2024/25 Squads - KEEP/GET RID/BURN THEM AT THE STAKE, etc

[kieran_vale]

Thought you may have kept Wilson was good at this level last time.

Injury history mate, just can’t rely on him to be available enough. We do love having our share of crocks under contract historically. Certainly did well for us last time we were down here, on form he can do things with the ball few at this level can but it became fewer and farther between last couple of years sadly.

 

[Optipez]

Our retained list is out, no surprises really.
Despite shipping loads of goals Aiden Baldwin has the tools to be a good defender at L2 but would benefit from a Pete Wilde type manager who would make him buckle down to defensive duties. Aiden Stone and Will Randall been made available for transfer, both had a terrible time with us but both have previously done ok at this level.

 

[Optipez]

Bostock was good against us ran the midfield was that a one off?

Not a one off but rare. He's slow and just doesn't cover the ground quick enough for L2 week in week out.

 

[Optipez]

Shame for Stone it’s not worked out with you but I think he needs to either accept his next move is going to be as a pure backup (which in all honesty from everything have seen of him is probably his limit at this level) or drop to the Conference and try for a starting spot there.

Didn’t even realise Rawlinson was still in the EFL. Was slow when we had him so god knows what he’s like now.

He's been great for us but should have been released last season or at best only given a one year deal. Very reliable but anything played in behind him and he's no chance of getting back to cover.
One of my favourite players of the last few years.

 

[RavenBish]

Obviously a bit sad about O’Brien, Bostock and Baldwin but all correct decisions. I’d be surprised if Jim keeps going, Bostock’s legs have gone unfortunately and I kind of expect Baldwin to be a good signing for someone, clearly a good player but you just can’t be at fault for the number of goals he has this season and survive - sort of player if you put him next to a big lump and let him knock it about a bit and sweep up behind, he’d be good enough.

Only thing I can’t understand is what Junior Morias has done to avoid being made available for transfer! Can’t see how he gets anywhere near a matchday squad ever

 

[leedsvaliant]

Thought you may have kept Wilson was good at this level last time.

He was the best player on the pitch in our playoff games of two years ago and I really thought he would be excellent in league 1. A combination of injuries and struggling to get back up to speed after injury has done for him. You can see why he played for Man United, wonderful ability at times but for all that talent, his involvement in actual goals or setting up goals is probably less than 10 in 2 seasons. He would be one of the best players in the conference (if fit) but I can see him going to a mid to lower end league 2 club. Hoping our ambitions are higher after the last 2 years.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Only thing I disagree with is talking to Uche. How much more evidence is needed he’s fucking shite? Will see if others get listed in the days to come.

Thanks for the memories to Dan Gore. That 45 minutes we saw him for were emotional…

2023/24 Retained List

Port Vale Football Club can confirm the retained list following the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, the club is currently in conversation with several first-team and academy players and their representatives.

www.port-vale.co.uk

My first take was amazement too. He's definitely a poor footballer with the control of a bouncy castle at times. I just wonder whether Moore thinks that he might be a point of difference as a 4th choice striker? He's going to be up against poorer defenders who might struggle with his physicality and a good option to throw on if needed. If he had any ability at all with the ball he'd be a hell of a player. I also worry that his fitness levels as a professional athlete are pathetic. He's blowing out of his arse after 45 minutes.

I can see some sense in keeping him though, so long as he gets an absolute beasting in pre season and Lee Bradbury (a good striker in his day) gets to work on his decision making and using his attributes to the best way.

 

[kieran_vale]

My first take was amazement too. He's definitely a poor footballer with the control of a bouncy castle at times. I just wonder whether Moore thinks that he might be a point of difference as a 4th choice striker? He's going to be up against poorer defenders who might struggle with his physicality and a good option to throw on if needed. If he had any ability at all with the ball he'd be a hell of a player. I also worry that his fitness levels as a professional athlete are pathetic. He's blowing out of his arse after 45 minutes.

I can see some sense in keeping him though, so long as he gets an absolute beasting in pre season and Lee Bradbury (a good striker in his day) gets to work on his decision making and using his attributes to the best way.

All I know is that header he missed against Cambridge (and even now a couple of days later I’m still puzzled how he contrived to do it) just summed Uche up perfectly and why he’s not the answer to anything. Already got one clumsy, non scoring striker in Loft on the books next season so don’t see why we’d want a second one.

