As you say, not creating a big pot. My guess is Hemmings was on a fair whack as well as Long, but not as much as Bogle - wonder if they're looking to do a deal with him and shed him, if someone wants him .....
Harry McKirdy anybody, we had him before, seems to be on a downward spiral, possibly pick him up for a reasonable salary? He is what 28-29?
What date do contracts expire? Is it today?
So Tom Booth signs for another 2 years sat on the bench watching us develop someone else’s kid, Lunt signs a 1 year deal (with a 1 year extension clause) I hope he gets a run in the first team ahead of Thomas who runs around the pitch like my 79 year old mum. 7 or 8 new players needed at least not heard us linked with anybody yet other than a young Leeds center half about a month ago. Anybody heard anything ?
So, Ollie Armstrong has signed. So that's 3 signatures from the 8. Another midfielder. It must be something like 80/85% of academy products that end up signing professional for more than a year or so are midfielders. We've produced 3 goalkeepers, a few centre halves, the odd winger, a couple of full-backs and no strikers. Not a balanced output is it?
This is not an attack on the academy system, just a puzzled query? When are we going to produce either a well built defensive midfielder or ANY strikers?
Depends how long a period you're talking about - ignoring Ashton and Hulse, and with varying careers, Nicky Maynard, Shaun Miller & A J Leitch-Smith all came through the Academy. So did Ryan Wintle as a defensive mid, but only post-16 so his style and physicality had already develioped no doubt. Let's hope Hodkin can hack it an adult level.