Next Seasons Retained List

[doughnutman]

Just reading yesterdays Echo which has a list of players who's contracts will expire at the end of this season. Who do you think we should keep hold of and who should be let go?

 

Radhi Jaidi - Has been fantastic this season but don't know if he will fair too well in the championship. May be keep on reduced wages as backup?

Dan Harding - Must keep. His experience will be very important in the championship.

Danny Butterfield - Again must keep. Has been our best signing this season IMO and again the experience will be vital.

Oscar Gobern - Has impressed me the couple of times he's played but if we go up I dont think he will be anything more than a squad player, so may be best to release and get someone who is more likely to challenge for the first team.

Aaron Martin - I really rate him and he has always impressed me when he has play but not sure if Adkins does so I think he may leave

David Connolly - Would be a good option to have coming off the bench but don't know if he would be fit enough.

Anthony Pulis - Get rid of him asap. Though like last year im sure he will find some way of hanging around.

N'Guessan (loan) - Not seen him play much but doesnt sound like he hasn't impressed when he has played. So i expect his loan not to be renewed.

Dale Stephens (loan) - Hasn't impressed me in the games i've seen him, so again I wouldnt buy (retain).

Edited 28 April, 2011 by doughnutman
Edited for MLG

[Matthew Le God]

Dale Stephens (loan) - Hasn't impressed me in the games i've seen him, so again I wouldnt renew.

 

Not a question of renewing, if Saints want him they'll have to buy him.

[doddisalegend]

Surely it depends on if we go up or not?

 

There was a matchday programme interview with Jaidi recently were he said that Nigel has asked him to stay another year so imagine we will see Jaidi in a saints shirt for another season at least.

[doughnutman]

Not a question of renewing, if Saints want him they'll have to buy him.

 

I meant renew as in retain him

[Chez]

the Dale Stephens loan felt very much like a loan that will almost certainly become a buy. He's not impressed me so far, but there were some glimmers in the last game with one or two wonderful long through balls. His first touch has just not been good enough, perhaps he is nervous.

[Chez]

Surely it depends on if we go up or not?

 

There was a matchday programme interview with Jaidi recently were he said that Nigel has asked him to stay another year so imagine we will see Jaidi in a saints shirt for another season at least.

 

Hope so. We need someone to counter the the likes of Jon Parkin in the NPC.

[The9]

Jaidi should get a year as he's not completely fallen apart yet and his experience is invaluable

Harding may get a renewal but will have to play like he did on Monday every week to deserve it

Butterfield could get a renewal as he's been better than Richardson who isn't going to improve much, depends what our intentions are there.

Gobern - borderline case but the role he had at Brighton suggests he could stay

Martin - definitely due a renewal as he's got plenty of upside

Connolly - offer pay as you play for 2011/12 I think...

Pulis - bwahahahahahahaha

N'Guessan - hasn't impressed

D Stephens - I might, possibly, he's not done much wrong in a position where that's the key - it depends if we've got bigger targets in mind and he's nearing his peak.

[Saint Garrett]

He had his best game in a Saints shirt on Monday I thought...although seemed to lose his way a bit when Chaplow came on and Hammond went right.

[Colinjb]

Radhi Jaidi - Still an absolute man mountain but is starting to become more inconsistent. Keep as backup if possible, a replacement should be sought in the summer. On balance; Retain.

Dan Harding - Has been superb. Retain.

Danny Butterfield - The steady Eddie any good team needs. Retain.

Oscar Gobern - I like him, has shown promise when he has played. Just so long his demands are not too steep, retain.

Aaron Martin - Not as good as Seaborne. With sadness; Release.

David Connolly - If he can prove his long term fitness in the summer, Retain.

Anthony Pulis - Get this waste of space out of the club; Release.

 

N'Guessan (loan) - Not impressed by him at all. Forte is a better player. Release.

