https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... l-20392084

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... l-20392084

Happy to hear that.

Some over at Cas will clearly see this as a conflict of interest, in our shoes I guess we would feel the same.

I'm pleased that Powell is in charge of recruitment going forward but it does put Cas in an awful position, imagine knowing that your current coach is spending some of his time working out recruitment for one of your rivals next year. He's inside the Cas dressing room and can talk to anybody from the squad about coming with him, what sort of wages they can get etc. Just awful. I will not be surprised if Cas and Powell part company soon.

I agree Sally, it's not sustainable. The closer next year gets, the worse it will get. Any slump in Cas form and he'll be out.

I guess the reality is, that players whose contracts end this season can negotiate for 2022 deals from June/July, hence it'd be unwise for a club to either ignore this, or go for/retain players that the incoming coach doesn't want.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him make the journey here sooner if things aren’t working out at this end. It would give Powell the opportunity to see who wants to buy into his philosophy and who doesn’t fit before the end of the season while we’re still playing. A bit like Smith with Gleeson (different reason of course). I don’t think we’re a club with any strong egos in the dressing room (if anything we seem to lack a few passionate fiery characters) but Powell knows what works best with his approach.

Doesn't seem to be affecting their form, they look the epitome of a group determined to go out with a bang.

I think we are over reacting. Players get on with the next game and more training. Motivation on the pitch should not be an issue.

Handing in your notice early like Powell and Price allows both clubs time to look around and get the best available coach for them. It also means the respective coaches can decide who they wish to retain in their new clubs. Otherwise from ? May 1st players who are on the end of their contracts will look elsewhere, and may find much better offers as well. So I think that all seems to make sense.

Should they also say who they would like to be recruited as well as retained at their new club ? I don't see why not, the new coach will wan't players that suit his style of play as well as filling gaps that he sees in the current squad. Should they try to recruit from their current clubs squad ? I would have thought that they would talk openly with their CEO and refrain from encouraging players to migrate with them. However, if they do want to take a player then the best approach would be to talk to their new CEO and say who they want, then tell their current CEO, but avoid discussions with individual players. I am not sure you can do much more than that, and at the end of the day it will all boil down to the level of trust and respect between the departing coach and his old club.

Yes it's a difficult one.
But I am relieved Powell is having a key say in recruitment

I could easily see after a run of 3-4 defeats on the bounce SP leaving 'in the best interests of all concerned'.
That could open the door.

Forgive me for stating the bleedin' obvious, but who were we expecting to be in charge of next year's recruitment?

Price?
Ed the Duck?
Meghan Markle Windsor?
Or Powell, in late October, when all of the available "talent" has already been snaffled up?


We've picked a coach. I'd expect him to pick next year's squad. Let's hope he's ruthless with some of our current non achievers