Saints need to get a new contract sorted out for Jack Cork or risk the chance of losing him as a free agent at the end of the season.

One thing is for sure, over the 3 and a bit seasons Jack Cork has been at St Mary's in his second spell at the club, he has been one of its most consistent performers as well as being versatile enough to play in a variety or roles and positions.

After a great first season in the premier league for Saints where he was second only to Morgan Schneiderlin in the player of the league stakes, last season Cork found himself ostracized by Mauricio Pochettino who seemed to have decided that his face didn't fit, but he still came strong and took his chances after injury to Victor Wanyama and in the second half of the season was again a vital part of the centre of midfield.

This season he has again found himself competing with Wanyama although now its on a level playing field with Ronald Koeman tending to use each player for a specific task, of the nine league games so far Cork has started 4 and come on as a sub in 3 plus he has scored 2 goals, clearly he has been a vital part of Koeman's squad and adds a dimension to it.

But there has still been no mention of a new contract being put on the table and the longer that goes on the worry is that the player himself will feel that he is not valued at the club and will be looking elsewhere from the January transfer window, indeed there was no shortage of suitors in the summer and Cork looked to be on his way to Crystal Palace before Tony Pulis parted company with the Eagles.

So there are several reasons to get this deal done early, Cork's good form is the most obvious as is his ability as mentioned to adapt to different roles, but perhaps the most pressing is that if Morgan Schneiderlin should depart in the summer then with Cork gone then suddenly the centre of midfield is looking very thin.

Add to that the fact that we would have to pay a lot of money to bring in someone of Cork's experience and ability and I would say that it is a no brainer.

In many respects it is easy to bring in very good players and just as easy to see them go to other club's, the key to a good team is having the core of a squad that is doing the everyday business quietly and efficently, players like Cork and Steven Davis, Davis was just about the only player not linked with a move in the summer, but he has been the core of the team, he doesnt get the headlines as others do, but without him this year and Cork as well for that matter, the star names winning the plaudits would not be half as so good, Cork like Davis is good at winning and intercepting the ball and moving it on quickly to those who can use it better, thats not to say that Cork can't either, but players who do their own job and don't try to do others are gold in any football team.

So it is time for Saints to open negotiations with Jack Cork, he has been the heart of this football club, it has been bad enough watching players walk away for big fee's to watch one walk away for nothing would be a lot harder. .

Photo: Action Images

SalisburySaint added 12:37 - Oct 27 totally agree Nick. vital squad member we would be stupid to let him go on a free at end of season sign him up now
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Hugh_Jarce added 12:40 - Oct 27 Definitely one of our more underrated players and always puts in a shift. Hope he - like Steve Davis -- is up for a contract extension.
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SonicBoom added 12:45 - Oct 27 I honestly cannot think of a single reason for the club to delay on this. Most clubs are loathed to let any player they want to keep get in to the last year of their contract. We seem happy to let Jack get into the last few months. To be honest if I was him I would be thinking they don't want me. Let's hope not.
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mgprobert added 12:48 - Oct 27 absolute no-brainer, but surely the club must know that. On a slight tangent, I wonder what the club's contingency/continuity planning is looking like in case of a Koeman to Holland move in the near future?
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A1079 added 13:08 - Oct 27 I have not understood the delay in agreeing a new contract with Cork - it is a no brainer. He has been key to our squad and usually he has been the difference between us getting a result and not. Like SonicBoom suggests, the delay must have sent a negative message to Cork - let's hope not.
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TimSaint added 13:31 - Oct 27 I'm sure that under Ron, Jack will be offered a contract very soon. Actually, I am sure that the club are speaking to him about it already. Steve Davis signed a new deal last week, so it must be contract season. There is none more deserving of a new contract, so please get him signed up !! He has performed superbly well since he has been with us and to his credit, has been silent in the press, not only on a new deal, but on a potential move - when it was alleged that Swans, Baggies and Palace were keen on him. It would cost far more than the alleged £3 million transfer fee he was linked with to replace him, he does not seem to want to move, his best mate in football is with him at Saints (Bertrand) and he has added goals to his game this season. COME ON SAINTS, GIVE HIM A CONTRACT PLEASE !!

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cheltenhamsaint added 14:14 - Oct 27 The fact that Alan Cork is not berating the club on Twitter for inactivity suggests that discussions are on going.
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birminghamsaint added 15:25 - Oct 27 Charlie Nicholas was talking about our midfield on Sky sports and mentioned that Cork was nearly out of contract (and the recently declined bid from Crystal Palace). he went on to say 'despite not wanting to annoy Saints fans', he said as an Arsenal fan, he would sign him up in a heartbeat for Arsenal as he is the defensive midfield they need.
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welhamdowed added 16:40 - Oct 27 The problem is It's getting to the stage where going for a free on inflated wages must be tempting for him, and his agent. I hope he signs a new deal and doubt a top 4 club would come in for him,but if that does happen wages and playing for a 'bigger' club would be a head turner and tough for saints to compete either. I can't believe the club have not held talks so can only assume they are ongoing.

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WestSussexSaint added 19:29 - Oct 27 I'm not a contract expert but I believe a player with less than 6 months on their current contract can sign a pre contract agreement with another club. If this is the case the Jack could "sign" with Arsenal, Palace or whoever in January and knowing he has a new club in the summer walk out of Saints at the end of the season. Therefore time is could be more critical than we think!

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