Contract conundrums

[shefcanary 2,854]

3 hours ago, Feedthewolf said:

New contract for Onel! As ever, let me know if there's anything I miss. I get the feeling this thread is going to be rather busy in the coming months...

GOALKEEPERS (7, 3 on loan)

H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
33 Michael McGovern (born 12.7.84, age 38): signed until 2023 (contract signed in April 2021)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Notts County for 2022/23 season (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Maidstone United for one month (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2023 with club option to 2024 (contract signed in November 2020)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Stevenage Borough for one month (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (12, 2 out on loan)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
H 3 Sam Byram (born 16.9.93, age 29): signed until 2023 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 and on loan to Plymouth Argyle for 2022/23 season (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 inj Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 and on loan to Stevenage Borough for 2022/23 season (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)

MIDFIELDERS (16, 4 out on loan)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
F 21 Danel Sinani (born 5.4.97, age 26): signed until 2023 and on loan to Wigan Athletic for 2022/23 season (contract signed in July 2020)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
H Josh Martin (born 9.9.01, age 21): signed until 2023 and on loan to Barnsley for 2022/23 season with option to buy (contract signed in May 2020)
H 10 inj Kieran Dowell (born 10.10.97, age 25): signed until 2023 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 and on loan to Galatasaray for 2022/23 season (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 and on loan to Derby County for 2022/23 season (contract signed in October 2022)
H 8 Isaac Hayden (born 22.3.95, age 28): signed until 2023 on loan from Newcastle United with obligation to buy based on performance conditions (contract signed in June 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)
13 Marquinhos (born 7.4.03, age 20): signed until 2023 on loan from Arsenal (contract signed in January 2023)

FORWARDS (7, 1 on loan)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
F 22 Teemu Pukki (born 29.3.90, age 33): signed until 2023 (contract signed in July 2019)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 and on loan to Grimsby Town for 2022/23 season (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2023 Pukki, Byram, Sinani, Martin, Dowell, Rose (+1), McGovern, Hayden (loan), Marquinhos (loan) (9 players, 1 with an extra year)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez, (17 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett (5 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

I'm hoping you will not recognise the list by the end of August!

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

Just keeping this up near the top. I think it's safe to assume that none of the nine players whose contracts with us expire this summer will be here next season.

GOALKEEPERS (7, 3 on loan)

H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
33 Michael McGovern (born 12.7.84, age 38): signed until 2023 (contract signed in April 2021)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Notts County for 2022/23 season (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Maidstone United for one month (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2023 with club option to 2024 (contract signed in November 2020)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Stevenage Borough for one month (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (12, 2 out on loan)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
H 3 Sam Byram (born 16.9.93, age 29): signed until 2023 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 and on loan to Plymouth Argyle for 2022/23 season (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 and on loan to Stevenage Borough for 2022/23 season (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)

MIDFIELDERS (16, 4 out on loan)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
F 21 Danel Sinani (born 5.4.97, age 26): signed until 2023 and on loan to Wigan Athletic for 2022/23 season (contract signed in July 2020)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
H Josh Martin (born 9.9.01, age 21): signed until 2023 and on loan to Barnsley for 2022/23 season with option to buy (contract signed in May 2020)
H 10 inj Kieran Dowell (born 10.10.97, age 25): signed until 2023 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 and on loan to Galatasaray for 2022/23 season (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 and on loan to Derby County for 2022/23 season (contract signed in October 2022)
H 8 Isaac Hayden (born 22.3.95, age 28): signed until 2023 on loan from Newcastle United with obligation to buy based on performance conditions (contract signed in June 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)
13 Marquinhos (born 7.4.03, age 20): signed until 2023 on loan from Arsenal (contract signed in January 2023)

FORWARDS (7, 1 on loan)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
F 22 Teemu Pukki (born 29.3.90, age 33): signed until 2023 (contract signed in July 2019)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 and on loan to Grimsby Town for 2022/23 season (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2023 Pukki, Byram, Sinani, Martin, Dowell, Rose (+1), McGovern, Hayden (loan), Marquinhos (loan) (9 players, 1 with an extra year)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez (17 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett (5 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

Right! I'm going to jump the gun, and get rid of all those players that are confirmed to be leaving over the summer. The two loan players are going back to their parent clubs, so the only 'class of 2023' unaccounted for is Joe Rose, for whom we have a one-year option. One presumes that's been activated, seeing as he's not mentioned on the 'released' list?

