Joel Dixon - has few fans but still need a decent 2nd choice - Release

MJ Williams - Versatile but we need better  - Release

Kieran Lee - love him but too injury prone this season - Release

Josh Sheehan  - shown flashes of quality but not a Champ player,  can do a job at this level - New contract

George Thomason  - Evatt likes him but he's not in the starting line up - Keep on the hope he gets better.

Lloyd Isgrove -  great servant but time to move on. - Release

Elias Kachunga - I like him (ducks) but when we signed him we had to wait for him to lower his wage demands so expensive.  New contract on less money.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson - when fit he gives us another dimension - New contract.

 

That frees up 4 places plus the returning loans.  10 news players needed on the assumption that Sads is going to be moved on.

Happy with that. I was 50/50 with Lee & Bod due to their injury records but with Bod being a few years younger than Lee, they are probably both correct decisions

Wanderers’ squad details and retained list:

Under contract:

Aaron Morley

George Thomason

Victor Adeboyejo

Ricardo Almeida Santos

Dion Charles

Kyle Dempsey

Jack Iredale

Declan John

George Johnston

Gethin Jones

Cameron Jerome

Kieran Sadlier

Eoin Toal

MJ Williams

Randell Williams

Offered contracts:

Josh Sheehan

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson

Out of contract and released:

Joel Dixon

Lloyd Isgrove

Elias Kachunga

Kieran Lee

Loan players returning to parent club:

James Trafford

Conor Bradley

Luke Mbete

Dan Nlundulu

Shola Shoretire

 

No doubt we got an awful lot out of Lee for somebody who was meant to be injury prone, arrived when we were struggling massively near the bottom of L2 & has been a big part of all the good rebuild of the past three years under Evatt. He was our most intelligent presser along with being the more likely to ghost into the box unmarked to get himself a goal from midfield, just a shame he's not younger but a great player. Even though he could get a good move still he'll most likely rock up at Salford/Stockport to stay local.

Happy we offered new deals to Bod & Sheehan I wanted us to retain them let's see if they accept . MJ had it triggered by apps but not the worst to keep around for depth & to fill in when needed.

I honestly don't think we've quite gone far enough with the cull there. We're not just planning for the next 12 months but potentially for a future in the Championship and we can't afford to be carrying players who won't cut it at that level. 

Nothing against MJ, Sheehan and JDB. They've done good jobs for us. But I think we need to upgrade and progress. It looks like MJ would have been staying regardless given the trigger in his contract. 

I'm glad there was no sentiment with Kachunga. On overall evidence he had to go. I worry that with Jerome, Charles, Adeboyejo and JDB means a full compliment of strikers when it's so clear we need to be better in that area.

On the basis of this (provided new deals are signed by Sheehan and JDB) we need: two new keepers, one right back, one central defender (so that Gethin can genuinely be flexible as the second RB and to replace Aimson/Mbete), two new midfielders. I hope we can create the room for a further striker. 

Pretty happy but don’t see what Sheehan brings to the team! 
Still think John and Sadlier will leave ? 

3 minutes ago, paulhanley said:

I honestly don't think we've quite gone far enough with the cull there. We're not just planning for the next 12 months but potentially for a future in the Championship and we can't afford to be carrying players who won't cut it at that level. 

Nothing against MJ, Sheehan and JDB. They've done good jobs for us. But I think we need to upgrade and progress. It looks like MJ would have been staying regardless given the trigger in his contract. 

I'm glad there was no sentiment with Kachunga. On overall evidence he had to go. I worry that with Jerome, Charles, Adeboyejo and JDB means a full compliment of strikers when it's so clear we need to be better in that area.

On the basis of this (provided new deals are signed by Sheehan and JDB) we need: two new keepers, one right back, one central defender (so that Gethin can genuinely be flexible as the second RB and to replace Aimson/Mbete), two new midfielders. I hope we can create the room for a further striker. 

Nine are gone and John and Sadlier will leave so I reckon we will bring in about 10

7 minutes ago, paulhanley said:

I honestly don't think we've quite gone far enough with the cull there. We're not just planning for the next 12 months but potentially for a future in the Championship and we can't afford to be carrying players who won't cut it at that level. 

Nothing against MJ, Sheehan and JDB. They've done good jobs for us. But I think we need to upgrade and progress. It looks like MJ would have been staying regardless given the trigger in his contract. 

I'm glad there was no sentiment with Kachunga. On overall evidence he had to go. I worry that with Jerome, Charles, Adeboyejo and JDB means a full compliment of strikers when it's so clear we need to be better in that area.

