BOROCHAT
Newest article: Re: Free Agents by MerseyBoroToday 08:16Today at 08:16:39view thread
Oldest article: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word by Telboy13/2 13:42Fri Feb 13 13:42:10 2026view thread
Next thread: We have two in the top five :)) by Specky20/5 18:02Wed May 20 18:02:22 2026view thread
Successor for Pidge
Views: 1249
I know this is a conversation that might be more appropriate for next summer but Pidge turned 34 the other day and while he's been an absolute rock and will always be a legend (I'd put him up there with Robbo) I am starting to wonder if we need to spend the next year or so considering a replacement.
I'm assuming we'll lose Charlie and I don't think Lewis or Sweeney quite cut it as long term replacements in Piergianni's mould.
So do we wait until next summer or do we start looking now for someone we can slowly start building up and transitioning in over the coming season?
I see Pidge being first on the team sheet every game next season and still for many games the season after, but he's not going to be around forever and I think his mistake (not really his fault) in the first leg, and his injury earlier in the season underlined for me that he will eventually stop playing and leave or retire (would love it if he stayed on as a coach).
The priority this summer should of course be a player that produces goals, but we have been a rock solid team at the back for many years now. It's part of our identity in my mind and is a defining feature of our best teams. It's not a surprise that the player with the most ever appearances is a defender (Ronnie).
So I'd like to see some recruitment with the future of the backline in mind.
Of course if we somehow do hang on to Charlie and get him to pen a 2 or 3 year contract this could all be immaterial.
Edited by StirlingBoro91 at 10:56:26 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 621
I'll just clarify a few things I said.
If Goode stayed I do think he's someone you can build a defence around though he's quite a different player to Pidge.
As for Freestone he's been great but I just don't see him as the sort of leader and psychological presence Pidge is at the back.
Honestly maybe it's too much to expect an exact like-for-like replacement.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 622
Guys, you're still trying to replace Pidge. I told you we can't do it, now, what we might be able to do is re-create him
reply to this article | return to the front page
4 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 599
Wonder how much he gets on base 🤣
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 806
Freestone was better than Pidge for large portions of the season,
He’s class and I am looking forward to seeing him play at LCB instead of LB in the near future
reply to this article | return to the front page
4 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 784
If Freestone is the successor at LCB then we bloody better find a RCB that can pass or our problems keeping possession won't go away! Don't get me wrong, another one that is defensively a rock, but very limited on the ball. I think his distribution could be even worse than Pidge's.
Pidge looked really rattled to me at the start of the game yesterday, like the mistake was still playing on his mind. The massive deflection on Wooton's attempt won't have helped either.
His body language when the first went (Barry's) goal went in was, perhaps unsurprisingly, bad and the whole team seemed to just slump around him.
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 776
Better get TVC or Nathan Thompson back.
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 589
Nathan was at the home leg but seemed to be limping in the car park - I'd have them both back in a heartbeat. NT was absolutely brilliant in his last few months with us - but think he's even older than Pidge so probably not a long-term solution...
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 544
That wasn't in reply to Pidge's eventual successor, that was in reply to the need for a ball playing RCB if Goode leaves.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 725
I’m all for TVC back solely so I can name my fantasy EFL (Boro Fives) side Terence and Phillips next season.
reply to this article | return to the front page
2 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 542
5 a side with TVC, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Stephen Darby and two other guys.
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 727
Nathan Thompson was class above.
Even better than Charlie Goode.
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 563
Nathan was queuing for the norf on Saturday
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 557
It took me a lot to make the statement as no1 fan in the Goode fan club.
Damn i hope he signs a new deal, but it very much looked like a farewell on Wednesday
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 753
Wildin, TVC, Freestone, Earley would be amazing.
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 758
I doubt TVC will take a 50% paycut
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 675
So do I, but I can dream.
Edited by RockyBottom at 19:41:14 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 808
The successor will be Freestone either now or next Summer, if now we will keep Butler and Earley as LB cover .If Goode stays , Taylor as cover or otherwise we need to replace.PS release Sweeney so not in equation.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 909
Freestone seems the natural successor. Might not be the same style as Robbo or Pidge (the generals who run the team) and maybe more like other captains we've had between those, like Cuthbert.
I did think Houghton sounded potential captain material when he arrived but he has been a bit disappointing this season, perhaps not helped with being in and out of the side. And who knows if he'll stay or not anyway.
Wildin is often the stand in captain as the most capped player but he is not exactly the Pidge type of leader (but is exemplary in his behaviour).
reply to this article | return to the front page
2 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 972
Last night did seem like him saying his goodbyes, he seemed particularly emotional at the end and there have been a few whispers about him and Evans talking in recent months. Wouldn't be shocked if he was leading their L2 charge next season at all
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 726
I don't think it would be a bad thing and can see it happening.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 982
Freestones performances this season have been excellent.
He is Pidge's replacement. Was bought for that exact reason, and he's well on the way to doing a great job at it.
reply to this article | return to the front page
7 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 855
100% agree. I think freestone with Earley alongside makes a juicy combo. Freestone also gives us pace in the backline we’ve desperately missed. He’s not lightning quick, but a backline of LJW, Goode, Freestone, Earley is still a beastly lineup based on performances this season.
