I don’t get the love affair with Purrington. He’s positional defensive play is terrible. Caught out of position so many times. Slow jogs back from attack. And going forward he has taken on about 3 players all season. we need better
Christ. If you wanted one post to sum up how different people view certain players, this is it.
That string of clean sheets we kept after he signed was no coincidence. He's be one of the first players I'd be trying to sign.
Transfermarkt shows both out of contract but I am pretty sure you are right about Pearce, I think we have him one more year. I will remove him from the list. Can't find anything online about Solly signing but does not mean he did not. Can anyone confirm?
Chris Maxwell - sure he would be fine as a back-up but no way he would want to stay and sit on the bench again.
Ben Purrington - no - he was perfect for us over the last 5 months, reintroducing balance to the defence, but very much a League One player. Don't think he could handle the jump up, despite being a very good player for us this year.
Chris Solly - yes - role model for young players coming through and has proven experience at Championship level. Likely to be replaced by Dijksteel going forward, but think he would be happy with another year at the club.
Jake Forster-Caskey - yes, provided there is some pay-as-you-play element to recognise his injury struggles.
Josh Cullen - 100% yes, but imagine he would want to prove himself at a higher level.
Jonny Williams - no - imagine he is on high wages and too much of a risk with injuries. Plus Ben Reeves is actually a more all round player, even though Jonny Williams is clearly the better player when looking at them from a purely attacking perspective.
Ben Reeves - yes - a good squad player and offers a good balance between attacking ability and defensive effort. Remains to be seen whether he would be happy sitting on the bench for another season though.
Tariq Fosu - no - if he can't demonstrate consistent ability in League One, then no way will he be able to hack it in the Championship. Also telling that Reading never rated him when he was with them in the Championship.
Mark Marshall - no - a nice guy but definitely not a Championship player. I respect Bowyer's judgment and he clearly does not rate him.
Igor Vetokele - no - for the same wages, we could get a more consistent player who does not have the same injury problems. We can also target a striker to specifically complement Lyle Taylor next season.
Josh Parker - no - have to appreciate his efforts but clearly only a League One player at best.
Think we’re being too fussy with players like Reeves. We should keep him. He’s a decent player and I doubt we’re going to be making any groundbreaking signings (if many at all) so he’ll be a good enough squad player at least
For me, the midfield is the best I’ve seen since the Premier days.
Bielik Cullen, Aribo Williams
We cannot lose all four would be suicide, need at least two of them to stay to maintain the spirit and momentum of this season. Cullen and Bielik not tried and tested in championship and both seem happy here, Williams also, Aribo probably most likely to go.
I'd re-sign literally anyone given I believe we currently only have the following - of those with first team minutes - under contract:
GK - Phillips (2021)
RB - Dijksteel (2020) / Solly (2020)
CB - Pearce (2020)
CB - Sarr (2020)
LB - Page (2020)
CM - Pratley (2020)
CM - Lapslie (2021)
CM - Maloney (2020)
CF - Taylor (2020)
So you would resign Ajose, Marshall and Fosu? Recco?
Yes. That way we'd actually have some players. Obviously we have a couple of months until that goes on but even so, I don't want us in a position where we're unable to field something resembling a full first team on the opening day, like last year.
Chris Maxwell - Yes, but doubt he will want to stay and play second fiddle to Dillon all season.
Ben Purrington - Yes definitely
Chris Solly - Really? Yes ofc.
Jake Forster-Caskey - Yes
Josh Cullen - Yes if possible, he'd probably be one of my biggest priorities.
Jonny Williams - Yes, though not most important
Ben Reeves - No
Tariq Fosu - No
Mark Marshall - No
Igor Vetokele - Yes
Josh Parker - If we can't get anyone better in, yes. But think we will need a lot better if we are to survive in Championship as much as I like his attitude.
I'd re-sign literally anyone given I believe we currently only have the following - of those with first team minutes - under contract:
GK - Phillips (2021)
RB - Dijksteel (2020) / Solly (2020)
CB - Pearce (2020)
CB - Sarr (2020)
LB - Page (2020)
CM - Pratley (2020)
CM - Lapslie (2021)
CM - Maloney (2020)
CF - Taylor (2020)
So you would resign Ajose, Marshall and Fosu? Recco?
Yes. That way we'd actually have some players. Obviously we have a couple of months until that goes on but even so, I don't want us in a position where we're unable to field something resembling a full first team on the opening day, like last year.
But if you have set budget, you can't just fill it to make up the numbers. As bowyer said, and proved, last summer. If you take the ten players listed above plus Morgan and hopefully BFG, assume you will use all 5 loans, you wouldn't want people like Ajose and Marshall using up valuable wage budget would you?
