Keep, Get Rid or Undecided?

[Luke Imp]

That time of the year where club supporters start looking at who they'd keep or not for the following season.

Who's under contract? Who's out of contract? Who would you keep or get rid of?

 

[valefan16]

Under Contract

Tom Pope

Luke Joyce

Scott Brown

Ben Whitfield

Ricky Miller

Nathan Smith

James Gibbons

Christian Montano

Daniel Trickett-Smith (New Signing)

Out of Contract

Sam Hornby GK - Able deputy I would look to keep.1 Year Deal

Leon Legge - DF - Experienced and decent for us - 1 Year Deal

Anthony Kay - MD - Release, good pro but need better to progress

David Worrall - MD - Frozen out by Aspin, immense since Askey come in - 2 Year Deal

Manny Oyeleke - MD - When fit one of the divisions best and crucial to us - 2 Year Deal

Luke Hannant - MD - Decent since signing from Gateshead - 2 Year Deal

Connell Rawlinson - DF - Done ok but out of favour - Release

Danny Pugh - MD - Past it Release but keep as a coach (current dual role)

Danny Elliott - CF - Worth more of a look as signed from college football in Jan - 6 Month Deal

Michael Tonge - MD- Past it - Release

Theo Vassell - LB - Not quite up to it Release

Tom Conlon - CM - Solid enough, I like him - 1 Year Deal

Dan Turner - CF - Kid with potential, i'd give another year - 1 Year Deal

Dior Angus - CF - Been loaned out where he has scored goals for Nuneaton and Barrow - 6 Month deal and give him a chance.

Current players in on Loan

Kyle Howkins - Look to sign on a 2 year deal, Monster of a player and done well for us over 2 loan spells. Be a big ask though as highly rated.

Mitch Clarke - Quality left back out of contract at Villa - 2 year deal

Adam Crookes - Been solid for us at left back, 1 Year Deal

Edser and Harris can return to their clubs as not really had a look in.

John Askey - Manager - 2 Year Deal!

 

[MrGloverLover]

Under Contract Until June 2021:

Matt Worthington (signed on January 18th 2019).
Courtney Duffus (signed on January 31st 2019).
Gabriel Rogers (signed on December 3rd 2018).
Daniel Ojo (signed on December 5th 2018).

Under Contract Until June 2020:

Stuart Nelson (signed on May 10th 2018).
Carl Dickinson (signed on June 21st 2018).
Gary Warren (signed on June 28th 2018).
Omar Sowunmi (signed on July 5th 2018).
Ryan Seager (signed on January 29th 2019).

Out Of Contract in June 2019 and Aged Under 24:

Rhys Browne (signed on June 16th 2017). KEEP
Jake Gray (signed on June 26th 2017). GET RID
Sessi D'Almeida (signed on July 13th 2018). UNDECIDED
Tom James (signed on January 12th 2018). KEEP

Out Of Contract in June 2019 and Aged Over 24:

These players automatically have the right to sign for other clubs on a free transfer.

Adel Gafaiti (signed on January 9th 2019). KEEP
Bevis Mugabi (signed on May 31st 2017). KEEP
Alex Fisher (signed on January 26th 2018). KEEP
Francois Zoko (signed on May 22nd 2017). GET RID
Yoann Arquin (signed on December 28th 2018). KEEP
Craig Alcock (signed on February 1st 2019). GET RID
Alefe Santos (signed on July 25th 2017). UNDECIDED

 

[Son of Cod]

Dates are when their contracts are up. Bold are out of contract/loans and italics we've got the option of another year...

Ollie Battersby December May 2021

James McKeown May 2021

Sam Russell- not actually sure what his situation is, but 100% keep as he's probably the best backup keeper in the division.

Danny Collins May 2019 - Get rid, has been decent at times but is slow and error prone now.

Harry Davis May 2019 - Keep/not sure, not amazing but solid enough and can fill in at RB.

Joe Grayson (loan expires at end of season) - Don't know, haven't seen enough of him.

Reece Hall-Johnson May 2019* - Extend deal for sure, decent enough in a 3 at the back and a good RB/RWB for L2.

Luke Hendrie May 2021

Ludvig Öhman May 2021

Mattie Pollock May 2021

Sebastian Ring May 2020

Alex Whitmore May 2019* - See Harry Davis - would probably rather not keep both and would take a gamble on trying to find a better option for one of them, but they're similar levels for me. Maybe just a tad more in favour of keeping Whitmore.

Harry Clifton May 2021

Elliot Embleton (loan expires at end of season) - Would definitely have him back for a full season long loan, but the ball is clearly in Sunderland's court and not ours.

Jake Hessenthaler May 2020

Elliott Whitehouse May 2020

Martyn Woolford May 2019 - Keep, I think he's had a good season and can do a job in certain matches. Calming influence on the ball and really versatile.

Max Wright May 2020

Harry Cardwell May 2020

Jordan Cook May 2020

Kristian Dennis (loan expires at end of season) - Don't try to sign permanently. Said he was overrated when he signed and I stick by that.

JJ Hooper May 2019 - Get rid, not good enough for L2 despite banging them in for Bromley.

