The Retained List

[Stranded]

It's out and there may be 1 or 2 surprises:

1 year options activated by the club for:

Femi Azeez
Michael Craig
Jeriel Dorsett
Kelvin Ehibatiomhan
Joel Pereira
Jayden Wareham

Contracts offered to Abrefa and Rushesha

Released

Matty Carson
Nesta Guiness-Walker
Sam Hutchinson
Clinton Mola

Mola going is a little surprising and with Carson off as well, looks like we may have identified a LB option or 2 we want to bring in.

[yuomi]

Surprised but not particularly saddened by Carson and Mola. Wonder if either/both got offers from elsewhere.
Keeping Azeez is a great, even if it means someone'll have to pay a fee for him this summer. Still think the likes of Bolton and Plymouth will be circling.
All in all, could have been a lot worse. The core of an improving team stays and if we can recruit/promote from within in the same vein we did last year there's a lot to be excited about.

[blythspartan]

Yes, surprised about Mola and I was raving about Carson at the beginning of the season, but he wasn’t so good defensively.

I see this as a positive, as the takeover must be close.

[WestYorksRoyal]

The 2 big headline are that we have the option on Azeez (great news) and the decision to release Mola (arguably harsh).

I can understand the Mola decision. He improved greatly this season, but we really need a specialist LB. Mola offered little going forward and a L1 squad option is probably about his level. Add in that we have Dorsett who can also act as a versatile LB/CB plus Abrefa and Yiadom who can cover, maybe we decided we didn't need another squad option there. So makes sense if a specialist LB is incoming. And while it's harsh, the opportunity we gave him this season will ensure he finds another club.

[Sutekh]

Not saddened by the loss of Mola or Carson but worried that there is now no cover at LB so will be interesting to see which free options pass through the club in the summer.

Which Azeez has had his contract extended though?

[Panas]

I do wonder if Mola chose to leave to get more minutes next season. Selles seemed to like him and his versatility makes him a very useful sub so I'd be surprised if we didn't want to keep him as back-up, albeit no more than that.

Carson realistically needs longer to develop at this level than we can afford to give him.

[stealthpapes]

Surprised but not particularly saddened by Carson and Mola. Wonder if either/both got offers from elsewhere.

Basically this. Mola improved markedly over the season. Carson was alright at the start but felt his confidence shot by about halfway through the season.

[South Coast Royal]

No surprises really apart perhaps from Rushesha being offered a contract.
I guess , as posted elsewhere, the deal for Azeez is so that we get a fee when he goes.

Last season the club did really well in bringing in the likes of Wing and Bindon in particular plus Smith and Knibbs.
We really need similar rabbits from the hat this close season (although we will still be very restricted) and if so, who knows we might even be able to make a top 6 challenge especially if we can keep Wing and Bindon.

Despite his popularity around the team and his undoubted commitment I'm not convinced by Mbengue as an orthodox centre-back and would like to see another Morrison type, something that we hoped we had got with Dean.
I gather a left back has been lined up.

[Hound]

It sounds like Ryan in the u21s has had a decent season as well, which may have influenced the Mola/Carson decisions. Shame for both as they seemed liked good lads so hopefully get themselves something else quickly, but on a solely footballing basis, neither a huge loss

Good news on the other extensions, happy with all of those. Not convinced Azeez will go anywhere

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Assuming that this is the baseline - helps us if/when offers come in.

I liked the look of Carson early on - but perhaps his pace (lack of) was an issue.

The future will all depend on the intent and depth of the pockets if/when new owners complete the deal.

[Snowflake Royal]

Pleasantly surprised we had an option on Azeez (LOL @ Brogue claiming he was off).

Surprised by Carson and Mola going and both Rushesha and Abrefa getting offers.

Whilst I think we all wanted Carson to step up, I'm not convinced he has the mental strength so not upset. Mola does seem harsh, and leaves us light, but with Dorsett and Ryan to cover, hopefully we have a top class target to go for.

[Stranded]

Pleasantly surprised we had an option on Azeez (LOL @ Brogue claiming he was off).

Surprised by Carson and Mola going and both Rushesha and Abrefa getting offers.

Whilst I think we all wanted Carson to step up, I'm not convinced he has the mental strength so not upset. Mola does seem harsh, and leaves us light, but with Dorsett and Ryan to cover, hopefully we have a top class target to go for.

I guess us taking the option on Azeez doesn't mean he isn't off but we can get a few hundred grand if he does go whilst at worst giving us a season to try and get up to persuade him to hang around.

Surprised by Rushesha as he hasn't really played too much either in the first team or u21s but they must see something they like.

Seems Ryan is highly rated, so I assume we will go into the next season with him as an option behind a more experienced starter.

[andrew1957]

Yes encouraging that we had options on the better players - so as others have said at least we will get a fee if they leave.

Like others - a tad surprised Mola is off and yet Rushesha (who has hardly featured) might be staying. Mola looked awful to start with but improved steadily. Carson was the reverse - a great start but tailed off and with other young left backs in the U21s, I guess he wouldn't have got much game time next season. Does make you think we are going to bring in another LB though, unless Dorsett is seen as nailed on first choice now. I do hope Mola and Carson can find other clubs. Good luck to them.

Feel a bit sad for Guinness-Walker. I always quite liked him, but for whatever reason he fell completely out of favour and Hutchinson is no surprise at all.

[Stranded]

I'm assuming this means that Carson won't feature in the rest of the play-off games for the U21s?

[andrew1957]

I'm assuming this means that Carson won't feature in the rest of the play-off games for the U21s?

Would seem very unlikely as he is off.

[RG30]

Mola and Carson had ample opportunity throughout the season to prove they were worthy of staying. Wish them all the best but we have to get better in all areas. At least we have more stability at this stage than last year.

[Mr Angry]

It is also abundantly clear where we need to look to strengthen before the start of next season; down our left flank (both defensively and an out and out left winger if possible).

[6ft Kerplunk]

What embargo/restriction will we be under if the takeover goes through? Are we still looking at free transfers/out of contract players only?

[morganb]

This time last year we still had Jared Dublin as Head of Scouting.

Was he ever replaced or is it now solely down to Bowen and Carey to both scout and recruit this summer?

[super darren caskey]

I am probably the only one here disappointed that NGW has bee released. I know he allegedlly had a falling out with Selles so him staying on was always very unlikely. I always thought NGW was lively when he played especially going forward. Can be dodgey at the back no question so could be moire suited to LM. I feel under a different manger he would not have gone out on loan and kicked on more for us

I feel its our loss to be honest but i know most people will feel different