The Hotel End

I'll get this started for another summer of specualtion and counter-specualtion.

First up, Jon Brady has today confirmed that both Marc Leonard and Kieron Bowie will play their last home game this Saturday and neither will return next season. I think we all thought this would be the case but held out some hope that we could tempt Bowie back when his contract ends at Fulham this summer.

These players are going to be very hard to replace and could make or break our chances next season.

I would like to thank both players for their efforts for the last two seasons, it has been a priviledge to watch them grow in to two superb players and I'm sure their careers will go from strength to strength. Thank you Marc and Kieron - probably two of the best loan players to ever represent the club and over TWO seasons to boot.         

Agree completely - 2 of the best loan players in our recent history.

Indeed and I would agree with this. I would also mention Matthew Rush as one our best loan players.

The return of a good old favourite thread albeit with the date moved on a year.

I too would like to thank Mark and Kieron for their efforts over the last two seasons and wish them well for the future. It would be great to see them both play for the same Scotland side in a major tournament.

If we are taking rumours

Bowie to Hearts

Worth keeping a eye on Jack Diamond,  OOC at Sunderland in the summer i believe.

Agree with Lizard and Irchy.

Also Morton!!

Good call evers, I had forgot about Ginger.

They’ll be a tough act to follow, big thanks to both of them for the last two seasons 👍

Good call about Jack Diamond, a player JB has always liked. However, he wasn't very impressive when he came on for Carlisle recently.

Others, John Marquis - not playing for Bristol Rovers.
Jayden Stockley  - if Fleetwood go down and seems to have fallen out of favour under Charlie Adam.

It’s a no to John Marquis from me, only 4 EFL goals this season, he’s not getting into their 18 man match day squad and Rovers fans can’t get rid of him quick enough.

Currently in Glasgow enjoying the delights of this fair city, thank you Marc and Kieron your contribution has been wonderful you are a credit to yourselves, good luck for the future you will always get a warm welcome from the shoe army.

I agree. Would be a backwards step.

Are we going to have testimonials for them? 

I loved Marquis when we had him before and I think Page made a massive error in not signing him when we had the chance. I think we''d probably be a couple of seasons too late in going for him now though.

The fans who had complained about Simpson's lack of effort would have a field day with Marquis based on his lack of movement when he came on at Sixfields

Matty Stevens from relegated FGR could be decent squad option...still only 26 & wages would probably be a third of what Hylton was/is being paid!

Luke Harris on loan.

If Fulham are happy for Harris to go out on loan again in division 1 they will probably be happy to let him return to Exeter.

I know we only have a small budget, but i dont think  getting players from relegated, or nearly relegated Clubs, or players who cant get into mid table teams is the way to go. Smacks of giving up and accepting we  are  favourites for relegation.

Would any of our more statistically minded posters like to see what percentage of posts on past Rumour threads actually became reality?

Jonny le quesne.     ;D

I disagree with this somewhat, even teams that are not decent in the sum of their parts will have decent players with them. When we've been relegated we've lost both Aaron Pierre and Lloyds Jones to League one clubs and neither (in the peak of their powers) would have made us a weaker team if we had been the recipients of signing them.

Dunno, but I was the first to pluck Liam Moore out of thin air.  ;D

Bowie and Leonard go down as my favourite loan players ever. I can't name any players that come close to giving so much passion and commitment. Without a doubt Brady bringing them back was best but if transfer business we did and he should take full credit for it

I will follow both their careers with a keen eye and wish them all the best for future.

A bid for Tyreece perhaps?

He could come good but with a year left on his Huddersfield contract why would he unless they paid him up?

I would be surprised if we pursued Simpson, just don't think he has done enough over the season. After a bright start he went completely off the boil and plenty on here wanted him sent back in January, later he has produced a few good games but seems very inconsistent. I also think it is telling that JB currently has picked Bowie and Appere as his 2 strikers. I was expecting rather more from him after his loan spell at Swindon 2 seasons ago.

We won’t pursue Tyreece.

?

It was just a thought re Tyreece, stranger things have happened!

nope - not unless you are pulling a minimum 500k out your arse

I hope Tyreece doesn't stay. Apart from a few good games over Christmas I've not been impressed

Charlie Lakin from Sutton/Burton to replace Leonard please

Fcuk me you are at it again, he hasn’t played Simpson because he wanted to take a look at the useless Appere, and played him for the last 10 games, he hasn’t scored or even looked like it including a one on one at Reading.
I’d have Simpson back in a heartbeat, he’s strong, quick, and can score a goal, He was outstanding at Lincoln and Orient.

But unfortunately those games have been too infrequent and as I said many were wanting him sent back in January. After his Swindon loan spell I was delighted when we signed him.
I made no mention of Appere but it would not surprise in the least if JB offered him a new deal.

Thank the lord Jon Brady doesn’t share the same views as Manwork.

in more ways than one, the bloody aussie foreigner.

I would be surprised and somewhat dismayed if we came back in for Simpson.
For me he has been a major disappointment he didn’t appear to be the same player that was on loan at Swindon.
His goal involvement for a central striker in the league has been 3 goals and 1 assist (the same as Guthrie our centre half)
Appere in contrast has 5 league goals and 2 assists In fewer games.
I actually think Louis has struggled at the higher level but has a greater work rate than Simpson and often plays out wide not centrally.
Certainly with the excellent Bowie departing the forward department is one that will have to be strengthened in the summer but for me Tyreece isn’t the answer.

Going to be controversial here but the way Leonard is being described he is coming across as the Zidane of L1. There’s no getting away from the fact that he has put in some outstanding performances and has been consistently very good, but he is not the best midfielder I have seen at the club by a bit of a stretch, same with Bowie really in his position. That being said it will be a challenge to replace them, as not only have the standard of performances been high, they have been injury free. A difficult combo to recruit and we have 2 in the spine of the side. I’m worried.

Not controversial at all. Couldn't agree more, we'll get over them.

Leonard to Coventry.

Rumour heard today.

Leonard is Championship at best, already 22 and cant get near the Premiership.
Bowie is a League one player, will struggle any higher.
Both have been excellent for us over the two seasons.

Leonard I think has been very good, one of the best we've had but there have been others just as good in our midfield over the years. Bowie.....sorry but i've never got the love-in with him! I don't really know what he is...is he an out and out striker, a hold-up player or an attacking wideman....i'm not sure he really excels at any of them.
He often picks the wrong option and comes across as a bit greedy at times, preferring to shoot rather than lay off an easier pass. One goal in the last 14 games doesn't really put him in the "excellent" category for me!

Matt Grimes would be the comparison I'd make. Since being with us when he was 22ish he's played 273 games for Swansea City a Championship side. He's well regarded there. Leonard is a better player than he was when he was here and Leonard's spell has included the club easily surviving League One unlike Grimes spell.

My view - definitely Scotland, Rangers or Celtic. Definitely one of the better Championship sides and if he added a few more goals in his locker even higher.

A busy summer ahead, I think without Leonard this season we would have been perilously close to relegation. We need at least 10,and a clear out of some of the contracted players

Spot on mate.

100% agree
I think he's been the difference if I'm honest

If i had to bet £10 i'd suggest we'd be in for Port Vales attacking midfielder Ethan Chislett.
Absolute Mustard

He was! A clear out of the injury prone is needed as well. I assume the retained list will be revealed the week after next?

Ethan Chislett is under contract for next season so a transfer fee would be needed, not out of the question but we do seem to go for out of contract players.

Jon Brady said the players will be told the Monday after the Barnsley game so I guess we'll know either then or the Tuesday

Of the Out of Contract players I think the only one or two I would like to keep would be Sherring and possibly Burge. With Sherring I think he probably feels he is better than L1 and therefore unlikely to re-sign. Burge has been a good keeper for us in the past but he has been injury prone this season and of course will be a year older, possibly worth the risk providing he is not the No1.

For me the following would be a risk:

Apere, has not improved this season, Brady has given him a chance in the past couple of games and he has been woeful, can't head the ball, not strong enough to hold up play and not good at anticipating play, shows some good touches on occasion but that's insufficient.

Fox, too injury prone, not just in his time with us but with Grimsby previously.

Hylton, need I even go there.

Odimayo, not been good since returning from injury, may be worth keeping if on a lower package.

McWilliams, another who has not improved and in some respects has deteriorated, whilst he can still tackle and has some pace his distribution is imply awful and that is a key aspect of the game in L1.

Haynes, not good enough for L1.

Gape, Moore and Willis are all too injury prone, with a small squad we can't afford the risk, I don't think the injuries are so much to do with the Training and the Medical staff, Leonard has gone the whole season without injury and Bowie pretty much too, obviously the intensity of the game now punishes players more and with a smaller squad there is less rest but that's exactly why we should avoid players with a serious injury record.

Big job for Brady in the Summer just hope he isn't over sentimental when dishng out contracts.

There is a rumour Hylton will not be offered a new contract. Anyone who believes it must be a hatter.

Luton Dave Itk 😂

I think there is some overeactions on here (nothing new) based on the last couple of loses....in what has been our best ever season in recent years.

I would be offering contracts to Sherring, Willis, Odimayo, Fox, McWilliams and Appere.

This would be insanity. He's our most sellable asset and must be tied down to a long term contract.

If Brady fails to tie him down then as far as I'm concerned he can go too.

P.s. - I've recently had a blow to the head. I might rejoin the Trust later.

I’m interested to see how the assistant manager role plays out, will we stick with Sammo?

Well considered opinion GPC; for me Bowie is the best of our centre forwards? Pity we cannot afford to sign him!

We need to ask on the Thursday evening about whether we will be getting in an assistant manager. Sampson has done well, but I think we need someone with more experience.

Too much of a drain on next years budget, Sammo has plenty of experience both as a manager, and assistant.
We are going to need plenty of quality players for next season, and they dont come cheap.

Thank goodness we’ve acquired the extra investment

Can't we?  How much do you think he is worth?

At least 300k - IMO 8) Then a house in Corby plus his salary ;)

That phone call to your mate was productive then?

I was with him earlier
If he bought the club we wouldn’t be yo yoing between league one and two , he wouldn’t be buying 25% either.
I’m just glad the club have finally got some extra investment to take us to the next level
There is no point selling 25% if it’s not going to improve the on field budget.
I’ve no doubt it’ll be an interesting off season.

Hurrah!

Well done for putting a price to it. Nice to know someone is prepared to put their reputation on his value.


PS does the house in Corby add to the value or detract from it?

Will discuss with you at Barnsley, el inquistivo ;) Reputations my back side, on here as well! Shame on you :o

Looking forward to it Evers. I hope you won't be too sleepy from your early start.

Hes got his Horlicks and blanket ready.  ;D

Theres an if and a wouldnt involved there, so, nothing really new then. I do hope that you correct about the off season though. There will be changes for sure.
Anyway, as an aside, hows that recommended wonder horse of yours getting on?  ;D

It has been purchased by emmett mulllins   ;)

The retained list will then give us more of an idea of what we are going to be doing. With so many players with such an extensive injury record will be interested to see how ruthless Brady is.

I have heard that there could be a slight rejig in the staffing which would potentially impact the recruitment process. Apparently a new role could be created for one of our existing staff members, dont know if it will happen but could impact things slightly.

Fulham have another young striker, 20 year old Olly Sanderson who has been on loan at lowly Sutton and has done well there. Don't know if he would be ready for the step up to division 1.

