2024/25 Ins & Outs Discussion

[Kmcalpin]

I'd say that midfield is an area we badly need to bolster. In addition to replacing Spittal we also require a physical defensive type to shield the defence. The absence of just such a player was one of the reasons we conceded so many last season.

[Cameron_Mcd]

44 minutes ago, Stuwell2 said:

Agree he’s not one I’d be looking at but disagree that midfield doesn’t need added to. With Spittal away we need to replace him. Halliday, I think could do us a turn but we need to strengthen around him with players who can cover his shortcomings. 

If you look at our squad, we desperately need to sign a goalkeeper, a centre half and a few wingbacks. We've only got 2 senior strikers at the club, one of which hasn't played a combined 90 minutes in his time at the club.

If we get Nicholson and Slattery signed up we shouldn't be too far away from having a good enough midfield (that is, of course, a big if)

I stand by my original point that out of the issues we have with our current squad the midfield is probably the least urgent of them.

 

 

[joewarkfanclub]

9 hours ago, David said:

The idea of the guy who couldn't get a look-in when Kelly was having his worst season being our new number one gives me the fear. 

But I think you could be right.

Dont want to start a tit for tat, but you gave multiple reasons at the time why Kelly wouldnt and shouldnt be dropped for Oxborough last season.

Are you admitting now he should have been given a chance?

[Ya Bezzer!]

Saw the statement about player releases and contracts and have a couple of questions.

Obika and Tierney weren't mentioned as either being released or offered new contracts.  

I believe they were both contracted up to this summer.  I'd assume they are gone then but it wasn't categorically stated.

Also, is it correct that we don't have a single recognised first team player contracted beyond 2025?

[wellfan]

21 minutes ago, Ya Bezzer! said:

Saw the statement about player releases and contracts and have a couple of questions.

Obika and Tierney weren't mentioned as either being released or offered new contracts.  

I believe they were both contracted up to this summer.  I'd assume they are gone then but it wasn't categorically stated.

Also, is it correct that we don't have a single recognised first team player contracted beyond 2025?

Tierney is on the players under contract list, which I think runs until the end of next season.

Obika’s absence from any of the lists remains a mystery, perhaps because he's triggered an extension and the club are too embarrassed to admit yet another fuck up. 

Although the MFC website is about as accurate as a drunk man aiming his piss into the bog, I think Miller is the only player with a contract beyond 2025. 

[David]

17 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Dont want to start a tit for tat, but you gave multiple reasons at the time why Kelly wouldnt and shouldnt be dropped for Oxborough last season.

Are you admitting now he should have been given a chance?

One reason he probably wasn't dropped is that the manager didn't seem to have much faith in the backup keeper. Kelly's role as captain undoubtedly played a significant part, as it should have, but it doesn't appear that Oxborough made the decision difficult for the manager.

Let's be honest, if Kettlewell had rated Oxborough, he would have been given more opportunities during the cup.

The fact that he played two games, conceded three goals in the first, and was essentially sidelined for the rest of the season before we got into August says a lot.

I'm hoping Oxborough has re-signed to be the backup, although I'd be surprised if that's the case, as he could likely secure a backup role elsewhere under freedom of contract.

The fact that he signed up so quickly suggests he's received some assurances for the coming season, which is concerning. It indicates a significant downgrade from Kelly and a cheaper option.

It's also worth noting that Oxborough isn't a young prospect. At 25 years old, he has played around 51 games in his entire career.

For comparison, he's only three years younger than Kelly, but Kelly has played 275 games.

[wellsince75]

50 minutes ago, David said:

One reason he probably wasn't dropped is that the manager didn't seem to have much faith in the backup keeper. Kelly's role as captain undoubtedly played a significant part, as it should have, but it doesn't appear that Oxborough made the decision difficult for the manager.

Let's be honest, if Kettlewell had rated Oxborough, he would have been given more opportunities during the cup.

The fact that he played two games, conceded three goals in the first, and was essentially sidelined for the rest of the season before we got into August says a lot.

I'm hoping Oxborough has re-signed to be the backup, although I'd be surprised if that's the case, as he could likely secure a backup role elsewhere under freedom of contract.

The fact that he signed up so quickly suggests he's received some assurances for the coming season, which is concerning. It indicates a significant downgrade from Kelly and a cheaper option.

It's also worth noting that Oxborough isn't a young prospect. At 25 years old, he has played around 51 games in his entire career.

For comparison, he's only three years younger than Kelly, but Kelly has played 275 games.

I honestly don't see the point in giving squad players who aren't ever going to be first 11 a new contract. I'd prefer to have youngsters as a back up and go and recruit some decent players. 

Personally I'd have been more brutal and let the likes of S'OD, Mugabi and Ox go. 