The squad is looking a great deal thinner now; only 34 on the books in total, 12 of which are Academy players/prospects (Mair, Barden, Rose, McCracken, Warner, Shipley, Hills, Springett, Riley, Clarke, Dickson-Peters, Kamara). I'm not including Omobamidele, Tomkinson, Gibbs, Rowe or Mumba in that, as they're probably considered out-and-out first-teamers now.

So let's look at what's left in terms of our 22 'senior' pros. I've squeezed them into two rough 4-4-2 teams, as follows:

Goalkeepers: Gunn, Krul
Full-backs: Aarons, Mumba, Giannoulis, McCallum
Centre-backs: Hanley, Gibson, Omobamidele, Tomkinson
Defensive/central midfielders: Sorensen, Gibbs, Sara, McLean
Attacking midfielders/wingers: Hernandez, Nunez, Rashica, Placheta
Forwards: Rowe, Tzolis, Sargent, Idah

That doesn't look to me like a squad capable of taking the Championship by storm... it'll be most interesting to see how this summer shapes up.

GOALKEEPERS (6, 2 on loan)

H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Notts County for 2022/23 season (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 and on loan to Maidstone United for one month (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2023 with club option to 2024 (contract signed in November 2020)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (11, 2 out on loan)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 and on loan to Plymouth Argyle for 2022/23 season (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 and on loan to Stevenage Borough for 2022/23 season (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)

MIDFIELDERS (11, 2 out on loan)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 and on loan to Galatasaray for 2022/23 season (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 and on loan to Derby County for 2022/23 season (contract signed in October 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

FORWARDS (6, 1 on loan)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 and on loan to Grimsby Town for 2022/23 season (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2023 Rose (+1) (1 player)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez (17 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett (5 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

[shefcanary 2,854]

@Feedthewolf great minds think alike, I've just updated my analysis of the remaining squad with EFL named squad restrictions in mind (see the Official Not Official Summer Transfer thread!). I've included the returning loaned out players plus the rest of the U21's in this analysis so I have a grand total of 46. However 11 of them are goalkeepers, the average age of all 46 is only 21! The only players over 26 are Krul, Gunn, Giannoulis, McLean, Rashica, Gibson and Hanley. With two of them injured, two goalkeepers, our problem is as much getting some experience in. A competent 28 year old central defensive midfielder would be a good start!

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 4,485]

52 minutes ago, Feedthewolf said:

2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)

How many of those do we expect to see here for the start of the 2024/25 season? My guess is only McCallum.

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

9 minutes ago, shefcanary said:

@Feedthewolf great minds think alike, I've just updated my analysis of the remaining squad with EFL named squad restrictions in mind (see the Official Not Official Summer Transfer thread!). I've included the returning loaned out players plus the rest of the U21's in this analysis so I have a grand total of 46. However 11 of them are goalkeepers, the average age of all 46 is only 21! The only players over 26 are Krul, Gunn, Giannoulis, McLean, Rashica, Gibson and Hanley. With two of them injured, two goalkeepers, our problem is as much getting some experience in. A competent 28 year old central defensive midfielder would be a good start!

We've had one of those all season... unfortunately one of his knees is made out of bread.

I'll check out your findings on the ONOST thread... cheers buddy!

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

4 minutes ago, Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man said:

How many of those do we expect to see here for the start of the 2024/25 season? My guess is only McCallum.

