Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Tuesday is thought to be the day that Jackson/Onuora announce the retained list for next season. Here I asses each of the players who’s contract is up, and whether they should still be at the Bank next season.

Alan Marriott – dependable stopper who has broken all sorts of records for Imps. Played in two Play-Off finals for the Imps, five Play-Off campaigns and next season is not only his tenth but were he to play a good lot of games would surpass Grant Brown’s appearance record for the Imps. However, I feel he needs genuine competition to maintain performance, and he has always been a confidence performer – something that has been hard to come by when goalkeeping behind a defence leakier than Roman Abramovich’s wallet. I think Marriott has done enough this season to earn a new contract so I am going to say STAY.

Gary Croft – don’t think there is much question here. The former Grimsby, Ipswich, Blackburn and Grimsby (again) defender, despite having a good brain is two or three yards too slow all the time, and was awful against Wrexham on Saturday, confirming my opinion of GO.

Adie Moses – Adie has been a loyal servant to every club he has been at, however, he is now in the situation where he plays well for three games, but then is injured for five. Not the sort of player Jackson’s reduced squad will be able to carry, so I’m afraid to say GO.

Jamie Forrester – his legs are now slower, he chases around less but 14 goals in a team who has struggled for most of the season is a good return and his experience and coaching ability will be vital in bringing on youngsters such as Lennel John-Lewis and Gary King. He has played more minutes for the Imps this year than anyone else – often being deployed in a wide role and has performed admirably. I think STAY - I feel he will have a vital role to play next season.

Mark Stallard – In his first season at the Bank I was so impressed with Stalls that I nominated him my Player of the Season. Hugely intelligent link up play combined with lethal finishing saw him form a deadly partnership with Jamie Forrester. However, John Schofield’s seemingly inane desire to prove Stove Torpey was a good signing, and Ben Wright’s form since the arrival of Jackson mean this has been a frustrating season for the big man, and I have to say GO. I hope he goes on and scores goals somewhere else as I really like him as a player, and he will always be one of my favourite City players. Thanks Mark, and good luck.

Scott Kerr – No question. 3 year contract, natural leader. STAY.

Ayden Duffy – Despite some praise from some quarters, he looked dreadful on Saturday and I don’t feel he will provide real competition for Marriott. GO.

Louis Dodds – although a lot depends on Leicester, Dodd’s has become part of the furniture this year and a number of classy displays topped off by a number of classy goals have made Dodds a bit of a hero at the Bank. It would have been good to see him down the middle, but 9 goals from the wing isn’t a bad return at all. So, if possible, STAY.

Shane Clarke – has featured more prominently this year than perhaps even he would have expected and has got better as time has gone on, but with the squad needing cutting down I would have to say GO. Good luck Shane.

Bearing these decisions in mind, then, that leaves the Imps with a squad of:
Marriott, Green, Beevers, Brown, Frecklington, Forrester, Kerr, Amoo, Wright, N’Guessan, Warlow and Hand. Add to this Danny Hone, Lennel John-Lewis, Martin Pembleton and Gary King then you have 16. When you consider that Peter Jackson wants a squad of 18 then this doesn’t leave a lot of room to bring in new blood. So, who should make way? Well Jamie Hand is almost certainly on his way out to Oxford, Nat Brown could probably find a new home at Moss Rose with Keith Alexander so this leaves only Ryan Amoo to find a new home for. If the club could find a new home for Amoo (other than reserve team captain) then that leaves Peter Jackson with five spaces, as I believe Warlow is a good enough prospect to keep hold of.

As for these five positions I believe City need a goalkeeper, a centre half, a left back, a midfield utility player and a centre forward. Tuesday will be very interesting indeed!