<div>Published Date: 08 May 2009 </div><div class="byline" id="ds-byline">By Ian Appleyard </div><div class="ds-firstpara" id="ds-firstpara">BARNSLEY manager Simon Davey wants Luke Steele, Rob Kozluk and Jon Macken to stay at Oakwell next season. </div><div class="va-bodytext" id="va-bodytext">The out-of-contract trio helped Barnsley avoid relegation last weekend and have expressed their desire to sign new deals. Ironically, Davey's own future has yet to be resolved and hinges on a meeting with club owner Patrick Cryne early next week. Goalkeeper Steele, 24, returned to the Barnsley side for the final four games of the season after spending nearly seven months in the reserves. His performances have revived his own career and pushed German goalkeeper Heinz Muller down the pecking order. Defender Kozluk, 31, has been a regular all season while striker Macken, 31, chipped in with nine goals and also played the majority of games. Brazilian defender Dennis Souza, Spanish midfielder Diego Leon, and Dutch defender Marciano Van Homoet, meanwhile, have been released along with the club's third-choice goalkeeper Kyle Letheren. Souza's career with the club ended after he refused to sit on the bench for a home game against Crystal Palace. Leon has not been involved for four months while Van Homoet failed to hold down a regular place. Letheren joined the Tykes three years ago but never started a first-team game. He has recently been on short-term deals with Doncaster Rovers and Grimsby Town. Teenager defender Luke Potter and reserve team striker Michael Coulson, 21, will be offered new deals.</div>
Championship proven quality in key positions. Hopefully not a repeat of the 'box office' signings we were making 2 seasons ago.
We'll only do that by... spending a bit of cash and projecting to potential signings that we have a bit more ambition that "being lucky to be in this league"...
At least the manager will know which positions, after all its his team pretty much. Didnt fancy a summer of a new man getting to know the squad. I sincerely hope a left back is one of them. He'll have in mind who, hopefully we have the finances to make it happen. Early names mentioned seem promising. Lots of work to be done, optimism slowly returning.
The Chronicle indicates that Davey is bringing in a 'development coach' to work with Potter, RNL (?), Adam and Butterfield. To get them ready for the first team. "Home grown 11" etc.
RE: I'd like to see a left back Played very well at Kettering back end of the season, stood out over the other loan players they had had in this season. Said could definately play higher than that level but didn't think he was Championship quality, would need a lot more work and experience. This development coach sounds a good idea.
