2025/26 Ins & Outs Discussion

[Kmcalpin]

14 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

hopefully that is the case our defence has needed revamped for a couple of seasons now.

It does and badly so. However, I believe he's being signed as a much needed defensive midfielder, although he can play in several positions. 

[steelman1991]

17 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

There were a couple atricles in newspapers and BBC have one confirming it so I'd assume so

I totally missed the BBC report  - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c74mxge9n8xo

I assumed it was all still speculation.

[thewelllfan]

24 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

It does and badly so. However, I believe he's being signed as a much needed defensive midfielder, although he can play in several positions. 

He's surely been signed as a Cb considering that's where hes mainly played last few seasons

[wunderwell]

35 minutes ago, thewelllfan said:

He's surely been signed as a Cb considering that's where hes mainly played last few seasons

Signed as a CDM - this is where he wants to play. However it remains to be seen if he gets his wish.

[texanwellfan]

2 hours ago, wunderwell said:

Signed as a CDM - this is where he wants to play. However it remains to be seen if he gets his wish.

Another Tom Hateley? 😃

[wellfan]

On 4/2/2025 at 5:37 PM, thewelllfan said:

Players Leaving at end of Current season/Loan expiring

Balcombe - Returning to Brentford

Ward - Contract Expiring

Mair - Returning to Norwich

Kaleta- Returning to Wolves

Casey - Contract Expiring

Blaney - Contract Expiring

Thompson - Contract Expiring

Seddon - (Club option of further year)

Mcginn - (Club option of further year)

Davor - Contract Expiring

Halliday - Contract Expiring

Paton - Contract Expiring

Andrews - Returning to Coventry

Callahan - Contract Expiring

Taveres- Returning to Hibs

Ebiye- Contract Expiring

Plange - Returning to Palace

Dickson - Returning to Man City

Vale - Returning to Blackburn

Luke Armstrong - Returning to Carlisle

For a variety or reasons, including being injury prone, shite and/or useless, every player on that list should be shown the door. Wimmer needs to rip up the squad and start again. 

[mio]

15 minutes ago, wellfan said:

For a variety or reasons, including being injury prone, shite and/or useless, ever player on that list should be shown the door. Wimmer needs to rip up the squad and start again. 

what an absolute mess we are in when you see that list of players…. Jesus!!

There’s 20 on that list and I have to agree with you. The only one I’d keep is McGinn purely because he doesn’t have a long history of injuries, the one this year is his first bad one that I can see he’s had in his career. I like wee Paton and Davor as they do give their all but it’s probably not enough to make up for their limitations.

the rest of them, yip, I’ll wish them goodbye and all the best.

 

[wellsince75]

49 minutes ago, mio said:

what an absolute mess we are in when you see that list of players…. Jesus!!

There’s 20 on that list and I have to agree with you. The only one I’d keep is McGinn purely because he doesn’t have a long history of injuries, the one this year is his first bad one that I can see he’s had in his career. I like wee Paton and Davor as they do give their all but it’s probably not enough to make up for their limitations.

the rest of them, yip, I’ll wish them goodbye and all the best.

 

Think time is up for McGinn . 34 years and out much of this season, from memory he a thigh injury last season that kept him out during our poor run. 

I'd let him go , time to look ahead and get something different. 

The clubs recruitment has been awful. The last few seasons have come down to this time of the season saying  :

1) I hope we don't get drawn in the play offs. 
2) next season will be better when we get rid of xyz. 

We have typically off loaded players only to replace them with something worse. 

Our squad is majority of journeymen from England - time to change the approach. 

 

[El Grew]

1 hour ago, wellfan said:

For a variety or reasons, including being injury prone, shite and/or useless, every player on that list should be shown the door. Wimmer needs to rip up the squad and start again. 

Very similar to a list I posted recently and an indictment on us as a club - 34 players in our first team squad and as you say this 20 need to be shown the door.  To your list I’d add the following 5:

Watt                               O’Donnell                         Balmer                   Zadravkovski               Nicholson

If they all go, it would leave us with only 9 players - 8 if and when Lennon Miller goes.

One thing’s for certain, Herr Wimmer and his assistant are going to have a very busy close season.

