Fantalk

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3031 Location: North Texas, USA

The time is coming for decisions to be made, what do we see happening? With The Pars (and possibly Falkirk) likely coming back up, there are some players of ours that might be of interest to them…

Keepers:

MacDonald (May 2023) - Getting a little long in the tooth, and has shown a tendency to injuries this year we haven’t seen previously. Is he worth re-signing, or is it time to move forward? In the end, I think JMac moves on, and perhaps down a level or two…maybe Kelty?

McNeil (ma) (May 2024) - Signed for another year, club sources confirm he’s a hard worker, and his showing on short notice was excellent. The future looks decent here, and I’d consider a professional contract now.

Thomson (player/keeper coach) (June 2023) - Has been brilliant in very limited play, and has to be credited with helping to develop McNeil over the last couple of years. Worth re-signing.

Backs:

Dick (May 2023) - Has been a solid LB and a good CB. Time at CB has increased his value going forward to us and other teams. I’d like to re-sign him, but I think Young is the way forward too. At least one more year of Dick would be good for the team, given his abilities and flexibility…may be critical if Lang and/or Nolan get snaffled.

Lang (June 2023) - Recent drop in form is, hopefully, just a blip…or is it? IDK, but I still think that Tam will be a hot property for any Championship team needing a CB. Please get him are-signed quick.

Masson (ma) (June 2023) - Looks like the future, with an ability to play CB and RB, just needs time, and with Millen here for another year, the ideal backup at CB and RB. Time for a professional contract.

Millen (June 2024) - Turns out we’re all glad he’s signed up for another year.

Nolan (May 2023) - A lot of people don’t rate Nolan, I think they’re wrong. He certainly seems to be growing into the role at CB weekly, and I think he’d be nearly as popular as Lang if he’s free at seasons end. Please re-sign him.

Young (ma) (May 2023) - Looks like the future at LB, could probably use another year behind a player like Dick, but another that deserves a professional contract.

Mids:

Arnott (June 2024) - The Brechin loan situation was disappointing, so hopefully he moves on at Bonnyrigg. Good he has another year to go, as we need to see him get playing time at this level. Always rated him, hope it’s still true.

Brown (June 2023) - Crushing to realize I’ve been mistaken that he was signed through 2024, is certainly a strong contender for MotY. Get him signed back up. (Edit: Signed through 2024…nevermind)

Easton (June 2024) - Coming into his own now that he’s getting more consistent time and has had time to see all the teams and understand the League. Certainly glad he’s still contracted.

Matthews (June 2024) - Hopefully can return fully healthy. Less critical player now with Stanton and Brown’s development, but still important and certainly a players player.

Ross (May 2024) - A disappointment, but without knowing what’s wrong, hard to judge. Well regarded for him skill, but not on display in limited time here this season. Don’t extend, but we’ll see next season.

Spencer (June 2023) - The insurance policy is now RaithTV have taken to referring to him. Will certainly have offers from other Championship, and possibly Premiership, teams. Nice if we can keep him, as he seem to genuinely like it here, but may be a big ask.

Stanton (June 2024) - Has truly blossomed with his consistent time, and certainly is capable of playing on any team in this League and a few above. If he was willing to add a year or two, I’d say yes.

Forwards:

Connolly (May 2023) - Will attract the most attention of any Rover, and would be highly unlikely to stay is my guess. Would desperately love to get him re-signed, preferably for two years so we can get compensation if a top tier team comes in next December with a pile of cash.

Gullan (June 2024) - Can’t stay healthy, it seems. Perfectly acceptable second striker/forward, never a CF, especially solo. Doesn’t really fit our team profile, unfortunately, but is still signed up for another year.

McBride (thru May 2023) - Beginning to show signs of life, and is a young (and likely inexpensive) player at the position. Certainly wouldn’t mind re-signing him.

Mahady (June 2023) - Cursed with a lack of time and injuries, time to drop down a couple of levels and start working back up. Let him go, like Coulson.

