beyondthefourth
Well-known member
- Joined
- 7 Dec 2017
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I can't see any existing threads about this, but it's getting to that time of year. Robinson confirmed early which players were to be kept and which released last season. Tiger also confirmed on the forum that work had started on next seasons incomings and outgoings.
So I've been thinking lately on what our squad will start to look like next season. That obviously starts with the potential departures, to see where we'll need to strengthen next season. We'll be losing maybe a quarter of our first team squad in the form of returning loans, and several contracts are also up this summer. So I've looked at the various categories where we could see outgoings.
This could change dramatically based on what league we're in next season, but this is based on my optimism that we'll finish somewhere between 14th and 17th at the end of this campaign. Please feel free to correct me on any details I have incorrect regarding contracts or values (or just my opinions, that I'm nuts for thinking X would ever go, or that Y deserves a new contract)
Loans ending:
Browne - Surely a Championship loan out next year.
Carruthers - Doubt we'll see him come back next year.
Garbutt - Might be the summer Everton finally let him go, doubt we'll be in the market to pick him up though.
Graham - Hoping all parties enjoy this loan enough that we'll get him next year - though I'm not optimistic.
Kashi - Potential for Robinson to go for a bod in the summer, he does like him in this league.
Sinclair - If he does moderately well for us this season, we might go for a season loan next year.
Contracts expiring:
Nelson - Seems destined to go to a Championship club this summer once his contract expires.
Obika - Contract up this summer, has had an unfortunate injury record, but has also not performed when fit.
Hall - This is a difficult one. We would absolutely want to keep a fully fit Hall, as he's one of the most technically gifted players in L1. But he's had such an extensive history of injuries, and been out for most of the last 18 months. May be kept on a contract with performance clauses?
Shearer - Seems to be at the end of his career, unless he wants to drop down into non-league. Shearer seems to be a good part of the squad for morale (not an attribute worth an extra wage on the bill, I know), could be trained up and kept on as part of the GK coaching staff? I remember some interest for Wayne Brown earlier this year, he might not be around forever.
Mousinho - I think this contract is up in the summer, but he's been one of our most important players in the holding midfield role. EDIT: One-year extension cause was triggered in December.
Kelleher - I think his contract is expiring this summer? I hope we have an option available. Talked about as a really good defender for being in a struggling L2 team. Even if he's not a Nelson replacement, I'd like to see him in the squad next year. And if Robinson disagress, some L2 clubs will want to come in with a bid for him.
Jonte Smith - Signed on a 6-month deal, I'd think that'll likely be extended if he's been good enough to make the bench lately.
Potential Transfers
Eastwood - Signed a contract extension last summer, but with a release clause coming into effect this year. However he's not being talked about as the same mercurial tones as last year when Celtic and Barnsley were interested, so it may not end up being triggered.
Whyte - People are worried about Whyte going in the summer, but the Belfast shenanigans might be good for us in that case. He's on a multi-year deal, has been performing quietly for us at the wrong end of the table. I just don't see Championship clubs spending millions on someone with that sort of blot on his off-field record. Probably kept for six months/one year until the controversy has been forgotten.
Brannagan - Has performed well this year, might be subject to a few bids, but unless they're in excess of a million, I expect they'll be rejected.
Dickie - Was subject of interest last summer and seemed frustrated at bids being rejected. But like with Eastwood, maybe hasn't stood out that much this year to be subject of new bids. To be kept, especially with Nelsons certain departure.
Baptiste - Long term contract. Had he not sustained the terrible injuries, I'd expect to see some teams show interest. However, unless he's back and dominating matches in early August, I assume we've got him for the forseeable.
Owen James - Might be some interest from higher clubs that saw the news this week and want to get hold of him for their U23 side? However, he's been on our bench several times and will likely want to get his break with us.
So I've been thinking lately on what our squad will start to look like next season. That obviously starts with the potential departures, to see where we'll need to strengthen next season. We'll be losing maybe a quarter of our first team squad in the form of returning loans, and several contracts are also up this summer. So I've looked at the various categories where we could see outgoings.
This could change dramatically based on what league we're in next season, but this is based on my optimism that we'll finish somewhere between 14th and 17th at the end of this campaign. Please feel free to correct me on any details I have incorrect regarding contracts or values (or just my opinions, that I'm nuts for thinking X would ever go, or that Y deserves a new contract)
Loans ending:
Browne - Surely a Championship loan out next year.
Carruthers - Doubt we'll see him come back next year.
Garbutt - Might be the summer Everton finally let him go, doubt we'll be in the market to pick him up though.
Graham - Hoping all parties enjoy this loan enough that we'll get him next year - though I'm not optimistic.
Kashi - Potential for Robinson to go for a bod in the summer, he does like him in this league.
Sinclair - If he does moderately well for us this season, we might go for a season loan next year.
Contracts expiring:
Nelson - Seems destined to go to a Championship club this summer once his contract expires.
Obika - Contract up this summer, has had an unfortunate injury record, but has also not performed when fit.
Hall - This is a difficult one. We would absolutely want to keep a fully fit Hall, as he's one of the most technically gifted players in L1. But he's had such an extensive history of injuries, and been out for most of the last 18 months. May be kept on a contract with performance clauses?
Shearer - Seems to be at the end of his career, unless he wants to drop down into non-league. Shearer seems to be a good part of the squad for morale (not an attribute worth an extra wage on the bill, I know), could be trained up and kept on as part of the GK coaching staff? I remember some interest for Wayne Brown earlier this year, he might not be around forever.
Mousinho - I think this contract is up in the summer, but he's been one of our most important players in the holding midfield role. EDIT: One-year extension cause was triggered in December.
Kelleher - I think his contract is expiring this summer? I hope we have an option available. Talked about as a really good defender for being in a struggling L2 team. Even if he's not a Nelson replacement, I'd like to see him in the squad next year. And if Robinson disagress, some L2 clubs will want to come in with a bid for him.
Jonte Smith - Signed on a 6-month deal, I'd think that'll likely be extended if he's been good enough to make the bench lately.
Potential Transfers
Eastwood - Signed a contract extension last summer, but with a release clause coming into effect this year. However he's not being talked about as the same mercurial tones as last year when Celtic and Barnsley were interested, so it may not end up being triggered.
Whyte - People are worried about Whyte going in the summer, but the Belfast shenanigans might be good for us in that case. He's on a multi-year deal, has been performing quietly for us at the wrong end of the table. I just don't see Championship clubs spending millions on someone with that sort of blot on his off-field record. Probably kept for six months/one year until the controversy has been forgotten.
Brannagan - Has performed well this year, might be subject to a few bids, but unless they're in excess of a million, I expect they'll be rejected.
Dickie - Was subject of interest last summer and seemed frustrated at bids being rejected. But like with Eastwood, maybe hasn't stood out that much this year to be subject of new bids. To be kept, especially with Nelsons certain departure.
Baptiste - Long term contract. Had he not sustained the terrible injuries, I'd expect to see some teams show interest. However, unless he's back and dominating matches in early August, I assume we've got him for the forseeable.
Owen James - Might be some interest from higher clubs that saw the news this week and want to get hold of him for their U23 side? However, he's been on our bench several times and will likely want to get his break with us.
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