Although easier said than done now is the time to recruit a very good goal keeper, central defenders and quality defensive midfielder. 

[stv]

7 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

Although easier said than done now is the time to recruit a very good goal keeper, central defenders and quality defensive midfielder. 

Just like all the other teams in the league outside the old firm. Even Paul Daniels couldn’t pull that one off .

Any names spring to mind , within our budget.

[wellfan97]

Hearing Easton has had a choice between ourselves and Dundee United and he's chosen Dundee United. Source isn't the most reliable however.

[joewarkfanclub]

2 hours ago, David said:

One reason he probably wasn't dropped is that the manager didn't seem to have much faith in the backup keeper. Kelly's role as captain undoubtedly played a significant part, as it should have, but it doesn't appear that Oxborough made the decision difficult for the manager.

Let's be honest, if Kettlewell had rated Oxborough, he would have been given more opportunities during the cup.

The fact that he played two games, conceded three goals in the first, and was essentially sidelined for the rest of the season before we got into August says a lot.

I'm hoping Oxborough has re-signed to be the backup, although I'd be surprised if that's the case, as he could likely secure a backup role elsewhere under freedom of contract.

The fact that he signed up so quickly suggests he's received some assurances for the coming season, which is concerning. It indicates a significant downgrade from Kelly and a cheaper option.

It's also worth noting that Oxborough isn't a young prospect. At 25 years old, he has played around 51 games in his entire career.

For comparison, he's only three years younger than Kelly, but Kelly has played 275 games.

If SK didnt have faith in Ox as a back up keeper last season, he shouldnt be offering him a new contract this season, and certainly not as a number one.

More likely he didnt want to drop his captain in the run up to the Euros and deny him any chance of making the Scotland squad (as unlikely as it is now.)

One things for sure, Ox wont get any better without playing games.

25 isnt terribly old for a keeper, but he really needs to nail down a first team place soon whatever level that may be at.

If Ox as no.1 is the plan he is gonna have to hit the ground running this season as I dont think he will be afforded much sympathy from sections of our support.

 

[FirParkCornerExile]

45 minutes ago, wellfan97 said:

Hearing Easton has had a choice between ourselves and Dundee United and he's chosen Dundee United. Source isn't the most reliable however.

Makes a change from being usurped by St Mirren. 

[David]

2 hours ago, wellsince75 said:

I honestly don't see the point in giving squad players who aren't ever going to be first 11 a new contract. I'd prefer to have youngsters as a back up and go and recruit some decent players. 

Personally I'd have been more brutal and let the likes of S'OD, Mugabi and Ox go. 

I believe it ultimately depends on several factors, such as the player's salary and contract demands, as well as their expectations regarding playing time.

For instance, if O'Donnell is willing to accept a contract that reflects his age and acknowledges that his playing time will likely be limited, then it makes sense to keep him. His experience can still be valuable to the team.

However, I would have released Mugabi and Oxborough.

37 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

If SK didnt have faith in Ox as a back up keeper last season, he shouldnt be offering him a new contract this season, and certainly not as a number one.

More likely he didnt want to drop his captain in the run up to the Euros and deny him any chance of making the Scotland squad (as unlikely as it is now.)

One things for sure, Ox wont get any better without playing games.

25 isnt terribly old for a keeper, but he really needs to nail down a first team place soon whatever level that may be at.

If Ox as no.1 is the plan he is gonna have to hit the ground running this season as I dont think he will be afforded much sympathy from sections of our support.

We would have entered this summer without any senior keepers in our squad, so perhaps Kettlewell is thinking he could secure one good player for that position, but getting two would be unrealistic. In that context, I completely understand why we would want to re-sign Oxborough for another year.

What puzzles me is why he signed so quickly. I could understand if he resigned himself to being a backup at Motherwell after not receiving any worthwhile offers elsewhere, but he didn't even wait for his current deal to expire.

This suggests to me that he has possibly been promised something that made him forego other opportunities he might have had as a free agent this summer.

[Stuwell2]

On the subject of offering extensions or new contracts to existing players here’s my thoughts 

There’s a lot worse players than many of them and yes they have shortcomings but whoever we sign will be the same. 
Kettlewell knows them and I’m sure one of the reasons why he’s ok with giving them new deals is that throughout the season these guys stuck by him, didn’t down tools and managed to scrape through. Personally I believe that if the team hadn’t stuck together and believed in the manager then we would have been relegated. 
Next season’s going to be rough if our targets keep choosing our rivals over us leaving us with no one if we let these guys go. 
So in short the manager knows that - even if they’re only squad players - these guys will have confidence in him, help integrate the new signings without being pissed off if they’re not first pick, back him up if needed, bring some calmness and help keep the dressing room together if things get tough.
If I was a manager I’d be looking for that from them. 

