Reported his injury issues harmed his chances of another deal. Shame really he was one of our better more consistent players when fit and we've carried players with much worse injury records in the past.
Bit surprised to be honest. I thought he was a decent player able to put some good crosses in the few times I saw him play, pretty nippy too at times. A bit injury prone though, so can only think that's the reason he's gone. Good luck to the lad.
Retained list is out.
Main items are that Angus, Miller, Mattock and Ladapo are out of contract and not being offered new deals.
Ladapo obviously wanted out. Fitness is or has been an issue for the other three. I think Miller was the one I might have kept out of the four because he still has time to improve and he has something, but I understand the decision. I would have worried about Mattock and MacDonald in the Championship to be honest. Maybe we need a bit more mobility than they now have, but no doubt they still have plenty to offer and I'm sure they will find good clubs if they want to carry on.
Good luck to them and also to Jacob Gratton and Jake Cooper who have also been released. Thanks to all for their efforts and contributions over the years.
Mattock has never been a big favourite of mine, a bit too erratic at times for me. That said, he has been a good servant to the club over a number of years despite his injury problems and I wish him well.
No real shocks. Glad we haven't activated the year extension with Ladapo i don't think we would have got anything close to what we paid had we done it. Just got to shake hands and move on now which we have, shame how it ended he has been involved in some good moments over the past three years and his goal return was pretty good.
Should be some room in the budget now, guessing Ladapo Mattock and Macdonald were all on decent money. All the best to those released they've all contributed.
Ladapo ,i'm told,was the top earner at the club. Unless there's a radical increase in the wage structure i dont expect any of the out of contract players to stay. For whatever reason we will just not be competitive. I have my own opinions and i'm amazed Warne,possibly the best manager the club has had, is still with us.
I can understand the scepticism, a couple of the interviews TS has done have been carbon copies of previous summers and massive coincidence were done around season ticket announcements. But I guess its very easy to spend someone else's money and we can only spend what we can spend.
From what I hear, if true Smith has been offered a very generous deal by us, id be quite surprised actually if he got that sort of offer elsewhere.
Ladapo ,i'm told,was the top earner at the club. Unless there's a radical increase in the wage structure i dont expect any of the out of contract players to stay. For whatever reason we will just not be competitive. I have my own opinions and i'm amazed Warne,possibly the best manager the club has had, is still with us.
If you're correct about Lapado being the top earner, I can understand why we had a dip in form after he'd put his transfer request in. If you're someone like Smith, working your backside off but watching someone amble around the pitch whose on more money, it must affect your enthusiasm and dedication. I think Lapado has been a reasonable player for Rotherham but for the upset he caused to the squad with his selfish transfer debacle, I will not forgive him.
-- Edited by GlennMiller on Saturday 21st of May 2022 11:43:56 AM
My opinion is that we need one of our two up front to be someone with a bit of pace who will run in behind defences. Ladapo was never quite that player and neither is Will Grigg. From what I have seen of Washington he is more that type of player. Whether he is Championship standard I dont know.
Spoke to a couple of Blades mates and a Charlton fan I know. They all gave me the same write up - he runs the channels, works his backside off and given a run in the side he will score a few goals. Sounds like a Rotherham player to me, and he has plenty of Championship experience. On paper he looks a fair signing.
Amazed Warne is still with us ! We paid Lge 2 wages in Lge 1 and it will probably be Lge 1 wages in the Championship hence the signing of players in the twilight of their careers and the likely exodus of our star assets. Can't remember looking forward to a season with such pessimism. Hope there's some realms of truth in the rumoured take over bids but this chairman isn't going to easily give up his stewardship.
I like Michael Smith a lot. His attitude and commitment have never been less than fantastic. I couldnt blame him if he looked for the biggest deal he can get at this point in his career and good luck to him. If he does leave he will be replaceable.
It's good to see Jamie Lindsay re-sign. He has a lot to offer.
Regarding Smith, i think the club needs to push for an answer early this week. Be a shame to see him go but he has had enough time now and we need to plan with / without him asap.
