Shrimpsvoices

I'm confussed about the situation with Alex at the end of last season I thought he was one of our best players and when he played and sat infront of the back four it made a massive difference. I think it was the Barnet game at home where he was imense I really thought last summer he would sign a 2 year deal and we would make him captain.

However for some reason he only signed for one year whiich seemed strange but I thought it might have been his decission because of the uncertainty around the club but it now looks like this year he has been offered reduced terms.

I'm not quite sure what's happened and why he has fallen down the pecking order so much does Jim just think we have plenty of options in the middle.

It's a shame for the lad I always thought he had the potential to have been the main cog in the side which held everything together.

As is always the case when it comes to this time of the season that players are offered terms that may not be acceptable to the individual. In Alex's case I for one feel that it is better for all parties that he moves on with our thanks and best wishes.

We need someone in front of the defence who is not as erratic in their distribution and links up play between defence and midfield something that I feel Alex has not done when he's played this past season.

Only my thoughts but shared by a number around me on match days.

Please let's not keep Kenyon. Good in the air but offers very little otherwise aside from 'robustness'. Distribution is well below what you'd expect of a League Two midfielder. Lacks mobility and tackling technique, seems so easy for skilful players - players who he as a defensive midfielder should be nullifying - to get past him.

When Fleming came on for him vs Crawley we suddenly went on the front foot, and that was not a coincidence. We've looked at our most dangerous recently when playing with a high front foot intensity in midfield. Part of the reason we beat Cheltenham so comprehensively was because of this - we won the ball higher up the pitch in dangerous positions. I generally don't feel Kenyon offers this, and would much prefer a more mobile defensive midfielder. Perhaps Jim is eyeing up McKay as a replacement?

Bit strange the club statement RE Alex, surely you either offer somebody a deal to consider (even if this is on reduced terms) or you don't(?) - that seems to be the case with everybody else. I read it as though the club may want to keep him (not released yet) although this may be impacted by other factors (role within the squad dependant on other recruitment maybe?).

I did think it was odd that Alex signed for a sports agency a couple of weeks ago, who announced this on twitter.

I thought he wanted the No.1keepers Jersey!

There is this perceived image that Kenyon is this great defensive midfielder that puts in great tackles and protects the back four, when in reality Fleming does this to a much better standard and offers much more creativity. People only see what they want to see!

Alex is at a stage in his career where he might want to pursue other options and good luck to his new agent if they find them.

Alex is a great club man and like the whole squad who played despite not being paid deserves the upmost respect from Shrimps fans.

I do feel that he hasn't kicked on in his time at the club and ability wise he is not up to League 2 standards. I can see Alex returning to Stockport County.

Little Shrimp wrote:Please let's not keep Kenyon. Good in the air but offers very little otherwise aside from 'robustness'. Distribution is well below what you'd expect of a League Two midfielder. Lacks mobility and tackling technique, seems so easy for skilful players - players who he as a defensive midfielder should be nullifying - to get past him.

When Fleming came on for him vs Crawley we suddenly went on the front foot, and that was not a coincidence. We've looked at our most dangerous recently when playing with a high front foot intensity in midfield. Part of the reason we beat Cheltenham so comprehensively was because of this - we won the ball higher up the pitch in dangerous positions. I generally don't feel Kenyon offers this, and would much prefer a more mobile defensive midfielder. Perhaps Jim is eyeing up McKay as a replacement?

very true post

He's a good lad, popular, hard working, etc., but I just don't think he's up to the standard required for us to push on. No doubt he's been instrumental in saving our bacon at times, when our backs have been against the wall, i.e. standing in for injured defenders (even as goalie a couple of times and did incredibly well both times!), but that's been more down to his work ethic than ability. Personally, I just don't see him as part of an attack-minded squad.

Having said that, he's a handy lad to have around, maybe mostly bench warming rather than a regular starter I would suggest. If they can come to an agreement, i.e. maybe lower pay, then I wonder if that's what is happening behind the scenes. Maybe a regular starter in reserve matches instead and then just used as and when needed in league games when we have injuries or just need a bit more beef at the back when we're up against aggressive opponents.

Given our injury problems last season, and to lesser extent previous seasons, if Jim can find a few bob down the back of the sofa and Kenyon is amenable to a lesser deal, he'd be good to keep around. I'd be quite sad to see him go, even though he's not our most spectacular player!

KenH wrote:He's a good lad, popular, hard working, etc., but I just don't think he's up to the standard required for us to push on. No doubt he's been instrumental in saving our bacon at times, when our backs have been against the wall, i.e. standing in for injured defenders (even as goalie a couple of times and did incredibly well both times!), but that's been more down to his work ethic than ability. Personally, I just don't see him as part of an attack-minded squad.

Having said that, he's a handy lad to have around, maybe mostly bench warming rather than a regular starter I would suggest. If they can come to an agreement, i.e. maybe lower pay, then I wonder if that's what is happening behind the scenes. Maybe a regular starter in reserve matches instead and then just used as and when needed in league games when we have injuries or just need a bit more beef at the back when we're up against aggressive opponents.

Given our injury problems last season, and to lesser extent previous seasons, if Jim can find a few bob down the back of the sofa and Kenyon is amenable to a lesser deal, he'd be good to keep around. I'd be quite sad to see him go, even though he's not our most spectacular player!

We don’t agree very often Ken H, but that is a very well written post, that echoes my thoughts exactly.

Similar to Gary Hunter in his last days with us. Not the best ability but a handy squad player who would play anywhere!

Can not afford to carry players just because they are a nice lad!

I'd keep Alex Kenyon, he's a good utility player to have on the bench, and covers D/M C/B L/B plus can do a job an emergency G/K

Plus i don't think he'll ask for a lot in wages.

He's been with us six years and is still only 26. A change might do him good. Loan him out?

I think Alex deserves better than being chucked a few bob because he is a nice lad and good to have around the place. If Jim feels there is no room for Alex then I hope the lad believes enough in himself to go and find another club to prove Jim wrong. He has been a great servant and achieved playing league football for 6 seasons.