On the basis of this (provided new deals are signed by Sheehan and JDB) we need: two new keepers, one right back, one central defender (so that Gethin can genuinely be flexible as the second RB and to replace Aimson/Mbete), two new midfielders. I hope we can create the room for a further striker. 

I imagine (hope!) Bod, MJ and Sheehan are one-year deals which gives us wiggle room in the next few transfer windows

Nice to see us getting stuff done early. Theres only Kachunga Im upset about leaving.

To release that many so soon suggests the wheels are bang in motion. Brilliant stuff.

Its almost like these coaches and backroom staff have some form of plan that isnt restricted to one season and dont just make it up as they go along

No big surprises in any of that, little bit sad to see Lee go but understandable for all the reasons expressed further up. 

Fine with JDB being re-signed, still the best foil for Charles for me unless a full Summer with Vic leads to him improving/us playing to suit him more. 

I'd try to loan Jerome out for the season to free up another striker spot, hasn't worked and not sure it will. LWB still an issue for me, a lot to sort there, three goes at it and none really convince.  

10 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Nice to see us getting stuff done early. Theres only Kachunga Im upset about leaving.

To release that many so soon suggests the wheels are bang in motion. Brilliant stuff.

Its almost like these coaches and backroom staff have some form of plan that isnt restricted to one season and dont just make it up as they go along

He’s not gonna shag you 😁

17 minutes ago, paulhanley said:

I honestly don't think we've quite gone far enough with the cull there. We're not just planning for the next 12 months but potentially for a future in the Championship and we can't afford to be carrying players who won't cut it at that level. 

Nothing against MJ, Sheehan and JDB. They've done good jobs for us. But I think we need to upgrade and progress. It looks like MJ would have been staying regardless given the trigger in his contract. 

I'm glad there was no sentiment with Kachunga. On overall evidence he had to go. I worry that with Jerome, Charles, Adeboyejo and JDB means a full compliment of strikers when it's so clear we need to be better in that area.

On the basis of this (provided new deals are signed by Sheehan and JDB) we need: two new keepers, one right back, one central defender (so that Gethin can genuinely be flexible as the second RB and to replace Aimson/Mbete), two new midfielders. I hope we can create the room for a further striker. 

All the chat we've had on here about "should he stay, should he go" was seemingly without any of us knowing about that clause.  I wonder when it was triggered - maybe Santos's injury is the reason MJW gets to stay? - and do most players have this?  Pleased for him, assuming he wants to sign a 1 year extension, I bet it was touch and go.

So pleased JDB has been offered a new deal.  I'm assuming he'll sign but even if he doesn't at least I won't be frustrated that we just let him walk away easily. 

Buzzing that he could be starting first game next season, that would literally be a new top signing compared to the team of last few months.

19 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Nice to see us getting stuff done early. Theres only Kachunga Im upset about leaving.

To release that many so soon suggests the wheels are bang in motion. Brilliant stuff.

Its almost like these coaches and backroom staff have some form of plan that isnt restricted to one season and dont just make it up as they go along

I don't think releasing players is getting stuff done early?  There was something on here the other day that said you had to issue a retained list 4 days after your last game.  

Happy with that, best wishes to those leaving, but Lee's age has caught up with him & Kachunga has had plenty chances without ever nailing a place down.

I suspect MJ & Sheehan would have gone if we'd gone up but MJ earned another contract with his successful stint in defence which makes him good cover for several positions & Sheehan,  who i previously thought was too lightweight, earned his spot from Sheff Wed away onwards, where he outplayed Bannan.......with hindsight he should have started at Barnsley ahead of Morley.

Next good job would be to get John out , but i fear we may have to pay him to go.

For those players under contract does anyone know how long is left on those deals?  Another key bit of business this summer I think is to get a few of them re-signed on longer and/or better deals if they only have 12mo left eg Santos, Toal, Dion, Dempsey, Gethin.

Edited May 23, 20233 yr by Bertie

they may have been Offeard Deals 

They may not Sign them 

Interesting that MJ automatically triggered it - I imagine he’ll realise that by the time the window is done he’ll be 6th choice Centre mid (assuming we bring at least one more in) so we might still see him move on if he’d rather have first team football.

3 minutes ago, Eddie said:

Interesting that MJ automatically triggered it - I imagine he’ll realise that by the time the window is done he’ll be 6th choice Centre mid (assuming we bring at least one more in) so we might still see him move on if he’d rather have first team football.

