Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2016 12:49:31 GMT
Daniel Leadbitter joined Steve Mildenhall in committing his future to Bristol Rovers this morning to suggest that work to prepare the squad in readiness for life in League One is fully under way.
Manager Darrell Clarke has targeted the addition of at least four new faces to his squad before the new campaign begins on August 6 – but that figure is flexible dependent on how many of his existing players decide to sign the new contracts they have been offered.
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Following decisions made by Leadbitter and Mildenhall to remain, 13 senior players are still to make a decision on their futures. Here the Post takes a look at the those who may well be likely to put pen-to-paper on the deals they have been offered.
Billy Bodin
Must surely rank as one of the most successful Rovers trialists of all time. Arrived at Cribbs Causeway on the first day of pre-season training last July determined to prove himself after recovering from long-term injury. Scored a hat-trick in pre-season friendly at Cirencester and was offered a short-term deal. Several impressive performances and three goals over the first-half of the campaign was rewarded by the offer of an improved contract in January. Scored seven goals in final nine games of season to make significant contribution in getting Rovers over automatic promotion-winning line.
Appearances: 29 (12) Goals: 13
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Probably. Lives locally in Swindon and has enjoyed his time at the Memorial Stadium. A lot depends on what sort of financial package Rovers have put on the table in front of him. His performances will not have gone unnoticed elsewhere. Any new deal will have to be a significant improvement on the very basic contracts he was offered last season.
Ollie Clarke
A very under-rated yet important member of the squad. Struggled to be considered a regular but still played 35 times and never let anyone down on the occasions on which he was drafted in. Offered particularly impressive performances away at Yeovil early in the season and again at Newport in March.
Appearances: 23 (12) Goals: 2
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Yes. The Portishead-born midfielder is someone who has an affinity with the club and will back himself to make the step up in level.
Jermaine Easter
Hasn't been the goal machine that many supporters hoped he would be when he arrived from Millwall in January 2014. What he has offered is a surprising amount of work-rate for a player who was mainly regarded as a 'goalscorer' and is also a very clever passer of the ball round and about the edge of the penalty area. Came from the bench on several occasions during the run-in and ended the campaign with eight goals to more than play his part in promotion.
Appearances: 24 (22) Goals: 8
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Yes. Like the rest of the players, Easter will have been offered at a minimum a deal at the same wage plus promotion bonus and should be happy to extend. Might not get the amount of games he's like but is settled in Cardiff and happy at Rovers. An excellent and experienced professional and a good influence on the younger members of the squad.
Chris Lines
Endured a slow start to life after returning to his hometown club last summer and was dropped as part of a shake-up at the end of September. Suffered a troublesome groin injury soon after but played well and looked to have added a bit of steel to his game when breaking back into the side over the second half of the season.
Appearances: 32 (4) Goals: 0
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Yes. Settled in Bristol and has a long affinity with Rovers. Some say League One will be more suitable to his particular abilities, but he did show a grittier side to his game last season. May be looking for the added security of an extra two years at the age of 30, but would expect him to sign regardless.
Mark McChrystal
Hardly the most cultured of defenders but an excellent reader of the game and a born leader – even if he goes about it in an unassuming manner. Darrell Clarke appears to have reservations over playing McChrystal in a back three but he is always usually a first pick alongside Tom Lockyer in a back four.
Appearances: 23 (1) Goals: 0
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Yes. Is in among the higher earners as a result of a historical contract and understands the 'it's a squad game' mentality and will give 100 per cent in training and elsewhere around the place whether in or out of the side.
Cristian Montano
Struggled to make an impact in the early part of his Rovers career and appeared to be a victim of Darrell Clarke apparent distrust of out-and-out wingers. Had to bide his time but improved on the back of scoring his first goal for the club – at Notts County – in March and late season performances suggested there is a lot more to come from a man who possesses a pitching wedge of a left leg.
Appearances: 13 (18) Goals: 2
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Pretty likely. Late season form will give him hope that he can really show everyone what he is about next season. Another player with League One experience.
James Clarke
Consistent and reliable performer who made the step up to Football League admirably after arriving from Woking last summer. Filled in both in central defence and at right-back last season. Lacks a bit of pace but is a real defender's defender and is an archetypal Darrell Clarke sort of player.
