Craig Clay

[MrB]

Just need Cisse to sign now and we are back to square one.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

That’s the problem, he is our playmaker but he isn’t a playmaker. Let him run around all day, make space for people and give the ball to players who can unlock defences. He’s always covering for his partner, dropping in at left back and having to get forward, no wonder his form dropped.

That, and his glaring lack of technical ability and positional sense.

Because he’s covering for his sh*t team mates

Yeah you’re right, that’s why he can’t trap or pass a ball.

[Monkey Boy]

Why would you want to sign a player that’s going to warm the bench and not push players for a first team place. Ludicrous to me.I really hope this isn’t things to come. Think this was one of Lings great ideas?

[Chicken Dhansak]

I reckon KJ will suss Clay out immediately they start pre-season training. Like someone else has said, to be used only as a squad player.

[Stowaway]

I'm assuming that Jackett has had a hand in this without actually seeing him play. I don't want to be hard on Clay but this is a puzzling decision, to put it mildly.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

Why would you want to sign a player that’s going to warm the bench and not push players for a first team place. Ludicrous to me.I really hope this isn’t things to come. Think this was one of Lings great ideas?

Because they’re cheap?

You’re not going to have 22 stars competing for 11 spots.

[Ronnie Hotdogs]

I'm assuming that Jackett has had a hand in this without actually seeing him play. I don't want to be hard on Clay but this is a puzzling decision, to put it mildly.

The offers have already been made, haven’t they?

Ling rates Clay highly. Really highly. He’s said what a fantastic player he’s going to be for us in the past.

[Monkey Boy]

Why would you want to sign a player that’s going to warm the bench and not push players for a first team place. Ludicrous to me.I really hope this isn’t things to come. Think this was one of Lings great ideas?

Because they’re cheap?

You’re not going to have 22 stars competing for 11 spots.

I don’t expect us to sign the Harry Kane’s of this world but neither do I want us to sign NL players either that are below standard,and that’s what Clay is. Don’t care if there cheap,so don’t sign them save the money until something comes along.

[Chelmsford Swimmer]

Why would you want to sign a player that’s going to warm the bench and not push players for a first team place. Ludicrous to me.I really hope this isn’t things to come. Think this was one of Lings great ideas?

Because they’re cheap?

You’re not going to have 22 stars competing for 11 spots.

I don’t expect us to sign the Harry Kane’s of this world but neither do I want us to sign NL players either that are below standard,and that’s what Clay is. Don’t care if there cheap,so don’t sign them save the money until something comes along.

Would I have offered Clay a contract, No. I don't think he's top end league 2, but I think that being player of the season in a side that wins the National League suggests he might be better than the NL.

[Top of the JES]

Why would you want to sign a player that’s going to warm the bench and not push players for a first team place. Ludicrous to me.I really hope this isn’t things to come. Think this was one of Lings great ideas?

Because they’re cheap?

You’re not going to have 22 stars competing for 11 spots.

Craig Clay was one of our top earners last season.

[PutneyO]

Different and better managers can improve players. Anyone remember Ian Bowyer ?

[ComeOnYouOs]

Obviously Craig was offered a contract by Ling who must think he's a top League 2 player
I expect when he saw Jackett was now the manager, it convinced him to put pen to paper.
Let's hope Vigs & DJ think the same way.

[Max B Gold]

He's just got to try and improve his passing ability then he should be OK.

That’s the problem, he is our playmaker but he isn’t a playmaker. Let him run around all day, make space for people and give the ball to players who can unlock defences. He’s always covering for his partner, dropping in at left back and having to get forward, no wonder his form dropped.

That, and his glaring lack of technical ability and positional sense.

Good engine though.

[Millennial Snowflake]

Two year contract. That is absolutely crazy.

Think offering one year to a player who’s already given four years of service and is under 30 would be seen as a bit of a slap in the face

That’s why it’s probably a mistake to offer him a contract at all. He may have taken reduced terms, but still can’t see him being that cheap

Maybe Ling sees it as having one less CM to sign during the summer, and having Clay, Cisse, Kyprianou and one or potentially two others competing for 2 or 3 starting spots being enough. If Cissé could recapture the form he initially showed when on loan here, it would solve a big problem

[Scuba Diver]

I think Clay is okay.
Sure, he makes mistakes, but does a lot of the dirty stuff, and his attitude is unquestionable.

