Just collected my Chronicle and was interested to read a piece by Doug O'Kane. Quote " George Moncur and Tom Bradshaw are open to extending their contracts with the Reds." George is reported as saying " If I am playing and it's all going great, which I am sure it will be because I enjoy my football here, then I would be over the moon with signing a contract. This is the place I want to play my football in the future. I have really enjoyed it here and the Club means a lot to me. The Manager is great with me and I enjoy working under him every day. He's unbelievable for me and for the team." Bradshaw has said " I would be receptive to any contract talks. I am probably at the bottom of the list because I have two years left ( as has Moncur) on my contract. I love the Club and the fans and the gaffer so it's something I would be open to." Yiadom, Hammill and D'Almeida's deals all expire next summer and as well as Moncur and Bradshaw, Angus McDonald and Adam Davies contracts will be up in 2019. It also says that Hecky might let Townsend go so he can get regular games which would mean we would need another keeper as cover for Davies/Walton and if we do bring more strikers in, it could well see Sean Tuton and Stefan Payne being moved on. What does everybody think about the comments from George and Tom.? Should we extend their contracts asap or wait until we see what League we are in come May 2018.? Whatever happens, for me it's a fillip to hear two of our better players talking in terms of wanting to stay with the Club. They must like what they've seen thus far and obviously want to be part of it in the longer term.
This is refreshing to hear as both players had there share of problems last season establishing themselves in the first team, but what it says to me, is that there must be a very good spirit in the camp as they appear to be settled & enjoying things at the club.
I don't really pay any attention to the stuff players say in the press. It's like when a new signing says that their new club "are a massive team". A lot of it is lip service to stay on the right side of the supporters and management. Also, the two players that have spoken out aren't exactly hot properties at the minute. It's like when Connor said that after promotion most of the players would have signed extensions. Once they have a really good spell/season and big paying teams express an interest, then that urge to re-sign usually disappears... Must say though, I really hope they DO mean it...
that's fantastic to hear, it would be good if we could extend them a year but with the option of an extra year that way it also ensures they all don't expire at the same time so we can have a staggered rebuild and not a mass clearout
I'd sign Moncur up, but not Bradshaw. All it means really is that they have 2 years left of a 3 year deal & if they sign they will get more money now & for the remaining of those 2 years, as well as for the length of the extension of the deal. I think if Moncur has a good start, he might have a few sniffing at Xmas, but with 18 months left, it would have to be good money to prize him away. Club are damned if they do & damned if they don't when in this position.
the point I was ineptly trying to get across was the club don't want the majority of players all due talks at the same time so if some do leave then its staggered replacements and not sinking ship time
Wouldn't disagree with any of that COD but "If" is a contentious word. To my mind Conor made that statement to appease any critics. His agent would have told him that Villa and probably others were interested in him and knowing our salary limits knew we couldn't/wouldn't match what he could earn elsewhere. So he probably said " if the Club had offered the promotion team contracts most would have signed them." I'm sure I saw something where Patrick said that Conor and Josh were offered new contracts but didn't sign them. It's a real dilemma. Offer George and Tom an extension now in the hope we can stay in the league or wait until they are hot property and leave it till they accept a higher offer elsewhere and like Watkins and Scowen they leave for nothing meaning we lose what we originally paid for them. There's no right or wrong answer as far as I'm concerned, it's purely down to Hecky and the board. Apparently Hammill who is 30 in January has had an offer to play abroad but would like to see out his career with us. He's starting his coaching badges with the Reds and has stated he doesn't want to play for any other Championship team. Sadly Liam Lindsay could miss the first few games of the season with a muscle strain. The Barnsley Town Centre races are being held tonight. National Champion Tom Pidcock and Doncasters Graham Briggs are involved. The Community race started at 4.30 pm and was led by Angus MacDonald. The Elite Womes race is at 7.40 pm and the men's race starts at 8-45pm. The course takes in Church Street, Eastgate, Regent Street and Market Hill.
I definitely think we should be renewing Moncur's contract. Think we'll be getting interest in him, if he continues this season like he finished last. Probably also extend Tom's, on just slightly better terms for another year, he will have some value, even if we move him on at some point, but hopefully he'll come good, with the right strike partner.
Agree with that cod and I'll also add that sometimes when players say they'd be happy to sign they set their pay structure away from the clubs stance knowing the club will probably decline their demands ,
Christmas would be a good time to assess and renew contracts before the Jan transfer window. See who's playing well and how the team is doing and gives us the upper hand in January.
It's good to hear, but saying it to the local press, and saying it to the club are two different things. If Moncur has a good start to the season, then I'd be offering him a new deal. Not sure about Bradshaw, as much as I like him.
