Retained / released list

[tenacres]

Guessing this could well be out this week.

Last season it came out 3 days after the final game.

Course there will always be a few who we can’t yet say they are retained or released yet, so that may delay the list a little.

Think professional contracts run till June 30 so I guess if we release a player now and they get quickly signed by another club we might be able to save a few £££ in wages (probably unlikely though)

[usspitfire]

I would be happy if we retained the entire squad, as long as we had someone on the touchline who knew how to get the best out of them.

[hantslondoner]

I wouldn't.

Although there's probably a lot going on behind the scenes that I don't know about.

[hey55]

I think there probably is

[Will]

Personally I feel it's time we moved on completely from McCallum/Maguire/Quigley and look to rebuild our attack, with pace and youth at the forefront. In Semenyo and Vokins we've a couple of promising attack-minded fullbacks, and Shade and Sotona (who appears to be nearing recovery) could be real threats if used as proper wingers. I'd like to see us abandon five at the back and move to a more adventurous 433 or 4231. Central defence we're well covered with four perfectly capable options. Angel has a great work rate, but he's not the man to control the midfield, so if we could add a real ball-dominant midfield general into the above mix alongside him, plus someone with a bit of creativity to link midfield and attack (this could be Maguire if he were able to rediscover his earlier form for us) and a good finisher up front then I don't think we'd be far off genuine playoff/promotion contention, and hopefully a LOT more exciting to watch and get behind as fans.

[hantslondoner]

May 6, 2025 8:55:51 GMT Will said:

 if we could add a real ball-dominant midfield general into the above mix alongside him, plus someone with a bit of creativity to link midfield and attack....  and a good finisher up front then I don't think we'd be far off genuine playoff/promotion contention




That midfield thing is something I've been banging on about for 2-3 years, and a thing which successive managers have failed to address.

Gape and Close have been brought in on loan this season for short periods (not at the same time) and we improved when they were there.   
Macca's a good finisher and did well early on in the season but for some reason hasn't played enough or had the service since.

[hey55]

As an aside, what happened to Maher, how badly is he injured ?

[davep]

May 6, 2025 8:55:51 GMT Will said:

Personally I feel it's time we moved on completely from McCallum/Maguire/Quigley and look to rebuild our attack, with pace and youth at the forefront. In Semenyo and Vokins we've a couple of promising attack-minded fullbacks, and Shade and Sotona (who appears to be nearing recovery) could be real threats if used as proper wingers. I'd like to see us abandon five at the back and move to a more adventurous 433 or 4231. Central defence we're well covered with four perfectly capable options. Angel has a great work rate, but he's not the man to control the midfield, so if we could add a real ball-dominant midfield general into the above mix alongside him, plus someone with a bit of creativity to link midfield and attack (this could be Maguire if he were able to rediscover his earlier form for us) and a good finisher up front then I don't think we'd be far off genuine playoff/promotion contention, and hopefully a LOT more exciting to watch and get behind as fans.

Quigley's time is probably up. Maguire isn't a 90 minute player any more but is still a very talented footballer- if he accept a smaller role and wage packet then another year makes sense. I guess McCallum had his contract extended when FGR came in for him, I'm in favour of trying to get the best out of him. We need a midfielder that gets beyond the opposition back 4 and we have to stop playing Shade at wing back.

[kw]

May 6, 2025 13:52:06 GMT hey55 said:

As an aside, what happened to Maher, how badly is he injured ?

Had his surgery recently can imagine will be out till around November

[kw]

***No contract detail is confirmed, I'm basing it off the fact 3 year deals are really rare at this level and assuming players are on a 1 year or 2 year deal***

