Players we could lose for free this summer

utmp

Well-known member
A key consideration for the club this window will surely be on tying down some of our key players who are out of contract this summer.

It wouldn't be Blackpool without a nervy run-up to the summer with a risk of losing our best striker and some of our most valuable assets on a free. Unfortunately this year is no different - see who's at risk here:


Given Matty Virtue signed a new deal earlier in the season, we're confident we can tie down those who we do want to keep with minimal fuss. Who do you think we should keep, and who can you see leaving on a free?
 
Madine is the one I'd be looking to extend but probably depends on whether we could sneak promotion this season. He could be a focal point in the championship but we'd need to be there to match his wages due to the league one salary cap.
 
Madine is the one I'd be looking to extend but probably depends on whether we could sneak promotion this season. He could be a focal point in the championship but we'd need to be there to match his wages due to the league one salary cap.
At a reported £6500 a week there's no chance we will be keeping Gaz. Salary cap makes it almost impossible sadly.
 
I suppose it depends on if we are going for promotion, or who else might be available
Madine, Shaw, Turton and Ward depending on wages for me
Kai Kai and Husband are maybe's
Garbutt is too injury prone and others have not shown enough
 
Madine on £6.5k per week? There is no chance we are paying out that kind of money to a player. 6.5k a month maybe.
 
I would have thought that, in the current situation, players will be thinking long and hard before going to other clubs which might not be as secure financially at present as BFC.
Can't see any Prem clubs sniffing round our players. So they might be better off staying where they are.
 
I would Keep the following:

Ward
Shaw
Garbutt (But only if his fitness improves)
Turton (unless we sign a better alternative in Jan)
Ballard (would love to see him here again next year on loan)

Keep on a reduced wage (If they agree)

Madine (would keep but wages are the issue with salary cap)
KaiKai
Husband (only if we don't keep Garbutt)

Release

Williams (we have plenty of cover in CM)
Devitt (Who is he)
Fojtieck
Gabriel (no better that Turton)
Kemp (decent player a bit lightweight)
Woodburn (He will find his level at L1/2 but not with us)
 
Not something I know the answer on, but are existing players not counted as an 'average wage' in the wage cap restrictions? It may be that a new contract removes that 'loophole'
Players who were already on a contract are, as you say, counted for salary purposes as average. When their current contracts come to an end full wages count towards the cap. The only exception is a contract extension which is taken up, the wage is then still counted as average only to the end of the extension.
 
At a reported £6500 a week there's no chance we will be keeping Gaz. Salary cap makes it almost impossible sadly.
Yes I agree with that but I did say probably the only way we could hope to keep him is if we sneaked promotion to the championship this season and even then on slightly reduced terms.

Cardiff had paid several million for him and as there wa no fee involved he came on very good money. I remember Joey Barton pre our match last season saying they couldn't compete financially when we were paying 7k a week for a player. He didn't name names but I presume he was relating to Madine.
 
There was an alleged leaked document last week claiming Madine was on 4300 a week......still big money but considerably less than 6500 and gives more scope to Do some sort of deal If true.

Said document said Thorniley is on 4000 p/w so getting him out will be a huge priority
 
Yep. Resigning Madine will undoubtedly affect the salary cap as he’s an average eater at the moment for cap purposes.
 
Madine is arguably League One quality at best so all the contract offers would be the same, it would then depend on which club and which manager he fancied playing for.
 
It’s a good summary.

Devitt, Williams, Fojiteck are all gone.

If we don’t sign Shaw up I’ll be really disappointed, looked the business in preseason and would fit the bill of our new strategy.

I’d let Kai Kai go, he’s too hot and cold for me, just a feeling but Mitchell or Bez could probably do an equal to or better job than him. Plus we also have Anderson and Sarkic still on the books who are of a similar ilk.

Everything after thats rather more complicated.

Madine, I’m still unsure. Commands the biggest wage currently at the club. But there’s no way he’s getting that anywhere else. So he could be inclined to stay, it’s well known in the club that him and Critch don’t get along so think he ll be let go as well.

Turton should be signed for me, not the most glamours and doesn’t offer a get deal going forward but his defensive work is often under rated at I think he’s one of the better right backs in the division.

