Contracts, contracts and contemplation
So, come the end of the season several contracts will be running out and Neil Lennon will have the chance to rebuild his squad. Here are some thoughts I`ve had:
Eidur Gudjohnsen`s contract is up and whether or not he`ll or Bolton will agree to renew it very much depends on whether he can keep playing week-in-week-out. I like the idea of him staying on as a player coach- but an actual player coach not like Andy Hughes who is yet to figure for the first team. I could see him playing 10-15 games next season and coaching.
Emile Heskey`s contract will be up too, and I can`t see him staying. He`s done a very respectable job in all fairness, and his debut goal was one of the highlights our year. However, playing Championship football when you`re 38? Really Hesk-dog? I`d love us to bring in Marc-Antoine Fortuné when Wigan get relegated. He`ll be inclined to join up with former manager Neil Lennon and he`s very good in the air and with the ball at his feet. While goals have never been a high part of his game, I still think this would be a classy signing.
I`m pretty sure that Andy Lonergan will sign on for next season, though the same cannot be said about Adam Bogdan, whose stock is high and would be able to attract the attentions of a big Championship/Premier League club, while there is also reported interest in Europe. Solution? Sign one of Wigan`s Scott Carson or Ali Al-Habsi- simples.
Matt Mills is a big name and his contract is ticking down. It is likely that he`d have to take a pay cut ot stay on. Tim Ream was named as captain instead of him, which could hint that he will not be signing a new deal. UPDATE: Mills was captain- error from the teamsheet man!
Darren Pratley is a new man under Neil Lennon, and I expect him to have a big impact upon return to the first team. He should sign a new deal.
Kevin McNaughton will most certainly not be staying past his loan deal this season as he doesn`t suit Lennon`s 3-5-2 formation. I`d love Bannan to stay if possible, though it may take a bit of money- if Chung Yong Lee does well at Palace Bannan`s involvement down south might decrease further. Adam Le Fondre has so far endeared himself to the Bolton faithful, and Cardiff`s saturation of strikers and Bolton`s proximity to his family may well sway a permanent move in the favour. Slavchev wants to play at a higher level than the Championship and even though I haven`t seen much of him to think he`s capable, he`s likely to be playing for Sporting Lisbon next year. Saidy Janko has done well so far and seems to be enjoying it here. His contract is up at the end of the season and he obviously wants to stay and feature for Manchester United but he may well find himself at the Macron next year, with Andy Kellett playing a cross field pass to Angel Di Maria. It doesn`t seem as though Rochinha is Championship material, seeing as he`s only figured on the bench? once.
Those are my current views on contract situations, however we all know how they can change so quickly. Sorry I couldn`t get to all of them. What are your views? Leave`em below.