Joe McDonnell - Last contract extension was 2 years ago likely out of contract, down year I really wouldn't mind looking elsewhere
Richard Brindley - Signed a two year deal
Jake Vokins - Would imagine was given a one year 'prove it deal' to showcase talent and get back into the EFL, injury derailed that hope we keep him
Lloyd Humphries - Paid a fee for him would be surprised if he was only given a one year deal
Luis Fernandez -  Paid a fee for him would be surprised if he was only given a one year deal(Dad pretty much confirmed he is signed on for next year)
Ludwig Francillette - End of 2 year contract, been a rock I would keep
Chris Maguire - End of two years, up and down tis year, performance picked up the last few weeks. I personally would not keep him but can see the argument to keep
Jake Taylor - End of two years, Just won managers player favored by KD, wouldn't be surprised if he is around next year
Paul McCallum - Signed on till 2026
Tyrese Shade - Would have been really silly of us to only give him a one year deal, needs to be at the club next season for any slither of hope.
Deji Sotana -  Paid a fee for him would be surprised if he was only given a one year deal
Tommy Scott - Out of contract last year, probably only given a years deal, hasn't played, doesn't really matter if he stays or goes
Lee Hodson - End of 2 years. Let Go
Solomon Nwabuokei - End of 2 years, Solid when KD first came in, shame about injury this year. I would like to see him stay
Angel Wairuh - Can imagine on a one year deal after being released from Brentford, just won young player, can see an extension
Corey Panter - Out of contract last year, similar to Scott probably only given one year. Again don't mind what happens. However, KD does like a left footed CB and with Maher out can see him staying
Scott Quigley - Out of contract, hardly been around . Let Go
Noa Boutin - Loan, Try to get back
Ben Close - Loan, Try to get back
Jai Semenyo - Similar to Angel however, I rate Jai highly feel he should be our starting RB next year
Rekeil Pyke - Loan - played a total of 101 minutes before getting injured. Don't try to get back
Joe Ryan - Youth, keep
Connor Underhill - Youth, keep
Niall Maher - Likely a 2 year deal - injury may keep him out a while 
Nathan Tshikuna - brought in with not long of the season left would be surprised to see him go
Malachi Dotse- End of contract, obviously not liked by KD, will likely be released 
Nathan Rogers - Youth, keep

let me know your thoughts 

[callumefc]

Gape released by Shrewsbury

[kw]

Brindley, Dotse, Fernandez, Maher, McCallum, Shade under contract - options triggered for Humphries, Vokins, Wairuh In talks with - Francillette, Taylor, Tshikuna, Underhill, Released - Hodson, Maguire, McDonnell, Nwabuokei, Panter, Quigley, Rogers, Semenyo, Scott, Sotana


Big clear out only 2 I am a bit upset about is Semenyo and Sotana.

[Will]

May 7, 2025 19:06:19 GMT kw said:

Brindley, Dotse, Fernandez, Maher, McCallum, Shade under contract - options triggered for Humphries, Vokins, Wairuh In talks with - Francillette, Taylor, Tshikuna, Underhill, Released - Hodson, Maguire, McDonnell, Nwabuokei, Panter, Quigley, Rogers, Semenyo, Scott, Sotana


Big clear out only 2 I am a bit upset about is Semenyo and Sotana.

Gutted to see those two go, as aside from Shade they're the only ones who offer any real pace or excitement in the squad, and especially Sotona who we never got to see give it a go.

Joe's been a great servant over the years, critical that we bring in a solid keeper to replace him. Panter leaving is somewhat disappointing, but we're pretty strong in central defence I guess. Taylor baffling as ever, but entirely unsurprising.

Key question now is who we bring in, as there are a lot of gaps to fill..... will KD opt for young hungry players (potentially from the league below as mentioned in the York example) or stick with tried/trusted (and ageing) vets? I really hope the former, but fully expect the latter.

[usspitfire]

Agree about Semenyo & Sotana. Also surprised & disappointed about Joe. If we weren't going to keep him, why didn't we give Scott a couple of games at the end of the season? We will have to go some to upgrade from Joe. Puzzled but not surprised about Taylor. Assuming all those contracted & options triggered stay, and all those in talks re-sign, we still have some major work to do after releasing almost 1/2 the squad. This revolving door of rebuilding every season doesn't do us any favors.

[slewmcg]

I don’t mind Taylor, I’m not sure I’d have him as our main centre mid but he’s fairly consistent and chips in with the odd goal. Wonder whether the club didn’t want to take the risk on Sotana and Sol with their injuries. Might not come back from them so can see why they haven’t.

Sad to see McDonnell go but it’s probably time to try someone new, his distribution has never been good and he’s made some telling errors this season.

I think that’s just the way of non league, new squad every season. I wouldn’t say it is to our detriment as every club at this level seems to do it. Look at Yorks rebuild this season