Some thoughts on the retained/released list...

At last, the retained/released list has officially been put in the public domain by Doncaster Rovers and there's no huge surprises to be had.

Kieran Sadlier's future remains unclear as he continues to attract interest from elsewhere (more on that towards the bottom of this piece), though James Coppinger, Matty Blair, Danny Amos and Louis Jones have offers on the table to consider, should they wish to extend their stay.

AJ Greaves is staying put for another year, but there's no new deals for Alex Baptiste, Alex Kiwomya and Devante Cole - all of whom have been released. Five players from the club's Under 23s squad are also on the search for pastures new - something which I've also touched on further down.

Keepmoat Stadium in February 2020.

The strangest aspect about the released/retained list, which I've had difficultly getting my head around, is why the news was 'leaked' as an exclusive by the Doncaster Free Press last Thursday. Without doubt, Liam Hoden (the author) will have checked the information with the club in the first instance and made sure it was okay to go to print because he wouldn't want to jeopardise any positive working relationships he has with people at the club - so why they decided, at that stage, not to reveal their own news is bizarre and a mystery. It is hardly professional on the club's part - even in these strange times!

Perhaps their reasoning was linked to speculation within the Free Press article (which no doubt came as a surprise to more than a few people) that the U23s set-up might cease to exist in the very near future. If that did come to fruition then it's something which, in my opinion would be too hasty and unnecessary - not to mention that it would have ramifications for those involved.


Why the U23s set-up should stay

I despise corny catchphrases such as 'unprecedented times' but with talk of limited first team squad sizes, salary caps and budget restrictions being mooted at present, nobody quite knows what to expect ahead of next season. Or, even, when it will actually begin.

However, to remove the closest thing to a 'shadow squad' for the first team and the chance for fringe players to keep match-fit with competitive game-time (all under the watchful eye of the management), it would be reckless in my opinion.

At least one club, somewhere, will endure an injury crisis next term and have their personnel stretched to the point where they'll need younger players to step-up and deliver - even more so if first team squad sizes do get restricted to a certain number. An injury crisis could just as easily happen to DRFC as it could anyone else and if there was nothing whatsoever to fill the void between youth and senior level (and those aged 18-21 were left without regular games to play in), it would be a massive ask for any U18s players to step straight into the first team environment and perform against experienced professionals in a pressurised stadium environment.

The Under 23s in action last season.

By retaining the U23s structure (even if it's rehashed as an U21s or 'Reserves' set-up) it gives promising youngsters who are too old for youth football the opportunity to continue their development, as previously, train with (and mirror) senior players each day, test themselves against decent opposition in games and, ultimately, they'll only become better footballers for this experience. Every facet of their game will improve over time whether it be technically, tactically, ability-wise or just their overall day-to-day professionalism.

Though U23s football isn't without its critics; for example, there are numerous ex-players who'd argue that dropping down to non-league is more beneficial to young players' development, importantly, DRFC have already adopted a stance on this issue by investing so much time and effort in improving the overall structure, the philosophies, the standards and the professionalism within the U23s set-up over a number of years now.

So why, pandemic or no pandemic, back-track on all that time, sheer effort and hard work to make what would appear to be a financially-motivated decision to cease with it, when it could easily start bearing fruit soon - especially when you consider that the U18s were romping to the league title before the season was cut short?

This time next year, when things will (hopefully) be much clearer about the future of football in the long-term, I'd have no problems if the owners/directors opted to close the U23s set-up - so long as any potential decision had logic, clear reasoning and an explanation behind it.

Ultimately, the owners will still live in luxury mansions, be able to go on expensive holidays and have bulging bank balances long after this pandemic is over. It wouldn't cost much for them (given their comparative wealth) to keep the U23s set-up in place for another year and keep it 'under review' during that time - thus giving the chance for many young lads who've been in the academy set-up for several years to fulfil their dreams of 'becoming a professional footballer' and playing in a red and white shirt for Donny Rovers.