[David]

As I posted elsewhere, according to what I can tell, we'll see the following first-team players return for next season at this stage:

• Aston Oxborough
• Stephen O'Donnell
• Liam Gordon
• Kofi Balmer
• John Koutroumbis
• Ewan Wilson
• Tom Sparrow
• Callum Slattery
• Lennon Miller
• Zach Robinson
• Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
• Sam Nicholson
• Tawanda Maswanhise
• Filip Stuparevic

And notable among the younger players on loan/in development squads I think we're set to lose Matty Connolly, Luca Ross & Mark Ferrie, while Dylan Wells has another year left on his deal.

I think, going by that list, Wimmer has not a bad base to work with next season, although it's clear that in order to completely change how we do things he's going to need two or even three transfer windows.

In my view, Oxborough, Gordon, Sparrow, Slattery, Stama and Maswanhise should be regarded as genuine first-team players, provided they stay fit and maintain their current level. That gives us six, five of whom are outfield. This effectively leaves Wimmer with room to bring in up to six new faces who could slot straight into the starting eleven.

The others on that list, realistically, will make up the squad depth and hopefully feature regularly from the bench. Let’s be honest, unless Wimmer sees something in pre-season that he feels he can develop, many of them will be sticking around simply because they’re under contract.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Balcombe returned as a backup goalkeeper, unless there’s a stronger alternative available. From what I can tell, beyond Oxborough there’s nobody else in that role worth noting. If Balcombe is open to taking on that job, he might be a straightforward short-term solution until something more solid comes along.

I’d also be tempted to explore whether anything can be done with Andrews. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve seen glimpses of ability there that might come to the fore with a different setup around him. If Miller is sold, we’ll need someone to step into that role, and Andrews has shown flashes that suggest he could do it. It all comes down to his own aspirations and whatever plans his parent club might have.

Ultimately, it’s now up to Wimmer and the club to make the big decisions. Beyond the names already mentioned, I don’t see any strong case to extend deals for others currently in the squad. There’s clearly room to overhaul things, and how far that goes will depend on the manager and those handling recruitment.

[mfc]

10 minutes ago, wellsince75 said:

Think time is up for McGinn . 34 years and out much of this season, from memory he a thigh injury last season that kept him out during our poor run. 

I'd let him go , time to look ahead and get something different. 

The clubs recruitment has been awful. The last few seasons have come down to this time of the season saying  :

1) I hope we don't get drawn in the play offs. 
2) next season will be better when we get rid of xyz. 

We have typically off loaded players only to replace them with something worse. 

Our squad is majority of journeymen from England - time to change the approach. 

 

I wouldnt have been totally against mcginn being kept on but with odonnell,balmer and koutroumbis signed for next season,we can't be using anymore of our limited funds to keep anymore of our current defenders on.we need big changes in defence and there more we keep the less chance there is for any improvement next season.

[El Grew]

20 minutes ago, David said:

As I posted elsewhere, according to what I can tell, we'll see the following first-team players return for next season at this stage:

• Aston Oxborough
• Stephen O'Donnell
• Liam Gordon
• Kofi Balmer
• John Koutroumbis
• Ewan Wilson
• Tom Sparrow
• Callum Slattery
• Lennon Miller
• Zach Robinson
• Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
• Sam Nicholson
• Tawanda Maswanhise
• Filip Stuparevic

And notable among the younger players on loan/in development squads I think we're set to lose Matty Connolly, Luca Ross & Mark Ferrie, while Dylan Wells has another year left on his deal.

I think, going by that list, Wimmer has not a bad base to work with next season, although it's clear that in order to completely change how we do things he's going to need two or even three transfer windows.

In my view, Oxborough, Gordon, Sparrow, Slattery, Stama and Maswanhise should be regarded as genuine first-team players, provided they stay fit and maintain their current level. That gives us six, five of whom are outfield. This effectively leaves Wimmer with room to bring in up to six new faces who could slot straight into the starting eleven.

The others on that list, realistically, will make up the squad depth and hopefully feature regularly from the bench. Let’s be honest, unless Wimmer sees something in pre-season that he feels he can develop, many of them will be sticking around simply because they’re under contract.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Balcombe returned as a backup goalkeeper, unless there’s a stronger alternative available. From what I can tell, beyond Oxborough there’s nobody else in that role worth noting. If Balcombe is open to taking on that job, he might be a straightforward short-term solution until something more solid comes along.

I’d also be tempted to explore whether anything can be done with Andrews. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve seen glimpses of ability there that might come to the fore with a different setup around him. If Miller is sold, we’ll need someone to step into that role, and Andrews has shown flashes that suggest he could do it. It all comes down to his own aspirations and whatever plans his parent club might have.

Ultimately, it’s now up to Wimmer and the club to make the big decisions. Beyond the names already mentioned, I don’t see any strong case to extend deals for others currently in the squad. There’s clearly room to overhaul things, and how far that goes will depend on the manager and those handling recruitment.

Great post and well argued.

The only ones on your list I’d try to move out (always assuming other clubs would be interested in them) would be O’Donnell, Balmer and Nicholson. I forgot all about Stuparevic. He’s currently on loan at Morton and as I’ve not seen him playing yet I will reserve judgment.

[Kmcalpin]

I'd add Robinson to that list, once he's fully recovered. 

[David]

37 minutes ago, El Grew said:

The only ones on your list I’d try to move out (always assuming other clubs would be interested in them) would be O’Donnell, Balmer and Nicholson. I forgot all about Stuparevic. He’s currently on loan at Morton and as I’ve not seen him playing yet I will reserve judgment.

If there’s a way for players who are still under contract but not part of the manager’s plans to move on, then by all means, that should be explored. As it stands, I’m assuming those who aren’t especially in favour but still tied down by deals will likely remain until their contracts expire.

[wellgirl]

O'Donnell has just had a contract extension triggered. Id be very surprised if he's moved on. I personally wouldn't move Robinson on. There are few players I'd be happy to see sign on again. Don't think we need a complete clear out - and it won't happen anyway given the number of players who are still under contract. 

[Spit_It_Out]

Nobody should be safe from the door that's in contract I would pay Balmer to leave,I am done with SOD as a part of a back three right back as a four no issues but as a three nope.

We need pace, creativity and width in this team we are so predictable to play against the other team has to be really shite not to take advantage ie Hearts.

Also Daws has to go aswell surely his contract must be up the recruitment has been so so poor last two transfer windows worst I have witnessed.

 

 

[Mad Dog]

7 hours ago, David said:

As I posted elsewhere, according to what I can tell, we'll see the following first-team players return for next season at this stage:

• Aston Oxborough
• Stephen O'Donnell
• Liam Gordon
• Kofi Balmer
• John Koutroumbis
• Ewan Wilson
• Tom Sparrow
• Callum Slattery
• Lennon Miller
• Zach Robinson
• Apostolos Stamatelopoulos
• Sam Nicholson
• Tawanda Maswanhise
• Filip Stuparevic

And notable among the younger players on loan/in development squads I think we're set to lose Matty Connolly, Luca Ross & Mark Ferrie, while Dylan Wells has another year left on his deal.

I think, going by that list, Wimmer has not a bad base to work with next season, although it's clear that in order to completely change how we do things he's going to need two or even three transfer windows.

In my view, Oxborough, Gordon, Sparrow, Slattery, Stama and Maswanhise should be regarded as genuine first-team players, provided they stay fit and maintain their current level. That gives us six, five of whom are outfield. This effectively leaves Wimmer with room to bring in up to six new faces who could slot straight into the starting eleven.

The others on that list, realistically, will make up the squad depth and hopefully feature regularly from the bench. Let’s be honest, unless Wimmer sees something in pre-season that he feels he can develop, many of them will be sticking around simply because they’re under contract.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Balcombe returned as a backup goalkeeper, unless there’s a stronger alternative available. From what I can tell, beyond Oxborough there’s nobody else in that role worth noting. If Balcombe is open to taking on that job, he might be a straightforward short-term solution until something more solid comes along.

I’d also be tempted to explore whether anything can be done with Andrews. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve seen glimpses of ability there that might come to the fore with a different setup around him. If Miller is sold, we’ll need someone to step into that role, and Andrews has shown flashes that suggest he could do it. It all comes down to his own aspirations and whatever plans his parent club might have.

Ultimately, it’s now up to Wimmer and the club to make the big decisions. Beyond the names already mentioned, I don’t see any strong case to extend deals for others currently in the squad. There’s clearly room to overhaul things, and how far that goes will depend on the manager and those handling recruitment.

Could Calum Ward not be extended beyond this season? Rather than signing on another loan goalie as backup.

[Spit_It_Out]

9 hours ago, Mad Dog said:

Could Calum Ward not be extended beyond this season? Rather than signing on another loan goalie as backup.

I wouldnt be shocked if Balcombe is here on a season loan again or signed on a contract pretty clear Wimmer fancies him.

[sinjy]

19 hours ago, wellfan said:

 

  On 4/2/2025 at 5:37 PM, thewelllfan said:

Players Leaving at end of Current season/Loan expiring

Balcombe - Returning to Brentford

Ward - Contract Expiring

Mair - Returning to Norwich

Kaleta- Returning to Wolves

Casey - Contract Expiring

Blaney - Contract Expiring

Thompson - Contract Expiring

Seddon - (Club option of further year)

Mcginn - (Club option of further year)

Davor - Contract Expiring

Halliday - Contract Expiring

Paton - Contract Expiring

Andrews - Returning to Coventry

Callahan - Contract Expiring

Taveres- Returning to Hibs

Ebiye- Contract Expiring

Plange - Returning to Palace

Dickson - Returning to Man City

Vale - Returning to Blackburn

Luke Armstrong - Returning to Carlisle

We are relying on a squad of players who have no investment in the club. To go into a relegation battle with a whole load of players who will all be off as soon as the season finishes and will not suffer the consequences of relegation really gives me the fear.

[thewelllfan]

As i Said previously only player OOC i'd look to retain is Paton. Of the loanees if we can get Andrews back for another season I wouldn't be against it rest can all go. Of the contracted players I'd be looking to shift Nicholson, SOD, Stuperavic and Koutrombis and Miller will be sold.

Base of Squad by positon would then look like

GK- Ox

Cbs- Gordon, Balmer

Wbs- Sparrow, Wilson

Cms- Slattery, Paton

Fwds- Stam, Maswanhise, Robinson

That gives Wimmer a decent base of a squad and plenty of space to bring in his own players in each position.

[wellfan]

1 hour ago, thewelllfan said:

As i Said previously only player OOC i'd look to retain is Paton. Of the loanees if we can get Andrews back for another season I wouldn't be against it rest can all go. Of the contracted players I'd be looking to shift Nicholson, SOD, Stuperavic and Koutrombis and Miller will be sold.

Base of Squad by positon would then look like

GK- Ox

Cbs- Gordon, Balmer

Wbs- Sparrow, Wilson

Cms- Slattery, Paton

Fwds- Stam, Maswanhise, Robinson

That gives Wimmer a decent base of a squad and plenty of space to bring in his own players in each position.

Another suggestion would be to seek to offload 4-5 from your base squad list of 10. If not, the same issues will persist next season. We need a complete gutting, if possible. 

[WellHighlander]

On the pitch, I've huge concerns that we can muster the points needed to avoid a play-off, but regardless of what happens, huge changes are needed off it.

There is little doubt it's virtually a complete clear out that's required. Undoubtedly one of the worst Motherwell squads assembled in my 30-plus years of supporting the club.

Personally disappointed to see the club sign SOD. At one-time a few seasons ago solid performer for club and country, but never a player who works in a back three and has been culpable for the loss of several goals this season. Cannot see how his performances merited an extension, but maybe time to work with the new manager will bring about a new lease of life.

Sparrow extending makes sense. A versatile player who can be of value to a squad, but not sure he'd be in my first-team. One of only a few, however, that seems to genuinely put a shift in.

Delighted to see Slattery stay. If Wimmer can get him into the right areas of the pitch then no doubt he can contribute goals and assists. Still feeling his way back after a bad injury, but with a good pre-season behind him he could become a key player.

Out of the rest, I'd keep Ox, maybe Seddon at a real push, Gordon, McGinn (used as a squad player) and Stama but for me that's it.

Miller will be sold to fund this rebuild and if it's on our terms then I'd think about Casey, but I'd certainly not be breaking the bank.

We need to be ruthless and this is the ideal time to do that. The squad, even without the loans, is bloated and severely lacks quality and consistency. If this season has shown anything, we cannot afford to carry people. It needs to be a much tighter ship.

We have also drifted away from offering our young players an opportunity. Wimmer needs to address this as a priority because at the moment, there doesn't seem to be much coming through, but perhaps the opportunities have been limited due to the obscene amount of loan players that have been brought in, the majority having no sort of impact at all.

I appreciate injuries have played their part, but this is a squad that has had opportunities and time and again they've let the support down.

Making such wholesale changes is not with risk and patience will be required, but the board need to show they back Wimmer and are bold enough to want to bring about a change in the dressing room culture that at the moment seems entrenched in mediocrity - and the acceptance of it.

 

[wellfan]

6 minutes ago, WellHighlander said:

On the pitch, I've huge concerns that we can muster the points needed to avoid a play-off, but regardless of what happens, huge changes are needed off it.

There is little doubt it's virtually a complete clear out that's required. Undoubtedly one of the worst Motherwell squads assembled in my 30-plus years of supporting the club.

Personally disappointed to see the club sign SOD. At one-time a few seasons ago solid performer for club and country, but never a player who works in a back three and has been culpable for the loss of several goals this season. Cannot see how his performances merited an extension, but maybe time to work with the new manager will bring about a new lease of life.

Sparrow extending makes sense. A versatile player who can be of value to a squad, but not sure he'd be in my first-team. One of only a few, however, that seems to genuinely put a shift in.

Delighted to see Slattery stay. If Wimmer can get him into the right areas of the pitch then no doubt he can contribute goals and assists. Still feeling his way back after a bad injury, but with a good pre-season behind him he could become a key player.

Out of the rest, I'd keep Ox, maybe Seddon at a real push, Gordon, McGinn (used as a squad player) and Stama but for me that's it.

Miller will be sold to fund this rebuild and if it's on our terms then I'd think about Casey, but I'd certainly not be breaking the bank.

We need to be ruthless and this is the ideal time to do that. The squad, even without the loans, is bloated and severely lacks quality and consistency. If this season has shown anything, we cannot afford to carry people. It needs to be a much tighter ship.

We have also drifted away from offering our young players an opportunity. Wimmer needs to address this as a priority because at the moment, there doesn't seem to be much coming through, but perhaps the opportunities have been limited due to the obscene amount of loan players that have been brought in, the majority having no sort of impact at all.

I appreciate injuries have played their part, but this is a squad that has had opportunities and time and again they've let the support down.

Making such wholesale changes is not with risk and patience will be required, but the board need to show they back Wimmer and are bold enough to want to bring about a change in the dressing room culture that at the moment seems entrenched in mediocrity - and the acceptance of it.

Thoroughly balanced but spot on post. You should contribute more often.  

[thewelllfan]

43 minutes ago, wellfan said:

Another suggestion would be to seek to offload 4-5 from your base squad list of 10. If not, the same issues will persist next season. We need a complete gutting, if possible. 

As much as I would like to rip up the majority of the squad as well I feel we need some level of stability. I wouldn't mind Wilson being loaned out as i feel he's stagnated in his development. Balmer, Paton and Robinson I wouldn't be against moving on either but I feel trying to bring in 15/16 players in 1 window would be a big ask and those 3 are fine as squad players. But theoretically all those moving on leaves you with a squad of 6 players.

[Stuwell2]

1 hour ago, WellHighlander said:

We have also drifted away from offering our young players an opportunity. Wimmer needs to address this as a priority because at the moment, there doesn't seem to be much coming through, but perhaps the opportunities have been limited due to the obscene amount of loan players that have been brought in, the majority having no sort of impact at all.

 

Possibly we have no young players ready to step up, we can hope but not expect youngsters to come through every season.
Of those who were in a position to make an impression this season none have managed to do so and will probably need another season or two as backups on the bench before they’re ready to play a major role.