Mitchell (ma) (June 2023) - Certainly shows speed and a motor, and has been decent in League Two for a poor Bonnyrigg team. Maybe another year or two away, but should get a professional contract with us.

Vaughan (June 2024) - Starting to see flashes of the old skill and trickiness, so it’s good he’s signed for another year. Another that certainly isn’t a solo CF for us, but does better in a supporting/dual role.

Franco · Joined: 10 Oct 2019 Posts: 1029 Location: kirkcaldy

There can't be much doubt, surely, that the Club will be in serious talks with all those players whom IM wishes to retain and who haven't indicated, privately, that they see their futures elsewhere. Are the Club cautiously waiting to bank the money from the Rangers' tie before finalising contracts ? Is IM's strategy different from JMcG's as far as disclosing how things stand? Dunfermline replacing Hamilton is potentially bad for player retention but, on the other hand, increases revenues through the turnstiles.

Tx, I agree with most of your analysis, but wouldn't let Jamma go! He's still very good
at Championship level and slightly surprised you downrate him whilst describing Robbie as " brilliant ". To me, we are fortunate to have them both.

Greg Young, I haven't seen enough of him to make a judgement , although we will need cover at LB.

I would be surprised if we retain Brad Spencer and Sam Stanton. I think one will depart elsewhere, perhaps them both. How fortunate that Ross Matthews should be back.

There aren't many players, currently getting gametime, that I would want to lose but
money talks . It's up to IM to sell a very positive view of next season.
Added: delighted to hear from Biggles that Stanton has another year on his contract. I had misread Tx's comments above.

Biggles · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2147

Stanton is under contract until June 2024.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3031 Location: North Texas, USA

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2430 Location: Aberdeen

Didn't John Sim say somewhere that a takeover was on the cards for late on in March? Not sure if that has a bearing on re-signing players, or if they are even willing to sign without knowing who will own the club.
Not sure if anything has changed now on that (takeover) front.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3031 Location: North Texas, USA

StarksBarmy · Joined: 03 Apr 2010 Posts: 3792

Too early to be thinking about it all in my opinion. Before you even consider the ownership issues which Neil mentions, we don’t know even know what league we will be playing in and even if it IS the Championship again which seems the likelihood, will we have prize money to play with for 2nd or 3rd with a couple of play offs thrown in? Or will we tail off and gather very little for a 7th/8th place finish?

One player I will comment on at the moment is Connolly. Has been a star, has played his best football the two times he has been with ourselves. I’m hoping he feels the love and realises the grass isn’t always greener…uninspiring spells at East End and Falkirk pay testament to this but we aren’t privy to certain information…Has he interest from a higher level? Does he want to move closer to West Coast? Does he want another crack at England?

Just hope we offer him the improved contract he deserves and what will be will be…

Jamie MacDonald is a leader, has bags of experience and more importantly is a class goalkeeper. Age is just a number, especially in goalkeepers where 36 is nothing really. Hope he is still pulling on the rovers jersey for seasons to come…

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3031 Location: North Texas, USA

Northern_Rover · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2666 Location: Granite City

Ian Murray and the board of directors, whose job it is to secure playing contracts, will be acutely aware (more aware I'm sure than us) of the status of the playing squad and what the managers plans are beyond this season and what needs to be done.

Since coming in Murray has conducted his business largely out the spotlight until matters are concluded. For all we know he's already talking to certain out of contract players and might have already spoken to others about coming in.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3031 Location: North Texas, USA

Important note that Brown IS signed through 2024. The Raith Rovers player listing that said 2023, now says 2024. The old news release said a two year deal… https://www.raithrovers.net/54883/scott-brown-becomes-ian-murrays-second-arrival.htm…so I guess he is signed up.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3031 Location: North Texas, USA

The Courier, discussing Spencer: “The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and confirmed that talks have begun with the club.

He has already triggered the option of an extra year should he choose to stay, but added: “I just want to play football to the best of my ability and let everything else take its course.”

Manager Murray confirmed that talks had begun with “two or three” of his players.

“There are players we want to keep but we also understand that if you’ve done well then there are always other suitors around,” he said.”