Given we have little money I would think someone like Austin who can fill in in multiple positions would be one of the first on the retained list

If it was up to me I would be keeping Monkhouse. In league 1 he wasn't cutting it but he is more than good enough for us in league 2. He should be played upfront like. Him and James up front together for a season would get us goals.

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Another season passes were Jordan Mellish didn't even feature in the reserves it's time we finally bit the bullet and realised him he's a waste of a wage.

I'd keep Austin for next season now

It's clear we aren't building a promotion winning squad any time soon, and it will take time

In the meantime, we do need people who can stop us from being too easy to beat, and Austin helps to give us that

It's fair to say it will be a lot tougher for Collins to be playing for another year, and we should really be looking to replace him for the long term. If that means Austin slotting in then so be it

Collins may prove useful in his coaching capacity and we could retain his signature as a player, but hopefully as he is on the books on the coaching staff that wouldn't necessarily mean using a player's wage

Sweeney surely must be gone, and I think the comments made by Cooper about Poole indicate he will be gone (and he was struggling to impact on the game against Morecambe and got subbed yet again)

Franks is in a similar vein but to be fair to him he has been played as a winger in most of his time at Pools, which is not his position... at some point he should get a go down the middle and we will need that if James is sold - so Franks needs to be kept as insurance

Walker - I'd be amazed if we keep him beyond the team photo call

Monkhouse will probably go, unless he has one of those options. I do think time may be up for him at Pools, and would give us scope to bring in a younger player

Most of the young uns are good prospects - Richards, Holden, Hawkins are players who will develop and get better. They will start to make less and less errors hopefully as time goes on

Walton will probably be kept, if only because we face the prospect of losing Walker, and it's better to have some continuity........ unless we know for a fact we are going to sign a higher quality replacement for him

Can't see Collins being released yet, especially as that would leave us needing 3 new centre backs. I'd offer Monky another year, bin Sweeney and Poole, Franks I'm 50/50 tbh same as Walton.

Sounds like that Oliver had a very good game, hopefully Cooper seen
Enough of him and Harrison to make
His mind up.

I just hope if Walker is signed by someone its with a season long loan clause, same with James.

I think Poole will go, Collins might step back into coaching, Austin, Franks and Walton will all be back next season. Not sure about Monkhouse I suspect if an offer crosses his path he'll go and I reckon Sweeney will be given a year, if not someone will give him a season maybe Gateshead.

Heard someone mention Harewood as Coopers assistant today. Do you need badges etc to be an assistant?

I really hope russ greens going to be working ever so hard over the next few weeks to pull off the amazing coup of convincing ageing squad players who've done nowt for 5 years to stay with us.

Is keep Collins as we are so short at cb n his dxperience can be vital, but the rest (monk, sweens, Austin, Poole, franks) it's time for a change.

Monkhouse will probably get 3 next week n earn another year.

I think the retained list will purely be based on the budget Cooper will have next year, if it's a reasonable sized one then a few of the older lads can be replaced if not it could be a bit foolish to release majority of the experience unfortunately

I reckon the retain list could see a lot young ones go. Some have now been under 2 even 3 managers and still not forced their way into contention. And Cooper has been out and brought in players on loan that aren't much older in some case

I'd be on phone now trying to tie Oliver up for next season simply based on today.

I heard last year from a sauce that Sweeney wasn't interested in a testimonial or anything and declined one

I think what we'd like to see versus what we think will happen, are two very different entities

We will get another budget befitting the current times, probably no different to the past few years - and major changes will not happen overnight that is for certain

only 2 or 3 will be released if the last few seasons are anything to go by

as for Sweeney may be given another year - now THAT would make me give up on the season before a ball was kicked!!!

Playing the loan market got Yoevil to the Championship albeit for the one season..

Do you have to keep reminding people? .. ffs..

More money than the gypos with no ground but that's not very hard to do..

I don't see the point in keeping monkhouse, Austin, Sweeney etc. They've all been average for about 5 years now, we know you'll get a decent shift, maybe 1 good game in 5 from them, but surely it's time to try summit new.