I'd re-sign literally anyone given I believe we currently only have the following - of those with first team minutes - under contract:
GK - Phillips (2021)
RB - Dijksteel (2020) / Solly (2020)
CB - Pearce (2020)
CB - Sarr (2020)
LB - Page (2020)
CM - Pratley (2020)
CM - Lapslie (2021)
CM - Maloney (2020)
CF - Taylor (2020)
So you would resign Ajose, Marshall and Fosu? Recco?
Yes. That way we'd actually have some players. Obviously we have a couple of months until that goes on but even so, I don't want us in a position where we're unable to field something resembling a full first team on the opening day, like last year.
We were short against Sunderland as Bowyer decided to wait for Bielik and Cullen (and Ward). Not ideal but I'd rather wait and sign the right players rather than just go for anybody
Sorry, I read a few weeks ago, Bowyer said he was talking to Anfernee about a new contract he was hoping to get signed and I presumed (wrongly) that he was out of contract
Bielik - Yes - As per Cullen Aribo - Yes - As per Cullen and Bielik. Tariq Fosu - No
Mark Marshall - No
Igor Vetokele - Yes - He'll definitely accept a cut, He'll enjoy a pre-season with Bow, Taylor and Parker.
Josh Parker - Yes - His pace, tenacity and desire will cause Championship sides problems and a pre-season with Bow and Taylor will do him good.
I can't see us signing too many externals til late on due to circumstance.
Surely we don’t need to keep Reeves. In league 1, I would have but he’s not championship quality . I appreciate that we are probably losing our whole midfield
Chris Maxwell - We have no idea what he's like. Highly unlikely to be available to us again.
Ben Purrington - Reasonably steady. He and Page competing for LB should be adequate.
Chris Solly - Has declined in recent seasons. Vulnerable. Can see him struggling badly against better opposition.
Jake Forster-Caskey - I watched him closely in pre-season games; he was quick, sharp and tough: at the peak of his career. No-one knows how he'll be affected by the serious injury.
Josh Cullen - I don't join in with the gushing praise; his passes are frequently misplaced. A busy defensive midfielder at League One level. Anyway, he has said his goodbyes on social media and fancies his chances back at West Ham.
Jonny Williams - He has the attacking verve to liven up a turgid performance by the others; witness Wembley. I'd keep him.
Ben Reeves - A curate's egg. Seemed to be developing from an ineffective lightweight to a smart operator around the box. Can unpick defences and get on the end of moves to score goals. But Bowyer seems to favour Morgan and Lapslie. I don't.
Tariq Fosu - His ship has sailed.
Mark Marshall - No! Weak in League One; would be all adrift in the Champs.
Igor Vetokele - Sorry, lad: It hasn't worked out. Best wishes.
Josh Parker - No! Rejected by Gillingham speaks volumes.
I'd re-sign literally anyone given I believe we currently only have the following - of those with first team minutes - under contract:
GK - Phillips (2021)
RB - Dijksteel (2020) / Solly (2020)
CB - Pearce (2020)
CB - Sarr (2020)
LB - Page (2020)
CM - Pratley (2020)
CM - Lapslie (2021)
CM - Maloney (2020)
CF - Taylor (2020)
So you would resign Ajose, Marshall and Fosu? Recco?
Yes. That way we'd actually have some players. Obviously we have a couple of months until that goes on but even so, I don't want us in a position where we're unable to field something resembling a full first team on the opening day, like last year.
We were short against Sunderland as Bowyer decided to wait for Bielik and Cullen (and Ward). Not ideal but I'd rather wait and sign the right players rather than just go for anybody
This is understandable, but we have so few at the minute that I'm getting a bit panicky, even though we've not finished May yet. It certainly wasn't anything near this last year.
Comments
That string of clean sheets we kept after he signed was no coincidence. He's be one of the first players I'd be trying to sign.
For those that are saying a "pay as you play deal" for Igor, why not just offer a much reduced contract?
Start getting into "pay as you play" and there might be the temptation not to play him, in order to save money....
I suspect, that Igor will get some fairly decent offers from Belgium, Holland or Scandanavia and that's where he will end up next season.
I'd also give my right nut to keep Bielik
That's all we need on the pitch at any one time, right? So there won't be any further movement huh
Ben Purrington - Only if he is second behind Page who is injury prone
Bielik
Cullen, Aribo
Williams
We cannot lose all four would be suicide, need at least two of them to stay to maintain the spirit and momentum of this season. Cullen and Bielik not tried and tested in championship and both seem happy here, Williams also, Aribo probably most likely to go.
I believe I read Charlton simply bought up the rest of his Gillingham contract.
Quite common place in short term football dealings.
You know how it is ...... fan, been at West Ham since he was 8 years old, came through the ranks, local lad.
He believes he has the chance to play for his West Ham in the Prem next season.
It's his ambition.
Chris Solly - Yes
Aribo - Yes - As per Cullen and Bielik.
Tariq Fosu - No
I can't see us signing too many externals til late on due to circumstance.