not be unhappy with Sam Walker

why not clearly improved massively since he left us a couple of Colchester fans I know can't speak highly enough of him

Double negative mate.

ROD has gone to Bradford.

On a free transfer...….

You could not make this up. Threeinabed, you were right.

I'm hoping this means that the Crooks link with Bradford was someone getting their wires crossed instead. 

Oh well, no smoke without fire I suppose. Bit of a shambles losing him on a free though - interesting that Austin says the only way we could sign one or two in the January window was to offer them relegation release clauses - who else might that refer to? Bunney obviously didn’t have one as he has only gone on loan and facey keeps banging on about how he can’t wait to bounce back next season so hopefully he’s staying. Does it refer to Turnbull who had something similar when Coventry were relegated?

Probably van Veen if I was guessing.

Oh yeah - forgot about him!

See, relegation clause does not mean players don’t leave for free!!

It’s a shame....but this sort of thing is inevitable when you’ve been relegated. Players want to play at the highest level, and boards need to reduce wage bills, which given last seasons excesses was always going to be heavily chopped.

True, but even a token £10/30/50K would have helped us out.

Needs must I suppose, roll on yet another keeper.

Coddington possibly to Wrexham?

Chris Dunn has recently signed for Walsall, so they could well be in for a goalkeeper and he's done well for them in the past.

I would assume if we get a new keeper then coddington will leave and goff will go out on loan.

At the very least we should have recouped whatever we paid ROD for his time with us.  

But what worries me is that this may just be the beginning of a sale (or giveaway) of our better players.  Nothing from Thomas about his future intentions concerning NTFC for many weeks. Therefore, we have to assume he is still looking to sell the club.  if that is the case, the sooner the better.

Would be a bit of a coup if we get Sam Walker in as ROD replacement....

http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/16211815.Walker_set_for_U_s_exit_amid_Championship_interest/ (http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/16211815.Walker_set_for_U_s_exit_amid_Championship_interest/)

Thought it would be too good to be true.

anyone who signed in january would have some sort of clause in their contract otherwise we wouldn't have persuaded them to sign for us - either that or a decent pay increase.

and in some cases, probably both.

next time you need a simple premise explaining to you, just come and see me!!

not even sure what RCC means!?!

I presume release clauses are the same as any other contractual clause - open to negotiation. Some might say a player can walk away for nothing if we get relegated, others might say you can leave for £x if we get relegated.

Personally, I'm not sure of the wisdom of offering these clauses to players who were bought in during the January window, given our league position at the time. I appreciate it's something of a double edged sword; they might not sign without it, but having it hardly gives you a player that's fully committed to the cause either as if it all goes wrong, they are off anyway. Easy to say with hindsight, I guess. It was a flutter that didn't pay off and if it had worked we'd be none the wiser and praising the quality of the signings!

I would have thought it’s very unlikely that all of the different agents of the players brought in during the January window had exactly the same clauses in their contracts as ROD had - if they did then wouldn’t bunney have gone on a free and van veen and Turnbull (and facey) be effectively free agents?

Bit cheeky. You might have quoted the other post where he said the fee could be set to nil!

fair point - bit naughty from me - just nice to be right sometimes.

what is an RCC though?

Release Clause for C*nts

 ;D

No pictures of training for the last two days. I wonder why? Trialists or players they don't want us to know are there or not there, whatever the case may be.

Almost relentless pushing of none First XI articles on the clubs social media which seems to be getting worse and worse.

Perhaps Gareth's on holiday.

Still out walking the dog this morning.....!

It proves how boring this pre season is people are even trying to get a rumour out of there not being any pictures of training today

And yesterday  :)

There are currently no trialists for the 1st team.

Why would we have trialists - we’ve already got a cast of thousands.

well we need a no 1 for starters

Playing devils advocate we do already have 3 keepers (not that I think any of them are the answer).

He might be on a staycation

I seriously hope our new keeper doesn't sign for us as a result of being a trialist!

we may well have 3 keepers but none of them are a No1 - that's my point

I believe our first choice target opted for Lincoln this week.

Grant Smith?

Is it just me or is it deathly quite on the transfer front, both in and out... everyone else seem busy except us and the rumour mill is quite too.

I think it’s been said before that the problem is that we are having to wait to try and offload before we bring anyone in - this is going to become an issue if we’re left hanging around for a large chunk of preseason. God knows what’s going on with these players who are supposed to have clauses - again if we get dicked around for too long we’re going to miss out on decent replacements. I agree that the silence on recruitment is noticeable - not a peep out of KT or Austin for that matter - and I’m a bit concerned over a lack of quality in a few areas.  Quite a few of our rivals are doing some decent business - Notts county signed Nathan Thomas yesterday and Exeter picked up Nicky law, and Mansfield and Lincoln are bringing some players in.

Austin said in a video last week that the phone has been ringing for enquiries in to our players but he doesnt get involved in that side of things.
He also said he wouldnt mention any names of players that were being enquired about or ones he is looking at, as its disrespectful.

Kasim must surely be being off loaded as he didnt feature last night or mentioned by Austin as being absent only Crooks & Bowditch.

From Peterborough's chariman's twitter account yesterday:

"Accepted a bid for Junior M & permission given to talk terms tomorrow"

Doubt it's us but who knows.

Sure they said the squad is competitive and won't be mass additions this year. Probably why it has been quiet I guess.

Austin said he wanted a squad of 20-22...seeing as we're up there already, it probably will be the case that some have to go before anyone else comes in.

I’m just not convinced that around half of that 22 is good enough to get us up there competing for promotion. Our biggest issue - in my opinion - is in the attacking areas where games are won or lost, both out wide and through the middle in terms of goals. It would be good if we were in for someone like morais but didn’t their chairman say they wouldn’t be doing business with us?

I've said it before and I will say it again, anyone who thinks this current squad will compete at the top end of league 2 is a fool.

If we keep all if our defenders we should be fine provided Austin and Todd put them through a lot of hard work this preseason - we need a good keeper a goal scorer and at least one winger/wide attacker. Obviously if we lose any key players like crooks or Taylor for example it's going to leave a hole.

Austin seems to think this squad will, so you can't have much faith in his judgement!

FWIW I think the squad needs another striker, a wide-man and obviously a new keeper, but it doesn't need a big overhaul to be able to compete for promotion this season.

I'm judging it on the entirity of last season!

You cannot go from being the worse defence in lg1 - nowhere near enough creativity from midfield, nothiong at all in wide areas and lack of anything like a natural goalscorer if you don't make significant changes.

On top of that we have lost the only number 1 keeper we have in the squad.

They should bring in the 3-4 players needed to bring this side up to scratch as soon as possible and make it crystal clear to a number of players that they aren't good enough, wont be in the first team squad and should move on if they want to play professional football. It is no good waiting for players to move first.

Not so easy after relegation.....take a Bowditch type player who may have been on 1.5k a week for us.....is he going to move on to another league 2 club for 1k a week? OR will he sit around here, despite being told he wouldn't get a game?

Until they go they're still on the payroll.....and finances will be tighter, both from a revenue and from a "fair play" point of view.

Basically we can't afford to replace freeloaders if they won't leave first!

It does seem quiet but then it does across all teams / divisions. I don't really keep up to date but usually hear of a few through twitter SSN etc

From Sky Sports:

DONCASTER REJECT BIDS FOR MARQUIS

Aberdeen and Peterborough have had bids for striker John Marquis rejected by Doncaster, according to Sky sources.

It is understood Aberdeen bid £500,000, while Peterborough offered £750,000.
Marquis, who has two years remaining on his current contract, has scored 41 goals in 99 appearances for Doncaster.

The forward moved from Millwall on a free transfer in 2016 and scored 26 goals in his debut season.

Marquis' impressive tally meant Doncaster secured promotion to League One and he was named League Two player of the year.

Yes, and it's only 5 week now until the window closes. It could be pretty frenetic in the last 2-3 weeks before the 9th!

Surely we are in the market for a goalkeeper and he is not sticking with Cornell ?

He said when ROD left that they were working on it.

He isn't sticking with Cornell.

While 5 weeks is along time in football and anything can happen, I'm starting to think that we might not do any business this summer and using the team we have. Also agree need a keeper for sure, Cornell is not the answer.