[MelvinBragg]

47 minutes ago, David said:

What puzzles me is why he signed so quickly. I could understand if he resigned himself to being a backup at Motherwell after not receiving any worthwhile offers elsewhere, but he didn't even wait for his current deal to expire.

There are more goalkeepers that are not first choice than there are first choice goalkeepers. It could be that Oxborough realises that there are very few first choice goalkeeping slots available, even less at clubs that might be seen as attractive. Equally likely as his being promised something.

And I'm not saying that's definitely the case but Oxborough is not 19, he's been around football for a number of years. It could be he's just more realistic than some other keepers...

[David]

27 minutes ago, MelvinBragg said:

There are more goalkeepers that are not first choice than there are first choice goalkeepers. It could be that Oxborough realises that there are very few first choice goalkeeping slots available, even less at clubs that might be seen as attractive.

Yes, but my question is, why re-sign so quickly with a club where you've only played two games in two years? Wouldn't it make more sense to consider moving somewhere else where you could also be a backup, but perhaps closer to home? Maybe a place where the manager sees your potential and might even give you a shot at the first team, even if you start out as a backup?

It's a weird situation.

[bobbybingo]

1 hour ago, David said:

Yes, but my question is, why re-sign so quickly with a club where you've only played two games in two years? Wouldn't it make more sense to consider moving somewhere else where you could also be a backup, but perhaps closer to home? Maybe a place where the manager sees your potential and might even give you a shot at the first team, even if you start out as a backup?

It's a weird situation.

I was surprised Oxborough was offered a new deal and signed it, but on reflection, it's probably not that weird. It may seem like he's made a quick decision on his future but he has no doubt seen Kelly's departure coming for some time, given most of us did. He must have known how difficult it would be to shift the club captain and regular member of the Scotland squad from the starting line-up, and in general, the patience levels of goalkeepers are probably much higher than those of outfield players. We have no idea what Kettlewell's told him re his plans for next season, though I doubt he's said you have no chance of becoming number 1. As for moving closer to home, who knows, maybe he actually likes it here.

[Spiderpig]

9 hours ago, David said:

 

What puzzles me is why he signed so quickly. I could understand if he resigned himself to being a backup at Motherwell after not receiving any worthwhile offers elsewhere, but he didn't even wait for his current deal to expire.

This suggests to me that he has possibly been promised something that made him forego other opportunities he might have had as a free agent this summer.

I agree, he's probably been promised he'll get his chance as 1st choice keeper and no doubt a wage increase as well, a no brainer for him if that's the scenario.

[MelvinBragg]

9 hours ago, David said:

Yes, but my question is, why re-sign so quickly with a club where you've only played two games in two years? Wouldn't it make more sense to consider moving somewhere else where you could also be a backup, but perhaps closer to home? Maybe a place where the manager sees your potential and might even give you a shot at the first team, even if you start out as a backup?

It's a weird situation.

Maybe he likes it here? Also possible (and for me, this is the likely scenario) that given he was coming to the end of his contract, his agent has already had a look at what other offers are out there and for a guy that has seen very little first team action in two years, clubs weren't exactly knocking down his door? I think the rush to assume Oxborough will be our number one next season is premature. I reckon when we see who else we sign in terms of goalkeeper, we'll know more...

[Ya Bezzer!]

I'd be surprised if Oxborough is first choice next season.

You need three goalkeepers in the squad so it'll be Connelly, Oxborough and a starter.

[joewarkfanclub]

9 minutes ago, Ya Bezzer! said:

I'd be surprised if Oxborough is first choice next season.

You need three goalkeepers in the squad so it'll be Connelly, Oxborough and a starter.

Hopefully not Joe Lewis then!

[Happy Dosser]

4 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Hopefully not Joe Lewis then!

If only to stop Louis Moult scoring freely against us 😱.

[bobbybingo]

Talking of Moult and Lewis, I see Ryan Bowman was released by Shrewsbury Town. And no, I'm not.

[Spiderpig]

Just now, bobbybingo said:

Talking of Moult and Lewis, I see Ryan Bowman was released by Shrewsbury Town. And no, I'm not.

Bowman was great for us, no nonsense front man put himself and his elbows about a bit I liked him.

[well_said]

15 minutes ago, Spiderpig said:

Bowman was great for us, no nonsense front man put himself and his elbows about a bit I liked him.

Better than obika.

[pretzel]

Stevie Mallan and former Aberdeen center-back Clark Robertson are looking to find clubs in Scotland. Robertson seems to have a decent enough CV but I can't really remember much about him. Mallan always seemed to flatter to deceive, St Mirren would seem the obvious choice.

Hopefully, Kettlewell has put a deadline on the contract renewals as opposed to last year when someone signed on the eve of the campaign.