Whoever does go it will be for a lot less in league 1 than if we remained in the Championship, especially with the new premier league TV money swimming around next season and that is bad news for RD!
I am guessing that we may see the following moved on to help balance the books;
Henderson (Could have fetched around £1m if in Championship for an Intl keeper, lucky to get £500k in league 1)
Bauer (Again, probably looking at around £1m in Championship, lucky to get £750k in league 1)
Teixeira (Made a decent impact at Championship level so could have got around £750k at that level but more like £500k in league 1)
JBG (With a half decent Euro Championships behind him we could have asked for around £5m if still in Championship, would be lucky to get £3m tops in league 1 and that is at a push)
Cousins (In the Championship maybe £3m at a push but in league 1 would be looking at around £1m)
Lookman (In the Championship we could have asked for around £5m for a young forward with potential, would be lucky to get £3m tops in league 1)
Of course we will never know the true fees as all will be undisclosed and straight into Roly's pocket. He will asset strip the squad to the bare bones before selling up and heading back to Belgium, just like he did at SL!
Thats a huge amount of money coming in presuming we sell them all, but we won't have anyone here that will be able to spend it wisely. Look what SCP was able to build from just the sale of Jenkinson. Although Riga doesn't have the worst transfer record I'd be worried at the proposition of him spending all that money when that kind of cash won't come about again in League 1.
What makes you think our manager will get anything to spend? Any sales revenue will go straight to RD and CAFC will not have anything to spend on transfers.
Before January the club said they've spent £9m on players since RD took over.
For me the worry isn't that RD won't spend to get back up, more that he'll spend but much of it will continue be wasted on poor signings on long contracts.
I think we'll see them try to bring in more British based players, but I wouldn't have much confidence in them getting it right.
Agreed. The players brought in in Jan/Feb (Motta, Tex, Fanni, Young) are probably on pretty big wages, even if only one came with a transfer fee. The issue is less about money to spend and more about how it's spent.
Here's who I would expect to go: Hendo: A good second choice keeper for a lot of Championship clubs. Probably on decent wages and given that we have three (Pope, Mitov, Phillips) good, young goalkeepers, plus the fact that getting a decent keeper on loan isn't all that hard, I think he might be surplus to requirements.
Motta: Can't see him dropping down another level, as I think he's just too good. My only slight hope is that he was unattached for six months before signing with us.
Fanni: Back to Al Ahali (is that right?)
Young: Back to QPR
Bergdich: Wages too high and just hasn't done enough. Think there is a player in there but not one I'd gamble on in League One
Kashi: Yes he was injured most of the year, but he had a career before that that scouts will be able to look at. He's just far too good for League One, and could probably be playing in the top flight in France, Holland, Belgium, etc. Best we can hope for is a loan with him coming back if we're promoted. He and Igor really should have been the great coups of this regime's recruitment policy, and unfortunately this season we've seen next to nothing of them.
JBG: Wouldn't be surprised to see him move up to the Premier League or another first division. He's a better player when playing with good players, think he could really explode for his next club.
Sanogo: Back to Arsenal but he'll be missed. Would have been interesting to have had him all year.
Mak: Wages must be too high for League One. I think he's a decent footballer, and you need a big man in League One, and he's a big man who can play football, but just can't see him sticking around.
Igor: Injuries or otherwise, far too good for the third tier. Best we could hope for is a loan with an agreed fee.
Watt: Hasn't wanted to be here for some time and hasn't been shy about it
Reza: Out of contract, nice to get him off the wage bill, best of luck
Cousins: Young English players are at a premium. He's raw but he has the athleticism and workrate to become a good player with some good coaching. I suspect we'll get offer for him which are just too good to turn down. Think he'll end up at a lower level/recently promoted Premier League side.
Lookman: I do think he could use another year with either us or a Championship club to help his development. He is still very inexperienced, very young, and very raw. But that's not how football works these days. Good young English players are at a premium and he'll be scooped up by a premier league side for his potential if nothing else. Only hope would be he comes back to us on loan.