I have a really good feeling about KVV this season...

So will I, when he leaves  ;D

Don't get me wrong, I was buzzin' when we signed him but he's shown fvck all since he's been here...

Need fighters for L2 & players that actually want to play for the badge, KVV doesn't fit the criteria for either...

Hurrah !!

Really liked Marquis when he was here, proper physical striker with lots of good movement. I can see him having a similar career trajectory to Stevie Morison.

£750k does seem excessive though... 14 goals in League One is a solid return but by no means outstanding. Or is that just now the going rate for good striker at that level? Bradley Dack cost that for Blackburn and he looks a much better prospect.

Are Posh still selling players for ludicrous sums or still riding off that Dwight Gayle money. 

According to the post-game interview, hints there might be some movement over the next couple of days.

I’m probably getting far too ahead of myself but is there a possibility that we might be in danger of doing what we did last pre season when JED recruited players on a limited budget only to then be given the Chinese money and we ended up with a swollen, lopsided squad? If by some chance KT does manage to sell us won’t, hopefully, targets and budgets change?

I reckon we’ll see Junior Morias sign in the next couple of days. Just a hunch!

Looks like a minitature Bayo on Google Images, 5'2"! Who's the smallest Cobbler player we've had? I remember a loanee from Wigan (Abdullah?) being close to that size/

edit: Wikipedia has him listed at 5'2", but looks at least 4 or 5 inches taller based on videos of him.

I remember him last season, thought he looked pretty good, quick and skilful. Would be a good signing if true.

Agreed he looked excellent against us at sixfields last season but whether that was representative of his abilities or just because he was facing our shower of sh*t remains to be seen. Just by doing a quick google it looks like he's got a bit of an attitude/baggage but to be fair if he didn't he'd be staying at posh.

A good hunch or is this some player you just plucked out he air. He is on the Pish's transfer list so we'll see..

There was an interview that Barry Fry did that said we were interested in Morais.

https://twitter.com/DMAC102/status/1014616759620513793

New signing to be announce in 15 mins or so, defensive player.

He has me blocked so I have no idea what it says  ::)

LB competition for Buchanan?

Probs just Phillips   ;D

"They (we) wanted Junior but didn't want to pay the fee required!

https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2018/july/hakeem_odoffin/

New Signing

# SKINT

"Northampton Town have completed the signing of former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Hakeem Odoffin on a two year contract."

Fantastic name!!!

Dad was a bit of a rogue though!!

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3077769/british-jihadi-who-got-1million-guantanamo-pay-out-before-blowing-himself-up-has-pro-footballer-son/

Woah. Love how the report goes on about his dad blowing himself up and then points out that Hakeem got two yellows in 1 game  ;D

Welcome, looks like we could have two good attacking right backs on the books.

The other news is that Phillips is not being offered anything (again).

Guess poor old Phillips is not getting a contract then, no need for us to have three RB's.

Austin says in the article he won't be offering Phillips anything

Shame for Phillips but little room for passengers after two years. Hopefully he gets himself fixed up soon.

Sounds a potentially decent signing - he'll be firmly second fiddle to facey and must be a lot cheaper than moloney and Phillips. I haven't read anywhere if he can also play centre back, at 6ft 3 he seems a bit big for a full back - I like full backs to be 5ft 11/6ft as they often need to be quick on the turn. We will also need cover at lb for buchs unless turnbull stays - having said that I wouldn't exactly call him an orthodox left back.

Indeed, it was blocked at work unfortunately.

I'd say Turnbull is the best left back we have.

I wouldn't say that, but certainly adequate cover.

he wont be here for the first game

We'll be needing cover at LB and CB in that case. What have you heard that makes you say he won't be here?

i'm his agent

 ;D

Coolie will be after you send for that injudicious remark.

Heard a rumour about an ex-Swansea player which I dismissed until I saw yesterday's signing.

I thought he was ex wolves, Barnet and Eastleigh?

I think he's referring to a different player.

Oh right, that wasn’t massively clear - hopefully Mathias will be able to elaborate.

You're right... it is a different player.

Enjoying yourself?

Another Reckord signing?

Why don't you cut out the click-bait posts, and actually tell us something substantial. A name would be a good place to start.

A team that is quite frankly struggling against the likes of Sileby and Brackley (However early it might be in pre-season) will need 5 or 6 new faces to compete anywhere near the top of league 2

Brackley were one game from being in the league below us. Oh...and you missed out the St Albans result. 7 goals scored and 0 conceded so far.

It’s a pretty dangerous game drawing conclusions from pre-season games, can pull all sorts of examples from last 3 seasons alone that support both sides of the argument.

I reckon we need 3 as a minimum; Keeper, winger and striker. If we got those and they were of sufficient quality I reckon we could do well. Depending on who leaves of course.

I know last season was dross but I still thing the players were poorly used and poorly motivated.

Clutching a mega straws to find a positive - 1 game away from being two leagues below us!!!! - We were 2 games away from being 4 leagues above them ;0)

The fact is, in terms of performance we should be much, much better than these team - I know friendlies mean very little, - but come on ...

We need serious movement (ins and out) in my opion over the coming weeks if we want to be competing in this league.

What positions do you think we should be strengthening Glasto (and which players do you think aren’t up to it?)

Based on tonights inept performance!

Mate. 2015/16 pre season friendlies. That's finished that discussion.

Agree with lots of what you say and maybe we should not read too much into it - as I say its more performance

I agree totally JFH had lots to do with last seasons problems, however we are carry loads and loads of dross imo. There is 7 or 8 only that I would have kept and expected big turn over which is needed imo.

It may be needed yet still if lots leave - No Crooks tonight for example?

I would think VV and Turnbull will move on soon - Lets hope we can get rid of Kasim, (possibly Waters) etc etc

No, if they had won their play-off game they would be in the National League (1 league below league 2).

Keeper - Number 1 needed for certin

Left Back

Centre half maybe two (Turnbull will go I'm sure, Taylor maybe also?) - I'd have Zander back if we lost Taylor

We still have no width so definatly two wingers,

A Ball winning, hard tackling centre mid

A poacher / Natural goalscorer forward

So whats that??  7 or 8 new faces as a min - much is depedant on who goes and I realise we need to get rid of some to free up wages. Everyone know I think Hoskins if garbadge so he'd be another i'd get rid of, but he might just do at this level as a squad player .

But thats what i'm saying - they didn't go up and had we stayed up )Clutching at straws similar to you) we would have then been 4 leagues above them - (or them below league 1)

Cloud cuckoo land.

We do seem to be a bit of a rudderless ship at the moment - there hasn't been a peep out of KT for weeks now both in terms of on and off the pitch. With this Spanish training camp coming up surely we're not going to take any players who aren't fully committed to the club - if we do we're in effect spending money on getting them fit for other clubs. I keep hoping that the reason for the silence is that something is brewing behind the scenes but it's not looking very likely at the moment.  

It's what we need IMO to compete  - you can't go from being how poor we were last year - conceeding so many goals - having such a lack of creativity, total lack of a goal scorer tot hen having more or less exactly the same players (Yes different manager etc etc) but expect different results.

There were/are 10-12 players in our squad currently that were not good enough last year and are still not good enough now and that's despite us dropping a level!

Would explain the lack of transfer activity too tho - Let's hope something is happening!

Keeper for sure.
Buchs, I think is good enough for League 2.
If turnbull goes we will need a backup left back and a backup centre back, if no one goes I think i defenders are sorted.
I think Powell has it in him to have a good season. He’s inconsistent but if he gets on a run and gets his confidence I reckon he could do well. He needs more attacking freedom than Jimmy gave him. Another winger for sure though.
I reckon our centre midfield is fine, McWilliams, Crooks, Foley, JJOT are all good players at that level, although Austin might use Crooks and JJOT further forward again.
Agree on a striker if we’re going 2 up front.

I woudn't disagree with a lot of that - Turnbull will go I'm sure of that

I'd love to see that hard tackling centre mid - breaking play up - we really missed that last year, just to free JJ O'T and Mcwilliams up to go forward. Even a Gutteridge type who will put their foot in and break play up

The hardest thing is not obtaining your wish list, the hardest thing is moving players on. Therefore I think 4 MIGHT move out and only 2 more signings! This still leaves the squad too big.

defenders - at least 2 going

midfield - at least 2 of those mentioned going

You've been dropping hints a lot recently but I think the only name you've mentioned as "definitely" going is Turnbull. No reason not to name names, say where they are going etc if you are in the know, hardly betraying any inside trust is it?