I think Lungi could play more of a part next season, always good to have versatile and hard-working players like him in a squad. We might also extend one of those three young goalkeepers if they show some promise. But I'd imagine Dimi will want away, Gibson will probably be off too, Placheta needs a one-way ticket to somewhere else sharpish, and I'd be amazed (and delighted) if Max is still here when the window closes at the end of August.

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 4,485]

38 minutes ago, Feedthewolf said:

I think Lungi could play more of a part next season, always good to have versatile and hard-working players like him in a squad. We might also extend one of those three young goalkeepers if they show some promise. But I'd imagine Dimi will want away, Gibson will probably be off too, Placheta needs a one-way ticket to somewhere else sharpish, and I'd be amazed (and delighted) if Max is still here when the window closes at the end of August.

I agree with everything except Sorensen. We've been a bit of a soft touch recently, and I think that he and Giannoulis are two of the worst culprits. I'd personally look to move both on for whatever we can get and add that cash to the rebuild kitty. 

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

16 minutes ago, Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man said:

I agree with everything except Sorensen. We've been a bit of a soft touch recently, and I think that he and Giannoulis are two of the worst culprits. I'd personally look to move both on for whatever we can get and add that cash to the rebuild kitty. 

Agree to disagree on that one. I agree in as much as he's not especially physical, but he has successfully covered various positions and seems to have a very good attitude. I'd definitely want to keep him as a squad player if he's happy to be one.

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 4,485]

2 minutes ago, Feedthewolf said:

Agree to disagree on that one. I agree in as much as he's not especially physical, but he has successfully covered various positions and seems to have a very good attitude. I'd definitely want to keep him as a squad player if he's happy to be one.

I'm not doubting his attitude or application, and I feel sorry for him in a way that during his three years here he's spent most of the time out of position. 

He looked fine at left back in a team that was dominating matches and winning nearly every week during the 2020/21 season, but so did Giannoulis.  Both of them seem pretty weak though when the chips are down and they need to dig in.

I fear Nuñez may be turning out to be the same, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt having had to adapt to a new country, language and footballing environment, and the fact that if you play him as a number ten you might be able to get away with it somewhat. 

[KeiranShikari 1,524]

Sorensen is really interesting player and one I hope succeeds next season. I think he's a more technically proficient Tom Trybull. He's sort of a defensive midfielder but not really and we'll only get the best out of him sat next to a proper defensive midfielder.  Obviously for Trybull that was Tettey.

[repman 693]

I think Sorensen's potential versatility is the biggest plus. In this league we're only allowed 7 subs, if you say 1 spot is always taken by a keeper you're only left with 6. If we put a CB and full back on the bench then we're straight away down to 4 spots to cover the centre of midfield, the wings and striker. Sorensen might not be able to fill those holes week in week out but when the max is one game when there might be an injury I'd rather take that risk

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

Just noticed Archie Mair is on the bench for Notts County at Wembley today, after which he'll be returning to us. The only other loan player whose season is still going on is Rashica.

GOALKEEPERS (6)

H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2023 with club option to 2024 (contract signed in November 2020)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (11)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)

MIDFIELDERS (11, 1 out on loan)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 and on loan to Galatasaray for 2022/23 season (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in October 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

FORWARDS (6)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2023 Rose (+1) (1 player)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez (17 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett (5 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

Edited May 14, 2023 by Feedthewolf
Mair's loan finished

[Graham Paddons Beard 2,652]

Thanks Wolfie. 
 

Something has to happen with Max. New contract or chips cashed in. Can’t let him run a contract down that would be a disaster. 

[Samwam27 589]

With Cantwell & now Dowell going for free, the club can't afford to let other players run down their contracts into the final year.

One expects Aarons will go, but will anyone be willing to pay what we want for him. With Mumba, and being linked to/showing (allegedly) Johnston round Colney, it seems they're keen to sell him.

Will be interesting to see if any of those with one year left get extended contracts, or will be sold. Could see some of the youngsters being extended If the club see promise) but hope those like Placheta will be sold, as they've brought nothing to the table, nor will, whilst here

[chicken 3,002]

Thanks Wolfie, I hope people take note of the ages of the vast majority of the squad being under 25.