RoJo: I think we'll find a way to get rid
Players We Have a Chance of Holding On To:
Bauer: If social media is anything to go by he seems to be settled in well and has an affinity for the club. He's still young, especially by CB standards. I can't see him having a massive number of suitors or commanding a fee that is too good to turn down.
Tex: He live tweeted Standard's cup final, showing he still has a real love for the club (and seems to be loved by the supporters). Feel that building here too. He's a bit of a journeyman, so hoping he has taken to London and wants to settle down. Definitely too good for League One, but at 29 on a long term contract I can't see him having too many suitors. Future club captain.
Diarra: If we have any wits about us we'll offer him some sort of player/coach role, which I think would be excellent for him. After all the injury trouble he's had this year, and in his career in general, he may just be ready to retire.
Pope: Again, young and English and counts as "homegrown" to clubs higher up. Starting to show some real form and maturity. Could see him get offers to be third choice keeper and homegrown player for a Prem side.
Harriott: Has excelled at this level. Is good and is young and is English, but he's quite raw. Could see other sides coming in for him, but think he'll only leave if he's set on leaving.
Ceballos: Something has gone terrible wrong with him this season. Not sure if it's just injuries, or other factors like attitude and playing style. He has the technique to be too good for League One, but I don't know if any clubs will come in for him. If he is fit and wants to be here I think he'd be a very good attacking outlet in League One
It doesn't make for particularly good reading. It's a reminder that we have some pretty decent players, many of whom have been injured, joined in February, or have underperformed this year.
This would leave us with: Mitov Phillips Solly Sarr Lennon Fox THD Jackson Ba RCC Dijksteel Harriott Ceballos KAG Hanlan Umerah
With any luck: Bauer Tex Diarra Pope
The good news is I think young players like KAG, THD, RCC, and Hanlan/Umerah are ready to be playing regular first team senior football, and if we weren't being relegated it'd probably be the next step for many of them (on loan if not with us).
They will thin the squad this financial year taking a hit on Curious George and Roger the Dodger
Released/ Paid off
Goalkeepers
Marko Dmitrovic 2016 - (Loaned to Alcorcon until end of 2015/6 season) Dillon Phillips 2016 (On loan to Cheltenham for remainder of the season)
Right Backs
Rod Fanni (on loan from Al Arabia until end of 2015/16 season) Marco Motta 2016
Centre Backs
Josh Staunton 2016 Ayo Obileye 2016 Roger Johnson 2017
Left Backs
Yun Suk-Young (on loan from QPR until end of 2015/16 season)
Central Midfielders
Diego Poyet (On loan from West Ham until end of 2015/16 season) Joe Aribo (2016 estimated) Alex Kelly 2016 or 2017 (estimated) Alou Diarra 2016 plus one year option
Left Midfielders
Callum Harriott 2016 plus possible option
Strikers
Simon Makienok (Loaned from Palermo until end of 2015/16 season) Reza Ghoochannejhad 2016 Yaya Sonogo (On loan from Arsenal until end of 2015/16 season) Joe Pigott 2016 (on loan to Luton Town to end of the season) Zak Ansah 2016 Tobi Sho-Silva 2016 George Tucudean 2017 (On loan to ASA Tirgu Mures of Romania Not Confirmed)
Leaving us with these to fight off a second successive relegation in front of an empty stadium
Squad
Goalkeepers
Nick Pope 2018 Dimitar Mitov 2017 plus one year option Jordan Beeney 2018 (had heard he signed a 2 year scholarship and 2 year pro deal)
Right Backs
Chris Solly 2017 Aaron Barnes 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
Centre Backs
Naby Sarr 2020 Harry Lennon 2018 Ezri Konsa 2017 Undisclosed "Long Term" Terell Thomas 2017 Kenneth Yao - undisclosed long term contract
Left Backs
Morgan Fox 2018 Tareiq Holmes-Dennis 2018 Archie Edwards 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
Right Midfielders
Central Midfielders
Johnnie Jackson 2017 El-Hadji Ba 2018 Cristian Ceballos 2018 Regan Charles-Cook Undisclosed "Long Term" Oliver Muldoon 2017 (On loan to Dagenham and Redbridge until end of season) George Lapslie 2017 or 2018 (estimated) Anfernee Dijksteel - 2017
Left Midfielders
Strikers
Karlan Ahearne-Grant 2017 plus 1 year option Mikhail Kennedy 2018 Josh Umerah 2016 or 2017 (estimated) Brandon Hanlan 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
If anyone I really hope that Karlan can get his confidence back in the sense of having a really good pre-season and start of next... I've always liked the look of him ever since I saw him against Fulham on the TV last season.
