Who’s for the chop then?

[Chris Black come back]

In the McCann set up the wide players make or break the system. Adelakun needs to be paired with another left winger who does put in the yards. You can interchange them as the game demands. Not sure we have the complimentary option on the left though.

[Metalmicky]

Buy in Lee, TLT or Clark, extend Haks contract by at least one season (He will be important next season having had a pre season, quote from GM) Lose Sbarra, Westbrooke, Hurst, Hanlan (transfer listed) Faulkner, , Flint, Close, Gibson (transfer listed). Hopefully that gives enough slack to recruit two strikers another goalie (or get TLT on loan again) and an attacking midfielder

Not sure Lee will be signing any time soon and also not sure that TLT or Clark will be back either... Byrne (not mentioned) may return though as he will be on a free I believe...

I can't argue with many of the others on that list, although I think GM will keep one from either Flint or Faulkner.  Gibson is pony, Hanlon tries but his touch is dire and although Close has some quality, I think he's not in the plans..

[selby]

  He needs to keep both Flint and Faulkner who is his best defender, and will is the most accomplished on the ball and technically at the club, and can play midfield as well as along the back four.
  I have no faith he will and we will sign and give chances to players already here not in their class.

[pib]

I like Faulkner, and haven't seen much of Flint, but I'd pose that it's a bit of a stretch to say they are the "best defender" and "most accomplished on the ball and technically" at the club.

They have made 0 League One appearances between them. I think they have a bit of a way to go to prove the above statements, as promising as they both may be.

[Reg of the Rovers]

What we're talking about is getting the best out of our budget, so it's not really McGrath v Flint or Faulkner, it's is McGrath worth double or maybe triple in wages as those two added together - as an addition to our squad. I think the answer is no.

Two players for one position hasn't worked - it's meant two bang average players for most positions, instead of one good one. We need one very good player for each position, and a balanced plan for cover e.g. Bailey type players who can cover a multitude of positions to manage injuries, and pragmatic cover from the bench, which Flint and Faulkner would both be - given that they're really flexible, promising and reliable, and best of all pretty cheap.

We also need to decide how we want to play. Inverted wide men? Then goodbye Middleton. High tempo press? Goodbye Close and Broadbent, and keep Clifton. Lone front man, as part of a flexible 4-3-3 / 4-5-1? We need to spend some time, effort and money getting the right profile player a la Street, and keep Hanlan as cover.

[craigdrfc]

What we're talking about is getting the best out of our budget, so it's not really McGrath v Flint or Faulkner, it's is McGrath worth double or maybe triple in wages as those two added together - as an addition to our squad. I think the answer is no.

Two players for one position hasn't worked - it's meant two bang average players for most positions, instead of one good one. We need one very good player for each position, and a balanced plan for cover e.g. Bailey type players who can cover a multitude of positions to manage injuries, and pragmatic cover from the bench, which Flint and Faulkner would both be - given that they're really flexible, promising and reliable, and best of all pretty cheap.

We also need to decide how we want to play. Inverted wide men? Then goodbye Middleton. High tempo press? Goodbye Close and Broadbent, and keep Clifton. Lone front man, as part of a flexible 4-3-3 / 4-5-1? We need to spend some time, effort and money getting the right profile player a la Street, and keep Hanlan as cover.

Pretty much how I see it too!!!

[Alan Southstand]

Nice post Reg and it’s saved me a lot of typing! It’s easier to discuss who we think needs to go and what we need as upgrades but I’m afraid the crunch comes at Grant’s meeting with Terry and Gavin. If the budget is not there then we’re all going to have to downgrade our expectations.

Grant has already started shooting from the hip with his comments about us aiming for promotion next season. I suppose he has to drum up a bit of optimism to get people investing in season tickets.

We wait with baited breath!

[Metalmicky]

Flaming heck Alan - the season hasn't even finished yet and you're already baited... 

[Upton Rover]

You have a good case with every player for the chop, but we know that's not going to happen, keep the cheapest get rid of the deaeest

[Alan Southstand]

Flaming heck Alan - the season hasn't even finished yet and you're already baited... 

My breath is. No harm in that.
I’d be overjoyed if we get what we want and get rid of those that allegedly don’t measure up, but the missing link to all the comments is whether we can actually afford it!
How much do you think 2 strikers are going to cost, or, more pertinent, 2 good strikers for the level we’re at? Add to those a CB, a keeper and a midfielder or 2 and it adds up to a lot of pounds, and I’m not even talking about transfer fees (as we spend very little on those), just in wages.
It will be nice to get some positive feedback from the big 3’s meeting, of course it would. All I’m saying is a lot of talk has come from Grant, so far, but how he can make statements on going for anything next season, without having prior knowledge of what Gavin and Terry want is beyond me.
Hopefully, we all get what we want!

[Avsuptem]

Nice post Reg and it’s saved me a lot of typing! It’s easier to discuss who we think needs to go and what we need as upgrades but I’m afraid the crunch comes at Grant’s meeting with Terry and Gavin. If the budget is not there then we’re all going to have to downgrade our expectations.