[Petriix 3,081]

5 hours ago, Feedthewolf said:

2023 Rose (+1) (1 player)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez (17 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett (5 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

Wow, I hadn't looked at the squad since all the departures. What a dog's dinner that is!

The only positives are Mumba, Omobamidele and Sara being on long deals. It's incredible how little quality there is left. 

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

And so it begins! Ashley Barnes in...

GOALKEEPERS (6)
H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2023 with club option to 2024 (contract signed in November 2020)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (11)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)

MIDFIELDERS (11, 1 out on loan)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 and on loan to Galatasaray for 2022/23 season (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in October 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

FORWARDS (7)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)
H Ashley Barnes (born 30.10.89, age 33), signed until 2025 (contract signed in May 2023)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2023 Rose (+1) (1 player)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez, Barnes (18 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett (5 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

[king canary 8,395]

3 hours ago, Feedthewolf said:

2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)

Quite a lot of players we'll need to make big decisions on this summer.

It feels almost certain Aarons will move on this summer- can't risk getting nothing for him in 12 months. Krul similarly if we can't shift him this summer isn't going to be here next year. It also seems like Dimi is on his way.

Do we try and get money for Gibson, give him a new deal or see how he gets on and risk losing him for nothing? Can we find anyone willing to pay anything for Placheta? Is it worth picking up Sorenson's option or should we see if someone wants to pay for him this summer?

[Newtopia 563]

Didn’t we commit to sign a young centre back for Cortiba last December and he was loaned back to get enough appearances for a work permit.  Thalisson Gabriel - I think

[Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 4,485]

On 18/05/2023 at 13:00, king canary said:

Do we try and get money for Gibson, give him a new deal or see how he gets on and risk losing him for nothing? 

He's on a massive wage, so I can't see him leaving for that reason. No other club would be prepared to come close to it, and he isn't going to take a large pay cut out voluntarily. I can see him staying this season and then leaving on a free next summer. Besides, with Hanley out until the autumn and Omobamidele likely to be sold, we could probably do with his experience.

The only other player from the 2024 list that I'd look to tie down is McCallum (although I don't know enough about the three young goalkeepers to comment). He's still inconsistent and a bit raw, but he has potential and he could provide competition to a new first choice.

We need to cash in on Aarons and the rest aren't up to it.

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

1 hour ago, Newtopia said:

Didn’t we commit to sign a young centre back for Cortiba last December and he was loaned back to get enough appearances for a work permit.  Thalisson Gabriel - I think

According to this, they've loaned him out to a fourth-tier club. Doesn't sound too promising.

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

Welcome, Jack Stacey.

GOALKEEPERS (6)
H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2023 with club option to 2024 (contract signed in November 2020)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (12)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
H Jack Stacey (born 6.4.96, age 27): signed until 2026 (contract signed in May 2023)

MIDFIELDERS (11, 1 out on loan)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 and on loan to Galatasaray for 2022/23 season (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in October 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

FORWARDS (7)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)
H Ashley Barnes (born 30.10.89, age 33), signed until 2025 (contract signed in May 2023)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2023 Rose (+1) (1 player)
2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken (10 players, 2 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez, Barnes (18 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett, Stacey (6 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

[CANARYKING 694]

The more I see Idah ( 2028 ) the less sense it makes

[Newtopia 563]

1 hour ago, CANARYKING said:

The more I see Idah ( 2028 ) the less sense it makes

When he scores 15 in a season it will make sense.  Personally I would still loan him out.  His development is more important than our 3 string striker.

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

Rashica's loan has finished, Duffy joins from Fulham, and Joe Rose signs a new deal.