Care to share

This time last year I wasn't sure Bowie was ready but he's proved me wrong

Could the change in staffing be following the government line that staff will not be able to sign off players as sick??🤣🤣

;D I think the only people to acquire extra investment are KT and DB.
NLQ has been brought in to fatten up the club ready for sale, I’m a bit surprised at the cost 25%, its a lot to give away but I guess there are some heavy caveats attached.
As I’ve said all along the sooner they are gone the better.

Alternatively ... the longer the stay, the better.

Why?

Nearly all players these days are called 'Olly'...as annoying a millennial name as Josh!
Kieron will be just fine thanks!  ;)

'Cos
(a) I like going to watch the Cobblers more than before they arrived.
(b) the work we now do in and for the community makes me proud - very proud.
(c) I get the feeling they're sound people with sound instincts.

OK, I agree about the community work, they are business people, this time next year they will be gone. FACT.
Is Sound another word for business?

No. It means 'grounded/reliable/dependable'.

And 'fact' refers to a present or past state of affairs.

This could be wrong / may not come to fruition. But i have no reason to doubt the info. Due to the recent ill health of James Whiting someone mentioned some of the duties may be passed elsewhere and there is the potential we could see a DoF position put into place with one of our existing team filling that role.

Im told that Brady and the recruitment team dont regularly see eye to eye but I believe they report to KT directly, so would be interesting to see how, if at all it would change the recruitment.

Im not normally ITK, but this I have been told has been mooted.

😂 I like the use of the word grounded, of course they have kept things ticking along, they came for the land. FACT.

Oooooh a FACT! I’ll be interested to see the retained list and contract offers as well

I presume you haven't any FACTual evidence about who would buy the club and improve our future, only keyboard talk.

I've asked you this before over on the redevelopment thread but you must have missed it, (last time you said "using his high end clients to deliver a juicy ROI") Genuine question, what does fatten it up for sale actually entail? What I mean by this, is what does a football club owner in the position of KT/DB (and now Nige) specifically need to do to achieve this? It implies they are to wring out the dregs of the club for the last drops of profit, but I'm not entirely convinced that anyone knows how our new friend is going to actually achieve this fattening up process? Makes a good headline though, and is certainly likely to add to the fury of the anti owner gang and the secret seven, you little scamp.

It hasn't taken long for this thread to go hopelessly off topic and become yet another arguefest. I shall be glad when there are some actual rumours/signings to discuss. I appreciate that won't be for a while though.

Good point, sorry grumpy.

To be fair, we are all going to die I think could be passed off as a fact or future state of affairs!  ;)

Rock on Coolcat.
Here's another - next season we'll either be relegated, promoted or remain as we are ... FACT!

Good news, we aren't going out of business!

Firstly we have to examine how football clubs are valued.
The Markham Method is probably the standard and most accepted way.
Tom Markham created a valuation method, that looks at revenues, the state of the balance sheet, profitability, stadium utilisation and importantly the ratio of wages to revenues.
Club Valuation =(Revenue + Net Assets) x ((EBITDA + Revenue)/Revenue) x (Stadium utilisation %) /((Amortisation cost + wages)/revenue).

Ah, the fattening term was bollócks, got it 👍

Oi I wasn’t finished, of course he’s bee brought in to help maximise the saleability of the club but the main thrust would be the land development and maximising the revenue.
You know I’m right, or do you think as a Spurs season ticket holder he wanted to own a football club? Now that’s bollócks.

When you eventually answer the question regarding the 'fattening up' can you do it on the Redev thread where it was originally posed? Thank you... ;)

Speaking of redevelopment...these new emojis are sh*te! Blurred and, well blurred!  :o  :(

See! 😛

My description was, someones wiped an oily rag on the screen.

A pretty reliable source tells me many players don't like John Brady, so it could be that he may not even get the out of contract players he wants to keep

Really?

I find that hard to believe considering the past 3 seasons and what they have done for him.

also so many players resigned last year?

Words like "pretty reliable" carry no gravitas on here. You should know that by now.  ;D  (sorry about the smuged emoji)

Trouble is I hear lots from various sources, but can't name people, I don't make them up like some

“Not my type of man, not someone I'd go out for a drink with, but play for him? I'd cross the sahara desert to play for him.” John McGovern on Brian Clough.

I recall giving you and FFP hairy Steve a lift up to Boro in the back of my van. And then waiting around for two hours after the game, checking out the local pubs, eventually to find you two muppets walking back down the road, with a can of Special Brew in each hand.
I did not hear that from various sources, can certainly name people, and did not make it up.
Hello Ian, do you still pounce upon people when you see that they have a newspaper?
Cheers, Pete.

At it again!

Trying to keep this thread on topic, are there any players anyone would like to see us have a go at getting or could see us wanting? For me i’d love us to try and sign Louie Barry from Aston Villa on loan. He’s been at Stockport this season and their fans want him back but i think he’d be another bowie like player. it’s most likely wishful thinking tho

These players who don't like Brady, are they the ones who have signed, the ones who want to sign on again or the ones being released ? Just wondering.

Strange that rumours of player unrest always seem to come from people who have an agenda against the Club / Owners  ::)

I appreciate you don't like Jon Brady and I understand you have a grudge against the Club going back a few years! Is this correct?

I'd quite like to sign Langstaff from Notts County but it's not going to happen.

I wonder if Brighton have another player they could loan us for next season as it worked so well with ML, maybe Fulham too.

Callum Stead.
Scored a few in Non league and think he would be worth a risk. Currently with Barnet but helped Brackley get to the playoffs and scored a few for Kettering too.

Hardly. Because its true. I did indeed give Ian and Steve a lift in my van up to Boro.

There won't be a club or workplace in the country where a manager is universally popular. Some people don't like authority, some will see perceived favourites, unfair treatment, not getting what they want, thinking they aren't paid enough, not agreeing with decision making etc. I can imagine that more players disliked Fergie than were bezzies with him!

Are they the one's that have been left out when they've thought that they should have been playing, not been allowed to leave when a club has come in for them or those that aren't allowed to go and watch their favourite/home town club whenever they aren't in the match day squad? :P

Is that better?

Yes exactly... given what has gone before and how many players we retained last season, I find it difficult to believe that it's an issue. 

I'm sure in any squad there will be a fair whack of players wanting a change of manager because they aren't playing as much as they should etc. When you aren't doing well/underachieving, its more prominent and the overall mood shifts towards the negative forces which is turn leads to "unrest".

The more successful managers/squads keep this at a minimum and clears out the whingers and disruptors. If you are wondering why there are so many talented journeymen and bang average stallwarts... this is why.
Same in any business... always seems to be the negative whingers who get "made redundant AGAIN".

Should imagine that a fair proportion of new players will be a loanee!

Probably, I’d imagine like pretty much every team in the lower leagues.

Timothy Dieng - Ex Exeter, now at Gillingham is a name I've heard in passing

On redundancy generally it's last in first out. Trust me I've been involved in those calculations for 40 years and worked closely with personnel - I've even witnessed the fists flying and the tears.

For Gillingham this season:

31 appearances, 4 goals and two assists. Plays as a defender/midfielder

May I ask where you get your info/details/sources from? Other wise thanks for the heads up!

When it's a cost cutting exercise, that's usually the case.
When it's an organisational reshuffle, it's about getting rid of the dead weight.

Anyway - Pete O'Rouke has reported that Brighton would accept £300k for Leonard. An abosolute steal for someone.

Blimey - we could negotiate a deal which includes 50%? of any received offer and reduce our fee proportionally!
Wearily expects an aggressive advice from Bangers!

That's a steal at that price. C'mon Nigel, show us ya cash.

Yes, agreed on organisation reshuffle - I had a spell with a large logistics company (warehousing and distribution) where when they lost a big contract they would classify staff as follows;

A - keep and redeploy elsewhere.
B - worth keeping if similar positions available.
C - let go.

They also used LIFO for B if there were no similar positions available.

At that price Leonard is a bargain. His agent should be able to get him a bumper, life changing salary package.    

Even if we offered 300K & offered him massive L1 wages, there is absolutely no way he would sign for us, he has far greater ambitions than playing in an almost guaranteed relegation battle with us next season...

He deserves the chance to showcase his talents at a much much higher level...

Good luck wherever you end up Marc...but please don't let it be at P#sh!

Is that "almost guaranteed" by those who almost guaranteed it this season?

Precisely - good riposte

Good price for Leonard, Coventry?

Wonder what Bowie would command, assume we’ll find out when he goes up to Scotland.

I wouldn’t expect fireworks this summer, some free signings and loans as per usual.

To back Grove up, I think it’s relatively common knowledge about Brady/Players but same at almost every club.

A name I'd heard in conversation last week - no more, no less

Will be a much harder league next season imo...plus losing Leonard & Bowie this time round too...

Still, season ticket purchased as per usual :)

If he is available for £300k I predict there will be at least twenty suitors, he’d have his pick of many clubs, some of them with more potential than us!

That's probably the starting bid to get the auction up and running... :)

Heads up. If you are making redundancy solely on length of service there's a very good chance someone will put a claim in under age discrimination.
Any redundancy programme these days should have a robust set of selection criteria....which can be manipulated to get rid of any dead wood.  :P

Seems as the thread is going completely off track I’d just like to say that I’m having a curry for tea
Vegetable masala.

We're on page 7 and not had a rumour yet so not sure what you were expecting.  :)

Definitely throw some bhajis and a nan in, hold the rice.

I wasn’t expecting a thread regards redundancy advice on a summer transfer rumours thread

So NO rumours then, even from those wise people who pretend to be in the know!

Well done to the management team and club to keep it in house........even though I love a rumour like most fans.

Tip: steer clear of the redevelopment thread.

What's this agenda you speak of, any slight criticism of the owners you lot would be stalking me with pitchforks. I'm still proud to have organised the biggest pro ntfc March in history, of course I picked the wrong horse with cardoza but at that time nobody knew his intentions, I have every right to be somewhat cynical of a chairman that has had 8 years to finish the stand with ring fenced money.

I'm sure you'll be there on Thursday to let him know how you feel.

48 hours to find one anti Brady post I've written, I think he's done a fantastic job since he's been in charge and was brilliant when coaching my son at primary school, do you want to apologise again like you did when you accused me of threatening you on here but had absolutely no evidence to back it up. You are a wind up merchant or incredibly stupid to accuse people of things with no substance, furthermore naming yourself after a lidl cleaning product sums you up.

Stock answer from a happy clapper, I heard his bulls*** on day one and every year since. it's OK to have a different opinion bless you

Not at all. Just saying if you, I, or whoever have anything to say you can do it on Thursday. Is that not the case then?     

Learn something everyday...love etymology! 😂

Do you think he will change the east stand plans if you rock up on Thursday and say they are shît and not fit for purpose?
You happy clappers all go giddy when the man in the suit enters the room to fill your heads with spin, hilarious.

Nothing wrong with happy clappers, they balance out the terminally toxic amongst us 😃👏

Not when your KT anyway 😉

😉

It’s well established that people with a PMA live longer. Evers is 108 years old. FACT

He’ll be after you 😂

You'd have thought he'd grown up by now  :P

Believe it or not that was 30 years ago Pete, not seen Hynesey for about 20, anyway that was your fault for picking me up late, I went in the elephant and you stopped on the way there. 😄

Hearing a National League striker is interesting us, has a release clause for EFL clubs which is seen as doable

I havent seen Steve for about 15 years myself mate. Time flies.

Kabamba?

If we sign somebody from the National League JB will accused of shopping at Aldi again.

