Not really, but worth a think about, just to cheer us up, especially after recent comments about crocks and old-stagers getting way-too-long contracts. Here's my offering, waaaay to light on the release side you'll no doubt say, the issue is if you can't get rid you might as well hold onto players for cover.
anyone?
For those with contracts up in the summer
Darren Bent release, thanks for your early efforts Darren and for the comedy og v Chelsea
Chris Baird retain. This goes against the general grain which is to release, I still see a fill-in role for the old-stager.
Jason Shackell - release
Kelle Roos retain if theres confidence he can fill in for a lengthy period
For those with 2019 Contracts
Craig Bryson retain and put him back in the first team
Andreas Weimann - retain
Jacob Butterfield release unless theres been some quantum shift since he went to SW. My SW fan mate says there hasnt
Bradley Johnson regrettably, retain
Nick Blackman release or allow to stay at Maccabe if its costing us nil wages
Marcus Olsson retain if we cant find anything better
David Nugent retain and tell him to go find his scoring boots
Curtis Davies retain X10
Tom Huddlestone - retain
Alex Pearce retain as cover, IMO lacks skill not heart
Joe Ledley - retain
Cameron Jerome good idea gone bad. Release
For those with 2020 contracts
Matej Vydra retain X10
Ikechi Anya release, or see if Kansas City will swap him for Johnny Russell
Chris Martin Blimey, there was a time when hed be top of my retain list but his apparent moody demeanour and GRs preference re formation says release
Scott Carson - retain X10
Craig Forsyth release. Not the same since returning
George Thorne Not sure where GR is going with someone who is clearly struggling to get back to his best, release
Mason Bennett retain for cover if hes cheap on the wage bill
Jamie Hanson as above, although the new contract makes any comment irrelevant
For those with 2021 contracts
Andre Wisdom - retain
Jonathan Mitchell See Kelle Roos. Perm 1 from 2
Richard Keogh retain X 2
For those with 2022 contracts
Tom Lawrence retain and to coin the old phrase put a rocket up him
For those on loan
Sam Winnall retain if possible
Kasey Palmer release, we already have one showboater and Ill never forgive him for that free kick against Leeds
So by my reckoning, the following line up will start 2018/2019 in capitals is who will be playing regardless of the few signings we may make, lower case and they will hopefully be improved upon over the summer. Complete midfield available for sale anyone?
CARSON
WISDOM DAVIES KEOGH Baird
Johnson Bryson Ledley
LAWRENCE VYDRA Wiemann
Nugent
After recent performances it makes depressing reading.