Keep, Get Rid or Undecided

[Kenneth E End]

OFF's own version of snog, marry, avoid...

Luton Town (based on promotion to the Sky Bet Championship 2020)

Goalkeepers
1. Marek Stech - get rid / transfer list). Had an up and down couple of years. Had a brilliant start last season but confidence was totally shot and has barely had a look in since. Would be a good #1 for a lower L1 side.
36. James Shea - keep / under contract. Has kept around 20 clean sheets, but think we need an upgrade for Championship football.
40. Harry Isted - keep / offer new contract. Perfectly serviceable #3 and has made decent improvements.

Defenders
2. James Justin - keep / under contract. If we can keep hold of him. Think that there would need to be a transfer record breaking bid to lose him.
3. Dan Potts - keep / under contract. Injury ravaged season. Still has 2 years to run and definitely in our players. A threat in both areas of the pitch.
5. Sonny Bradley - keep / under contract. Had a brilliant season and moved here for Championship football.
6. Matty Pearson - keep / under contract. Magical season but can't help thinking he may struggle to step up with his lack of pace.
7. Jack Stacey - keep / under contract. See James Justin. The best full back outside the Championship by a distance.
12. Alex Baptiste - undecided / end of loan. Only featured for the first time on Saturday - must have pedigree coming from QPR.
21. Jack Senior - get rid / release. Not going to break into the team.
28. Lloyd Jones - get rid / release. Seems to have found a good home at Plymouth.
34. Jack James - keep / under contract. Got a good future ahead of him. Already played for ROI U19.
37. Frankie Musonda - get rid / transfer list. See Jack Senior.
44. Alan Sheehan - undecided / under contract. May move into a coaching role, but hasn't played enough for his liking. Again, maybe offered the chance to leave for free.

Midfielders
4. Alan McCormack - undecided / release. Had another great season, but getting older and older. The Championship is a totally different beast altogether. Would probably release as his contract has run out and we haven't got much movement available on this score.
8. Luke Berry - keep / under contract. Back to his best in the last couple of months after a horror injury.
11. Andrew Shinnie - keep / under contract. Got Championship experience and vastly improved on L2.
16. Glen Rea - keep / under contract. Certainly a good backup in DM at Championship level. Was on for our POTS before a horror injury.
17. Pelly-Ruddock Mpzanu / under contract - keep. Again, if we can keep hold of him. Three promotions, longest serving player. Tremendous season.
20. George Moncur - keep / under contract. Got quality on the ball but question marks over fitness and consistency.
22. Luke Gambin - get rid / release. Not going to be good enough.
24. George Thorne - keep / sign permanently. Clearly has quality but not really had much of a chance.
35. Arthur Read - keep / send on loan. Needs a 40 game full season probably in L2.

Forwards
9. Danny Hylton - undecided / under contract. He may want to move on anyway, but unsure whether he has the ability to go up another level.
10. Elliott Lee - undecided / under contract. Again, not sure he is going to be good enough.
14. Harry Cornick - keep / under contract. Has come on leaps and bounds. Can see him improving again next year.
15. Jake Jervis - get rid / transfer list. Terrible signing.
18. Aaron Connolly - keep / sign on renewed loan. Think he will have offers higher up.
19. James Collins - keep / under contract. Top scorer outside the Championship. 'nuff said.
23. Jason Cummings - undecided / end of loan. Not had much of a chance, but definitely has ability.
25. Kazenga LuaLua - keep / offer new contract. Such a driving force in the second half of the season.
27. Aaron Jarvis - get rid / release. Not going to be able to handle the step up.
48. Josh Neuville - keep / under contract. Youngster.

So based on this, we're going to need 1 goalkeeper, at least 1 full back because I can't see both Stacey / Justin staying, a solid central midfielder, maybe a winger if Jones wants to move away from the diamond and a first team Championship striker.

Are Heikkinen and Edwards available!?

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Don’t have much issue with that. Bit harsh on Lee I think though, just needs a pre season to get back to his form he had pre his injury I think. Tough to play your way back in at the stage he came back in.

Think Hylton will want to leave, can’t see him wanting to to play backup to Collins next season.

Think as you say we will need a new fullback, at least 2 new midfielders with one being a holding type to replace McCormack and a forward.

If new Jones wants wingers I will be immediately wary of him.

 

[Maple Hatter]

OFF's own version of snog, marry, avoid...