£300k, come Evers, surely you can cash in your pension sell all your possessions to donate to KT and allow him to bid for Marc.


Or are you not a truly loyal supporter?

I'd say no but he's been superb for Barnet

Being serious though the national league really is his level

Really hope we go in for Will Evans at Newport.

Other clubs do this and we say why aren't we

We do it and we lack ambition

A proper rumour at last and would love to see something like this happen

God no

Just had a quick look at the top scorers list and there’s nobody that jumps out as someone that will score goals at league 1 level.

Conn-clarke or Tolaj?

Conn-Clarke is a midfielder I think.

Both of them are a good age and potential to improve.

Tolaj might have been my guess

I'm all for a decent non league striker but unfortunately we seem to pick the wrong ones in the past

Tolaj looks an interesting one.

Has had a decent season for the Shots but has also had loan spells with league clubs in the past (Cambridge, Salford and also at Dundee in the Scottish second tier) and failed to trouble the scoresheets. Good age though.

Paul McCallum is the top scorer in the National League, 30 years old and made the England C team this season. Over 120 goals in the last 8 seasons including 31 this... proven goalscorer at that level.

Harry Cardwell at Southend, 27 years old and has had a couple of decent seasons with the Shrimpers, was linked with a move to Exeter in the January window, didn't materialise though.

Marc Leonard will know him well -same age, joined Brighton at the same time. Perhaps Leonard has put in a good word about him and the Cobblers as a decent side to join.

Who’s the lad from Crystal Palace we missed out on signing in January? Would he be available again? I hear Brady was very keen on him in.

Callum Stead.
Been close to promotion a few times so if Barnet dont make it, it could be him that has a clause like that.

Conn-Clark scored for Altrincham the other day when they were on the tele and the commentators were saying how good he was before the game. Alty are in the play offs so we will all be able to see him in action soon v Bromley on Sunday.

I'm not sure about him myself from what I saw.

Surprised that no one has mentioned Marcus Dinanga Nyamabu yet. He could fancy a move away from Gateshead, after they have been excluded from the play offs.

Of the National League strikers mentioned on here probably Callum Stead is more likely as he is still only 23. Can't see us going for McCallum who is 31 in July. Caldwell aged 27 and Dinanga aged 26 ought to have established themselves in the EFL by now.

I can’t see him joining as Barnet are posh’s feeder club

Sorry to be pedantic but he’s 24

It’s the Barry Fry-Up combination.

Hoskins left out again with a 'knock'... He's not really been on the team for a while now. Could he be on the move this summer becasue of a potential fallout with Brady?

Or maybe been playing through a bit of injury, not fully fit so rested for a meaningless game?

He told me he's already planning his testimonial he's going no where

Most random rumour I heard today is Pinnock is leaving

Him leaving isn't the random bit it's the club he's going to which is random


I got told Milwall no way is he going to the championship

He is.

where did you hear this?

He's inconsistent at league 1 level he'd never cut it the league above

Wait and see.

Not sure this addresses Cobbler123s question, unless wait and see is a venue I’m unfamiliar with?

Not to mention the money he is likely on, I think he is an adequate squad player. With Bowie, Simpson and Hylton all leaving we already have three attacking players to replace (all who have worse goals per minute stats).
I think quite a few on here will be disappointed at the calibre of attackers we can and will bring in. I hope the club stay well clear of the ageing striker who’s done in the past model, a Slockley or Wickham for example. Of those out of contract Humphreys at Wigan could be a decent signing although I doubt there is any chance, Chilvers at Colchester as someone we can get the best of or Vada at Celtic though he will probably either stay or end up at a bigger club, so maybe a loan. Of those contracted in the leagues below, I know Ntfclad mentioned the conference rumour but there’s no player I see as realistically available that overly excites me. So it will probably be loans again, hopefully someone like Taylor although he’ll probably go to Lincoln again. One left field name is Fraser Hornby, not done anything in Germany and might just want to come home. Obviously there is the Lewis thing but the club now has a good reputation for developing players. I’m sure someone will moan that none of this is actually rumours.

You are forgetting it’s all about opinions! Ignore the negative bottom feeders; they win nothing!Go with admins if in doubt?

Well we have entered silly season 😀

I'm not so sure. Much as I dont want him to leave, Millwall makes sense for Mitch. He's got the ability to hold his own in a mid table Championship side. He grew up in Gravesend, just down the road and played for Southend which is basically Millwall-by-the-Sea

I hazard a guess that Blakeney is your top choice?   8) 8)

The Gower for me

Not sure where to put this but former Cobblers youth player Jay Williams just been named player of the season at Crawley. Thought he looked promising when he came through here, good to see him building his career following his release.

and in the play-offs v MK. Don't really understand how those cryptos have managed to turn this around.

I notice that Jonson Clarke-Harris is being heavily linked with Mansfield - potentially a good signing for them and highlights the challenge that it is going to be for us with 3 big budget teams coming up from League 2.

Not a rumour at all, but Ronan Curtis is out of contract at AFC Wimbledon, in discussions over a new deal but suggestions he may be looking higher up. Seems to have proved his fitness after his big injury, playing 17 games since signing in January, in that time scoring 5 times and assisting twice. A proven, quality wide man at this level, think he will end up at a L1 side.

With all the questions about Burge, if he is good enough, if he will sign etc, I see De Gea is still without a club. He struggled a bit at Man U at the end but could probably still do a job in L1.

Interesting ratings of our GKs for the season in the Chron.

Burge       average match rating 6.47     squad rating 18th
Thompson                                6.80                          9th
Moulden                                   6.30                         21st

For those wanting Simpson to return next season he was rated 19th with only Monthe and Moulden below him in the 21 player ratings.

Interestingly Moore, who we have let go, was rated higher than Willis who has been made an offer.

Can't see him going there.

Been released by FGR.

I reckon a fit Stevens would be a decent shout

The FGR fans have said unfortunately the ACL injury to Matty Stevens have absolutely ruined him. Will be interesting to see if he can regain his form / fitness fully but feel like his ability to excel at a higher level has been robbed of him because of it.

Sounds perfect for our recruitment strategy  ;)

Always got his Boxing career to fall back on if needed.

I reckon a fit Stanley Matthew’s would be a decent shout for a winger

Can we sign Manny as the stats man, he’s got potential.

Think Marvo’s the man for stats.

I think there’s a challenger to the throne?

Go on Manny you can do it!

Thanks Evers old chum 👍

GK Matt Macey released by Portsmouth.

Is he a Portsmouth player ?

10 goals in 2 years...

Macey was in his second spell at Portsmouth. The first was on loan and they signed him again on a short term contract to the end of the season.

.

Yes  they only signed him in Jan window nothing about loans in recent profile.

Yeah he was a free agent for the first half of the season. I would always pick up him and Jed steer for us as goalkeepers on football manager.

Twitter Rumour Summary! 📝

Not that these usually end up bearing too much fruit but interesting either way
 
Willis and Fox to sign new one-year deals, the latter had interest from Salford
Interest in Elliot Bennet from Shrewsbury (really can’t see this!)
Interest in Dan Happe and Joe Morrell, both negotiating their renewals
Competition in re-signing Bowie and Simpson from plenty of clubs
Ryan Haynes with a string of National League clubs interested since release

JB was at Cambridge taking in their game with Wycombe, I wonder who he was interested in from that game.

I see Matt Smith is leaving Salford, I suspect a Wrexham or Mansfield likely to be in for him - he is available, at 34 prob not a target of our's
 

Exactly not been fit and still had a similar return to our Louis

I would like to think, that having had our fingers burnt with injury prone players in the past, this would not be a permanent option.

Matt Smith doesn’t fit into our system at all nowhere near mobile enough, Elliot Watt on the other hand I would take in a heartbeat.

Interesting to see Hoskins agent has spent a bit of time compiling a video of all his goals this season.

I wonder what he’s fishing for…

A bite on here?

Our former loan GK Lewis Ward has been released by Charlton, he wasn't given a chance here and never played an EFL game. As he had only played 4 times his parent club cut short his season long loan to send him to another club. I saw him playing for Swindon in a Sky televised game and he had a very good game.
Charlton have also released Terel Thomas who I thought looked decent against us.

These don’t look like rumours…

Every thread goes off topic.

I agree entirely. Thread amended. Keep it on topic.

Wot no rumours?

Maybe the topic should be locked!

To praise the club, leaks are very rare and transfer business in rightly kept in house until concluded.................but I still love a rumour!

According to the manager we won’t be doing any early business as we are unable to compete financially at this level and will wait till later in the window to see what’s about…

Cue a signing  ;D

We're going to snap up Vardy before Wrexham muscle in. AKA the new Hylton.

I’d imagine it’s quite a difficult period at the moment, not knowing if those offered deals will re-sign. Play offs still ongoing etc.

I assume it will ramp up from the back end of this month and June.

Almost worth going on holiday and having a break from it all.

We never make early transfers I bet it's June before we make a signing or a contract renewal

I see JJOT has been released by Mansfield. Jus' saying.

Those were the days!

My friend, I hope they never end.

John Marquis released by Bristol Rovers. 

35 years young, has been on loan at AFC Wombles racked up a load of yellow and red cards, unfortunately needs to hang up the boots.

He's staying local but is working on a deal with Wimbledon

Maybe worth a punt has the right work ethic but wrong side of thirty now, not been exactly prolific in front of the goals either. Manny’s final thoughts….there’s better out there.
We should spunk all our budget on the spine of the team, Keeper, new Center half ( if Sherring doesn’t sign) Center mid playmaker and a couple of decent strikers, Little and Large.

No to both, their best days are long past and Bristol Rovers couldn't get rid of Marquis quick enough.

I’d agree with that.

Absolutely. And the "i would have him back in a heartbeat" brigade should move on.

Please no old, immobile has been striker

Marquis looked very mobile in his 20 mins against us at their place earlier in the season - Took his one chance beautifully, albeit him being a yard offside. I'd have him over Louis everyday of the week

Yep,  me to but it’s not a very high bar, Louis runs around a lot and for some reason there’s a happy clapper love in with him, just don’t get it personally.

Both had comparable goals and minutes per goals last year but the wages one commands is a fraction of the other, so it’s never going to be a straight choice between the two.

What is it and wanting to sign former players there are 100s of players without signing someone from the past

A lack of knowledge and/or imagination?

That goal at Barnsley was memorable!

Because it was so rare..

I’d be looking at Ronan Curtis & Lorent Tojal

Curtis may be leaving Wimbledon and looking for league 1 football, only 28 and proven at this level.

Tojal only 22, would require a fee. Captain for Aldershot and has scored 19 goals this season. Definitely a risk but sounds better than a journeyman.

Miss the days of the PFA player lists. Is Omar Riza still available?

Warsaw beat us to his signature in 1926 if I remember correctly.

Watt (Salford) and Chilvers (Colchester) are the two out of contract league 2 players that stand out for me.

A couple of good shouts there - I really hope that Tolaj is the one that was alluded to previously, I can’t say that anyone else really sets the pulse racing.

It’s how Hoskins started with that clincher goal v Burton in the FA cup. Away end loved it ; as he immaculately stroked the ball into right hand corner! I sensed greatness there and then!

Anyone think we could tempt Clarke Harris? Could we afford him? Would we have him? Would he come?

Expecting a barrage of no no no no in response tbh!

Still only 29...

Nope rejected Charlton so would be out of our range.

Rumour from twitter
Liam Kelly seen at the ground shaking Jon Brady’s hand

Is that 34 year old Kelly from Coventry or the midfielder from Crawley, there is also a GK with the same name.