Dale Stephens (loan) - Wasn't too good against Hartlepool but really grew into the game v Bristol Rovers. I think he has potential. If he isn't too pricey; Retain.

[Matthew Le God]

D Stephens - I might, possibly, he's not done much wrong in a position where that's the key - it depends if we've got bigger targets in mind and he's nearing his peak.

 

"Nearing his peak" at 21 years old?

[doddisalegend]

Radhi Jaidi - Still an absolute man mountain but is starting to become more inconsistent. Keep as backup if possible, a replacement should be sought in the summer. On balance; Retain.

Dan Harding - Has been superb. Retain.

Danny Butterfield - The steady Eddie any good team needs. Retain.

Oscar Gobern - I like him, has shown promise when he has played. Just so long his demands are not too steep, retain.

Aaron Martin - Not as good as Seaborne. With sadness; Release.David Connolly - If he can prove his long term fitness in the summer, Retain.

Anthony Pulis - Get this waste of space out of the club; Release.

 

N'Guessan (loan) - Not impressed by him at all. Forte is a better player. Release.

Dale Stephens (loan) - Wasn't too good against Hartlepool but really grew into the game v Bristol Rovers. I think he has potential. If he isn't too pricey; Retain.

 

Ehhh??? football is opinons and all that but really? Have to say from what I've seen Martain is far better than Seaborne.

[NickG]

Jaidi should get a year as he's not completely fallen apart yet and his experience is invaluable

Harding may get a renewal but will have to play like he did on Monday every week to deserve it

Butterfield could get a renewal as he's been better than Richardson who isn't going to improve much, depends what our intentions are there.

Gobern - borderline case but the role he had at Brighton suggests he could stay

Martin - definitely due a renewal as he's got plenty of upside

Connolly - offer pay as you play for 2011/12 I think...

Pulis - bwahahahahahahaha

N'Guessan - hasn't impressed

D Stephens - I might, possibly, he's not done much wrong in a position where that's the key - it depends if we've got bigger targets in mind and he's nearing his peak

 

CM probably peaks at 28-31, so about 7 plus years yet!

[The9]

"Nearing his peak" at 21 years old?

 

For some reason I thought he was 24, so ok, replace that with "pretty good for his age and still has the potential to improve".

 

It's an interesting contrast between Gobern and Dale Stephens actually, to see where they are relatively in their development.

[Lighthouse]

All based losely on the hope that we go up.

 

Jaidi - No. Been excellent this season, but next year he will be a year older/slower. We need to be building a team for NPC promotion in the next year or 3. He wont be part of that IMO. Coaching maybe?

Harding - Yes. Sorry ball boys, but we must keep him.

Butters - Yes. Bags of NPC experience, but Richardson would be my first choice RB next season. Give FR a decent run, he will be excellent.

Gobern - No. NPC promotion material? Can't see it

Connolly - No. People keep saying, "If he's fit... etc". He's NOT fit. He hasn't been fit for 4 year and will be 34.

Martin - Yes Not sure how Seaborne gets in ahead of him. Haven't really seen a poor game from him yet.

Pulis - Yes As in "Yes, I would drive him to Split myself if Hajduk offered him a contract."

N'Guessan - No Can run the length of the pitch tackling himself, then falls over.

Stephens - No Has looked very average from what I've seen. Behind Dean, Morgan and Chaplow and we need improvements.

[The9]

Jaidi should get a year as he's not completely fallen apart yet and his experience is invaluable

Harding may get a renewal but will have to play like he did on Monday every week to deserve it

Butterfield could get a renewal as he's been better than Richardson who isn't going to improve much, depends what our intentions are there.

Gobern - borderline case but the role he had at Brighton suggests he could stay

Martin - definitely due a renewal as he's got plenty of upside

Connolly - offer pay as you play for 2011/12 I think...

Pulis - bwahahahahahahaha

N'Guessan - hasn't impressed

D Stephens - I might, possibly, he's not done much wrong in a position where that's the key - it depends if we've got bigger targets in mind and he's nearing his peak

 

CM probably peaks at 28-31, so about 7 plus years yet!

