Given the speculation..

[AlanSprouts]

..about Moffat and Johnson. Who do we think will make way for one or both of these.
For me and knowing MG's ruthless approach about letting top goalscorers go, my 2p is on Amar. Having been to the last three games he has seemed out of sorts. Is he being played out of position? He seemed to perk up in a more central role after Dowson and Thompson went off and indeed his headed flick ons added something to our forward play. So who will be 'Seniored' this May?

[lo36789]

For me and knowing MG's ruthless approach about letting top goalscorers go, my 2p is on Amar.

Eh? Are you using the sole example of Shaun "can't get in Aycliffe's team" Reay?

For what it's worth I don't think either Dowson or Purewal have to go. Johnson might take a back seat helping out coaching/reserves and stay for emergencies. Other than that 3 strikers Dowson, Purewal & Moffat/Johnson seems pretty fair.

[Ingleby]

For me and knowing MG's ruthless approach about letting top goalscorers go, my 2p is on Amar.

Eh? Are you using the sole example of Shaun "can't get in Aycliffe's team" Reay?

For what it's worth I don't think either Dowson or Purewal have to go. Johnson might take a back seat helping out coaching/reserves and stay for emergencies. Other than that 3 strikers Dowson, Purewal & Moffat/Johnson seems pretty fair.

Little harsh given he was still our top scorer even after extended time on the bench.

Not just him Gray has been ruthless with. I like it, no messing.

[Robbie Painter]

I don't expect any of our forwards will leave (unless they want to). Dowson & Purewal have both just signed 2 yr deals according to Gray at the last fans forum.

[Christophano]

Amar has been signed on for 2 years, so no, I don't think he'll be shipped out, nor should he be.
Johnson's close to 32 now, I'd like to see him kept on and possibly trialled as a coach. He's still got games in him, but this will probably continue to be as a super sub and (if/when we get one) a reserve team player.

[cameron-darlo]

I rate Purewall but his first touch lets him down sometimes.. there was a few occasions on Saturday when he was in a decent position but his first touch was heavy so the ball got away from him, other than that, he's a very good all round player

[Darlo.For.Life]

Amar has been signed on for 2 years, so no, I don't think he'll be shipped out, nor should he be.
Johnson's close to 32 now, I'd like to see him kept on and possibly trialled as a coach. He's still got games in him, but this will probably continue to be as a super sub and (if/when we get one) a reserve team player.

Johnson has already agreed to be a part of the youth setup next season as a coach and will continue to play for the team when needed.

[Christophano]

Amar has been signed on for 2 years, so no, I don't think he'll be shipped out, nor should he be.
Johnson's close to 32 now, I'd like to see him kept on and possibly trialled as a coach. He's still got games in him, but this will probably continue to be as a super sub and (if/when we get one) a reserve team player.

Johnson has already agreed to be a part of the youth setup next season as a coach and will continue to play for the team when needed.

Excellent news, hopefully his passion for the club will rub off on them.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

[lo36789]

My point is merely that suggesting Gray has a track record of offloading top goalscorers in some sort of ruthless manner is not really based on anything!

I don't think he's been that ruthless, the changed we have made have been pretty timely and other than Dan Smith, Jack Norton there have been no 'first teamers' who have left!

[Ingleby]

My point is merely that suggesting Gray has a track record of offloading top goalscorers in some sort of ruthless manner is not really based on anything!

I don't think he's been that ruthless, the changed we have made have been pretty timely and other than Dan Smith, Jack Norton there have been no 'first teamers' who have left!

Every decision has benefited us. I'm not complaining.
Long may it continue.

[Fibonacci0112358]

I don't expect any of our forwards will leave (unless they want to). Dowson & Purewal have both just signed 2 yr deals according to Gray at the last fans forum.

I'm sure MG said, at that very forum, that no players would be leaving.

[thomo27]

The 2 year contracts were just as likely to insure against another season in the northern league...personally i can see AJ replacing purewal..purewal is a good player up to the 18yard box however from there his finishing and his desire is poor

[quakersam]

The 2 year contracts were just as likely to insure against another season in the northern league...personally i can see AJ replacing purewal..purewal is a good player up to the 18yard box however from there his finishing and his desire is poor

Desire poor? Total bollocks. He's signed a 2yr deal so won't be going anywhere

[AndyPark]

Jesus, what is it with people constantly criticising on here? The lad has scored 20+ goals, proved vital for us over the course the season.