 

[1862]

Obviously a bit sad about O’Brien, Bostock and Baldwin but all correct decisions. I’d be surprised if Jim keeps going, Bostock’s legs have gone unfortunately and I kind of expect Baldwin to be a good signing for someone, clearly a good player but you just can’t be at fault for the number of goals he has this season and survive - sort of player if you put him next to a big lump and let him knock it about a bit and sweep up behind, he’d be good enough.

Only thing I can’t understand is what Junior Morias has done to avoid being made available for transfer! Can’t see how he gets anywhere near a matchday squad ever

I wonder if he's on such a wage that it's unrealistic to unload him with 2 years still to go? We won't have had many options when we brought him in so he could have got himself a (relatively) good deal. Not ideal obviously if that is the case. Could also be that they're waiting to see what happens with Langstaff before making a decision.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

He's been great for us but should have been released last season or at best only given a one year deal. Very reliable but anything played in behind him and he's no chance of getting back to cover.
One of my favourite players of the last few years.

Great is pushing it. He's got some strengths, commitment being one.

Definitely should have been released after the Wembley truimph. Sutton away first game of the season told you all you needed to know at this level.

 

[valefan16]

I’d have kept Wilson over Uche as Willo can be a game changer at this level and his big game moments in the play offs and the final day at Exeter became the difference between success and failure.

Massey going is no surprise, Leutweiler as a number 2 seemed ok but maybe we want more of a challenge for Ripper.

Uche… this could be part of his deal and he is in negotiations due to a clause in his deal as reading the press release when he signed it was “until at least the summer of 24” but I can see the value with a proper pre season behind him and a decent Striker to play off him. Those games when poorer sides sit in at this level against us with massive centre halves which we traditional struggle to break down he is ideal for as he occupies a couple of them and creates space. I’d be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt of a pre season to get properly fit, but I don’t want Uche and Loft as it makes no sense then, that said I guess if you get 2 better strikers and they are your four it could work.

Cass probably will go but could do a job at league two and have to see on the contracted.

 

[Optipez]

Great is pushing it. He's got some strengths, commitment being one.

Definitely should have been released after the Wembley truimph. Sutton away first game of the season told you all you needed to know at this level.

I wish we could put his head on Baldwins body.
I do think he's been an absolute stalwart for us. Should never have been dropped for the play-off final against Harrogate, cost us promotion and our long unbeaten run last season came when Brindley got injured and Rawlinson stepped up.

 

[クレイグ]

interesting that Jordan Gibson has been released. Wonder where him and his dad will rock up next.

 

[jacobncfc]

Rawlinson close to O’Brien levels of an amazing servant for me. Obviously never up to it at this level and should’ve gone as a hero after the play-off final, but he was one of the best defenders in the National League for four seasons straight with us and did admirably to make himself useful and an asset when we changed the style of football to something that really didn’t suit him. Top guy.

 

[valefan16]

Deklan Wynne has been offered terms too.. odd one this as signed two weeks ago for the last four games but didn’t make an appearance!

NZ international wing back who’s been largely in the MLS so no idea if he’s good or not!

 

[hellogregory]

interesting that Jordan Gibson has been released. Wonder where him and his dad will rock up next.

I rate him. He’s one of the few who’ve actually done alright in League 1 for us up until the last few months.

But it’s been clear for months that he needs a change of scenery and his head has been away from the club. Best for both parties he goes but I expect he’ll get a new club no problem.

 

[hellogregory]

After releasing every out of contract first team player, our manager has confirmed that some of the contracted players have been told that they are free to find new clubs as they are unlikely to play many games.

He’s not naming them publicly which I think is right, but if was to guess I’d say the players would be Jayden Harris, Alfie McCalmont, Jack Robinson and Dylan McGeoch.

I’d be getting rid of a few more if it were up to me.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

No arguments with the Notts retained list. Good luck with getting rid of those transfer listed lads though. Bostock was fuckin great at the start of this season, god knows what happened since December.

Aden Baldwin will be a fantastic pick up for someone, an all time Notts hero.

 

[leedsvaliant]

All I know is that header he missed against Cambridge (and even now a couple of days later I’m still puzzled how he contrived to do it) just summed Uche up perfectly and why he’s not the answer to anything. Already got one clumsy, non scoring striker in Loft on the books next season so don’t see why we’d want a second one.

I'd be confident that I would have stuck that away and I don't by any means think he's any good in football terms. I'm just playing devil's advocate in that with a full pre season to work on fitness and also some consideration of positional play, he might offer a point of difference against poorer defenders. He's clearly not up to league 1 anymore but league 2 might offer more opportunity. I'd sooner anyone than Loft...in my opinion in the top 3 worst strikers we've ever had and that includes big Reg and Kyle Perry.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I wish we could put his head on Baldwins body.
I do think he's been an absolute stalwart for us. Should never have been dropped for the play-off final against Harrogate, cost us promotion and our long unbeaten run last season came when Brindley got injured and Rawlinson stepped up.

That would certainly make a good blend and a much better defender than either.

He shouldn't have been dropped but I will never believe that one player selected or not selected for that Harrogate playoff final would have made any difference to the overall result.

Rawlinson, stalwart good guy, very good national league defender. Bostock, good guy, talented, a pleasure to watch, dropped off a cliff.
Baldwin classy, mistake ridden, unforgettable after that Borehamwood semi final goals

 

[Meadow]

Full list here. https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2024/april/retained-list-202324/

Lee Brown has been a revelation despite being 33. He stepped up when Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson were injured. I'd like to see Armani Little re-sign although he's a shadow of his former self post injury.

Ronan Curtis is too good for L2 and I guess that he'll go.

Now is the time for POTY Jack Currie to move up. Providing he goes for a decent amount he goes with my blessing and I wish him every success at a higher level.

I'd like to see Josh Davison move on. Great workrate but little end product. Free transfer to a lower L2 or Conference club.

No goalkeepers retained so our search continues. One day we'll defend higher clubs poaching our promising goalkeepers. In fact I worry more about our fantastic goalkeeping coach being poached than any of our goalkeepers.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Retained and Released List 2023/24 - Grimsby Town Football Club

Following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, Grimsby Town Football Club can confirm the retained and released list.

gtfc.co.uk

 

[Gladders]

No real surprises other than trying to keep both Green and Clifton.

Wonder if they will look to get rid of any under contract or decide it costs too much to pay them off.

 

[EnglishRed]

Wasn't Abo Eisa the guy scoring the screamers?

 

[Gladders]

Wasn't Abo Eisa the guy scoring the screamers?

Yep all flukes though according to Adam so prolly why he was released.

 

[Chris FGR]

https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/retained-and-released-list-2024

16 contracted, but several of those will leave. A couple have release clauses apparently and others are out of favour.

Of those released. sad to see Stevens and Bernard's time here end like this, both have been here 5 years and part of some great memories. Stevens especially has been superb at times, great scoring record even though injuries have hampered him. Garrick could do a decent job for someone at this level too if you can keep him fit.

 

[Grimsby Road]

No real surprises other than trying to keep both Green and Clifton.

Wonder if they will look to get rid of any under contract or decide it costs too much to pay them off.

Might get offers for Hunt from York and Wilson from Crawley (if they stay down )

Pyke I'm assuming we will try to offload but not sure if there will be many (any) takers .

Eisa has ability but seemed to not have the heart for a battle ,it will be interesting to see where he ends up .

 

[Bottega Don]

Don't know what his contract situation is but I doubt Dylan Youmbi is going to make it at Bradford

He came off the bench once for us and it was the worst I have ever seen a Scunny player look, he looked like he hadn't played football in his life and was then never seen again.

 

[lordofthepies]

https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/retained-and-released-list-2024

16 contracted, but several of those will leave. A couple have release clauses apparently and others are out of favour.

Of those released. sad to see Stevens and Bernard's time here end like this, both have been here 5 years and part of some great memories. Stevens especially has been superb at times, great scoring record even though injuries have hampered him. Garrick could do a decent job for someone at this level too if you can keep him fit.

Did Sean Robertson play much for you this season?

 

[Si Robin]

https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/retained-and-released-list-2024

16 contracted, but several of those will leave. A couple have release clauses apparently and others are out of favour.

Of those released. sad to see Stevens and Bernard's time here end like this, both have been here 5 years and part of some great memories. Stevens especially has been superb at times, great scoring record even though injuries have hampered him. Garrick could do a decent job for someone at this level too if you can keep him fit.

As is always the case, I see we're being linked with a couple already.

Dom Bernard mainly. Any good?