Luton Town (based on promotion to the Sky Bet Championship 2020)

Goalkeepers
1. Marek Stech - get rid / transfer list). Had an up and down couple of years. Had a brilliant start last season but confidence was totally shot and has barely had a look in since. Would be a good #1 for a lower L1 side.
36. James Shea - keep / under contract. Has kept around 20 clean sheets, but think we need an upgrade for Championship football.
40. Harry Isted - keep / offer new contract. Perfectly serviceable #3 and has made decent improvements.

Defenders
2. James Justin - keep / under contract. If we can keep hold of him. Think that there would need to be a transfer record breaking bid to lose him.
3. Dan Potts - keep / under contract. Injury ravaged season. Still has 2 years to run and definitely in our players. A threat in both areas of the pitch.
5. Sonny Bradley - keep / under contract. Had a brilliant season and moved here for Championship football.
6. Matty Pearson - keep / under contract. Magical season but can't help thinking he may struggle to step up with his lack of pace.
7. Jack Stacey - keep / under contract. See James Justin. The best full back outside the Championship by a distance.
12. Alex Baptiste - undecided / end of loan. Only featured for the first time on Saturday - must have pedigree coming from QPR.
21. Jack Senior - get rid / release. Not going to break into the team.
28. Lloyd Jones - get rid / release. Seems to have found a good home at Plymouth.
34. Jack James - keep / under contract. Got a good future ahead of him. Already played for ROI U19.
37. Frankie Musonda - get rid / transfer list. See Jack Senior.
44. Alan Sheehan - undecided / under contract. May move into a coaching role, but hasn't played enough for his liking. Again, maybe offered the chance to leave for free.

Midfielders
4. Alan McCormack - undecided / release. Had another great season, but getting older and older. The Championship is a totally different beast altogether. Would probably release as his contract has run out and we haven't got much movement available on this score.
8. Luke Berry - keep / under contract. Back to his best in the last couple of months after a horror injury.
11. Andrew Shinnie - keep / under contract. Got Championship experience and vastly improved on L2.
16. Glen Rea - keep / under contract. Certainly a good backup in DM at Championship level. Was on for our POTS before a horror injury.
17. Pelly-Ruddock Mpzanu / under contract - keep. Again, if we can keep hold of him. Three promotions, longest serving player. Tremendous season.
20. George Moncur - keep / under contract. Got quality on the ball but question marks over fitness and consistency.
22. Luke Gambin - get rid / release. Not going to be good enough.
24. George Thorne - keep / sign permanently. Clearly has quality but not really had much of a chance.
35. Arthur Read - keep / send on loan. Needs a 40 game full season probably in L2.

Forwards
9. Danny Hylton - undecided / under contract. He may want to move on anyway, but unsure whether he has the ability to go up another level.
10. Elliott Lee - undecided / under contract. Again, not sure he is going to be good enough.
14. Harry Cornick - keep / under contract. Has come on leaps and bounds. Can see him improving again next year.
15. Jake Jervis - get rid / transfer list. Terrible signing.
18. Aaron Connolly - keep / sign on renewed loan. Think he will have offers higher up.
19. James Collins - keep / under contract. Top scorer outside the Championship. 'nuff said.
23. Jason Cummings - undecided / end of loan. Not had much of a chance, but definitely has ability.
25. Kazenga LuaLua - keep / offer new contract. Such a driving force in the second half of the season.
27. Aaron Jarvis - get rid / release. Not going to be able to handle the step up.
48. Josh Neuville - keep / under contract. Youngster.

So based on this, we're going to need 1 goalkeeper, at least 1 full back because I can't see both Stacey / Justin staying, a solid central midfielder, maybe a winger if Jones wants to move away from the diamond and a first team Championship striker.

Are Heikkinen and Edwards available!?

Agree with nearly all of that. Need a championship keeper. Would keep Cummings and sell Lee. Not sure Lee can make the step up. Still think Danny can have a role. The strange one is Thorne. Not seen him play much and wonder if the management rate him. Expect bids for Pelly, JJ and Stacey.

 

[Bottega Don]

I'd get rid of our entire team

 

[Caer]

Think this'll be provided we stay in the division as if we get promoted we'll probably need a new team entirely.

Goalkeepers
Jon McLaughlin - Keep, partial to the odd mistake but been solid and probably player of the season

Robbin Ruiter - Get rid, I imagine his wages are above average for a backup keeper in League One. His contract expires this season anyway.

