There’s a lot of reasons why we improved towards the latter end of the season, and I wouldn’t put it down to Sam Long;
Eastwood
Karl improved on not making mistakes
Jamie Mackie got fitter
Gavin Whyte improved game on game
Skyes
Kashi
Browne got fitter
Nelson improved
Dickie improved
Mousinho held the midfield together
Sinclair gave us a threat up top
Graham have us balance on the left
Brannagan was able to do what he does best
Consistency
Confidence
There’s no doubt Ruffels and Long did a great job and would be great squad players, but I think we need to strengthen in these positions, especially right back. I think you need modern day full backs to be more successful which unfortunately Long & Ruffels are not, but I like their attitudes in terms of them doing a great job when needed and their personalities.
I’d say that retaining Nelson or finding someone as good is imperative. We need to find that elusive 20+ goals per season striker. Find a left winger similar to Whyte, and a right back. We need to retain Kashi and possibly Browne, not sure about Sinclair (think there might be better).
Players I would retain;
Eastwood, Long, Nelson, Dickie, Ruffels, Whyte, Brannagan, Skyes, Mackie (mainly because of his experience on the pitch and what he brings to the dressing room), Stevens, Baptiste, Hanson (improved latter end of season),
Loan players I’d try to keep;
Kashi, Browne, Graham,
Players I’m not sure about;
Mousinho, Henry, Hall, Sinclair, Raglan,
Players I’d release;
McMahon, Obika, Kelleher, Shearer,
Positions I’d focus on if we keep/retain as above; Right back, left wing, 2x strikers