Retained list

Well Hursty states that announcements should be done as early as Wednesday and now the final game is over what do we all think.
I think it should be as follows....

Already under contract for next year....
Michele Efete
Anthony Glennon
Luke Waterfall
Niall Maher
Harry Clifton
Kieran Green
Alex Hunt (2 years)
Gavan Holohan
Otis Khan
Evan Khouri
Danilo Orsi

To be released....
Ollie Battersby
Danny Amos
Jordan Cropper
Jazz Goundry
Owen Gallagher
Shaun Pearson (move to staff role)
Bryan Morris
Sean Scannell
Ryan Taylor

Loans come to end...
Andy Smith (try to sign permanently)
George Lloyd (try to sign permanently)
Tom Dickson-Peters
Mikey O'Neill
John McAtee

Offer new contract to....
Max Crocombe
Josh Emmanuel
Jamie Bramwell (with view to another loan)
Aaron Braithwaite (with view to another loan)
Harvey Tomlinson (with view to another loan)
Edwin Essel (with view to another loan)

Bang on, no comments from me. Feel sorry for Amos as seems like a really nice lad but I think the fact he wasn't even in the squad today speaks volumes - if he is released, hope he finds a good club

We've got a good starting point with those already under contract.. I personally agree on offering Crocombe and Emanuel deals tho got a feeling they may be moving on wether that's our choice or the players I'm not sure...

Quoted from Stew0_0

Well Hursty states that announcements should be done as early as Wednesday and now the final game is over what do we all think.
I think it should be as follows....

Already under contract for next year....
Michele Efete
Anthony Glennon
Luke Waterfall
Niall Maher
Harry Clifton
Kieran Green
Alex Hunt (2 years)
Gavan Holohan
Otis Khan
Evan Khouri
Danilo Orsi

To be released....
Ollie Battersby
Danny Amos
Jordan Cropper
Jazz Goundry
Owen Gallagher
Shaun Pearson (move to staff role)
Bryan Morris
Sean Scannell
Ryan Taylor

Loans come to end...
Andy Smith (try to sign permanently)
George Lloyd (try to sign permanently)
Tom Dickson-Peters
Mikey O'Neill
John McAtee

Offer new contract to....
Max Crocombe
Josh Emmanuel
Jamie Bramwell (with view to another loan)
Aaron Braithwaite (with view to another loan)
Harvey Tomlinson (with view to another loan)
Edwin Essel (with view to another loan)

Absolutely spot on but I do think someone will come in for Harry and Glennon

Clifton, I could understand, but Glennon? I can't see anybody above League Two level wanting him so any move would only be for personal reasons.

We have a strong core under contract. I wouldn't be too disappointed if we didn't re-sign any of those who are set to expire. I feel a bit for Morris who I think will be let go mainly because we already have five centre mids under contract and arguably need an upgrade on everyone in there.

And there's no chance anyone's coming in for Glennon. I wouldn't be surprised if he's second choice next season.

I’m don’t expect Max to sign a new deal

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I’m don’t expect Max to sign a new deal

Especially going by his tweet, it more sounds a thank you for the memories to me.

[tweet]1655634984000970767[/tweet]

PH said we'd know by wednesday. He's certainly not messing around!

Quoted from Meza

Especially going by his tweet, it more sounds a thank you for the memories to me.

[tweet]1655634984000970767[/tweet]

Harry Clifton saluting in the comments adds to the goodbye theory too.

I like Max, good keeper, but I think there are equal if not better keepers if he does leave.  I'd get the young Sheff Utd keeper we had on loan.

Don’t really understand the downer on Glennon who I believe will get better with more league experience, he’s not perfect but few players at this level are but as always a game of opinions. For me I feel we need to strengthen a number of other positions before we get a new left back and I would be happy if we retained both Glennon and Amos.

Anyway might as well wait until the retained list is released before getting too involved in this debate.

Unsurprisingly, Sean Scannell has announced his departure on Instagram.

Quoted from Meza

I like Max, good keeper, but I think there are equal if not better keepers if he does leave.  I'd get the young Sheff Utd keeper we had on loan.

Maybe Grimsby born Harvey Cartwright or martija sarkuc could be tempted 😂😂

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Maybe Grimsby born Harvey Cartwright or martija sark uc could be tempted 😂😂

Get Dean Henderson back.

Quoted from Heisenberg

Get Dean Henderson back.

Hendersons

Sure he’d relish the opportunity

Quoted from ska face

Sure he’d relish the opportunity

That took me a while to click, actually!

Quoted from Meza

I like Max, good keeper, but I think there are equal if not better keepers if he does leave.  I'd get the young Sheff Utd keeper we had on loan.

Jake Eastwood?
Yeah, he was good if I remember correctly, but was only Rochdales sub keeper this season

Quoted from Heisenberg

That took me a while to click, actually!

Where do we think Crocombe is heading, then? I have a feeling it might be off to, say, a League One club.

He's been a very good player for us.

