To retain or not to retain

Andy Munro poses the Blues question.

Now the season has ended we have the traditional announcement of the Blues retained list, although there are apparently still some ongoing negotiations with a few of the departures, no doubt to see if they will stay on at substantially reduced wages.

It’s worth doing this with Maxime Colin but not really anyone else. As regards the loanees, it’s probably wishful thinking but retaining Hannibal Mejbri, Reda Khadra and either Dion Sanderson or Auston Trusty would be good, either as a renewed loan or permanently for a realistic fee, using funds from what appears to be forthcoming moves for the Bellingham Bros.

The supplementary list of youngsters leaving seems sensible with both Keyendrah Simmonds and Ryan Stirk failing to rise above the moderate. Overall, it seems to be a sensible approach from the new management although it is perhaps worth remembering that for all the supposed glamour and riches of professional football, we’re talking here about young lads who have lost their job.