If we want to bob along next year, get the odd win n the odd decent win here n their then well aye give them another year, but the fans are voting with their feet n I think people are now sick of watching this lot churn out average performances every week.

I would consider keeping Collins, Austin and Monkhouse as long as their not on high wages.

Sweeney has to go, I would expect Poole and maybe Franks too, plus a few of the younger ones who haven't broken through.

Why do you want to keep players that have continually served up average performances every week for the last 4/5 seasons?

Do we think monkhouse is just going to suddenly get 20 and start taking people on?

Have to disagree about Monkhouse. Not good enough for league 1 but I think he's been one of our best players this season. Bad run co-incided with him being out of the team.

We ain't gonna have a team in league 2 which doesn't have average players in the team. You can't have 11 players consistently playing well, that's why they are in this league.

Collins is exactly the sort of defender needed on league 2.

Collins I get. He serves a purpose in a position we are lacking.

I also appreciate we will never get a fully consistent team but we surely we must now realise this bunch has come to the end of the line?

Do you really wanna watch another year of this or see new lads given a try?

It can't just be more thinking this others must be too based on the attendance.

It's a bit like England, we can take the Same old players who've been there n done it or we can try some new lads.

It's funny most on here would agree about England yet most wanna give monky another year.

Canny player that monkhouse, only starts playing in about February like when he starts shiting himself that his contracts ending soon.

I think we need to retain some of the experience. Our best three players for me are Duckworth, Walker and Luke James. 21, just turned 18 yesterday, and 19. We have three older heads I'd retain Monkhouse and Austin as players you'd pick in the starting eleven and Collins as a back up and to manage the reserves.

Sweeney is a no brainer, Poole has to go I'm afraid, Walton is replaceable (reports of Oliver today seem encouraging) by someone who can do more for less. Franks is the one I'm not 100% sure about. He's a slightly better Colin Larkin for me, he can change a game if played through the middle or if we are counter attacking purely because he has pace. I wouldn't be at all devastated if he went as well but I do think at times he's decent option as long as everyone forgets about the premise that he's a winger. He's always looked better centrally. Is Compton on a two year deal? If it was one he's another I'm not sure about, ability wise he's miles better than League Two but on some days you might as well play with ten men. Of the younger players not as established players only Holden and Richards would get kept on for me, maybe Hawkins as well but I've not seem enough of him to make a fair judgement.

We need to sign two centre backs, ideally one who's done well at a higher level and is now maybe 32/33 and in an ideal World a Christain Burgess, or ideally Christian Burgess!

In Midfield, Matty Dolan would be a great signing but again I think we need an experienced player in this area as well. Someone who can play right wing/centre mid would be good, a reincarnation of Paul Stephenson is in my head a good footballer like him with a bit of nous.

Another striker would be required as well.

I think that should see us in at least the play offs, if you want any advice Colin ring me

For me, I would have no hesitation in signing up Austin, Collins and Monkhouse again. Austin is reliable and not afraid to put in where need be. Collins has shown what a player he can be - 35 (or whatever he is) and our best defender in the second half of season. Monkhouse, yes, he can get sent booked quite easily, or even sent off, but what a chewy bastard he is, exactly the type we see week in week out against us who we hate to see.

Sweeney is gone for sure, no need to keep him. I know Walton has become a bunker favourite of late but I still wonder about him, he has never won me over to be honest despite his early fist pumping. I would love to have Poole in the team but he is so hit and miss. I don't doubt he has the talent but I wonder about his physical presence and mentality, it's just not there. Same with Franks I think - but then again I think Franks had a good spell up front. It's all about players in their best positions, which brings me to Walker, he is a good player but not quite sure of his best position, maybe this could be resolved with Walton suspended.

James is James, a great sniffer, hopefully we can keep hold of him as long as we can. Harewood, he came and I wanted to love him. In fact, I did love him, for a time. Over the months he has disappointed me, yes he distracts defenders and gives James a bit of freedom but he does look like a sloth most of the time. But then again, that emotion form the corner, how can I not love him. I hope he stays another year and puts a great shift in alongside Luke.

Harrison was awful at first but was pretty impressive against Morecambe. Not quite sure about Oliver though he got a good shout today.