Garbutt is a yes as his quality is a level above that we currently play at. However the problem here is, does he want to play as a Left Back or left winger. Because if it’s the latter we’ve already a few of those so would that be in the best interest of the club?

If Garbutt does sign on and he’s played as a defender, where does that leave Hubby, still going to need a back up for Garbs. Hubby does fit the bill there and in a pinch could play at centre back 💀.

Ward, again very tricky. He’s played really well over the last few months and this is slightly harsh on him but I’d be inclined to release him, we’d have Dougall, Virtue Anderson maybe Sarkic left for the central midfield role. I’d say that’s just about right as we need to stop Having these bloated squads. Unless you’re getting rid of one or two of the above four I can’t see a place for him. Perhaps Antwi could also get game time with a slightly reduced squad number.

The next two windows need to be about trimming the squad to balance it out.
 
We need stability. I’d keep all apart from Devitt and maybe MJ Williams. My heart wants Kaikai to stay but my head tells me he doesn’t really want to be here.
 
I would Keep the following:

Ward
Shaw
Garbutt (But only if his fitness improves)
Turton (unless we sign a better alternative in Jan)
Ballard (would love to see him here again next year on loan)

Keep on a reduced wage (If they agree)

Madine (would keep but wages are the issue with salary cap)
KaiKai
Husband (only if we don't keep Garbutt)

Release

Williams (we have plenty of cover in CM)
Devitt (Who is he)
Fojtieck
Gabriel (no better that Turton)
Kemp (decent player a bit lightweight)
Woodburn (He will find his level at L1/2 but not with us)
Gabriel, Kemp and Woodburn are on loan so they're not our players to release! Fojticek is young and probably not on a massive wage. Goalkeepers take longer to develop so it all depends on his progress and where we are next season. If we do get promoted then there will be totally different level of quality required. Madine, Ward and Ballard (either permanent or on another full season loan) with Kai Kai and Turton possibles.
 
At a reported £6500 a week there's no chance we will be keeping Gaz. Salary cap makes it almost impossible sadly.
The clue is salary cap.
League 1 teams have to cap wages at £2,500 pw. That doesn't apply to existing contracts and I' don't know how much Gary is being paid but I'm sure it's in excess of the cap.
For this season however it's deemed to be £2,500.
So next season unless Gary gets a move to the Championship the most a League 1 team can pay him is £2,500pw.
If he drops down to League 2 it's £1,500pw.
 
We all know my thoughts on Turton, if he's offered a contract it would have me massively question the clubs ambition. He might be a player to keep you in League One, but he has substantial playing issues which will limit our ability to get out of it.

Madine is a weird one, he's a massive focal point to our team at the moment and I guess deals are decided based on what we do for the rest of the season. With how everything is going, I imagine players wages will drop due to the lack of demand in the summer and we'll see players accept reduced terms. So perhaps offer Madine a contract which is performance based and league dependant.

Husband I like but see Turton really. Extremely limited. Albeit both very committed.
 
It’s a good summary.

Devitt, Williams, Fojiteck are all gone.

If we don’t sign Shaw up I’ll be really disappointed, looked the business in preseason and would fit the bill of our new strategy.

I’d let Kai Kai go, he’s too hot and cold for me, just a feeling but Mitchell or Bez could probably do an equal to or better job than him. Plus we also have Anderson and Sarkic still on the books who are of a similar ilk.

Everything after thats rather more complicated.

Madine, I’m still unsure. Commands the biggest wage currently at the club. But there’s no way he’s getting that anywhere else. So he could be inclined to stay, it’s well known in the club that him and Critch don’t get along so think he ll be let go as well.

Turton should be signed for me, not the most glamours and doesn’t offer a get deal going forward but his defensive work is often under rated at I think he’s one of the better right backs in the division.

Garbutt is a yes as his quality is a level above that we currently play at. However the problem here is, does he want to play as a Left Back or left winger. Because if it’s the latter we’ve already a few of those so would that be in the best interest of the club?

If Garbutt does sign on and he’s played as a defender, where does that leave Hubby, still going to need a back up for Garbs. Hubby does fit the bill there and in a pinch could play at centre back 💀.

Ward, again very tricky. He’s played really well over the last few months and this is slightly harsh on him but I’d be inclined to release him, we’d have Dougall, Virtue Anderson maybe Sarkic left for the central midfield role. I’d say that’s just about right as we need to stop Having these bloated squads. Unless you’re getting rid of one or two of the above four I can’t see a place for him. Perhaps Antwi could also get game time with a slightly reduced squad number.

The next two windows need to be about trimming the squad to balance it out.
Agree with most of that bar Ward who improves game on game. Remember he came back from a serious injury and I think it is only now he is fulfilling his potential
 
Agree with most of that bar Ward who improves game on game. Remember he came back from a serious injury and I think it is only now he is fulfilling his potential
I’m with you on that.
But would you keep him and Anderson, Dougal, Virtue, Sarkic and potentially Antwi?

I just think that’s one too many and it’s unfortunate for him.
 
I’m with you on that.
But would you keep him and Anderson, Dougal, Virtue, Sarkic and potentially Antwi?

I just think that’s one too many and it’s unfortunate for him.
It might be hard to shift Sarkic but of those listed he offers least.
I would also rate Ward above Robson.
You are right the midfield is flooded with players and we will have to reduce squad by 2 if we fail to get promoted, so no easy answers
 
It might be hard to shift Sarkic but of those listed he offers least.
I would also rate Ward above Robson.
You are right the midfield is flooded with players and we will have to reduce squad by 2 if we fail to get promoted, so no easy answers
Jesus I’d actually forgotten about Robson we have that many.

I’m with you actually I’d move Sarkic on, but even that’s a difficult one as we’ve hardly seen him. He could be great. However he was signed without Critchs say so I think that’s had a knock on effect on his career with us.

Ward’s just unlucky that his contracts up and we have 4 or 5 others in the same position that arnt.
 
It's am impossible call for me on a lot of them. Seen nearly all the games on Ifollow but sttill really not seen enough of players like Lubala, Anderson and Sarkic to name just three to make a call of whether to release or not. Just have to trust and go with Critchley. Madine will be always the most difficult. Think most of us have seen enough of him to rate him and would like him to stay. But that's gonna be the most problematic wages wise on both sides if he wants to stay and Critchley wants to keep him. Would a longer contract on less money swing it?
 
The clue is salary cap.
League 1 teams have to cap wages at £2,500 pw. That doesn't apply to existing contracts and I' don't know how much Gary is being paid but I'm sure it's in excess of the cap.
For this season however it's deemed to be £2,500.
So next season unless Gary gets a move to the Championship the most a League 1 team can pay him is £2,500pw.
If he drops down to League 2 it's £1,500pw.
Any team in league 1 can pay any player as much as they like. The cap is £2.5 mill per team, the problem is if you pay more than £2500 to one player you have to pay others less. The point I’m making is what we can pay new contracts/ players is dependent on what already contracted players earn.
 
Any team in league 1 can pay any player as much as they like. The cap is £2.5 mill per team, the problem is if you pay more than £2500 to one player you have to pay others less. The point I’m making is what we can pay new contracts/ players is dependent on what already contracted players earn.
Gofor.
Thank you for putting me straight. 😊
I don't know why but I was sure there was a maximum wage imposed but in fact it's only a maximum for the purpose of calculating the cap for those on "above average" existing contracts.
 
Gofor.
Thank you for putting me straight. 😊
I don't know why but I was sure there was a maximum wage imposed but in fact it's only a maximum for the purpose of calculating the cap for those on "above average" existing contracts.
My pleasure 👍
 
These are the players currently contracted to next season (assuming we take up options on Ward and Kaikai:


Maxwell Sims

Ekpiteta Gretarsson
Mitchell
Robson virtue Dougall Ward
Anderson Sarkic
Hamilton
Kaikai Lubala
Yates

15 players, meaning 5 spaces open for new signings in this window or the summer. Expect at least a couple of those could be moved on too, however.
 
These are the players currently contracted to next season (assuming we take up options on Ward and Kaikai:


Maxwell Sims

Ekpiteta Gretarsson
Mitchell
Robson virtue Dougall Ward
Anderson Sarkic
Hamilton
Kaikai Lubala
Yates

15 players, meaning 5 spaces open for new signings in this window or the summer. Expect at least a couple of those could be moved on too, however.
Nuttall and Hardie still contracted as are a few U21's
Are not Thorniley and Howe still contracted as well?
 