A real shame about Cropper's injury problems as he would have been useful backup this season. If he can keep himself fit, that weapon of a throw will ensure he has a decent career in the lower divisions.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Don’t really understand the downer on Glennon who I believe will get better with more league experience, he’s not perfect but few players at this level are but as always a game of opinions.

I think the lack of pace is the main issue. He's not really slow, but everything is done at full-stretch so what should be a regulation tackle often ends up being a last-ditch lunge. Amos a bit quicker, but not as strong in the air or quite as good on the ball. I think we'll sign someone else to compete for the position with Glennon.

Quoted from Maringer

Where do we think Crocombe is heading, then? I have a feeling it might be off to, say, a League One club.

He's been a very good player for us.

A real shame about Cropper's injury problems as he would have been useful backup this season. If he can keep himself fit, that weapon of a throw will ensure he has a decent career in the lower divisions.

I like Crocombe, and think he’s done well for us, but at almost 30 his spell with Town has been comfortably the best of his career. His CV before signing for us was seriously underwhelming, hence why he effectively joined us as a non-league second fiddle ‘keeper.

To that end, if he has the opportunity go step up to a higher level and / or earn more money then you can’t knock the lad for doing so.

If he does, and let’s not forget that all we have right now is rumour and conjecture, then at least in Hurst we have a manager who has a canny eye for a goalkeeper. He of course signed McKeown, who despite his loss of form and confidence towards the end of his time here was player of the year a record 5 times. He signed Dean Henderson too, though you can argue that he didn’t bother to play him, I suppose.

And he picked up Max Crocombe no less, seemingly out of nowhere. I’d heard of Max, but only for his on-pitch toilet break and subsequent red card. He was a left-field signing who arrived with next to no fanfare. I’d like him to stay, but if he doesn’t, I’m not concerned about whoever replaces him.

Quoted from Maringer

I think the lack of pace is the main issue. He's not really slow, but everything is done at full-stretch so what should be a regulation tackle often ends up being a last-ditch lunge. Amos a bit quicker, but not as strong in the air or quite as good on the ball. I think we'll sign someone else to compete for the position with Glennon.

This is the issue for me. It's like he's running through sand which is strange because I don't remember him being slow when on loan. It's noticeable how often people get in behind just because of his lack of pace to cover. Hopefully he can work on it over the summer.

Whoever Hurst signs in the summer, I'd really like to see more partnerships in the team.

If you asked me to name one solid partnership that has developed - between two strikers, two centre backs, down the left, down the right, in the middle... I'd seriously struggle.

I think this reflects the stop-start nature to our campaign.

We've tweaked formation more times than I care to remember, and hardly ever named the same starting XI in back-to-back games since we seem to react more to what the opposition are doing than be bullish about our own style.

There are many reasons for why we've had to be like this (short-to-no pre-season, late in making summer signings since we didn't know what division we'd be in, etc), so I'm not having a go.

But we've had Green, Hunt, Holohan, Clifton and Morris in the middle this season. I couldn't say any of them have developed a partnership since they've all been heavily rotated.

Up front, no partnerships. Some half decent displays here and there from individuals, but no 'big man small man' threat, or anything like that.

In the wide areas, Efete and Glennon have been selected most, but in front of them it's been chopping and changing all the time — again, injuries, formation changes, adapting to the opposition, etc, have dictated this.

If we had a game next week, I couldn't tell you what formation we'd play or who'd be in the starting XI.

I truly think one of the reasons we've never been able to string a load of good results together at any point this season (you know, win four on the bounce, go 10 unbeaten, that kind of thing) is due to a lack of understanding between players throughout the squad.

An 11th place finish, all things considered, isn't bad since we spent the last 5-6 months lower than that.

Early signings, a commitment to a certain formation and certain style of play, and the ability to establish partnerships throughout the starting XI will be the way to take this team and club forward. Thankfully we've all known what division we'll be playing in next season for ages, so hopefully this has helped with early contract negotiations and I think we can expect some business to be done early this time round.

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

Maybe Grimsby born Harvey Cartwright or martija sarkuc could be tempted 😂😂

Cartwright would be interesting. There was some talk of a link up in January ,but he went off to Wycombe.
He's very highly rated I understand

Quoted from Jarmo.Is.God

Jake Eastwood?
Yeah, he was good if I remember correctly, but was only Rochdales sub keeper this season

Which is why they went down  

Quoted from Maringer

Where do we think Crocombe is heading, then? I have a feeling it might be off to, say, a League One club.

He's been a very good player for us.

A real shame about Cropper's injury problems as he would have been useful backup this season. If he can keep himself fit, that weapon of a throw will ensure he has a decent career in the lower divisions.

Crocombe to a league one club, not with them jelly hands he won't.
Nice bloke but not good enough if we want to progress.

Quoted from RichMariner

Whoever Hurst signs in the summer, I'd really like to see more partnerships in the team.