Max Stryjek - Get rid, Still fairly young but has been at the club for ages and couldn't get anywhere near the squad for a League One side or the worst season in our history with 3 of the worst keepers to grace the pitch. Out of contract anyway.

Defenders

Adam Matthews - Get rid, hideous footballer.

Bryan Oviedo - Get rid, has got to be on big wages and will surely want to get out while people still remember he played for Everton a few times in the premier league.

Glenn Loovens - Keep, he's around 200 years old but he's the least of our problems.

Alim Ozturk - Undecided, as long as referees in this division don't give fouls for him grappling with strikers he can stay.

Tom Flanagan - Undecided, been great at times and been terrible at times. Would be a solid backup for someone who can defend.

Jack Baldwin - Undecided, see above.

Reece James - Get rid, see Adam Matthews.

Donald Love - MIA, genuinely don't know where he is.

Jimmy Dunne - Don't renew loan, if he could sort his positioning out he would be an alright defender.

Denver Hume - Keep, looked promising at times and still under 21.

Midfielders

Lee Cattermole - Undecided, my opinion on him changes after every week.

Chris Maguire - Keep, I feel if he hadn't gotten injured when he did we would be much better off.

Dylan McGeouch - Keep, referred to him as "graceful" once, can be a very tidy player.

George Honeyman - Undecided, local lad and captain wish he was as good as I hoped he would be.

Lynden Gooch - Get rid, much like Honeyman local lad and a nice fella but his performances since October have been woeful.

Luke O'Nien - Keep, represents all that is good and pure in this world.

Duncan Watmore - Get rid, the unluckiest lad in the time. Came back from 2 season ending injuries only to get a 3rd shortly after. At least he has a degree to fall back on.

Lewis Morgan - Renew loan, really come alive in the last month. Typical winger in that his final ball is minging but he's the only player we have with pace.

Aiden McGeady - Keep, he'll probably get offers but he's finally showing his ability in a Sunderland shirt.

Grant Leadbitter - Keep, his corners alone have won us too many points.

Max Power - Keep, a bit like Cattermole in regards to my wavering opinion of him but he'll be cheaper to keep.

Bali Mumba - Keep, still only about 14 and wish he made more appearances this season.

Forwards

Charlie Wyke - Keep, I love Charlie Wyke to bits and will willingly ignore his first touch and finishing. Things I won't ignore for other players in this list.

Will Grigg - Undecided, I hope to god he's still not quite fit after our panic buy because if not it's a wonder he's gotten this far. Been anonymous for a player who cost, depending on who you ask anywhere between £2 million and £1.4 trillion.

Kaz Sterling - Don't renew loan, if he was meant to be the replacement for Maja we need to re-evaluate some things.

Benji Kimpioka - Keep, this lad promises so much but has delivered so little so far but he is only 19. Give him a season either on loan or throw him in the deep end like we did Maja.

So a summer of rebuilding apparently, a good job I'm not in charge of recruitment. We can pad some spaces out with our academy players but the U-18 side have had a rough season, the Under-23 team however came 2nd in the premier league.

 

[Bartonyellow]

Keep our entire team except Colin Daniel.
I'm fairly happy with them.

 

[Luke Imp]

Started this in L2 so I'll copy and paste mine in here.

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.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

All of them can get fucked.

 

[Andrewboom]

Keepers.

Tomas Holy Offer contract. Top keeper. Will probably move higher, but we might have a sniff of keeping him if not offered first team spot elsewhere.

Tom Hadler Under contract\Keep. Promising keeper, Due to lack of senior backup he has not been able to get game time out on loan. Should be given next 2 games to help prove himself.

Louie Catherall Offer contract. Highly rated, might be under pressure from Walsh the yth keeper for a contract.

Defenders

Luke O'Neill Offer contract. Excellent free kicks and crossing. Has been very good over his 2 years with us.

Barry Fuller Under contract\Keep. Already signed a new deal for next season. Been fantastic at RB and LB, good leader as well.

Bradley Garmston Under contract\transfer. Well out of favour. Not a bad player when fit, and LB's sometimes in demand so should be able to move on.

Aaron Simpson Offer contract. Worth another year to see if he can break into first team.

Alex Lacey Release. Injury problems and not quick enough to make up for lack of size. Will do well for someone in lg2.

Max Ehmer Under contract\Keep. Solid central defender. Probably need an upgrade on him if we want to move up the table.

Gabriel Zakuani Under contract\Keep. The wall. Very good defender but very limited on the ball.

