I would go for the following in Jan.
Players to move on (if possible) to free up squad places:
Eastwood
Thornily
Nelson (if injured)
Owen Dale
Ebiowei (Return)
Edwards (another Marcus Browne unfortunately)
Goodwin (loan out)
We need to be ruthless to get a full squad.
We do need to be ruthless, but we also need to be realistic.
I agree with your 'out' list, *if* upgrades are available.
Eastwood isn't taking up a squad place, so his future would be in his hands for me. If he wants to stay and develop his coaching, great. If he wants to try and find another club, he'd be welcome to do that too.
Nelson will depend on his injury, and how that's looking closer to the window. If he's out for two months, he could be coming back by the end of January, but if it's four months...
Ebiowei is a bit of a balancing act. Having spent four months working with him, do you then try and get someone in to replace him with no guarantee that they too won't require the same? Des will know if he's up to it, and if we keep him then we need to back him.
Edwards hasn't done enough for me to earn an extension, unfortunately. Great on his day, but they have been too few and far between - particularly in a squad already carrying a few players who are injury prone (and who are on longer contracts).
Goodwin is a funny one. If we can get in someone who would be challenging straight away for a starting place, then I'd agree. However, if you can't get someone of that calibre to replace him, then I'd rather keep him and continue his development here, than bring in someone else to play the same minutes he is.