From coventry- seen we was linked with him in january too

I'm close friends with Liam Kelly's Cousin. I'll pop him a message now

I doubt it personally. He's 34 years old. Doesn't fit our profile apart from Hylton of course.

I agree maybe we should be shopping in another market, but he is some needed experience. We need to strengthen the spine and adding a Championship captain who has taken his team to wembley twice would be a shrewd addition. Although i wouldn't rely on him to be fit all season and may require another fee midfielders

Experience wise Kelly is exactly what we need

If Kelly does sign, then we should be good for a semi at least.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GKlYnCvWgAAs7nb?format=jpg&name=small)

Brilliant photo 😂

Chap who ‘spotted him’ was apparently on the bus at the time and saw his initials on his trousers and then googled him…anyone reckon you could see that far to see initials on trousers from the road?

I think that's you saying it's a no to us signing Kelly 😉

Ohhhh it was Iker Casillas

I’d welcome this.

Who knows! But the fella is saying he’s spotted his tracksuit bottoms from a bus 500 yards away! He’d be a cracking signing but just applying some logic!

If he was on the top deck of the bus, looking down to the north stand car park, then yeah probably.

It is a cracking story. Saw him on a bus from 500 yards + and down a massive hill, read his initials, saw him shake hands then walk to the north stand car park  ;D ;D.

I wonder if Brady escorts everyone he meets out to the car park to shake hands?

I thought that Elliott Watt signed for Brad City a couple of years ago, How time flies or I have the wrong Watt!

ps Unlike me to get it wrong ;D

Why would a random footballer be at  Sixfields in tracksuit bottoms with his initials on them? Unless said person is training there?

Good for you. Any chance of a heads up on the lottery numbers.

Did the person on the bus get a good look at who JB was shaking hands with other than having the initials LK? it could have been Lenny Kravitz, Ludovic Kennedy, Lorraine Kelly, Lisa Kudrow, Liz Kershaw but most probably Laura Kuenssberg.

I think we can rule out Ludo.

CPR?

I can see Laura Kuenssberg as a tough tackling midfielder, once she's got her teeth into something she doesn't let go.

My moneys on Lenny Kravitz.
We havent seen dreadlocks since the days of Jason Lee.  ;D

Just driven past Sixfields, saw a new signing shaking hands with JB. Pretty sure the initials on his t-shirt said BMO, not sure what to make of it…

Big Michael Owen!

Speaking to Aldershot fans, "he's top draw, excellent signing for us", they would obviously want to keep him but he's contracted until 2025 so there will be a fee, depends if it's too much.

Hahah beast mode

How did it go? Any news for us?

Kept it quiet. Didn't seem exactly confident but didn't rule anything out.

Thanks very useful inside info.

You need to get your eyes tested, it was probably B&Q, didn't you know that there are some home improvements planned.

Nice bit of fence sitting mate.  ;)

Dave savage?

I see Kylian is going to be a free agent soon, could he do a job in League One?

He’d spend most of it rolling around on the floor, he’d literally get the shyte kicked out of him.

Maybe Kylian Hazard instead then.

Alan Hensen?

 ;D  ;D

That’s a FACT, please can we stick to rumours, thanks.

Last year, the only permanent signings we made in pre-season came on the 15th June and 14th July, so might be waiting about for a bit. Probably want to repurpose the thread for a month. 

You mean talk unrelated bølløcks for a bit? I'll give it a go, it's within my skill set. See my LinkedIn page if you don't believe me.

Some interesting players released,made available for transfer by Peterborough……

Don’t forget they will smell.

Do we really want Barry Fry's sloppy seconds? Come on Shoemaker, let's have some standards.





Unless it's Phil Chard, I am more than happy to have him back.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/every-league-one-retained-list-announced-so-far-4625875

Fill yer boots... :)

Nothing there that would impress that much. Clarke-Harris out of our wage range and Fuchs too injury prone.

🦊

So Fox has signed his new deal?

Is he off to pastures new, or is it a reference to Fuchs?

He's in the hunt for something.

Jamie Vardy?  :)

Ben Fox has signed a new deal which includes a spell as Clarence.

Oh god.

Not to sure how i feel about that, No doubt when he's firing he is a good option to have but it's another play on the wage bill who was injured for most of the season (although i imagine he's not on a big wage).

Seems like a sensible deal all around. No doubt he is L1 quality when he is fit, but he really struggled upon his initial return to the team in the later part of this year. The ankle injury seemed really unfortunate as it was the impact of blocking a shot, but he still seems to pick up other niggles also.

It says its a 1 year deal with a 1 year option (not sure if thats for the club or player) but as long as its not a huge wage I think he is a good player to have on board. The concern becomes relying on him, Sowerby and McWilliams as inevitable at least one of them will be injured throughout the season.

Would imagine it's a one year deal with the 2nd year based on appearances, good way to prove he can stay fit. Another injury hit season would restrict it to one year. Sensible deal.

I would imagine that its Fox desperate for the security of a contract, rather than us desperate for him to sign. He has a lot to prove / improve in the future. This could be his chance.

Time to pay back what the club has invested in him over the last couple of years

+1.
Too injury prone and not that great when’s he’s not, way behind Sowerby and even McWilliams in the pecking orders.

A whipping boy for both of you 😉

He's a good player with a great engine when fit, I think most folk still see the potential in him but you'd hope it's not a big drain on the wage bill with the potential risk.

While he needs to prove himself post-injury, and play more times to justify the contract, and the end of the day the club wanted to keep him and they have managed to do so, so I see that as good thing.

Nah, he’s just not very good.

I prefer JB's opinion over yours!

Fox is a decent player. Not a world beater but a good solid member of the squad.

He's been unlucky with injury, but it seems it's more a case of the original injury being misdiagnosed so wasn't healing properly rather than him having a succession of separate injuries.

Now the root cause has been identified and fixed he'll hopefully be available more.

The one year plus an option makes sense, just in case he does have a relapse.

Regarding Fox - the fact that he's played for us for 2 years and we wanted to keep him is enough for me. The management team were in the best position to judge him.

It will be fascinating to see how well the midfield perform post Leonard not least because he hardly missed a game his entire time with us so we have little to go on. 

I think that's slightly harsh. Although I agree with you that he's behind Sowerby and McWilliams.

I would hope with injuries he's had l, we've offered him slight reduced term I do believe in continuity with squads and if he stays fit he's a good option who got great engine.

If Fox can take a decision in a couple of weeks to stay with the club, how about the others?

I imagine they don’t really want to sign but will if we are the only option.

Yes. That's what I was hinting at.

Some like to get their futures sorted quickly, some like to see what other options are out there. Also, we have no info on the contract offers on the table. Burge for instance could be on reduced terms because of his patchy fitness over the last year or so. Same goes for McWilliams possibly.

It all comes down to whether anyone wants them more than us and are prepared to pay more
I doubt any of them would leave us to earn less elsewhere…
I’d give them all another fortnight and then move on
If you’re not sure you want to sign for us in that timescale then you can go elsewhere…
We’ve got a massive rebuilding job on our hands and don’t need any self inflicted delays…
That’s my tuppence worth

Spot on Shoey. I would take your tuppence, and chuck in a tanner as well. And I would chuck in a guinea for two new goalkeepers, three strikers, a genuine pacey wide man, and a creative no 10.

To anybody saying that, hes just been a bit injury prone, and the management know best, I have two words for you. JOSH HARROP.

Dear me some of the opinions on here. 

Fox is a decent player, is he good enough to play midfield in a promotion chasing L1 side, no.

Is he a decent squad player for mid table, yes.

He also offers a lot more than McWilliams and has a much better attitude.

Fox is about to become a dad so I’d assume that’s why he wanted it sorted quickly. Some players will want that others will want to test the market, nonsense to suggest you forget players and move on this early.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/players-who-left-the-cobblers-in-2023-where-are-they-now-4627262?page=1

Where are they now, from this time last year?
It appears JB knew best...  ;)

Thanks for clearing all that up.

We’ve known we were safe for ages
I bet the contract offers have been on the table since April if truth be known
In appere case he readily admitted this.
By the end of may they’ve probably had two months to decide.
It’s not as if they’ve had the last two weeks.
Personally I’d be giving them till Monday
I’m very worried by JBs relaxed stance on this to be honest…
The same JB who will probably moan he’s had to get a brand new squad together and let them gel if we lose the first few games….

I don’t really see what we gain by giving them till Monday. So long as the club are already actively seeking replacements should they not sign there’s not a problem. We can withdraw the offers at any stage, so keeping it open is just an extra avenue for the club. The only issue would be if we started stringing along the replacements and risked losing them but otherwise I’m fine with it.

I wouldn’t pay that for it.

Steady option and looks like we messed up on injury previously so harsh to call him on injury front. Wish him well in the coming season. Others need to make decisions now

If he can stay fit and have a consistent run in the side I expect him to go to another level. Great attitude and determination, has had the band aids out a bit too often, but would imagine that has been considered on the basis of current medical opinion. To date our decision making over recruitment has been so good I would always give our lot the benefit of the doubt.

It has occurred to me that players that get signed early are probably being paid over the odds for. Additionally the longer you wait the better the deal for the club, although wait too long and you end up with the dregs. Personally I think this is all about timing and somewhere in the middle is probably about right. With regards to loan signings, the later the better probably applies when parent clubs have finalised their squads. Players sent out on loan at that point were perhaps closest to breaking into the first team squad.

Agreed. I'm sure the whole recruitment process is tricky at this time of year, but I think it's sensible to set a deadline for those offered new contracts, and stick to it. Last season Koiki had an offer and I think the club thought he wouldn't take it and so signed Brough. When Koiki ended up staying, I reckon the club had more left backs than they wanted (Koiki, Brough and Haynes). We need to try to avoid scenarios like that, especially as every penny counts in our case.

By the way, I'm glad Fox has signed. Not a world-beater as has been said, but a decent L1 level player. If we manage to progress and he just becomes a squad player, he'll still be a useful option to have.

Fox is a player who could definitely really kick on.

No brainer, one year contract with the option of another year thereafter presumably if 'targets' are met.

He finished the season really strongly and offers something very different to our other midfielders. Reminds me a lot of Sean Parrish.

They already have a deadline, unfortunately for us that is 30 June, when their individual contracts expire. Unless they stipulated an earlier date when they offered the revised/new contract, they're going to struggle to get that changed without player agreement.

The fixtures for next season actually come out on 27th June, which is before the date players contracts expire.

The training trip to Alicante is 21st to 25th July and the first League match is on 10th August.

Players may well leave it until the last minute to decide whether to sign up for next season (no reason why they shouldn't really). That then leaves a very short period when there will be considerable intensity as we, along with many other clubs, will be trying to sort out their squads.

It is hardly ideal, but that is the reality of player contracts in the Football League.

Yes, all those offered contracts, are still contracted until 30th June 2024 no matter what but....

Regarding the new contracts offered, we can specifically state that they need to let us know by any given date (the end of May for example) otherwise the new contract offered by us will be withdrawn...

I personally like that, as by then they would have had plenty of time to asses other offers (if any) along with our offer...

Can't be going into late June hanging on al la Giles Coke scenario!

Plenty of players out there, so we should actively be targeting replacements for all those yet to sign imo

I'm not disagreeing because that's what I said.
Maybe the club has stipulated an earlier deadline, but if they haven't it'll be too late now to introduce it?