Ahkeem Rose May 2020

Wes Thomas May 2019 - Keep if the choice was mine, but it's not and he's clearly going elsewhere.

Charles Vernam May 2020

 

[Moomin]

Not sure on contract lengths but the players I’d like us to let go would be:

James Hamon - Poor goalkeeper and playing way above his level

Jimmy Oates: Not L2 standard, will probably go.

Luke Croll - Too injury prone and has the occasional howler

Craig Woodman - Has done ok this season but he’s 37 now and very slow

Jordan Tillson - currently on loan at Cheltenham and still under contract but I suspect he may get the opportunity to sign permanently. Works very hard but is a limited footballer.

Jonathan Forte - Suspect he’s under contract but I’ve not been too impressed. He started well enough but is too injury prone. Think he will be 33 next season so will probably decline further.

Loans to return to parent club:

Kane Wilson: Great player, wish we could keep him but sadly I imagine he will be loaned out to a L1 club next season.

Dara O’Shea: Another very good young player but suspect WBA won’t be willing to let him leave permanently

Donovan Wilson: Hasn’t impressed so send him back to Wolves.

 

[darren gregory]

Under Contract Until June 2021:

Matt Worthington (signed on January 18th 2019).
Courtney Duffus (signed on January 31st 2019).
Gabriel Rogers (signed on December 3rd 2018).
Daniel Ojo (signed on December 5th 2018).

Under Contract Until June 2020:

Stuart Nelson (signed on May 10th 2018).
Carl Dickinson (signed on June 21st 2018).
Gary Warren (signed on June 28th 2018).
Omar Sowunmi (signed on July 5th 2018).
Ryan Seager (signed on January 29th 2019).

Out Of Contract in June 2019 and Aged Under 24:

Rhys Browne (signed on June 16th 2017). KEEP
Jake Gray (signed on June 26th 2017). GET RID
Sessi D'Almeida (signed on July 13th 2018). UNDECIDED
Tom James (signed on January 12th 2018). KEEP

Out Of Contract in June 2019 and Aged Over 24:

These players automatically have the right to sign for other clubs on a free transfer.

Adel Gafaiti (signed on January 9th 2019). KEEP
Bevis Mugabi (signed on May 31st 2017). KEEP
Alex Fisher (signed on January 26th 2018). KEEP
Francois Zoko (signed on May 22nd 2017). GET RID
Yoann Arquin (signed on December 28th 2018). KEEP
Craig Alcock (signed on February 1st 2019). GET RID
Alefe Santos (signed on July 25th 2017). UNDECIDED

Dickinson is training with us , not with a view to signing thank god. But apparently already been told he is surplus.

 

[shoddycollins]

Under Contract Until June 2021:

Matt Worthington (signed on January 18th 2019).
Courtney Duffus (signed on January 31st 2019).
Gabriel Rogers (signed on December 3rd 2018).
Daniel Ojo (signed on December 5th 2018).

Under Contract Until June 2020:

Stuart Nelson (signed on May 10th 2018).
Carl Dickinson (signed on June 21st 2018).
Gary Warren (signed on June 28th 2018).
Omar Sowunmi (signed on July 5th 2018).
Ryan Seager (signed on January 29th 2019).

Out Of Contract in June 2019 and Aged Under 24:

Rhys Browne (signed on June 16th 2017). KEEP
Jake Gray (signed on June 26th 2017). GET RID
Sessi D'Almeida (signed on July 13th 2018). UNDECIDED
Tom James (signed on January 12th 2018). KEEP

Out Of Contract in June 2019 and Aged Over 24:

These players automatically have the right to sign for other clubs on a free transfer.

Adel Gafaiti (signed on January 9th 2019). KEEP
Bevis Mugabi (signed on May 31st 2017). KEEP
Alex Fisher (signed on January 26th 2018). KEEP
Francois Zoko (signed on May 22nd 2017). GET RID
Yoann Arquin (signed on December 28th 2018). KEEP
Craig Alcock (signed on February 1st 2019). GET RID
Alefe Santos (signed on July 25th 2017). UNDECIDED

Where did James Bailey go? What's happened to Zoko, other than his age?

 

[MrGloverLover]

Where did James Bailey go? What's happened to Zoko, other than his age?

Bailey got a bad knee injury which kept him out for a year. Just when he had started full training again we released him. Not played for anyone since AFAIK.

Zoko I can only think is age catching up with him and nothing else, well not obvious anyway. He was our top scorer for the last two seasons, this year he can't do anything. He's played 26 games this season and scored 0 goals.

