Keep, Get Rid or Undecided?

[Kenneth E End]

1st March - 2 months and just 13 games (for most) to go, so really getting towards the crunch now. What are the thoughts on your squad ahead of next season?

From a Luton Town point of view, it depends on which league we're in, but in any case, its clear that we have to trim the size of our squad significantly.

Keep
Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith, Steve McNulty, Alex Lawless, Andy Drury, Scott Griffiths, Elliot Justham, Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu, Luke Guttridge, Nathan Doyle, Luke Wilkinson, Charlie Walker
Loanees to try and resign: Michael Harriman, Nathan Oduwa, Cameron McGeehan
Development squad: Ian Rees, Mark Onyemah, Zane Banton, Charlie Smith, Lee Angol, Kynan Isaac

Undecided
Paul Benson, Jake Howells, Mark Cullen, Luke Rooney, Ricky Miller, Shaun Whalley, Ryan Hall, Jim Stevenson

Get Rid
Out of contract: Fraser Franks, Danny Fitzsimons, Alex Lacey, Alex Wall, Andy Parry, Brett Longden.
Transfer listed: Ross Lafayette, Matt Robinson, Curtley Williams,

 

[Cardsfan]

We'll have Lafayette, ta.

 

[Brox]

Keep: Jon Ashton, Chris Whelpdale, Darius Charles, Tom Pett, David McAllister, Adam Marriott, Chris Day, Dean Parrett, Dean Wells, Charlie Lee, Jerome Okimo, Ronnie Henry, Ben Kennedy, Roarie Deacon

Undecided: Sam Beasant, Bira Dembele, Harry Worley, Connor Calcutt, Chris Beardsley, Ryan Johnson, Tom Conlon, Dave Martin

Get Rid: Andy Bond, Simon Walton, Calvin Zola

 

[Judge Dredd]

Get Rid
Out of contract: Fraser Franks, Danny Fitzsimons, Alex Lacey, Alex Wall, Andy Parry, Brett Longden.
Transfer listed: Ross Lafayette, Matt Robinson, Curtley Williams,

Lacey is under contract for another season yet. Signed a two year deal at the end of last season.
http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/lacey-pens-new-deal-0304-1465348.aspx

 

[vanner]

KEEP: Leutwiler, Halstead, Burton, Grandison, Gayle (still young), Ellis, Goldson, Knight-Percival, Smith, Demetriou, Woods, Lawrence, Wesolowski, Wildig, Clark, Ginnelly, Collins, Mangan, Akpa Akpro

UNDECIDED: Caton, Southern, Barnett, Vernon, Grant

GET RID: Vincent, Robinson

If we go up I would really only want us to sign a LB, a couple of wide players and possibly a number 10 to replace Grant.

 

[cufc17]

Keep - 10 players
Mark Gillespie, Troy Archibald Henville, Nathan Buddle, Courtney Meppen Walter, Patrick Brough, Anthony Griffith, Kyle Dempsey, Charlie Wyke, Steven Rigg, Mark Beck

Undecided - 7 players
Dan Hanford, Sean O'Hanlon, Antony Sweeney, Gary Dicker, Brad Potts, Danny Kearns, Derek Asamoah

Get Rid - 8 players
Danny Grainger, David Amoo, Matty Robson, Josh Gillies, David Symington, Paul Thirlwell, Stephen Elliott, Billy Paynter

 

[daviejones]

Keep - 11 players
Gillespie, Troy, Buddle, O'Hanlon, Grainger, CMW, Brough, Griffith, Dempsey, Wyke, Rigg

Undecided - 8 players
Hanford, Sweeney, Dicker, Potts, Kearns, Asamoah, Elliott, Amoo

Get Rid - 6 players
Robson, Gillies, Symington, Thirlwell (keep as coach), Paynter, Beck

 

[Vanni]

Kenny, why undecided about Cullen? Thought you were a fan of his. Something to do with scum showing interest in him I presume right? If that's the case then you're right, wouldn't want someone who by all accounts was treated good by his club and yet wants away.