However, it would sit exceptionally uncomfortably with me if cuts were made right now, before the new campaign even started, and good people were put out of work as a consequence - especially when 'donations' from not claiming refunds are alleged to be going into the academy set-up.

Without any U23s squad in place, will there even be a genuine, clear to see pathway for youngsters to progress and feature at first team level on a regular basis?

Drawing upon a previous experience, during my time at Mansfield Town - ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, the 'Development Squad' was withdrawn as part of a cost-cutting measure. The lads aged 18-21 were left in limbo and, crucially, without a league to compete in whilst also being too far off the first team to get regular game-time. There were no winners in the long-term; their frustrations quickly grew and every lad in the aforementioned age group had departed within 12 months before the club, knowing fine well they'd made a mistake, re-instated the set-up for the 2016/17 season. It would be a huge disappointment, therefore, if a similar thing were to materialise again - especially when its avoidable and this is a more talented group of young players!

In conclusion, an employee needs its employer to stand by them more than ever at this present time so the board/directors, who'll ultimately make this decision, need to give it a lot of thought and consideration before doing anything rash and irresponsible. It would feel like a massive kick in the teeth for those who've worked so hard if it all just suddenly came to an end.


Saying goodbye to five youngsters

Though it's the dream for every club to develop players and get them in the first team, it's also a fact that not everyone will make the grade and there has been the departure of five U23s players; Rian McLean, Myron Gibbons, Rieves Boocock, Shane Blaney and Max Watters.

Shane Blaney - one of five players to depart from the Under 23s set-up.

For these younger lads, I hope they're supported as much as possible to find re-employment (whether that be in football or elsewhere) and they're able to build some level of financial stability for themselves as soon as possible. I'm absolutely rooting for each and every one of them to do well, achieve loads in life, and be as successful as they possibly can be in the future.

Watters' departure is probably the most surprising given that he featured for the first team more than anyone else in the development group. I understand the reasons why he's not been offered a new deal - although if he now knuckles down, potentially somewhere closer to home (in the London area), then I'm optimistic - and have seen enough in his performances - to believe that he could work his way back up the football ladder to a relatively decent standard at some point.

The other departures aren't too surprising.

Although Shane Blaney possesses a great left-foot and would have been a good character to learn from for some of the younger lads, Ben Blythe's consistent displays in the Under 18s plus the fact he's three years younger, meant it was always likely he could be viewed as a natural replacement for the Irishman and so it's proved.

Rian McLean, Myron Gibbons and Rieves Boocock simply didn't get much game-time between them - the most mystifying of the trio being Boocock who despite having scored for fun at youth level including a record-breaking amount in 2018/19, was restricted to fleeting appearances and rarely had chance to make a major impact on a game. Nevertheless, his goal-scoring record remains impressive and there'll be some managers who'll love a player who, even if he does nothing else in a game, has a knack of being a regular goalscorer.

If any of the lads read this, speak to as many people in football as you can, pester, probe and gather every good fact/statistic and achievement on yourselves in order to get a deal somewhere else. It's tough to be out of work but you've all got something to offer in the game, regardless of the level it may be at, and with the right mindset you can all achieve plenty.


Kieran Sadlier's future

Undoubtedly the most-discussed or 'hottest topic' stemming from the published retained/released list is Kieran Sadlier's future and the question now is what's next for him?

Everyone who has seen him play with any regularity will have formed an opinion on his potential/capabilities and he'll be no different to anyone else. If he believes he's worth a certain wage or is capable of playing at a higher level and wants to pursue that, it's his entitlement to do so. He definitely doesn't deserve or warrant criticism from anyone - especially a certain arsehole on the Viking Forum who insinuates too many things far too often!

He's proved he can perform in League One and his statistics will back that up. What is also for certain is that he's given 100% effort and commitment on every occasion when he's appeared for Doncaster Rovers and he needs to be applauded for that. He's got to consider himself, his family, his finances and his future so good luck to him and whether he signs for Hull City (which would make perfect sense given Grant McCann has twice previously been his manager) or anyone else, or even if he stays put, I hope it works out successfully and he's ultimately able to progress as far as possible in football.