There is a player there who has been hindered by the miss-management of the club yet reckon League One could aid his overall development just like it helped Chris Solly etc. to become better players.
My worry is that you can see these jokers doing this and realising enough money from player sales to balance the books next year. If we flogged that lot they could even make a profit!
We need to make at least four signings, as a matter of urgency - plus replacements for any players we sell (eg Henderson, Gudmundsson, Cousins, Looman, Vetokele, Watt)
I believe you need to start the season with 23 players. Three goalkeepers, four full-backs, four centre-backs, four central midfielders, four wide players and four strikers. (This is basically two XIs with an extra keeper).
I also assume anyone currently here on loan will leave at the end of the season.
GK Henderson, Pope, Dmitrovic (or, possibly Henderson will go, Pope and Dmitrovic will move up one in the order and Mitov will be third choice)
Full-backs Solly, Fox, Holmes-Dennis So Motta will have to be signed on a new contract or a new right back signed
Centre-backs Bauer, Johnson, Sarr, Lennon, Teixeira So we could afford to lose one of these.
Wide players Gudmundsson, Harriott, Bergdich So we need one more (or two more if Gudmundsson goes)
Central Midfielders Cousins, Diarra, Jackson, Kashi, Ba, Ceballos So we need two more
Strikers Lookman, Vetokele, Ahearne-Grant, Watt, Tucudean So we can afford to lose one of these (presumably Watt - therefore replacements need to be found for Lookman if he's sold and Tucudean if he can't be found)
My worry is that you can see these jokers doing this and realising enough money from player sales to balance the books next year. If we flogged that lot they could even make a profit!
I doubt it, I think only two of our players Lookman and Gudmundsson would we get any real amount of money for and even those two will at best bring in half the amount he will lose on us being in League 1 next season.
It's not who should stay, but who will we be able to afford...with RD in control, revenue will be so low that almost all will be sold in the summer, or if we cannot off-load them for a fee, then loaned out prior to the end of August. RD will want to maximise transfer revenue to give him an option of selling the club, so don't expect anyone of value to be left...
I expect the following to be gone by the end of August -
Anyone that would command a fee will be gone. Sold or loaned. Players like Reza and Johnson released. Players like Bergdich who won't command a fee but might be sought after as a loan.
Our loans will all return.
I'm expecting the first game to include about eight new signings.
With every minute from the First Half being taken up as the players take the time to introduce themselves to each other whilst trying to keep the ball out of the net (Why do you think it took an age for us to score before 45mins this season!!)
There's no way Johann will come back from the Euros and play third division football. Ideally we'd sell him, get a good fee and reinvest in the squad, but more realistically his sale will be used to cover the massive £7m loss relegation lumps on which we haven't prepared for. I could see Cousins staying if a team didn't take a serious interest but I reckon he'll be actively flogged to raise cash
JBG is by far the most saleable asset. Opposition teams know he is our biggest attacking threat, and he has the Euros to impress other teams. Hopefully he'll do well, earn himself a decent move and get us a decent fee.
The likes of Kashi and Igor are in a difficult position, too god for L1 but with question marks over their fitness, especially Igor. Igor could score lots of goals for someone next season, or be unfit and a treatment room hogger. That makes it hard to predict what will happen to him.
dickface will underestimate next years league 1, still sounds weird to say it, never thought id be jealous of rotherham!!!, at present i dont think our squad would piss a league 1 season, think we would be top 6 but not at a canter,my prediction is a quick fire sale then he will sell up.
There's no way Johann will come back from the Euros and play third division football. Ideally we'd sell him, get a good fee and reinvest in the squad, but more realistically his sale will be used to cover the massive £7m loss relegation lumps on which we haven't prepared for. I could see Cousins staying if a team didn't take a serious interest but I reckon he'll be actively flogged to raise cash
He (cousins) could go but I don't think any prem clubs will be in for him. I don't quite think he's got what it takes to play there, plus with the new prem deal clubs will have more money to compete for better players.
Maybe a champ club would take a punt, but who, and for how much I wonder?
There's no way Johann will come back from the Euros and play third division football. Ideally we'd sell him, get a good fee and reinvest in the squad, but more realistically his sale will be used to cover the massive £7m loss relegation lumps on which we haven't prepared for. I could see Cousins staying if a team didn't take a serious interest but I reckon he'll be actively flogged to raise cash
He (cousins) could go but I don't think any prem clubs will be in for him. I don't quite think he's got what it takes to play there, plus with the new prem deal clubs will have more money to compete for better players.
Maybe a champ club would take a punt, but who, and for how much I wonder?
Hmm, starts with a 'u'.
I agree though. I think if Cousins goes, it will be to a top half Championship side.
There's no way Johann will come back from the Euros and play third division football. Ideally we'd sell him, get a good fee and reinvest in the squad, but more realistically his sale will be used to cover the massive £7m loss relegation lumps on which we haven't prepared for. I could see Cousins staying if a team didn't take a serious interest but I reckon he'll be actively flogged to raise cash
He (cousins) could go but I don't think any prem clubs will be in for him. I don't quite think he's got what it takes to play there, plus with the new prem deal clubs will have more money to compete for better players.
Maybe a champ club would take a punt, but who, and for how much I wonder?
There's no way Johann will come back from the Euros and play third division football. Ideally we'd sell him, get a good fee and reinvest in the squad, but more realistically his sale will be used to cover the massive £7m loss relegation lumps on which we haven't prepared for. I could see Cousins staying if a team didn't take a serious interest but I reckon he'll be actively flogged to raise cash
He (cousins) could go but I don't think any prem clubs will be in for him. I don't quite think he's got what it takes to play there, plus with the new prem deal clubs will have more money to compete for better players.
Maybe a champ club would take a punt, but who, and for how much I wonder?
QPR, Reading? Even Aston Villa perhaps?
This'll be the sort of club he needs to go to... Cant see him going somewhere like Middlesbrough / Burnley (i.e. a team battling for promotion that might miss out this season), instead could see him joining someone who has maybe just finished adrift of the play-offs or in mid-table.
I think one major problem we have - compounded by our thoroughly inept regime - is that we will be selling at the very bottom of the market following relegation. Other clubs know that we are in disarray on and off the field and also know that Roland and Katrien will be looking to cut costs savagely, given the loss of about £4.5 million TV and solidarity payments plus further substantial amounts in respect of ticket sales and commercial income. Couple that with the club's notoriously weak negotiating skills and we will inevitably be receiving some very derisory offers, as other clubs seek to test our resolve.
Preying on the misery of relegated teams is something that opponents will always try and do, just as we did to Wolves, for example, in 1986, when we acquired the great John Humphrey for £60,000 (plus Pender for another £40,000). In an altogether different context, we also remember Middlesbrough's initial bid of £250,000 for Robert Lee in 1992. Expect more of the same for JBG, Cousins and Lookman this summer.
I expect the club to try and desperately move on or loan out several other players and who knows what sort of squad we'll have when we kick off next August. I fear it is going to be fairly brutal and, in the absence of a coherent plan, pretty indiscriminate in terms of reducing the wage bill at all costs.
It's weird {meaning unique} when we look at the squad and all these players we are saying are too good for league one....yet that's exactly where we are heading.
I think one major problem we have - compounded by our thoroughly inept regime - is that we will be selling at the very bottom of the market following relegation. Other clubs know that we are in disarray on and off the field and also know that Roland and Katrien will be looking to cut costs savagely, given the loss of about £4.5 million TV and solidarity payments plus further substantial amounts in respect of ticket sales and commercial income. Couple that with the club's notoriously weak negotiating skills and we will inevitably be receiving some very derisory offers, as other clubs seek to test our resolve.