Do you know why they're all still here if it is so definite they are off, would seem pointless taking them to Spain for example if we know they aren't going to be here. Similarly why would there new club want them to have their pre-season elsewhere?

Do you like playing games? If you know something just say it.

That’s a cheery thought - if we are thinking that we are lacking quality now just imagine what it would be like if ash Taylor and crooks were to leave. If what these itk doomsayers is true then we will be lucky to finish mid table next season.

I think if these "4" players are leaving then they would have gone or not played for us.
Surely any potential club looking at Crooks or Taylor etc wouldn't want them playing for us with the chance of getting injured

I know, it’s bonkers isn’t it?! If these players made it clear at the end of last season that they had no intention of playing in league 2 then why are they training with us and presumably are going to go to the training camp in Spain? It just doesn’t make sense.

I also said i was his agent

anyone we signed in january wont be here, any of the big name pre-season signings wont be here

anyone who we can get cash for wont be here

you do the math

Ok, I'm stupid so you're going to have to talk slowly to me! By big name pre-season signings I assume you mean post-Chinese? Therefore I've done the maths and from what you have said the below are DEFINITELY off, no debate:

Facey
Turnbull
Pierre
Taylor
Crooks
Bridge
van Veen

Is that right?

This cant be true... We signed 9 players in January - Yes i know some were loan and went back.
Not everyone who we can get cash will be going.
Jeremy Casey twitter suggested that KVV will only go if the club recoup what they paid for him (or as close as) - Which club is going to do that? He has hardly played so I think he will stay and will have to prove he deserves a chance higher up the leagues.
Players will only move on IF and a big IF someone actually wants them.
If clubs wanted our "Better" players why are they still here?

Kasim has obviously gone AWOL, not in any training Pics or played any part in pre season games

KT said our budget is higher than when we won the league so if this is true why would we need to sell players.

wasn't difficult was it....................probably add another couple on there if the right offer comes in.

do you know how much we paid for him?

Harder than you'd think  ;D

Interesting stuff, cheers. Pretty much invalidates most of the work that will be done in pre-season then! I would guess that none of these will go to Spain then, why would we pay for them to go a training camp if they're definitely off like you say.

How much we paid is not relevant - What someone will is and if it doesnt meet the clubs valuation or expectation it wont be accepted

dont think i ever said definitely?!

read into it what you will

if we have to recoup what was paid of course it is relevant.

if its £10k someone will pay it

if its £1m then they probably wont

Is that because the players were signed when we had extra money(chinese) which enabled us to get the better players in and now the club is working to a KT budget with the same quality of players before the alleged investment.
If so you’d think it’ll be back to the times of loans,free transfers and youth team cast offs that has served the club so well in the past!
I hope this is wrong because I was hoping now KT has the land he was after he would invest in the club.
Maybe it’s the opposite and he wants out now.

I wouldn't be too fussed about Turnbull leaving, I really don't think he'd be a miss.

Same with Van Veen if the club get the money back they paid for him. He may 'come good' and I'm sure he's better than he's been able to show so far, but I'm also sure there must be other decent strikers that can do well at league 2 level that can be bought in with the money received for him.

Any of Crooks, Taylor, Facey and O'Toole would be a real shame to lose though. Can't see all 4 leaving, but wouldn't surprise me if some league 1 clubs took an interest as the window draws to a close.

Pleased I bought a season ticket.

Well I said...



...and listed the players. You're response was


You didn't use the word definitely but you seemed to agree that was the case, no?

Without any caveats, that is definitely two defenders and two midfielders 'at least'.

threeinabed is playing with us. There is no way all of those will leave, maybe a couple but not all.

It’s pretty sad if these supposed ITK’s are just on a wind up - what weird lives they must live if that’s the way they get their kicks. I think it’s time that they just summon up the courage of their convictions and actually divulge something with a bit of substance rather than the prick teasing that’s going on at the moment - either that or just keep quiet. In the meantime I’m still hoping that we might get some sort of update from KT that might clear things up one way or the other.

Don't be too downbeat - As I've said all along we do need a massive clear out!! - So if it happens this way then it may not be the worst thing in the world. We want people who will play for the badge, give 110% and be better quality than what we have.

As I've said before through choice along I would only keep ...

Buchs
Ash Taylor
Facey
Pierre
O'Toole
McWilliams
Powell (As squad Player)
Hoskins (As squad player)
Young Joey

The rest IMHO can go jump as they are not good enough for league 1 and I couldn't care less seeing them play for us again.

I think Andy Williams will prove to be a decent addition.

Total facelift is required - Hopefully despite what Austin says we may just get it!

And you know this how?

He asked a simple question - you wafted over it, if you don’t know say so! It will only hurt yr credibility for a few hours!

Guess work, like a lot use on here.

I don't know how many will leave - a fair number I hope - Of those signed in Jan, Facey would be the only one I hope stays.

Austin himself has said tho, that some of the players signed have got Relegation release contracts so I wouldn't be surprised to see a fair number of those mentioned go (If as others have said someone wants them).

All of our players are going. Every single one of them. Fact. You heard it here first.

Where and when however...

I think he actually said 1 or 2 have contract clauses. And one has already left (O'Donnell). DA also suggested that it was down to the player/s concerned to get a move sorted otherwise they will be staying put.

Glad I gave it a miss as I could see this developing.
Il take in the odd game but won’t commit to a season ticket until such time as this ongoing farce comes to an end.....
When/if the redevelopment is finished and we have a stable ownership with a blueprint for the future il splash the cash.
I’ve no idea when that will be......

Ridiculous. Barnett, Foley, and Crooks are more than good enough to excel in L2. Waters will also be more than useful to have in and around the team this season. We don't know how Bridge is going to turn out yet as he hardly featured last year due to injury, and could well turn out to be a gem. Back-up RB already signed. Cornell good enough for a back-up L2 keeper.

Though I've said that I'm not too bothered if Turnbull and VV leave, unless someone comes in they will be staying and they are also more than good enough to compete in L2, especially if Turnbull is no more than 4th choice centre-back.

That's 9 players to go with the 9 you've listed, 18 in all. Hardly a complete face-lift. New winger and/or striker for added pace/goals, new GK, back-up LB and preferably a 'leader'-type player, whether that be a centre-back or centre midfield player isn't as important as getting in a player with the right personality. That's 4-5 players, pretty usual for summer transfer activity.

In your opinion - In my opinion Barnett is a carthorse who may well do a job as back up (but would be nowhere near my 1st choice pairing), Foley I've seen a fair bit of and has lots of mates who support Yeovil (No one rates him) - He will put a bit of a shift in, but there is no quality there - similar to Hoskins in that respect.

Your possibly right about Crooks - but he comes with attitude and won't be here so its pointless discussing.

I've not seen enough of Waters to make judgement really - but from what I have seen he looks a total carbon copy of Hoskins - his also done bugger all at Cambridge whilst on loan

Flippin'eck, are there any players you think are good enough for league 2.

To be fair they weren't good enough for League one last season, so a good chance most of them will not be good enough to mount a challenge in League 2 this Season.

Yet scored goals for Cheltenham. Im sure we've all had this arguement before. How about you just stop.

I think Cambridge fans were also keen to have him back. Very much a case of seeing the headline without reading the article regarding the judgement of most of the players I think.

He'll be on fire for us this season. Just wait

Barnett has spent the vast majority of his career playing at Premiership/Championship level. Only 2-3 years ago he made 20 appearances for Wigan as they won L1. I thought he played well when Austin bought him back into the team for the tail end of the season also, and Austin seems to rate him. To suggest he's not good enough for L2 is - IMO of course - absolute nonsense.

Waters is good enough for L2, scored plenty of goals for Cheltenham the season before last, no reason he can't do well at that level again.

You agree about Crooks being good enough, and he may go this window, but nobody knows yet so until then you should assume he's part of the squad.