The two Jacks (Compton/Barmby) seem to be a pair of divas who play well when the team plays well but disappear otherwise, and Rafferty hasn't done anything to show he is a patch on Flinders.

Duckworth (unlucky with injury) and Holden (a lot of unwarranted abuse on here) would remain as my full backs.

All in all, money permitting, I would keep all except Sweeney, Hawkins, Walton (thinking wages), Compton (attitude) and Poole (just doesn't seem to fit).

I think you are being a bit harsh there. Monky was playing very well earlier in the season alongside James. James looked better with Monkhouse alongside him. I agree that Monkhouse can't take player on down the left wing anymore but he offers something no one else in the squad does. We need a player like him. We should be putting him upfront alongside James. He had more to offer in that position than Harewood .


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Ok I see your point, I just think for the money he's probably on, it could be best spent on a few younger lads to take over, promotion season aside has monkhouse ever delivered a successful season with us? We've been average for 2/3 of the time he's been here.

Clean break for me n time to move on

We've got younger lads in Poole, Franks and Compton. Problem is they've not consistantly been as good as Monkhouse this season.
I think its a no brainer that Monkhouse should be offered at minimum another year.

Sweeney, Collins, Monkhouse, hopefully.

I think Austin is a steady player at this level.

For what reason would you release Hawkins?
How much have you seen him play?

Didn`t Cooper sing his praise as a future prospect?

I'd keep Monky and Walton for their aggression. You can't play polite football in this division, you need narky blurts. They'll kick us so we need a couple of kickers as well. Austin is a utility player so I'd keep him as well. Sweens, well ta, but off you go. Give him a testimonial, and a job with the kids.

Poole, well he hasn't set the Vic on fire has he? The odd great goal but lately all subs. Nah.

A few young uns will go as well. Boagey needs to out on loan in the Conference to harden up, as does Rutherford.

We need another two centre backs and we might do summat.

Sweeneys 30, I doubt he'd want to errors from playing already.

Hasn't he even done his badges, can he coach?

You don't have to give every player who plays for us for a while a coaching job

Totally agree about Barmby! If it was up to me I would try to sign him full time and give him a free role next season to attack and make things happen because this boy in my opinion is a class act that just needs a few more games at this level to become a superstar. Monkhouse will be released not because he was not up to scratch but because his wages and bonus make him the highest paid member of the squad and if that was divided into 2 we would be able to sign a couple of very good young players !

No of course you don't. But with the youth team coach sitting in as assistant manager, there's a job there that needs doing, and having been at the club something like 16 years , he might be a good figurehead. He won't need a top coaching qualification to coach the kids.

Who knows, he might just bugger off to York or Carlisle and have three good seasons with them.

All I'm saying is that there's a benefit for loyalty.

Sometimes we're like those extreme hoarders you see on TV... but in a footballing way.
Every end of season the rose tinted glasses come out and like a child asked to thin out his collection of knackered soft toys start getting all blubbery and sentimental when Mr Floppy the one armed monkey has to go..... I could make a case for mr Floppy quite easily, but the footballers....?
We're a football club not a country club....... when you've got to go...you've got to ...thanks and all that..... but we aren't shelteted accomodation.

THIS. I'm quite sure my last employer didn't think about me like that when I was made redundant!!!! After 25 years!!!!

I would release Sweeney.Walton and Poole. Our squad was thin anyway. Obviously it depends what Coopers thoughts are on the youth players who have been on the bench of late.We need 5 signings at least to make the numbers back up. Plus have the two Sunderland loanees been brought in with a view to signing them permanently once Coopers had a good look at them?

We need to boost the squad not start releasing players willy nilly. The squad is wafer thin and this was found out big style in recent weeks.

Sweeney has to go but after that then im struggling for names as to who we could, with our budget get better. The likes of James Poole, could we really attract a better player. Compton like monkhouse last season has ended the season well enough to be in the managers thoughts. Franks has been disappointing but he can play a role from the bench and is certainly a player I would class as a squad player.

Anybody who wants to get rid of Austin was sectioning. He can play all across the back 4 which would come in very handy and again ill use te word squad player.