 

See above.

[NickG]

Jaidi should get a year as he's not completely fallen apart yet and his experience is invaluable

Harding may get a renewal but will have to play like he did on Monday every week to deserve it

Butterfield could get a renewal as he's been better than Richardson who isn't going to improve much, depends what our intentions are there.

Gobern - borderline case but the role he had at Brighton suggests he could stay

Martin - definitely due a renewal as he's got plenty of upside

Connolly - offer pay as you play for 2011/12 I think...

Pulis - bwahahahahahahaha

N'Guessan - hasn't impressed

D Stephens - I might, possibly, he's not done much wrong in a position where that's the key - it depends if we've got bigger targets in mind and he's nearing his peak.

 

CM probably peaks at 28-31, so about 7 plus years yet

[Window Cleaner]

Ehhh??? football is opinons and all that but really? Have to say from what I've seen Martain is far better than Seaborne.

 

 

watched my DVD of Saints -United cup game yesterday evening,mainly because Real-Barca was unwatchable,Seaborne looked to be the real weak link in our side (well until Dickson came on that is) bad positioning,half-hit back passes.Just can't see what anyone sees in the bloke really.If Jaidi isn't fit then I'd play Martin any day ahead of Seaborne.

[Colinjb]

Ehhh??? football is opinons and all that but really? Have to say from what I've seen Martain is far better than Seaborne.

 

My benchmark is always the Blackpool cup game. Seaborne and Martin started alongside each other, Danny looked a lot more composed and comfortable then Martin.

 

A decent League 1 squad player but down the pecking order, I can't see much of a future here for him. As I said, with sadness.

[The9]

Ehhh??? football is opinons and all that but really? Have to say from what I've seen Martin is far better than Seaborne.

 

I think they're basically about the same level and we need a new, established centre back to partner Fonte if we go up, safe in the knowledge that either Seaborne or Martin can cover adequately in the event of injury or suspension.

 

And if we don't go up I'd hope we weren't looking for one to replace Fonte...

[NickG]

For some reason I thought he was 24, so ok, replace that with "pretty good for his age and still has the potential to improve".

 

It's an interesting contrast between Gobern and Dale Stephens actually, to see where they are relatively in their development.

 

answered before sorted my quote mess!

[Alanh]

Assuming that we go up I would release Connolly, N'Guessan, Gobern, Pulis and Stephens. Perhaps NA is seeing something in Stephens that I am not, but for me he doesn't look ready to challenge Morgan or Chaplow yet. If you them assume that Puncheon will leave, possibly Forecast based on his recent loan period and possibly AOC if he feels that he wants to go, it means that we could lose seven or eight players. We might get Joseph Mills back but will still need to bring in 4 - 6 players to replace those leaving in the first team squad. I would hope that any new players could challenge for the first 11.

[The9]

the Dale Stephens loan felt very much like a loan that will almost certainly become a buy. He's not impressed me so far, but there were some glimmers in the last game with one or two wonderful long through balls. His first touch has just not been good enough, perhaps he is nervous.

 

Centre mid is a horrible position to have to slot in though, as there's stuff happening all around you, you don't know the people around you, you're integral to the linking of play from back to front, and generally more involved than anywhere else - you have the defensive responsibility of picking up runners or marking, and poor passes are punished more than those of strikers.

 

As a striker you can always create stuff as you go even if you don't know your supporting players and your defensive responsibility isn't usually all that vital (though admittedly good teams will exploit it if you're a passenger). As a defender, it's tough to get the decisoin-making right, but plenty of it is positional and basic communication, and the top-level stuff comes with understanding of each others' tendencies.

 

Central Midfielders by definition can be shown up a lot easier than other players - it's even more difficult coming on there as a sub, as Simon Gillet proved time and time again a few seasons back when his first touch usually set up an opposing shot.

