It'sa difficult one with Dowes, looks to me like he's had a rocket up his backside and figured it's either turn it on or bye bye Ewan. He's playing well and making his claim for an extension. But we must try and bring some of the FT U20s into the first team.

if the club keep Dowes again then we show little ambition, I remember Kingy doing this a few times, ripping up trees, getting a new deal, and going back to downing pints.

Agree with you there.

Except Dowes has been a model pro and has always been very consistent in his performances. The difference is over the last month he has found a bit more desire, could be a new contract or the challenge of wanting to get back into the side?

similar to how Agar has suddenly been able to motivate the players when his job was on the line?

Dowes has been consistent in previous years, consistently average.

You're seriously saying Agar has only upped his game due to pressure on his job?

Last two years he has not done so well but before that he was very effective and did a good job for us.

I'm saying Agar has started getting more out of the side, and that has coincided with his neck being on the block.

And if you think two years being average followed by 6 good games deserves a new contract for Dowes then that's a fairly flimsy argument in my opinion.

I can't be bothered.

Where did I say he deserved a new contract?

You can't be bothered because you can't deny the improvements did coincide with his job being precarious, those two things are facts Paul.

And it read like you were suggesting Dowes was worth a new contract, are you saying he isn't?

No I can't be bothered. There were improvements last season and again for certain games this season. Sometimes teams just hit form, it's like you're saying Agar could have done this at anytime but only just chose to do it now. Which is rubbish.

Not sure, would look for a better option but it depends who is available and at what price.

we ended up stuck with him and Radford because of that very argument the closed season just gone.

Dowes was awesome when he came back from that training thingy he went on, he really ripped it up, tbf to Dowes it is only this season which he started quietly but so did most of the team, he is doing well and IF he continues to improve he is worth another year at the right price imo

even if that price is hindering the development of Aldus?

Stuck with Radders ....Watch the game more closely when Radders plays, he is one of the main cogs when he is on the pitch, he makes good yards and tackles well, he still has it.

Nothing is hindering Aldus, when he is ready he will play, he played well against Oldham not sure he is ready to face Peacock, Morley, Carvell etc just yet...his time will come. Forwards tend to break through later than backs.