Unless hes our new CB and Santos is off to championship for £3m

6 hours ago, Cheese said:

Keeping Thomason is a no-brainer, unless he's got somewhere else lined up. He's only 22, getting better all the time, and has a great attitude by all accounts.

He's shit remember, league 2 at best.

Despite having a serious injury, not playing much, then impressing in a number of games since returning.

All his fault they were all a bit poor against Barnsley.

Maybe the next scapegoat.

Adds some height to the midfield, has filled out now, shown some leadership characteristics and just needs a pre-season and a run in the team. If he doesn't impress then maybe a decision in a year's time.

As things stand he's capable of playing at this level- just needs to keep maturing and improving.

So 17 players contracted including Sheehan and Bodvarsson - assuming they accept.

I'd expect a squad of 23 for next season. So 6 additions needed. But Sadlier/John probably will probably leave, so make that 8.

2 goalkeepers.

2 RWBs

1 LWB

1 CM

1 FWD

Still leaves one spot to fill, maybe leave that until January to see where we stand with injuries.

1 hour ago, paulhanley said:

I honestly don't think we've quite gone far enough with the cull there. We're not just planning for the next 12 months but potentially for a future in the Championship and we can't afford to be carrying players who won't cut it at that level. 

Nothing against MJ, Sheehan and JDB. They've done good jobs for us. But I think we need to upgrade and progress. It looks like MJ would have been staying regardless given the trigger in his contract. 

I'm glad there was no sentiment with Kachunga. On overall evidence he had to go. I worry that with Jerome, Charles, Adeboyejo and JDB means a full compliment of strikers when it's so clear we need to be better in that area.

On the basis of this (provided new deals are signed by Sheehan and JDB) we need: two new keepers, one right back, one central defender (so that Gethin can genuinely be flexible as the second RB and to replace Aimson/Mbete), two new midfielders. I hope we can create the room for a further striker. 

Let’s get out of this league first, a fit Bod is technically best striker in the league and you won’t get some as good as cheap as him, Sheehan showed some much improved form around the Wembley appearance and is still only 28, MJ will be a squad player, there are other contracted players i would be looking to move on before I got rid of the 3 I’ve mentioned. 

24 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

He's shit remember, league 2 at best.

Despite having a serious injury, not playing much, then impressing in a number of games since returning.

All his fault they were all a bit poor against Barnsley.

Maybe the next scapegoat.

Adds some height to the midfield, has filled out now, shown some leadership characteristics and just needs a pre-season and a run in the team. If he doesn't impress then maybe a decision in a year's time.

As things stand he's capable of playing at this level- just needs to keep maturing and improving.

Squad player next year nothing more, big year for him next year he’s going to have to impress if he’s not going to be moved on. 

8 minutes ago, Mantra said:

So 17 players contracted including Sheehan and Bodvarsson - assuming they accept.

I'd expect a squad of 23 for next season. So 6 additions needed. But Sadlier/John probably will probably leave, so make that 8.

2 goalkeepers.

2 RWBs

1 LWB

1 CM  BASTARD

1 FWD

Still leaves one spot to fill, maybe leave that until January to see where we stand with injuries.

 

2 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

Squad player next year nothing more, big year for him next year he’s going to have to impress if he’s not going to be moved on. 

I’d go with that, not sure what he brings to the table apart from a good engine

1 hour ago, paulhanley said:

I honestly don't think we've quite gone far enough with the cull there. We're not just planning for the next 12 months but potentially for a future in the Championship and we can't afford to be carrying players who won't cut it at that level. 

Nothing against MJ, Sheehan and JDB. They've done good jobs for us. But I think we need to upgrade and progress. It looks like MJ would have been staying regardless given the trigger in his contract. 

I'm glad there was no sentiment with Kachunga. On overall evidence he had to go. I worry that with Jerome, Charles, Adeboyejo and JDB means a full compliment of strikers when it's so clear we need to be better in that area.

On the basis of this (provided new deals are signed by Sheehan and JDB) we need: two new keepers, one right back, one central defender (so that Gethin can genuinely be flexible as the second RB and to replace Aimson/Mbete), two new midfielders. I hope we can create the room for a further striker. 

Do somewhat agree but the only players contracted past the end of next season are:

Santos, Charles, Iredale, Morley, Toal, Thomason, Randell and Victor.

 

So plenty of spaces to fill and upgrade to be ready for the Championship if we do go up next season.