gus on talk sport now

[Icy Gull]

Navarro to go? Gus rated him very highly at the begining of the season and many thought his injury could derail our season.

I imagine he'll have a chance to prove himself before the end of the season but you'd hardly be rushing to sign someone who's had a horrific injury until he's proved he's as good as he was. I don't get the impression that Gus will sign a potentially crocked player

 

[Simster]

I understood from a club whisper that Hart was in line with being kept on for a year in a coaching role for the youth team/reserves?

I have no sauce for this and it could just be that "a whisper" but the same guy did say the same thing about Oatway prior to it happening.

I'd love him to be kept on in some capacity. I know the argument about jobs for the boys but OGH is what this club was all about for well over a decade. He may not have hit the heights of famous one club men in other clubs like Steve Bull or Matt Le Tiss, but he should be respected for what he has done (and he has had good times here), and I'd expect his enthusiasm for the club to be quite infectious among the youth and kids teams.

 

[Da Man Clay]

I understood from a club whisper that Hart was in line with being kept on for a year in a coaching role for the youth team/reserves?

I have no sauce for this and it could just be that "a whisper" but the same guy did say the same thing about Oatway prior to it happening.

That is putting him out to grass though. One would imagine he won't be retaining a playing contract. He deserves a coaching job.

 

[Mr Burns]

Out of contract:

Battipiedi
El-Abd
Navarro
Baz
Walker
Hart
Murray
Dicker
Poke
Sandaza
Agdestein
Jamie Smith
Kishishev
Bridcutt
Kasim
Cook
Thomson
Barker
James Smith

OUt of them I'd say only Murray and Bridcutt are nailed on to be offered new contracts.

Don't think its fair to comment on the youngsters, but I think after those two, Sandaza, Dicker, El-Abd and Navarro would be unlucky to miss out.

It would not surprise me at all to see El-Abd released if we went up. As crazy as it sounds, I think he might become a spare centre back next season. He's surprised us all and been probably one of our best players this season, but I see Gus seeing the Championship a step to high for him as a centre back. I think Sandaza and Dicker have the best chances, but only as squad players,

 

[Simster]

It would not surprise me at all to see El-Abd released if we went up. As crazy as it sounds, I think he might become a spare centre back next season.

I almost said this myself but then realised that Gus has gone on record saying El Abd is the best defender at the club and that was barely a year ago. I think he'll stay, and rightly so. He's been quality all season and will probably be one of 3 players in for player of the season in what has been an exceptional season.

However, I can see Elphick being sold with Lewis Dunk ready to step up.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

However, I can see Elphick being sold with Lewis Dunk ready to step up.

Yep, sounds like a plan to me.

 

[bluestt]

El-Abd to be released? You really see that happening?

 

[mwrpoole]

From the outside it seems Gus is totally honest with the players and if the players are equally honest with themselves then a few of them should already know they won't be here next year, but will be snapped up quickly by other L1 teams if they continue current form until end of season. Sounds harsh but that's the reality - Cox, Whing, Virgo will vouch for that.

shame Claridge wasn't interviewing him instead, just watched his blog thing on BBC where he says you can't play Gus's style of football in the Championship. Yes you can you knob you just need better players......

 

[34064 Fighter Command]

I imagine he'll have a chance to prove himself before the end of the season but you'd hardly be rushing to sign someone who's had a horrific injury until he's proved he's as good as he was. I don't get the impression that Gus will sign a potentially crocked player

So no Paul Kitson then !!!!!!!!!

 

[Mr Burns]

El-Abd to be released? You really see that happening?

Yer. He's been outstanding and probably in line for player of the season (and the curse that carries) but Greer is nailed on to start, and with Dunk coming through and ELphick also around, together with a new centre half which I'm sure is Gus' list, I really can see at least one of those as surplus. Elphick and Dunk are already under contract for a while yet, so I would say that makes Adam vurable. I think he's proved he is a top league one player now, but I think he is playing at 100% ability week in week out. The others have a far better chance of getting better with more experience, whilst El-Abd has probably peaked. The championship is going to be a lot bigger test than league one, and putting sentimetal things aside, I don't think El-Abd is champoinship quaility at center half. Maybe as cover for full backs, but I doubt it.