Connor Ogilvie Loan\Keep. Terrible at LB but has been superb since moving inside. OOC at Spurs so hopefully in for him.

Jack Tucker Under contract\Keep. Very promising central defender. Tall fast and good on the ball. Plenty to prove, but could be first team player next season.

Ryan Huckle Release. Overshaddowed by Tucker, Not sure he is mobile enough.

Midfield

Mark Byrne Under contract\Keep Very consistant. Good squad players. Not a started for a top half team so try to upgrade on him.

Regan Charles-Cook Under contract\Keep. Works hard, loads of abilty. Needs to nail down a posistion as struggles to impose himself of games.

Callum Reilly Under contract\Keep. Needs to stay fit. Tidy left footer.

Darren Oldaker Under contract\Keep. Extremly talented. Needs to keep working hard on his posistioning and decision making. As good on the ball as anyone in the league.

Dean Parrett Under contract\Release. Very undewhelmed. Poor posistional play and workrate. Flashes of ability and did not manage a run in the team.

Billy Bingham Release. Very capable holding midfielder, made of glass, and we can't afford wages to be siting in the treatment room 2/3 of every season.

Billy King Loan \ Don't sign Not many chances but looked very light weight.

Josh Rees Under contract\Keep Stuggled in first season, but has goal scoring ability. See if he develops in 2nd year of his contract.

Graham Burke Loan \ Don't sign. Tidy player, who helped get us back playing some football. Lacks pace, and not sure he has many goals in him.

Ricky Holmes Loan \ Don't sign. Would be cracking signing if fit, but we have not even seen him and back problem is a worry.

Leonardo Da Silva Lopes Loan\Keep. Hopefully Wigan staying up means they would like Leo to get another 50 games out on loan with us. Skillfull hard working and has an edge to his play, would be a v good signing.

Bradley Stevenson Offer contract. Tall lanquid attcking midfielder. Would be gutted if he left. Worth working with as could be a very good player for us in the future.

Ben Chapman Offer contract. Not seen much of him since he signed pro. Was stand out player in his youth team year. Perhaps a bit small.

Henry Woods Release. Tidy player but not sure he will make it.

Forwards

Brandon Hanlan contract\Keep. Took a while to adjust to first team football, but starting to look like a real find. Not a composed finisher, but strong fast and good on the ball.

Tom Eaves Offer contract. We have no chance of keeping him. Will move up a division or get a very big pay day in lg1. Can put in the odd very bad game, but not many physical mobile goalscoring forwards about. Needs to be carefull who he signs for as he is fairly average if used as a target man.

Tahvon Campbell Loan\Keep. Not seen much of him, would keep if on a free.

Elliott List contract\Keep. Faded a bit after and excellent start to the season. Only young, and has bags of pace.

 

[Andrewboom]

Lynden Gooch - Get rid, much like Honeyman local lad and a nice fella but his performances since October have been woeful.

Sky keep calling him an American?

 

[SF_]

Reece James - Get rid, see Adam Matthews.

Still can't believe Man United signed him up after we released him.

 

[joethegill]

Under Contract:
Barry Fuller - RB/LB - Just signed a new one year deal. Revelation, will probably win player of the season

Max Ehmer - CB - Keep - Mr Consistent at CB

Gabriel Zakuani - CB - Keep - Great experience to have in the squad. We've looked better defensively since he's been injured though.

Bradley Garmston - LB - Get rid - Awful. The only attribute he's ever had is pace. He's lost that.

Dean Parrett - CM - On the fence - He's been pretty dreadful but shows flashes. Wish he'd stop dicking about with the ball in his own half.

Darren Oldaker - CM - Keep. Needs to get his head straight, but worth persevering with.

Mark Byrne - CM - Keep. Didn't start the season well but has been very good for the past 6 weeks or so.

Callum Reilly - CM - Keep. Injury hit but a classy player when fully fit.

Regan Charles-Cook - CAM - Keep. Solid enough first season as a pro, scored a few goals and looks lively whenever he plays

Josh Rees - CM/CAM - On the fence. I think we can do better, but he hasn't been dreadful.

Elliot List - LW/RW/ST - Keep. Love watching Elliot embarrass defenders with his pace. No the most cultured, but scores goals.

Brandon Hanlon - ST - Keep. Like RCC, a good breakthrough season. Added goals to his game in the latter half of the season - he and List together up front will be too much for some defences pace-wise.

