Retained list

[LeftPeg_Pie]

I think Sam Austin has been a victim of circumstance really, he is very much a competent squad player that can be an asset due to the number of positions he can fill, however, we are already carrying too many squad fillers in the midfield options with Hinchy and Edwards for starters being under contract. Neither are as good as Austin.

Comparing Hinchy and Austin is odd as they simply do not play in the same position.

Edwards is slightly more comparable as when he has played he has generally been deployed in a 10 role. Edwards is better suited to a more traditional CM role, but Abbott and Palmer have been selected to play there.

If you are comparing Austin to anyone based on positions played this year, you are comparing him against Gordon, Tsaroulla, Jones and Jarvis. He is probably joint fourth or fifth choice there.

I actually think it?s a shame he wasn?t tried as a 10 as tactically Austin is superb and his movement is very good.

Im sad to see Austin go, but it is time to push one once again.

[KCNotts]

Starting to wonder if Morais has got some dirt on the owners! Not even made him available for transfer!. An absolutely baffling contract.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Starting to wonder if Morais has got some dirt on the owners! Not even made him available for transfer!. An absolutely baffling contract.

He's probably really cheap

[Notts_fan_Ken]

On players under contract who aren't good enough but haven't been made available for transfer... maybe they're waiting on a new head coach, so everyone is on the same page.

Or is that wishful thinking? Obviously, player recruitment and contracts are not a head coach's job. But he does have at least some say. Ensuring everyone is happy at the start of a new tenure is just common sense.

[Elite_Pie]

To me that retained list means the recruitment team have a very big job on their hands this summer. The defence looks fairly solid, but the midfield is severely lacking physicality and creativity, and the strikeforce looks short on options and goals. If McGoldrick doesn't renew, we have lost our two best players (three if you count Crowley). There are some very large gaps to fill, and if we persist on taking a punt on 'players for the future' I think we can write next season off. We need guaranteed first teamers, not squad fillers.

[Elite_Pie]

Further to that, this season our average attendance was over 2,000 more than any other club that will play in League 2 next season. I hope our budget reflects that, because our attendances won't last if we are happy to be a 'sustainable' League 2 club.

[SmiffyPie]

To me that retained list means the recruitment team have a very big job on their hands this summer. The defence looks fairly solid, but the midfield is severely lacking physicality and creativity, and the strikeforce looks short on options and goals. If McGoldrick doesn't renew, we have lost our two best players (three if you count Crowley). There are some very large gaps to fill, and if we persist on taking a punt on 'players for the future' I think we can write next season off. We need guaranteed first teamers, not squad fillers.

I agree completely and I would also suggest that if they do continue taking that punt there will be a fair degree of disillusionment surfacing. I can live with a complete rebuild across midfield this close season followed by a forward rebuild at the end of next season and it seems logical for a sensible ownership to do the complete rebuild over three close seasons but that would be about it for me. Intentions will be fairly obvious over the next couple of months.

[eastwoodmagpie]

I'd add Grant, Hinchy, Gordon and Traore. But we will see.

Yes would add Grant (only one good game all season at Accrington, goes missing, not sure why he got picked so often)

[SwalePie]

I think Sam Austin has been a victim of circumstance really, he is very much a competent squad player that can be an asset due to the number of positions he can fill, however, we are already carrying too many squad fillers in the midfield options with Hinchy and Edwards for starters being under contract. Neither are as good as Austin.
I was sure last summer Edwards was only given a one year deal when we announced his signing.
There are far too many under contract that have flattered to deceive this past season with their performances and I am surprised some of those under contract have not been made available for transfer.

I'm pretty sure Curtis Edwards has another year on his contract

[i961pie]

Further to that, this season our average attendance was over 2,000 more than any other club that will play in League 2 next season. I hope our budget reflects that, because our attendances won't last if we are happy to be a 'sustainable' League 2 club.

If we sacked SM and made an exciting appointment that the fans liked it could make a massive difference in season ticket sales.