Despite the noise I’m still not certain that Goode is gone. He showed during the playoffs that his distribution from the back isn’t the strongest and while he’s undoubtedly a good defender I don’t think he’s nailed on a starter for champ teams, with his injury record I can’t imagine teams offering him a long contract as I’m sure we’d be happy to at his age.
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 870
Goode will likely stay in L1 or go to a newly promoted club like maybe Stockport.
I'm not sure he's Championship quality because of his distribution and the trend of being able to pass it around and out of the back under pressure.
That isn't his game.
But there are plenty of L1 clubs who will pay more than us and offer a lovely big signing-on fee which we probably won't want to match because it would set an precedent for half the squad to demand parity and break our budget.
I also wouldn't want to give him 2 years plus an option at his age and with his record. We could end up with an albatross.
A good 1+1 with significant performance and appearance bonuses but which only ties us to a years salary is more sensible.
But I'd love to keep him.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 782
Stinks of MK Dons
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 682
I never did like Nirvana’s later material.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 777
Can I just say before he leaves that I've never warmed to him. Undoubtedly a good player. Just he's constantly talking to forwards and trying to start something/wind them up. The sort of player I'd think was a right nob if he wasn't on my team 🤣
On a similar subject, Kemp is again a great player, but the way he is always looking for a foul and to go over rather than be strong or play the ball does annoy me and an outright dive yesterday too. Sometimes does stupid things that are frustrating. Again I'd be moaning about him if he was on the opposition team.
Not sure what my point is. Guess its so if anyone does leave and come back against us I'm within my right to moan about them without being a hypocrite. 😆
Edit: this is my opinion of on the pitch version of them. I'm sure that they're actually great lads. Nothing personal or against them as people.
Edited by Sev at 16:56:36 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
1 person
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 450
Surprised about that . I really take to Charlie and I think a bit of to and fro with the opposition forwards is just part of the game. Plus i definitely believe he is championship level and would have been there already if not for injuries. I think he is comfortable on the ball , without being the best , maybe not as good as some but defenders main job is still to defend. It seems to have become an obsession that they all need to be ball playing skilful players. If they are part of a defence that are letting in less than 40 goals a season - let them pass it to the holding midfielder and let them attack . This years defence , including replacements has been by far our strongest ever - fantastic performance albeit we defend as a team .
Edited by Steve 1970 at 18:07:54 on 21st May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
3 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 744
Yep, Goode is filed alongside players like Tilt at Bradford.
I just think Kemp is wasted on us, imagine how good he would look in a Bolton or Stockport side. One of the few of our players that offers decent movement off the ball.
Edited by RockyBottom at 17:20:47 on 14th May 2026
Edited by RockyBottom at 17:20:56 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
2 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 730
Re point 1 to me that is an asset.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 552
Exactly. If you don’t like Goode go and support one of the great Corinthian purveyors of pure football in all its majesty, like Bradford City
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 865
FT yesterday suggested to me he is definitely off.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 935
Freestone is our defensive rock for the future.
No doubt. Top quality L1 defender.
Whether he is captain material? No real clue, how vocal is he?
Does he set rhe standards on andnoff the training pitch?
Is he trusted as the link between the squad and the coaches?
Hes had then opportunity to.learn from one our great captains in Pidge but he hasn't had to do it yet.
Edited by BALDOCKBORO at 12:26:16 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 934
He has already captained us a number of times.
Edit: Unsure whether he would or could have that whole aura and leadership that others follow and that we have been so spoilt with in having Roberts and Pidge in recent times, but he has already captained us during matches a few times, and was Cheltenham's captain don't forget.
Edited by Chuds at 12:37:19 on 14th May 2026
Edited by Chuds at 12:38:06 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 893
Individual match captain doesn't equate to named captain for the season though.
But it does demonstrate that Revs trusts and rates him, maybe above a few others (Luther, Reid, Louis, Goode are all experienced senior pros who could in theory do it, I know Luther has had the armbanda few times too)
Didn't know he was club Capatain at Chesterfield. That's a plus.
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 867
He's never played for Chesterfield. 😁
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 851
Colchester, Cheltenham, Chesterfield... tomato tomato
reply to this article | return to the front page
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 856
Makes his captaincy there all the more impressive if anything.
reply to this article | return to the front page
3 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 1055
I don't think Lewis or Sweeney quite cut it as long term replacements in Piergianni's mould.
That is exactly what Lewis Freestone IS.
Edit: And why are you mentioning Goode and Sweeney as long-term successors to Pidge? For starters he is a LCB and they are both RCB, and secondly they are both already in their 30s themselves!
Edited by Chuds at 11:04:23 on 14th May 2026
reply to this article | return to the front page
8 people
Re: Successor for Pidge
Views: 998
Yep. Freestone is the answer. End of thread.
reply to this article | return to the front page
2 people
Previous thread: Europa final by Old_man20/5 20:25Wed May 20 20:25:24 2026view thread