Collins has done more than enough and should be rewarded with another year.

Walton has his moments and again as a squad player providing his wages don't eat too much into our budget.

We certainly need new players in and we need to be getting the likes of Walton and Austin on the bench because at least if we had injuries or suspensions we wouldnt require unused kids.

I'd say the squad needs at least 4 more names added to it and loan players on top. We have the Baldwin money, we are the Hartley money, we have the wage of Howard so there simply has to be money to improve. In not saying go and spend millions I'm talking free signings and to be fair there will be a shit load of talent who are more than capable of playing league 2 football. Each prem side will realease around 5 players so there's 100. Has to be something amongst them worth having a look at.

Oliver impressed me at Plymouth and if like to see both him and burgess playing at the vic next season if powers that be make them available.

Releasing a load and starting again could quite easily end in disaster and I'd rather add to the squad rather than dismantle it

Poole -not clever enough, he just runs and gets lucky; although if his first touch was as good as his all round game he'd be staying no doubt.
Sweeney -with regret, but he's 30 and we've got players who are younger and could do a better job... the fact we're considering retaining a 4th choice CM because he has been with us a long time is strange.
Monkhouse - Not good enough for league 1 and not good enough in general; this has been his best full season with us and he's hardly lit up the league and has to go.
Compton - needs to go because he's got no end product; if we are to keep him it wouldn't be the end of the world however.

Walton- needs to stay because he's good enough pure and simple, decent on the ball and breaks up play amazingly. Not long ago people were speaking of him becoming captain and now people are calling for his release.
Collins - Suicidal for him to leave, he's our only CB!
Austin - Has had a great season until his injury, can play anywhere along the back and is a leader.
Franks - keep him, he's good with both feet but needs to learn to play the ball earlier.
Richards/Holden- both good players; why get rid? (although I've heard Holden was set to go to a South African Premier League team in January and would still like a move)

Players to sign from our loans:
Barnby
Burgess
Olivier
Williams (if that happens a miracle has occured)

Players not to retain a year:
Harrison -he doesn't have the positional sense for me, although he seems very good and wouldn't complain if he came back
Dolan -I'd rather Walton for his defensive work

Oh yeah sign Lee Gregory from Halifax ASAP!

I think Franks can be useful when he's played through the middle. He's a frustrating player he runs down wide ally's and rarely gets his head up but he does have pace and the ability to stretch games with that pace. He's a different option. I wouldn't be bothered if he was retained or released to be honest. Poole has more natural ability but is lacking the hunger to play professionally and never consistently offers enough or takes the numerous chances he's had in the starting eleven

Austin is one of the first names on the team sheet for me, he's a consistent steady player at this level who leads by example. We're absolutely fine in the full back positions with Duckworth and Richards as back up then similar Austin with Holden as his understudy.

The vast majority of Howard's wages went on Howard. Harewood wages can only be a percentage of it.

Aye we wi have had to pay the at 'lovely lovely person' at least 70 odd % of his contract up I reckon. Didn't Ken say the Baldwin money can't be used next season?

Keep James (if we can), Duckworth and Walker the rest I dont really care about and all must be help responsible for us being crap.

Collins and Sweeney thanks for the memories but now time to get out. This is the season for a massive overhaul and the majority of players that Cooper has brought in have assured me enough that if he is backed and contracts not offered without his say so then we will be in for a good season next year.

He did yes, I wouldn't be surprised if he sold him last thing on deadline day just so the money cant be used and he had a ready made excuse.

no doubt we'll wait until the end of august to sell james or walker

No, he said it can't be included in the budget as the FA said it all had to go into this season even though we only got 20% of it. We get another 20% next season.

I think Walker will go sadly, let's be fair he's a luxury in a squad like ours, I honestly think we'd be better off with the money to invest in a couple of decent players (assuming we get a decent fee).

Cue some excuse why any fee for Walker can't be used to strengthen the team.

Walker will go, just depends what we can get from IOR to be allocated to players, and whatever else to general running of club day to day.

Out of interest where is everyone so certain Walker will go to?

I think he'll go to Middlesbrough personally.

Hopefully not on the 36 if he has any sense