Flanagan is back

[StevieM]

Completely forgot about him.
Has he been playing well?

Not really sure - seems he was a regular under Irvine, but benched under Pullis.

That saying - he was used as a RB - whereas I believe he came through the ranks as a CB - so he could be an option.

For me - Kolo gets released in the summer, and Wisdom either takes his place in the squad or is sold & we buy a replacement.

 

[Best Believe It]

Not really sure - seems he was a regular under Irvine, but benched under Pullis.

That saying - he was used as a RB - whereas I believe he came through the ranks as a CB - so he could be an option.

For me - Kolo gets released in the summer, and Wisdom either takes his place in the squad or is sold & we buy a replacement.

Wisdom used to look imperious in the reserves but he seems to have lost a bit of momentum in his development. I haven't ever really seen much in him as a full back, but the problem is it's difficult for someone of his age to get game time as a centre back at a high enough level.

 

[StevieM]

Wisdom used to look imperious in the reserves but he seems to have lost a bit of momentum in his development. I haven't ever really seen much in him as a full back, but the problem is it's difficult for someone of his age to get game time as a centre back at a high enough level.

Yep - but with Toure only getting 9 league appearances & much the same in cup/Europe, it might be a chance for him to integrate in to the squad.

Technically - Coates is still coming back - although he might be dead.

 

[Frogfish]

Not really sure - seems he was a regular under Irvine, but benched under Pullis.

That saying - he was used as a RB - whereas I believe he came through the ranks as a CB - so he could be an option.

For me - Kolo gets released in the summer, and Wisdom either takes his place in the squad or is sold & we buy a replacement.

I certainly wouldn't be releasing Kolo. He has never let us down when coming in, he is happy with just a squad place and we need experience and leadership (which we are losing lots of this Summer), both in the changing room and on the bench. He is a large part of the great atmosphere within our squad from everything I see and hear.

 

[Mystic]

Going forward has always been his weakness and he lacks pace - he is never a wingback !

He runs for England, and he's effective if not glamorous going forward, and that's before we mention the improvements he'd bring defensively. I think we'll have to agree to disagree here, he'd definitely work in the position for me.

 

[StevieM]

I certainly wouldn't be releasing Kolo. He has never let us down when coming in, he is happy with just a squad place and we need experience and leadership (which we are losing lots of this Summer), both in the changing room and on the bench. He is a large part of the great atmosphere within our squad from everything I see and hear.

I was under the impression he signed a 2 yr contract - so he's out of contract in the summer.

I'd guess he's on a relatively big salary - so probably isn't one for re-newing.

 

[Frogfish]

He runs for England, and he's effective if not glamorous going forward, and that's before we mention the improvements he'd bring defensively. I think we'll have to agree to disagree here, he'd definitely work in the position for me.

He's played 30 mins for England - and is certainly not first choice - in a WC warm-up match, he doesn't 'run for England' 😀

I have always liked him as a defender, I have absolutely no issue there .. except that I don't see him as a CB (too short, only 1.8m) or part of a Back Three, though who knows, Can has been a revelation there, but then he's technically far more gifted.

 

[Frogfish]

I was under the impression he signed a 2 yr contract - so he's out of contract in the summer.

I'd guess he's on a relatively big salary - so probably isn't one for re-newing.

Yes he is out of contract, but he's said he would like a new one so it all depends on BR I guess. I doubt he'll be on a large salary at his age if he renews.

 

[SummerOnions]

He's currently on 70k so I wouldn't be surprised if we let him go

 

[StevieM]

Letting Toure, Johnson & Enrique go (don't know how long's left on Enrique's contract) and with Gerrard leaving - does allow for some wiggle room in the wage budget.

 

[WhyAlwaysMe?]

Offer Kolo £30k to stay and pick up another EPL winners medal next season.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Yep - but with Toure only getting 9 league appearances & much the same in cup/Europe, it might be a chance for him to integrate in to the squad.

Technically - Coates is still coming back - although he might be dead.

He was actually on the bench in Sunderland's weekend game against Man Utd. He's behind Brown and O'Shea in the pecking order, and if that wasn't enough, Vergini was sent on ahead of him when Brown was sent off for being shit. I think that basically sums it up. He's going back to Uruguay in the summer.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Letting Toure, Johnson & Enrique go (don't know how long's left on Enrique's contract) and with Gerrard leaving - does allow for some wiggle room in the wage budget.

The new season will be the final season of his current contract.