There'll be players at other clubs that we are targeting, who may also have the 30 June deadline and will want to wait before committing, with the possibility of another (better) offer may come in?

I wonder how often it happens that a player stalls on signing a contract to wait and see if a better offer comes in. The prospective club then gets offered a player they consider an improvement on the original player and withdraws their interest?

1 Better Word  - Hylton

I'd assume we are his only option, especially at this level, hence why he's signed quickly

Surely we are doing this. There is no reason not to.

I would be staggered if "about to become a Dad" (Observing's comment above) isn't very relevent here.

I don’t see any reason why as soon as we decided to sign Brough we couldn’t have just withdrawn Kolki’s contract offer if we’d have wanted.

Was Danny Hylton an injury risk before he signed for us?

Yes.

Clarke Carlisle and David Artell. Carlisle then spent six months sulking at York, before crawling back with his tail between his legs, on what I would assume were reduced terms from his original offer.

Hylton was known to be a potential injury risk, Harrop was already injured when we signed him. There is a difference.

He mentioned that it was during his interview... ;)

I would assume that it would depend how legally binding the offer of a contract is? At least up until the'deadline'.

I don't remember the exact circumstances, but he could have had an option to renew. Wouldn't that make it his choice rather than the club's?.

Burge has signed a new contract. Wether or not its as a back up keeper remains to be seen.

Lee Burge signs new deal. Same as Fox - 1 year with option for a 2nd year.

Injury Prone Town FC

Mmmmmm, was hoping for a proper new number one tbh, Burge possibly the most injury prone number one we've ever had...

Just hope we get in proper permanent competition for him, so that we are adequately covered when the inevitable happens!

Like Fox, The new contract is for an initial year with a year option

Would hope we'd have learnt from previous contracts & hope the "year option" is solely down to the club to activate...although slightly concerned they haven't clearly stated this.

I would imagine they are both options for 1 year based on appearances

  ;D

Cut and thrust from Melly ….   ;D ;D ;D

Carlisle did very well for us and drew admirable compliments in a Cheltenham report on the game. The same game in which ex top fan Brian sat near to two ladies who left the vicinity due to Brian’s commendable grasp of the English language! In fact it was his performances first time here that saved us from relegation! Never forget his performance at Aldershot in a blizzard. Won us the game with a second half header. The 160 fans behind the goal went wild with Coolie leading the way! ‘Twas there as well. Went into a pub near the ground with hellish steps , full of Cobblers fans looking like a bunch of villains!

142 of us out of 1191, I was also there with my daughter, but we didn't have so far to go... ;)
Snowballs coming over the top of the railway line stand, from outside and landing on the pitch.
Aldershot only wanted to play so their striker completed his ban and play against Middlesboro in the FA Cup on the Saturday, they got beat 3-0.  ;D

https://youtu.be/SA7rNdo7wEA?si=dUBfrJm2CF6Uy7kL

Pleased with this, decent keeper, we need another decent number one /two to compete with Lee, definitely not another Prem kid on loan, especially in goal, Moulden still gives me nightmares.

Heard from someone appere looks to be set to sign.
Also seen on twitter or X that sherring has agreed a deal to stay but is waiting to see if there is interest from a higher division. Willis looking set to stay too

I really hope that Burge can put his injury problems behind him and he returns to the form of 2 seasons ago when he was excellent. However, we cannot repeat last seasons mistakes of having inexperienced youths as back up.

In other transfer news Jonson Clarke Harris has signed for Evans at Rotherham and Posh have had a bid for Conn Clarke rejected by Altrincham.

Rotherham get Clarke Harris we get Appere 😂
So Sherring has agreed a deal but is waiting for offers from the Championship, I hope he’s not holding his breath.

But we don't want players who can't get into Peterborough's team. Last season JCH was heading for Bristol Rovers until the deal collapsed.

We would not be able to afford Clark-Harris. Bristol Rovers will probably have a decent budget after flogging Collins for around a million.

I thought it was the case that there is no legal obligation unless there is acceptance?

I'm not sure.
Would it be similar to 'normal' civilian employment Law, would it pass scrutiny at an Employment Tribunal?

I was under the impression that unless the offer is accepted there is no obligation on either party.

Its just a rumour, and probably agents chat, but, Will Ferry?

https://twitter.com/efl_hub/status/1791010548152152566

Unfortunately, can't compete financially with any of those other clubs allegedly interested...

I think he’s a left back, a position we are stacked in. If we were looking at bringing someone else in that position I’d be surprised some of those at the club weren’t made available

I think we’ve missed the boat there.

He will probably be shipped out to Blackpool.

He may prefer Tranmere so he can cross the Mersey.

More likely a bodged or mistaken move to Rwanda

Its the silly season, so more Twitter nonsense.

https://x.com/efl_hub/status/1791088390017802351

https://x.com/efl_hub/status/1791074303867281582

https://x.com/officialbantams/status/1791136220556284040

Replacement centre back if needed.  :P

I bet that his missus had plenty to say about that!

Jack Diamond is becoming a free agent this summer. Brady has always had a long standing interest in him by the sounds. Wouldn't be surprised if we get him in for a year with an option for another.

Dan Kemp also released and will become a free agent. Ridiculous amount of goal contributions in the last 2 League Two seasons

If Willis and Sherring both stay we will have 11 defenders for 4/5 positions so unlikely we will sign any more unless we ship some out and the money would be better spent at the other end of the pitch.

Dan Kemp would be an incredible signing but I always fear that we never attract anyone that’s already proven themselves. I can’t see that he’ll be short of offers from League one and two.

On another note I must of seen hundreds of X reminders for ST renewal, wondering if many have not renewed…

Or there just pushing the advertisement as they should as a business.

I've renewed mine.

I don't do Twitter but have had plenty of reminders by email and Facebook and it is a bit annoying.

I went in on Monday and they said renewals had been very good and they were rushed off their feet

I think sometimes people like to look for dramas that are not really there.

More importantly, are there any transfer rumours that you've heard? As we're on the transfer rumour thread that's now the season ticket thread 😉

It’s gone a bit quiet as everyone is enjoying a well earned rest

Liam Roberts please.

+1 now your talking.

Charlie Lakin released by Burton, a decent Marc Leonard replacement

A player who couldn't get in a Burton team struggling in league one, who played for a team relegated from league 2, is a replacement for Leonard ?

Roberts has been released from Middlesbrough but I doubt he will be back here. I imagine he will want first team football and not want to battle Burge for the shirt also unlikely that we will be paying for 2 potential first team quality GKs. I think Burge will again be first choice with a cheaper option again as back up, just hope it is not unproven youngsters like last season.

Larkin has been at Burton for 3 seasons and only played 36 games for them. We saw in both games last season how poor Burton were so it speaks volumes if he cannot get into their team and they send him out on loan to relegated Sutton. Not saying that I want him back but our former loanee Joe Powell is available having done well in his 3 seasons at Burton and is probably a better option than Larkin.

Battle with Burge for the number one shirt, I don’t think it would be much of a battle TBH.
If I was the chairman I’d snap him up.

I dont understand why some are so negative about Burge.
Previous season he had some really good perormances and saved us points on a number of occasions.
I agree that since  his injury his performances have slipped slightly but he has been playing constantly behind a "put together" back 4.
I believe that we just need a reasonable back up keeper in case he is injured again and spend the money on midfield/ attack.

I went down to Cardiff with my Cardiff supporting son in law when they played Middlesbrough in the last home game of the season and Roberts wasn't listed in the Boro squad list in the Cardiff programme , and they have four other keepers listed. I had therefore assumed that Barnsley had signed him in January but it appears not.

We are obsessed with ex players

FACT

Is it not just the case these are players we’ve seen the most and are best qualified to judge.

At the end of the season Roberts was coming in for some criticism on the Barnsley forum. We have to hope that Burge is over his injury problems and gets back to his form of 2 seasons ago when I couldn't fault him for a single goal conceded, unlike last season.

Had an excellent 2nd half of last season in a poor Sutton team, I think he’d do a good job for us. Would have thought it was a mutual decision for his to leave Burton rather than them releasing him.

No. Its just the case that people cannot see beyond the end of their nose, and like to use cliches like "have him back in a heartbeat" or "any day nof the week" Forgetting the fact that its been a couple of years since that player last pulled on a claret shirt.

There are still some who would like Cliff Holton back .. ;D

Liam Roberts / Lee Burge from what I’ve seen (and that’s a bloody lot of games between them both) is no contest.

Does he wear a baseball cap, and refuse to smile for photos?  (https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/xenforo/smile.png)

Who, Cliff Holton??

I don't know what that's got to do with people constantly posting about x players.

Did Roberts play for Barnsley(on loan) v Cobbs - if so he didn't look very confident, no better than Burge!

Someone like him would be great, he is the best centre forward we ever had. Pity he didn't stay long.

Is it not any different to when fans clamour for someone who has done it a higher level but is now well past it (Nugent for instance), or someone who scored a load of goals a while ago but there is a reason their club want rid (Marriott). I would imagine most of us fans have little frame of reference to comment on potential signings other than those playing in cobblers matches, stats, what they read in the press and maybe an odd match on tv. Like you say though and with the two examples I mentioned this can often be out of date and not relevant to players current ability.

Or you might get another Ian Taylor.

The comment from me was nothing to do with football ability, it was regarding how there is alot of comments on here about resigning ex players. Which to me, ether shows they don't know many lower league footballers or are overly nostalgic.

Roberts came here, signed a one year contracted, was superb and left. He knew he wasn't here for long haul, fair play, he knew what he was doing. He and Goode have not set the world alight since leaving and I so far think Bradys done a great job, so I trust him whatever he's doing (apart from Brough) and if that's keeping Burge on, it is what is.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/every-former-cobbler-who-has-been-released-so-far-this-summer-4620123

Can we get them all back?

More Chronic click bait.

What percentage of signings has to be considered a success for a clubs recruitment to be considered acceptable?  (Man U are running at less than 10% over the last couple of seasons if the pundits are to be believed.) There's not a club out there that could claim 100% success, so I'm wondering what peoples thoughts on this are?

You tell ‘em Grumpy. The reason we had such a poor start in the now Prem was we lost Don Martin  with  a broken  jaw for  several games in a training ground incident.  I feel sorry for those who never saw Holton he was powerfully built with a cannon ball shot.  Easily our best centre forward  -  ever!  Him and  Alec  Ashworth were a deadly pair .  Ashworth was forced out of a Div 2 Club as he had an affair with Club Chairman wife and left under a cloud. Notts County moved in to sign him but Dave Bowen thwarted  them with a signing on fee. You guys missed some great times with crowds over 15000, even then the HE was sardine mode! There is some worthwhile comparison with Bowen and Brady.



 

51%

James (the third Baldock) is treating my tennis elbow. The three boys have done well. Didn't remember George being here on loan.

Way too low, with the analytics from the likes of Opta around I’d say it’s more like 2/3rds 66.6%.
Where it will massively drop is with unknown young players Prem kids and the like, also recruiting from non league into L1 has a massive potential risk.

I tend to set the bar relatively low. Mainly because I am keen to judge Brady and the squad within the parameters under which they operate. With a relatively modest budget and little chance of record breaking signings, we are what we are. We need to deal with the reality of of our position, rather than investing time in hoping something busts the mould.

Brady will need to conjure up some of his magic, with a squad which will be relying more on heart than pure talent. Who knows. We might get a pleasant surprise. But don't bank on it, then bleat about when it doesn't happen. Enjoy it for what it is.