GOALKEEPERS (6)
H 1 Tim Krul (born 3.4.88, age 35): signed until 2024 (contract signed in December 2020)
Y Archie Mair (born 10.2.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
HY Daniel Barden (born 2.1.01, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in March 2021)
H Joe Rose (born 5.11.01, age 21): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2023)
H Jon McCracken (born 24.5.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in February 2022)
H 28 Angus Gunn (born 22.1.96, age 27): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

DEFENDERS (13)
H 15 Sam McCallum (born 2.9.00, age 22): signed until 2024 (contract signed in January 2020)
H 2 Max Aarons (born 4.1.00, age 23): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2019)
HF 5 inj Grant Hanley (born 20.11.91, age 31): signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Bali Mumba (born 8.10.01, age 21) signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 4 inj Ben Gibson (born 15.1.93, age 30): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H Jaden Warner (born 28.10.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2020)
HF 4 Andrew Omobamidele (born 23.6.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2022)
F 30 Dimitris Giannoulis (born 17.10.95, age 27): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2021)
H 45 Jonathan Tomkinson (born 11.4.02, age 21): signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2022)
H Lewis Shipley (born 29.11.03, age 19): signed until 2025 (contract signed in December 2021)
H Brad Hills (born 10.3.04, age 19): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
H Jack Stacey (born 6.4.96, age 27): signed until 2026 (contract signed in May 2023)
H Shane Duffy (born 1.1.92, age 31): signed until 2026 (contract signed in June 2023)

MIDFIELDERS (11)
F 23 inj Kenny McLean (born 8.1.92, age 31): signed until 2025 with club option to 2026 (contract signed in November 2022)
F 25 Onel Hernandez (born 1.2.93, age 30): signed until 2025 (contract signed in April 2023)
19 Jacob Lungi Sørensen (born 3.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
F inj Przemysław Płacheta (born 23.3.98, age 25): signed until 2024 (contract signed in July 2020)
F Milot Rashica (born 28.6.96, age 26): signed until 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)
H 42 Tony Springett (born 22.9.02, age 20): signed until 2026 (contract signed in October 2022)
H 46 Liam Gibbs (born 16.12.02, age 20) signed until 2025 (contract signed in July 2021)
17 Gabriel Sara (born 26.6.99, age 23): signed until 2026 with club option to 2027 (contract signed in July 2022)
F 26 Marcelino Núñez (born 1.3.00, age 23): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2022)
H Regan Riley (born 12.11.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in February 2021)
HY Flynn Clarke (born 19.12.02, age 20) signed until 2024 with club option to 2025 (contract signed in June 2021)

FORWARDS (7)
HF 11 Adam Idah (born 11.2.01, age 22): signed until 2028 (contract signed in February 2023)
H Tom Dickson-Peters (born 16.9.02, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
F 24 Josh Sargent (born 20.2.00, age 23): signed until 2025 (contract signed in August 2021)
F 18 Christos Tzolis (born 30.1.02, age 21): signed until 2026 (contract signed in August 2021)
H 27 Jonathan Rowe (born 30.4.03, age 20): signed until 2025 (contract signed in January 2022)
H Abu Kamara (born 21.7.03, age 19), signed until 2025 (contract signed in October 2021)
H Ashley Barnes (born 30.10.89, age 33), signed until 2025 (contract signed in May 2023)

Finally, here are all the squad members listed by year of contract expiry, with (+1) indicating we have the option of an extra year:

2024 Aarons, McCallum, Płacheta, Krul, Mair, Barden (+1), Gibson, Giannoulis, Sørensen (+1), McCracken, Rose (+1) (11 players, 3 with an extra year)
2025 Rashica, Gunn, Mumba (+1), Hanley, Sargent, Rowe, Warner, Tomkinson, Gibbs, McLean (+1), Dickson-Peters, Kamara, Shipley, Hills (+1), Riley (+1), Clarke (+1) Hernandez, Barnes (18 players, 5 with an extra year)
2026 Tzolis, Omobamidele, Sara (+1), Núñez, Springett, Stacey, Duffy (7 players, 1 with an extra year)
2028 Idah (1 player)

[repman 693]

Thought I'd update this now we've got some names through the door, obviously it will probably look very different come the start of the season but already I think you can see the shift. Shows the age of everyone at the start and end of their contracts, obviously the longer the line the longer the deal. There's quite a lot of players now whose peak years are behind them. Some people would say that's good experience while others would say you're simply paying for past performance.