Out of Contract:
Tomas Holy - GK - Offer a new deal. Doubt he'll sign it as he wants to play in the Championship, but personally I don't think he's anywhere near good enough for that.

Tom Hadler - GK - On the fence. Great to see a young kid come through but not convinced he'll make it. We have a few good young keepers coming through.

Luke O'Neill - RB - Keep. We won't do better in his position. Decent defender but creates loads and scores a few - mainly sublime free kicks

Alex Lacey - CB - Release. Too injury prone. Shame, as he came highly rated.

Billy Bingham - DM - Release. SO injury prone. Not worth the hassle.

Bradley Stevenson - CAM - On the fence. Hasn't broken into the first team enough.

Tom Eaves - ST - Offer a new deal. No chance he's signing it though.

End of loan:
Tahvon Campbell - ST - On the fence. Fearsome pace but we already have that with List and Hanlan, both of whom I think are better.

Connor Ogilvie - CB - Sign. Awful as a left back, excellent at centre back. Him and Ehmer are a good combo.

Leo Da Silva Lopes - CM - Season loan. Could suit all parties.

Graham Burke - CAM - Send back. Offered a bit to start with but just doesn't do enough.

Billy King - LW/RW - Send back. Powderpuff.

Ricky Holmes - CAM - On the fence. Totally dependant on the injury. If there's any chance he'll be fit for the start of next season then I'd say go and get him on loan - you could argue he owes us something for this failed loan spell.

 

[SF_]

Poor Graham, get yourself up to Scotland mate with our other Irish duds.

 

[Caer]

Sky keep calling him an American?

He is born in Santa Cruz, California and has 4 caps for the 'USMNT' but he's been in the area since he was 10 so we count him as a local. He also developed a scary hybrid of California surfer/Mackem accent which needs to be heard.

 

[Shrimper92]

Out of Contract:

Goalkeepers:

Ted Smith - Release - Now behind Bishop, had a few injuries. Let go
Josh Bexon - Release - Only 20 but won't break through. Harry Seaden can be #3

Defenders:

John White - Keep. One of our better players, experienced and versatile.
Stephen Hendrie - Release. Probably on a fair bit and not good enough
Michael Turner - Release. Too old and a liability
Moore - Keep. He'll be sent back to Bristol and I'd try to keep him if he wants to come back but he can do better than us
Hart - Keep. Superb for us recently, get him back on loan. Said he loves it here.
Clifford - Keep. Youth
Ben Coker - Keep - I want to keep him but if we go down he won't stay. He's said that already. Deserves better than League 2.

Midfielders:

Klass - Keep. Still young, will get more chances
Batlokwa - Release. Not broken through
Phillips - Release. Not broken through and been injured a bit.
Bunn - 50/50 - He's a bit hit and miss. Our best winger but has real issues with consistency. He will likely be released or let go by Bury though due to his wages. If he is available I'd be happy to keep him but at the same time, not surprised if he goes to a bigger team.
Sam Barratt - Keep. Injured all season. Deserves another year.
Lewis Gard - Keep. Youth/U23's. Injured all year. One year contract.

Strikers:

Ba - Release. Not good enough and hasn't done much for the u23's.
Wabo - Release. Alleged attitude problems and not good enough at this level. Would be a good Conference South striker
Acquah - Keep. Still young and learning.

Of those under contract I'd try to get rid of the follow and/or expect them to have relegation release clauses or attract interest. Either way, I don't expect them to be here at the start of the next season if we're in League 2. League 1 and some might stay.

Goalkeepers:

Mark Oxley - Been up and down this season he can be an absolute beast but there were teams interested in him last summer and I reckon there'll be the same interest this year. I don't expect him to be here in August and it would clear a lot off our wage bill. Nathan Bishop has looked great and he could do a capable job if asked.

Defenders:

Jason Demetriou - Injury ravaged season, likely played his last game and will look to go elsewhere. Never played below League One in England and is more than capable of leading the line down the wing-back position. Will be sad to see him go.

Harry Kyprianou - I'd like to keep him but I think it would be better for him and his career to move. He needs to develop and he needs game time to do that, he won't get it with us as we'll be bringing in first team players if we go down and have a clear out as I suspect.

Midfielders:

Stephen McLaughlin - Disappointing season and will not want to play in League 2. On a fair wage packet and not done enough this season to earn it. Wouldn't be sad to see him go.

Michael Kightly - Terrible for us, not worth his massive wages at all. Good riddance. Someone will regret signing him.

