My retained list..

Or, in simple terms, a list of every player and what I'd 'try' and do with them over Summer.



Luke Steele - Retain.

Iain Turner - Retain.

Christian Dibble - Retain.



Bobby Hassell - Retain.

Tom Kennedy - Release/Terminate contract/Sell/Get shut.

Lewin Nyatanga - Retain.

Martin Cranie - Sell.

Jean-Yvés M'Voto - Retain.



Jim O'Brien - Retain.

Stephen Dawson - Release/Sack.

Liam Lawrence - Retain.

Jacob Mellis - Release.

Martin Woods - Release.

Emanuel Frimpong - Release.

Paul Digby - Retain.

Kelvin Etuhu - Retain.

Tomasz Cywka - Release.

Dale Jennings - Sell.

Paddy McCourt - Release.



Reuben Noble-Lazarus - Retain.

Danny Rose - Retain.

Chris O'Grady - Sell.






I haven't included the likes of Abbott, Sousa, Clark, Oates or Patterson as despite being on pro contracts, we've seen nothing of them and so how can you judge them? I'll leave decisions regarding them to Danny and his coaching staff. Similarly, I've no idea what the likes of Shillito, Jones and Cofie have been up to or if they're still here so again, s'up to Danny and co.
I haven't included the new kids getting deals, McHale, Nana, Smith, Maris etc. I'm hoping they, and some of the others mentioned of a young age are at least in and around the first team next season, on the bench or whatever. If they fail, fair enough. But they need time/chances before you can judge them. Rather give them that opportunity than another plethora of loanees or journeymen.


I've not seen Dibble or Turner for us at first team level. None of us have. So I can't judge them either. But if we're going with Steele in goal then I doubt we'll find much better than those two to act as young and old deputies.

Only defenders retained are Hassell, Nyatanga and M'Voto. I don't want to watch Kennedy anymore. I think he's improved under Danny, I've praised him a lot recently. But I still think he's poor and that there are better left backs out there. Going down a level opens up even more options in that position. As in, League Two/Conference players (Danny has a proven record in terms of canny lower league recruits). I am aware that his wages are quite hefty though, with 12 months left to run, and if he doesn't want to leave then what can we do? So it wouldn't shock me if he remained.
I still think Bobby is good enough at this level. He's still one of our best players in my opinion. So it goes without saying that I'd give him a new deal in the league below. Possibly a coaching role too. Future BFC manager I hope. Danny's eventual successor? And both Lewin and Big John have shown up well in recent weeks and with both of them under contract I think we're okay at centre half. The full back areas are key. Danny has signed beauty full backs in the past for us. Fingers crossed etc..


I've only kept four midfielders. O'Brien, Etuhu, Lawrence and Digby. I'm going with the assumption that Cranie, COG and Jennings will be sold to plug financial holes. I'd love to keep all three, but come on, you'd expect them to receive interest from second tier clubs, and there's no point trying to keep lads who want out, and certainly not when you can make a bit of money on em.
I was tempted to keep Mellis and Paddy. Both are talented, my type of players. But if we get shut I don't think they themselves would care that much, if at all, and if it kills dead all the monotonous threads about how lazy/***** they are on here, then that's a bonus. However, if Danny retained them I'd not be unhappy. As for Cywka, unless he's on peanuts and willing to be just an impact sub, he goes too. Frimpong and Woods are self explanatory. Etuhu's versatility gets him another deal. Plus, I like him.
As for Dawson, I think other things will see him depart. Just a hunch. And even if he's still free to play, I'd only consider retaining him if Lawrence didn't stick around. Bobby can do what Dawson does, and more.


Up front we're losing COG. To bloody Donny or summat no doubt. I wish him all the best, he's been a great player for us despite other opinions regularly shared on here. I'll be sad when he goes, but part of me reckons that by losing him, we might end up being able to play a more 'attractive' style of football. I'd like to see two nippy lads up top next season. In fact, I'd just like to see some youth, but more than owt, quick players. I've never known such a slow as **** pedestrian period under BFC. It started when Butterfield/Drinkwater/Vaz Te left. Even under Flicker in that two month winning run, we had little pace in the side. Plenty of graft though. But take that away, and with no pace too, you're left with what we've got now. And it's ****.



So all that leaves me with this XI (before adding to it):


---------------------------------Steele--------------------------------

Etuhu----------------Hassell----------M'Voto--------------Nyatanga

O'Brien--------------Digby-------Lawrence-----------Noble-Lazarus

-----------------------Rose---------Oates------------------------------

Dibble/Turner, Smith, Oates, Nana, Maris, Abbott, Clark.




None of the above means I'll be against the club/manager or players if certain players I'd retain are in fact released, and vice versa. I'm Tarn whatever happens. But it's - in my opinion - time for a clearout, time for a change. However, I have nowt against others who think differently, and think that Dawson, TK, Cywka etc would be better in the third tier. I disagree, but I don't/won't belittle you for holding that opinion.



So, who would be on your list?


You Reds.

 

Don't agree with Kennedy, Dawson or Jennings but I'm pretty much with you on the others.

 

No probs, pal.

But anybody who has watched Dawson and Kennedy this season and wants to see more of them deserves all they get.

