Time to chip in on this debate...players out of contract next month

McDonald - I think we can be a little less sentimental than we when came up to L2, but this guy is a hero of our promotion. And a class player, whose reading of the game can help stretch his career into his mid-30s. I say we offer him a new 2-year contract.

Norburn - Ditto. We can avoid his slow start now, and he'll bring the calmness and nous that'll be important in L1

Tsaroulla - don't let him do to us what he did to Crawley. Tie him down through his peak with a 3 year deal

Platt - having two defenders out long-term to start life in L1 is a big handicap. How convenient it would be to cut. But we just can't. Reputation around football and within our club dictates that we have to look after him. Also, he's too good. If we ever did slip back down, having a warrior like him would mean we'd never slip down to far. Length of contract to offer though is tricky

Bennetts - we have to say goodbye and good luck. We can't ride with a player who'll struggle at the level and won't score or assist. We have to take a punt of someone else, or use the salary slot, combine it with another ,and get a top first teamer in. The consolation for Bennetts is that his association with a promotion team will land him another team in L2

Kouhyar - exactly the same. I think he'd be closer than Bennetts, but we needed to see much more in the games he started.

Tangan - unless they've seen great things in training, I don't think we should pick up the option to buy. He's not always involved and we can't afford that type of player in L1 matches. It's still a gamble and we need sure things in the No 10 positions

Perott - keep

Edited May 26May 26 by theAnticlough

I've been thinking about this myself. After promotion from the NL we held on to players who, with hindsight, we should have moved on. However, the warning signs had been there. This time, some of the players out of contact have been top performers.

I'd renew with McDonald for the reasons stated above. Norburn has grown into a key player and has League One experience, he's good for another year minimum. I'd also give Platt another year, although this is a risk for the club due to his injury.

Tsaroulla is the one I think other clubs might be interested in and we look much better when he's in the team. Tie him down, physically if necessary.

Kouhyar has done well given the step up and is clearly trusted by MP to do a job when we'reclosing a game out. However, he has never seriously looked like holding down a first team spot and has little goal threat. I think L1 is a step too far for him.

Bennetts has played above League One level, but has only really looked good for us when coming off the bench. Even then, there's often been little to no end product. I doubt the club will renew and suspect he'll be heading back to Germany.

Tangen is the wild card. We've had glimpses of a quality player who is comfortable on the ball and can play in both attacking midfielder and in the Palmer position. He could blossom in L1, but he would be a gamble. I'd personally pass and go all in on the AM positions over the summer, but he could be an interesting one to watch if he does join permanently.

I'd give both Platt and Rod a year extension. Platt can go out on loan if he doesn't perform. If we go down, at least we could tie him up for a season in league 2.
Tsaroulla I'd give an extra year and extend Norburn as well. 

Hinchy, Grant, Roos, Bennetts and Maz I'd respectfully release and I wouldn't sign Tangen. Enoru and Griffiths I'd loan out. Traore will almost definitely be sold as well.

Main priority is those AM spots and obviously I'd love to see Luker and Iorpenda back, so that's imperitive. Also depends what happens to Jatta as his price will be premium and we're likely to get above a mil for him. If that happens I'd be straight in for John-Jules at Kilmarnock and ask if they'd take Roos as part-exchange.

I agree with most of the above. Despite saying I'd release McDonald and Norburn earlier in the thread - They both deserve another year with us. Tsaroulla should get another 2-3 years. All others I think we should pass on. Matt Dennis Looked a bit subdued in the promotion Celebrations. Is this a sign he's on the move over the summer? He'd command a decent Fee with his goalscoring record this season and his spell during the 2nd half of last season with Carlisle showed it's not a one off season of decent Goalscoring.

Its looking like Cal Roberts is our first signing from what's been circulating online. If so, I hope he's used as an Attacking Midfielder and not at Wing Back.

GK - I think we need to offload Roos as he is reported to be on a hefty salary. Whether we mutually terminate or move him on for a free, I think Belshaw needs someone who will provide genuine competition for the No 1 spot.

With us only having Jones and Tsaroulla at Wing Back (If Bennetts and Khouyar are released) we'd need 1-2 Right footed WBs. Ilmari Niskaned would be at the top of my list - a free agent and got 3 goals and 13 assists in League 1 for Exeter City.

CB is such a hard one to recruit for. Platt and Macari will likely be out for a good chunk of the start of the season and were going to need 2-3 new signings in this position. do we go for a solid performer in league 2 and hope they can step up? or should we tak a gamble on someone like Ricardo Santos? he had a few solid seasons with bolton before an injury that hampered his first season with Swansea.

I think the biggest Transition is going to be our Attacking ranks. I think Iorpenda is going to be unrealistic. Huddersfield are likely going to tie him down and offer a new Deal. Do we throw money at Bristol Rovers for Issac Hutchinson? Tangen is an interesting prospect - showed real potential in spells but looked a little light physically. However, I think promotion might suit him better. Playing in a league that is more technical and less physical might play in his favour.