I don’t think Kai Kai’s a player we’d miss much and he’s apparently on a good wage.his commitment on the pitch a lot of the time is questionable to me.
 
Still some have a pop at Turton!
Most consistent player this season by far!
Nah, he really isn't. Not even close. Maxwell/Ballard/Dougall/CJ Hamilton/Ekpiteta/Gretarrson have all performed on the whole, substantially better than Turton has. At some point we might be able to add Garbutt to that. You could also make a case for Madine.

To say Turton has been our most consistent player actually has some truth, but not in the way you're thinking, he's consistently given the ball away in the majority of the games we've played in. Been beaten by a winger, allowed crosses in. Given away penalties. Needless corners.

If Critch doesn't trust Howe or Gabriel then it's time for another right back next year.
 
When I was in football just over ten years ago strikers in League 2 who knew where the goals are we’re earning in excess of £2k per week so I have no doubts that this season players such as Madine could be in the £5k per week bracket. The reasoning behind the salary cap is to force clubs to live within their means and the consequence of this is that it will force players wages down in League 1 and 2. Players such as Madine will have no choice but to accept lower paid contracts once their current contract expires unless they can make the leap to Championship/Premier or go overseas.

As an aside, it’s my view that this rule will just increase the gap between L1 and the championship like the gap between championship and Premier that we have now and the EFL policy makers having by not included the championship have opened the door for the championship becoming premier div 2. In effect it is already.
 
The big question is, 'How long can Simon Sadler go on paying the players if the current Covid 19 restraints remain?'
 
Nah, he really isn't. Not even close. Maxwell/Ballard/Dougall/CJ Hamilton/Ekpiteta/Gretarrson have all performed on the whole, substantially better than Turton has. At some point we might be able to add Garbutt to that. You could also make a case for Madine.

To say Turton has been our most consistent player actually has some truth, but not in the way you're thinking, he's consistently given the ball away in the majority of the games we've played in. Been beaten by a winger, allowed crosses in. Given away penalties. Needless corners.

If Critch doesn't trust Howe or Gabriel then it's time for another right back next year.
As usual Kurt talking utter bollocks when it comes to Turton.

Fair enough you don't like him, that's fine. But you just sound desperate at this point looking for things to slate him for.

Given away penalties - Am I right in saying he's only given away the one penalty this season? Which was against West Brom?

Needless corners - again, I can only think of the West Brom game off the top of my head where this has happened. Please provide more examples if I'm mistaken.

Interesting that you pick up on these two incidents, but then absolutely nothing in the 5/6 games prior to this where Turton was arguably our most consistent top performer.

One of your go-to arguments in previous posts of yours is regarding his poor 'ball distribution & retention' statistics - sorry but that is bollocks. If anything this shows he takes more risks with the ball, like trying to release CJ quickly with a ball down the line. Doesn't always pay off, but it's this sort of fast play where we look more threatening (see CJ's goal vs Swindon as an example).
It's very easy to get ball retention statistics up - simply just play shorter, safer passes. If he was to do this, no doubt you would flip it on it's head and say he's 'too safe' in possession or some rubbish like that.

There's also been a massive improvement in his crossing, he's whipped in some fantastic balls into the box throughout the season.

I also don't remember you criticising Gabriel's performances at all this season. Especially against Ipswich where I remember him having a particularly ropey game. This just shows your criticism is biased against Turton.

Turton is a very solid league 1 right back - we aren't going to get the next Cafu in this league. Right back really isn't the area we need to be focusing on to take us to the next level. Our brilliant defensive record this season backs that up.

I played right back for pretty much my whole footballing life (albeit at a lower level) - so like to think I know a thing or two about positioning, covering etc etc
 
As usual Kurt talking utter bollocks when it comes to Turton.

Fair enough you don't like him, that's fine. But you just sound desperate at this point looking for things to slate him for.

Given away penalties - Am I right in saying he's only given away the one penalty this season? Which was against West Brom?

Needless corners - again, I can only think of the West Brom game off the top of my head where this has happened. Please provide more examples if I'm mistaken.

Interesting that you pick up on these two incidents, but then absolutely nothing in the 5/6 games prior to this where Turton was arguably our most consistent top performer.