It's a bit of a chicken of an egg scenario really, as the performance of the team skewers your perception of a player. A mediocore player in a succesful team might be better regarded than a good player in a struggling team. Recruitment is always seen through the lens of how good the team has done as a whole, and it makes it far more difficult to tell on an individual basis whether someone is a good or bad signing other than the really obvious good and bad ones (Leonard/Hylton for example).

Was meant a bit tongue in cheek. 51% means more have succeeded than failed so is therefore positive.

I don't think Manwork does positive  ;D

Wait till your my age, you’ll be a miserable c*** as well.

I think im already your age  ;D

Bit of a shock departure coming soon

Could it be Pinnock I wonder? Could be anyone I suppose.

A big fat bastard has got his man

McWilliams to Rotherham then, fair play - it was probably a time for a change all round.

In that case McWilliams is my guess. Rotherham do seem to be splashing the cash.

Shame that, difficult to lose pretty much one of the only homegrown playeds

Although in better news I think we’re close to signing a Leonard replacement but waiting on a couple of things to happen

big loss losing both McWilliams and Leonard this summer. Hope Hondermarck can step forward.

Any clues?

Perm or loan?

I wouldn't miss Mc Williams.

This been confirmed?

If Leonard's replacement is close to being signed already, that is very reassuring.

heard dan kemp is the replacement

Apparently, McWilliams wanted silly money to remain, we've obviously made him a sensible offer based on last season's performances... completely agree with our stance & was actually surprised we even offered him something as he was a shodow of his former self last season imo...seemed to have lost his edge.

He's been a decent servant though & fat boy Evans is obviously paying inflated wages at Rotherham, so can't blame him for taking the offer...

If anyone can put the nasty streak back into Shaun's game, then it's Evans.

Good luck Shaun, except against us of course!

With the Leonard replacement i cannot imagine that it will be a free agent if we are waiting for a few things to happen. Implies maybe a loan or a fee

George Byers will have much bigger offers than us.

Dan Kemp, MK Dons don’t seem upset to see him leave.

Assume its McWilliams with Evans wanting him at Stevenage but does seem a bit of a leap for him to be a top end L1 player / Championship player. At his best he can get about the pitch better than most making tackles and interceptions galore. But I personally have always been skeptical of his ability on the ball and with his passing range. Been a fantastic servant for us though so goes with many positive memories!

Rotherham have a load of units up top, Hugill, Eaves, Clarke-Harris. They need deliveries into the box and I am guessing will not be relying on liquid football which makes a bit more sense on targeting Shaun. If they wanted balls in the box a better version of Pinnock is what they need.

As a replacement for McWilliams or Leonard - I wouldn’t have said that Kemp is anything like either of them? If MK Dons don’t rate him that’s good enough for me.  I wonder if Liam Kelly from Coventry has legs as that would be a replacement for McWilliams? On the subject of McWilliams I would rather lose him than Sowerby so I’m not massively bothered - why anyone would want to play for Evans is beyond me.

I understand that word on the street in Yorkshire is Rotherham are due to announce a signing tonight or tomorrow.

Wow transfer rumours instead of assorted bølløcks, isn't this exciting.

Or maybe one in / one out at said players club. Or a points deduction. Who knows?

Its a shame about McWilliams but he is only worth a set amount and I wouldn't give him more than his last contract he isn't worth it good luck to him

To be fair to Evans he seems to do well where ever he goes

Shame he’s such a c0ck.

McWilliams was decent but TBH it’s no great loss, I’ll caveat that by waiting to see who we get to replace him, loans and cheap Prem kids then I’d reverse the statement.

My Rotherham contact tells me it has just been announced.

Yes, all confirmed.

Mcwilliams off then. I really wish him well, he's been a great servant for the club, and played brilliantly in our league 2 campaign, but last season I thought he was off it... big time. Not a big loss, if I'm honest. UTC

I am always happy to see one of our own do well and establish in the first team. Lots of good memories of Shaun, good luck for the future except the two obvious occasions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY07dHiT2-s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY07dHiT2-s)

Indeed.

https://x.com/ntfc/status/1792639179119046659/photo/1

I think he needed a move for his benefit. He was definitely becoming stale at Sixfields and probably needs a new challenge.

https://www.themillers.co.uk/news/2024/may/signing--mcwilliams-arrival-makes-it-a-double-monday-swoop-for-evans/

I agree  with the above sentiments , he held out for a bigger payday and has joined a very ambitious club….
Mind you let’s see what we can muster given the new investment  ;)

Genuinely wish him well, but worry for him. A club that has massively underachieved given the levels of investment, playing for an outspoken manager who’s had his issues at that club, and will probably last 2 seasons maximum. A gamble that’s got turmoil written all over it.

f*** that’s a big loss. McWilliams has been huge for us over the years.

Will be interesting to see who comes in to fill the Leonard & McWilliams void.

But a yo-yo club that could potentially head back up to the Championship. That is a gamble worth him taking, even if he doesn't play many games there, he'll have it on his CV when he looks for his next club, plus when he looks back on his career, he'll know that he played second tier football. Would he have done if he stayed with us?

The previous season McWilliams had added surging forward runs to his game and had started chipping in with a few goals but has not progressed this season. Since his injury he has been a shadow of his former self and he was rarely making the starting 11.
Thank you for your service here Shaun but I think we are capable of signing an equivalent replacement.

I'm not sure how Rotherham have under-achieved. As a small fish in a big pond with the likes of Leeds and the Sheffield clubs on their doorstep, a club that achieved back to back promotions in 2013 and 2014 to end up in the Championship and a club who have spent nine of the last 12 seasons in the second tier i'd say they've done pretty well!

TBH though I won't mourn the loss of McWilliams who has pretty much stood still in terms of progress in the last few seasons. Its a good move for him, on more money and playing for a bigger club.

Note that some clubs are getting their business done nice and early!!  ;D

I can only assume both parties knew the writing was on the wall towards the end of the season. Let’s face it, there’s no other reason Fox would start ahead of him.

I dont think that they have massively underachieved. A couple of seasons in the championship and a possible quick return is about their limit. As we know there are some big teams, and big wannabees in our division next season. He will soon regret swapping the delights of Abington Park, for a town full of scrap yards and razor wire.

Too be honest I think we have seen the best of McWilliams, he wasn't that good this season, far too many mistakes compared to the player he was a couple of seasons ago. Best of luck to him though, hope it works out for him.

He may kick on...new challenge etc, he's a good age and probably needed a fresh start!

I reckon given the eye watering amount Tony Stewart has spent he will be disappointed to be in L1. If they are considered to be doing ok given that, we are fúcked.

According to his comments he seems to think they should be holding their own in the Championship, and is ready to pump in more money to get them to the Prem when they do.

Tbf, Evans did this last year with Stevenage as well. Obviously how he does things.

There's lot to like with Shaun, but he struggled to pick a pass, and I think he'd fair far better in an Evans set up. I think he'd fit that style of play really well.

Have you been given any hints for names that you could share?

McWilliams is nowhere near the player he was. And what he “was” is a lower than average league one player. When he's not injured, he hardly manages a forward pass. Hopefully Evan’s will get a better tune out of him. But I can’t see him enjoying up there.

Think it's bit harsh on McWilliams, his attributes are by no means irreplaceable and having Fox as a like for like does not give me the fear

One thing I am confident on is Evans will certainly get a tune out of him. He's made it very clear he's been a fan for a while, which I'm sure will build a platform for a good relationship and I can see him adding goals to his game

I'm hoping for McWilliams sake, that he still has some of the raw aggression and hunger that we "used" to see from him. That will be the sole reason Evans has snapped him up. Don't forget. Every crunching tackle made by him these days, results in a decent few weeks lay off.

Morecambe have released their retained list, it contains four players plus one academy player.
All others have been released or their offer wasn't accepted...  :o

https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2024/may/shrimps-confirm-retained-list/

It’s an interesting one. For me McWilliams at his best and his ceiling is a lot higher than the other three central midfielders (Sowerby, Fox & Hondermarck) but for whatever reason he is far too injury prone and inconsistent .If Evan’s can keep him injury free and bring the best out of him they will have a top end league player, but that is a big if. We will need to bring in replacement with potential as for me Sowerby is a solid middle to lower end league one player while Fox & Hondermarck are cover players at best and we will need better is we are to progress.

McWilliams was really good for about 10 games last season. The spell before Christmas when we had him, Sowerby and ML all fit and singing from the same hymn sheet. It coincided with easily our best run of form.

Since then though (coinciding with the injury at Charlton) he's not been on it, at all.

We've seen this pattern over the last few years. An excellent player during spells, but overall an average bottom end league1/top end league2 player. Basically our level.

Like a few others have said, a move is definitely what he needs. Whether or not Rotherham works out, time will tell. But its a good club for him and Evan's style of play should suit him. His wages will most likely have been doubled as well. I think its a good move for him and a good bit of business from Evans. He's still only 25 so his best years should be ahead of him. He definitely has the potential and desire to play at the next level up, but many players have that potential and few achieve it. This move should give him the opportunity because I reckon Rotherham will be there or thereabouts next season.

As for us. He wasn't worth a budget busting offer. He'd become (almost) 2nd choice. Whist Im certain he'd have got over that blip and been picked regularly again next season if he'd stayed, I think the time has come for us to try and find someone more suited to Brady ball. He often got found wanting with the ball at his feet (outside of his sporadic good spells which were at times exceptional) - lets just hope it works out for all parties.

He's a good lad and deserves nothing less than an ovation when he comes back to Sixfields.

Could Hoskins be next 🙏

😂😂 Not to Steve Evans I don't think.

McWilliams has been a great player for us and last time his contract was up I was really worried we'd lose him to a top end L1 side, or even a Championship team might take a punt on him.

I think the only reason he didn't go then was because no one was prepared to pay the development fee we'd be entitled to but even so I was really pleased when he extended his time with us. The following season in L2 he was great and as others have said seemed to add lung busting runs up the pitch to his repertoire, which really saw him kick on.

Last year in L1 though, not so much. I know he was in and out through injury which may have stopped him building up much momentum, but there was only a relatively brief spell where I'd say he was playing well and on occasions he was awful. It could have been fitness related, but either way he didn't show enough at L1 level to justify us pushing the boat out to try and keep him.

Don't get me wrong, I'd have been pleased to see him stay, but equally I'm not overly bothered that he's gone either.

McWilliams was a good servant for us, and a half decent player, but he never developed as much as I thought he would, just never really got much better in his time here. He looked off the pace last season, so hopefully it's a move thats good for all parties.................and why wouldnt you go to a club who will be challenging for promotion for more money when you arent even guaranteed a starting place in our team.

Good for both parties i think.

Yes 35 goals in 2 seasons.

Definitely get rid

Do you think our change in style under Brady, especially this last season, didn’t suit Shaun?

Passing is not his best attribute by a long shot and he’s much better in a blood and thunder environment.

I did notice the last couple of games where players were playing for contracts that he popped a fair few short simple passes miles wide of where they needed to be. A passing team would not work for him at all, an Evans team like the Stevenage team we played at Christmas would suit him to the ground.

That said, we did offer him a new contract, albeit on lower wages, so Brady obviously thought he offered us something.

I disagree, he's a good player at the right age, and he's one of our own. I doubt we'll get an equal or better replacement.

Or will he, with Rotherham? Both less than evens chance.

you and me both.

For the likes of McWilliams there is never a truer adage than 'it's a short career'.