If you asked me to name one solid partnership that has developed - between two strikers, two centre backs, down the left, down the right, in the middle... I'd seriously struggle.

I think this reflects the stop-start nature to our campaign.

We've tweaked formation more times than I care to remember, and hardly ever named the same starting XI in back-to-back games since we seem to react more to what the opposition are doing than be bullish about our own style.

There are many reasons for why we've had to be like this (short-to-no pre-season, late in making summer signings since we didn't know what division we'd be in, etc), so I'm not having a go.

But we've had Green, Hunt, Holohan, Clifton and Morris in the middle this season. I couldn't say any of them have developed a partnership since they've all been heavily rotated.

Up front, no partnerships. Some half decent displays here and there from individuals, but no 'big man small man' threat, or anything like that.

In the wide areas, Efete and Glennon have been selected most, but in front of them it's been chopping and changing all the time — again, injuries, formation changes, adapting to the opposition, etc, have dictated this.

If we had a game next week, I couldn't tell you what formation we'd play or who'd be in the starting XI.

I truly think one of the reasons we've never been able to string a load of good results together at any point this season (you know, win four on the bounce, go 10 unbeaten, that kind of thing) is due to a lack of understanding between players throughout the squad.

An 11th place finish, all things considered, isn't bad since we spent the last 5-6 months lower than that.

Early signings, a commitment to a certain formation and certain style of play, and the ability to establish partnerships throughout the starting XI will be the way to take this team and club forward. Thankfully we've all known what division we'll be playing in next season for ages, so hopefully this has helped with early contract negotiations and I think we can expect some business to be done early this time round.

Good summary.
I think the left has the most potential from what we have. Glennon and Khan have a decent understanding, when in a 3 at the back Maher looked dangerous down the left to.
Last few games Hunt has hit some early switches, it has been hit and miss, and I think there are good partnerships building there.

I’d be disappointed if Crocombe left to be honest. Came from nowhere, got into the team and we never really looked back. Macca was great, no denying but Crocombe comes for a cross and is quick off his line, all things that Macca wasn’t great at.

Still, I trust Hurst enough to find a decent keeper should he need to.

I think we could see some Rob Jones type evolutions this coming season; Glennon, Maher, Kahn spring to mind. They’ve shown glimmers of being decent but their lack of EFL experience or confidence at times has held them back. I really do think they could push on.

Personally I’d give Amos a contract too and I’d genuinely be enquiring about Lloyd, Rich talks about partnerships, I do think him and Orsi could develop something…

Quoted from aldi_01

I’d be disappointed if Crocombe left to be honest. Came from nowhere, got into the team and we never really looked back. Macca was great, no denying but Crocombe comes for a cross and is quick off his line, all things that Macca wasn’t great at.

Still, I trust Hurst enough to find a decent keeper should he need to.

I think we could see some Rob Jones type evolutions this coming season; Glennon, Maher, Kahn spring to mind. They’ve shown glimmers of being decent but their lack of EFL experience or confidence at times has held them back. I really do think they could push on.

Personally I’d give Amos a contract too and I’d genuinely be enquiring about Lloyd, Rich talks about partnerships, I do think him and Orsi could develop something…

Orsi and Lloyd are both quite lightweight. They both need a bigger foil to play off.

Orsi has shown some decent touches in recent matches and looks quite cool when a chance comes his way, but I wouldn't be comfortable with him starting the season as one of our main strikers. He's 27 years old now and has scored 3 League goals during his career. Wasn't trusted to start at Harrogate and only managed to get some starts later in the season for us when there weren't really other options.

He might be a different player alongside a younger and more capable Taylor-alike, or if we're dominating midfield, but I'm not convinced by his abilities to lead the line.

I'd like to see Lloyd back as he's quick, hard-working, has scored a few goals and looks a good all-round player. Another one, however, who I don't really want to see leading the line. He's very strong for his size and challenges very well in the air, but the useless referees in this division let the big defenders wrestle and shove him around with impunity and then penalise him if he gives any back. Their view seems to be that if a small player out-muscles a big one, it must be a foul!

I'd assume Taylor will move on (with thanks for his past efforts), so hopefully, we can finally sign that striker we couldn't manage to get last season!

Quoted from aldi_01

I’d be disappointed if Crocombe left to be honest. Came from nowhere, got into the team and we never really looked back. Macca was great, no denying but Crocombe comes for a cross and is quick off his line, all things that Macca wasn’t great at.

Still, I trust Hurst enough to find a decent keeper should he need to.

I think we could see some Rob Jones type evolutions this coming season; Glennon, Maher, Kahn spring to mind. They’ve shown glimmers of being decent but their lack of EFL experience or confidence at times has held them back. I really do think they could push on.

Personally I’d give Amos a contract too and I’d genuinely be enquiring about Lloyd, Rich talks about partnerships, I do think him and Orsi could develop something…

I'm optimistic that Glennon, Maher, Hunt will look much more assured next season. I also think that with a proper rest Michee will have made the adjustment. I agree re Amos but don't think he'll get an offer. We know what Khan can do but fitness has been his biggest challnege and hopefully after a proper break we'll see Holohan pass the ball better, but he'll have Khouri snapping at his heels for sure.