[skintsaint]

Get rid of all except Harding, Martin and Butterfield if we go up.

[SuperMikey]

Jaidi - Keep on a PAYP deal, he's been great these past 2 seasons despite his age.

Harding - Keep, but Nigel should also have one eye on any better LBs becoming available.

Butterfield - Same as Harding.

Gobern - Keep. Young, came through the academy, would be useful when registering our team for the Champions League

Martin - Keep, he's a good prospect and would be a decent squad player for any Champ team.

Pulis - No.

Connolly - Tricky one, but I think we should let him go. His injury problems really do cancel out all of the positives.

N'Guessan (loan) - Had a tricky time here, but let him go as well. Not impressed me whenever I have seen him play.

Stephens (loan) - Not actually seen him play for us, but he's very highly rated by the Oldham faithful so would be a good buy for backup CM.

[Minty]

Stephens is exactly the kind of player who I think can grow with the club and become a valuable player. Coming into centre mid, as The9 says, is not easy, especially when you're in a crucial part of the season and expectation is all around.

 

The team and manager have not any quality time to work together at all, everything has been achieved whilst also assessing the needs of the next game and dealing with injuries and suspensions, and usually with midweek games to complicate things too. Over the close season I think we'll see Adkins work hard with the team and formation, and players like Stephens will start to make more of an impact. Given his age, he is exactly the kind of player we should be keeping IMO, and with respect, I believe that too many fans still look at players in black and white terms.

 

Martin is another who we absolutely must keep IMO. If developed correctly, they will become key squad members. It is difficult to know exactly how much better they can get, but they have a lot of potential and for players at this age it is the potential that is key, not whether they give perfect commanding performances week in week out already.

[Window Cleaner]

Jaidi - Keep on a PAYP deal, he's been great these past 2 seasons despite his age.

Harding - Keep, but Nigel should also have one eye on any better LBs becoming available.

Butterfield - Same as Harding.

Gobern - Keep. Young, came through the academy, would be useful when registering our team for the Champions League

Martin - Keep, he's a good prospect and would be a decent squad player for any Champ team.

Pulis - No.

Connolly - Tricky one, but I think we should let him go. His injury problems really do cancel out all of the positives.

N'Guessan (loan) - Had a tricky time here, but let him go as well. Not impressed me whenever I have seen him play.

Stephens (loan) - Not actually seen him play for us, but he's very highly rated by the Oldham faithful so would be a good buy for backup CM.

 

Can't quite see why we'd keep a player on the basis that some other 3rd division club's fans rate him.We'll be moving up to a whole new level and some of our own players might not even be able to make the step up. He's got 3 games left to convince NA that he's worth buying, what Oldham's fans think is immaterial.If managers went by what fans think Kelvin and Rickie would have both been dropped by now and we'd have paid £50 million for Brian Howard.

[Chez]

Centre mid is a horrible position to have to slot in though, as there's stuff happening all around you, you don't know the people around you, you're integral to the linking of play from back to front, and generally more involved than anywhere else - you have the defensive responsibility of picking up runners or marking, and poor passes are punished more than those of strikers.

 

As a striker you can always create stuff as you go even if you don't know your supporting players and your defensive responsibility isn't usually all that vital (though admittedly good teams will exploit it if you're a passenger). As a defender, it's tough to get the decisoin-making right, but plenty of it is positional and basic communication, and the top-level stuff comes with understanding of each others' tendencies.

 

Central Midfielders by definition can be shown up a lot easier than other players - it's even more difficult coming on there as a sub, as Simon Gillet proved time and time again a few seasons back when his first touch usually set up an opposing shot.

 

My biggest gripe is that his touch has been found wanting. There have been so many occasions when his control needed to be spot in and it hasn't and that has put him and us in biog trouble. He has got away with a lot, but moving up a league will only expose that shortfall more.