Luke Hyam - Injury prone and too lightweight and afraid to get stuck in.

Sam Mantom - I was hoping for better from him and as our captain at times you'd expect him to lead the line but he just hasn't been effective enough and consistent enough.

Timothee Dieng - Poor. Him and Mantom have made our midfield invisible for most of the season. Our midfield needs a complete re-work.

Strikers:

Theo Robinson - He's done here and just not good enough. He has done fairly well at Swindon but his wages could be better used and he won't get much game time with Hopper, Humphrys and Cox infront of him.

So, that would hopefully leave us I feel with the following first team;

Goalkeepers:
Nathan Bishop
Harry Seaden = Youth but will be given pro contract.

Defenders:
Rob Kiernan
John White
Harry Lennon
Elvis Bwomono
Sam Hart

Midfielders:
Dru Yearwood
Harry Bunn
Michael Klass
Isaac Hutchinson
Sam Barratt
Lewis Gard

Strikers:
Simon Cox
Tom Hopper
Stephen Humphrys

I reckon that won't be too far off. Clears a LOT of wages.

 

[Eastfield Posh]

Goalkeepers :

Aaron Chapman ( keep ) as Number 2 for next season , good shot stopper , poor kicker at 6 feet 8 doesn't command box with demeanor or vocally , slightly better than ...
Conor O'Malley ( get rid )

Defenders :

Ryan Taffazolli ( out of contract , won't be offered new )

Jason Naismith , versatile at rb or cb , improved under Fergie & rumoured to have slapped Evans before he left ( keep )

Ryan Bennett , goes wherever Evans goes , will hopefully be at Southend or Gillingham next season ( get rid )

Joe Ward , brought to Posh as a winger but found himself in the rb position by default , a fans favourite & improved massively last 2 seasons ( keep )

Darren Lyon & Lewis Freestone , the latter been on loan to Nuneaton half season but neither had many minutes in 1st team ( get rid )

Loan Defenders :

Josh Knight back to Leicester
Ben White back to Brighton
Daniel Lafferty out of contract at Sheff Utd ( maybe 2 year contract )
Tyler Denton back to Leeds

Midfield :

Alex Woodyard , Captain , has improved under Fergie , does the dirty stuff no one appreciates , would like him to be more ruthless & get in refs faces a bit more ( keep ) maybe vice captain next year if stronger type signed.

Siriki Dembele , tricky winger , gets bums off seats yet equally frustrating , needs to work on defensive side of game & played as a 10 in January his best run before injured ( keep )

Louis Reed , plays just in front of defense , can pick a pass , weak in the tackle ( get rid )

Callum Cooke , doesn't fit Fergie style , I stood with his Grandad away at Bradford & we both agreed under Fergie & Evans he is played out of his favoured number 10 role & we don't see the best of him ( get rid )

George Cooper , a firm favourite of the chairman & has had a run under Fergie , a rotten apple , part of the Posh drinking culture that saw Jason Cummings ( team wrecker ) & Josh Yorwerth ( serving 4 year ban ) ousted from the club , has ability & potential ( maybe )

Marcus Maddison , the enigma , continually tops the stats for assists most seasons & chips in with a few goals himself , opposition fans HATE him , why , because he throws himself to the ground to gain an advantage & they'd all love him in their team , Sunderland fans have been flirting with him all week , another one who is part of the Posh drinking culture , good for a footballer ( Sunday league ) but NOT for a professional footballer ( Keep ) has a £2.5 million release clause.

Isaac Buckley Ricketts , England Under 19 player , winger , signed for Man City , only signed for Posh if he had a clause saying City could re - sign him when he excelled in Division 1 , not played a game ( get rid )

Mark O'Hara , currently on loan at Lincoln ( who love him ) started brilliantly at Posh , rumoured to have fallen out with Evans , bring back & ( keep )

Loan Players :

Lee Tomlin , an enigma 1st time in a Posh shirt , we're paying 20% of his £30k a week wages for him to remain unfit & generally used as a sub ( get rid )
Kyle Dempsey , back to Fleetwood

Strikers :

Matt Godden ,started the season on fire ( like he does every season ) got niggling injuries & tried to play through the pain barrier , of the 3 strikers probably the 1 that fits for Fergie , tries hard every game , lacks pace ( keep ) bench warmer

Ivan Toney , great start to the season but he doesn't fit the style of Football under Fergie , was superb under Evans winning player of the month for December , done zero since January , plays well as a 2 but can't play the loan striker role ( get rid )

Matty Stevens , youth product , been smashing it up in Under 23 games , fans would like to see him get a run out in the last few games , think Fergie may be warming to this idea + keep )

No names have been mentioned but Posh have already signed 2 players according to our chairman who join on June 1st , we are where I thought we'd be 7th - 9th start of the season , though am pessimistic atm with dull Fergie back for the 3rd time though our chairman does like 2 managers most seasons , fingers crossed eh !!!