 

[T.A]

 

[Si Robin]

Out of Contract
Scott Flinders - Been as steady as a rock since coming in - Keep
Nigel Atangana - Was immense until his injury - Keep
Kevin Dawson - Been a revelation in our recent good run - Keep
Ryan Broom - Until his head was turned in January he was immense, now though...- Offer Deal in order to receive compensation when he goes to Burton
Alex Addai - Was really finding his feet before injury - Keep
Matt Bower - Hasn't really been given a chance, we can't afford passengers - Release
Rhys Lovett - Cheap backup keeper - Keep
Jordon Forster - Been unfortunate with injuries, sadly not good enough - Release
Chris Clements - Been brilliant at times, probably earned a new deal - Keep
Rakish Bingham - Probably hasn't done enough - Release
Tyrone Barnett - Been brilliant when fit, not sure we can afford him - Begrudgingly Release
George Lloyd - Still learning, brilliant prospect - Keep

Has a deal
Sean Long
Chris Hussey
Ben Tozer
Johnny Mullins
Conor Thomas
Will Boyle
Luke Varney
Liam McAlinden
Manny Duku

Of those on a deal I expect us to try and get rid of Mullins, McAlinden and Duku either by paying off contracts or making them available for free transfer.


Loanees
Jacob Maddox (on loan from Chelsea)
Billy Waters (on loan from Northampton Town)
Charlie Raglan (on loan from Oxford United)
Jordan Tillson (on loan from Exeter City)
Cameron Pring (on loan from Bristol City)

I wouldn't mind us going in for Waters and Raglan, Tillson has well has impressed. Maddox will probably go to a League One team next season, Pring I suspect will be looking for another loan next season having signed a new deal at City. I doubt it will be with us though.

On Youth Deals
Freddie Lapworth
Camden Duncan
Aaron Basford
Archie Brennan
Tom Handley

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

That time of the year where club supporters start looking at who they'd keep or not for the following season.

Who's under contract? Who's out of contract? Who would you keep or get rid of?

Where to even fucking begin with this? What's the biggest sized skip you can legally have outside Meadow Lane?

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Under Contract until 2021

Perry Ng
Harry Pickering
Callum Ainley
Eddie Nolan
Tommy Lowery
Charlie Kirk
Will Jaaskelainen

Under Contract until 2020

Chris Porter
James Jones
Shaun Miller (Would transfer list as he's been far from good enough for league football this campaign)
Ryan Wintle
Owen Dale (with option to extend to 2022)
Lewis Reilly (with option to extend to 2021)

Out of Contract

Ben Garratt - Keep and it looks promising that he'll be signing a new deal at the club in the coming weeks. League One is probably his ceiling after some regression since our relegation. But Ben strikes me as the sort of goalkeeper who wants to be playing every week and he'll get that as long as he maintains his good form here.

George Ray - Keep but it's more than likely the captain will Leave for a League One side in the Summer. And he deserves it. Davis was about to ship him out to Cambridge on a free but the man redeemed himself, became captain and despite some injuries and ill-discipline he's been one of our best players during the last two years.

Michael Raynes - Release, shame for Raynes but he was loaned out to Hartlepool in January after not being good enough for us and subsequently injured himself. Will be in non league next year.

Jordan Bowery - Release, I like Bowery but his goal return isn't good enough for a centre forward and his work rate has been questionable of late. Doesn't seem to be too keen on signing a new deal here unlike Garratt as well so I reckon he'll leave and another club in this division will give him a wage rise and give him a go up top.

Dave Richards - Release, and free up his wage for Will Jaaskelainen to be our number 2 keeper next season. Not good enough.

Alex Nicholls - Release, Done absolutely nothing since scoring twice on opening day in the 6-0 win over Morecambe. Far from good enough for league football, free up his wages.

Paul Green - Keep, Came back from a broken leg during the first half of the season to revive our fortunes and if we'd had him all season we'd have possibly made the playoffs given how bad we were without him. He's improved the likes of Wintle and Finney around him too so his presence around the dressing room is pivotal for our fortunes even if his game time decreases next season.

Oliver Finney - Keep, In a career marred by failing to make the first team and poor off-field discipline with a recent drink driving conviction, it's fair to say the lad has finally got his head into gear and has grafted his way into the gaffer's first team plans. He's also performed very well there too so he's thoroughly deserving of another new contract. I just hope he keeps up the good work.

Josh Lundstram - Unsure, I think the club are more than likely to offer him a one year contract similar to Finney. Looks nowhere near first team standard currently but has played very well for a beleaguered Nuneaton side in the National League North. As he's a year younger than Finney I can see him going through the same process as he has. But next year will be make or break for him.

Nicky Hunt - Release, It's a tough one because I really like the guy but I can't help but think his legs are gone and he may well call it a day after this season as he's had a couple of injuries. Been a valuable squad player but feel we could do with freeing up his spot for Billy Sass-Davies to come into the first team fold along with a more experienced defender to replace the soon to be departing Ray.

First Year Pros (Think all of these will be retained and given at least another year to make the first team at the very least unless they're totally out of depth)

Billy Sass-Davies
Regan Griffiths
Luke Offord
Joe Lynch
Travis Johnson

Loanee

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair -Don't sign - I wouldn't mind if we did sign him but I think we need a younger and quicker fullback to really get the best out of our wingers and one that can produce crosses to get the best out of Porter too. I don't mind ATS but I don't think he's the answer for our lack of pace and width in this position.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

Not 100% sure on who is out of contract or not but:

Keep - Mitov, Halliday (out of contract, will likely go), Taylor, Taft, Darling, Davies, Maris (out of contract, will likely go), Brown (under contract but will likely go)

Release/Sell - Forde (out of contract), Carroll, Deegan (out of contract), O'Neill, Ibehre (out of contract), Osadebe (out of contract I think), Lambe, Lewis, John

Undecided - Amoo (probably keep), Dunk (probably release)

Loanees - Hepburn-Murphy (no chance), Coulson (not likely), Doyle-Hayes (not likely), Jones (available but not convinced yet, depends what he would be offered)

Even if we kept Halliday, Brown and Maris I'd be looking for at least 6 new starters on the opening day. I doubt our budget will stretch that far though and we will be lumbered with some of the shite under contract that we won't be able to get rid of.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Dates are when their contracts are up. Bold are out of contract/loans and italics we've got the option of another year...