Regards Foley, I thought he was a useful player last year, and can be a good player in L2. If Hasselbaink had used him more in central midfield rather than, for example, Pereira (!) then the team might have done better in some of the matches prior to JFH's sacking. Might have provided a bit more cover for the defence as well.

I agree with all of this.

I like Foley as well. Don't think he was given a fair chance last season.

You appear to be living in dreamland mate. Which players would you bring in, that you deem worthy of League 2? Please do list some names, as it would be interesting to understand your perspective better!

This is all I am saying

Nathan Thomas from Sheff u - Gone to Notts County
Nicky Law - Bradford gone to Exeter - He's have been one of my Prime targets
Danny Hylton at Luton would be another top target
Mcglashan -gone to Swindon

Those just off the top of my head, would all improve what we have.

I agree with those players if we're playing fantasy football (I'd add akinde to Lincoln) but it's blatantly obvious (although the silence is deafening) that KT/Bower have put the brakes on in terms of funding so the only way we are going to have any kind of budget to strengthen with quality is if we have a similar scenario to when the Chinese came in and we then ended up with the lopsided squad and ridiculous contracts that we're paying for now.

We don't have the money to sign players like that unless the squad is thinned out a bit. It's quite obvious.

Look mate if Cambridge or anyone for that matter in this league had wanted him, he would be gone by now. He only played about 50% for a poor cambridge team - tells you everything you need to know

Injured wasn't he?

He was for a short period - but not all the time a lot of the time he was just on the bench.

Look I hope I'm wrong and Waters comes good!

Not if he didn't want to go he wouldnt

And not if the club didn't want him to go either.

come on anyone comes in for him  and his gone - like a lot of our boys.

Getting the same wages elsewhere maybe why he and others are still here I would say

Maybe. Who knows... The fact is none of us do that is for sure

He was on the bench once for Cambridge last season.

I refer you to my description of you previously...

Starting eleven: 15 (completed 80+ mins 8 times), Substituted in: 3, On the bench: 1 (didn't get on)

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/billy-waters/leistungsdaten/spieler/246183/plus/0?saison=2017

Christ the bar is set low.

Thomas been around 12. Made appearances last yea in division 1 Better than Powell? I doubt it

Nicky law not bad and experienced. A straight swop for JJ. Happy with what we have.

Danny Hylton. Maybe but not sure he is available and went to Luton after turning Oxford new contract for 5k per week. Will probably want more to move.

Mclashan a 30 year old journey man.

Still I suppose we all have opinions.

I think he just conjures up names on a whim.   Mind you I thought Daniel(Powell) last night was a genuine 'flatter to deceive' player!
Keep taking the tablets Glasto'.

Thomas is s far, far better player than Powell, you need to go to spec savers if you think different.

Would have him here in an instant, sort of player defenders dread at this level.

New signing to be announced at 6pm.

Sam Walker or Junior Morias would be nice...

Where's all these 'in the knows' then? Cmon prove your salt:)?

Darren MacAnthony does not make it look like Morais will happen.

Christ it is Morais.

A well timed post by me.

 ;D

Can you keep wishing for people, please?

Great signing for us at this level.

Obviously  ;)

More of a week, but there you go peops (not ITK though  ;D)

twitter.com/ntfc/status/1018125134543114240?p=v

Five members of the squad having coffee before the pre-season jaunt to Spain.

Have to admit I'm not very good at identifying players in these kinds of pictures- the one on the far left is Buchs, and in the centre is Ash Taylor... Can anyone identify the other three? I should know them!

Williams, Cornell and foley.

Should we read in to that fact that Coddington, Kasim, Waters and JI not going that they are on their way out??? I could make a case for the first 3 but JI that seems odd unless its another season long loan to the National League for expereince....

Young Joe will definitely go out on loan with us having Williams, Morais and currently Van Veen/Waters. Plus Hoskins/JJ can play in advanced striking roles.

I'm surprised with Waters, thought Deano would give him a go but it seems not. Unsure if that is because of other interest.

The Coddington situation is moving towards us going with Cornell/Goff as our two keepers. Unless we get another one in, which means Goff could go out on loan. Either way I'm sure Coddington will move on.

Kasim who?  ;D

It'll be interesting how long we persevere with Joe. From what I've been told, he isn't even close to first team standard yet and will be 20 around the start of the season. Hopefully he can impress out on loan somewhere (not sure it worked too well for him at Brackley?).

As far as Joe goes, contrast the way Austin talked about him last season with how he has talked about McWilliams, Roberts, Whaler and the young Centre Back that has gone to Spain. Also how he's used him in the friendlies so far, he's been shunted to the wing a lot, even swapped with Waters in one game after coming on up front I think.

I'm sure we'd all love Joe to come good, academy players are always rightly given a lot of goodwill, a potential Goalscorer even more so I think.

If he is going to make it with us he needs to at least spend the first half of this season on loan at a decent standard, National League North/South as an absolute minimum.

Regards the keepers I'm guessing the plan is new No.1 in, Cornell 2 and Goff no.3. Maybe a loan for Goff with a recall clause. I don't think the Transfer window applied in non-league so he could be recalled any time in an emergency. It just occurred to me that Austin has never said a word about Goff either, could be because he's a keeper and he leaves the judgement to his specialist coach I guess.

I see Gwion Edwards has gone from Posh to Ipswich today for £££ - Were we not in for him once?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44850612

Worth noting that the transfer window for permanent signings closes earlier this season, August 9th to be precise, although the loan window will remain open until August 31st as normal.

From Sky Sports:

Sunderland have bid £1m for Cheltenham Town’s highly-rated striker Mohamed Eisa.

Peterborough and Portsmouth are also keen to sign the 24-year old who joined Cheltenham from Isthmian League side Greenwich Borough last summer.

In his first full year as a professional, Eisa 25 goals, winning the club's supporters' and players' player of the year awards.

Sky Sports News understands that Cheltenham are looking for a fee around £1.5m

Crazy money for a player who's only had one year of professional football.

Would be a good investment though....

When they’ve sold him maybe they’ll try to buy billy waters?

Much like Isaac Vassell after just 1 professional season with Luton, Birmingham supposedly paid £1m+ for him. The money sloshing around in the top 2 divisions is crazy.

Sunderland were paying Jack Rodwell £3.8M pa to more or less sit around on his arse for the last few years, beyond belief!

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jack-rodwell-finally-take-pay-14520392

I assume we'll see more players going on loan 'with a view to making it permanent in January' type loans happening at the end of August?

Sam walker is on trial at Bolton and it looks very possible that he'll sign permanently for them so that puts that rumour to bed unfortunately.

Speaking to a friend of mine who now works for a local rag up in that part of the world, it seems Walker has only played a 2nd half of a behind closed doors friendly for Bolton and he reckons he would be surprised if they do sign him. - But you never know!

There was an incident at the end of last season where certain players didn’t “check out” for the season .
I wonder if that has anything to do with those left behind because it was threatened at the time .

Sorry mate, what do you mean by “check out”? I’m struggling to understand the end game of someone like kasim - I understand completely that he is entitled to sit his contract out but he has now been completely frozen out and is just harming his own career by not playing or even training with the first team squad.

Check out means turn up on the last day before the break and do what is expected before clearing off to Magaluf .

Oh ok, cheers for that.

Dream land but I would take HArry Forrester who rangers have just released.

Another summer of goalkeeper speculation it seems.

Joe Hart is struggling to find somewhere to play...

He would be Head and Shoulders better than what we have now.

If Swindon have signed Jak McCourt , they will be one team that finishes below us .

Quite how he is still a pro footballl player in the Football League baffles me! Very slow, picks up way too many cards and can’t pass. Surely there’s better in the non-league?

There is definitely better in non league. Lazy recruitment though isn't it.

Yep. I think most Cobblers fans would like to see the club take a look at more non-league stars (and before anyone mentions it, i mean from the top levels of non-league not clearly below par players from lower non-league levels like Lobjoit).

The trouble is that even decent non league players cost a lot these days - it means the days of picking up rough gems like Richard hill, Trevor Morley, Eddie mcgoldrick etc for next to nothing have gone.