 

[Shrimpurh]

My preference for first team players

Happy to keep all those under contact unless mentioned.

GK:
Under Contract:
Mark Oxley
Nathan Bishop

Out of contact:
Ted Smith - Release.

DEF
Under Contract:
Jason Demetriou
Rob Kiernan
Harry Lennon
Harry Kyprianou
Elvis Bwomono

Out of Contract
Ben Coker - Don't think he wants to stay but now he is injured if we offer a deal he'll probably sign it but I think it's time to go - Release.
Stephen Hendrie - Release.
John White - Offer 1 year Deal.
Michael Turner - Release (believe he is retiring anyway)


MID
Under Contract:
Sam Mantom
Tim Dieng (Transfer List)
Michael Kightly (Get rid in anyway shape or form - big wages for nothing)
Stephen McLaughlin (Transfer List)
Dru Yearwood (I would sell if a good offer comes in)
Luke Hyam (Good player in there but plays 45 mins and is out for 3 weeks - Transfer List)

Out of Contract:
Sam Barratt - Year Option available which we should use.
Michael Klass - as above

ATT:
Under Contract:
Stephen Humphrys
Simon Cox
Tom Hopper
Theo Robinson (Pretty sure his loan at Swindon will be made permanent and we'll allow him to go as a free transfer)

All the rest of youth players if they are under contract keep if they are not release.

Loan players returning to parent clubs:
Harry Bunn (Bury) - Wouldn't sign
Taylor Moore (Bristol City) - Would sign but don't think it will happen.
Sam Hart (Blackburn) - Would definitely sign especially if Coker goes.

Clear to see from this list that the midfield is the area which needs attention we have players in there under contract who we totally need to get shot of starting with Michael Kightly

 

[Franchisor]

Only players I would get rid of from our squad:

Lawson D'Ath (MF) - didn't play much of a role, doesn't really add anything to the team, we can do better.

Ryan Harley (MF) - Awful player. Genuinely one of the worst we've ever had. Walks about the pitch, doesn't have any standout abilities as a player, makes the team as a whole look worse.

Robbie Simpson (FW) - Definitely contributed to the season, good substitute to bring on to hold up play and hassle defenders, but he's getting on a bit and I don't think he'll good enough for L1. Doesn't score enough and we can do much better in his position.

Oran Jackson (DF) - Academy graduate who has been a pro for 3 years now. Doesn't look anywhere near the starting XI. Was loaned out to a National League North team and barely played there. His time is up.

Brandon Thomas-Asante (FW) - As with Jackson, academy graduate who has been pro for a few years now. Doesn't score a ton of goals and hasn't been able to break into the starting XI. Likely to be 6th or 7th choice striker next season, so needs to move on for his career.


The rest of our squad are either decent and/or deserve another season to prove themselves either with us or out on loan.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

I expect Marko Marosi to leave as he hasn’t signed a new contract also out of contract are both Danny Andrew and Tommy Rowe both rumoured to be Peterborough bound.

In respect to the rest it will be totally dependent on how we fair in the playoffs.

Paul Downing, Herbie Kane, Malik Wilks and Tyler Smith all loans so they will go back. Ian Lawlor, Kieron Sadlier, Ally Crawford and the mighty Copps all under contract so I can’t see them leaving.
Ben Whiteman, John Marquis, Joe Wright and Tom Anderson also under contract but likely to leave if we fail to gain promotion

 

[Fedora Dale]

Ours is now official:
Only two released: Jordan Williams (the forward version), Brad Inman.

New contracts offered to Matt Done, Jimmy Keohane, Aaron Morley, Kgosi Ntlhe, Olli Rathbone, Brad Wade and Aaron Wilbraham.

Contracts offered to four youngsters - Lewis Bradley, Harrison Hopper, Florent Hoti and Fabio Tavares.

