http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/tom-lockyer-signs-contract-extension-1427354.aspx Good news! Deserves a new contract. He is about the only good thing to come out of this season really.
There is a good nucleus and with a couple of decent strikers we would be pushing for a top spot. Before last Saturday our defensive record was one of the better ones. The home record's fine. Lack of goals away from home has been the big problem.
Defence isn't too bad as you say, though prone to lapse in concentration sometimes. We need a proper striker, that much is obvious. Another winger in place of Clarkson would be ideal (Broghammer??) -------------------NEW---------------- Mohamed--------------------Broghammer/NEW --------------O'Toole/NEW------------- -------------Clucas----Lockyer----------- Brown-------McC------Parkes---------Smith ---------------------Mildy------------------- Our formation wouldn't be too bad IF we can get a bloody good striker to score goals, a bloody good midfielder to replace JJOT (if he does which he almost certainly will), and a couple of decent other attacking options, to give us flexability to go two up top if/when needed. A replacement for Brog if he doesn't recover from his injury and discover good form would also be required. Clarkson, Harrold, Brunt, Harding, Gillespie (unless we are actually going to play him!!!), Santos, Harrison all to go to make way for our new players ( I do not know which ones are still in contract, or coming out of contract soon unfortunately, but with a bit of luck they are all out of contract in the summer!
Excellent news and well-deserved. Winners all round. If he stays we've a very good and versatile player. If he goes we should get a good price for him.
As for my opinion on who should stay or go: Mildenhall: Keep Gough: Keep Smith: Keep Brown: Keep Woodards: Would love to keep him - but is injury-prone and now second-choice to Smith Paterson: Go Parkes: Keep McChrystal: Keep Keary: Keep Southway: Keep Lockyer: Keep Clucas: Keep - if he is able to play regularly Clarke: Keep O'Toole: Keep - if he wants to stay! Broghammer: Keep Harding: Go - don't rate him Santos: Probably go - not sure he's good enough for League Two. Too lightweight. Harrison: Forgotten how to play, so probably go Clarkson: Played ok recently, but should probably go to free up some money. Harrold: Go Brunt: Keep - good player when he's fully fit Richards: Not sure
Can't argue with most of those, although I'd be tempted to keep Clarkson. Gow? I'd like to see a bit more of him, although I'd be tempted to keep. I think either Smith, Brown or both, as well as O'Toole will be on their way in the summer which means I'd probably keep Woodards. Anyhooo - congrats to both Lockyer and Clarke in gaining their new contracts.