He could be going from £2k to £4k a week (made up figures) but either way could really bolster his pension, still doing the thing he loves.
I'm pretty sure that it was for reasons that were difficult to turn down, or hard for us (or reluctant) to match.
It'll be the exact reason we improved Hoskins' contract, so that the same didn't happen there.

The main issue with McW has been his form this season. The Club made him an offer which was not good enough to keep him. Evans has history in his appraisal of McW and decided to sign him; whether it will be successful one has yet to be proved! If said player current form and injury prone as well, continues ……Mr Evans judgement will be questioned!

Definitely made up figures!

Jack Diamond?

The difference is they are labelled as made up and not 'made up' and passed off as FACT, like 99.9% of stuff posted on here.
I'd imagine Hoskins is our highest earner by some distance now, maybe followed by Pinnock.

A safe assumption that McWilliams hasn't left for a pay cut, especially to live in Rotherham!  :P

How many since Xmas - 1 maybe 2?

I said he was decent??

We play waaaayyyy better football without him FACT.

That Ivan Toney fella is proper sh*t too. No goals in 12 and only 4 this season. He’s an actual centre forward unlike ours.
Can you imagine our impotency relying on Hylton, Simpson and co?!

Sweet Jesus are you seriously comparing Ivan Toney and the Imp?

Joe Sbarra joined Doncaster. Someone we were supposedly linked to online.

Nah, 'the Imp' is far superior. Mitchy Pins would have Foden on toast too. FACT

It’s always darkest before the dawn…….
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/wigan-athletic-northampton-sam-hoskins-stephen-humphrys/

Manny hates McWilliams. Pass it on.

Matty Stevens has joined the real Wombles

Sad to see him go, but I don't think he offers much that can't be covered by our other midfielders. However, on his day he was the best midfielder at the club (excluding Leonard of course). Has become injury prone and that has stifled his progress in the last year or so, in my opinion. I think staying fit will be the key to his success at Rotherham. Steve Evans has been after him for years, so it's no surprise he's ended up there.

Credit: Robot.

Don’t spoil it…

😵😂

This is one of your better pronouncements but you still manage to come out with some outlandish opinions!

See the scum have just signed Abraham Odoh...

He was quality for Rochdale against us & I hoped we'd sign him when they got relegated...

Instead he ended up signing for Harrogate & they've now sold him for a 6 figure fee to the scum

Grrrrrrrrrr!  >:(

Having read that we need to get him on an improved deal pronto.

Can't see this happening as Wigan don't have the funds for players needing a transfer fee. Interestingly though Wigan do have a supporters bond whereby they pay in £25 per month and have a choice of 4 or 5 different funds that money can be allocated to such as Youth set up, Ground improvements, player transfers and the like. Might be something we could look at.

Maybe this is something that should be put to Tom

Thanks I have just emailed him with it.

Liam Sercombe is the latest X rumour...

Rejected a new contract at Cheltenham...

Us, Blackpool & Stevenage allegedly interested.

34 years old but could fill the Leonard role and add bite and experience to the midfield
Despite his age I wouldn’t be against him signing.

Agree, but would certainly prefer someone like Elliot Watt or Dan Kemp, to fill the Leonard void...

Did this page crash for anybody else yesterday?

Yep it was down for me for 2 days

I would have posted the latest rumour yesterday...   ;D


https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/huddersfield-town-sam-sherring-michael-duffs-backline-northampton-town/

It was very selective!

Wow, Sherring’s agent has Chat GPT…….

Its all getting busy on the rumour front..

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/northampton-town-barnsley-and-blackpool-louis-appere/

I would be staggered if promotion contending sides are after him. I know he splits opinion but I have never rated Appere outside of his workrate. I would mainly keep him on the basis we literally have no other strikers at the moment!

Saw this, No offence to the lad but he has been quite underwhelming for us in years. Off the bench - Fantastic. Starting - Rubbish. Won't be the end of the world but image Brady will be disappointed to lose someone who he was trying to build a 'project' around.

there isn't anything in that article we didn't know already... guy out of contract considering his options from 'random' clubs including Northampton.

If someone wants him more and is prepared to pay more he will be off.
A decent offer from a northern club may be very tempting as it’s closer to his roots.

Had heard an OOC player had signed elsewhere…I assume Sherring as wasn’t given a name but suppose it could be Appere?

It’s all about the money…….hopefully Appere, Sherring would be a blow.

Previous loanee Joe Powell set to sign for Evans at Rotherham, they ain't messing about!

Honestly not fussed about Appere going if it's him, runs around alot, his best trait...

Need some proper power & pace up front!

Sherring will defo be off elsewhere, so pointless even contemplating that he might be staying & actively look for a suitable replacement imo...

Any news on that possible Leonard replacement ntfclad, or have we missed out?

You’d assume with Nigel’s billions we would be able to re sign current players if we wanted to.
I imagine we are getting players out of the door who are dithering before spending big bucks on the new players required
Nigel’s definitely got the cash and connections to take us to the next level so it would be telling if we have to rely on frees and loans again.

Even the Shaq aint worth that much!

Joe Powell would have probably been one of the only previous players (and realistic option) I'd have wanted back.

Granted
It’s interesting that we haven’t heard anything from Nigel regards transfer plans.
The chap who has purchased a share in Man Utd seems to update on a daily basis !!!

Based on the few games that he played for us? I had nearly forgotten about him.

We’ve already been told the budget will be the same as last year, not sure Nigel Havers is going to spunk much of his hard earned on players, but you knew that anyway. 😉

Looks like over 3,700 STs sold already so that should help.

no (apart from that goal he scored) - based on 4 seasons where he was a regular for a L1 team, at a good age and with a team where he was a playmaker where everything good went through him. While also being the type of player we now need in midfield with Leonard gone.

I wouldn’t be so sure
Which club would garner extra investment but then not increase the playing budget ?

Appere gone. Best for both parties.

And which club would announce to the football pyramid that they have loads of cash to spend.

None if they had any sense….

Appere off for more ££

Leonard replacement not heard anything new on

Yes, was down all day.

Understandable for both parties. He was not a nailed on starter last season with Bowie and Simpson both taking his place at times and there are too many holes in his game to push the boat on a big offer for him.

Huge amount of work to do for Brady this summer though in terms of numbers.

Can’t say it’s a huge loss really, Appere worked hard but outside of that, not sure he’s ever going to be a 20 goal a season striker.

Shall we take a screenshot of this now...?

;D

Yes please. Will be more of a shot than Appere takes.

I read this but can't see confirmation anywhere. Where has he gone if he has?

Please don't dash my hopes so quickly.. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I agree completely with this.

One of Lincoln, Blackpool, Mansfield, Barnsley or Stevenage...

So he hasn't gone yet, unless anyone has seen the fat lady singing?

Brand new front line, unless we are going to do that thing again when we play with no strikers.

ntfclad stated earlier Appere off for more ££ so that's good enough for me that he'll soon be off...

Just glad we have a value of him & ain't breaking that value to try to keep him or any of the other ooc players...

I'm quite excited by a new forward line tbh & also being even bigger underdogs to survive  in L1 next season...

Bring it on!

Reading the couple of articles I could find it sounded like his agent was throwing names around trying to get him a better offer. I'm a bit sad to see him go. His last goal (in perhaps his last minute played for the club) was very good. He's still quite young and it'd be a shame to see him go being out of contract and getting no cash for him.
Signing 2 strikers this summer wont be easy, even if we can get a couple of loanees in it will still leave us short handed if Appere goes.

How the fck do Mansfield have more money than us. Joke

I have a feeling we are getting Max Sheaf

Mansfield have had a sugar dady owner for years, since they came out of the conference. They've just signed Keanu Bacchus who was the one guy I wanted for us last year as a Leonard replacement.

Because someone with more money than our owners bought them. Not really that complicated or funny.

Or have determined a higher valuation than we have for said player?

What makes you say that?

Doesn't have to be someone with more money, could be someone willing to pay someone more than us for certain players. The same with McWilliams.
We have the advantage of actually knowing how good these players are.  :P

Wasn't asking you

Thats a good shout.

For sides looking to play the fashionable high press Appere would be one of the best choices in the division. If he can convert a few more goals he would be worth serious money IMO.

Sssshhhh! At the moment it's only a whisper :-X

So we only have to replace 4 strikers
Hylton
Appere
Simpson
Bowie


That’ll cost a fair bit if we hope to bring in anyone decent.

Well he has been injured so fits our requirements  ;D

And player Step 3 Non League before this season!!

Shall we have a mass panic? We’ve not had one for a few weeks.

With the benefit of hindsight how many marks out of 10 would people give for that line up going into next season?

Is he definitely off ntfclad or just a hunch? Sherring is the one I’d really like to sign, any news on him?

Hylton - 0
Appere - 6
Simpson - 5
Bowie - 8

In reality, thats only three strikers to be replaced, as one was never properly here in the first place.

4.75 out of 10, exactly my score although I had 0, 6, 6, 7. Room for improvement then.

Like others on here I get frustrated with Appere’s lack of shooting but I’d have him as an option off the bench just for the pressing.
He’s still young and he’s one I think could bite us in the bum in a few years.

If he’s gone, good luck to him he scored a few big goals for us (Sutton) & always gave 100%

Big summer ahead  ;D

Just remember that if Appere goes on to get 20+ a season he hasn’t shown that he was about to do that for us. He’s hardly a kid either. Unless we hold onto every player as long as Hoskins to see if they come good.

I'll be very sorry to see Appere go. He is a bit like Sammy was; Sam would shoot from anywhere but lacked composure, Louis has composure but won't shoot half the time. He also needs to be more aggressive. He has the physicality, he just doesn't use it.

Like Sammy, the potential is there though if you can find a way to unlock it.

I always felt he was a bit like Billy McKay. Not an outstanding player, potentially to go somewhere. If we were to improve on our league position (tough job), we'd have wanted someone with a higher current ability to be 1st choice anyway. Part of the appeal of keeping him would have been the fact he wasn't a big earner and could offer depth, I don't think he would have been worth breaking the bank for if someone is able to offer him a much better wage packet. Good for him if he has managed to get it.

I ambivalent to the fact he’s gone, too slow for an out and out striker and more importantly slow in thought, that’s why he doesn’t get his shots away but I could see some potential.
Anyway he’s gone, Jon’s got one hell of a recruiting exercise in front of him.

In fairness to Louis he’s only had eleven weeks to sign the deal we offered him.
Let’s not rush him…. ;D

Appere isn’t L1 standard. Couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo but runs around a fair bit.

We could sign a golden retriever for half the price.

Harsh on Simpson, once Jon worked his magic he was a solid 8 as well.

Worth spunking the budget on, Comrade?

It’s my usual reliable source so I’m minded to believe it

Sherring I’m hearing conflicting things - apparently not in a massive rush to leave but not signing just yet either

Do you not think it could be a Scottish club?

Ifirmative comrade spunk the lot on Simpson.

Yes……but in the latter games seemed to revert back to type.

As for Hylton it’s a minus score, contributing FA but taking an awful lot from the club

Doesn't have enough ability to make it higher up the pyramid. Running around a lot can only take you so far.

You ok hun?

Saw someone mention Max Sheaf yesterday, so i had a deeper dive. A handful of our players follow him on instagram. Maybe he's been on trial.

Not sure if we've given up with data driven money-ball signings then, because his stats last year in the Scottish premiership did not look great.

We'll probably sign him and I'll feel bad about judging him without knowing anything about him.

