Baker - if it all comes off, decent outcome in my view

[shrimper]

http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/morecambe-sport/Baker-in-talks-with-Stockport.4311424.jp

[P/T Indie]

If we eventually get the £225,000 then it's not to bad but our actual profit on the £175k isn't that great after we pay Southport and take into account the £50ishk we paid for him.

Still think Carl should have held on for another 6 months like Sammy said to see if a bigger club came in who might have also offered more money.

[shrimper]

Yes but if it was clear he wasn't wanting to do that then this is a good deal all round. I think Howe is just the type of player we need at the moment and, given a run in the side, could turn out to be a real gem for us - and he's still only young.

If he progresses with them we may be in for more money at a later date.

Now if we can get another tricky winger on board (either on the left or to enable Wainwright to switch to the left, where he did okay at Barrow) I'm happy with the squad for the start of the season.

[The Red Knight]

Yes but if it was clear he wasn't wanting to do that then this is a good deal all round. I think Howe is just the type of player we need at the moment and, given a run in the side, could turn out to be a real gem for us - and he's still only young.

If he progresses with them we may be in for more money at a later date.

Now if we can get another tricky winger on board (either on the left or to enable Wainwright to switch to the left, where he did okay at Barrow) I'm happy with the squad for the start of the season.

Completely agree.

This is a fantastic deal for a player we've only had for one season, was poor for the second half of it and was innefective for the majority of away games. Great talent with plenty left to learn but at 25/26 he's a late bloomer and this is probably our last chance to get a really decent offer for him.

Good luck to Carl, he provided some great moments last season, Stockport, Bradford and Peterborough spring to mind.

Getting Rene Howe is a great deal, he was scoring for fun for Rochdale towards the end of last season and I hope we use the money from the Baker deal to bring in another winger.

Exciting times. Any idea Shrimper if we are likely to see Rene Howe tonight or will we have to wait until Saturday?

[Ego Tripping]

A bit gutted to be honest but good luck to Carl as we can't deny him the opportunity to play at a higher level. I'll certainly be keeping a look out to see how he's doing along with Perks & Thommo as I think its great to see 'our' lads doing well.

No for a replacement. I'm expecting another rant from Negative Ned if we don't enter the running for Ronaldo, Berbatov or Robinho....

[Martin]

I think Carl's been itching to move on since the initial interest and speculation prior to last season's January window.

In my view, the club have held on for as good a deal as it could expect to get, so all round it's the right decision to let him go.

As for Rene Howe, a proven scorer at this level - just what we've been looking for. If he can maintain the form he had with Rochdale, I'd be happy.

It seems a decent squad is coming together just at the right time.

[Skid]

Got to get Craney then with some of this money coming in.

[Christies Child]

OK I can now put my perspective on this issue.

CB was brilliant in the first half of the season, but in the fianl run in I'm afraid he wasn't the same player.

I did not want him to leave at the moment, especially to County but the deal is done and the £225K potential is a good deal, not brilliant but Ok.

I can say that a fair number of centre standers felt that he wasn't performing to his best, whatever the reasons, personal or otherwise may have been and they will feel that it's a good deal.

However, are we loosing our flair players?

Who next I wonder?

[P/T Indie]

However, are we loosing our flair players?

Who next I wonder?[/quote]


With Thommo, Baker & Newby gone 3 of our top scorers and playmakers that leaves us a lot of goals to find from somewhere.

[shrimper]

Got to get Craney then with some of this money coming in.

I wouldn't even go back to Accy for him, if I'm being honest. I've seen enough of Carr to think that our priorities lie in a different kind of player.
Bit of pace or flair, perhaps. Maybe even one more fullback.

But, all in all, not far off what looks like a good squad.

On Baker - I take what people say about not being brilliant all last season. But remember he had risen from a poor Conference side right up to a mid-table League One side very quickly. I thought he wold show us this season what he could really do and I was looking forward to seeing him do his stuff - from a stronger midfield platform, this time round. He was a player who excited me and made me look forward to games even more.

I wish him and his family well and hope (for personal and MFC financial reasons, that he has a brilliant season at County).

[Skid]

Hopefully we get rid of Curtis then, maybe I'm reading too much into this but could he be the player being talked about in this article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/barrow/7518927.stm

[Freez]

Possibly Wayne, good spot!
And good luck to him if he goes on loan!

[Weetabix Kid]

I think Wayne deserves his testimonial season, decent backup for LW and ST. He will prob go to Barrow at end of the season if they stay in the BSP.

[steve mfc]

Good luck to Carl i hope it works out for him, disappointed that he is going but delighted that we have another striker.

The only thing that concerns me is that we have now lost the two main players who could take the ball past the opposition and create space, as other people have said our flair players.

Still think Craney would be a good addition to the squad but i tend to agree with Shrimper that it should not be our main priority, personally i would like a winger with pace.

[Skid]

I think Wayne deserves his testimonial season, decent backup for LW and ST. He will prob go to Barrow at end of the season if they stay in the BSP.

I dont think we should be keeping players just for the sake of their upcoming testimonials, especially those that are embarrassingly out of their depth in League 2.

[DTSJim]

I think Wayne deserves his testimonial season, decent backup for LW and ST. He will prob go to Barrow at end of the season if they stay in the BSP.

I dont think we should be keeping players just for the sake of their upcoming testimonials, especially those that are embarrassingly out of their depth in League 2.

I disagree with that. I wouldn't say wayne's out of his depth in league two.

I think he's a good squad player, ok so he's not going to set a game on fire but he's good backup especially towards the back end of the season when knocks and injuries prevent others from playing.

[heysham_mfc]

good luck Carl will be sad to see him go but at the end of the day he will be playing at a higher level with Stockport and we got a good deal for him would have liked him to stay with us a bit longer but I can understand his reasons for leaving

[footballfan]

Maybe, just maybe Twissy will hit form this season. Still think he is one of the best I have seen in a Morecambe shirt and will always cause problems to other teams. If he can put last season behind him then I think we have a quality line up.

[nobbyshrimp]

Bloody Hell Somebody has started a Rene Howe fan club blog. The lad is certainly a fans favourite at Peterborough and they don't want to release him permanently just yet

http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=5062100114

Only 1 goal from 15 games at Peterborough
but
9 from 20 on loan at Rochdale
and prior to Peterborough
20 from 40 games at Kettering in 2006/2007
31 from 81 at Bedford Town

[Steven Hewitt]

http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/morecambe-s ... 4312757.jp

Audio analysis added.

Steven Hewitt
The Visitor

[HALMA 1983]

I'd like to wish Carl Baker all the best in his move and say it's been a pleasure watching him in a Morecambe shirt, especially that goal against his new employers
As for signing Craney who I rate highly, that time has passed as we no longer need any more players in that position but the news that Howe has joined us is a major boost after his goal scoring exploits at Dale, sweet pairing up top with Blinks and Twissy playing in the hole.
Normally I’d be down hearted at losing another 'Flair' player, not a chance! I have a feeling of excitement and optimism as we head towards the new season

Come on Ned add your Twopenneth

[Shrimpsscene]

id have ian craney here and id be looking at someone like brendan mcgill hes no club at the moment and a good right wing player good news on rene howe he pitched in with a hattrick 4 the dale

[james456]

I think we need a left winger pretty badly.

Last season, Sammy said that we didnt need one as we had adequate cover for that position but now Baker is gone and Wayne may be leaving which leaves Twiss, who should, IMO, play further forward. Wainwright or Lloyd could play there, but they are right wingers.

We need a skillful, natural left winger - a Lee Elam type. I think that would make up for the loss of Baker and give us the flair and pace that we currently lack somewhat.

[Curly]

Best of luck to Carl for future, hope he does well.
Think Howe is great signing, even if only one year loan.
Can't see us signing Craney, I heard he's on £1800 a week at Stanley, no drop on his Swansea wage.
Thought trialist Chris Turner looked ok on Saturday.
Another pacey winger would be good though.

[shrimper]

Turner did look okay but he got injured and i understand he's out for a few weeks so that's that.

Howe didn't score many for Posh but most of his appearances for them were from the bench.

Otherwise he has a good scoring record. If he gets a run as our first choice striker I think he can do well. Then, if by that time Posh are pushing near the top of League One - which I think they might - we may have a chance of signing him permanently.