Darel Russell?

[Grif 0]

I think Im right in saying that Russell''s contract expires at the end of the season? If so, will he sign a new deal - will he indeed even be offered a new deal? I think he has been one of our top performers this season and I think a lot of that is down to Lambert getting the right position for him - in that destructive, more defensive role. Lambert obviously rates him - as proved by him reinstating Rusty to the starting line-up as soon as he had completed his ban, despite the fact that the team had won 3 games in his absence. Im sure he will be offered a new deal and I cant see him getting a much better option from anywhere else; Burnley will be Championship again anyway by that point. Also, do you think he can cut it in the league above? I think he can, provided he sticks to his new role.

[Romantic 0]

Yep. He''ll probably be offered something. Yep I''d welcome it and yep he can contribute in the Championship. My personal best case scenario is that some funds are made available for Lambert to bring in some new, shed some dead wood and place some pressure on our top 11 or 13 players in their individual roles so that we can continue to progress. In other words - I hope he stays but that he''s not a shoe-in every week. In the team on merit....

[pete_norw 0]

[quote user="Romantic"]Yep. He''ll probably be offered something. Yep I''d welcome it and yep he can contribute in the Championship. My personal best case scenario is that some funds are made available for Lambert to bring in some new, shed some dead wood and place some pressure on our top 11 or 13 players in their individual roles so that we can continue to progress. In other words - I hope he stays but that he''s not a shoe-in every week. In the team on merit....
[/quote]

Yep he might even get rid of the lot and bring in 30 or 40 loan players,

[Romantic 0]

Ha ha! That would be fun wouldn''t it? Get Glenn in as his assistant too...

[Canary_on_the Trent 0]

He''s an integral part of Lambert''s side as shown by his immediate inclusion after suspension despite the 3 wins. He is part of a side that appears to be on the up again and has 1 of Britains most successful central midfielders of recent times as his manager, no brainer for him surely?

[Jacko 0]

I think we need to get him signed up. I think once Rusty knows what league we will be in next season he will get something fixed up. If we are promoted he will sign if not he will go. Obviously he won''t sign yet as that would be massively counting our chickens. We''re not there yet remember.

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level? Are there better options out there? Personally I think if we go up he should be signed up again sharpish. I reckon Whitbread, Askou and Doc can do a job at that level. Nelson I think would find it a bridge too far.

[ZLF 334]

[quote user="Good Touch For A Big Man"]

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level?

[/quote]

 

Interesting;  Rusty was also shocking last season but is also integral to Lambert.  Both were really too expensive and Lambert wanted both out,  yet over the summer and since there was v limited interest in either.

Yet one is a must sign up and the other a let him go?

Both aare solid champs squad players - I would happily buy better to have as starting players but that will cost us money better spent elsewhere

[Butterbean_Canary 0]

[quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"][quote user="Good Touch For A Big Man"]

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level?

[/quote]

 

Interesting;  Rusty was also shocking last season but is also integral to Lambert.  Both were really too expensive and Lambert wanted both out,  yet over the summer and since there was v limited interest in either.

Yet one is a must sign up and the other a let him go?

Both aare solid champs squad players - I would happily buy better to have as starting players but that will cost us money better spent elsewhere

[/quote]

They were both pretty poor last season (as were most of the squad) but Rusty never played in the role that Lambert has moulded him into. I believe Rusty could easily do the DM role in the Championship

[Canary_on_the Trent 0]

[quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"][quote user="Good Touch For A Big Man"]

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level?

[/quote]

 

Interesting;  Rusty was also shocking last season but is also integral to Lambert.  Both were really too expensive and Lambert wanted both out,  yet over the summer and since there was v limited interest in either.

Yet one is a must sign up and the other a let him go?

Both aare solid champs squad players - I would happily buy better to have as starting players but that will cost us money better spent elsewhere

[/quote]

Exactly, not sure we could attract a better standard of player, it would probably require a fairly substantial transfer fee. Surely their wages would be no more costly than "buying" a player and then paying their wages as well. Doherty is our best centre back and will prove he''s a CCC player next season in a settled side, as will Russell in the position in front of the back four, rather than up front or as an attacking midfielder trying to create things.

[Beauseant 0]

[quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"][quote user="Good Touch For A Big Man"]

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level?

[/quote]

 

Interesting;  Rusty was also shocking last season but is also integral to Lambert.  Both were really too expensive and Lambert wanted both out,  yet over the summer and since there was v limited interest in either.

Yet one is a must sign up and the other a let him go?

Both aare solid champs squad players - I would happily buy better to have as starting players but that will cost us money better spent elsewhere

[/quote]

 

Poor old   Doc seems to have been single handedly responsible for relegation for some people (probably the same ones who think Martin is lazy). I don''t think he was too bad last year, given the revolving doors around him in the back four, and he''s been exceptional this season.

[Grif 0]

[quote user="Canary_on_the Trent"][quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"][quote user="Good Touch For A Big Man"]

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level?

[/quote]

 

Interesting;  Rusty was also shocking last season but is also integral to Lambert.  Both were really too expensive and Lambert wanted both out,  yet over the summer and since there was v limited interest in either.

Yet one is a must sign up and the other a let him go?

Both aare solid champs squad players - I would happily buy better to have as starting players but that will cost us money better spent elsewhere

[/quote]

Exactly, not sure we could attract a better standard of player, it would probably require a fairly substantial transfer fee. Surely their wages would be no more costly than "buying" a player and then paying their wages as well. Doherty is our best centre back and will prove he''s a CCC player next season in a settled side, as will Russell in the position in front of the back four, rather than up front or as an attacking midfielder trying to create things.

[/quote]

Couldn''t agree more and I think you''ve highlighted the key point there. The last time Rusty was in the CCC, he was played either up front or in a more advanced midfield role. We have better players who can fill those roles now and I think he''s far more suited to the defensive/destructive position in front of the back four. For me, he is definitely CCC-class in that position. I''m confident Lambert will agree.

[GJP 79]

I''d expect both Doherty and Russell to be in the team next season.

Infact, although I''m sure the manager will strengthen the squad, I don''t think there''ll be too many changes to see the team we''re seeing at the moment.

[Jacko 0]

[quote user="ZippersLeftFoot"][quote user="Good Touch For A Big Man"]

Doherty is the more intriguing one for me. Has been outstanding this season. But has he found his level?

[/quote]

 

Interesting;  Rusty was also shocking last season but is also integral to Lambert.  Both were really too expensive and Lambert wanted both out,  yet over the summer and since there was v limited interest in either.

Yet one is a must sign up and the other a let him go?

Both aare solid champs squad players - I would happily buy better to have as starting players but that will cost us money better spent elsewhere

[/quote]

 

Zipper thats rubbish I have not said that all. I later go on to say that I think we should sign him up sharpish. I think we''ll struggle to find someone of equal quality without paying good money.