Should they stay or should they go?

[Tom_CUFC]

Because our medical staff told us Barry Corr would be fit in August, and he came back in February and has started the grand total of one game (last Saturday).

That's not all of it, but it's a lot of it.

 

[hellogregory]

Was going to wait until the end of the season to do this but fuck it, my mind is made up with most of this shower of dog shit.

The players in italics are out of contract in the summer.

Goalkeepers
Mark Gillespie - New contract
Max Crocombe - Release

Defenders
Tom Miller - Keep
Alex McQueen - Release
Michael Raynes - New contract
Shaun Brisley - Transfer list
Mark Ellis - Transfer list
Danny Grainger - New contract
Patrick Brough - Release

Midfielders & Wingers
Mike Jones - Keep
Luke Joyce - Release
James Bailey - Release
Jason Kennedy - New contract
Gary Liddle - Keep
Nicky Adams - Keep
Jamie Devitt - Keep
John O'Sullivan - Keep
Reggie Lambe - Release
Joe Ward - Release
Samir Nabi - Release (may change mind if I see more of him because he did well in his one appearance so far)

Strikers
Jabo Ibehre - New contract
Shaun Miller - Transfer list
Ben Tomlinson - Release
Junior Joachim - Release
James Hooper - Release



I know that is ruthless and other CUFC fans might think I'm being harsh and over reacting, but this team really is shit and the majority of it needs cleared out and replaced with better quality. There are 11 players there who I think are worth keeping whether that be new contracts or already under contract.... the rest can fuck off.

Gillespie is a good keeper, but mistakes are creeping into his game more frequently. Needs some decent competition so I'd keep him and make sure someone decent is signed to compete with him.

The defence needs defenders who can actually defend and distribute, full backs who don't get roasted on the turn as alternatives to Grainger and Miller. Raynes I'd keep, he's the best of what we've got, he's great in the air but he needs someone decent alongside him.

The midfield is full of experience but needs a sprinkling of youthful energy in there to go with what we have. Harsh on Joyce maybe but with Liddle and Jones under contract Joyce has to make way. Lambe needs replaced with someone with a bit more aggression and pace, someone who can actually beat a man.

As for strikers, Shaun Miller has been shit, maybe Morecambe will take him back. He doesn't work hard at all, he's lazy and very wasteful in front of goal.
Jabo is the only one I'd want to keep. I'd want us to bring in 2 new strikers who would be ahead of him, but Jabo is a very useful option to have at this level.

As for the players we have on loan, I wouldn't be interested in Gillesphey or Waring, neither are good enough. I'd be interested in Proctor, he's struggled of late but I think he'd thrive with better players who can do more than just smash the ball straight at him or straight above him from any angle. His Bolton wages might be a stumbling block however.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Since I originally posted a fair amount of our players are now contracted to the club for next season.

Under Contract - Ben Garratt, James Jones, Chris Dagnall, George Cooper, Zoumana Bakayogo, Daniel Udoh, Charlie Kirk, Ryan Wintle, Callum Ainley, Tommy Lowery.

Offered new deal - Jon Guthrie (will probably reject and move down South)

Out of contract but likely to be offered new deals - George Ray, Perry Ng, Danny Hollands (fitness dependent)

Out of contract and likely to be released - Ollie Turton, Billy Bingham, Ben Nugent, Callum Saunders, Oli Finney, Dave Richards, Andy Dawber

Loanees sent back - Jordan Bowery (may still come back) Callum Cooke, Alex Kiwomya

Definitely being released - Harry Davis

Once safety is 100% secure I expect Ray to sign his contract immediately and a few of the younger lads to get a go in the side. Also cannot wait for the departures of Turton and Bingham!

 

[huddsmoose]

I'm wondering why Cambridge aren't higher up the league when you look at the above. Their squad appears to be littered with talent that are "best in the league", plenty of "excellent and dominant", "top quality at this level", "highly rated", "different class".

Why aren't they in the promotion places? Should you be looking at your manager and asking why he hasn't turned this group of phenomonal talents into a promotion winning squad?

A lot of our fans do want Derry gone (over 50% according to the running message board poll), which seems harsh considering we're 2 points off the playoffs but frankly, our squad has under acheived.

Norris, Legge, Halliday, Dunk, Berry, Mingoia, Corr, Ikpeazu are all very good Lg2 players.

The other issue is recruitment; unfortunately our recent signings have mostly been underwhelming and we haven't plugged the gaps in our squad with any quality; choosing to spunk fees and 3 year deals on players who, so far at least, look like jobbing reserves at best.