As well as Cal Roberts coming back, does anyone see any familiar faces returning? Maybe a move for McGoldrick could be made - I think we could use him as a squad player and give him 15-20 starts and possibly another 10 sub appearances. Also could we move for a loan for Macaulay Langstaff? He's familiar with our style of play and could offer something different to Jatta or even operate along side him. Jatta is someone who creates a lot of chaos and Macca would thrive in a poaching role and could rediscover his goalscoring form.

56 minutes ago, NCFCGuy said:

I agree with most of the above. Despite saying I'd release McDonald and Norburn earlier in the thread - They both deserve another year with us. Tsaroulla should get another 2-3 years. All others I think we should pass on. Matt Dennis Looked a bit subdued in the promotion Celebrations. Is this a sign he's on the move over the summer? He'd command a decent Fee with his goalscoring record this season and his spell during the 2nd half of last season with Carlisle showed it's not a one off season of decent Goalscoring.

Subdued is generous, largely absent would be more accurate. If you look at the line receiving and lifting the trophy, Bennetts and Kouhyar look halfway out and Dennis isn't there at all. Looked like he gave it a miss then had a change of heart, but still didn't really enter into the spirit of it.

So, selling for a small fee seems likely to me. He started so well, but doesn't seem to have reacted well when the going got tough. His substitute appearances got worse as the season went on, and there's no excuse for that.

Players whose contracts are up within weeks

This would be my decision on whether to keep or release

Contracted Players

Nick Tsaroulla. Offer new contract.

Rod McDonald. Offer new contract.

Keanan Bennetts. Release

Matty Platt. Offer new contract.

Oliver Norburn. Offer new contract .

Maziar Kouhyar. Release.

Milai Perott. Offer new contract.

Loan Players

Tom Iorpenda. Make an offer.

Tyrese Hall. Release.

Jayden Luker. Make an offer.

Harold Tangen. Release.

The official retained list could be known by the end of the week

Keeping it on this thread, a 2nd promotion in 3 years is vindication of the club's model - including recruitment

Pato has rightly won lots of plaudits for his fantastic coaching this season - but what an advantage it is we have over other clubs, that he can concentrate on his coaching job and leave contracts, transfers and recruitment to another team (and just contribute as required).

I can see more and more clubs copying our model. What a distraction it must be on the training ground when the players think the coach is deciding on contracts and in and outs. And more than that, what a distraction for the coach who needs to focus on how to make the team and players better, which MP certainly did.

I’d let Kouhyar & Bennett’s go, cash in on Dennis, as he appears to be “out of favour” and Roos.

I’d take a long, hard look at Palmer and if we get a serious offer, Jatta might fund other signings tbh.

I doubt Ndlovu will be influential in L1 but suspect we’ll keep him anyway, just to see if he can.

The rest of the squads re, at least, adequate or better. I reckon we need more pace in every department and a clinical finisher. 3 or 4 decent quality signings make us into a solid L1 unit.

Ndlovu has his contract and I think the club will be happy to have him. He’s elite at the main thing he does - come on and hold the ball up. He’ll always appear whenever we’re winning or drawing away. Maybe we can see a bit more of him as an assister and scorer next year

We also need the toughness he brings, just him showing up when it kicks off up is a message to the opposition

Edited May 28May 28 by theAnticlough

Milai leaving may be the first of quite a few to go.

Bermuda goalkeeper Milai Perott announced that he is leaving Notts. With his contract expiring on June 30, Perott posted on Instagram that he has moved on at the end of the season.

Full story here 👇

Milai Perott leaves Notts County days after watching play...

Days after watching Notts County gain promotion back to the Sky Bet League One at Wembley, Bermuda goalkeeper Milai Perott announced that he is leaving the club. With his contract expiring on June 30

Retained list is out. Kyouhar retained. Norburn leaving. No other surprises.

Squad not reduced by much. Need to ship out Roos, Traore and Dennis somehow.

Shame about norburn. Palmer + robbo not so effective is it? Midfield signings looks like a priority.

Edited May 28May 28 by Sheffield Pie

A couple of surprises there. Norburn is leaving, but not for football reasons - he's decided to join a club nearer to his home. Kouhyar stays after an option in his contract was activated, which surprises me a bit. Tangen will leave. Bennetts is going, as is Hinchey. I didn't realise Macari was out of contact, hopefully he'll sign his new contract. On the plus side, Tsuroulla's and Platt's contacts have been extended.

So pretty much as expected with the exception of Norburn and Kouhyar. Norburn will be a loss, and we'll have some work to do in midfield to replace him and Iorpenda.

Yeah, slightly surprising, maybe in a good way.