 

He can pick a pass, one delightful long ball on Monday had me thinking he might be a Carrick, but I expect signings to stand out in this league and he doesn't at all. He's not quick across the ground, he's not strong, he struggles positionally, not good in the air, doesn't dribble or shoot and I don't see a fella with a big engine getting up and down and putting players under pressure when they have the ball.

 

Having said all that perhaps he just needs time to settle in and find his feet. Adkins must have seen something in him or was he just the last and only option?

[Toomer]

Ehhh??? football is opinons and all that but really? Have to say from what I've seen Martain is far better than Seaborne.

 

I agree have thought for some time that Martin & Fonte would be our future central defensive partnership, as you say doddis it's all a matter of opinion.

[The9]

My biggest gripe is that his touch has been found wanting. There have been so many occasions when his control needed to be spot in and it hasn't and that has put him and us in biog trouble. He has got away with a lot, but moving up a league will only expose that shortfall more.

 

He can pick a pass, one delightful long ball on Monday had me thinking he might be a Carrick, but I expect signings to stand out in this league and he doesn't at all. He's not quick across the ground, he's not strong, he struggles positionally, not good in the air, doesn't dribble or shoot and I don't see a fella with a big engine getting up and down and putting players under pressure when they have the ball.

 

Having said all that perhaps he just needs time to settle in and find his feet. Adkins must have seen something in him or was he just the last and only option?

 

When he signed there was an Oldham fan on here saying he was a Steven Gerrard style player, so at least we know we definitely haven't seen what he's capable of yet - might take him a bit of time to settle, but I'd say he's at least shown enough to suggest he's squadworthy a league above, and he could be better than that - Adkins has plenty of previous in getting young pros moulded into a winning team with Scvnthorpe so I'd be inclined to think Dale Stephens might stay.

[Verbal Kint]

I think people are massively overrating the Championship here... It's been proven over the last few seasons if you're good enough to get promotion from league 1 then you're good enough to compete with just a couple of clever signings. Leeds, Norwich, Leicester, Millwall have shown the way for others to follow.

 

The players that have produced this season should get a chance in the championship

[Gemmel]

Jaidi will become one of our biggest assets next season. He won't start many (If any) and will come off the bench for the last 15 minutes in lots of matches, just to lock things down. It will be a perfect role for him.

 

Slightly off topic, but that means we need to find a decent centre back. With Seabourne and Martins being the young upcoming centre halfs (With decent futures and who will be used) it opens the door for a Richard Dunne / Chris Perry type signing (And no, I don't mean either of those two) but a strong, experienced centre half with a couple of years left in him.

 

Should be our first signing IMO.

[JustMike]

Jaidi / Martin / Butterfield / Harding = Retain

DC = Pay as you play

 

The rest = bye bye

[doddisalegend]

It's not going to be a big list this year IMO. We culled something like 14 players at the end of last season I don't think there is to much dead wood to get rid of this year. They might like to pay up Lee Holmes's contract though.

[Lighthouse]

It's not going to be a big list this year IMO. We culled something like 14 players at the end of last season I don't think there is to much dead wood to get rid of this year. They might like to pay up Lee Holmes's contract though.

 

Good point. I thought his contract was up this summer actually. Can anyone confirm that?

 

Jaidi will become one of our biggest assets next season. He won't start many (If any) and will come off the bench for the last 15 minutes in lots of matches, just to lock things down. It will be a perfect role for him.

 

Slightly off topic, but that means we need to find a decent centre back. With Seabourne and Martins being the young upcoming centre halfs (With decent futures and who will be used) it opens the door for a Richard Dunne / Chris Perry type signing (And no, I don't mean either of those two) but a strong, experienced centre half with a couple of years left in him.

 

Should be our first signing IMO.

 

Since when have we brought on a centre half at the end of the game?