Yeah, I'm good. Just another keyboard warrior thinking he's smart.

Me or you or both?

More BS from the club, data driven, FFS most of our players should be in an episode of Casualty.

Good point Bangers!

His brother Ben would be a better signing.

Actual goals scored by our strikers in the EFL were Bowie 9 in 44 appearances (a goal every 5 games), Appere 6 in 37 appearances (a goal every 6 games) and Simpson 3 in 40 games (a goal every 13 games) yet some want Simpson back who only impressed in a handful of games (he also scored 3 in the Mickey Mouse Trophy).
Clearly Bowie's goals return is the best as often he was played out wide but a total of 18 goals from the 3 strikers is well below par and whoever replaces them need to do better. They were out scored by our wide men Hoskins and Pinnock who totalled 22 goals.
As for Max Sheaf I think he should have made the breakthrough to playing in the EFL at age 24 and he only has 9 goals in 104 career appearances.
What has happened to the National League striker we were supposed to be interested in?

24 year old George Lloyd reported to have rejected a new contract offer from Cheltenham and is poised to move to a division 1 club, not prolific 22 goals in 188 games.

Louis to Stevenage

Heard he was a possibility, but perhaps Barnsley now, seeing as his former gaffa has now gone there?

Confirmed...

https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2024/may/louis-appere-signs-stevenage-football-club-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-new-signing/ (https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2024/may/louis-appere-signs-stevenage-football-club-sky-bet-league-one-efl-english-football-league-new-signing/)

 Brave words 3Beds  -  when we have had a player or two prove us wrong! Judging by the goal  Appere scored at Barnsley; thought it had a touch of class!

nothing brave about it - he has shown nothing in his time here to suggest otherwise and has been signed by a non footballing side as well now.

"Appere, who made 16 starts and 21 substitute appearances last season, was made an offer at the end of the season but the club couldn’t reach an agreement as the requested level of contract would have made Appere the highest paid player at the club."   ::)

Im staggered that the club made the statement about him wanting money that would have made him the highest earner, although I appreciate the insight. I am glad we parted ways as at best Appere is a squad player, let alone wanting star player levels of cash.

Interestingly who do you think our top earner is? Hoskins I assume, if not perhaps Guthrie?

Good, hopefully it means we can now sign a goalscorer..........or 3 !

when hoskins signed his new contract didn't they mention it then?

Good luck in the future Louis
You didn’t score loads of goals but always put the effort in.
I can’t blame anyone for going after the better money Stevenage can offer as football is a short career.

I just hope we are prepared to pay decent wages for the right strikers because with respect if we can’t step up to the plate wage wise where strikers are concerned then things will look grim….

I predict a decision that from a football perspective Appere will regret more than us. Still, he’ll have a slightly bigger house, slightly better car and add a couple of inches to his TV, but the novelty will soon wear off.

Our highest earner is on between 3 and 3 and a half. Is Appere worth that? No.

I would have thought either Sammy or Mitch but I wouldn't be surprised if Jordan Willis wouldn't be far off.

Decent lower division player, worked hard and quite strong on the ball but decision making and control skills definitely lower league - so ultimately not that good - never mind what I saw but if you listened to some of the co-commentators on our games (& I mean ex footballers not toggle Tim) they were frequently saying he should have done better in that situation so for me just a squad player at best and the suggestion that to stay he would be our highest paid player is frankly ridiculous and shows the madness of football finances - it’s a signing that suggests to me Stevenage will struggle next season.

Fair play to the lad, he did OK for us, but at times it was like watching a puppy dog chase a crisp packet around. And he certainly hasnt been signed for his ability to head the ball.
Enjoy yourself Louis, lifes too short to have regrets. Stevenage is a bit of a dump though.

If losing McWilliams and Appere means we can strengthen our offer to keep Sherring then it’s brilliant business by the club.

Lose 2 squad players to keep a definite starter with a high resale value.

A shorter less prolific version of Appere.

don't think it will work like that - we will need to replace both of them, and 3 other strikers first and leonard - if willis signs, we dont really need sherring.

football wise he isnt going anywhere big so got to take the money whilst its on offer.

id move to stevenage for 3.5k a week for 2 years.

THE prime example that it isn’t all about money.
A club who were said to have done better and have more money than us….end up paying more money for the same mediocre player.

I liked Louis, sad to see him depart.

That said, to make him the highest paid player in the club would have been ridiculous so I think it's the right call.

Can you imagine how the other players in the squad would feel if they'd have made him the highest player? I recon the there would be a few annoyed people in the dressing room.

There's nothing to suggest that even keeping hold of Sherring and paying him good money will improve his injury/fitness record. Good player to have, but a bit of a liability if you don't have him very often. The Hylton scenario!

In short, any players that have a good season will go to other clubs if money is main driver, let's be honest it is.  Few may stay out of loyalty but not a lot of that left in football or generally in the workplace.
We couldn't match Appere's offer from Stevenage, he may even have gone if we had.
I'm resigned to losing any of the players who have been offered new contracts and not signed yet.

Lets hope Brady and Co have some replacements lined up that will improve on those leaving, personally Bowie excepted our strikers last season were s***e at finding the net.

The thing you got from Appere was work rate but you need a lot more than that. A goal every 6 games for a player who played mostly down the middle is not good enough.
The concern is if we cannot afford a player like Appere who can we afford.

I would not be surprised to see Stevenage struggle this season and was surprised that they gave Revell the managers job again after they sacked him before when he was taking them back to the National League.

Also certainly wouldn't pay over the odds to keep an injury prone Willis...

Plenty of decent defenders out there (bar Ash Taylor  ;D)

Just need to trust in the recruitment team to do their job!

Louis have never been and never will vbe gpod enough sadly. 5 goals last season, simply not enough. Great oppertunity for JB try to bring in some quality

I would say our top 3 strikers in recent times were Bowie, Morton and Etete, all loan signings. Tells you everything you need to know.

I agree that Appéré did not score enough goals to justify a high earner status. I am surprised that he turned down a deal the Club offered. If Stevenage offered more so be it! As Melly suggests he might regret  leaving us . Deepcuts  comments are very telling. I still feel that losing Appéré is a loss! Seems to me he might have been wrongly advised by his Agent by asking for more! Impressed by CLub holding its nerve!

The key in this game is deciding what you feel is a players true worth and stick to it. If someone else wants to pay over the odds and spunk their budget then so be it, and it could possibly work in your favour. We will only truly know when we can compare who we end up with against who we let go. If we don’t end up with someone who can score more goals and be credited with more assists than Appere then we deserve all we get. That’s not to totally discredit the lad as he has some good qualities, but if Stevenage have paid the equivalent of what would make him our highest earner they must have had a bang on the head.

I have a feeling the way some are talking that they are going to be hugely disappointed by this summers transfers. Whether they turn out to be good signings is a different matter but I don’t see them being ready made league 1 quality.

Clearly the way to go is Loan signings; this wont please the purists! All we need to do is be patient and hope for the best. This is because our buying power does not appear to match our expectations or at least some of us!
Also bad form to make 'snide' (not you W) comments on the newly appointed Shareholder Director IMO!

We were 17th in Budget last year, and with the three coming up from the lower division we'll be 20th/21st (Not sure about Crawley, but Jay Williams was a mainstay centre-back, so don't think there's a flush with cash as they used to be). Equally, attendance wise I'd expect us to be around 18th.

When we were talking about whether it was worth keeping Appere earlier on the in the year, and who was better between him and Simpson, the reason I thought he'd be the better option is because he wouldn't cost anywhere near what Simpson did in wages for similar contribution level. If he would have costed Simpson level of wages to keep him, then the value argument disappears.

We've got Hylton money to spend, but we'd be hoping for someone who was likely to be 1st choice name on the team sheet for that now (not that you can ever be sure about anyone before they play).

Admiral muskwe who we tried to buy last year is now on a free…..

Same with Charlie McNeil, Reckon we'll take a go on both

Interesting quote, but see why the club did it. Getting the fanbase on board with a common message as nobody would have been happy with Louis being the highest paid player.
I liked him and thought he was a decent option at this level, but far from being our most valuable player. Goes to show that strikers carry a premium in both transfer fees and wages which is why we usually rely on loans. The reality is that it is unlikely we will be bringing in anyone with a proven scoring record at this level - I imagine even a player on the way down is off the cards given the Hylton debarkle. Lets hope we find a couple more gems like Bowie/Etete, and not a Yengi.

Sweet Jesus, we can’t even compete with Stevenage when it comes to wages, Appere wasn’t good enough at this level, however if we can’t match those wages I’m a bit worried what we will bring in TBH.

We can match those wages but would you want to spend it on him?
Imagine how much we were paying Hylton.

Fair play to the guy for getting a well paid contract at an important age for him.

Nobody said we can't match them, just that we wouldn't.

Louis is not the guy to make our highest paid player, anyone with a shred of common sense would know that.

Remember Manny just likes to put the Club down every chance he gets.
Don't mind Appere  leaving, never progressed last year at all, if somebody is looking to pay him higher wages for that level of output then best of luck with that.

It was a good goal but the key was he had no time to think. Any time he had longer than 0.3 seconds to ponder a chance he’d miss/get tackled/lose the opportunity.

The one that springs to mind is Reading, he went through on goal and me and my mate both turned to each other after the expected tame effort and said a variant of ‘didn’t even bother getting excited there’ etc.



One thing that does concern me is that we’ve got a lot of work to do in the transfer market now and whispers of not much to do it with (these whispers do seem to come every summer mind and JB is always whinging about the budget)

So he is worth 3.5 k per week!  You swing constantly.

One of the worst ever signings for Exeter by all accounts...

Injury prone with absolutely no work ethic...

Glad we dodged that bullet last summer...

No thanks!

https://x.com/SportsPeteO/status/1794048997016936692

Player is Accringtons Tommy Leigh
Last year Lincoln tried to buy him so now he's out of contract it would make sense if it was Lincoln who had signed him.
The twitter article says "have agreed a fee for"...

I thought I'd flesh out the speculation about wages by looking at accounts releaesd for the clubs who have released employee costs, in 2023 in the League 2 promotion year our wages were £4.6m (somewhere between £800k of that a promotion bonus for that year, it was £3.8 million the year before w/o promotion bonus pay-out) - https://www.ntfc.co.uk/siteassets/image/202324-season/ntfc---accounts-copy-website.pdf.

Same year Exeter wages bill was £4.9m (this rose from £3.9m to after promotion from League 1, so we might be looking at a comparative jump in wages, especially with the around £450,000 extra EFL funding and slightly higher crowds, I'd guess outs this year would be somewhere between £4.5m and £5m based on the increase in Exeter's bill), Burton £4.8m, Carlisle £3.4m (League two wages, probably nearer £4m this year before the take-over where they went up a lot after Christmas). Way ahead of us was Lincoln at £6.2m, Wrexham on £7m. No staff costs I could find in the accounts of Port Vale, Stevenage, Cheltenham, Fleetwood, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Oxford, Wycombe, and past that I ran out of interest as we're only talking about the clubs with 10k fans per year left.

Most teams are losing around £1mish a year, outside of the teams like Oxford and Lincoln who are losing 3 or 4 million.

That’s not what I said, obviously we wanted to keep him hence we offered a new contract we wouldn’t match Stevenage offer so they out bid us.
Personally I wouldn’t have offered him a new contract, but by the sounds of it we will be scrambling around in the bargain barrel yet again.

We all love a good rumour, but im not convinced by this one. But hey, who knows?