Ollie Battersby December May 2021

James McKeown May 2021

Sam Russell- not actually sure what his situation is, but 100% keep as he's probably the best backup keeper in the division.

Danny Collins May 2019 - Get rid, has been decent at times but is slow and error prone now.

Harry Davis May 2019 - Keep/not sure, not amazing but solid enough and can fill in at RB.

Joe Grayson (loan expires at end of season) - Don't know, haven't seen enough of him.

Reece Hall-Johnson May 2019* - Extend deal for sure, decent enough in a 3 at the back and a good RB/RWB for L2.

Luke Hendrie May 2021

Ludvig Öhman May 2021

Mattie Pollock May 2021

Sebastian Ring May 2020

Alex Whitmore May 2019* - See Harry Davis - would probably rather not keep both and take a gamble on trying to find a better option for one of them, but they're similar levels for me. Maybe just a tad more in favour of keeping Whitmore.

Harry Clifton May 2021

Elliot Embleton (loan expires at end of season) - Would definitely have him back for a full season long loan, but the ball is clearly in Sunderland's court and not ours.

Jake Hessenthaler May 2020

Elliott Whitehouse May 2020

Martyn Woolford May 2019 - Keep, I think he's had a good season and can do a job in certain matches. Calming influence on the ball and really versatile.

Max Wright May 2020

Harry Cardwell May 2020

Jordan Cook May 2020

Kristian Dennis (loan expires at end of season) - Don't try to sign permanently. Said he was overrated when he signed and I stick by that.

JJ Hooper May 2019 - Get rid, not good enough for L2 despite banging them in for Bromley.

Ahkeem Rose May 2020

Wes Thomas May 2019 - Keep if the choice was mine, but it's not and he's clearly going elsewhere.

Charles Vernam May 2020

Agree with all that except I’d get rid of both Whitmore and Davis. We need better.

 

[GTFCfish]

Rakish Bingham - Release

 

[Si Robin]

We just can't afford the millions a year he deserves

 

[Blue Lion]

Our squad is so big and packed with so much mediocrity that we'll have to get rid of most of them in the summer.

Already contracted: Fitzpatrick, Welch-Hayes, Evans, Vincenti (god help us), Stephens, Wilson and Marsh.

Offer new deal: Pearson, Cameron, Jules, Durrell, Smith. I doubt many of these will stay if we get relegated.

Get rid: Taylor, Grimes, Demetriou, Arthur, Andoh, Ntambwe, Martis, Biabi

Undecided:
Idem - hasn't played yet so not sure
Hodgkiss - release if we stay up, maybe keep if we go down
Lowe - good non league player but probably time to move on
Lloyd - decent player but injuries are becoming a big problem
Whitaker - keep if he doesn't retire
Rose - another one who might retire
Dawson - hasn't played yet
Mullings - again hasn't played yet but might be good backup if we go down

 

[LongEatonPie]

There are honestly only a few I'd keep, but will ultimately be down to if we are L2 or NL next season.

Perhaps for now I'll go with these.

Keep

Elliot Hewitt
Matt Tootle
Will Patching
Jim O'Brien
Mitch Rose
Sam Osborne

Maybe's

Andy Kellet
Pierce Bird
Richard Duffy
Michael Doyle.

Thats about it really, not bad from a squad of 30+

 

[Franchisor]

These are all on the basis that we are promoted to L1...

Release (end of contract summer 2019):
Lawson D'Ath (MF)
Ryan Harley (MF)
Ryan Watson (MF)
Robbie Simpson (FW)
Mitch Hancox (DF)
Brandon Thomas-Asante (FW)
Oran Jackson (DF)
David Kasumu (MF)
Liam Sole (MF)

New contracts (due to expire summer 2019):
Chuks Aneke (FW) - 2 year extension
Baily Cargill (DF) - 2 year extension
Kieran Agard (FW) - 1 year extension
Russell Martin (DF) - 1 year extension
Dean Lewington (DF) - 1 year extension
Mathieu Baudry (DF) - 1 year extension
Finn Tapp (DF) - 1 year extension
Ouss Cissé (MF) - 1 year extension
Conor McGrandles (MF) - 1 year extension

Retain (already under contract until 2020/2021):
Lee Nicholls (GK)
Stuart Moore (GK)
George Williams (DF)
Callum Brittain (DF)
Joe Walsh (DF)
Sam Nombe (FW)
Dylan Asonganyi (FW)

Contract extensions (players already under contract until summer 2020):
Alex Gilbey (MF) - 2 year extension until 2022
Jordan Houghton (MF) - 2 year extension until 2022
Jordan Moore-Taylor (DF) - 2 year extension until 2022

First pro contracts for academy players:
Charlie Pattison (FW)
Matthew Sorinola (DF)
Recoe Martin (FW)

New signings
Would love us to sign Rhys Healey on a permanent from Cardiff (who we had on loan in the first half of the season and barely plays for Cardiff), if not on permanent then another loan.