One of your go-to arguments in previous posts of yours is regarding his poor 'ball distribution & retention' statistics - sorry but that is bollocks. If anything this shows he takes more risks with the ball, like trying to release CJ quickly with a ball down the line. Doesn't always pay off, but it's this sort of fast play where we look more threatening (see CJ's goal vs Swindon as an example).
It's very easy to get ball retention statistics up - simply just play shorter, safer passes. If he was to do this, no doubt you would flip it on it's head and say he's 'too safe' in possession or some rubbish like that.

There's also been a massive improvement in his crossing, he's whipped in some fantastic balls into the box throughout the season.

I also don't remember you criticising Gabriel's performances at all this season. Especially against Ipswich where I remember him having a particularly ropey game. This just shows your criticism is biased against Turton.

Turton is a very solid league 1 right back - we aren't going to get the next Cafu in this league. Right back really isn't the area we need to be focusing on to take us to the next level. Our brilliant defensive record this season backs that up.

I played right back for pretty much my whole footballing life (albeit at a lower level) - so like to think I know a thing or two about positioning, covering etc etc
I'm glad someone has come back with a semi proper response. Even if it is done on pure emotion and zero substance. And being massively wrong on the bollocks comment. I played right back once too, doesn't make me an expert.

The highlighted bit in particular shows how incorrect you are, you need to watch him properly. The majority of his completed passes are generally backwards. It's not that I don't like him, he's massively overrated by our fan base. He has 1 assist this season.

I've uploaded four victories and one loss for complete transparency rather than losses because you can't judge one player just on a loss. Let's go through them individually.

@Fleetwood, he was simply poor with the ball but he did have a few crosses without success.

@Hull, by far his best performance for us this season. Solid at the back. Good with the ball, but considering the amount he had of the ball. He made one cross. And one diagonal ball into the box. Probably not expected to be the man to do that.

@Portsmouth again, another solid victory, but look at what he does with the ball? Not an awful lot. 90% of those passes are backwards, two crosses went out directly for throw ins across the box.

@Peterborough difficult place to go so defensively set up, but lack of ball movement forwards of which you should expect your right back to be competent to some degree, zero crosses.

@MKDons Again, extremely poor with the ball. Numerous balls over hit to try get CJ in, showing a distinct lack of quality.

You mention Gabriel and I have said numerous times, if Gabriel isn't the answer then we need another right back. If we want someone who will do the required minimum and put effort in and we stay in L1 then sure, Turton is our answer. If we want to get out of this league, we really need someone who has a far better ball retention and quality of cross.

The reason why you remember the odd cross, is because of that, they simply don't happen enough.

Gabriel is a far superior option going forward, he can learn defensively. In summary, I don't hate him, but he just simply isn't a consistent performer for us. And we can do better.

v Fleetwood.jpgv Hull.jpgv Portsmouth.jpgv Peterborough.jpgv MK Dons.jpg
 
I'm glad someone has come back with a semi proper response. Even if it is done on pure emotion and zero substance. And being massively wrong on the bollocks comment. I played right back once too, doesn't make me an expert.

The highlighted bit in particular shows how incorrect you are, you need to watch him properly. The majority of his completed passes are generally backwards. It's not that I don't like him, he's massively overrated by our fan base. He has 1 assist this season.

I've uploaded four victories and one loss for complete transparency rather than losses because you can't judge one player just on a loss. Let's go through them individually.

@Fleetwood, he was simply poor with the ball but he did have a few crosses without success.

@Hull, by far his best performance for us this season. Solid at the back. Good with the ball, but considering the amount he had of the ball. He made one cross. And one diagonal ball into the box. Probably not expected to be the man to do that.

@Portsmouth again, another solid victory, but look at what he does with the ball? Not an awful lot. 90% of those passes are backwards, two crosses went out directly for throw ins across the box.

@Peterborough difficult place to go so defensively set up, but lack of ball movement forwards of which you should expect your right back to be competent to some degree, zero crosses.

@MKDons Again, extremely poor with the ball. Numerous balls over hit to try get CJ in, showing a distinct lack of quality.

You mention Gabriel and I have said numerous times, if Gabriel isn't the answer then we need another right back. If we want someone who will do the required minimum and put effort in and we stay in L1 then sure, Turton is our answer. If we want to get out of this league, we really need someone who has a far better ball retention and quality of cross.

