Hassell and Steele..

According to Matthew Murray, he wouldn't be surprised to see them both depart Oakwell after receiving their contract offers.

The new era begins.

 

Indeed.
If true, not a great way to start a new era imo - getting rid of two fan favourites

 

Would be a sad day for us if thy left the BFC family.

Hassell has been here for as long as I've started going to game properly, not just the odd few with my dad.

He desearves a testimonial year.

Not only that, he's still really really good at this level.

And Steele is one of if not the best 'keepers at this level. Says it all really.

 

thought that was going to be a gay marriage thread for a minute!

 

This is just the opinion of one member of the written press.Does he have inside knowledge to what offers have been made to those two players?





Meawhile i can see a mushroom cloud on the horizon towards West Yorkshire.

 

MM is big pals with Bobby. I don't understand why we would make a derisory off to one of the best goalies in the league?

 

But isn't that the point, both are very much part of the old era. Would be gutted if either left but I suppose nobody is irreplaceable

 

Cos we don't want him any more?!

 

I'd be disappointed to see both leave if they do. Hassell is mr 7/10 such is his consistency. Steele (regardless of what a couple on here think) is a very good Championship keeper and current captain.

So far I trust Flicker completely after his heroics of last season BUT if he thinks Alnwick is good enough to play 46 games next year I think he'll be mistaken. Could well be that we have someone else lined up. Who knows!

In an ideal world if Steele does go, I'd love us to sign Lee Camp but that probably won't happen due to wages. Another decent alternative would be Murphy at Coventry but he would command a fee. Who'd be a manager eh?!

 

I thought Bobby was being given another year to get a testimonial.

that's all.

 

Re: I thought Bobby was being given another year to get a testimonial.

No, they said he would be offered a contract. He probably has to pay them.

 

We don't know its derisory though. If Steele choses to turn it down (as is his right) its just because he feels he can get a better offer elsewhere surely? We can only offer what our wage bill allows can't we?

 

i imagine steele is 1 of the higher paid players at the club and with alnwick probably has highly regarded with flicker as he was with hill he may feel he already has a replacement regardless of what we think, as for hassel ,as i assume he isnt immortal he will leave eventually, out with the old in with the new i spose

 

I think a 12 month contract on much reduced terms is pretty derisory considering how vital he's been to this club for the last 5 years.

However, you're right regards the wage bill, and who's to say Flicker hasn't earmarked a better replacement for much less in terms of cost?

We have to back him. But I do fear these rather bizarre decisions will come back to haunt him if results aren't good next season. Nowt as fickle as football supporters.

 

I'm going by the lead post of the thread, which would suggest it is.

 

If the Hassell situation was a case of, "he deserves a testimonial" only then I'd say we shouldn't waste the money but he actually deserves a new deal on merit. He was excellent in the second half of the season after barely getting a sniff in the first half under Hill.

With Steele, if it's true he's been offered lower terms then I don't blame him for keeping his options open because he's probably at the age where he should be earning the most money in his career.

You have to wonder whether Flitcroft really wants to keep these players (if he has any influence over the money offered), or is maybe of the thinking that keeping someone like Cranie in defence is better if we're only allowed to stretch the wage structure for one or two players.

 

Nowt as fickle as SOME football supporters, not all.
I fear there may be the beginning of a subtle character assassination of David Flitcroft. It'll get denied initially, but would be referred back to were things not to go well next season as "I told you so". At the risk of repeating myself, I do not believe Bobby Hassell & Luke Steele would've been offered any contracts had David Flitcroft not wanted them here. In my opinion, to claim otherwise calls into question the honesty, integrity & professionalism of the manager. I hope the manager will be allowed to manage. He'll not get everything right (none ever do), he'll make mistakes (we all do), but I believe David Flitcroft will take the club forwards.
Personally, I want both Bobby & Luke to re sign for us. However, if there's to be a parting of the ways, then I thank them for their tremendous service and wish them all the best for the future.

 

I agree entirely about the one year bit, but his previous wage was agreed in very different times. I reckon that had we offered the same money he would be the highest paid player by some distance

 

Dont forget thi keepnet YT.