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

6 minutes ago, repman said:

Thought I'd update this now we've got some names through the door, obviously it will probably look very different come the start of the season but already I think you can see the shift. Shows the age of everyone at the start and end of their contracts, obviously the longer the line the longer the deal. There's quite a lot of players now whose peak years are behind them. Some people would say that's good experience while others would say you're simply paying for past performance.

Thanks for this, Repman – a great addition to the thread. I'd argue that we're actually pretty well balanced and the recent additions of Duffy and Barnes give us some much-needed experience. We've only got seven players aged 30 or over; one of those is our reserve goalkeeper, and three of them are centre backs (one of whom is long-term injured). Then add Barnes (brought in to play a specific and necessary role), McLean (a versatile and dependable squad player) and Onel (a squad player, but currently on his best form in years), and I think the balance is about right.

Obviously a lot will depend on who we're able to hang on to – looking at the figures being bandied about, we'd be looking to recoup comfortably north of £10m for any of our four most saleable assets (Aarons, Omo, Sara and Nunez), so it's just a case of how we use any of the money that comes in. It was also going to be a fascinating summer, and today's announcement regarding Stuart Webber only adds to the intrigue.

[repman 693]

1 hour ago, Feedthewolf said:

Thanks for this, Repman – a great addition to the thread. I'd argue that we're actually pretty well balanced and the recent additions of Duffy and Barnes give us some much-needed experience. We've only got seven players aged 30 or over; one of those is our reserve goalkeeper, and three of them are centre backs (one of whom is long-term injured). Then add Barnes (brought in to play a specific and necessary role), McLean (a versatile and dependable squad player) and Onel (a squad player, but currently on his best form in years), and I think the balance is about right.

Obviously a lot will depend on who we're able to hang on to – looking at the figures being bandied about, we'd be looking to recoup comfortably north of £10m for any of our four most saleable assets (Aarons, Omo, Sara and Nunez), so it's just a case of how we use any of the money that comes in. It was also going to be a fascinating summer, and today's announcement regarding Stuart Webber only adds to the intrigue.

I don't hate the balance per se, though I do think 7 is quite a lot!

I do think it's a problem if most of these are first team players. As you point out they're generally spread out amongst the squad and even at CB there are other issues. My bigger problem is the length of contract we've handed out now to Onel, Barnes and Duffy. I also like the Onel deal less now we're being linked with players like Ince. Also while I agree we probably need experience if we want to be at the top end of the league, this doesn't have to manifest itself as 30+ players. Stacey is a good example of this and looking back, Hanley was only 25 when he joined the club but was certainly an experienced option. The big thing with those 2 examples is that they also had 2/3 years of their peak years left.  

 

[Feedthewolf 5,686]

37 minutes ago, repman said:

I don't hate the balance per se, though I do think 7 is quite a lot!

I do think it's a problem if most of these are first team players. As you point out they're generally spread out amongst the squad and even at CB there are other issues. My bigger problem is the length of contract we've handed out now to Onel, Barnes and Duffy. I also like the Onel deal less now we're being linked with players like Ince. Also while I agree we probably need experience if we want to be at the top end of the league, this doesn't have to manifest itself as 30+ players. Stacey is a good example of this and looking back, Hanley was only 25 when he joined the club but was certainly an experienced option. The big thing with those 2 examples is that they also had 2/3 years of their peak years left.  

It depends what other business we do, I guess. I don't think a two-year contract for either Onel or Barnes is excessive, and Duffy will only be 34 at the end of his contract which isn't especially old for a centre-back. But yes, a couple more in the Stacey mould would probably make more sense at this juncture than more 30-somethings such as Ince. Early days yet.