Norburn definitely proved his worth. We needed his fearlessness and aggression for this succesful run in. But I'm happy in a way. It's not the type of midfielder I want to see and there was a problem stylistically as he didn't really want to show for the ball or try to dictate play. I disagree @Sheffield Pie Palmer + Robbo should be better. Palmer is 2 years younger. But at 31, he should enter a new phase of his career - embrace being the midfield general, but think like an old man now and get pissed off with all these youngsters he's playing against. Hopefully, he'll leave the captaincy to others and concentrate on becoming a less tentative and more assertive CM than he has been at times this year. Can we have the attitude of Norburn but the game of Palmer, please?

I hope Norburn doesn't end up at Oldham, where he got sent off. If it's the NW, maybe it's Fleetwood or even Salford...

The right one of Kouhyar and Bennetts is staying. Maz has been consistently good off the bench this season and that's where he'll be next season. But can a sports psychologist solve the problem of his game falling off a cliff when he starts?

Hope we can reach an agreement with Concrete Rod. Won't blame him for bartering on terms after his fantastic season. I think Macarri will sign.

Sad that we have to say goodbye so soon after our Play-Off victory 🙁 But the players going can be proud of the part they've played getting us into League 1, they'll all be fondly remembered.

Even after the Play-Offs I was still 50/50 on Norburn, had we not been promoted I would've kept him but we are stepping up a league and it would've left just the 1 spot for a CM addition. Whereas now we've got 2 spots in a really important part of the pitch. It does put a bit of pressure on the recruitment, but there are a lot of good midfielders out there.

I think given the injury, we are in strong position to re-sign Macari, I'm sure he'd have interest but having to wait for him will be off-putting. No idea on Rod, I think that could come down the length of the contract, some clubs in League 2 would probably be more willing to give him an extra year than us.

Kouhyar is the only surprise for me, he's ok filling in at wingback, but the fact we've played a left-footer in Tsaroulla on the right ahead of him is not a good sign. I think League 1 will be stretch too far for him.

Where I think Notts need to strengthen

A dominant central midfielder (priority #1)

With Ollie Norburn leaving, there’s a hole in midfield. League One is quicker and more physical. Notts need someone who can break play up and pass forward.

Another centre-back

Even if Macari or McDonald stay, League One strikers are a step up. One athletic, commanding defender feels important.

Belshaw has been brilliant for the club, but League One can be unforgiving. Paterson may want more competition.

A striker for depth

Jatta is a huge asset, but if he gets injured or clubs come sniffing around, Notts need cover with pace.

In terms of rumours, apparently we're in talks with Max Sanders from Crewe.

On 28/05/2026 at 22:27, theAnticlough said:

I hope Norburn doesn't end up at Oldham, where he got sent off. If it's the NW, maybe it's Fleetwood or even Salford...

They must have become big fans then ; )

On 31/05/2026 at 11:07, piedestrian said:

In terms of rumours, apparently we're in talks with Max Sanders from Crewe.

Who's coming next @piedestrian? 😉

5 minutes ago, StarkMallard said:

Who's coming next @piedestrian? 😉

Haha that's all I've heard/read so far. I think it'll be a couple of "mutual terminations" next week, and then the fun can really begin!

So is Max Sanders a straight like for like Norburn replacement?

What is happening with Traore? Do we think he will bw sold. Should we be looking for another striker?

I would say Sanders is more in the mould of Palmer @Piethagoram, but he's arguably better than him when it comes to defending. Ollie Norburn is probably a better tackler and harder to get past but Sanders is a lot better at regaining loose balls in the midfield.

I think it's the most likely scenario @Pies79 , his loan at Sligo did not well and sadly he wasn't even able to score 1 goal.

It will be interesting to see if anyone else leaves. I think we have 16 contracted players now, excluding keepers and u21s (have I counted correctly?). So room for six more although we've offered two contracts, which would only leave four slots.

Rodders - has moved around a lot in his career. The owners are strict on only paying what they think someone is worth. So would not be that big a shock if he left.

Macari - injured and with a betting issue on his record, so likely to be grateful of the chance to stay.

Roos - mutually terminated surely?

Traore - expect they will try to loan him out; costly mistake if we're stuck with him. Shame it's not worked out for the guy.

Dennis - we will get offers, just depends on the owners' valuation whether he goes.

Any other possibles? Maybe only if we get a big offer for Jatta or maybe Robertson.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHMP32bac0/FBf9FH-CAI6QBlbvQ8fxQA/view?utm_content=DAHMP32bac0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h1dc2075fbf

Sorry for my lack of posts on here recently. Here is my recruitment doc for this transfer window. 57 players analysed and included.

1 hour ago, ARLukomski said:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAHMP32bac0/FBf9FH-CAI6QBlbvQ8fxQA/view?utm_content=DAHMP32bac0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h1dc2075fbf

Sorry for my lack of posts on here recently. Here is my recruitment doc for this transfer window. 57 players analysed and included.

Great stuff. I did wonder if there was anyone else in the EFL2 team of the season we might fancy, as well as Gibbons. Glover would have been nice but money talks. So interested to see Read from Colchester is in there.