Aside form that we'll likely need another left back as competition and cover for an ageing Dean Lewington, at least one more striker (especially if Chuks Aneke signs for a Championship club which seems likely), and a couple of attacking midfielders to replace outgoing players, hopefully of a superior quality. So that's a minimum of four new signings.

 

[Son of Cod]

Agree with all that except I’d get rid of both Whitmore and Davis. We need better.

Yeah, I do also think we need better than both but are we realistically going to find two or three (assuming Collins also goes) better CBs than them?

 

[Semi-skimmed Silk]

Offer new deal: Pearson, Cameron, Jules, Durrell, Smith. I doubt many of these will stay if we get relegated.

Regardless of what league we're in, I can't imagine anyone who's good enough for us to want wanting to stay after how they've been treated this year. Who the manager is will affect some players decisions too.

At least we'll have Vincenti though.

 

[Agombar stool]

GOALKEEPERS

1. Lawrence Vigouroux (2019) - Been offered a contract but expected to leave. Good keeper but has disciplinary issues. I'd release him as he's more trouble than he's worth
12. Will Henry (2019) - on loan at Gloucester City - Youth player. I expect we'll release him as we have another young keeper coming through who I expect will be number 2
23. Luke McCormick (2020) - Will probably be first choice next season

DEFENDERS

2. Kyle Knoyle (2019) - Definitely keep. Good RB
6. Olly Lancashire (2019) - Release.
15. Chris Robertson (2019) - Release
32. Canice Carroll (Loan from Brentford). I would try and sign him in some capacity for next season. He's more of a defensive midfield. Does the horrible niggly stuff quite well.
25. Joe Romanski (2019) - on loan at Bath City Release - I think he's 21 now and hasn't progressed enough for me. Expect him to be in non-league next season
26. Dion Conroy (2019) - Keep. Had been out with a long injury but has shown signs of being a decent ball playing Centre Back.
29. Ali Koiki (Loan from Burnley) - Young left back, has shown glimpses, would try and get back for a season long loan next season.
32. Luke Woolfenden (Loan from Ipswich) - Will probably be needed for Ipswich in their league 1 campaign next season. Shame, I like him.
33. Tom Broadbent (2021) - Has started his Swindon career well.
36. Taylor Curran (2021). Young CB signed from Southend. Seen as one for the future
--. Cameron McGilp (2021) Young CB/CM signed from Birmingham, seen as one for the future

MIDFIELDERS

3. Michael Doughty (2020) - Had a few injuries this season. On his day one of the best in L2
4. Jak McCourt (2019) - Everytime I have seen him he's been crap. I have a feeling he'll be offered a year.
7. Jermaine McGlashan (2020) - Likely to be transfer listed. Currently on loan at Wrexham.
8. James Dunne (2019). Offer another year. Useful squad player
14. Ellis Iandolo (2019) Release. Never fulfilled his talent and is 21 now.
16. Martin Smith (2019) Release. Wellens doesn't rate him.
20. Toumani Diagouraga (2020) - Been mainly crap all season. Needs to up his game next year
21. Jordan Young (2019) - on loan at Highworth Town - Expect him to be released, Highworth Town is basically Sunday league, clearly not required
27. Jordan Edwards (2019) - on loan at Marlow - Release. Not progressed enough
31. Matthew Taylor (2019) - Retiring at the end of the season - Been a great pro. Hopefully gets offered a coaching role
37. Kyle Bennett (Loan from Bristol Rovers) - Think we'll try and sign him permanently. Has shown glimpses of being a good player.

FORWARDS

9. Marc Richards (2019) - Release. Past it now sadly
10. Keshi Anderson (2020)
18. Ben House (Loan from Reading) - Barely seen him
22. Kaiyne Woolery (2020)
24. Scott Twine (2021) - on loan at Waterford. Highly thought of. Next season could be his breakthrough season.
27. Sol Pryce (2019) - on loan at Bath City. Expect to be released. Wellens has said he's a crap trainer, which you do not expect from a youth prospect who is playing for his professional career. He scored 2 goals on his league debut when we had injuries, but hasn't got close to the first team since then.
35. Theo Robinson (Loan from Southend) Try and sign permanently.

 

[Luke Imp]

EDIT - That turned out to be a longer post than anticipated...

Under Contract
Goalkeeper
Grant Smith (2020) – Keep. It’s been his first season in the FL and whilst he’s a decent shot stopper and good with the ball at his feet, he doesn’t have that air of authority and calmness that Gilks brings. Probably not going to bring in better as a second (or possibly third) choice and still young in GK terms.

Defenders
Neal Eardley (2020) – Keep. He’s had one poor game for us in 2 seasons. Mr. Reliable, a solid 8/10 most weeks.

