Players contracts

[Plymouth Gull]

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.

[seasider]

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!

[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...

[CP Gull]

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...

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 .....