Marc Roberts

Think he's sensible enough to know he won't command £15k going forward. He did his apprenticeship, worked the hard yards and got a decent wedge for 4 years of Championship graft.
Maybe Huddersfield or Wrexham might offer him over the odds in L1 but if we offered a realistic salary he could help bring on Pines, Lopata, MDG, Earl etc. 2 year deal max.

 

That's my take on things. He's no fool so he'll have known all along that in all likelihood his next contract wouldn't be anywhere near his Birmingham one, and made plans accordingly. I'm guessing we'll be able to offer him £5k a week, which is still a pretty tidy income, especially if you've paid your mortgage off. If Hudds or Wrexham decide to offer him £10k then fair enough, but they may not want him. I think we've got a more than decent chance of landing him, if we so desire.

 

Having a new house built in Penistone area. He might be on our radar

 

I think 4 CB’s of Roberts, Pines, Lopata & MDG isn’t bad for this level. We certainly wouldn’t get bullied with Roberts and Pines at the back, we would need to play a back 4 though.

I’d be happy for us to go with a back 4 of -

Lofthouse Pines Roberts Earl

I’d look to move on McCarthy (not that I have anything against him) and loan out Shepherd.

 

I'm not meaning to put Pines down, but how do any of us know wether he'll be effective? He's hardly played and in the one game I did see him frankly he looked shaky. May come off, might not.

 

Quality in central defence needed, ready made captain and someone who knows the club. We should be going all out to make it happen to be honest.

 

If ever there was a marquee signing to rally the fans this is it, makes sense on all fronts, couple him with a decent head coach & the rest will follow.

 

I agree. Looks dominant in the air but when he was getting tight on people in the area he was grabbing and pulling far too much, surprised Bolton didn't make more of it and look for penalties.

 

I liked Roberts when he was here before, but is he still the same player?

 

Obviously won't be but have you not seen the calibre of our current central defenders? It won't take much to improve what we have.

 

Or return of Hourihane.

I know it wont happen but his name had to be mentioned at some point given he's out of contract this summer too.

 

Hourihane has played a full season in League One with 13 goal contributions according to this:
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/conor-hourihane/profil/spieler/61653

 

The Derby fans thought his legs were shot. He still had the skill, but couldn't run like he once could.

 

I'd take him back in a heartbeat. We need leaders and he is that. Plus his set piece delivery is still top drawer.

He won't come back, but felt weird not having his name mentioned so just had to do it.