Harry Toffolo (2020) – Keep. Improved defensively over the season but attacking is certainly his strength. Him and Andrade ‘clicked’ straight away down that left hand side.

Cian Bolger (2021) – Keep. He’ll be more than adequate when he settles in properly after this January move.

Michael Bostwick (2020) – Keep. An absolute warrior. Heads and kicks anything that moves and puts his body on the line week in, week out. Another reliable and consistent player. He’ll get to 100 games for us before Easter, which is an outstanding record in two seasons.

James Wilson (2020) – Get Rid. Not done anything massively wrong and has done ok when called upon but he’s hardly featured over the 18 months since we signed him on a free from Sheffield United. Not at the level of Bostwick, Shackell or Bolger.

Midfielders
Lee Frecklington (2020) – Keep. Aside from needing a home-grown player in the matchday squad, our midfield, in a three, is still better with him in it. Not really needed him since O’Hara came in and Pett stepped up further.

Tom Pett (2020) – Keep. Didn’t get too much game time after his January move last season and when he did play, he seemed to struggle a bit. But, like most Cowley signings, it takes 4 or 5 months with us before we start seeing the best of them and has probably been our most improved player this season.

Ellis Chapman (2020) – Keep. Only 18 and been with the first team for two years now having come through the youth system. Out on loan at Chesterfield and he’ll probably end up in the NL next season for another loan spell, too.

Harry Anderson (2020) – Keep. Not your typical young winger. Most are fancy but can’t deal with the physical side whereas Anderson thrives on that and is all about pace, power and strength. Improved again this season.

Bruno Andrade (2020) – Keep. Can’t argue with 10 goals from the left wing, can you? A quick, technical and skilful winger so different to Anderson but doesn’t shirk his defensive duties. Reminded me a little bit of Nathan Arnold in our 2016/17 season..

Strikers
John Akinde (2021) – Keep. Hasn’t scored many from open play but he’s an important part of our attacking play. I think some were expecting him to come in and bag 20-25 from open play but he’s being asked to play a different role here compared to Barnet and gets very few sights of goal a game.

Out of Contract
Goalkeeper
Josh Vickers – Undecided. He’s young, so he’ll probably keep trying, but he has a thigh(?) issue which is purely down to over-use that no-one can seem to get to the bottom of and you wonder whether it’ll be something that cuts his career short. He’s actually a very good ‘keeper, so it’d be a shame to lose him and as a number two you’d probably keep him. But we have Smith already under contract and we can’t not offer Gilks something.

Matt Gilks – Keep. GK wasn’t an area many really pinpointed as needing strengthening in January but the Gilks signing has been a bit of a masterstroke and has coincided with us being a little tigher defensively in recent weeks. Brought further experience, calmness and authority to an already good backline.

Defenders
Sam Habergham – Get Rid. If it does end like this, it’ll be a shame. Not played since April last year due to a career threatening injury and has undergone surgery. He might have to call it a day at only 27 but he’s been coaching in the academy so there might still be a role for him within the Club.

Jason Shackell – Keep. Comfortably the best CB in L2 in my opinion. When he plays, everyone else plays better, too. He drags some already good players up a level. There were rumours back in January that he was considering going over to the MLS this summer.

Midfielders
Michael O’Connor – Undecided. He’s done nothing wrong this season but do we want to be going into next season with both Frecklington and O’Connor who will be 34 and 32 respectively? Cowley will probably want to open up another CM space for a new signing.

Strikers
Matt Rhead – Keep. There won’t be a dry eye in the house when Rhead’s Lincoln career comes to an end! Even this season, he’s still come on and assisted and made a nuisance of himself. Will never be first choice again but there’s still room for him in the squad IMO.

Loan Players
Defenders
James Brown (Millwall) – Get Rid. Rarely in the squad, hasn’t played any minutes and was brought in as cover for Eardley and Toffolo.

Midfielders
Shay McCartan (Bradford) – Undecided. Will have been a ‘Keep’ in the first half of the season. He’s flitted in and out at times but probably isn’t as good as Rowe who I think would be quite comfortable at L1 level. Rowe signing certainly seemed to re-focused him. We apparently have an option on him but I suspect Bradford will look at what he’s done here this season and look to keep him.

Danny Rowe (Ipswich) – Keep. Probably not likely with Ipswich also in L1 next season but we should absolutely sign him if we have the chance to. One of those players who only seems to need to take half a touch to change direction and glide past people.

Jordan Roberts (Ipswich) – Get Rid. Played about 5 minutes but only signed to add numbers.

Mark O’Hara (Peterborough) – Keep. Another good January signing and knitted our midfield together well. Probably the most all rounded CM in the squad, which has helped us because he can do a bit of everything. Option to buy, which we’ll probably take up if we can agree personal terms.

Strikers
Lee Angol (Shrewsbury) – Get Rid. Only played about 30 minutes and, like Brown and Roberts, brought in purely to add numbers to the squad.

-----------------------------------------

That’d give us more than enough room to add and improve whilst keeping a decent core of a squad. We've not really carried any dead wood for a couple of seasons now.