:)

We will know more based on the starting eleven tonight, but on Deano's two per position I'm looking at:

GK - Cornell (Goff)

LB - Buchs (Turnbull)

CB - Taylor (Barnett) Pierre (Williams)

RB - Facey (Odoffin)

RM - Powell (Whaler)

CM - O'Toole (Foley) McWilliams (Roberts)

LM - Crooks (Hoskins)

ST - Morais (Bowditch)

ST - Williams (Van Veen)

Surplus therefore are: Coddington, Kasim, Waters, Bridge? Not sure on Bridge, think he may get in ahead of one of the two youngsters in the midfield. Anyone disagree/have any thoughts?

What formation has DA been playing in the pre-season games?

There’s no way he would have that much face in youth players and if he does we will struggle big time .
Bridge is a definite central midfield back up and Turnbull is a centre half back up .
The question is over the wide players yet again . Powell and Hoskins have not worked so far consistently . Crooks is wasted there but I don’t think he will be here anyway

I only count three in there, and don't think that is too many in a squad, especially with two of them having pro contracts.

So we put Turnbull in for Williams as CB cover, does he cover Buchs at LB too? I thought he did a good job in a few games at LB.

Who do you have not making it out of Whaler and Roberts?

.

That won’t wash

I wouldn't take too much notice of the 22 players remark from Austin. Managers say the same thing every pre season - small squad high quality. It never works out like that.

Bridge was an Austin signing so can't see him been frozen out, certainly not to being with.

From Sky Sports:

Harry Forrester has signed a two-year deal with Iranian side Tractor Sazi, who are managed by John Toshack.

 ???

He'd be the cream of the crops there...

First year professionals will not be proper first choice back ups I wouldn’t think .
I have no idea who is better out of Whaler or Roberts and I hope both do well but the reality is we need a bit more cover at the back and are short wide because Hoskins and Crooks are not really wide players .
That’s assuming everyone stays which I personally doubt.

I too would like to see a genuine wide man, but Crooks can play there, as proved at Walsall last season. He turned their left back inside out, before DA needlessly subbed him.

I've never been more sure in my life than to question that Crooks has EVER/NEVER turned anyone "inside out".

Vincelot & Morais to Crawley today.

If this squad is kept together and no one leaves , it should shape up well next season .
Clearly we need a keeper , probably another wide player and another centre half / left back .
We are also short of a dead ball specialist .
I would imagine we are trying to offload Kasim , Bowditch and possibly Waters to release funds.

Sounds to me like Bowditch is staying, Austin likes him. To me he reminds me of Foley, a very solid player, but one that doesn’t have a specific position.

i would think one keeper will leave to get one in - and it wont be cornell after his new contract or goff.
DA clearly likes bowditch
no-one likes kasim
waters i would think will be off with hoskins/morais/KVV/williams still here - unless KVV is off
new centre back?! we have 4 on the books plus the youth.

What I am hoping will happen is that we will send Goff on loan, Coddington goes permanently, and a new keeper is signed as #1.

We have 4 centre backs if Turnbull is not playing left back , since he is the only cover there .
I cannot see Bowditch getting into this team and I suspect he is still here because no one will take him on his wages . He couldn’t get a start for Stevenage last season .
Waters probably will be off because Hoskins is a better player in his position I think.

He was not playing at Stevenage as he was injured. Listening to Austin's interview it sounds like Bowditch is part of his plans.

i dont think turnbull is first choice centre half of left back - depends if he wants to stay as a squad player in league 2.
havent seen enough (or any i dont think) of waters - but if hoskins is a better option then he might as well retire.

I've never quite got the stick Bowditch has received on here. He seemed to be mostly used as a sub last season, and when he came on he often did well IMO, good work-rate and some intelligent play. I think part of the problem is due to your point about him not having a specific position. He's not a wide man, he's not a number 10, he's not a defensive midfielder........

Still, I think under Austin he'll come good this season and be an important part of the squad.

I wonder if we're planning to use our maximum loan allowance this season. Hope we don't go into the season awaiting a first choice keeper to sign on loan right up until the end of August.

Bowditch was injured, can you not check your facts before posting derogatory comments?

Yes he was injured some of the time but when he wasn’t he often didn’t start .
Wind your neck in .
I haven’t said anything derogatory about the player . I said I can’t see him starting in this squad .
It’s a football forum , opinions are allowed .

Sorry Deepcut we are all entitled to our opinions and for what it's worth I agree if either or both Bowditch or Hoskins are near are starting 11 we will be struggling are both are short on quality - that is my opinion - Sorry if that differs to yours 

Opinion is acceptable and are encouraged, however you stated that he wasn't selected.
In fact, he started every game that he wasn't injured aside from one game where he started on the bench and that is not an opinion.

You cannot see him starting in our squad this season, that is an opinion that in my opinion I agree with.
Neck remains extended...

Opinions with a degree of knowledge and reality, yes.  Yours rarely appear to contain either...

Regarding Bowditch and/or Hoskins, your opinion is also one that I agree with however they maybe amongst the players that we are left with.
If they are, I hope they both surprise us with outstanding performances throughout the season.

Maybe Wrexham can use some of the money they might be getting from the Danny Ward sale to strengthen their GK position by taking Coddington.

Shocking really that we have 3 keepers on our books and seemingly none are suitable to be our No.1

goff?

Do you think a 19yo with only a handful of games far down the League levels is ready for the cut and thrust of L2 football?

Joe Hart did okay when Shrewbury made him no.1 at 18 after a couple of games in the conferance and league 2...

By "near" our starting 11 do you actually mean key players, starting the vast majority of games or do you actually mean just near, i.e. starting around half and being on the bench the others?

Both players could provide value if used in the right way, within the right team. Hoskins started around half our games when we won the league, came on in most of the others. Bowditch started nearly 30 games a couple of seasons back when MK Dons go promoted from league 1. They can clearly add something in the right team / framework.

I'm not sure why everything has to dialled up to be so absolute, it is a team game and there are many ways to get a successful team out. there are so many examples of players who thrive at one club or under one manager who flop at/for the next.

Chris Long to Fleetwood?

I lost count of the amount of decent chances he missed for us. A big part of last years disaster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TB7tkRUxIY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TB7tkRUxIY)

Some interesting comments about declined offers for players and the youngsters.

Sounds like Morgan Roberts will be involved, maybe not so much Whaler until he has bulked up?

Agree with this. Hoskins did well in the promotion season, as you say playing a significant contribution as a squad player. I feel pretty confident he'll make a similar contribution this season. I wouldn't start Bowditch too often, but he is a solid experienced player to bring off the bench in certain situations and perhaps in certain formations/playing styles can do a job as a starter at times.

I'd certainly rather have him in the squad than Jak McCourt who Swindon have just signed!

Of our young players, maybe Facey or McWilliams?

Yes by near I mean in and around the first 11 week in week out - I could cope with them as squad players or options from the bench.

But IMO neither have enough quality to be regular first team players within our team if we have ambitions of being play offs or above

It’s concerning but not surprising that players want to leave and they are being made to stay .
That generally only ends up with the price being met eventually or a disgruntled player .
I hope we have enough time to replace people if they go at the last hour .

Every player has a price and if another club is not prepared to meet that price then there is no transfer - pretty simple really and I don’t care if they are disgruntled it’s tough luck. That said I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some move on at the 11th hour as that’s what football’s like - clubs bluffing and trying to get players on the cheap only to suddenly find that bit extra when the deadline approaches. It is likely to leave us in the sh** though.

If they had stepped up for more than just the last three games of last season, they may well still be League One footballers

I think you'll find they are under contract!!

They stay until someone is prepared to pay the right price, quite simple really.

Not quite as simple as that tho is it - Theres not much worse that keeping a player here, that clearly does not want to be here.

some might say A la KVV last season - because look at how well that worked out!

I agree tho - everyone will have a price (especially if we have outlaid money) - that does need to be recouped in order for these players to move on - As others have said that's prob why it won't happen until late in the window when other teams start to panic - Where does that leave us tho if it is very late?

All of the comments above are true , but if a player wants to leave generally speaking they eventually get their own way and a price is met .
Dean Austin will also not want bad eggs that don’t want to be here .
Interesting that KT said someone came in for one of the younger players as well . I assume that would be McWilliams .

