Released List

Well whatever the reason he has been a shadow of the player who arrived here apart from a couple of games. The Jamie Walker of old would have been the first name on the team sheet this season he hasn’t deserved a place.

 

He might have been 1/2 yard off the pace but his heart was definitely in it.

 

Whatever the reason, and I suspect the contract may have had something to do with it, JW did not have the same impact as previously by a distance.

I really liked what Jamie could bring, and some club will fall very lucky in picking him up for nothing.

 

Echo what's been said about Walker, seems like a nice guy and works as hard as anyone but when it comes down to the stats, is he someone we can rely on in League 1?

According to Transfermarkt, he has the following -


I know a lot of his appearances have been off the bench recently but apart from the 23/24 season, he doesn't contribute enough for me. Wish him all the best.

 

I partly agree but I wonder how many squads from previous promotion teams were ripped up? Whilst some of our squad could presumably step up, there are others who proved themselves capable during the good spell and with the pressure off (initially), could add the stability needed in league one. The problem with the bad spell was mainly due to Alexander’s crazy tactics and team selections, rather than the players being incapable (with the exception of one or two). We performed admirably against Birmingham and with the addition of some real quality, there’s no reason why we couldn’t finish top half league one next season, in my opinion.

 

Crichlow released apparently, he’s saying over and out on his social media account.

 

The correct decision. We need better in League One.

He's had two attempts at League One and hasn't been able to step up.

 

That’s 4 defenders leaving with 460 L1 appearances between them. Huntington (264) Johnson (150) Crichlow(25) shepherd (21). Of the three that remain there’s is a grand total of …..12. Baldwin(9) Byrne (3) Kelly (0).


Experience badly badly needed

 

I like Critchlow but releasing him is a indication that money will be spent, even if just wages, in improving on him.

Same goes for anyone else.out of contract, so whilst it's sad to see some of them go I see it as a positive.

 

I'm sure the club are aware we will need 3 new defenders. Plans will be in place.

 

I thought we'd keep one of Crich or Kelly, guessing Kelly will have his option triggered now for one more year. Although Kelly has had a fairly big chunk of time missing whilst injured at City, he seems more the GA style of CB. Not a surprise, Crich struggled to make the matchday squad towards the end so hardly surprising we don't take him to L1. I like the guy, he seems to genuinely love the club too.

 

I think it’s the right decision but just like everyone in the squad they played a part in getting us out of the hell hole of a league

 

Kelly as a defender is decent he is let down by his distribution.

 

And those guys with no little to no L1 experience are Baldwin (28 next month), Byrne (32) and Kelly (27 in July). Hardly young lads building their career, it will still be a huge guess if all 3 can actually make the step up.

If i remember rightly, didn't Sharpe say in his interview that if the club were to get to L1, the recruitment plan would be to look at younger options?

 

I think Kelly has really improved over the last couple of seasons. He's an Alexander type, defensively good, big and strong.
I'd be really surprised if we didn't offer him a new deal.

 

Kelly as the middle CB of a 3, i could maybe see. Someone who is going to challenge for the ball, be the physical linchpin whilst the other 2 CBs are the distributors, with a bit of pace to cover too. Kelly as the left CB in a back 3, in L1, not for me. The play is going to be faster, the possesion is going to be more vital and as you say, thats Kellys downfall.

 

Not in any way saying 'rip it up and start again'
Players who can do it at a higher level week in week out is different to raising your game for a potential Wembley final.
I trust our recruitment and management team to get this right - which is a different feeling to past few years!

 

Crichlow is a ball playing defender but unfortunately L2 is probably his level so I understand the club's decision. I wish him all the best wherever he ends up somewhere like Crewe would be ideal as they try and play football on the ground and that would suit him.