Leaves a squad as follows if they all sign:
GK: Josh Lillis, Brad Wade (2nd year pro)
Def: Ryan McLaughlin, Jimmy Keohane, Jim McNulty, M J Williams, Ryan Delaney, Kgosi Ntlhe, Luke Matheson (16yo but very promising)
MF: Callum Camps, Ollie Rathbone, Stephen Dooley, Aaron Morley (2nd year pro), Dan Adshead (17yo and exceedingly promising) plus Bradley, Hopper and Hoti from the youth team.
Str: Calvin Andrew, Matt Done, Ian Henderson, Alby Wilbraham, Matt Gillam (2nd yr pro), young Tavares.

So if all those offered contracts accept, that's 23 contracted players, including 9 from our youth system. And a large, Ethan Ebanks-Landell shaped, hole on the right side of central defence (if we can't sweet-talk Wolves into letting us have him back, I always quite liked Tafazolli at Posh...)

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Would love both Eubanks-landell and Tafazolli at Rovers.

 

[Franchisor]

Has Ebanks-Landell finally sorted himself out then? He was one of our worst players (probably the worst) when we were relegated. Sheffield United fans thought he was awful too (he was on loan there the year before) and laughed when we signed him saying he was a massive liability, which turned out to be true (short back passes, gave away a few clumsy penalties etc). Scores a fair few goals from CB I suppose.

 

[DippyDon]

Has Ebanks-Landell finally sorted himself out then? He was one of our worst players (probably the worst) when we were relegated. Sheffield United fans thought he was awful too (he was on loan there the year) and laughed when we signed him saying he was a massive liability, which turned out to be true (short back passes, gave away a few clumsy penalties etc). Scores a fair few goals from CB I suppose.

Ebanks-Landell is the perfect footballer from the waist up, he’s brilliant with his head. It’s just a shame that waist down he’s a huge waste of space and can’t use his feet to save his life.

 

[Fedora Dale]

EEL did pretty well for us, forming a "no-nonsense" central defensive partnership with Jim McNulty, which contributed to our defensive improvement under BBM. Good in the air, and enough nouse to hoof it into row z when necessary.

However if Donny are gazumping us on him and Tafazolli, I always thought Oshilaja was fairly useful - wasn't he at Gills a couple of years ago when they had a good season with Dack getting the goals??

 

[joethegill]

However if Donny are gazumping us on him and Tafazolli, I always thought Oshilaja was fairly useful - wasn't he at Gills a couple of years ago when they had a good season with Dack getting the goals??

Yes he was. He was exceptional in his first season with us where we went close to being a promotion side, but the following season he was erratic at best. Did help that his first season he was alongside John Egan, probably the best centre back in the league that season.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

EEL did pretty well for us, forming a "no-nonsense" central defensive partnership with Jim McNulty, which contributed to our defensive improvement under BBM. Good in the air, and enough nouse to hoof it into row z when necessary.

However if Donny are gazumping us on him and Tafazolli, I always thought Oshilaja was fairly useful - wasn't he at Gills a couple of years ago when they had a good season with Dack getting the goals??

Where Did you hear this? Only rumour about us that I’ve heard is the Peterborough goalie whose been transfer listed.

 

[K-Win]

We've released Dion Donohue and Dan Smith. Donohue has been ok for us but just had too many injuries this season. Smith is a young striker who will no doubt head off to non-League.

The majority of our squad are still under contract. The major exception is Nathan Thompson who has an offer but will probably wait to see if something better comes along.

Looking very likely that we will be selling both Matt Clarke and Jamal Lowe. Both big losses but likely to receive sizeable fees so the hope is that Kenny spends it wisely for next season.

 

[K-Win]

Forgot about all our loanees (which is a good indicator of the impact they had!)

Omar Bogle - looked good at times but hampered by various niggling injuries. I'd be surprised if we looked for a permanent deal.

James Vaughan - another one who has a good track record at this level but we didn't see it. Struggled to get in the team and then just seemed to want to get sent off on the few occasions he did. Again - I'd be surprised if we pursued him.

Viv Solomon-Otabor - looked promising but very, very raw. Doubt if we will pursue him.

Lloyd Isgrove - Didn't get on the pitch

 

[Shrimpurh]

Released List:

Ben Coker
Michael Turner
Stephen Hendrie
Norman Wabo
Amadou Ba
Ted Smith

Contract offered to John White
Option taken on Sam Barratt

 

[Kenneth E End]

Omar Bogle - looked good at times but hampered by various niggling injuries. I'd be surprised if we looked for a permanent deal.

Wait wait wait. I thought he was going to rip this league apart?