Exactly this. Is there actually any evidence of disgruntled players? KT says 'some of them have seen offers they may have liked' but that's as far as it goes - I'm sure that if they definitely wanted to pursue these offers then it would have probably gone further. It smacks of other clubs trying to get players on the cheap - One or more may well still go but it doesn't seem like a firesale is on the cards.

You have in the past go on about players wanting to leave, disgruntled etc. Please explain how you assume these things are facts and above all your source.

Has the interviewer not heard of a wind shield

I think it may have more to do with ability than physique- judging on preseason, Whaler is the bigger lad of the two.

Roberts is also said to be a good set-piece taker, something we have lacked in the team since the departure of Matt Taylor, so that may also have increased his standing in the eyes of Dean Austin.

Whatever happens we could do with any player movements taking place as early next week as possible to give us a chance to know what we're dealing with and get settled for the start of the season. It's absolutely ridiculous that the window closes a week after the first game. Someone on Facebook has randomly threw out the name of Man Utd's young fifth choice keeper which doesn't look massively inspiring - if we're going down that route I'd rather goff was kept in the first team squad.

Good to know, Bowditch takes a decent set piece too. I agree we missed a consistent delivery last term.

Agreed about set pieces - England showed this summer how crucial they can be and if Ash stays he would benefit from some better deliveries for sure.

He's just had his highest scoring season thanks to our set pieces last season.

The only thing I am saying is that if players want to leave to play a higher level of football or take more in wages ,generally they get their own way regardless of contracts .
I hope we keep this squad together and KT doesnt accept offers because it will become difficult to replace anyone . It’s no guarantee that any other club will pay the wages or fees we have paid .
It’s a fact players want to leave but let’s hope they don’t and the spirit is kept alive for a good season ahead .
It’s true these players got us into this position but I’m afraid footballers are selfish people and will look after themselves .

In that case I'll fetch my coat and be on my way to my taxi!

Morias/The Hoskmeister/Willams and KVV

Tha'ts a strong front line plus Waters/Icao and Bowditch.

Massive squad let hope Austin doesn't tinker too much like Hasslewank did..

Pretty certain Waters is going and Joe will be loaned out. Still should have enough centrally up top but need more depth out wide.

Funnily enough we actually had the highest conversion rate from corners in League One last season.

Good ol'Grimes!

Could you stop rabitting on please?

Heard yesterday that KVV & Crooks wont be leaving as they cant match the wage we are giving them.
How true this is i dont know

That’s not entirely surprising if true but ultimately if they wanted to get away so desperately then it would be down to them to accept a drop in wages. If both of them stay then they need to pull their fingers out and commit themselves to getting us in the playoffs at least - they both seem to have very unfortunate body language that makes it look like they don’t give a s**t and doesn’t go down well at all with the supporters. On the subject of another keeper it looks like  the longer we leave it the more likely it is that we will end up with a loan.

Who did you hear from Onetouch??

it isnt

I don't think you are sufficiently knowledgeable to make such a palpable unsound statement on Crooks and KvV. If you witnessed Crooks performance at Walsall then I doubt you would express such an opinion. To damn KvV as you do when the guy was injured at AFC, missed a few games and then played carrying that injury is sheer prejudice or simply going with the crowd. At the very least I will give him the benefit of 'hindsight' prior to joining in with the anti KvV crowd. I really hope he comes good.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Rabbiting%20on

I heard it yesterday whilst waiting for a cheeseburger. 2 Gentleman in front of me were chatting about.
As i said it might not be true, but have a feeling they will still be here until at least Jan, when hopefully their performances will have us at the top of the league and clubs wanting to spend big money on them.

Ideally whoever is leaving needs to leave quickly. Otherwise could be a disruptive first few weeks of the season.

I don’t agree that Crooks shows no interest .
I think he is a committed player on the field and also one of our best players .

Transfer window for permanent signings closes on Thursday 9th August at 5pm, with loan signings allowed until the end of the month.

I think you need to read Irchy's post again.

He said they were "unfortunate" to "look like" they weren't putting the effort in. It's quite different to saying 'I think they're lazy'.

Cheers mate - I’ve given up expecting certain people to actually read and understand posts before they snipe back. You are quite right, it was my intention to point out that they both have languid, laid back styles which can lend themselves to criticism on occasion when things don’t work out. What is for sure is that it is in everyone’s interest for them to hit the ground running this season as they both have the ability to light up league two if their heads are right.

Couldn't agree more. Imperative for me that he is still a Cobbler by the end of August.

Or by 5pm on the 9th August anyway

Not necessarily - the loan window doesn't close until 31st august so there's more than likely going to be a lot of creative "on loan with a view to a permanent transfer" activity.

On paper we have a decent bunch of footballers, but I do have a big issue over the lack of pace & width in the squad. We need at least 2 wide players IMO.

I won’t read it again - meanwhile I treat with scorn your apologies for Irchy now apparent misleading article. You need to sharpen up how you present a defensive message; not a comic story.

Go on then reveal the sauce of the restaurant/bar/cafe?

Read your post again  ::) the one above is far more apologetic; had you worded similar I and others may have agreed! You should consider putting in more thought into messages; finally you need to accept mild criticism without resorting to face saving quips like ‘snipes’ which is denied.

Thanks for the guidance Evers - I didn’t realise you’d been made a moderator over the summer, congratulations!

Thks for the sarcastic ‘snipe’
Tut tut!!

Sorry - what I meant to say was mind your own business, this is a messageboard where people are entitled to put whatever they like (within the bounds of decency) without fear of reproach from other posters, you’d do well to remember that.

If you won't read it again, how can you be so sure that you're right?

Maybe it's you who could do with 'sharpening up' your defensive tactics. Attack isn't always the best form - it can sometimes make you look a bit silly...

Oh, and given you're so keen to criticise other posters' writing styles, could you at least stick to intelligible sentences in your own posts?

Come on Evers surely you must have heard the saying about Kettles & Pots  ;D

ZZZ

Seems as the thread has nothing to do with transfers I was wondering whether you will be showing the car off at any shows this year tony?
Hollowell was good but very hot,were you there displaying the car?

I thought your veiled criticism of Crooks and KvV deserved a mild critical comment. Thats all it was. By now you should be used to differing points of view .......please remember that ;D

Bit naughty of you to change the subject! My car is not a show piece car and neither do I spend hours cleaning it. Can you consider discussing this subject on the Non Cobblers related Forum. Merci Beaucoup.

Most of this thread should be on the non cobblers related forum.
If you look at your last few posts tony most are just arguing and have no relevance to the thread title.
Please post such rants in the non cobblers forum so that the thread stays on track
Ie) incomings/outgoings
Merci beaucoup.

Stick to the thread and all will be well!

Oh the irony ;D

Blimey Sense of humour so early in the season.

From DA’s interview post Barnet , you wouldn’t hold out too much hope that we are going to keep this squad together as it stands . Someone somewhere will pay the money and clearly some of the players want to go.
If Crooks ,JJOT , Taylor or McWilliams left it would be a disaster . KVV less so but would have to replace him .

All he says is the vultures are still circling. Don't know where you get some of the players clearly want to leave out of that interview

I'm a pessimist but have to say I thought the same, it was a hint for me from DA that  players will be leaving.. my guess is crooks will go, maybe one other.

i still think all 5 of these will go

i am pessimistic - but that is just what i believe

You don’t have to listen too hard !
DA states that players are ambitious which in interview speak means they are keen to go .
KT also said players want to leave .
I also know that certain players want to leave , as do others on here .
I don’t want anyone to go and hope no one meets their valuation or wage demands but I think they will eventually .

I'm sure we can guess, but can you and the others in know confirm exactly who these players are?

I thought he was hinting strongly at departures before the window's out.

Can only hope that if we lose one or two of the five, DA and KT have the resolve to draw the line and not let any more go without a ready replacement (or unless the offer really is too good to turn down).

Based on JJ's comments at the end of the season I'd still be surprised and disappointed if he left.

Didn't someone say at the start of summer that it was five who wanted out?  O Donnell/Facey/Taylor/Crooks/Van Veen

I still think they will all stay -
I dont think clubs interested are prepared to meet the valuation or the wage demand.