We’ve been good over the last 3 seasons of making sure that anyone with re-sale value is under contract and not to allow them to run down so Toffolo, Anderson and Andrade are prime ‘new contract’ players.

Cowley is also pretty ruthless when it comes to continually getting rid of that bottom rung of players who have had their use but we’ve moved on, even if some of them have been good players for us. In that respect, Habergham, Vickers, Wilson and possibly O’Connor and Smith will be looking over their shoulders. He generally offers them sort of players deals, but more token gesture ones.

 

[GTFCfish]

Yeah, I do also think we need better than both but are we realistically going to find two or three (assuming Collins also goes) better CBs than them?

I’m not sure why but I really like Harry Davis, I expected him to be pretty shit after the Crewe fans comments pre season but he’s better than I expected.
I think it’s because I can always see effort there even if he’s not having a particularly good game and I warm to players like that.

 

[Agombar stool]

Harry Toffolo (2020) – Keep. Improved defensively over the season but attacking is certainly his strength. Him and Andrade ‘clicked’ straight away down that left hand side.

Good to hear about this. Harry was superb on loan at us, both on and off the pitch. A handy enough left back but really got involved in community and charity work in Swindon and one of the few players that I still follow on Twitter after they have left us. It appears he still does loads of stuff in Lincoln as well which is great to see.

I spoke to him once on the platform at Swindon station when he was on loan at Scunthorpe and he came across as a totally genuinely nice guy. Glad he is doing well.

 

[Son of Cod]

I’m not sure why but I really like Harry Davis, I expected him to be pretty shit after the Crewe fans comments pre season but he’s better than I expected.
I think it’s because I can always see effort there even if he’s not having a particularly good game and I warm to players like that.

Yeah, I don't particularly have anything necessarily against either Davis or Whitmore and I do agree that they work hard. They kind of remind me of a few of the players we had around 2007-09ish (?) like Rob Atkinson and Sam Hird in that they're okay and they could maybe do well, but if they're in a poor team then they're perhaps not necessarily going to stand up and be counted. Maybe I'm being harsh on them but I could see them almost just passively standing by if we get into a relegation scrap as opposed to Ohman who has played like he'll head a brick for us (up until the entire squad decided it was summer holiday time, at least). But at the same time, I'm not convinced we should be replacing three CBs in one summer.

Strikers
Matt Rhead – Keep. There won’t be a dry eye in the house when Rhead’s Lincoln career comes to an end! Even this season, he’s still come on and assisted and made a nuisance of himself. Will never be first choice again but there’s still room for him in the squad IMO.

Do you reckon Rhead will be offered a new deal? Just asking for a friend.

 

[Gladders]

Yeah, I do also think we need better than both but are we realistically going to find two or three (assuming Collins also goes) better CBs than them?

Are the CBs really our problem? During our good runs we were good in defence keeping clean sheets. Our general problem has always been going forward, if we go a goal behind its game over.

We need a couple of good strikers and midfielders who can create chances for them.

 

[shoddycollins]

Contracted for next season.

Kelvin Etuhu
Macauley Gillesphey
Adam Collin
Hallam Hope

Quite an opportunity for either Pressley or a new manager to build their own squad. Even if we're still struggling along with a limited budget, we'll be able to free up basically as much as we want for new signings. Indeed only Gillesphey was originally contracted to next season, with Collin, Hope and Etuhu triggering extensions in recent weeks.

Out of contract

Danny Grainger - KEEP, increasingly he doesn't offer much defensively but his leadership means we notice when he's out of the squad and he also weighs in with more than his fair share of important goals.

Jamie Devitt - KEEP, our best player and increasingly an important leader too.

Jason Kennedy - KEEP, a sentimental decision given he has barely played in two seasons but the majority of Carlisle fans would absolutely love to have a fit and on form JK in the team right now, and he may yet have something to do with this season.



Anthony Gerrard - KEEP, he seems to be enjoying his football here, organises the defence well and I think could do well for another season, especially assuming we're still in League 2

Tom Parkes
Gary Liddle
Mike Jones
Gary Miller

These four players I'm very much on the fence about. They're all good players for this level, but they've also all been a bit inconsistent. The order I've listed them above is my ranking of them, they could all be kept and be key players next season, but they could also all be released and we'd find other decent players.

Peter Grant
Stefan Scougall

These two were brought in by Pressley in January, mainly to fill gaps in the squad so not much was expected of them and I doubt if they'll be retained though Scougall might yet change my mind.

Richie Bennett - RELEASE, Morecambe might want him following a successful loan there but Pressley hasn't had the chance to look at him so he may like him. If we make the playoffs he could feature and that could change everything.

George Glendon - RELEASE, Been a bit-part player in his two seasons with us.

Louis Gray - I'm past making calls on reserve goalies as only the manager and GK coach can possibly know if they're worth keeping. Would be nice to have an experienced keeper and then a young keeper who improves, like we did when we had Collin and Gillespie, or Glennon and Westwood. Maybe Gray is good enough.

Arthur Gnahuoua - RELEASE, only played 20 minutes before getting injured and the sad reality is you can't earn a new deal based on that. Who knows though.

Liam McCarron - KEEP, currently our best young prospect.

