Squad for 2011 / 2012 Season

[Ambrose_1889]

It's fair to assume we'll be competing in League One again next season and I suspect many are expecting a serious push for promotion. I reckon we'll see several exciting new signings in the summer and possibly an exciting new manager too but the real talking point over the last few days seems to be which of our current squad should be retained for next season. Whoever the manager is, it seems clear that 'tippy tappy' is the way forward so a major factor is which of our players will be able to adapt and fit into that style of play.

Below is a list of all players contracted permanently to BFC:

Richard Lee
Kevin O’Connor
Craig Woodman
Marcus Bean
David McCracken
Pim Balkestein
Sam Saunders
Nicky Forster
Charlie MacDonald
Myles Weston
Michael Spillane
David Hunt
Kirk Hudson
Sam Wood
Ryan Blake
Lewis Grabban
Toumani Diagouraga
Simon Royce
Karleigh Osborne
Stephen Wright
Gary Alexander
Simon Moore
Leon Legge

I've also done a bit of research to find out who's contracted until when. So this is what I found (if anyone knows how long Blake and Royce are under contract for, let me know and feel free the correct any errors):

July 2011

David Hunt
Sam Wood
Lewis Grabban
Karleigh Osborne
Stephen Wright

July 2012

Richard Lee
Marcus Bean
David McCracken
Sam Saunders
Nicky Forster
Charlie MacDonald
Kirk Hudson
Gary Alexander
Simon Moore
Leon Legge

July 2013

Kevin O’Connor
Craig Woodman
Pim Balkestein
Myles Weston
Michael Spillane
Toumani Diagouraga

TBC

Simon Royce
Ryan Blake

So obviously we have a fair few on long term deals thanks to Mr Scott.

I'll post my thoughts later but I felt this was a thread that was needed as so many seem to have opinions on who's good enough and who's not. Also, anyone know why Osborne didn't sign the three year extension that was reportedly on the table in January?

[Les Beeavinu]

Didn't Osborne sing a new deal in the summer (can't recall if it was 2 or 3 years). Ditto Bean - I thought AS gave him a new contract last autumn. I would also add that you can't really class Royce as a player.

[Ambrose_1889]

Yes but according the official site, it was a one year contract http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/Fi...~31696,00.html

Although BBC seemingly think otherwise http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...rd/8708450.stm

Doubt it was three years if we offered him another three years in January http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/w...9642-27945828/

I couldn't find anything about Bean given a new deal, the last was apparently a 2 year extension in summer 2009.

I would also add that you can't really class Royce as a player.

I know, I went to Dagenham......

[Les Beeavinu]

There's only one man to turn to at times like this ........

[Markybee]

There's only one man to turn to at times like this ........

[super J]

On that list surely Hunt and Wright will definitely be released, Grabban probably too. There must be doubts as to whether Bean deserves a new deal as offering him a cushy new deal would ask questions as to our ambition, is he really going to get us out of this division or do we need to look at a higher calibre of player?

Hopefully we can offer Karleigh a long term deal and Wood too deserves a new deal also although may need to prove his fitness before the season is out.

[alexcavell]

Bean is contracted until 2012 according to this: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...676127,00.html

[Les Beeavinu]

I meant abee - I assume that's where you were going ........

[JTofBFC]

A new manager is going to have his hands very much tied in terms of how many new players he can bring in by the large number of players under contract beyond next season It is therefore likely that almost anyone out of contract in the summer will be released to free up capacity to bring players in. This could be unfortunate timing for the likes of Sam Wood who could end up being the fall guys.

An experienced manager good at wheeling and dealing might be able to offload several of those already under contract however.

[Bigbee]

I see absolutely no point in this thread as we have no idea what will happen.New manager ? Exciting new signings ? Seems like a thread from some one with too much time on his hands .

[Ambrose_1889]

Bean is contracted until 2012 according to this: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...676127,00.html

First post edited accordingly

[Ambrose_1889]

I see absolutely no point in this thread as we have no idea what will happen.New manager ? Exciting new signings ? Seems like a thread from some one with too much time on his hands .

Don't really catch your drift here mate. It's just about who people think are good enough to help us challenge next season. Of course we have no idea what's actually going to happen.

I expect a new manager, yes (maybe that will be Forster) and exciting new signings..? What's your point?

[-superbees2k3-]

A new manager is going to have his hands very much tied in terms of how many new players he can bring in by the large number of players under contract beyond next season It is therefore likely that almost anyone out of contract in the summer will be released to free up capacity to bring players in. This could be unfortunate timing for the likes of Sam Wood who could end up being the fall guys.

An experienced manager good at wheeling and dealing might be able to offload several of those already under contract however.

Would be dissapointing to see Sam go as he is a useful squad player at this level, however like you say unless the new man (assuming its not Forster) can wheel and deal a bit it looks like he might be cast adrift.