Look at the guy who left Aberdeen last week to sign for non league Salford. If he was available surely a league 1 or league 2 club would have looked at him. Europa League to Non League but getting paid £4k a week there.
Clubs are not prepared to take a punt on a player like KVV or Crooks with their wage demand and they dont perform
Just my opinion

More like, O'Donnell, Bunney, Turnbull & van Veen plus one other.

McWilliams
Crooks
JJOT
Taylor
Facey

take your pick of any of those..............

Are you guys picking these players, "The Others"?

Looking for definite info from those in the know, as I have no clue.  ;D

Yes, possibly other teams want these players. I was answering the question of who wanted out at the end of last season, according to some on here.

No one is in the know, that's why you get different names thrown up. Facey, because he's injured so that means he must be on his way, JJOT he's on compassionate leave so he must be on his way, and it goes on like that.

Why is there always such doom and gloom supporting this club - if we’re to believe all of the speculation we could end up losing the core of our team that could (and should) get us in the playoffs minimum on the eve of the season starting. It is so frustrating that it is now 12 weeks since the end of last season and still there are supposedly vultures circling - we should really have played hardball with anyone who wanted out, telling them that they had a certain amount of time for them and their agents to work out a mutually agreeable deal and if it went past a certain deadline they would be here for the season. As it is now we’ve given them all a full preseason and expensive trip to Spain and then they could be off giving us little to no time to replace them.

speculation or expectation?

It’s all speculation unless you or one of the other itks are prepared to divulge specifics.

I'd be shocked if all five left (even if replacements were brought in), but equally I think it would be a remarkable achievement by the club to keep every single one of the five from leaving this summer.

Of them, I believe JJOT is probably most at risk of being poached, given how good he was for us throughout last season and his proven class over the last few campaigns. He's everything you want in a midfielder really, and there will definitely be League One and possibly even Championship clubs sniffing around- I'd be very pleased if we can hold on to him in this transfer window.

Crooks could go, but I think, given he was our marquee signing last summer, his wages will most likely be the highest in the squad and that may put off any potential suitors. I also don't see him as a malcontent in the team- he was in and out of the side last season, and didn't perform in all but a few games to the standard we know he is capable of. I get the impression he wants to give it another go with us this season.

McWilliams is certainly a prospect but at 19, and for the money we would want  for him, I still think he's a big risk for another club. He only became a mainstay of the side at the tail end of last season, despite showing real promise for a year or so before that. I think until he's consistently shown his ability during a season, he won't be a major target for our rivals.

Taylor is certainly a capable player, but many have made the point on here that he was the linchpin of a defence which conceded more goals in League One than any other team last season- a whopping 77 in total. Hardly an attractive proposition to other clubs based on that record, however highly we think of him at the Cobblers.

KVV certainly fits the description of a wantaway but he only moved six months ago for a fee and has done diddly squat since arriving at Sixfields. Because of the wages he must be on, and his alarming loss of form since he came back from injury, I don't think he is going to be a big target for those clubs which have the financial clout to afford him in the first place.

I disagree with Boot and Shoe that it would be "a disaster" if "any" of the above five left the club this summer. I think only the loss of JJOT or Crooks falls into this bracket. It would certainly be a shame to lose McWilliams or Taylor but I do believe they are replaceable, especially if we  were to reinvest some of the fees we received for selling them. I'm ambivalent about Van Veen's potential departure, given I believe we now have  signed better options up front anyway, and he has yet to prove himself at the club. I wouldn't be averse to cashing in, but equally I can see he still has the potential to come good as a good striker for us at this level.

Fair to remember we were s*** last year. So no issue if none of the c***s leave.

Waters was subject to a bid, which is why he didn't go to Spain:

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/austin-addresses-waters-cobblers-future-after-forward-misses-out-on-spain-trip-1-8578890 (https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/austin-addresses-waters-cobblers-future-after-forward-misses-out-on-spain-trip-1-8578890)

Looks like it fell through?

This is the key point. If we received a realistic fee, and the player earned a payrise - every single one of our players will leave (you may have one or two anomalies).

The 'I want to play at a higher level' directly translates into 'I want a payrise'. It was publicly stated that  certain players had a wage reduction following relegation, so I'd  assume all players with this clause will be looking move on to chase the highest wage possible.

I’ve got no problem with any of that and I’m not naive enough to think that it won’t happen - it’s just the timing of all this that is a complete pain in the ar**. There’s been over 3 months for this to get sorted and as per usual it looks like it’s going to come down to the wire and completely disrupt our preparations/the start of the season.

it isn't speculation for me

i know

DA is a sensible guy. I'm sure he knows the players attracting interest and has plans in place if they leave.

Good for you and you enjoy letting us all know about it too.

But he wont because he doesn't actually know

These threads are the same every year.
Name our best 4-5 players and say other clubs might want to buy them and then claim to be in the know when 1 or 2 leave. Combine that with being relegated and some perceived high earners and throw in the chairman confirming we have had offers for some of our players and its the perfect storm for the itk dh's

I know, you don't...

Does anyone know anything more than what meets the eye about the Yaser Kasim situation? It's one of the most bizarre player situations I can remember us having. It's almost as though the club is trying to make people forget that we signed him!

If he is not making himself available for selection (as reported by some on here), does that not mean he is violating his player contract?
 

So, you are categorically telling us that five players will leave before the end of the window. Is that right?

I'd just like something to measure your reliability by for future reference.

minimum

FFS , no one knows exactly how many players will go or how many will stay . Not the manager , not the players , not the chairman . It depends on the offers on the table and wage demands .
What part of that simple formula do you not comprehend .
It’s the same at any club in the country .
Why make such a big issue out of it ?

Blimey, keep your hair on.

I agree with you, but threeinabed is claiming he does know. I just wanted something to quote on 10th August if he turns out to be wrong  :)

Thought you knew who though, that's why I asked earlier?

Quote from: Boot and shoe on Today at 09:24:11
I also know that certain players want to leave , as do others on here .

I'm sure we can guess, but can you and the others in know confirm exactly who these players are?

Don't forget players are just as likely to leave after the window shuts ("loan with a view to a permanent deal"). I'm wondering if that's why we have no loanees in ourselves yet.

Yeah agreed. TIAB says before the end of the window though, so he must know they're going permanently.

Yes yes yes , certain players want to leave . It’s a fact .
No one knows who will and who will not get their own way - it depends on fees and wage demands / club letting them go at all.
No I won’t name names out of confidence or reveal sources . End of . Take it or leave it .

I agree the whole thing is a bit bizarre.

Fair enough mate, makes enough sense to me about not revealing sources and I haven't asked you to at any stage that I recall.

But if you and others know, then I wouldn't say it was that confidential, so I cannot see the harm in naming names.
Especially those people have been quite vocal about.

But don't panic, I won't ask you again.  :)

   As for me I think it's time we made some signings , what do others think?

Well about 5 of the young lads will be going out on loan I imagine (Iaciofano, Whaler, Roberts, Goff, C.McWilliams) are you saying 5 first senior pros will be leaving also?

do you understand 'minimum'?

We can all throw vague guesses around then massage our ego when something close to what you said actually happens. It's like listening to a clairvoyant.

"I know that someone will be leaving and someone else coming in... can't say who though. You'll see soon enough. Money will be involved and the letter A will be important".

In that case you are stating the obvious.

If you had said minimum 5 senior pros are leaving, that would be a different story.

Akinfenwa?

ClaretParrot of unknown gender does have a point tho'. It could be an issue ?

vengeance is mine says the Admin boys; but dont we all... dont we all ;)

 ;D

Thats a good little quip - plenty of opportunity on here to shoot the clairs' down.

Say goodbye to some of your favourites in pre season games .
Its more than vultures hovering .
Sadly not hovering for the feed that’s being put out though

Surely if any of them were so desperate to leave then why have none of them handed in a transfer request

What will be, will be. As the saying goes.

There's one or two clubs forums in for me. Obviously I can't reveal sources out of confidence however I wanted a forum nearer my home in Leicester. And the Reynard may be involved...

I don’t know but I can tell you it’s not good news .
It makes you wonder what the point of pre season is if all you are doing is getting players fit for someone else to poach .
Funnily enough , no one wants those we want to get rid of .