Max will be interstesting as Battersby isn't staying we could be looking for 2 keepers, I can't remember when that was the case but Hurst will have a plan,

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I'm optimistic that Glennon, Maher, Hunt will look much more assured next season. I also think that with a proper rest Michee will have made the adjustment. I agree re Amos but don't think he'll get an offer. We know what Khan can do but fitness has been his biggest challnege and hopefully after a proper break we'll see Holohan pass the ball better, but he'll have Khouri snapping at his heels for sure.

Max will be interstesting as Battersby isn't staying we could be looking for 2 keepers, I can't remember when that was the case but Hurst will have a plan,

I don't think we've needed to sign two keepers in the summer since 2010 when we signed Kenny Arthur, loaned Richard O'Donnell and brought Steve Croudson out of retirement.

I think we need an upgrade at left-back.  I like both Glennon and Amos but we're not outstanding in that position.  I think the decision is made really in that Amos is out of contract, Glennon isn't.  If both were out of contract I think it would be an interesting decision to say the least.  Based on this season alone, Amos is the better performer. But Glennon has shown, albeit, 3 years ago what he can do.  I'm definitely in agreement that he looks leggy and slower this time round, I can only guess that's down to injury - hopefully pre-season will sort that.  He definitely looked slower after his injury break earlier in the season.

Crocombe is a fine 'keeper, but he needs competition.  No 'keeper is exempt from this.  Complacency is dangerous.  McKeown was at his best when he had someone genuinely challenging him too.  I liked the aforementioned Eastwood, but I've seen a lot of Rochdale fans on Twitter say they buggered up when they put him in the side, not sure you can apportion too much blame considering they were circling the drain all season...

Centreback looks pretty decent to me. Waterfall and Maher is as solid a base as you're likely to get at this level.  Still believe Smith ends up a Town player over the summer.

Rightback - perhaps controversial but I wouldn't be kicking doors down to sign Emmanuel.  Incredibly anonymous for most of his time here.  Showed what he can do but definitely didn't it anywhere near enough.  One thing you can say in his defence is that he hadn't played for 18 months and went straight into the team.  Is there enough confidence that he will be much better with a pre-season?

Midfield needs something in it.  That something, for me anyway, comes in the form of Hunt (and to a lesser extent Khouri) making their mark over the summer or upgrading.  

Width is lacking.  Khan's a decent attacker but not really a proper winger.  I'd like at least one in who really stretches teams.  

Up top, I'm very much of the belief that Orsi and Lloyd could be a decent pairing.  We don't need a Taylor figure to lead the line every week.  Sometimes you need that option, but not always.  Our best pairings in recent history haven't been big blokes.  Woods/Rees, not a big bloke there.  Rees just used his body well, as do both Lloyd and Orsi but just to different effect.  Nogan/Lester, again Nogan was just very good at using his body to look after the ball rather than dominate his defender. Lester on the other hand had strength but it was an awkward, niggly style.  In some ways what Lloyd does when he gets in and behind.    Even Bogle and Amond lacked that traditional centre forward.  Bogle was/is a bloody big bloke.  But he wasn't a battering ram and it was Amond who led the line of the two.

Yes, we'll need a presence and an option (a Livvo type, if you want).  But it shouldn't always be a case of Big Bloke and AN Other.

Quoted from Maringer

I'd assume Taylor will move on (with thanks for his past efforts), so hopefully, we can finally sign that striker we couldn't manage to get last season!

I thought the same, until he didn't come on yesterday to get chance to say goodbye.

Expecting Crocombe to move to Scotland, and Bryn Morris to head back to Hartlepool.

I’m not reading that  Crocombe tweet as a goodbye , just a ‘thanks for the great season’

I thought the same, until Surrey97 posted that!

Quoted from Surrey97

Expecting Crocombe to move to Scotland, and Bryn Morris to head back to Hartlepool.

I put that (about max) a few weeks ago, that I heard/read somewhere that he was going north of the border.

Bryn has flattered to deceive but will he want to drop down a division? I thought maybe Harrogate

I think Crocombe brought on his kiddy at the start of the game, a la Pearson? That's what pretty much cemented my thoughts that he would be moving on and the tweet reinforces it for me.

I'm not over-enamoured of Emmanuel, either. He's shown a lot of ability in fits and starts but the consistency hasn't been there. If he's back to fitness, he should have been tearing up this League if he's a Championship-standard player. I'm not sure his fitness is there and, if it isn't now, I'm not sure it will be next season.

If Crocombe does indeed go, which is sounding increasingly likely, I’ve always liked the look of Christy Pym who played a blinder for Mansfield against us recently. He was on loan there from Peterborough where he is under contract for another season but thoroughly out of favour with Darren Ferguson.