[SmiffyBee]

Didn't Osborne sing a new deal in the summer (can't recall if it was 2 or 3 years). Ditto Bean - I thought AS gave him a new contract last autumn..

I understand he put contract talks on hold when Scott got the tin tack.
Should hear of a new deal for KO in a few weeks.

[Chopper]

If we are serious about promotion next year I would keep:
GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Pim, Bush, Woodman, Blake.
MF: Saunders, Dave, Weston, Wood
ST: Macdonald, Alexander

Release or offload:
Hunt, McCraken, Hudson, Bean, KOC, Grabban, Wright.

Loans: Look at the posiiblity of signing Neilson, Bryne, Simpson if they continue to do well.

[cromerbee]

If we are serious about promotion next year I would keep:
GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Pim, Bush, Woodman, Blake.
MF: Saunders, Dave, Weston, Wood
ST: Macdonald, Alexander

Suggesting KOC is released is like blasphemy at GP!!!!!! You will without doubt be struck down!!!! Beware the curse of KOC!!!!!!!

Release or offload:
Hunt, McCraken, Hudson, Bean, KOC, Grabban, Wright.

Loans: Look at the posiiblity of signing Neilson, Bryne, Simpson if they continue to do well.

[bostonhanwell]

I think we will release Hunt, Wood, Grabban and Wright. We will let McCracken, Hudson, KOC and Spillane go on frees or small fees. If any offers come in for Charlie or Alexander they will go as well. Forster probably won't play again either. If we are aiming for a squad of 22+ we would need another 10 signings or more.

[ElioBee]

I think we will release Hunt, Wood, Grabban and Wright. We will let McCracken, Hudson, KOC and Spillane go on frees or small fees. If any offers come in for Charlie or Alexander they will go as well. Forster probably won't play again either. If we are aiming for a squad of 22+ we would need another 10 signings or more.

Release Wright, what have you been on?

[Brian]

If we are serious about promotion next year I would keep:
GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Pim, Bush, Woodman, Blake.
MF: Saunders, Dave, Weston, Wood
ST: Macdonald, Alexander

Release or offload:
Hunt, McCraken, Hudson, Bean, KOC, Grabban, Wright.

Loans: Look at the posiiblity of signing Neilson, Bryne, Simpson if they continue to do well.

I would also add Macdonald to your offload list however any that have a contract of more than 12 months are likely to want a substantial payoff to leave early which would seriously reduce the amount of money available to bring new players in

[Beenut]

[QUOTE=Chopper;1749920]If we are serious about promotion next year I would keep:
GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Pim, Bush, Woodman, Blake.
MF: Saunders, Dave, Weston, Wood
ST: Macdonald, Alexander

Release or offload:
Hunt, McCraken, Hudson, Bean, KOC, Grabban, Wright.
QUOTE]

I'd go with that but keep KOC - as a versatile squad player to come off the bench when required

[hjohayes]

If we are serious about promotion next year I would keep:
GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Pim, Bush, Woodman, Blake.
MF: Saunders, Dave, Weston, Wood
ST: Macdonald, Alexander

Release or offload:
Hunt, McCraken, Hudson, Bean, KOC, Grabban, Wright.

Loans: Look at the posiiblity of signing Neilson, Bryne, Simpson if they continue to do well.

KOC, you're kidding right? hes signed a new contract and there is no way he will leave

[Salford Bee]

Look at the posiiblity of signing Neilson, Bryne, Simpson if they continue to do well.

IMO the biggest disappointments this season have been Pim and Diagouraga I'd be very wary of signing the above permanently.

GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Woodman, Pim, Bush*, Blake*
MF: Saunders, KOC, Weston, Wood, Bean, Dave
ST: McDonald, Alexander

Let them go if an offer comes in
*Loan out

I reckon we need 10 new players (who would force those we currently have onto the bench) It would give us a squad of 23 to work with. If Grabban gets a chance and bangs a few in between now and the end of the season I wouldn't be averse to giving him a years contract.

[Brentford_till_die]

I really hope we dont offload Dave !

[hjohayes]

Pim hasnt been given a proper chance IMO

[wanderer paul]

IMO the biggest disappointments this season have been Pim and Diagouraga I'd be very wary of signing the above permanently.

GK: Lee, Moore
DF: Spillane, Osborne, Legge, Woodman, Pim, Bush*, Blake*
MF: Saunders, KOC, Weston, Wood, Bean, Dave
ST: McDonald, Alexander

Let them go if an offer comes in
*Loan out

I reckon we need 10 new players (who would force those we currently have onto the bench) It would give us a squad of 23 to work with. If Grabban gets a chance and bangs a few in between now and the end of the season I wouldn't be averse to giving him a years contract.

You would let one of our best players in Toumani GO?! Madness, complete madness.