Marvin Johnson and George Friend

Happy with Friend as a squad player. His presence in the dressing room is vital. We need more leaders and experienced pros like him during the season.

I remember when we lost Leadbitter last January, I wasn't particularly happy (but understood because it was probably best for Grant at the time) because he was our captain (off the pitch) and one of the biggest leaders in the dressing room at the time. No surprise we fell like a lead balloon after that.
 
HolgateCorner said:
Fair comment, I suppose it’s a balance between too many new faces and a few old hands.
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Exactly mate, but we've probably lost ten from last season with the loans? So we're going to need a large number of new faces in, even with utilising the squad more.
 
Marvanelli said:
Happy with Friend as a squad player. His presence in the dressing room is vital. We need more leaders and experienced pros like him during the season.

I remember when we lost Leadbitter last January, I wasn't particularly happy (but understood because it was probably best for Grant at the time) because he was our captain (off the pitch) and one of the biggest leaders in the dressing room at the time. No surprise we fell like a lead balloon after that.
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Or perhaps sign someone who has a presence and is a leader in the dressing room! Radical I know, but it may work.
 
I am pretty pleased about Friend. I do think there is room on occasion for rewarding loyalty and commitment and yeah maybe being a bit sentimental too. Having Friend around is a good thing. He will hopefully be a squad player to fill in at left back or centre back.

Johnson I am much less enthused by.
 
George is unfortunately past it and i'd like to remember him for his performance in the last game.

I'd have nothing at all against us keeping hold of Johnson as a squad player, there's definitely a player in there who can help cover a couple of positions.

I have a feeling one of the reasons for his contract offer is a thank you for sticking around and putting in committed performances since lockdown maybe?
 
I would actually prefer to keep Johnson out of the pair of them. I get he can't defend but was one of the better post lock down players. He looks to have got a decent cross in him.

I doubt he would he on much and can play LB or LW. He's decent enough on the bench. To sign someone 'as good' would cost in excess of 1mil. We are linked with Jordan Jones... Is he better? Hardly ripping up the SPL.

George is an interesting one. I have no doubt as much of the contract is because 'he's good around the place'. He could feasibly be offered half of what he's on. So effectivy he's choosing to end his career with Boro or maybe one last payday on bigger wages. I would imagine he's well settled and it would probably need to be a 'local' move to a northern club.

He's not going to be a starter but has enough to he a squad player either at CB (in a 3) or fill in LB.

To be honest both could leave with heads held high. They played when they didn't have too running the risk of getting crocked and missing out on possible moves👍. Unlike Ayala and Rudy (no loss).
 
Hope we're re-signing both of them as squad players and nothing more.

Friend should only be used at CB and Johnson as a wing-back, but I'm hoping Coulson will be ahead of him in the pecking order.
 
parmoboy said:
Hope we're re-signing both of them as squad players and nothing more.

Friend should only be used at CB and Johnson as a wing-back, but I'm hoping Coulson will be ahead of him in the pecking order.
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It looks like Warnock prefers Johnson. I'm still undecided personally.

Even if Johnson goes i'll always hold him in high regard for not downing tools and contributing well to us staying up in the last 9 games.

Jury is still out there for Coulson with me.
 
S7DiscoDown said:
George is an interesting one. I have no doubt as much of the contract is because 'he's good around the place'. He could feasibly be offered half of what he's on. So effectivy he's choosing to end his career with Boro or maybe one last payday on bigger wages. I would imagine he's well settled and it would probably need to be a 'local' move to a northern club.
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If he is offered half of his current salary then we're overpaying and he isn't value for money. He signed his contract when we were in the PL and he was in the Championship team of the season as the best left back in the championship. He is nowhere near that anymore and so shouldn't be paid as if he is. If he was on £20k+ then I'd be surprised if we offered £10k because we can definitely get better for that. He's been a great player for us over the years and it'll be sad to see him go. If he can get a better offer elsewhere then I wouldn't begrudge him taking it. I'd prefer our squad players to be young players with something to prove and an appreciating asset.
 
It is most likely because they can both fill in a couple of places and systems as squad players.

Friend carried us over the line against Sheff Weds and don ‘t have an issue in him hanging around for another season, Johnson neither if Warnock approves, which he must do. The reality is we need to put out a side on 12 September and the games until the window shuts, getting players in and settled before that wont be easy. A bad start and playing catch up might affect potential transfers opinions too, so although I am not a fan of Marvin, I would not be displeased if he stayed.
 
Lottowyn said:
There must be something about Marvin J if Warnock likes him and plays him every game. I remember that he got Boro a penalty quite a few games back. What else has he got ?
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He set up the goal that kept us up - Roberts' at Reading.

I like him as a sub and occasional starter. Not a bad back up to have and seems to have a decent attitude if Wilder liked him and now Warnock.
 
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