Loanees are

Regan Slater - try and bring back on loan - he's done well and I believe he signed an extension at Sheff U.

Mark Cullen - offer a deal if Blackpool release, would be good to have a fit Mark Cullen, especially at this level.

Conor Simpson - take Preston to court over trade descriptions

Joe Fryer - wish the best of luck back at Boro, and follow his development cause he's got bags of potential, just been unlucky with a bad injury and Collin has done really well.

Nathan Thomas - try to sign, not sure if out of contract at Sheff U, but has steadily improved since coming in.

Callum O'Hare - would like to bring him back, can't believe how highly Villa rate him though, they may want him to go to League One or even try and fit him into their own side. Personally I think he's a great prospect but still a long way from the finished product and would be best starting next season with us but what do I know.

 

[Son of Cod]

Are the CBs really our problem? During our good runs we were good in defence keeping clean sheets. Our general problem has always been going forward, if we go a goal behind its game over.

We need a couple of good strikers and midfielders who can create chances for them.

Collins is a problem as he's too slow and has dropped a fair few clangers, so I'd say he definitely needs changing if we're to have 4 out and out "senior" CBs - which we might not even have with RHJ being able to play there and Pollock coming through. But yeah, you're right in the sense that our lack of goal threat is our main problem. However, if we've got the chance to improve areas all over then we should look into them.

Strikers and creative midfielders are definitely the priority though, agreed. I'm hoping with Welsh off the books and a bit more backing from the board we'll be able to remedy this.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Under Contract until 2021

Perry Ng
Harry Pickering
Callum Ainley
Eddie Nolan
Tommy Lowery
Charlie Kirk
Will Jaaskelainen

Under Contract until 2020

Chris Porter
James Jones
Shaun Miller (Would transfer list as he's been far from good enough for league football this campaign)
Ryan Wintle
Owen Dale (with option to extend to 2022)
Lewis Reilly (with option to extend to 2021)

Out of Contract

Ben Garratt - Keep and it looks promising that he'll be signing a new deal at the club in the coming weeks. League One is probably his ceiling after some regression since our relegation. But Ben strikes me as the sort of goalkeeper who wants to be playing every week and he'll get that as long as he maintains his good form here.

George Ray - Keep but it's more than likely the captain will Leave for a League One side in the Summer. And he deserves it. Davis was about to ship him out to Cambridge on a free but the man redeemed himself, became captain and despite some injuries and ill-discipline he's been one of our best players during the last two years.

Michael Raynes - Release, shame for Raynes but he was loaned out to Hartlepool in January after not being good enough for us and subsequently injured himself. Will be in non league next year.

Jordan Bowery - Release, I like Bowery but his goal return isn't good enough for a centre forward and his work rate has been questionable of late. Doesn't seem to be too keen on signing a new deal here unlike Garratt as well so I reckon he'll leave and another club in this division will give him a wage rise and give him a go up top.

Dave Richards - Release, and free up his wage for Will Jaaskelainen to be our number 2 keeper next season. Not good enough.

Alex Nicholls - Release, Done absolutely nothing since scoring twice on opening day in the 6-0 win over Morecambe. Far from good enough for league football, free up his wages.

Paul Green - Keep, Came back from a broken leg during the first half of the season to revive our fortunes and if we'd had him all season we'd have possibly made the playoffs given how bad we were without him. He's improved the likes of Wintle and Finney around him too so his presence around the dressing room is pivotal for our fortunes even if his game time decreases next season.

Oliver Finney - Keep, In a career marred by failing to make the first team and poor off-field discipline with a recent drink driving conviction, it's fair to say the lad has finally got his head into gear and has grafted his way into the gaffer's first team plans. He's also performed very well there too so he's thoroughly deserving of another new contract. I just hope he keeps up the good work.

Josh Lundstram - Unsure, I think the club are more than likely to offer him a one year contract similar to Finney. Looks nowhere near first team standard currently but has played very well for a beleaguered Nuneaton side in the National League North. As he's a year younger than Finney I can see him going through the same process as he has. But next year will be make or break for him.

Nicky Hunt - Release, It's a tough one because I really like the guy but I can't help but think his legs are gone and he may well call it a day after this season as he's had a couple of injuries. Been a valuable squad player but feel we could do with freeing up his spot for Billy Sass-Davies to come into the first team fold along with a more experienced defender to replace the soon to be departing Ray.

First Year Pros (Think all of these will be retained and given at least another year to make the first team at the very least unless they're totally out of depth)

Billy Sass-Davies
Regan Griffiths
Luke Offord
Joe Lynch
Travis Johnson

Loanee

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair -Don't sign - I wouldn't mind if we did sign him but I think we need a younger and quicker fullback to really get the best out of our wingers and one that can produce crosses to get the best out of Porter too. I don't mind ATS but I don't think he's the answer for our lack of pace and width in this position.

Agree with pretty much all that. I think Ray will be embarrassed at L1 level but he’s clearly off for a pay rise somewhere. I don’t think Taylor-Sinclair can defend at all, if he stays he’d have to be converted to a winger. The rest speaks for itself. Garratt and Green are key ones. The rest meh.