Preying on the misery of relegated teams is something that opponents will always try and do, just as we did to Wolves, for example, in 1986, when we acquired the great John Humphrey for £60,000 (plus Pender for another £40,000). In an altogether different context, we also remember Middlesbrough's initial bid of £250,000 for Robert Lee in 1992. Expect more of the same for JBG, Cousins and Lookman this summer.
I expect the club to try and desperately move on or loan out several other players and who knows what sort of squad we'll have when we kick off next August. I fear it is going to be fairly brutal and, in the absence of a coherent plan, pretty indiscriminate in terms of reducing the wage bill at all costs.
We didn't do too badly when selling Darren Bent after relegation! Not that any of our players are at that level, but it's all about having an asset than many clubs want
forgot to mention in my previous post .. Josh Umerah is a real unit and showed to me in his brief cameo appearance during the 6-0 hiding at Hull, that he has the potential and probably more importantly, the bottle to be a player .. he's just a kid but MUST be retained and should play a fairly big role next season, a sink or swim one for many of our younger players
Comments
Goalkeepers
Stephen Henderson 2017
Nick Pope 2018
Right Backs
Chris Solly 2017
Centre Backs
Harry Lennon 2018
Jorge Teixeira 2020
Left Backs
Right Midfielders
Central Midfielders
Jordan Cousins 2019
Johnnie Jackson 2017
Left Midfielders
Callum Harriott 2016 plus possible option
Strikers
Ademola Lookman 2020
Here's who I would expect to go:
Hendo: A good second choice keeper for a lot of Championship clubs. Probably on decent wages and given that we have three (Pope, Mitov, Phillips) good, young goalkeepers, plus the fact that getting a decent keeper on loan isn't all that hard, I think he might be surplus to requirements.
Motta: Can't see him dropping down another level, as I think he's just too good. My only slight hope is that he was unattached for six months before signing with us.
Fanni: Back to Al Ahali (is that right?)
Young: Back to QPR
Bergdich: Wages too high and just hasn't done enough. Think there is a player in there but not one I'd gamble on in League One
Kashi: Yes he was injured most of the year, but he had a career before that that scouts will be able to look at. He's just far too good for League One, and could probably be playing in the top flight in France, Holland, Belgium, etc. Best we can hope for is a loan with him coming back if we're promoted. He and Igor really should have been the great coups of this regime's recruitment policy, and unfortunately this season we've seen next to nothing of them.
JBG: Wouldn't be surprised to see him move up to the Premier League or another first division. He's a better player when playing with good players, think he could really explode for his next club.
Sanogo: Back to Arsenal but he'll be missed. Would have been interesting to have had him all year.
Mak: Wages must be too high for League One. I think he's a decent footballer, and you need a big man in League One, and he's a big man who can play football, but just can't see him sticking around.
Igor: Injuries or otherwise, far too good for the third tier. Best we could hope for is a loan with an agreed fee.
Watt: Hasn't wanted to be here for some time and hasn't been shy about it
Reza: Out of contract, nice to get him off the wage bill, best of luck
Cousins: Young English players are at a premium. He's raw but he has the athleticism and workrate to become a good player with some good coaching. I suspect we'll get offer for him which are just too good to turn down. Think he'll end up at a lower level/recently promoted Premier League side.
Lookman: I do think he could use another year with either us or a Championship club to help his development. He is still very inexperienced, very young, and very raw. But that's not how football works these days. Good young English players are at a premium and he'll be scooped up by a premier league side for his potential if nothing else. Only hope would be he comes back to us on loan.
RoJo: I think we'll find a way to get rid
Players We Have a Chance of Holding On To:
Bauer: If social media is anything to go by he seems to be settled in well and has an affinity for the club. He's still young, especially by CB standards. I can't see him having a massive number of suitors or commanding a fee that is too good to turn down.
Tex: He live tweeted Standard's cup final, showing he still has a real love for the club (and seems to be loved by the supporters). Feel that building here too. He's a bit of a journeyman, so hoping he has taken to London and wants to settle down. Definitely too good for League One, but at 29 on a long term contract I can't see him having too many suitors. Future club captain.
