Rory McArdle joins. Now signs for Harrogate

[IndoMike]

And what does it say about the atmosphere around the team this season/ what the players felt working under MT? Dont get me wrong, I'm a rose tinter who pretty much always feels optimistic and backs the manager and the decisions he makes but it makes me worried that every player who was out of contract or is a senior pro has left (bar Nige + if Page leaves if reported). The market is going to be crazy soon so choosing to be a free agent this summer seems pretty risky so they must not have enjoyed their time at city if they are choosing that over a contract with us. I mean Sweeney even chose to go to the basket club that is Swindon where hes likely to miss some wages at some point this season.
No
Yes its good to bring Youth through but into a core group of senior pros who are passionate about playing for this club. I hated playing Wycombe (memories of Tom Nichols giving away a penalty in 90+10) but seeing anything the players say about the club makes me jealous. They all want to be there and play for Ainsworth.

There are various interpretations about what is happening. One interpretation is that the flight from City is purely coincidental, with players coming to the end of their contracts and moving on.
Another interpretation is that Matt feels more comfortable managing a young team who are more likely to carry out his instructions and decided to offer the older players a dear John contract. A third interpretation is that he is not a user- friendly bloke and so the senior players want out. Since we don't have any insider info we are just left to speculate.
If you look at each individual case there are reasons for letting them go. It's just the number of them leaving that is the surprise.

 

[hardi2b]

Mike this reflects my thoughts too

 

[robchave]

Whatever the reasons for the unusual number of senior players leaving, it certainly provides the management with a unique opportunity. There can be no doubts that this season's team will be the manager's team. Let's hope he can blend a winning combination.

 

[C j phill]

Whatever the reasons for the unusual number of senior players leaving, it certainly provides the management with a unique opportunity. There can be no doubts that this season's team will be the manager's team. Let's hope he can blend a winning combination.

What happens if he can't

 

[Topsham Boy]

You don't get it. It's not about any one individual : it's about leaving us short of bodies.
Some of the ones that have gone would have been useful cover. So now we have to buy a dozen players better than them and have cover, too. If we're just swapping like for like then in some cases it's better to keep the devil you know.
With a whole load of new players coming in it could be another transition season.

Another transition season? Err…no. No more excuses.
Matt has had enough time and budget to put in place the team he wants and move out all those he doesn’t want.
Promotion / playoffs this coming season or we find a new manager.

 

[IndoMike]

Another transition season? Err…no. No more excuses.
Matt has had enough time and budget to put in place the team he wants and move out all those he doesn’t want.
Promotion / playoffs this coming season or we find a new manager.

That was my point. Perhaps I should have typed "another bleddy transition season".

 

[hardi2b]

Common guys, how many teams having been touted for promotion by many at the beginning of the season and finished mid league ? Considering the clean out we have experienced (players moving on), I would not be surprised if it took one more season for Matt to coalesce and consolidate a promotion team. He needs two more seasons to do it.

 

[Banksy]

What happens if he can't

The jury’s out Cjp but we have to give him that chance.

 

[Snoop Fog]

What happens if he can't

Then we will most likely remain in L2 for another season.

 

[Banksy]

Then we will most likely remain in L2 for another season.

As long as we don’t drop to non league!