Taken from the free press
More than half of Rovers’ current squad are set to discover whether they have a future at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Dean Saunders has told the board which out of contract players he would like to stay - and began talks with his players this week.
Full back Mustapha Dumbuya is thought to be in line for a new contract offer.
Midfielder Simon Gillett, a virtual ever-present under Saunders, has also stated he would like to stay and help Doncaster return to the Championship.
Saunders’ hands, however, are currently tied when it comes to offering new deals.
Rovers’ boss admitted last week that the wages of the players still under contract are “miles over" his playing budget for 2012/13.
Players still under contract for 2012/13: Gary Woods, Neil Sullivan, James O’Connor, Tommy Spurr, George Friend, Shelton Martis, James Husband, James Coppinger, Kyle Bennett, Brian Stock, Martin Woods, Chris Brown, Habib Beye (subject to release clause).
Players out of contract this summer: James Hayter, Mustapha Dumbuya, John Oster, Adam Lockwood, Sam Hird, Simon Gillett, Oscar Radford, Rachid Bouhenna, Giles Barnes, James Baxendale, Paul Keegan, James Chambers, El Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda, Habib Bamogo, Mamadou Bagayoko.
Loans expired: Fabien Robert, Damien Plessis.
Looks like we're in trouble! The better part of our squad is without contract and we're already over budget!!!!
Contracts
posted on 26/4/12
May be we should try a plan where we get out of favour players in at a bargain rate on loan to supplement it.
posted on 26/4/12
I think we may struggle to keep Muzzy - would love him to sign a new contract with us but he was very popular at Palace and enjoyed his time there, I believe. Unfortunately, SoD and then DS gave him very little game time - let's hope that DS can convince him that he's wanted!
posted on 26/4/12
Just seen DS's pre-Ipswich interview on Player - he says that we are £1m over budget for next season in terms of the 12 contracted players - but he seems confident that TB and DW are coming back into the fold and also that the club will take over the stadium.
posted on 26/4/12
I think you are dead right Crazy.
If we were to get rid of five or six of the players still under contract,at Championship wage levels, that would free up some money for Saunders. I wonder if Beye and Diouf with their proposed extensions are part of that number.
As Ionly has said to me, he can see Hayter and O'Conner returning to Bournmouth, they have announced a profit today. Stock may well end up at Forest or Burnley and Coppinger could well be a target for Ipswich as they are off loading Lee Bowyer.
All four of these SHOULD warrant a transfer fee as they are under contract as well as losing their wages.
Matin oods and Shelton Martis may also be allowed to leave if they can find other clubs which should help.
I notice that Beye is the only one with the extension clause so that answers that one. I think Bramall and Watson becoming involved again should allow for some extra budget money for players.
It will be interesting to see how it all works out.
posted on 26/4/12
Crazy,
I think you are right about Mussy I was sat next to him at Watford. Although he never responded when I asked him why he was not playing his brother did. So unless Deano's changes his view and approach to him he will be off.
posted on 27/4/12
"Looks like we're in trouble! The better part of our squad is without contract"
The reason we're in trouble is that that lot, with the possible exception of Sam Hird, were never good enough for the championship.
Add to that quite easily the most clueless manager in our clubs history & the relegation is well deserved. If we don't get rid of Saunders (which we can't afford to) we've got another relegation battle on our hands next season.
posted on 27/4/12
Nice to see you as positive as ever BBM.