 

I can see what you're getting at, it's good having another (massive) body in the box when defending, but it is a very desperate tactic. I'd much rather bring on a Wotton type of player to chase opponents around the midfield and stop them playing. Or even an Antonio type player to run at them a bit and make them scared to commit players forward. Sticking players in the box just to head it away for the last 15 minutes isn't the attitude that will get us promoted. That's what Wigan would do at Old Trafford.

[MerceSaint28]

I agree with this sentiment, Jaidi and Connolly are too old and Connolly is injury prone.

Yes he has made an impact in the last few games but we already have Lambert, Barnard and DoPrado who will stay and i think we need to be targeting a younger speedier striker.

 

I think everyone wants CMS and he would be a dream, James Vaughan from Everton is avaialble on a free and he would also be good

[doddisalegend]

Good point. I thought his contract was up this summer actually. Can anyone confirm that?

 

 

 

Since when have we brought on a centre half at the end of the game?

 

I can see what you're getting at, it's good having another (massive) body in the box when defending, but it is a very desperate tactic. I'd much rather bring on a Wotton type of player to chase opponents around the midfield and stop them playing. Or even an Antonio type player to run at them a bit and make them scared to commit players forward. Sticking players in the box just to head it away for the last 15 minutes isn't the attitude that will get us promoted. That's what Wigan would do at Old Trafford.

 

Wasn't it Orient the other week where we end up with a back four all made up of CBs

[The9]

Wasn't it Orient the other week where we end up with a back four all made up of CBs

 

Yup, brought on Martin and Seaborne to play as full backs.

[Lighthouse]

Yup, brought on Martin and Seaborne to play as full backs.

 

Not something you'd ever dream of doing with Jaidi.

[SuperMikey]

I agree with this sentiment, Jaidi and Connolly are too old and Connolly is injury prone.

Yes he has made an impact in the last few games but we already have Lambert, Barnard and DoPrado who will stay and i think we need to be targeting a younger speedier striker.

 

I think everyone wants CMS and he would be a dream, James Vaughan from Everton is avaialble on a free and he would also be good

 

Would be a fantastic signing - if a little injury prone.

[SNSUN]

Thankfully it's not what I think about who we keep, but who Adkins thinks we should keep.

 

I'm a believer in big squads but it depends a) on what league we're in, b) who we sell and c) who we buy.

[Sleaford_Saint]

When he signed there was an Oldham fan on here saying he was a Steven Gerrard style player, so at least we know we definitely haven't seen what he's capable of yet - might take him a bit of time to settle, but I'd say he's at least shown enough to suggest he's squadworthy a league above, and he could be better than that - Adkins has plenty of previous in getting young pros moulded into a winning team with Scvnthorpe so I'd be inclined to think Dale Stephens might stay.

 

Differences of opinion about him on here, but something buried in The Sun today (with usual Sun caveats)

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3551398/Dale-aint-a-Saint-yet.html

[Window Cleaner]

Differences of opinion about him on here, but something buried in The Sun today (with usual Sun caveats)

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3551398/Dale-aint-a-Saint-yet.html

 

Ha...agent working overtime again then.

When he came here he said that as far as he knew it was just a loan and after that it would have to be seen.

[Chin Strain]

Differences of opinion about him on here, but something buried in The Sun today (with usual Sun caveats)

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3551398/Dale-aint-a-Saint-yet.html

 

Lazy journo just going from the word of an agent I suspect - he aint that good.

[ribbo]

Lazy journo just going from the word of an agent I suspect - he aint that good.

 

All three clubs mentioned are clubs who would be a good fit for Dale, who is a ball playing midfielder as opposed to a chaplow or a hammond, I wouldnt mind him being signed though we will have a lot of centre mid's in the first team squad.

 

I think all bar Pulis and the loanee's will be offered contracts with maybe Gobern/Martin going out on loan next season if we go up and additional players are bought in, DC when injury free according to Interviews from NA is one of the fittest players at the club.

 

Dont forget that some players might be holding back from signing a new contract, either way we're not going to know for sure as Nicola runs a very tight ship.

