Retain ;

Hughes, Schlupp, Clyne

Release ;

The rest

Old, Ungifted and White

Agreed.
Unfortunately Parish's business model thus far is to keep duffers well beyond their sell by date, therefore limiting opportunity for others and not raising any revenue from sales.
This naturally also comes down to the quality of the scouting network.
The question to ask to sort the wheat from the chaff is, "Who out of the players listed above is going to make a meaningful contribution next season?"

Edited by southnorwoodhill (02 Jan 2024 10.43am)

In an ideal world we'd not renew any of these 8 contracts. Unfortunately, this isn't an ideal world. We already have a small squad. Take those 8 players out of our squad and we are left with a squad of just 16 1st team players plus 2 from the Academy (Franca and Ozoh - Rak-Sakyi becomes one of the 25 next season having turned 21 in October and hence one of the 16). That leaves 9 spaces available if we want to fill them and that assumes we don't lose anyone in the Summer.

Against that background:
1. I don't see us buying anything like 9 players to give us a full squad.

2. I don't see anyone in the Academy (other than Franca and Ozoh) as being ready to be brought into the 1st team squad.

3. Of the players out on loan none in League 1 or 2 are making a case for PL 1st team football. Phillips is the nearest but it's unclear whether or not he's improved on his decent spell at L1 Shrewsbury last season. The only possible candidate for 1st squad consideration IMO is Malachi Boateng who has been a regular starter at Dundee in the Scottish Premiership which I would guestimate equates to Lower English Championship level at best.

Consequently, I suspect retaining some of the 8 will be a necessity. Who to retain. Well assuming we can renew contracts at a lower wage level given these palyers will at best be squad players, I would go for:
- Schlupp
- Hughes
- Clyne
but I can well see the Board offering contracts to Riedewald and Matthews as well.

One of the players on the list maybe let go for non footballing reasons. I wont say who because it is just internet gossip, but if true the club will ditch him quicker than Usain Bolt.

One more point

Eh?

I'm not asking you to name names, but for an ignoramus like me, give another clue!

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

His name might rhyme with a river, possibly, but dont tell anyone

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn