I know it's a bit early...

[Stu M]

...but who do we think will stay and who will go in the close season? I'd hate to lose Bentley or Wilkerson for starters.

[The Doctor]

Purely from seeing reactions, Wilko and Turner will stay, Turner goes mental whenever we score and Wilkerson, it would surely be for his benefit to stay at G+NFC with the coaching of Ron, Wilkerson has improved vast amounts apparently according to people who have seen him previously. Im worried, however, that Benno may receive a beter offer from somewhere else <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. I think Jacko will stay, he loves G+N, Macca also will stay because he appreciates what andy did for him. FRidge should stay because we guarentee him conf footy and he owes us a season, lol. Would like to see Burton stay, his tackling yesterday was top class, and he improves with every game. Matt Lee, would also like to see him stay, he is up to the conference standard. Wilkins may leave, Che may leave. Would like to retain their services though. Would definately like to see beast stay. also louie evans, he will get better. I think when Budgie scores his first conf goal he will also get better, his first touch is outstanding. Also rob owen, think he wil stay. THink we will need to sign a full back who can play on either flank.

 

[Alan ( GNFC )]

A mate of mine who supports Yeovil seems to think they've been watching Benno .

[Slartibartfast]

Quote:

THink we will need to sign a full back who can play on either flank.

Paul Sturgess looked a pretty good left back before he got injured.
The last few matches we have looked a lot more solid at the back with the return of Duku and some fantastic performances from Nick Burton. Liam Hatch has been superb but whenever we have to chase a game we still resort to pumping high balls forward and hoping we get lucky.
The real quality in our side is our midfield we should play through them not over their heads.
On the positive side Yeovil and Doncaster were the best two sides with Morecombe and Daggers not far behind. Kettering were the whipping boys but there was very little to choose between the rest as shown by the rise of FGR after an awful start and the fall of Southport after a good start.
If Doncaster win the playoffs as they deserve then we are as good ( or as bad ) as anyone in the league.
This season was great fun, next season should be even better.

[David Holden]

Any announcements will be made in the "other place" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Matt (GNFC)]

Listening to Andys post match comments on the radio yesterday he admitted that he'll be looking to strengthen both the defence and the attack as these have been our weak areas. I must take it all back about Nick Burton. He's been looking much more assured with the Fridge around him.

Outs:

Pennock. cant see him playing next year that much.

Barnett. Can see him going down a division.

Stadhardt. Been disappointing this season.

Wilkins - 50/50 call i think.

Bentley - Think he'll be off to a better offer sadly.

 

I hope Lee Boylan only signed a 1 yr extension with Canvey in the side..With him in our squad alongside the beast we could really go places.

[FleetFanatic]

Yep.....a player pledge for Boylan?

[Stu M]

Quote:

Yep.....a player pledge for Boylan?

I think he has another year to see through at Canvey, contract-wise. There was a thread about this on their forum...


CIFC - Boylan

[Mepis]

I know Andy said that he has meetings with the Chairman and players next week, i would like to see three or four conference experienced players come in especially up front, i think that it is time for change although we have affection for players, the club is moving forward and that means new and better players to take us forward, i know it is only my opinion but i expect Barnett, Wilkins, Stadhart, Parker to leave with possibly Owen and maybe Skinner, especially if Sturgess is fit, we need a commanding central defender, two strikers and possibly a right full back, it would be nice to get some loyalty from Duku, Mckimm as the club stuck by them, i actually think Bentley will stay, unless of course the Yeovil story is true then that would be hard to refuse.

[Stu B]

Boylan and bit of money for stadhart?

[GaryFB]

I'd like to think that Wilko will stay, I'm unsure about Skins or Sturge, I think Sturge was unlucky with his injury problems but I'd like to see both next season. Skins needs to control himself better to avoid the cautions and sendings off he's had this season.

 

Pennock was superb yesterday although I don't know whether his knees will hold out next season. The Fridge and Nick must stay they are the best centre pairing we have, I would also like to see Aaron back next season as he is a class defender.

 

Midfiield is a much more difficult proposition...............

like everybody else I feel we need Benno in midfield but whether we can hold onto him remains to be seen. If we don't then I feel that Macca and Rob Owen are a must, Jimmy Strouts should also be retained and it goes without saying that Jacko will be leading the team.

 

The forward line is much more difficult to judge. people are always giving Che grief but he's been our top scorer for a few seasons, including this, realistically we must keep him. I would be very disappointed to see Craig Wilkins go as he gives 100% in every game. Whether he wants to stay is anothe question.

 

Now who should partner Che? I've been very impressed with Louie Evans and I feel that he is a better prospect than Kevin Budge. Then we get to the beast, I don't think there is anything for me to say about his recent performances but he really does need to do it week in week out.

 

Of the remaining players from this year those I would like to retain are

 

Tos

Jamie Turner

 

I can't comment on thiose players coming via the reserves or the PASE scheme as I haven't seen either regularly......... maybe someone els ecan add whether there are players worthy of addition to the first team squad.

 

Apologies for the length of this post but it's difficult to compose a coherent message when you've been p*ssed since yesterday afternoon.