 

[mona]

Yer. He's been outstanding and probably in line for player of the season (and the curse that carries) but Greer is nailed on to start, and with Dunk coming through and ELphick also around, together with a new centre half which I'm sure is Gus' list, I really can see at least one of those as surplus. Elphick and Dunk are already under contract for a while yet, so I would say that makes Adam vurable. I think he's proved he is a top league one player now, but I think he is playing at 100% ability week in week out. The others have a far better chance of getting better with more experience, whilst El-Abd has probably peaked. The championship is going to be a lot bigger test than league one, and putting sentimetal things aside, I don't think El-Abd is champoinship quaility at center half. Maybe as cover for full backs, but I doubt it.

Don't always agree with you but I think that is about spot on. Harsh though it might sound on a player who has really given his all !

IMHO Bridcutt, Murray and Dicker could all do very well in the championship.

 

[Mr Burns]

Don't always agree with you but I think that is about spot on. Harsh though it might sound on a player who has really given his all !

IMHO Bridcutt, Murray and Dicker could all do very well in the championship.

I saw you had responded and quoted me, I full expected to be called a ****!!!

 

[Uwinsc]

I think Adam's chance of a new contract could depend on what he asks for- if he is willing to sign a new contract on squad players wages for 1 year I think he should be given a chance to prove he can perform at that level. If he doesn't get a new contract he deserves a massive send off. I honestly don't think we would be where we are today without him

 

[Icy Gull]

Gus likes him, he's proved 99% of us wrong this season. I wouldn't bet against El Abd getting another contract and doing pretty well next season too.

 

[mona]

I think it's worth remembering that Leeds and Norwich are strong play-off contenders with teams that have changed little from last season. Andrew Crofts has been a key player for Norwich and plenty of people doubted whether he'd do so well at the higher level. Grant Holt has also surprised by the way he has adapted.

If/when we are promoted Sr Poyet will bring in new players but the current squad includes some who can be good championship players.

 

[strings]

Interesting comments on El Abd, especially considering that AEA and Gary Hart are the only two players in the current squad to have worn the stripes in the Championship.*

I'm not saying I disagree, the comments are just interesting.

*[edit] Correction - Elphick came on as a sub against Reading after his older brother got sent off - also in the Championship.

 

[Silent Bob]

Gus has always shown a lot of faith in el-Abd, it would be very surprising if he wasn't kept on as a first team player. Dunk's a good propsect but he's only got a few games under his belt and Elphick is clearly behind El-Abd now so why would that change? I'm not sure a CB would be on Gus' list unless Elphick leaves.

 

[kevtherev]

Out of contract:

Battipiedi
El-Abd
Navarro
Baz
Walker
Hart
Murray
Dicker
Poke
Sandaza
Agdestein
Jamie Smith
Kishishev
Bridcutt
Kasim
Cook
Thomson
Barker
James Smith

For me,,El Abd, Navarro, Murray, Sandaza, Bridcutt should be offered new deals. I think Dicker will be the one people will be shocked at, just my opion but I think as good a player as he is, this league is his level.

 

[samtheseagull]

For me,,El Abd, Navarro, Murray, Sandaza, Bridcutt should be offered new deals. I think Dicker will be the one people will be shocked at, just my opion but I think as good a player as he is, this league is his level.

really cant see how you can say that about Dicker? he is the best passer of the ball we have and in my opinion would suit the championship more than league one...

 

[samtheseagull]

Yer. He's been outstanding and probably in line for player of the season (and the curse that carries) but Greer is nailed on to start, and with Dunk coming through and ELphick also around, together with a new centre half which I'm sure is Gus' list, I really can see at least one of those as surplus. Elphick and Dunk are already under contract for a while yet, so I would say that makes Adam vurable. I think he's proved he is a top league one player now, but I think he is playing at 100% ability week in week out. The others have a far better chance of getting better with more experience, whilst El-Abd has probably peaked. The championship is going to be a lot bigger test than league one, and putting sentimetal things aside, I don't think El-Abd is champoinship quaility at center half. Maybe as cover for full backs, but I doubt it.

i agree with some of this belive it or not, best thing you have ever posted. i do feel it would be very very harsh to let adam go tho, hes been one the the best this year!