I agree with you but part of problem is we do not know how PV wants to play.

We have no senior right back and no timescale for 2 youngsters to return from injury so in my mind we should offer short term contracts to both Ward and Clyne on reduced terms. However if we are going for wing backs Ward is not fast enough.

Again with Cahill how would he work in a back 3 if that is the PV way. However as we have a shortage of CD I think if he gets on with PV a role as a player coach may be suitable while he does his licences.

Townsend I am not sure he is a solid squad player but would he accept squad player wages?

I don't think that offering these contracts will prevent youngsters coming through as RB both are injured and CD we can buy/promote at least 2 and have a
vacancy suitable for cahill

A month ago Townsend said on the radio that the out of contract players were told by the club that a it was intended to appoint a manager within two weeks and that the new manager would determine which players he wanted to retain.
You have to assume that was factual.
A month later we have a new manager but are no clearer as to whom we are trying to retain and meanwhile their contracts have expired.
I don’t expect to know the minutiae of how the club does business.
However, it does have a direct impact on preparations for the new season.
Between Dann, Ward, Sakho, PVA, Clyne, Townsend, Cahill and Mcarthy that is a lot of experience to replace in one window.
This is collective experience for younger players to learn from even if some of those named haven’t featured much recently.
I’m all for a transition to youth and recognise the opportunity with the expiry of contracts to refresh the squad.
Nonetheless, there is still a place for experience and believe we need to either retain 4 of these or obtain 4 players of similar experience.
If it’s intended to retain some of them they should surely already be fully engaged in pre season training working alongside Vieira.
The bond established between a new manager and senior players is key for implementation of new methods and for getting
the ‘buy in’ always required with a new manager.

I am Glad Ward has re-signed if true, he has always given his all and waited until WB was sold to get his place back. Just hope Cahill and Townsend come onboard as well, both did jobs for us last year and can do again next year.

Was just looking at the next series of the New Amsterdam show starting next week and thought Ward had another career as an actor under the name of Ryan Eggold.

Agreed.. I'm pleased for him but please he cannot be our 1st choice right back. He hasn't been up to it for a couple of seasons now and if we are looking to progress then we need to be starting with a better right back than Ward... Can't let sentiment get in the way of progression.

Don't waste your time with jealousy. Sometimes your ahead, sometimes your behind, the race is long. But in the end it's only with yourself!!

Ward is a solid professional and while I'd rather he wasn't first-choice at right-back anymore, I think for a club our size he is a dependable back up. Given Clyne is training I imagine they both might get new deals allowing us to invest what money we have in other areas, like a new Thesaurus for Willo, a Sainsbury's carpark surveillance system and a crystal ball for dazza.

Synonym?