Contracts

[Nameless]

What is that list Ian?
It seems very random featuring some very good players (Archie got 20 goals in a season, Nolan wasn't a bad player) , players who weren't really centre forwards (Williams) and players who hardly played for us (Roach, Obina, Williams).

[SCIAG]

Brayson, Scott, Owusu, Obinna, B Williams, Baseya, Roach, Nogan, Lovell, M Willams, Asaba, Church...

[Ian Royal]

What is that list Ian?
It seems very random featuring some very good players (Archie got 20 goals in a season, Nolan wasn't a bad player) , players who weren't really centre forwards (Williams) and players who hardly played for us (Roach, Obina, Williams).

Oh I'm incredibly fond of Archie & Nogan, but he was a bit of a one season wonder - at Championship level - same for Nogan, neither managed to replicate that quality at the same level across multiple seasons. Pog, while not great, is fairly consistent in what he can bring to the table, so in my mind averages out a bit better. But I'll concede I never saw Nogs and Archie at their best so I may be being unfair to them.

Williams played upfront plenty of times (symptomatic of our problems back then). And if you're going to say worst centre forward ever, then I'm going to include anyone I can think of who featured for the first team or was signed not as an academy product.

Owusu as another example wasn't particularly good, but he did a decent short term job for us whilst Coppell built his team across several seasons.

In deference to others I'll err the other way seeing as I wasn't sure about Archie and edit him out.

[Sutekh]

Also object to Asaba being included. 13 goals in a truly crap team that got relegated isn't exactly bad despite what a lot of personal feelings are over him.

[Forbury Lion]

Andersen, Mikkel - Keep
Chalobah, Nathaniel (loan) N/A
Edwards, Ryan - Release
Federici, Adam - Offer contract, but will leave anyway
Gunter, Chris - Keep
Guthrie, Danny - Release
Henly, Jon - Keep
Karacan, Jem - Keep, even if only for a year if doubts over fitness
Kelly, Stephen - Release
Keown, Niall - Keep
Mackie, Jamie (loan, option to buy) - Send back to Forest
Pearce, Alex - Keep
Samuel, Dominic - Release
Sweeney, Pierce - Keep
Tanner, Craig - Keep
Travner, Jure - Release
Yakubu - Release

Surely wages are the issue, not number of players...... If Karacan accepts a contract based on appearances that would negate any injury doubts.

Yakubu - Let's wait and see how he does, If his fitness improves and he's banging in the goals then the manager would be a fool to not want to offer him something.

As for Travner, Edwards, Sweeney, Samuel, Keown etc - I'd love to know your reasons for releasing them, Is it based solely on them not being first team players next season or have you seen enough of them to determine that they have no long term future at the club in at Championship level?

As for Kelly, Surely that decision depends on whether we can find another right back - Kelly might be the cheapest/best option, particularly as no transfer fee will be required. We'll then have Obita (left back), Kelly (right back) and Gunter (right back but can cover left back).

[Sutekh]

Looks like the club are starting to open negotiation on some of the contracts up for renewal as the OS is reporting that Gunter's contract has now been extended to June 2016 after taking up the additional year option.

[Angry Shed Sex]

Also object to Asaba being included. 13 goals in a truly crap team that got relegated isn't exactly bad despite what a lot of personal feelings are over him.

Asaba was a man 20 years ahead of his own contract negotiations (image rights? At Reading in the 90's, LOLZ).

The highlight of his career for me watching him score in the Playoff Final for Gillingham as part of a stag do in Amsterdam. How we all laughed as Gillingham Readingesquely threw away a 2 goal lead (in the 86th minute!) to lose 3-2 to Manchester City.

[mambo3]

Also object to Asaba being included. 13 goals in a truly crap team that got relegated isn't exactly bad despite what a lot of personal feelings are over him.

Asaba was a man 20 years ahead of his own contract negotiations (image rights? At Reading in the 90's, LOLZ).

The highlight of his career for me watching him score in the Playoff Final for Gillingham as part of a stag do in Amsterdam. How we all laughed as Gillingham Readingesquely threw away a 2 goal lead (in the 86th minute!) to lose 3-2 to Manchester City.

You obviously missed the Arsenal / Reading Game when we were ahead then.

[Ravel]

Also object to Asaba being included. 13 goals in a truly crap team that got relegated isn't exactly bad despite what a lot of personal feelings are over him.

Asaba was a man 20 years ahead of his own contract negotiations (image rights? At Reading in the 90's, LOLZ).

Image rights, so I have to pay him if i post this photo of him?


What I really want to know is whether the players who got Premier League contracts now getting smaller contracts when they resign to reflect our current club stature, or an improved contract as a result of the (apparent) improvement in the club ownership?

[Nameless]

I would imagine new contracts will be ones the new owners believe are realistic.
So some players may be offered improved terms, but I suspect most won't. For example I guess McLeary got an improved offer. I imagine Pearce would be offered less money. Gunter's is not a new deal, it's an existing option to extend so presumably terms were already agreed in the extension option.

[KC Royal]

Also object to Asaba being included. 13 goals in a truly crap team that got relegated isn't exactly bad despite what a lot of personal feelings are over him.

Asaba was a man 20 years ahead of his own contract negotiations (image rights? At Reading in the 90's, LOLZ).

The highlight of his career for me watching him score in the Playoff Final for Gillingham as part of a stag do in Amsterdam. How we all laughed as Gillingham Readingesquely threw away a 2 goal lead (in the 86th minute!) to lose 3-2 to Manchester City.

They lost on penalties. I remember mainly from the BBC Radio Kent commentary highlights (at the end of the year I think) that one of them came off both posts.

I wasn't laughing, was gutted for him that day. But having recently found highlights of the game on sky and re-watched it I think Man City probably deserved to take it into extra-time.

[3points]

With Gunter's option being taken, it would suggest he isn't one of the higher earners. Otherwise, they would offer him a new contract with revised (lower) terms.

Alternatively, if he is in contract then someone will need to pay a transfer fee if they are interested in buying him.

It probably means the end for Kelly as well.