 

I think Dibble will depend on what they've done with Chadderton Whitey.

Having seen quite a few of the u21/u18 games it would be interesting to see what they do. I would release Hassell on what i've seen at u21 level, awful.

Would love to hear what they think of the u18 players. Are there any Stones or Digbys that can do in and be around the 23?

I would expect to see McHale early on in the friendlys. He's frustrating but can produce magic. A bit Vaz te kind of winger.

Sousa 's never really impressed me although some really like him.

George Smith, how close is he?

 

I agree with most of that. I'd like to see all of Jennings, O'Grady & Cranie stay but appreciate that we'll have to sell at least one of them if not more. O'Grady's the one I'd keep as we've no depth up front.

I don't want to see Nyatanga as a left back for us next season. As a CB yes but not at left back, I'd like to think we'll be one of the better teams in the league & we'll need a full back who's more comfortable bombing forward & in possession.

As much as I love Bobby we can't rely on him fitness wise to be a regular so for that reason as long as Dawson's found not guilty then I'd keep him here. He was a cracking player for Orient at that level & he will be for us too.

Definitely want to see big Kelvin stay.

I'd like to see Cwyka stay, I doubt he's on as much as Mellis & McCourt & I feel he'll adapt to league one better as he's slightly less soft than the other 2.

Agree on all the kids, I want to see Digby, Rose, RNL & Oates involved & hopefully the young lad Jones can play RB when needed. He looked capable at the back end of last season, maybe only as back up though.

Unfortunately we'll be stuck with Kennedy. Rumours are he's on decent money so no one is likely to match what he's on & no one will buy him & I doubt we'll be in a financial position to pay him off.

Squad:

Steele
Turner
Dibble

Jones
Hassell
M'Voto
Nyatanga
Kennedy

Etuhu
Cwyka
Dawson (maybe)
Lawrence
O'Brien
Digby
RNL

Rose
Oates
O'Grady

Plus Cranie & Jennings if we can afford them.

I'd bring in a RB, back up CB, LB, winger, & another striker to hopefully be back up to O'Grady & Rose (who'll form the best partnership in the league hopefully).

Obviously Danny stays as gaffer

 

Keep Dale until next transfer window at least

 

They'll tear up league one, trust me

 

Not sure about Bobby, not sure how often he has been fit to play and not selected, always thought this would be his last season but maybe spending time training and playing with the youth has been some sort of plan to his future.

Would keep Dawg but would also like no one to come knocking for any of the sell list but that aint gunna happen the vultures will be circling for a bargain.

 

I don't want him at left back. I said at the start of my long winded post that I see him at centre half. But when it came to picking an XI out of what I had left, I had to stick him in there. Same goes for RNL. I put him at left wing but see him as a striker.

When Danny signs a centre half from Telstar and a Trinidadian from Felgueiras we'll be reight. Oh, and a defender from Darlo and a Serb from Novi Sad.

 

In league one mellis and mcourt would be no good too lazy turn up when they want need players to put a shift I in league 1 and players who give a **** least dawson ticks them boxes and why do we need three keepers in league one get turner off wage bill.

 

Ah right fair enough. Think he went in the Derby half once all game yesterday during open play, definitely no good in a promotion push. We'll need a few multi positional players though

 

Mellis is gone in the summer. His sister abused a mate of mine saying he was leaving our club anyway so to stop commenting on him.

You can't get 90 minutes out of McCourt, he's easily bullied & it'll be even rougher & tougher in the league below.

I don't even think either of them are possibilities to stay. I wrote them off as leaving a few months back

 

still hoping we can have a list for when we manage to stay up in the championship . if it is going to be div one then i would like a mix of our younger players and with a few of our experienced ones . watching some of our players at moment is so frustrating, kennedy slows our attacking play that much its shocking ,would like to keep ogrady , jennings , and crainie ,but will they want to stay in league one .

 

I'm sure a team of Dawson's would have got Wolves promoted.


Each to their own though. I've seen him a lot this season. I don't want to see him again.

 

Mellis may or may not get bullied. Same with Paddy. I expect both to depart. I've released both.

But Dawson who tries and grafts (apparently) has been a regular and we've still been crushed/bullied/beaten.


God knows where this love for him has come from. I just hope his 'thing' goes the right way or some are going to look bloody silly.

 

And set up the goal...

 

Can't argue too much with that Whitey. Although I think Kennedy and Dawson would be good league 1 players. I think we'll also keep Jennings as he's still for me pretty much unproven in the championship bar one or two very good performances. O'Grady will be gone regardless, I'm just hoping if we do drop that Wilson goes with 2 up top! We need a target man up top if we are going to play Rose regularly and I wouldn't be surprised to see us go for Billy Paynter.... Free agent at the end of the year and wouldn't command huge wages either. Again he's not a striker I rate, but I think with a quick, hungry young forward up top with him he would be very effective in that league.

 

Well **** me with a yard brush !! I didnt see that one coming at all !!

 

only say what I see which was against Derby in a 4-1. Oates hatrick

 

Im sure a team of mellis would too can you imagine no one would give a **** dont get me wrong wouldnt be sad to see dawson go think could be digbys time to shine if we go down though