The reason why you remember the odd cross, is because of that, they simply don't happen enough.

Gabriel is a far superior option going forward, he can learn defensively. In summary, I don't hate him, but he just simply isn't a consistent performer for us. And we can do better.

View attachment 4354View attachment 4355View attachment 4356View attachment 4357View attachment 4358
Thanks for the visuals - really good to see it like this as it's much easier to digest.

@Fleetwood - it's clear from that diagram he was poor with the ball. However, the diagrams for the rest of the back 4 are fairly similar to Turton's. To be expected in my opinion, as from memory we spent the majority of that game (especially the second half) sat deep, happy to let Fleetwood have the meaningless possession. I feel if you can criticise Turton for his graph in this game, you could probably do the same for Gretarsson. However, Gretarsson was very good defensively in this game, all the little things this graph doesn't show. The same could be said for Turton.

@Portsmouth - A great team performance, but one thing that stood out from that game compared to the other impressive wins was Blackpool's approach. We abandoned the 4-4-2, dropped Madine, and played Keshi behind Yates so we could overload Pompey in midfield. Nowhere near as much of a threat in the box compared to a Yates/Madine partnership. Therefore, I reckon Turton and Husband were instructed not to whip balls into the box and instead focus on working the play around Pompey's penalty area. Pompey are also a big team, so crosses into the box would be meat and drink for their centre halves.

@Peterborough - see breakdown of the Fleetwood game. Again, it's interesting that Husband's graph is very similar to Turton's. Highlights how penned back the full backs were for long periods.

@MKDons - Agreed, poor with the ball. I remember the team performance as a whole from that game was pretty poor, and we only just scraped the win. However, the graphs you posted showed similar statistics for Ballard and Ekpiteta - whenever they attempted to 'go long' in this game it was largely unsuccessful.

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is it comes across very much like unfair criticism of Turton, and if you drill down hard enough you could find reason for replacing most of the players in our team. I wouldn't even describe him as overrated - I'm sure most of us can agree he's never going to set the world alight.
But he certainly does not warrant the amount of stick he receives not just from yourself, but a few others in our fan base.
 
I seem to remember the same level of spite and derogatory remarks aimed at Keith Southern's ability and how we would never progress with him in the team. Made quite a few 'knowledgeable' posters look rather silly.
 
I don't critique him out of hatred. I just really want us to go up and I think that if you have average league one players like Turton, you're going no where.
I suppose you now rating him as an average L1 player means he must have impressed you.
I am sure your appraisal of him at the start of the season was far worse.
For balance not sure he would be a regular starter if we got to the championship, but I think he would be a more than adequate squad player, and while we are in L1 agree there are other positions that are far more important
 
I suppose you now rating him as an average L1 player means he must have impressed you.
I am sure your appraisal of him at the start of the season was far worse.
For balance not sure he would be a regular starter if we got to the championship, but I think he would be a more than adequate squad player, and while we are in L1 agree there are other positions that are far more important
Never said otherwise, so extremely peculiar post. He hasn't got far better? He isn't a catalyst to our results getting better.

A positive manager wouldn't even have him on their bench. He's poor for our ambitions and it's as simple as that.

Danny Coid was three time the player Turton is.
 
Danny Coid was three time the player Turton is.
What’s peculiar is that sentence,

Coid was good for us in errrrr League one and Two, exactly the same level Turton is effective for us, he had 4 or so solid seasons. Then spent the rest of his career with a sick note in his hand.

Turton has barely missed a game in 8 years, the epitome of reliable which is half the battle in football.

An honest question for you, who in this Division is a better replacement for Turton?
 
What’s peculiar is that sentence,

Coid was good for us in errrrr League one and Two, exactly the same level Turton is effective for us, he had 4 or so solid seasons. Then spent the rest of his career with a sick note in his hand.

Turton has barely missed a game in 8 years, the epitome of reliable which is half the battle in football.

An honest question for you, who in this Division is a better replacement for Turton?
Gabriel is better for me. Upon watching them. It's not peculiar at all.

It was showing the quality of a player we've had at a similar stage of trying to get out of League One. I don't care how many games Turton has played.

I'm not the manager, that's not up for me to sort out is it? If you think Turton is the answer, then enjoy a League One standard team.
 
Back
Top