 

[Don Tonberry]

Keep

Paul Jones, Jack Whatmough, Jed Wallace, Ryan Taylor, Matt Tubbs, Paul Robinson, Wes Fogden, Craig Westcarr, James Dunne, Michael Poke, Nigel Atangana, Dan Butler, Conor Chaplin

Undecided

Joe Devera, Andy Barcham, Danny Hollands, Danny East

Get Rid

Adam Webster, Ben Chorley, Tom Craddock, Johnny Ertl, Nicky Shorey, Patrick Agyemang

 

[HertsCobbler]

In terms of our side - the following are under contract (excluding youth)

Moloney (2018), Horwood, (2016), Richards (2017), O'Toole (2017), Hackett (2016), Diamond (2017), d'Ath (2016), Toney (2017), Holmes (2017), Cresswell (2017)

Out of contract
Duke, Carter, Collins, Bodin, Morris, Tozer, Hornby, Taylor, Byrom, Newey, Jahal

Loans ending - Mohamed.

In terms of the contracted players - the only one who may well find himself surplus is Chris Hackett. His first season was superb but spent 18 months looking out of sorts. Last few games he has looked like his old self. If he does not get back into team, I can also see O'Toole looking to move on,

Of the out of contract players - we must give Collins a new deal, he can play across back four and is currently captain. Byrom is another one who is growing on me and is worth a new deal. Hornby is still young and worth another deal. Taylor - unless we can find a better holding in your face midfielder again is a no-brainer. Not seen enough of Bodin to judge - but sense he is young enough to be part of a development squad. Newey and Carter I would release. Morris may get a deal as he is injured long term - an useful squad player. Tozer as much I like him for his effort and ability to play where told - needs to move on to further his career. In terms of keepers - Duke is getting on a bit and Jahal has a chance to show his worth.

We have now already a core of next season's team here already, would expect in summer as to exit with squad of about 24-26 players including "development" players due to the loan rules.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Keep
GK - Mark Tyler, Elliot Justham
. Tyler is better than ever and has at least another season in him, maybe more. Justham is as good an understudy as we are likely to get and won't be on big wages (though he is out of contract in the summer so may want to move somewhere he can get more games).

DEF - Steve McNulty, Luke Wilkinson, Scott Griffiths, Michael Harriman.
The first three have been immense for us, McNulty may have to be phased out gently if we do go up but he's worth another year for his influence in the dressing room at least. Harriman has been great for us and his permanent signing should be priority #1 for the summer. Still has more or less stated that it will happen sooner or later so hopefully he is right.

MID - Jonathan Smith, Andy Drury, Pelly Ruddock, Luke Guttridge, Nathan Doyle, Cameron McGeehan, Jake Howells
Smudger and Doyle have been arguably the key players for us this season so hopefully both will stay despite contract issues, I am sure they will. Drury has been disappointing somewhat but is still a good player, under contract and with no resale value he should stay. McGeehan's signing is already done so he will be here. I'm not Jake's biggest fan but he's under contract and is a solid and dependable squad player - I doubt he will ever be more than that but every squad needs some of those types. Pelly has been a complete disaster for much of this season with injuries but has so much potential. Likewise Guttridge - made of glass, but when he is fit he's our best player by miles. He's old enough that this will basically be his last contract so might consider reduced terms to reflect his diminished play-time.

FW - none (unless we can get Elliot Lee on a permanent which seems unlikely)

Unsure
GK - none

DEF - Alex Lacey, Curtley Williams, Mark Onyemah
Lacey hasn't developed much at all but is still under contract. Good centre backs don't go on trees, signing two quality ones in one summer might be too much to ask so maybe we should keep him around for the time being. Wouldn't be bothered at all if he was moved on mind you. Williams - another sick-note. Looked like he had something in his brief cameos though so might be worth keeping as back-up to Harriman (if/when we get him). Onyemah - not seen him play at all so can't comment too much, done well in his loan spells though and we don't really have much cover in the left back department.

MID - Alex Lawless, Matt Robinson, Ryan Hall, Nathan Oduwa
Lawless - just made of glass. Good player when fit, not fit nearly enough. I know the same can be said for Gutts, but when he is fit Guttridge is far and away our best player. Lawless is good, but in a similar ballpark to Drury/Pelly, and as I suggested keeping both I think Lawless being offered a new deal would be very much up in the air. He'll be on (relatively) big wages too and as we will need to add real quality if we do go up, might be an obvious sacrifice. On the other hand, I frigging love the guy so would be quite happy for him to stay. Robinson - hmm, really not sure. Were he not on a 3 year contract I would say release, but he is here and I doubt there will be any buyers. Maybe a season long loan would be the right move - we have Doyle, Smith, McGeehan, Pelly, Drury all under contract for central midfield areas at least irrespective of what happens with Gutts and Lawless. Hall - just not seen enough to judge. Suspect he will stay though as he is under contract. Oduwa - meh. Got talent but his work ethic is poor, positional sense horrible, and got all the rawness and inconsistency of youth. Wide areas are where we really, really need to strengthen - I'd like us to sign some real quality here rather than borrowing a Spurs player who a) isn't all that and b) we probably have zero chance of signing anyway.

