A huge factor. Having to replace at least half the team virtually every summer was never going to produce success. The contract extensions signed today are yet another indicator we are a well run club these days.
It's partly due to spending so long in L1 & 2. Contracts at that level tend to be for 12 months because it's difficult to budget more than 12 months ahead.
One more year max I reckon. Either we don’t go up and he goes, or we do and stay up and he gets a better offer or we do and go down and he goes. Unless we do something mental like Europe and even then I’d expect one of the bigger PL clubs to poach him with their extra millions. Aren’t many in the PL with tenures over 2 years
22 players since Robins returned in 2017 have made 100+ appearances
We had roughly the same number in the period since being relegated from the PL up to Robins 2nd stint (ie. 2001-2016 ish), so think that backs up your point about continuity in recent years
Surprising number in the mid/late 00s dire championship years, likes of Andy Whing, Isaac Osbourne, Jordan Clarke, Andy Morrell etc
It's partly due to spending so long in L1 & 2. Contracts at that level tend to be for 12 months because it's difficult to budget more than 12 months ahead.
It's partly why we've enjoyed such a connection between fans and players. Success of course helps too, but the environment and selecting players on character as an extra attribute rather than ability alone. Dean Austin and the team deserve some credit for that.
Not sure if this is 100% accurate but its pretty much there. Since relegation the following have made 180+ appearances:
Appearances split pre and post relegation - Richard Shaw, Marcus Hall, Gary McAllister
Post-relegation but before Robins (01-17) - Gary McSheffrey, Carl Baker, Dele Adebola, John Fleck
Appearances split pre and during 2017 Robins - Michael Doyle, Jordan Willis
Appearances since 2017 Robins (17-26) - Dom Hyam, Jamie Allen, Callum O'Hare, Liam Kelly, Josh Eccles
Loads of other recent players hit around the 150 mark. From memory Fadz, Shipley, Sheaf, Burge. Bidwell