Players out of contract

Maverick · 30-11-2006, 12:27

Can anybody tell me if we can still sign players who have been released and are out of contract?

There must be some experienced midfielders possibly in the twilight of their careers out there we could attract and who could do a job for us until the window opens.

D'you think we could tempt Ged back from Morcambe in Jan as a player/coach?? Just a thought.

Redraine · 30-11-2006, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick

D'you think we could tempt Ged back from Morcambe in Jan as a player/coach?? Just a thought.

No thanks very much - we can't be that desperate.

JEFF · 30-11-2006, 12:53

As far as I know we can sign players who are not contracted to any other club.

Maverick · 30-11-2006, 12:56

Are you serious? The guy's played at the top and could add some very much needed experience to our non existent midfiel and would no doubt have a wealth of experience to offer to the young squad, most of whom have not even played league football until this season let alone in the top flight like Ged has.

I don't understand some people.

Redraine · 30-11-2006, 13:08

It doesn't sound like you saw him playing for us. I'm not doubting his credentials, just that he showed few of the qualities of his earlier career in his spell with us. Plenty of discussion on this subject on this message board history.

the debonaire · 30-11-2006, 13:25

i'm going to have to agree with redraine on this-ged brannan was a waste of space. if you didnt know who he was when he played for us you'd never tell he played for tranmere, motherwell, etc.

maverick does have a point though that there must be some out of contract players around who'd do a job.

JEFF · 30-11-2006, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by the debonaire

maverick does have a point though that there must be some out of contract players around who'd do a job.

If there are and we can afford them no doubt Coley will find them.

Maverick · 30-11-2006, 14:36

A waste of space?? If you expected him or any player of his quality to re-discover the form he showed to get him the career he's had then you were well wide of the mark. The reason players like Ged drop down to clubs like us is not all about the playing side And for the record I did see him play quite a lot for the club. If you ask any of the young lads like Cav I'm sure they will tell you his experience was invaluable, even if he never set the FES alight personally.

I just think we could do with some experienced heads out there with a struggling young squad.

the debonaire · 30-11-2006, 14:57

ok so maybe a waste of space was a bit harsh but he never bossed a game or showed that he'd played at much higher levels than ours. good point about the older heads though, we do have a very young squad.

AccyMad · 30-11-2006, 15:18

Both Ged Brannan and Mike Marsh in their respective seasons with the club were valuable for their experience, Marshy more so than Ged but both made their contributions. They may not have been able to run or tackle as they used to but they could both read the game brilliantly and therefore help the younger, more inexperienced members of the squad

Redraine · 30-11-2006, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccyMad

They may not have been able to run or tackle as they used to but they could both read the game brilliantly and therefore help the younger, more inexperienced members of the squad

Wow! I thought football players are supposed to run and tackle, and spectators to read the game?

This Charming Man · 30-11-2006, 15:31

Re out of contract players Michael Ricketts is a name that immediately springs to mind, having been recently released from Saahfend for being overweight. I reckon JC could be just the man to help get Ricketts back into line.

Failing that Stan Collymore had his annual drum banging session a few weeks ago....

maccawozzagod · 30-11-2006, 15:35

Steve Claridge was in the Sun this morning explaining that he has played 999 league games in his career and is now unaffiliated. Said that managers are reluctant to sign him because they think he will be after their job. Personally I think the fact that he has played for 18 clubs in his career tells its own story.

Anyway, whilst we have little or no other options he could do a job for us, would not get Coleys job because it aint up for grabs, and Eric wouldn't pay him what he would want.

Oggy · 30-11-2006, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by the debonaire

ok so maybe a waste of space was a bit harsh

Oh no it wasn't, flattered to deceive, knew enough to go through the motions, hardly a lesson for younger players, although maybe a fair point when it comes to Cav.

Mike Marsh was different class, and put himself on the line. We only lost that season when he wasn't playing, 4 games if memory serves me right.

An experienced player who still wants to play would be an asset, but not someone on their way to coaching or management, or postponing retirement. How long did Mark Patterson last?

Unless, of course, Justin Jackson is doing nowt. (He usually is)

Haggis316 · 30-11-2006, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by maccawozzagod

Steve Claridge was in the Sun this morning explaining that he has played 999 league games in his career and is now unaffiliated. Said that managers are reluctant to sign him because they think he will be after their job. Personally I think the fact that he has played for 18 clubs in his career tells its own story.

Anyway, whilst we have little or no other options he could do a job for us, would not get Coleys job because it aint up for grabs, and Eric wouldn't pay him what he would want.

I agree. He may do a job at League 2. He has a wealth of knowledge and loads of humour. Presumably he would be an asset to any dressing room.

He had trials at the start of last season with Sheffield Wednesday but they did not take him on.

He went to Bradford under a short term contract but they loaned him out.

According to the BBC he said he will play for free - his 1000th game at any rate.