FW - Paul Benson, Mark Cullen, Jayden Stockley, Charlie Walker
Benno - love the guy but he has looked well past it when fit this season. Great influence in the dressing room though and Still's most trusted servant, under contract for another year too. Might be worth keeping him on and getting him involved in the coaching side - the likes of Stockley etc could have worse teachers. Cullen - would be an obvious keep if he hadn't acted the bell-end. If he wants out and we can get a good fee, cash in and sign a striker who fits the system better. On the other hand, given how hard we have found it to replace the last top scorer we sold, maybe we shouldn't be so hasty. Stockley - out of contract at Bournemouth in the summer, I'm sure he's ours if we wanted him. He has shown glimpses of something and is still young. Not sure though to be honest. If we were in League One I'd like us to try and sign someone a bit more experienced and proven, as an understudy he could be good though. Walker - looked good in a couple of very brief cameos, not seen enough to judge really though. I'd probably lean more towards release than keep with him.


Get Rid
GK - none

DEF - Fraser Franks, Danny Fitzimmons, Andy Parry, Paul Connolly
The latter three are too injury prone and not good enough to justify the risk. Franks is solid enough and seems a nice guy but he's just not good enough for the levels we are aspiring to. I'm sure he will have a reasonable career at top Conference/lower League Two level though.

MID - Luke Rooney, Shaun Whalley, Jim Stevenson
All are out of contract and are just nowhere near good enough for top League Two level, never mind League One if we do go up. Thank them for their efforts but I'd rather put their combined wages into one quality wide player - quality not quantity will be needed if we do get promotion (unless we have a ridic injury list again of course, then I'll be eating my words).

FW - Alex Wall, Ross Lafayette, Ricky Miller
Wall just hasn't pushed on enough in the last two years unfortunately, for various reasons. Needs to find a permanent home in the Conference somewhere where he will be main man and has game time to develop his undeniable raw talent. Lafayette - a gamble that didn't work out, just not good enough for this level. Same with Miller, although he is a bit younger and stepped up faster than Lafayette so of these three he'd be the one I would be most inclined to give more time to. Both the latter two under contract though so moving them on might be easier said than done, particularly Lafayette who will be on a reasonable wage I imagine.



Looking at that list, it would be a huge squad turnover for one summer so I think keeping some of the "Undecideds" who are under contract would be smart. Transfer priorities are obviously a central striker, at least one wide player (I would suggest two) and a central defender. Maybe a right back too if Williams can't stay fit (that would actually be a good reason to offer Lawless new terms actually, he's a great right back although again fitness would be a concern).

 

[EricSabin]

In terms of our side - the following are under contract (excluding youth)

In terms of the contracted players - the only one who may well find himself surplus is Chris Hackett. His first season was superb but spent 18 months looking out of sorts. Last few games he has looked like his old self. If he does not get back into team, I can also see O'Toole looking to move on,

Of the out of contract players - we must give Collins a new deal, he can play across back four and is currently captain. Byrom is another one who is growing on me and is worth a new deal. Hornby is still young and worth another deal. Taylor - unless we can find a better holding in your face midfielder again is a no-brainer. Not seen enough of Bodin to judge - but sense he is young enough to be part of a development squad. Newey and Carter I would release. Morris may get a deal as he is injured long term - an useful squad player. Tozer as much I like him for his effort and ability to play where told - needs to move on to further his career. In terms of keepers - Duke is getting on a bit and Jahal has a chance to show his worth.
.

Agree with all of this. Core of the team is looking strong! I'd try to sign Mohamed in the summer too.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Agree with what JD said pretty much.

We are stuck with a few players id like shot of really, why the hell we gave Robinson a 3 year deal I have no idea. Barely good enough for conference standard let alone a team trying to push for league one football and now we've brought in McGeehan I don't think he will be near the team. Not sure what that was about really.