Not the biggest bloke for a ‘keeper, but a very good shot stopper and probably better than League Two. Mansfield might well be interested themselves, but he’s someone who’s always impressed me when I’ve seen him play.

I would of thought maybe Crocombe would look to go to a club London way seem has his partner is down there alot modelling.

If partnerships are that important we'll have to bring John-Lewis back.

Quoted from Abdul19

I thought the same, until Surrey97 posted that!

it reads both ways i guess, if i didn't hear about this Falkirk rumour  i would have probably thought the same.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if every single senior out of contract player departs and maybe a couple under contract too.

I think it’s going to be a very busy summer.

I can’t remember when contract extensions were announced last year. Was it alongside the retained list?

I like we have a good number under contract for another year and hope we’d aim to do this again. As long as they are solid players it prevents to a certain extent the risk of the playing side falling apart. We’re adding, rather than rebuilding. None of those with another year are dead weight in my view.

Clifton has already been mentioned by Hurst. Would be keen for Maher and Khouri to get another year. We already have Hunt signed up. After that possibles would be Green, Effete, Glennon, Khan and the younger ones. Not sure how I feel on this bunch as don’t have enough football knowledge to know if they are likely to develop further with the base and experience of this year in League 2.

Whoever is released, needs to be replaced with someone better.

Quoted from cannylad65

Whoever is released, needs to be replaced with someone better.

Certainly preferable to someone who is worse.

Quoted from cannylad65

Whoever is released, needs to be replaced with someone better.

I’d like someone nastier. Our recent forwards in particular have been far too nice. We need someone who will wind up opposition players and fans alike, but play the refs beautifully…

Quoted from Maringer

I think Crocombe brought on his kiddy at the start of the game, a la Pearson? That's what pretty much cemented my thoughts that he would be moving on and the tweet reinforces it for me.

I'm not over-enamoured of Emmanuel, either. He's shown a lot of ability in fits and starts but the consistency hasn't been there. If he's back to fitness, he should have been tearing up this League if he's a Championship-standard player. I'm not sure his fitness is there and, if it isn't now, I'm not sure it will be next season.

'I'm not sure his fitness is there and, if it isn't now, I'm not sure it will be next season'  suggests you don't know much about fitness training.  He came to us having only played 7 games last season and none this season.  If a player is thrown into a side mid-season after a year or so out of the game, they aren't going to hit peak fitness.  He has a chance to work further on his fitness over the summer and be involved in a full pre-season.  What makes you believe that isn't possible?  He has played 120 games at L1 level before the age of 24, which would suggest he's plenty good enough for us.

Quoted from RichMariner

Whoever Hurst signs in the summer, I'd really like to see more partnerships in the team.

If you asked me to name one solid partnership that has developed - between two strikers, two centre backs, down the left, down the right, in the middle... I'd seriously struggle.

I think this reflects the stop-start nature to our campaign.

We've tweaked formation more times than I care to remember, and hardly ever named the same starting XI in back-to-back games since we seem to react more to what the opposition are doing than be bullish about our own style.

There are many reasons for why we've had to be like this (short-to-no pre-season, late in making summer signings since we didn't know what division we'd be in, etc), so I'm not having a go.

But we've had Green, Hunt, Holohan, Clifton and Morris in the middle this season. I couldn't say any of them have developed a partnership since they've all been heavily rotated.

Up front, no partnerships. Some half decent displays here and there from individuals, but no 'big man small man' threat, or anything like that.

In the wide areas, Efete and Glennon have been selected most, but in front of them it's been chopping and changing all the time — again, injuries, formation changes, adapting to the opposition, etc, have dictated this.

If we had a game next week, I couldn't tell you what formation we'd play or who'd be in the starting XI.

I truly think one of the reasons we've never been able to string a load of good results together at any point this season (you know, win four on the bounce, go 10 unbeaten, that kind of thing) is due to a lack of understanding between players throughout the squad.

An 11th place finish, all things considered, isn't bad since we spent the last 5-6 months lower than that.

Early signings, a commitment to a certain formation and certain style of play, and the ability to establish partnerships throughout the starting XI will be the way to take this team and club forward. Thankfully we've all known what division we'll be playing in next season for ages, so hopefully this has helped with early contract negotiations and I think we can expect some business to be done early this time round.

Spot on.  I think Glennon played better when Khan was in front of him. I think we have a lot more to see of the latter.  Some of the other players need to be sharper.  Khan often does a player but then has no outlet, so has to take on one or two more. Often he runs in to a cul-de-sac which is inevitable but makes it look like he's made a mistake.  

It's here

https://twitter.com/officialgtfc/status/1655935662065954816

The following players have been released:

Ollie Battersby
Bryn Morris
Ryan Taylor
Josh Emmanuel
Owen Gallacher
Jaz Goundry
Jordan Cropper
Sean Scannell

Have they forgotten Danny Amos?

Quoted from davmariner

Have they forgotten Danny Amos?