No idea if his terms have been reduced, but, I think he may do well under an experienced manager.

[Millennial Snowflake]

I reckon KJ will suss Clay out immediately they start pre-season training. Like someone else has said, to be used only as a squad player.

I imagine Clay will be at the front of most of the running, so not sure it’ll happen that quickly

[LittleMate]

I thought he was only offered a year? If we get promoted with Craig Clay starting in the centre of midfield I will eat my sandals.

Please let there be a god!!

[LittleMate]

I think Clay is okay.
Sure, he makes mistakes, but does a lot of the dirty stuff, and his attitude is unquestionable.

No idea if his terms have been reduced, but, I think he may do well under an experienced manager.

If a side had 10 Craig Clays the football may not be pretty but that side would be in league one right now.

[LittleMate]

I'm assuming that Jackett has had a hand in this without actually seeing him play. I don't want to be hard on Clay but this is a puzzling decision, to put it mildly.

"I don't want to be hard on him" but I have to be because this is a forum!!

[Sid Bishop]

Why would you want to sign a player that’s going to warm the bench and not push players for a first team place. Ludicrous to me.I really hope this isn’t things to come. Think this was one of Lings great ideas?

Because they’re cheap?

You’re not going to have 22 stars competing for 11 spots.

I don’t expect us to sign the Harry Kane’s of this world but neither do I want us to sign NL players either that are below standard,and that’s what Clay is. Don’t care if there cheap,so don’t sign them save the money until something comes along.

Clay was offered his new contract ( same goes for the other players offered new contracts ) before Kenny Jackett was appointed as the new manager, so doubtful that Jackett had any say at all on this matter.

[George M]

He did admit in his interview that he was disappointed with his second half of the season. He played under a poor manager in a poor team. He will improve.

[Monkey Boy]

Let me reiterate again,we don’t need bench warmers we need players that are capable of a first team place and hold it down once achieved. Look at the midfield,it’s basically the same as last season,no pace no creativity, I just hope KJ is a very good motivator. Perhaps just perhaps he could try Converting one or two into different positions say at RB. Marsh for example,didn’t he start in midfield and then full back? Something I was hoping Jobi would try but he didn’t,so that’s now history. I’m not suggesting that every player you bring in is going to be successful but Ling has just wasted a squad place on a player that is IMO is NL,let’s not waste to many more

[o-no]

I think Clay is okay.
Sure, he makes mistakes, but does a lot of the dirty stuff, and his attitude is unquestionable.

No idea if his terms have been reduced, but, I think he may do well under an experienced manager.

If a side had 10 Craig Clays the football may not be pretty but that side would be in league one right now.

No chance. You'd get about 3 goals a season out of team with 10 Craig Clays (as long as the keeper scores two)

[Sid Bishop]

Let me reiterate again,we don’t need bench warmers we need players that are capable of a first team place and hold it down once achieved. Look at the midfield,it’s basically the same as last season,no pace no creativity, I just hope KJ is a very good motivator. Perhaps just perhaps he could try Converting one or two into different positions say at RB. Marsh for example,didn’t he start in midfield and then full back? Something I was hoping Jobi would try but he didn’t,so that’s now history. I’m not suggesting that every player you bring in is going to be successful but Ling has just wasted a squad place on a player that is IMO is NL,let’s not waste to many more

These new contracts were offered to the players concerned on 11/5/21 which was 10 days before Jackett got the job as Leyton Orients new manager. So Any contract extensions given are not down to Jackett and those players who do accept a new contract will have to prove themselves afresh next season.

[Still wrong]

Let me reiterate again,we don’t need bench warmers we need players that are capable of a first team place and hold it down once achieved. Look at the midfield,it’s basically the same as last season,no pace no creativity, I just hope KJ is a very good motivator. Perhaps just perhaps he could try Converting one or two into different positions say at RB. Marsh for example,didn’t he start in midfield and then full back? Something I was hoping Jobi would try but he didn’t,so that’s now history. I’m not suggesting that every player you bring in is going to be successful but Ling has just wasted a squad place on a player that is IMO is NL,let’s not waste to many more

These new contracts were offered to the players concerned on 11/5/21 which was 10 days before Jackett got the job as Leyton Orients new manager. So Any contract extensions given are not down to Jackett and those players who do accept a new contract will have to prove themselves afresh next season.

Not set in stone.
The club can withdraw the offer at anytime.