Brad Abbott, George Maris, Bailey Gooda and Ben Drennan all released New contracts offered to Jack Cowgill, Callum Evans and George Smith
I think Cowgill and Evans have had their contracts automatically extended whereas Smith has been offered a new contract. Hopefully Cowgill and Evans can become part of the first team squad next season and Juddy can also start to kick on a level or two.
Bit surprised about Abbott - I thought there was a player there looked OK when he played a few games - maybe the Championship is a bit beyond him though
I don't think the consistency was ever there, he looked good in patches but at 21 years old they had probably expected him to have progressed a bit more by now.
With White, Smith, Evans and the young lad Dolan at left back, we're well stocked there. And George Williams is currently doing a sterling job in there too. One position that probably doesn't require any work. Cowgill needs games for me. A loan next season would be ideal. Can't say I'm surprised at the names released. Just shows though, youth football very different to the mens game. Maris, Nana, RNL, Rose et al, all smashed the youth leagues to pieces, goals galore. We're yet to produce anyone since Butterfield who's not a defender that has made the grade really. We only produce defenders seemingly.
Agreed I think a loan at a League 2 club would be ideal for Cowgill. You often find that most academy players produced at a club tend to be good enough for a level or two lower than that of the club where they start. A good example is perhaps Jak McCourt who I believe came through Leicester's academy but clearly isn't good enough for them so should hopefully find a home with us. I expect clubs in the National League to pick up the players we've released but they're clearly no consistently good enough for League 1/ Championship
I've seen George Maris play twice this season and he was very poor in both. Altrincham away he looked below the level of the opposition (wasn't the only one) I then saw him in the trials match which Otis Khan played in. Maris looked out of his depth in that game too and I never fancied him to make it after that. As for the others I agree with all the players released and the ones we're keeping are all worth 1 year deals.
I think the club want to keep Evans but I wouldn't necessarily assume that Cowgill and Smith will stay. They need to offer them contracts otherwise they can leave without compensation being paid. They may have had enquires for them. Personally I don't Smith will make the required standard for us. I think Cowgill might but I agree he needs to go on loan to knocked about a bit in L2.
I don't think Smith is league one standard either but he's worth another year. Evans is very highly thought about and I've not seen enough of Cowgill to make any judgment.
Smiths is also an extension to current contract according to the club. "Defender George Smith has been offered a 12-month extension to his current contract following his excellent progress in the first team, which has included 25 appearances for the Reds and a successful loan period at Crawley Town. Read more at http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/article/club-statement-development-squad-player-update-3110641.aspx#TjGPQaf34hmXrqek.99"
That's what I said I think. Cowgill and Evans's contracts have been automatically extended (the club probably triggered a one year extension clause) whereas Smith has been offered one but has the chance to turn it down if he wants to (not sure why he would).
