FC Boro

If, like me you’re still trying to get to grips with the play-off semi-final second leg defeat at the Abbey Stadium on Monday then I’ve found the best thing to do is begin to look forward to next season. In my opinion there’s a lot to be excited about. For the first time in years we should have more or less the same squad and management team in August. The last few seasons have seen the team look nearly unrecogonizable from season to season, last summer being a good example. This has led to us not starting season’s well, losing stupid points at places where we should be winning at. Next season we can really hit the ground running.

I don’t think a lot of changes are needed to the current squad. There will be a few in’s and out’s as there always is during the close season, but it certainly won’t be as many as last summer. I’ve compiled a list of the players I think we’ll retain and the players I think we’ll release or sell.

Retain List

Chris Day, Ronnie Henry, Mark Roberts, Jon Ashton, Scott Laird, Lawrie Wilson, Andy Drury, Michael Bostwick, Darren Murphy, David Bridges, Gary Mills, Mitchell Cole, Lee Boylan (13)

Players allowed to leave

Ashley Bayes, James Russell, Mark Albrighton, Peter Vincenti, John Martin, Eddie Anaclet, Callum Willock (7)

Players sold

Steve Morison (1)

I think that gives us a good 13 players to work with again next season. I expect GW to sign at least a couple of strikers and another goalkeeper and centre half in the summer. If he gets them signings right, then no doubt we’ll be challenging from the start next season. I think the departures of Vincenti and Martin are almost certain. The two players are massively out of favour with the Boro manager and although I’d swap the both of them with Mills and Murphy, who are both likely to still be here next season, this is a list of who I think will be here next season and not who I want to be.

With Steve Morison likely to be sold to the highest bidder, then getting in a striker who can score goals in this division is a must. Morison’s goals will be hugely missed next season and GW has to find someone who can be relied upon to help fire Boro into the football league. Players such as Andy Mangan, Charlie Sheringham and Jack Midson have been names mentioned, but I doubt any of them will be bought in. I think Mangan will sign a new contract with FGR, while the other 2 will not be pursued by GW. He signed Christie, Boylan, Westcarr and Thomas in a bid to replace Morison last season so it will be interesting to see who GW goes for this summer?

Who would you like to see at Broadhall Way next season?