Diarra: If we have any wits about us we'll offer him some sort of player/coach role, which I think would be excellent for him. After all the injury trouble he's had this year, and in his career in general, he may just be ready to retire.
Pope: Again, young and English and counts as "homegrown" to clubs higher up. Starting to show some real form and maturity. Could see him get offers to be third choice keeper and homegrown player for a Prem side.
Harriott: Has excelled at this level. Is good and is young and is English, but he's quite raw. Could see other sides coming in for him, but think he'll only leave if he's set on leaving.
Ceballos: Something has gone terrible wrong with him this season. Not sure if it's just injuries, or other factors like attitude and playing style. He has the technique to be too good for League One, but I don't know if any clubs will come in for him. If he is fit and wants to be here I think he'd be a very good attacking outlet in League One
It doesn't make for particularly good reading. It's a reminder that we have some pretty decent players, many of whom have been injured, joined in February, or have underperformed this year.
This would leave us with:
Mitov
Phillips
Solly
Sarr
Lennon
Fox
THD
Jackson
Ba
RCC
Dijksteel
Harriott
Ceballos
KAG
Hanlan
Umerah
With any luck:
Bauer
Tex
Diarra
Pope
The good news is I think young players like KAG, THD, RCC, and Hanlan/Umerah are ready to be playing regular first team senior football, and if we weren't being relegated it'd probably be the next step for many of them (on loan if not with us).
They will thin the squad this financial year taking a hit on Curious George and Roger the Dodger
Released/ Paid off
Goalkeepers
Marko Dmitrovic 2016 - (Loaned to Alcorcon until end of 2015/6 season)
Dillon Phillips 2016 (On loan to Cheltenham for remainder of the season)
Right Backs
Rod Fanni (on loan from Al Arabia until end of 2015/16 season)
Marco Motta 2016
Centre Backs
Josh Staunton 2016
Ayo Obileye 2016
Roger Johnson 2017
Left Backs
Yun Suk-Young (on loan from QPR until end of 2015/16 season)
Central Midfielders
Diego Poyet (On loan from West Ham until end of 2015/16 season)
Joe Aribo (2016 estimated)
Alex Kelly 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
Alou Diarra 2016 plus one year option
Left Midfielders
Callum Harriott 2016 plus possible option
Strikers
Simon Makienok (Loaned from Palermo until end of 2015/16 season)
Reza Ghoochannejhad 2016
Yaya Sonogo (On loan from Arsenal until end of 2015/16 season)
Joe Pigott 2016 (on loan to Luton Town to end of the season)
Zak Ansah 2016
Tobi Sho-Silva 2016
George Tucudean 2017 (On loan to ASA Tirgu Mures of Romania Not Confirmed)
For Sale
Goalkeepers
Stephen Henderson 2017
Centre Backs
Patrick Bauer 2019
Jorge Teixeira 2020
Right Midfielders
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson 2019
Central Midfielders
Jordan Cousins 2019
Ahmed Kashi 2018
Left Midfielders
Zakarya Bergdich 2019
Strikers
Ademola Lookman 2020
Igor Vetokele 2019
Tony Watt 2018 (Loaned to Blackburn Rovers until end of 2015/6 season)
Squad
Goalkeepers
Nick Pope 2018
Dimitar Mitov 2017 plus one year option
Jordan Beeney 2018 (had heard he signed a 2 year scholarship and 2 year pro deal)
Right Backs
Chris Solly 2017
Aaron Barnes 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
Centre Backs
Naby Sarr 2020
Harry Lennon 2018
Ezri Konsa 2017 Undisclosed "Long Term"
Terell Thomas 2017
Kenneth Yao - undisclosed long term contract
Left Backs
Morgan Fox 2018
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis 2018
Archie Edwards 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
Right Midfielders
Central Midfielders
Johnnie Jackson 2017
El-Hadji Ba 2018
Cristian Ceballos 2018
Regan Charles-Cook Undisclosed "Long Term"
Oliver Muldoon 2017 (On loan to Dagenham and Redbridge until end of season)
George Lapslie 2017 or 2018 (estimated)
Anfernee Dijksteel - 2017
Left Midfielders
Strikers
Karlan Ahearne-Grant 2017 plus 1 year option
Mikhail Kennedy 2018
Josh Umerah 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
Brandon Hanlan 2016 or 2017 (estimated)
There is a player there who has been hindered by the miss-management of the club yet reckon League One could aid his overall development just like it helped Chris Solly etc. to become better players.
