Nahki Wells return is gathering momentum. I don’t believe a word of it, but stranger things have happened. Ritchie Smallwood rumoured to agreed a new deal.
Because they wished him happy birthday on twitter? I really can't see Nahki returning but you never know. Smallwood deal needs to be announced, he's integral.
Seems that way. Apparently the club hasn’t wished him Happy Birthday on socials for 7 years - it does seem rather strange. He’s on circa £1.3m per annum. Brizzle have offered him a new deal, but I’m guessing it’s on reduced terms because of his age. That said, we’ll be no where near what they can offer. What’s the most we’d be prepared to pay, £7k-£8k per week?
The club have decided to do a u-turn on Smallwood’s contract offer - it’s no longer on the table. Subsequently, our captain has said his goodbyes via his X account. Surprising, that. Can only assume the club have someone else lined up.
Well Smallwood has beaten the club to the announcement. He's leaving. Captain and swept up at the end of season awards. Very odd. Though I suppose Max Power is a similar type of player albeit not exactly the same. Not universally loved, but absolutely showed his impact when he was missed during his suspension at the back end of last year. Cheers Richie.
MacAnthony has just released his last Hard Truth podcast for the season though not much info other than we'll sign one more player from non league & the rest will be from League 1 / 2 & loans from Premiership & he did tease his Bradford mate that after ringing Steve Parrish & congratulating Palace on Cup win that Posh will be signing Tayo Adaramola on loan & that Rikki Jade-Jones is in talks with 3 Championship clubs but is worried Poku will be signing for a non English club scuppering our finances a bit he may even end up at Celtic along with Harley Mills as they've joined Fulham showing interest .
Tayo Adaramola did well for us, but isn't some spectacular success that some make out and wouldn't have got a game if not for an injury, he was only ever signed as a backup. At league 2 level, he was often caught out defensively, and there is no guarantee he would make the step up. Perhaps a Stockport fan will have more information on why he didn't hardly play for them during the first half of the season. Maybe I'm in the minority of our fanbase, but I wouldn't want him back as I want better.
A couple of our out-of-contract lads being linked with moves to the wrong side of the Pennines Ibou Touray linked with Bradford, I like him but some think we can do better. Very solid left back but a bit wanting when going forward. The other is Fraser Horsfall to Huddersfield, very solid centre half and one we'd all be very disappointed if he decides to move. No offence Hudds, but I hope you can see why we'd think it's a step sideways at the very best
We started off the season with 12 or 13 injuries so were desperate for bodies, he also got himself injured shortly after joining. When he did play I remember thinking he looked like a winger was forcibly converted to a wing-back as they're more in demand, he's quick going forward but offered nothing defensively. Actually he had a couple of good games later on in his spell, especially in our demolition job against Bolton, but as soon as others were fit he never got another look in.
Ibou Touray has worked with Graham Alexander at Salford - could have some legs to it. Id have Tayo Adaramola back tomorrow. Joe Wright at Kilmarnock linked with us, too. Their player of the season - he’s out of contract.
Wouldn't begrudge Horsfall a move at all. It's a short career and if he can earn more money and get a longer contract elsewhere, good luck to him. Given us 3 years excellent service in L2 and L1. Not sure he's a higher level than that though personally. Touray can go for me, not a fan at all but Challinor rates him as a steady eddy and pretty sure we've offered him a year. Again, if he can get better elsewhere, he should take it. Adaramola looked good to me, raw ability and I could see him suiting a Peterborough. Couldn't defend for shit mind but he's needs to keep getting games to iron it out. In the modern game, where lots are playing with wing backs in the lower leagues, he'll bag himself a good career as a LWB.
Not seen Tourays name anywhere else. Where has this come from? Is it a strong rumour? I wanted us to sign him when you bagged him in L2 a couple of years ago. How is he now?
He was just a bully last season, in the refs ear constantly in the two games against us, didn’t look good and certainly not up to the step up. Smallwood, not bothered on a personal level, thought he came across as an egotistical t**t, approaching 35, too much pointing out the wrongdoings of others five minutes after he’s blasted his millionth free kick over everyone’s head and off the back of two underperforming years out of three. Not worth anything long term and having already signed Power in that position. But… I still would’ve kept him, him and Power as a pair or as a back up would’ve been nice and solid, off the back of a very good season, lots of experience in L1 - I suspect it all boils down to length of the contract offered.