If this doomsday scenario does come to fruition won’t KT come under some serious scrutiny after he suggested only last week that the main success of the summer was that we had managed to retain more or less the same squad from last season? I know he followed it up with the catch-all everyone has a price but if we lost say 3 or 4 of our best players on the eve of the season starting and then got off to a poor start (which is possible looking at the fixtures) then hot on the heels of a relegation and with a complete mess off the pitch I think the natives may well be getting pretty restless.

Especially when the club is up for sale .
I would say the scenario you outline above is quite possible , although it may only be two or possibly three top players . It may be none of KT digs his heels in but I can’t see it .

One minute you say it not good news and the next you say no one might leave. So which is it?

definitely the first bit

I look at this logically.

I reckon KVV, Waters, Crookes will all leave before August is out. I can seeing us cashing in our chips with these 3, taking the best offer for each of them.

Taylor *might if a decent offer comes his way (and ours).

We will sign a few loanees.

I have zero inside info on this, BUT if I was running a Football Club with my head and not my heart, Im considerably down since I came in…Im looking to sell…Id be full on with regards to the exit strategy, trying to maximise my 'investment'. On the flip side, if the deal is likely to take some time, Id be considering a deficit of circa 1 million quid on the wages and trying to reduce that as much as possible.

The one glimmer of hope Im hanging onto though is that the striker we signed from Posh suggests that a fire sale isn't the total and utter priority and assembling a decent squad is the main criteria. Which does totally contrast with my overall thinking.

We shall see. Lets hope that whoever he is talking with is telling him he needs to keep our best players for the deal to go through! Because if I was the buyer, thats what Id be telling him!!

So basically, in a nutshell…anything can happen. We can only hope its good for us at this stage!

I am going to go all out:

At LEAST one player will leave, and at LEAST one player will join before the end of the transfer/loan window.

You heard it here first, I cannot wait to be proven right. Then I can be the messiah of transfer news and add this post to my signature.

Wages are key here. They are very unlikely to get what they are on here elsewhere. So do tgey take a cut and leave or stay here and suffer the agony of lg2 football that they themselves inflicted on us?

 ;D

I just can't reason with the 'playing at a higher level'. Who'd take a pay cut to earn a promotion in their workplace?

I think you're right. The transfer fee could be the first sticking point then wages. Billy Waters' proposed transfer has already fallen through after a fee was agreed probably due to personal terms.

where did they say that? i thought they couldn't agree a fee

same with the others who definitely will leave

i don't think the wages are the issue - it will be the club (KT) getting a sufficient fee in the first place

if we didnt need a fee, then they would have already gone - a la ROD

It depends on the player and the club .
Wages will not be the issue with some of the players and the sort of clubs we are talking about
With others it will be and that’s why some won’t shift .

Maybe I misunderstood the interview. I thought something had been agreed with an unnamed club and that is why Billy didn't go to Spain. However, it fell through so he is still here. I wrongly may have put that down to personal terms not being agreed.

He didn't want to go [to the club interested].

Or they could all remain here because they know that at the end of the season they will be able to add "Promoted as Champions" to their individual CVs...therefore increasing their stock for the future.

So a fee was agreed?

Don't know those details but player didn't want the move.

This thread is pure comedy.

Glad we could amuse.  ;D

I don't think that you know anything concrete mate.

If you do then post it with full details and stick your neck on the line.

But if you don't, kindly stop jabbering on.

Sam Walker has singed for Reading.

Seen his name mentioned before.

.

Yeah cheers for that.

I've heard someone is leaving.

i think he knows plenty and he has already said he won't post it on here.

calm down - by the end of August you will also know everything.

exciting isn't it

as any apocalypse would be

As you are so confident... If there is no apocalypse you should have to sign yourself up to be a mascot and walk out wearing a mankini with the words 'sorry I lied' written on your back for the boxing day game.

Did he write it himself or was it a cover?

Rumour - McWilliams to Norwich & Crooks to Sunderland

IF both of those happened then fine. Good moves!

why?

I know I shouldn’t bite but...
I must be missing something. How are these good moves? For the individual maybe, but not for the team going into the start of the season.

Our track record of undisclosed fees and never appearing to get big money does not fill me with great hopes. Equally if they did command good fees where is that likely to get reinvested?

Sorry, meant good moves for the players in question so wouldn't begrudge them.

Agreed. Happily say goodbye after they have dismantled teams all season long, secured promotion and maxed out their transfer value.
If Grimes was a £1.75 million transfer then S McWilliams must be as well!

The fact Bradford pulled out of the Crooks running because of our asking price I guess shows for once we are doing the right thing.

McWilliams would surely be minimum 500k? You are buying so much potential..

Toney moved to Newcastle for circa 500k when DC was on 'financial damage limitations'

Id speculate that if we sell the likes of McWilliams this early on, then you can assume that there is either no serious buyer in the offing OR the people KT is talking with are only after one thing.

I will of course take a hammering for such a negative sounding post, however I did so on many occasions around 3 years ago!  ;D

I reckon McWilliams will still be here though. It would be foolish to cash in now, it would also be foolish for McWilliams to potentially 'get lost' at a higher level. The boy could easily become a prem player in the next 2-3 years earning 20k plus a week in my opinion and needs to be playing week in week out.

Thats how highly I rate him. What the hell was JFH doing not playing him I will never ever know!!

Agree fully about McWilliams.

How depressing is it that we are discussing the possible departure of another of our most promising youngsters for what I’m sure will be a fraction of what he’s worth and won’t be reinvested (we might get a couple of loans)?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing however I believe that if McWilliams had played more last year we would have stayed up.

Yes. Can you believe Hasselbaink was starting Perreira in CM ahead of McWilliams at times last season? Dropped Buchanan for a new LB he brought in who couldn't defend, tackle and had absolutely no positional sense? The guy was one of the worst managers I've seen at any club at any level.

sadly, i think we can all believe it - as JFH was an absolute laughing stock as a manager.

completely incapable.

Personally I would love to see McWilliams stay for 1 more season. I get more and more annoyed when we don't get to see our young players properly for our own team.

Win us promotion then leave.

You’d like to think that he and his family would see the benefit from staying another year as a regular starter, getting more experience and then getting a big move - unfortunately I’m sure money will talk and his agents’ eyes will be lighting up. If he does go he’s got to be careful he’s not benchwarming for a championship side as that will stunt his development.

Pretty sure it was about £300/350k - big bone of contention that it was so low a fee!

McWilliams must of impressed Norwich's scout during his 2 minute cameo v Blackburn!

Derby also enjoyed that cameo

today is the day

We lose 5 star players today?

Who are we signing - a goalkeeper?

Welcome back Bayo.

5 of our best players sign for Man U and leave on the bus with them?

 ;D ;D ;D

I know. Yaser Kasim joins Norwich for undisclosed fee. Coddington joins Sunderland for £300k & Iaciofano joins Derby on season long loan. I'm close aren't I?

Friday

Is that ego being nicely massaged?

tomorrow is another day

Hearing Pedj Bojic is in line for a shock return to the club.

I wonder which of the forum members guesses will prove correct?

I think it's clear Pedj is back.

I've just seen pedj's missus ordering KFC at sixfields.

Ash taylor, matt crooks and mcwilliams in the next week  :-X

You mean out?

Clear this hot weather is a nod to Pedj.

The rumour mill is surprisingly accurate .....
As I said in an earlier post , say goodbye to some of your favourites in pre season .
It’s doom and gloom I’m afraid

They're not rumours! They're facts  ::)

It's not doom and gloom at all is it.

No one is leaving give it a rest, the only player that could potentially leave this window is crooks or waters

Even if they f***ing do it's hardly doom and gloom is it. f***ing hell get a grip.

The deals have yet to be done as far as I am aware, but the intentions are there .
I don’t know if that makes it rumour or fact !

Why is it always left to reading between the lines?
So Crooks Taylor and Shauny are going thats what you are saying?

Taylor wouldn't be much of a miss as we've got capable replacements. Crooks and McWilliams going would significantly weaken our midfield. If they were to go and money was not spent on quality replacements, then I think we would be in for a bottom half season.

EVERY Cobblers player is available!........................at the right price.

That applies to EVERY League 2, League 1, Championship and even Premiership clubs.

Welcome to the real world!

For who?