The KCOM Stadium - a possible destination for Kieran Sadlier?

Some fans might not like it if he chooses to move elsewhere on a free transfer, but that's football and it happens. To add balance, I can think of one player who has been linked with Doncaster Rovers during the past six months who has turned down a contract extension at his most recent club because he also wants to progress in his career.

If, for any reason, Sadlier does return to the Keepmoat as an opposition player in the near future then I hope he gets the appreciation he deserves, even if he's booed a little afterwards. He certainly doesn't deserve to be subjected to the ridiculous 'greedy b*stard' comments which Danny Andrew got after he joined Fleetwood last year.

Good luck, Kieran, enjoy every minute/experience of your career and I hope it works out well for you, whatever you decide is best.

Day 22: Madrid

Since lockdown began just before Easter, I've embarked on a virtual road trip across Europe - recalling some of the great places which I've been fortunate enough to visit.

I've been to Rotterdam (but not Liverpool and Rome), said 'Auf Wiedersehen' to Germany after a few stops there, walked Las Ramblas but not with real intent in Barcelona, travelled the French Riviera and even enjoyed some Portuguese cuisine.

But now, after two-and-a-half months of virtual travelling and sometimes endless blogging, I'm in my final destination - the Spanish capital, Madrid!

There will be a sequel 'road trip' at some point in the future to cover more destinations which I've been to in places such as Italy, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, etc, but for now this will be final destination and, believe me, it's a decent one to go out on.

So what does Madrid have to offer?

Well, firstly, there's a couple of really good football teams in the city which you might have heard some things about previously. Real Madrid are the aristocrats of world football, the biggest club on the planet and, in my opinion, there isn't a bigger stage than the Estadio Bernabeu. They've won the European Cup/Champions League on 13 occasions, have triumphed domestically more than anyone else, and it doesn't get any bigger or better than watching them play.

Near neighbours Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, nowadays play in the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano which is in close proximity to Barajas Airport. If you're flying in to Madrid, there's every possibility that you'll see the stadium on the approach to the runway. Up to the 2016/17 season, the Estadio Vicente Calderon in downtown Madrid, not far from the historic city centre and Plaza Mayor square, was their home and I'll do a blog post on my visit there in the next few days.

Other La Liga clubs in the capital are Getafe and Rayo Vallecano, whilst the city is also home to Las Ventas - the largest bull-fighting arena in the country and where the sport still takes place to this day, typically running from spring through until September/October.

If you're not a sporting person, there's still loads to do in Madrid and it's amongst my 'Top 5' favourite cities which I've been to in Europe. If it wasn't for the fact it lacks a coastline then it'd be as good as Barcelona!

A good starting point for any city tour would be Plaza Mayor because it's the main square in Madrid and within a 30-45 minute stroll of most of the other main attractions which span from the Royal Palace to Parque de El Retiro - both of which are picturesque, ideal for a picnic and good places to spend some time unwinding. The Prado, considered to be one of the best art museums in the world, is also right next to El Retiro park and even if you're not an arts person, the architecture of the buildings are still fantastic.

Puerta Del Sol (another historic square) is also a brisk, five-minute walk from Plaza Mayor, whilst at some point or another you're almost certain to come across the majestic grandiose of Gran Via - a bustling, buzzing avenue which is home to many designer stores. If you're after a bargain then it's a good idea to venture into some of the side streets as they're filled with numerous smaller outlets with products and souvenirs available at much smaller prices.

Wherever you go in the city that's within the aforementioned walking distance of Plaza Mayor, you're bound to find culture and cuisine as there's hundreds of restaurants catering for all tastes.

Something of an almost unknown secret is that the concourse in Madrid's main railway station; Atocha Renfe is home to a tropical garden and a handful of market stalls. It might be the only station in the world where you can see wildlife roaming around and it's normal to the locals - albeit certainly different if you aren't used to it.

To conclude, whatever you do in Madrid, then there's every chance you'll enjoy it - and I haven't even mentioned the often hot weather which makes the place all the more delightful.

Enjoy the photos!