Torquay United Fans Forum

[quote="tommygull"]I noticed that today Brighton released 6 players but that Michael Poke wasn't one of them. He is out of contract now anyway so maybe they just missed him off the list...[/quote]

He isn't on that list because he (Poke) is being offered a new deal - rather surprisingly in my opinion as he hasn't featured hardly at all for them but has been on the bench recently. Poyet has apparently been impressed by his reaction since falling down the pecking order earlier in the season.

I guess it's more than likely that Pokey will sign on again for what is now a Championship side although his chances of ever breaking through into the first team still appear pretty remote to me. Of course he is a free agent and can talk to other clubs but I seriously doubt we will be one of them now as I can't imagine we could compete in terms of wages although we could offer the guarantee of first team football I suppose.

It's always a difficult decision for players at that level, particularly goalkeepers, do they continue to pick up good money and earn a very good standard of living but hardly ever get to play or do they drop down a league or two in order to get regular League football but less money. The fact is that Pokey is as we know a decent keeper but the fact also remains that barring the 30 appearances he made for us in League 2 in our first season back in the league he has only ever made 3 starts in the Football League (for Southampton) and at coming up to 26 (in November) he is in danger of his career passing him by without ever really establishing himself anywhere - other than with us while he was on loan! I suppose he is fortunate in that being a keeper he has every chance of a longer career than most pros but nothing can be taken for granted and if you were an outfield player at that age I would suggest that you would be seriously looking at going somewhere else in order to secure first team football. It will be interesting to see whether he takes up the option of the contract offer (probably another year) at Brighton or decides the time is right to move on .....

I noticed that today Brighton released 6 players but that Michael Poke wasn't one of them. He is out of contract now anyway so maybe they just missed him off the list...

Guy should be offered a new contract. From what I've seen among the best 'no nonsense' C.B.'s in League 2, good enough for League 1 if his head is right and he keeps fit. He's only 32 FFS!

Would expect Branston to be offered a new deal, once our season is finished. Disappointed if he isn't, he's still got a few years in him, and he's been very solid this year. Can't see Potter staying personally - would love for Poke to return permanently, but I can't see Bevs being happy with second string. It'd be good competition, though.

Stevens, its a bit hit and miss. Sometimes he can be excellent. Other times, not so. It certainly doesn't help him having a small proportion of our fans booing his every movement on the field. I wouldn't be too fussed if he stayed, or if he went. He adds electric pace to our side, which can be useful if we're trying to play on the counter. It just adds a different dimension to our attack.

On the other hand, if he was to go, I'd expect him to be signed up by a decent BSP side or a League 2 side. He's still young and I reckon he could do well for himself.

This is the list that I've got:

2011:

Bevan
Potter
Branston
Stevens

2012:

Nicholson
Ellis
Robertson
Rowe-Turner
Mansell
O'Kane
Zebrosi
Lathrope
Kee

2013:

Halpin
Macklin

[quote="Bigman"]Jerry has beaten me to making that point. Maybe the possibility of promotion is making a difference for Bucks this season, he may think if we go up we can attract better players or that current ones couldn't cut it at the next level. In the case of Branno I think he deserves another year regardless - if we stay down he's a solid League 2 player, [b]if we go up surely he's earned another crack at that level by being a big part of us getting there.[/b]

Goalkeeper is probably the position I'm most eager for us to strengthen in over the summer, but Bevs can be good and by reports has made some vital and very good saves recently, so wouldn't argue with another year for him either.

Stevens seems to have been out of favour pretty much all season, and while he can be a useful impact player I wouldn't be devastated if he left.

I haven't seen/don't know enough about the others to make a judgement.[/quote]

That sounds familiar, and it's a mistake i'd hope we wouldn't make again. These decisions can't be made on sentiment. We gave our BSP squad the chance to prove themselves at the level above 'because they had got us there', and it nearly backfired because many of them couldn't make the step up.

I'm not saying Branno couldn't perform in League 1, but if we were to make it, i'd hope the decision is based on more than the mere fact he helped get us there.

Understand your point about Bevs though, and agree completely about Danny Stevens.

Jerry has beaten me to making that point. Maybe the possibility of promotion is making a difference for Bucks this season, he may think if we go up we can attract better players or that current ones couldn't cut it at the next level. In the case of Branno I think he deserves another year regardless - if we stay down he's a solid League 2 player, if we go up surely he's earned another crack at that level by being a big part of us getting there.

Goalkeeper is probably the position I'm most eager for us to strengthen in over the summer, but Bevs can be good and by reports has made some vital and very good saves recently, so wouldn't argue with another year for him either.

Stevens seems to have been out of favour pretty much all season, and while he can be a useful impact player I wouldn't be devastated if he left.

I haven't seen/don't know enough about the others to make a judgement.

Looking back to previous seasons, Buckle said that he told the players in January who isn't being offered a new contract. This is what caused the Steve Woods situation and the Hargreaves and Sills departures. No such uproar this season so either they are all being kept on or Buckle has learnt from his previous mistakes!

Im sure buckle knows who hes going to keep. Like it said with the oastler deal they wont sort the contract untill the end of the season. Im sure branno would be the same. Theres no need to panic its only may. Yes he could he could talk to other clubs but he wouldnt agree anything untill he knows whats going on with us.

[quote="Fonda"]Branston deserves another year, but i'd personally not be running at him and offering two. In Robbo, Ellis, Oastler and Palmer we have plenty of cover in that position. There are no guarantee's he'll warrant a place in our starting 11 by the start of the 12/13 season.

[u]Surprised he's been so vocal about it at this time too. I know he has to look after his own interests, but i doubt trying to force the club's hand will be well received[/u].[/quote]

Think you have sort of answered yourself there Shane,cant see this upsetting anyone at our club Branno is very passionate about his football,looking at from branston's point of view he is a professional footballer,who as it stands is out of work come July,he will want his future sorted it sooner rather than later at the age of 32,especially as the club have already argeed in principle with Oastler.

Branston deserves another year, but i'd personally not be running at him and offering two. In Robbo, Ellis, Oastler and Palmer we have plenty of cover in that position. There are no guarantee's he'll warrant a place in our starting 11 by the start of the 12/13 season.

Surprised he's been so vocal about it at this time too. I know he has to look after his own interests, but i doubt trying to force the club's hand will be well received.

I'll go with that CP. Just seem to remember him having a three year extension to the one ending this year?

[quote="Bloggy"]I thought that most had been signed up or extended to the end of next season! Halpin until 2014 and Macklin until 2013.
Those from the current squad, out of contract at the end of this season are:
Stevens
Yeoman
Palmer
Potter
Bevan
Branston
Spear?
Please correct me if I'm wrong?[/quote]

I make you right Bloggy, although it has recently been anounced that Spear will take up the offer of a pro contract (presumably 1 year) while the other second year trainees have all been released (Taylor, Lang and Parrish). I 'believe Halpin signed a deal until 2013 rathen than 2014 though.

Branno should get 2 years regardless.

Bevan 1 year, Potts may go if Stevens is out of contract interested to see what they do there, imagine he'd get a new deal.

Must be a good chance of Michael Poke being available, I'd have him back at the expense of both keepers if truth be told. Ideally him and Bevs.

I can be quite certain that the interested teams that Branston speaks of aren't in League 1. He'll definately be an asset to us if we don't get promoted, and it seems Torquay can wait until that point to offer a contract because he really wants to stick around.