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McCarthy in No Hurry Over Contracts Tuesday, 15th Jan 2013 06:00
Blues boss Mick McCarthy says he’s in no hurry to offer Town’s out of contract players new terms. Lee Martin, Andy Drury, Arran Lee-Barrett, Carlos Edwards, Jason Scotland, Nathan Ellington, Jack Ainsley, Cormac Burke, Ronan Murray and Joe Whight all have deals which are up at the end of June.
The Town manager has already confirmed that Scotland is likely to move on during this window - with Wolves, Brighton and Preston all interested - while Ellington, who has just returned from a loan spell at Scunthorpe, and several others seem unlikely to be kept on.
McCarthy said: “I’ve been in this business long enough and when you start giving players new contracts now they suddenly think ‘That’s nice, I’m here for the next three years’ and don’t run around as much as they did.
“I’ve experienced that. I’m not saying these players would do that, but I’ve experienced it with players and I’m not going to have that.”
He says that the likes of Martin and Drury who are currently around the first team aren’t going to be moved on during this window: “They’re not going to be sold, they’re going to stay here and we’ll negotiate with them for new contracts when the time comes.
“If we’re safe with a whole clatter of games to go, then we might start talking about it. What you have to understand is that it also gives me the opportunity to have a clean slate and start again.
“And it’s not going to be easy for players in the summer with the Financial Fair Play rules. I can see it already happening.
“There are a hell of a lot of players coming out of contract all around the country at different clubs and there are lots of them offering players less than they are on now.
“Now, a sure-fire way to piss players off is to offer them less than what they’re on already. I’m quite happy just to let them run out.”
This situation means that there are likely to be plenty of Championship players out of contract in the summer, something which could work in McCarthy’s favour as he looks to add to his squad during the close season.
The Blues boss doesn’t anticipate having any problems luring signings to Town: “The money generally decides where players are going to go, but the manager has an impact on that, the coaching staff, the ground, the fans, the area and we’re all right in some of those aspects, we do OK.
“So, in terms of attracting players, I don’t think there’s a problem with that. And then competing with the clubs that we need to compete with regarding wages, then we can do that.
“It gives us an opportunity, it’s not just carte blanche for the players to go ‘Wa-hey, I’m out of contract’, there’ll be players that don’t get clubs this year, from different clubs.
“There’ll be players who will let their contracts run out but the tide is changing. Where players want to sign a new contract, they want to know that they are under contract, they want to make sure, unless they’re the very, very top ones who know they’re going to command an unbelievable Bosman move.”
Despite other clubs being financially better off than the Blues, McCarthy isn't complaining and is confident that Town will be able to compete in the Championship next season, if they confirm their position in the division.
“I knew what I was getting into when I came here,” he said. ”I don’t go anywhere and start bitching about it. If we stay up, who’s to say what can happen next season?
“And we’re all going to have our wings clipped with the Financial Fair Play rules, so it’s not going be that anybody can keep throwing money at it, it’s going to be about teams having to be coached, managed, picking players and being clever at picking players.
“I’ve done that before, so maybe one or two will be whinging at me next season, who knows.”
Its looks like MM has laid down the gauntlet for these players i.e. show me you're worth new contract! I personally think that only one or two will still be here new season. MM will have pretty good idea what he wants at end of season so expect him to get in players quite early (unlike the last two muppets) so he's ready for new season. There's going to be lots of choice so like all good managers he'll be looking for best blend of youth/experience. But i bet they'll be taller/quicker/younger than we had at start of this season!
Not really bothered about any of them but maybe Martin as a squad player on a massively reduced contract.Maybe Edwards has got one more year in him as a squad player. A shame for the likes of Ainsley,Barrett and Whight not too have made the step up but we desperately need to freshen things up so probably time for a clear out from the Keane/Jewell times.
Apart from ALB as a third choice keeper (although that position should really be for a player from our youth if we have any good enough) and maybe Drury as a squad player I'm really not bothered about any of the rest of them.
Surely this has to be one of the most revealing interviews yet published with wise owl Mick. He has some really astute observations about players' behaviour AND he has thought through the changes coming down the trackks with the FFP rules.
THe tables are indeed turning and players are going to be earning less and being far more loyal to their employers.
Isn't great to a have a manager that well....manages! Mick's in charge, we know it, the town management know it, pur players know it and potential Town players know it. The gloom of the past 5 years is lifting rapidly.
His style is firm but fair and consitent. He controls what he is has control over and doesn't moan or worry when there is a situation we can't control.
We need to ditch Martin to be honest....all season he's run around like a headless chicken. He over/under hits corners EVERY time. The effort is there but he hardly ever comes up with the end product.
I think the three names most people notice are Carlos; Drury and Martin. In my opinion Carlos has always been a solid performer; especially in midfield; but never should have been captain; he doesn't seem to show the qualities needed- he is also getting on; so as sad as I would be to see him go; he to me is easily replaceable (as a captain). Drury has done well I think; especially graduating from Luton; but lacks consistency in a big way to be a regular starter and again; easily replaceable. Lee Martin is an oddity to me; lacks consistency and when I sat in on the Brighton game I really wanted to sit him in a room and shout at him for his lack of accuracy when crossing - again like so much of the team; he can perform brilliantly on his day; but his day doesn't come near often enough to me to seem like a huge loss. I hope the contract process goes well for all parties involved but realistically I will be happier wishing them luck with their futures and thanking them for their time at town come the close of the season.
Lee Martin - a very hard working player. His personal stats this season demonstrate this. Pity he can't score goals. I guess he'll be offered reduced terms as he's probably on high wages now. However I think he'll look elsewhere before deciding.
Andy Drury - I think he'll be offered a new deal and will probably accept.
Arran Lee-Barrett - he's clearly dropped down the pecking order. I'd like to see him stay but don't think he will.
Carlos Edwards - he'll probably be offered reduced terms, whether or not he accepts depends on if anyone else is prepared to offer him a better 'retirement' package elsewhere.
Jason Scotland - will probably leave very soon
Nathan Ellington - will be released
Jack Ainsley, Cormac Burke, Ronan Murray and Joe Whight - I don't think any of these will be retained. As much as it's great to see our home grown talent thrive I don't think any of these players are better than those in the first XI. Perhaps one of them will prove me wrong, there are always late developers.
I reckon Lee Martin wishes he'd signed the contract offered to him earlier in the season by Paul Jewell. I bet it was more money & better terms than he's likely to get from Mick McCarthy at the end of this season, or indeed from any other club, unless he suddenly starts scoring a few goals & getting himself noticed. The best he'll get is another mid table Championship side who won't be paying high wages.
I'm liking MM more and more every day. His attitude to the team is first class. No player is more important than the team. He reminds me of Robson's attitude in his early days. Building a team is a jigsaw and the pieces don't always need to be gold plated they just need to be a perfect fit. If the team works then those players will eventually become stars in their own right. Buying stars and trying to make them fit is a big gamble.
I'd like us to keep Martin and Drury. Anisley and Whight should be earning fairly small wages so there's no harm in giving them another year to see how they come on. The rest can be invited to seek new opportunities so far as I'm concerned.
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