Very worrying times. I accept that COG was always likely to leave but anything less than 750k and we've been had yet again I'm afraid. To be honest though, I'm more worried that Dawson, Cywka & O'Brien have all allegedly turned down new deals. This would confirm my worst fears about our playing budget next season. If we can't afford the likes of Dawson then our wages must be pretty well low. It will be interesting just where he ends up and it will be a good barometer of our playing finances. When Mansford said we will be competetive who was he comparing us with.......the likes of Walsall or Preston? I honestly think in terms of wages we will only be mid table and as such are going to really struggle to attract players of the calibre needed for a promotion push. It's going to be a tough old time ahead. I really hope I'm pleasantly surprised in the coming weeks but I won't hold my breath.
I think you're bang on. Good players leaving is one thing but not being able to retain our average players is another. Like you say lets see where they end up.
These average players may believe that they can get championship contracts and are invoking their option not to accept a L1 contract. Without trying to paraphrase Danny we must all be patient. Its like being with a set of kids locked out of the spice shop on here (and i don't mean you MK).