 

GFB

 

[GaryFB]

PS

 

I've just re-read my message and have realised that I've completely forgotten Matt Lee, without doubt Matt should be in the team for next season

 

GFB

[Alan W (GNFC)]

I think Tostao may go despite the fans love of him - too often he is found out by the opposition defenders - surprising, given his performance in that pre season friendly and the fact that he is an international as well.

 

Owen may go as he has been in and out of Andy's plans this season and Jimmy Strouts has been another midfielder whose performances can blow "hot & cold".

 

At the back, Sturgess looks a better all round player than Skins.

 

Andy has obviously complained at the defensive side of things, but the chopping and changing certainly didnt help them - once things settled down towards the end of the season, we looked more solid at the back, so allowing for the fact that Francis will be much stronger after a full pre season next year, and that Matt Lee will hopefully be back,I dont think we need more than a couple of extra defenders.

 

Up front, its a difficult call, but Che has struggled this season to get regular goals - yes, hes our top scorer again, but his goals came in no more than 10 games - and the fact is that we need someone who can score regularly throughout the season, not just in 25% of games. He hasnt ever looked at his best for me, since his injury problems at the start of las season.

 

Craig is a great player to have around, adaptable as he is, but since he wants to play up front, unless Andy changes tack, I think he may well go.

 

Of the fringe players, Luke Gedling may well go as he hasnt really featured i Andy's plans since he joined us (although to be fair, he was another "longer term" signing)

 

Lastly, I cant see Ben White being retained - obviously has ability, as shown by his performance against Margate at home, but unfortunately has rarely repeated that sort of performance.

 

As for new signings - I think its anyones guess - good experienced players cost money & I cant see fortunes being available to Andy, either for signing on fees, or for wage bills, so it will be hard to get the sort of player we have been crying out for - still, we may yet unearth another Portway, who as far as I recall, hadnt proved himself at our level, before he joined us (?) Alan Taity, who has scored goals for Folkestone, despite their poor results this season, may be one option.

[I.C.@G&NFC]

My own personal opinion, and it's pure conjecture. I don't know who's in or out of contract, but I believe most players will be asked to renew them during the summer. So, working on that theory.

 

Both Mark Bentley and Jimmy Jackson have been watched in recent weeks by bigger and richer Conference clubs, but as we've managed to stay up I believe they'll stay, as will Paul Wilkerson. Most of the existing squad will want to re-sign, but not all will get the opportunity. The exceptions may be Jamie Turner and Aaron Barnett, who rarely get the chance of first team football and may feel they could do better elsewhere. Ben White, who I think will want to move on to a bigger Conference/League team. Adrian Pennock, who, because of his knee injury, could go into semi-retirement, playing as a sub and for the reserves plus stay on in a training capacity (possibly a manager of the future). Robbie Grace, released, if he hasn't gone already. Only four sub appearances. Justin Skinner, a great loss, but like Luke Anderson a few seasons back. A financial liability, due to the amount of yellow and reds he collects. Possibly Liam Hatch, if he's offered enough. And finally Che Stadhart in the early part of the season, like Paul Booth last year, if he doesn't perform as needed.

 

Controversial? Maybe, like everyone else I hear rumours, but I don't have any inside info. So, as I said pure conjecture.

[Guest]

All your points are very interesting Alan W,it is interesting to read the diversity of opinions,I would however add that Luke will, unless he hears to the contrary be doing pre-season training with GNFC as asked, he is prepared to fight for a place, and is of the opinion,given a fair run,you may be surprised at what he has to offer.At the end of the day it is down to Andy,he has done a great job so deserves everyones 100% trust. Regards to all look forward to seeing you all next season,fingers crossed.

[FleetFanatic]

I think Luke Gedling is one for the future.

 

Mind you, I was berated for saying the same about Louie Evans!

[Matt (GNFC)]

Hello Mr. Gedling, i think your son should stay. After all he was also courted by Aldershot !!!!

[Andy Y. (G&NFC)]

I would agree about Luke G. He never really had the chance to show what he could do last year, but judging by the ammount of positive stuff written about him AND by the way it appears he has the bottle to fight for a place, I hope he stays.

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

When points are as vital as they have been this season its hard for a youngster to break into the side. I am sure Luke will get a chance to show what he can do in the pre-season friendlies.

I've never seen him play but I understand he plays in midfield. As that is the strongest department of our side he will need to be pretty useful to get in.

I would be delighted if we could find anyone good enough to keep Benno, Macca, Strouts, Owen, Tos or Jacko (lol) out of the side...good luck Luke, give it your best shot.

[Jessica]

I also like all of you hope most of the squad will stay, only time, ( this week) will tell.

 

Of the one's I am unsure of.

 

Che, Tostao, Aaron, Simon and Justin, ( I agree with IC he has cost us losts this year although he has played well for the last few, )

 

Hopefully Adrian can carry on for a while longer, he is a great asset, All the others including Sturgess ( who will also have to curb his card collection) to stay. We will have to strengthen but with all the others staying, what a great squad, with Nick now looking back to full fitness and playing so well, Fridge and Matt Lee (back from back injury) midfield looking strong and Liam, Budgie and Louie all wanting to do well up front. I think Andy would then be able to attract some others to generally strengthen the team.

 

I have no inside knowledge , purely my own thoughts,

 

All I can say is I hope that all the players will think seriously about the offers they hopefully receive and remember the support we have tried to give them over the past season. Both home and away.