I don't like Howells at all far too comfortable here, gets dropped comes back and has a decent game then slips back into standard mediocre Jake for 4 games before getting dropped again and starting the cycle again.

The turnover of attacking players in particular could be quite alarming.

 

[Dickie Davies eyes]

Keep, OFW, Ihiekwe, Thompson, Taylor, Jennings.
Undecided, Holmes, Ridehalgh, Power, Odejayi, Laird, Stockton, Dugdale,Hill, Brezovan.
Out, Hollness, G Donnelly, Koumas, Kirby, Molyneux, Shuker, Hume.

Would be nice to have JMW and Rory Donnelly permanently!

 

[StagsForLife]

Keep - Jack Thomas, Sascha Studer, Liam Marsden, Ryan Tafazolli, Junior Brown, Reggie Lambe, Ritchie Sutton, Joe Fitzpatrick, Danny Fletcher, Chris Clements

Undecided- Matty Blair, Liam Hearn, Ricky Ravenhill, Vadaine Oliver, Michael Raynes, Luke Jones, Adam Bishop.

I don't see why people like Vadaine, he's either good or having a can't be arsed to do anything game. Blair, Hearn and Jones are all based on injuried with Jones and Blair out for the season and Hearn with a few more weeks to go.

Get rid - Matt Rhead, Jamie McGuire, Martin Riley, John Dempster, Lee Beevers, Simon Heslop, Ollie Palmer, Rakish Bingham, Alex Fisher

The last three all have potential but all suffer with the same problem... they can't finish that well. Fish has been unlucky with injuries but whenever has looked lightweight. Ollie just hasn't made it as Mansfield player unfortunately and can only see him going to Grimsby at the end of the season anyway and Bingham is also lightweight.

 

[Boz]

Keep, OFW, Ihiekwe, Thompson, Taylor, Jennings.
Undecided, Holmes, Ridehalgh, Power, Odejayi, Laird, Stockton, Dugdale,Hill, Brezovan.
Out, Hollness, G Donnelly, Koumas, Kirby, Molyneux, Shuker, Hume.

Would be nice to have JMW and Rory Donnelly permanently!

I'm amazed that you're undecided on Holmes. One of our best players this season and one of the few who don't go missing when things get tough. He'd be the first on my retain list, although along with Ihiekwe, Ridehalgh and Stockton and probably Donnelly G think have another season to run.

I'd agree with the rest of your keeps, though Jennings form has been patchy of late and we do need some competition for him in the defensive midfield role. Odejayi is worth another season too.

Undecided: Ridehalgh, Power, Laird, Stockton, Hill, Brezovan, Kirby Molyneux.

Get rid: Hollness, G Donnelly, Dugdale, Hume.

Shuker is part of the management team, so no harm in retaining his registration. If Koumas can be given a job on the coaching staff, I'd do similar for him.

A lot will depend on whether we're in L2 or the Conference.

 

[Dickie Davies eyes]

I'm amazed that you're undecided on Holmes. One of our best players this season and one of the few who don't go missing when things get tough. He'd be the first on my retain list, although along with Ihiekwe, Ridehalgh and Stockton and probably Donnelly G think have another season to run.

I'd agree with the rest of your keeps, though Jennings form has been patchy of late and we do need some competition for him in the defensive midfield role. Odejayi is worth another season too.

Undecided: Ridehalgh, Power, Laird, Stockton, Hill, Brezovan, Kirby Molyneux.

Get rid: Hollness, G Donnelly, Dugdale, Hume.

Shuker is part of the management team, so no harm in retaining his registration. If Koumas can be given a job on the coaching staff, I'd do similar for him.

A lot will depend on whether we're in L2 or the Conference.

Yes I agree Holmes does give 100% plus most games and has been a consistent performer this season! but gets done for pace too much in and around the penalty box.,

 

[Kenneth E End]

Kenny, why undecided about Cullen? Thought you were a fan of his. Something to do with scum showing interest in him I presume right? If that's the case then you're right, wouldn't want someone who by all accounts was treated good by his club and yet wants away.

Not sure many on here would be undecided on their top scorer! (In this case by a mile) But if he doesn't want to be here, what's the point in keeping up. It was noticeable on Saturday that his work rate increased significantly. So if he can get to around 17-18 goals by the end of the season, flog him for the £300,000 that has been offered.