He's triggered an appearance related extension.

Quoted from bedders78

It's here

https://twitter.com/officialgtfc/status/1655935662065954816

The following players have been released:

Ollie Battersby
Bryn Morris
Ryan Taylor
Josh Emmanuel
Owen Gallacher
Jaz Goundry
Jordan Cropper
Sean Scannell

13 spots available for new, youth and loanees then.

Nothing too unexpected there other than Amos (extension) and Emmanuel.

Many thanks to Taylor, Cropper and Scannell for their efforts in the promotion season, I'm sure they'll all be remembered fondly.

For me, the biggest surprise in that retained list is the appearance related extension for Amos. When was the last time that only one out of contract player actually got offered a deal?

The fact we only have to wait on one player agreeing to a new deal has to be considered a success compared to how we've operated in previous years?

It's a great starting point. Not sure PH will ever have put together an easier retained list. Just read first 16 replies to the club on Twitter and not one complaint, which I think speaks volumes.

Thanks to those leaving for what they've done. Onward and upwards. UTM

Quoted from jamesgtfc

For me, the biggest surprise in that retained list is the appearance related extension for Amos.

21 league appearances and 30 in total.  

Unless it was a really low bar to trigger the extension, you've got to presume that he hit it relatively recently.  

Our season effectively ended with the Brighton defeat, since which he's made 6 appearances.  I'm gonna guess those 6 appearances took him over the threshold.  

Maybe there is something in Glennon leaving...

No arguments on the retained list from me.  Emmanuel probably the surprise for some, I know a lot of people think it's part of an agreement with Hull but I can't see them wanting him back there.  He was at his best for them two years ago in League One.  They've got aspirations for promotion next season.   Won't be surprised if he ends up back here over the summer.

Have to say I expected Amos to go, though I suspect like most I was unaware of any automatic extension in place. I have no issues with that, he’s been a good servant these last 18 months, but it doesn’t leave a whole lot of scope to improve at left-back assuming there are no plans to move either Amos or Glennon on. Unless there are, of course.

Also slightly surprised we’ve not offered anything to Emmanuel. Whatever you make of his recent performances his pedigree is certainly above League Two-level. Perhaps it’s something that was never on the cards or he’s already sorted something out elsewhere.

The rest is as expected.

Quoted from Poojah

Have to say I expected Amos to go, though I suspect like most I was unaware of any automatic extension in place. I have no issues with that, he’s been a good servant these last 18 months, but it doesn’t leave a whole lot of scope to improve at left-back assuming there are no plans to move either Amos or Glennon on. Unless there are, of course.

Also slightly surprised we’ve not offered anything to Emmanuel. Whatever you make of his recent performances his pedigree is certainly above League Two-level. Perhaps it’s something that was never on the cards or he’s already sorted something out elsewhere.

The rest is as expected.

Most seem to see a fit Emmanuel as better than League 2. They’re probably right but I’d love him to be starting next season as a Mariner.

Whilst he's struggled for most of this season, I thought Taylor deserved a send-off yesterday.  

He was integral last season and I personally would rather have had the opportunity to give him a round of applause in the final minutes than Mikey O'Neill.

Be interesting to find out the undisclosed fee we paid for Emmanuel.
Wasted money? Probably.

Glennon and Amos are still both only 23, got some room to improve further. I’m more than happy to have them both as our left back options again next season.

Quoted from Fette Schlange

Be interesting to find out the undisclosed fee we paid for Emmanuel.
Wasted money? Probably.

Hurst confirmed previously that we did not pay a fee. That was misreported, albeit by the club’s own media channels.

Quoted from Fette Schlange

Be interesting to find out the undisclosed fee we paid for Emmanuel.
Wasted money? Probably.

I'm pretty sure Hurst confirmed that we didn't pay anything up front. I imagine fees came into it if we signed him permanently or got promoted.

Quoted from Fette Schlange

Be interesting to find out the undisclosed fee we paid for Emmanuel.
Wasted money? Probably.

Think Hurst said at the time it wasn’t a transfer fee in the traditional sense - probably a nominal fee to cover costs incurred by Hull.

Anyway, he played the ball in that won us the first pen at Southampton - if that was Efete there’s a 50/50 chance that would’ve ended up in the stands rather than the box. For that reason alone, it was money well spent.

Assume his wage demands are well above what we could offer so not really worth wasting the ink on a contract.

About right isn’t it. Good to have a healthy amount of solid players already tied down going in to next season.

I would guess Emmanuel sees his future elsewhere hence no contract offer. I think he has been good but not outstanding. He’s a player I would have been happy to keep but not fussed that he’s leaving.

Crocombe is similar. He’s a strange one in that he was so good when he replaced Macca and addressed lots of our shortfalls in that area. I rarely come away from games thinking of a worldie save he’s pulled off but then I guess that only goes to show how solid our defence is. With Max I feel like he just saves what he should and when you see he’s kept 20 clean sheets this season, that is some going and really I should be happier to keep him. If he can improve his often wayward kicking and keep one or two more out that he has no right, I will be more than happy.

