Erik Pieters

[Lurker#3]

As long as he is fit and available, and capable of contributing. He should continue to get 12 month deals.

The exact sort of player you want padding out a squad that will get younger in its nature.

[Spandaubaggie]

By modern standards short for a centre half but I only saw him lose one header last night. He hasn’t put a foot wrong and this is a guy who has played Prem football for years and been in the Dutch squad. That shows his pedigree.
He’s in those last days as a player, but if he’s still maintaining a good standard, and fitness is tested extremely technically these days, then he’s a very solid addition to the squad.

[Cuzer]

I was one of the loudest that it was wrong to extend his contract, up until 4 weeks ago it looked an absolute no brainer that it was the wrong decision

Semi, Bartley and Caleb Taylor are/should be ahead of him in the pecking order

He didn’t start the season great and was correctly dropped but you have to give the individual credit, he came in by necessity not choice but he’s played extremely well these past 4 or so games. His passing out from the back whilst at times has been risky he’s got it spot on and has created us many attacks beating the press

Lost that header to Simms last night which game them that dangerous free kick and the concern is he will always be targeted in the air and when he plays we do play 5 yards deeper due to his lack of pace but the fact Barts and Semi (who can’t even get on the pitch currently) are being kept out is absolute testament to Pieters and as mentioned given his personal life challenges it’s testament to the man

Cuzer

[Pragmatist]

He’s a real pro. Shouldn’t retire yet on ability and fitness (but his wife’s situation might affect that).

A real dilemna about offering him an extra year. We’ve got to start giving Taylor more of a chance. A lot might depend on what happens with any or all of Bartley, Kipre and Semi.

[Stillclem4england]

Pieters is a better bet at centre half than Ajayi. His passing, reading of the game and positioning is miles better. Sure he doesn’t have the pace or height but, if he did, he’d be in Burnley’s first team.

[Man from delmonte]

He’s a real pro.  Shouldn’t retire yet on ability and fitness (but his wife’s situation might affect that).

A real dilemna about offering him an extra year.  We’ve got to start giving Taylor more of a chance.  A lot might depend on what happens with any or all of Bartley, Kipre and Semi.

There’s no dilemma at all as far as I can see. We have the oldest squad in the division and one of the highest wage bills. This summer is an opportunity to unload a lot of players who are past 30, have no re-sale value and aren’t key squad members. This attitude of giving players new contracts until they’re ready for the knacker’s yard whilst not investing in youth or looking for cheaper young talent in the lower divisions is why we’re in our current situation.

As a club we used to know when we had got the best from a player and then let them move on.

[Cuzer]

I’d say there’s no chance he gets another 12 months and that’s the right decision

Cuzer

[Remi_Moses]

It's far to early to be getting rid. Many other factors come into play. What's happening with other players, does he want to carry on, promotion. Personally with Taylor injured, other players contracts up and with him being one of our lowest paid CHs I'd seriously think about giving him another 12 month contract. He does a good job and he doesn't like the hydropool.

[SuperBob2002]

Let's see what league we're in before talking about who should stay and go.

[Fulham Fallout]

Let's see what league we're in before talking about who should stay and go.

Is utter garbage.

We still NEED to get the wage bill down and letting the older, expensive players leave at the end of their contracts is an easy way of doing so.  

Yes, if we get in to the play offs and get promoted, then that urgency is no longer there, but do we want ageing players than will be utterly skinned week in week out?