[Tartarus112]

Rahdi Jaidi - Yes I think it depends if we can find someone better for cheap but certainly nothing against him staying on a low salary

Dan Harding - Yes Has been our best LB this year and they are hard to come by. Unless we find some ridiculously good replacement from Brazil or something, keep.

Danny Butterfield - No He's been okay this season but the step up will be too much for him. Find a new RB as with every new season.

Oscar Gobern - No Has not impressed enough to stay. We can find better young players to make the grade.

Aaron Martin - Yes but only a one year deal. Has shown glimpses of quality so deserves a chance

David Connelly - Yes. He's just that special something we may need in the championship and you won't find a better striker outside the premiership in terms of quality and movement.

Anthony Pulis - Why is he still here so far?!?

N'Guessan - No too erratic and we can find better wingers a level up

Dale Stephens - No I feel we can find better midfielders and if he can't seem to oust some of the rubbish we have atm then doesn't deserve the chance. I haven't seen enough glimpses of quality to be convinced.

[Gorgiesaint]

Not seen enough of Saints live this year to be able to comment on each player individually but re the Aaron Martin debate - is he not in the same position Seabourne was in last year? A young CB who some thought wasn't good enough but has shown potential - and Seabourne would definately appear to have come on leaps & bounds during the last 12 months. Remembering where Martin has come from, not that long ago he was playing non-league, he probably is worth a new contract & I can see him going on loan for a spell with a L1 or L2 club to gain some experience (a spell at somewhere like Exeter would do him the world of good). With some regular football, at least we'd able to see if he has that potential to step up on a regular basis or he's just going to be the next Olly Lancashire.

[Appy]

Rahdi Jaidi - Yes I think it depends if we can find someone better for cheap but certainly nothing against him staying on a low salary

Dan Harding - Yes Has been our best LB this year and they are hard to come by. Unless we find some ridiculously good replacement from Brazil or something, keep.

Danny Butterfield - No He's been okay this season but the step up will be too much for him. Find a new RB as with every new season.

Oscar Gobern - No Has not impressed enough to stay. We can find better young players to make the grade.

Aaron Martin - Yes but only a one year deal. Has shown glimpses of quality so deserves a chance

David Connelly - Yes. He's just that special something we may need in the championship and you won't find a better striker outside the premiership in terms of quality and movement.

Anthony Pulis - Why is he still here so far?!?

N'Guessan - No too erratic and we can find better wingers a level up

Dale Stephens - No I feel we can find better midfielders and if he can't seem to oust some of the rubbish we have atm then doesn't deserve the chance. I haven't seen enough glimpses of quality to be convinced.

 

When you say oust the rubbish, which of our CMs are rubbish?

[Saint_lambden]

Radhi Jaidi - Yes - One year deal as a player/coach and he'd be used as a back-up. Fantastic this season.

Dan Harding - Yes - Gets forward well and has experience in the Championship.

Danny Butterfield - Yes- Even if not first choice RB, has a couple more years in him yet imo.

Oscar Gobern - Yes- Has impressed in cameos this season and is finally being given a chance under Adkins, one year deal as a back-up.

Aaron Martin - Yes - Still very young and has potential, would complete a strong centre-back line-up if we bring a prominent one in for alongside Fonte.

David Connolly - Yes - Pay-as-you-play for a year? Certainly still has the class to play at least a handful of games if needed. Wouldn't be surprised with his injuries if we let him go however.

Anthony Pulis - No - Why we haven't released him already is beyond me.

N'Guessan (loan) - No - Not good enough to play week in week out in the league above.

Dale Stephens (loan) -No -See above.

[Gorgiesaint]

Differences of opinion about him on here, but something buried in The Sun today (with usual Sun caveats)

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3551398/Dale-aint-a-Saint-yet.html

 

Wasn't the rumour that we had a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season?

[Matthew Le God]

Wasn't the rumour that we had a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season?

 

Not if you watch his interview on Saints player when he signed.