Looking forward to a summer of additions and not a rebuild.

Not surprised by much of that list except us not trying to sign Emmanuel. Didnt realise Amos had a contract extension clause either. Other than this nothing not expected

Quoted from quebec38

Crocombe is similar. He’s a strange one in that he was so good when he replaced Macca and addressed lots of our shortfalls in that area. I rarely come away from games thinking of a worldie save he’s pulled off but then I guess that only goes to show how solid our defence is. With Max I feel like he just saves what he should and when you see he’s kept 20 clean sheets this season, that is some going and really I should be happier to keep him. If he can improve his often wayward kicking and keep one or two more out that he has no right, I will be more than happy.

The best goalkeepers don’t need to make many worldie saves as they snuff out the danger before it happens, either through marshalling the defence, or collecting crosses or loose balls. Those without those abilities have to make more reaction saves.

I liked Emmanuel, thought he looked far better playing as right winger/wing back with a back 3 behind him than as part of a back 4 though, the quality was there to see going forwards.

Playing the long game I think it's best if he signs for a L1 or higher team this summer instead of us - any quality players in similar positions next year, and going forwards, might look more favourably on doing the same and giving us 6 months/1 year of a player we can't really afford normally to re-launch their career in a win-win situation.  But I'm an armchair critic so feel free to ignore me

A big shame about Scanell. There's a bloody good player in there when he's fully fit. At least we gave it a crack by extending his contract last time, just unfortunate it didn't work out for him.

Quoted from bedders78

It's here

https://twitter.com/officialgtfc/status/1655935662065954816

The following players have been released:

Ollie Battersby
Bryn Morris
Ryan Taylor
Josh Emmanuel
Owen Gallacher
Jaz Goundry
Jordan Cropper
Sean Scannell

Interesting in that most of these released players only had bit parts this season, so it looks like we might be going into Season 23/24 with the same playing squad as this season.

It may be the case that we sounded out Emmanuel and he said he had no interest in signing. Not offering a contract doesn't necessarily mean we wouldn't have been interested in signing him.

Re Amos, the release says: "*Danny Amos* has triggered an appearance-related extension to *his* deal", which reads as though it was Amos's decision to extend his contract, having hit the required appearances. Perhaps that took the decision out of PH's hands, meaning we're none the wiser as to whether he actually features in our long-term plans. (FWIW, I'd be doing the same thing if I were Amos, unless I had another club lined up already.)

Releasing Emmanuel might also be a sign that we'll be playing 4 at the back next season. He's only really shone at right wing back but hasn't really looked better than Efete in a back 4. I'd guess he'd demand a high wage (probably one of the highest earners) and it's hard to justify it on a player who doesn't fit comfortably into the system you want to play.

If Hurst can get both Amos and Glennon fully fit and able to turn quicker, then they would be good enough. Job for pre season fitness training to resolve.

Goalkeeper position needs honest competition.

Khouri to progress further - result !

I would like to see Raikhy of Villa return in the midfield as he seemed to have both pace and physicality needed for this division.

We do need to find someone who can do the Pouton, Cunnington, Cockerill, Cumming type role again.

Back 4 or 5?? - if 5 and playing wing backs, then 2 new centre backs needed, 1 left footed and either able to cover right wing back if needed.

If 4, then another good right back with pace as a wing back if needed.

Up front - Lloyd has impressed during his loan - will he be available?

Up front - Is Vernam set up already as many seem to think?

Who can come in to do the Livvo role, but perhaps have a little more mobility as well?

Not saying that the ex loanee Richardson would be a ready to go replacement for Taylor, but he was a fierce competitor for a young lad, just unlucky to be injured, and then went back.

Joe Hutchinson has already been named by Jason Stockwood as having done research and putting names forward, so will Paul Hurst's magic "rabbit from a top hat" trick be put to bed this year?

I'm sure that if we get a couple of early signings in place  then the season ticket sales should progress well.

Less of a mass panic for once !!

Quoted from kafunanapar140909

Re Amos, the release says: "*Danny Amos* has triggered an appearance-related extension to *his* deal", which reads as though it was Amos's decision to extend his contract, having hit the required appearances. Perhaps that took the decision out of PH's hands, meaning we're none the wiser as to whether he actually features in our long-term plans. (FWIW, I'd be doing the same thing if I were Amos, unless I had another club lined up already.)

I don't think it's anything like that, if the trigger was 30 games and Hurst didn't want him around, he wouldn't have played him 30 times. The contract Danny Amos has is his personal contract, and his clause will have been automatic whilst Bramwell's additional year appears much more subjective in nature.

Quoted from Les Brechin

A big shame about Scanell. There's a bloody good player in there when he's fully fit. At least we gave it a crack by extending his contract last time, just unfortunate it didn't work out for him.