Give your heads a shake.

[Jazz Maverick]

'His desire is poor'



where do these c**** get this shite?

[Fibonacci0112358]

And to insure against another season in the Northern league would only need a 1 year deal, surely.

[Maurice_Peddelty]

The 2 year contracts were just as likely to insure against another season in the northern league...personally i can see AJ replacing purewal..purewal is a good player up to the 18yard box however from there his finishing and his desire is poor

I wish Darlington fans wouldn't post derogatory statements about our players. Amar, as has all the Darlington players, displayed a first class attitude throughout this season. I am very grateful to each and every one of them. Yes, Amar hasn't hit the net for a couple of games but he's still our top scorer and his overall contribution has been excellent. They aren't full time pros, so they shouldn't have to put up with the same levels of scrutiny.

[lo36789]

I don't know how anyone can question desire in any of our lads, have you seen the table and see what we have been up against this year?

The mentality displayed by all of them has been first class. Two players that I think are vital to the way in which we play if for nothing else they keep the side balanced are Amar Purewal & Chris Emms.

When those 2 play we are a better side, even if they don't seem to contribute a great deal during the match individually things just seem to work better when they play.

[Bogratsteve]

Well if we get Fisher now he is a free agent then two of them will be keeping the bench warm on a very regular basis, what a brilliant problem to have, which one of our regular goal scorers do we not play tonight...... well that will be a choice of 8 or 9 then lol

[dfcdfcdfc]

I don't know how anyone can question desire in any of our lads, have you seen the table and see what we have been up against this year?

The mentality displayed by all of them has been first class. Two players that I think are vital to the way in which we play if for nothing else they keep the side balanced are Amar Purewal & Chris Emms.

When those 2 play we are a better side, even if they don't seem to contribute a great deal during the match individually things just seem to work better when they play.

This x 10 x10 x10

[andi_darlo]

Apart from Thompson, who everyone can see is just too good for this level, I would have to say Emms has been my stand out player this season.

I thought Nicholls was doing really well when he was in the team but when Emms got his chance he really took it with both hands.

He often is a little quiet and he attempts the odd 'worldy' pass that seems to not go to plan, but his link up play and positioning always seem top notch and the term "smart" seems to apply well to his game he just reads it well.

Just wish he would sit in them scholes positions when the left footed corners are coming in, they always seem to drop on the edge of the box and it just looks like we could do with someone who could rifle home from that distance !

[princes town]

i've seen enough darlo forwards in the past with 'no desire' to know that Amar isn't one of them. Personally, I like the fellow because he is quite a unique sort of player. I've come to the conclusion that he prefers a more central role.

[Spyman]

The 2 year contracts were just as likely to insure against another season in the northern league...personally i can see AJ replacing purewal..purewal is a good player up to the 18yard box however from there his finishing and his desire is poor

I can only assume this is a typo and you have seen him attempting to cover some 90s R&B at Karaoke night?

[thomo27]

The 2 year contracts were just as likely to insure against another season in the northern league...personally i can see AJ replacing purewal..purewal is a good player up to the 18yard box however from there his finishing and his desire is poor

I can only assume this is a typo and you have seen him attempting to cover some 90s R&B at Karaoke night?

No typo...but it does read pretty bad

[mensamoo]

Apart from Thompson, who everyone can see is just too good for this level, I would have to say Emms has been my stand out player this season.

I thought Nicholls was doing really well when he was in the team but when Emms got his chance he really took it with both hands.

He often is a little quiet and he attempts the odd 'worldy' pass that seems to not go to plan, but his link up play and positioning always seem top notch and the term "smart" seems to apply well to his game he just reads it well.

Just wish he would sit in them scholes positions when the left footed corners are coming in, they always seem to drop on the edge of the box and it just looks like we could do with someone who could rifle home from that distance !

wish we had a Galbraith eh?

[broadsexile]

I really rate Amar - he's a subtle player, which is an important thing to have in such a blood-and-thunder league. He doesn't charge around and get in the channels so much, but that's fine as Dowson does that admirably. I think they compliment each other really well.