Grant has already started shooting from the hip with his comments about us aiming for promotion next season. I suppose he has to drum up a bit of optimism to get people investing in season tickets.

We wait with baited breath!

My breath is coming in short pants.

[Janso]

You have a good case with every player for the chop, but we know that's not going to happen, keep the cheapest get rid of the deaeest

Christ, the "cheap option" b*llocks begins before the window even opens.

[GazLaz]

Bobby outstanding again for Harrogate.

[Chris Black come back]

Bobby outstanding again for Harrogate.

Are you Selby
Are you Selby
Are you Selby in disguise

[GazLaz]

Bobby outstanding again for Harrogate.

Are you Selby
Are you Selby
Are you Selby in disguise

I’m Bobby’s second biggest fan on here. A distant second admittedly. I think he’s going to be a good player and I’d be disappointed if he gets released. I’m certain he’s better than Jay. 

[NickDRFC]

Must have been a shift in the political landscape to allow him back into the side.

On a serious note, good news and hope he has another good game next week. Harrogate have half a chance of pulling off mission impossible now.

[Chris Black come back]

Admittedly he is hardly an untested teenager but I can't recall many or indeed any of our younger lads being loaned out to a league side. Even one as poor as Harrogate. That in itself must say something about our desire to retain the lad.

[Chris Black come back]

Bailey and Molyneux have scored almost half of our league goals this season.

[keyser_soze]

McCann in with the players from 8.15 this morning for some frank discussions . Great to hear we have many 1 year options in deals and the ball is in our court in most cases (apart from Senior)

Also good that this business is getting done early this year.

[mushRTID]

Was just thinking, I wonder who’s already been in for the chop!

[selby]

  There's only one Selby
  There's only one Selby

[Shawn_drfc]

To go I reckon:
Zander Clark
TLT
James Maxwell
Neill Byrne
Jay McGrath
George Broadbent
Zain Westbrook
Ben Close
Joe Sbarra
Jordan Gibson
Glenn Middleton
Kyle Hurst
Elliot Lee
Billy Sharp

Combined, that’s a lot of wages cleared! Also be a transfer fee for McGrath to add into the pot. Expect us to add some real quality over quantity this summer.

I agree with most but I don't see McGrath or Middleton going anywhere personally.

Could be wrong but this McGrath had a season where been a bit of an awakening but still young + will get better.

Middleton think has suffered from not having a proper striker up top, there were game he came on and looked amazing, but then games he hasn't got on the pitch so I'm not sure.

[Shawn_drfc]

Bobby outstanding again for Harrogate.

2 starts, 2 wins and 2 clean sheets and Harrogate out the drop zone.

He has looked really good for them as well, I'm probably third in the fan club.

[keyser_soze]

I reckon:

Loans expiring:
Zander Clarke
Elliot Lee
Neil Byrne
TLT


Option taken up:
Harry Clifton
George Broadbent
James Maxwell

Contract offered:
Jack Senior

Released:
Jordan Gibson
Kyle Hurst
Joe Sbarra
Zain Westbrook
Ben Close
Billy Sharp


I think there is enough leaving that Broadbent Clifton and Maxwell be retained as squad players and so we don’t totally rebuild the midfield. Plenty of space has been freed up with Sbarra Westbrook and Close leaving.

I think we need a better defence, with Pearson McGrath and Grehan under contract will make it difficult to offer Byrne and still bring in new blood.

I guess there may be shocks where contracted players aren’t happy with the idea of potential reduced playing time asking to leave. Gibson perhaps the most bordeline of the above as he has certainly been in and around the team all season.

[The Red Baron]

I think Maxwell will leave, but otherwise that seems reasonable to me.

[Chris Black come back]

Some of these are contracted next season, some are not, but he needs to make a call on whether any of these lads are going to have a chance next season as they have all had multiple loans: Faulkner, Flint, Straughan-Brown and Williams. The two young keepers he has said will be kept and loaned again but the outfield group is less clear. They cannot have yet another season on loan. Either we think they have a future or not.

[Danmckay456]

Saturdays squad could be a clear indicator for who’s been told they are on their way , with Gibson close Maxwell not making last Saturdays squad if they aren’t in the squad this week that tells its own story

[selby]

  I hope a lot on here with their ideas of football skills don't take on their kids Sunday morning teams.

[NickDRFC]

Some of these are contracted next season, some are not, but he needs to make a call on whether any of these lads are going to have a chance next season as they have all had multiple loans: Faulkner, Flint, Straughan-Brown and Williams. The two young keepers he has said will be kept and loaned again but the outfield group is less clear. They cannot have yet another season on loan. Either we think they have a future or not.

Williams is 18 and SSB is 19, of course they can have another season on loan. Even Flint, at 20, arguably could. Faulkner will be 22 by the time the season starts so feels like a critical juncture for him.

[streathamdave]

I would be inclined to keep Maxwell. He has clearly lost his first team spot though so will need to be prepared to fight for it back. I've seen enough in him to think that's possible. Good left sided plyers are rare and as a result getting in someone better may not be that easy.