Frigging hell, he hasn't been fully fit for over 5 years.

With the releases, loan returns and Pearson thats 14 players leaving. Think if we replace them with 8/9 players ready to step into the first team including 2 new strikers and 1 top keeper.
Would also like to see us sign Lloyd permanently, replace Mcatee and some creativity in midfield

Possible that some of the contracted players aren't in PH's plans either or they have interest from elsewhere.

So no surprises there then, well done to Danny Amos's agent for negotiating the appearance clause. In terms of retained numbers we are in much better health than we've been for years.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Possible that some of the contracted players aren't in PH's plans either or they have interest from elsewhere.

You took the words from. Some of those under contract may not be wanted by Hurst next season so it won't surprise me to see some put on a transfer list or loaned out next season.

With Taylor, McAtee and Lloyd gone, I think Hurst must be bringing in 2 new strikers to form a partnership. He did say last August that he knows he needs a striker.

Difficult to argue with that list to be honest. Other than rare glimpses of quality (eg Northampton away) I thought Emmanuel was a little disappointing. We need proper pace down the right to provide for the new strikers!
Think Otis will be a big hit next season if he can stay fit

Quoted from diehardmariner

Whilst he's struggled for most of this season, I thought Taylor deserved a send-off yesterday.  

He was integral last season and I personally would rather have had the opportunity to give him a round of applause in the final minutes than Mikey O'Neill.

I wondered this too and thought it might’ve been the old Bradley Woods situation where 1 game triggered another year onto his contract?

I agree, when he has played, notably more last season, he put in well over the minimum 100%. Old Father Time is slowly catching up on him but, I think he will be back in the national league maybe.

I have no clue who we are signing but we have 11-12 more than capable mid table league 2 teams. We have space for 10+ first team players. Now out of that 10+ if we can find 5 players that are better than we already have then we're well on our way to a top 7 finish.

Quoted from acko338

If Hurst can get both Amos and Glennon fully fit and able to turn quicker, then they would be good enough. Job for pre season fitness training to resolve.

Goalkeeper position needs honest competition.

Khouri to progress further - result !

I would like to see Raikhy of Villa return in the midfield as he seemed to have both pace and physicality needed for this division.

We do need to find someone who can do the Pouton, Cunnington, Cockerill, Cumming type role again.

Back 4 or 5?? - if 5 and playing wing backs, then 2 new centre backs needed, 1 left footed and either able to cover right wing back if needed.

If 4, then another good right back with pace as a wing back if needed.

Up front - Lloyd has impressed during his loan - will he be available?

Up front - Is Vernam set up already as many seem to think?

Who can come in to do the Livvo role, but perhaps have a little more mobility as well?

Not saying that the ex loanee Richardson would be a ready to go replacement for Taylor, but he was a fierce competitor for a young lad, just unlucky to be injured, and then went back.

Joe Hutchinson has already been named by Jason Stockwood as having done research and putting names forward, so will Paul Hurst's magic "rabbit from a top hat" trick be put to bed this year?

I'm sure that if we get a couple of early signings in place  then the season ticket sales should progress well.

Less of a mass panic for once !!

Really hope we can do better Verman, has not pulled up any trees since he wanted to move away from GTFC.
Was he any good the first time, apart from the Colchester game not really 10 goals in 62 games last time. Since he moved he played 83 games scoring 14 goals including 20 games last sason without scoring for Lincoln, not sure how many games he started, but based on those figures, we need a striker with a better record,

Quoted from The Yard Dog

Really hope we can do better Verman, has not pulled up any trees since he wanted to move away from GTFC.
Was he any good the first time, apart from the Colchester game not really 10 goals in 62 games last time. Since he moved he played 83 games scoring 14 goals including 20 games last sason without scoring for Lincoln, not sure how many games he started, but based on those figures, we need a striker with a better record,

This whole not pulled up any trees thing really irritates me, because he got 12 goal contributions in 1862 minutes of football for Bradford which equates to 12 goal contributions in 20.6 games. He's also not a striker.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Whilst he's struggled for most of this season, I thought Taylor deserved a send-off yesterday.  

He was integral last season and I personally would rather have had the opportunity to give him a round of applause in the final minutes than Mikey O'Neill.

It made me wonder if we signed one of those loan deals for Mikey O'Neil were, if u don't play him at least as a sub u have to pay his wage, if u do play him he is free that week. I honestly can't think of any other reason we would have persisted with him so many times as we have especially on the final day. Hes been so utterly anonymous and surely would have been sent back with the others if we could.
If we have got a  play him or pay for him type deal then preston have really had our trousers down because, regardless of whether he's got enough technical ability to make it in future, he is miles off men's football at the moment.

Vernam as a wide player or at 10 and 2 strikers one of whom could also play in a 10 role. With Orsi that would give good options. One of the two needs to be a big fecker though. Most importantly we need to get away from serial loanees being part of our first choice match day squad up front, Lloyd has been an exception in how that has worked for us this season.