Appearances: 38 (2) Goals: 0
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Too difficult to call. If pace is a bigger factor to deal with in League One then Clarke may have to be even more reliant on both his strength and ability to read the game. With the expected arrival of a new central defender he may find chances to play slightly more limited. Is also based in Buckinghamshire and any offer of regular first-team football at a League Two club closer to home is sure to be looked at.
Jake Gosling
Many assumed that Gosling's Rovers career was at an end when he went on loan to Newport after falling behind Ryan Broom and Cristian Montano in the pecking order. Returned to have a hand in Lee Brown's promotion-winning goal on the final day of the season. Suffers from being regarded as a wide-man but not really being one. Much better when coming in off the wing or playing centrally. Enjoyed his best spell in the Autumn with excellent performances in away wins at Hartlepool United and Morecambe.
Appearances: 21 (10) Goals: 0
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Touch and go. Probably not up with the higher earners and might be able to get something better both financially and in terms of regular football at another League Two club. Definitely one with further improvement in him and worth keeping at the tender age of 22.
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Ellis Harrison
Darrell Clarke's go-to-guy when he needs a goal from the bench when chasing a game late on. It is easy to lose count of the amount of important and point-winning goals Harrison has scored. The significance of his 87th minute goal to secure a draw at Northampton in April was not properly realised until Rovers sneaked promotion on goal difference on the last day of the season. Has all the tools to be a top-class striker at lower-league level but needs to somehow shake off 'super-sub' tag by performing more consistently from start of games.
Appearances: 12 (20) Goals: 8
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Hard to say. Don't think money will be an issue with Harrison, but some guarantee of more regular football may be high up on his list of priorities when making a decision on his future. Would Darrell Clarke trust him to be his front-line striker should Matty Taylor depart? There'd be no shortage of takers should he decide to test himself elsewhere.
Lee Mansell
Told by Darrell Clarke at the start of last season that his appearances would be limited, but ended up making almost 30 to add much-needed industry in the engine room. Another experienced professional whose influence around the place stretches a lot further than the pitch. Has already written his name in Rovers folklore by scoring THAT penalty at Wembley.
Appearances: 29 Goals: 2
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Touch and go. Mansell is heading into the home straight of his playing days and does not come across as the type who would be happy to be a bit-part player. If he is offered a similar financial package elsewhere and the guarantee of regular football at a League Two club within relatively easy commutable distance of his Gloucester home it might be too tempting to turn down.
Tom Parkes
Parkes enjoyed a relatively consistent season with only a few dips in form that saw him relegated to the bench on a couple of occasions. Will have been incredibly disappointed not to have scored any goals considering some of the fantastic positions he manages to get himself into at set-piece situations.
Appearances: 32 (2) Goals: 0
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Clearly does not like being left out of the side (who does?) and with the expected arrival of a new central defender before the start of the season the competition for places alongside Tom Lockyer will be fierce. May be another who feels that guaranteed and regular football may be something worth considering at this stage of his career - although he has recently had a daughter with his partner and that may also influence his decision.
Will Puddy
Having displaced Steve Mildenhall over the home straight of the Vanarama Conference campaign, Puddy's hopes would have been high of keeping the number one slot at the start of the season. A problematic groin injury, however, saw him endure a horrible campaign. Started at Dagenham & Redbridge in December following a long rehabilitation period, but lasted only 45 minutes and failed to feature again all season as Mildenhall offered a safe pair of hands from Christmas onwards.
Appearances: 1 (0) Goals: 0
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Problem injury and lack of action last season may put off potential employers. Puddy will be keeping a close eye on what Darrell Clarke does in the transfer market as he probably wouldn't be keen on spending another season warming the bench. In that case, Puddy may seek out regular games elsewhere even if it means dropping down a level of two.
Matty Taylor
A sensational season for a player whose 20 goals across the Vanarama Conference campaign was seen by many as a 'one season wonder'. Proved his doubters wrong by finishing as the leading scorer in the country with 28 goals. Became the first player since Jamie Cureton to score more than 20 goals in consecutive seasons, scored in eight consecutive games during March and April and also bagged two hat-tricks.
Appearances: 41 (9) Goals: 28
Will he still be at the Memorial Stadium next season? Starting to look unlikely. Rovers have offered him a deal that would see him quite comfortably become Rovers' highest paid player – but it would not be comparable to the riches on offer should a Championship club come calling. Taylor will know that his career his short and there will never be a better time for him to secure his financial future whilst also probably testing himself at a higher level.