Mainly part time park outfits wanting to unload some shit players on us!
I believe you need to start the season with 23 players. Three goalkeepers, four full-backs, four centre-backs, four central midfielders, four wide players and four strikers. (This is basically two XIs with an extra keeper).
I also assume anyone currently here on loan will leave at the end of the season.
GK
Henderson, Pope, Dmitrovic
(or, possibly Henderson will go, Pope and Dmitrovic will move up one in the order and Mitov will be third choice)
Full-backs
Solly, Fox, Holmes-Dennis
So Motta will have to be signed on a new contract or a new right back signed
Centre-backs
Bauer, Johnson, Sarr, Lennon, Teixeira
So we could afford to lose one of these.
Wide players
Gudmundsson, Harriott, Bergdich
So we need one more (or two more if Gudmundsson goes)
Central Midfielders
Cousins, Diarra, Jackson, Kashi, Ba, Ceballos
So we need two more
Strikers
Lookman, Vetokele, Ahearne-Grant, Watt, Tucudean
So we can afford to lose one of these (presumably Watt - therefore replacements need to be found for Lookman if he's sold and Tucudean if he can't be found)
Our loans will all return.
I'm expecting the first game to include about eight new signings.
The likes of Kashi and Igor are in a difficult position, too god for L1 but with question marks over their fitness, especially Igor. Igor could score lots of goals for someone next season, or be unfit and a treatment room hogger. That makes it hard to predict what will happen to him.
Maybe a champ club would take a punt, but who, and for how much I wonder?
Goalkeepers
Stephen Henderson 2017
Nick Pope 2018
Right Backs
Chris Solly 2017
Rod Fanni - gets permanent deal.
Marco Motta - gets permanent deal.
Centre Backs
Patrick Bauer 2019
Naby Sarr 2020
Harry Lennon 2018
Jorge Teixeira 2020
Left Backs
Morgan Fox 2018
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis 2018
Right Midfielders
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson 2019
Central Midfielders
Jordan Cousins 2019
Alou Diarra 2016 plus one year option
Johnnie Jackson 2017
Ahmed Kashi 2018
El-Hadji Ba 2018
Cristian Ceballos 2018
Left Midfielders
Callum Harriott 2016 plus possible option
Zakarya Bergdich 2019
Strikers
Ademola Lookman 2020 - likely to go.
Igor Vetokele 2019
Karlan Ahearne-Grant 2017 plus 1 year option
U21 Development Squad
Goalkeepers
Dimitar Mitov 2017 plus one year option
Jordan Beeney 2018 (had heard he signed a 2 year scholarship and 2 year pro deal)
Right Backs
Centre Backs
Ezri Konsa 2017 Undisclosed "Long Term"
Terell Thomas 2017
Kenneth Yao - undisclosed long term contract
Left Backs
Central Midfielders
Regan Charles-Cook Undisclosed "Long Term" (Promoted)
Strikers
Mikhail Kennedy 2018
I agree though. I think if Cousins goes, it will be to a top half Championship side.
Preying on the misery of relegated teams is something that opponents will always try and do, just as we did to Wolves, for example, in 1986, when we acquired the great John Humphrey for £60,000 (plus Pender for another £40,000). In an altogether different context, we also remember Middlesbrough's initial bid of £250,000 for Robert Lee in 1992. Expect more of the same for JBG, Cousins and Lookman this summer.
I expect the club to try and desperately move on or loan out several other players and who knows what sort of squad we'll have when we kick off next August. I fear it is going to be fairly brutal and, in the absence of a coherent plan, pretty indiscriminate in terms of reducing the wage bill at all costs.
Particularly with Malcolm X up front.