Okay. So, I thought I'd compile a list of the players we are likely to be without for next season:
Cahill. (I'd say about 10% chance of him staying, maybe less)
Elmander
Cohen
Gardner
Sturridge & Moreno (Weren't really ours, but still 2 squad places gone)
Alonso (I would think)
J O'Brien
Blake
J L Samuel
Steinsson(?)
Players coming back into the team: Sean Davis, Stu Holden, Al Habsi(?).
So we are losing possibly 10+ players. Gaining 1 or 2 back from long term injuries.
Will Coyle make 8 transfers? It sounds like a lot. Ideally I'd like him to make just 3-5 transfers, and give the kids a chance!
What was the point of Robbie Blake, I'm sure one of the youth players could have filled that bench position? Look at other teams. Liverpool realised their season pretty much ended in January, so when they've had injuries they've replaced with youth teamers like Flanagan, who seem to do just about fine. I know its a different ball game day 1 of the season when suddenly there is a lot more to play for, but if OC had given these kids a chance already we'd be far better placed to assess whether they could step up.
I hope some of the young ones get a chance tomorrow. Make a name for themselves!
Also, if I'm wildly out with my list please feel free to add/remove who you think will go.
Comings and Goings.
posted on 21/5/11
"If Johan goes that will free up a lot of finance because he was our record signing and on a terrific contract"
What do we make of this?
Johan must have been on more than I thought. I thought 30k max, but I don't think this is what OC is alluding to.
posted on 22/5/11
ed it's been rumoured credibly that johan was on over 60K a week. that would possibly pay for three young players with real potential if true and would explain why Owen doesn't seem too bothere by his probable departure. Even if JE wants to stay I doubt owen would be willing or able to offer him that much again do you?
posted on 22/5/11
Owen Coyle is obviously gutted by Elmanders leaving. He`s been trying desperately to persuade him to stay since January. That does not seem like a man not bothered in keeping Elmander to me.
posted on 22/5/11
60k a week! WHAT? Oh my, my whole opinion of the man has changed.
I wish the club would be bold and have transparency about what they pay players.
I was under the impression that noone earned over 40k at Bolton. Surely he is the only one?
We should introduce a 30k a week cap. Then just have massive bonus incentives.
If you do well: you get money.
If you don't: you don't get (as much) money.
Then, if we do well, we can afford it, but if we don't (i.e. relegation) then we can hopefully still afford it.
For instance, say we were to sign Sturridge. I'd put him on 30k a week, + 20k goal bonus.
So if he scores 20 for the season you've paid 400k more. But if he's scored 20 for the season, there's no way in hell we'd be anywhere near the bottom half of the table, let alone relegation, so the money you've paid out would be absorbed by the higher league placing.
Problem? Players are used to getting it easy. Convincing them to adopt this would be very tricky.
posted on 22/5/11
Yeah Ed he was on a ridiculous amount.
I think Coyle did want to keep him, but he wanted him to take a pay cut, JE wasnt prepared to do that and decided to look elsewhere. Coyle isn't bothered because he's a glass half full guy. He would have liked to keep him, he hasn't but he knows he can buy 3 young players ho can grow an really make a difference to are old team. It's scary how old our players are, we need to blood in se younger players!
posted on 22/5/11
Johnlockesbaldhead
Coyle has said they offered him a contract in December and the representatives of bwfc and JE have rarely met since. I think all parties are fairly happy about this as we can grow n increase the size and strength of our team and JE can keep earning a lucrative wage and playing in Europe.
posted on 22/5/11
Ah fair enough.
Holden's Hairstylist, you must have been pretty chuffed the other day when Stu won 'Best Hairstyle' at the Junior Whites end of year bash?!?
To be fair, I'll keep my eye on Elmander, and I hope he does well.
posted on 22/5/11
Oh I was delighted, I felt like all my Christmases had come at once, being given a pair of Golden Scissors was a nice touch.
I think he may very well do ok, but he is a disposable asset I think. it would be very easy to find a young player in the Chalp who could score 10 goals a season. Or Even DJ Campbell, and neither of those two options are gonna cost anywhere near as much as Elmander, on and upwards.
posted on 22/5/11
I told everyone Elmander was on £70k per week about 6 months ago and got told I was full of it... and here we have it.
posted on 22/5/11
Yeah, we could get 3x DJ Campells for 60k a week! (I'd imagine)
The Championship has really impressed me this season, there are some decent sides in there. I think with QPR, Norwich and either Reading/Swansea, the PL will be extremely tough next year.
Randomly, I don't know if its just me, but are we seeing a rise of the 'southern' clubs? Especially the south coast clubs...
Norwich, QPR, and Reading
Brighton, Southampton, and possibly Pboro (All southern) could get promoted to Championship.
League 2 is the odd one out, but Wycombe are up, and Torquay and Stevenage will take the final place.
Conferance: Crawley and Wimbledon...
So, of 12 promoted teams, 10 (possibly) could be southern??