Wow, Nolan has made a statement there. Glad Collin, Dicko and all the deadwood is gone (Hunt, Hodge, Saunders) to be honest it angers me quite a bit because these wages collectively could've been used much wiser last summer. But on the other hand this works perfectly because it now means we can over pay or offer players more wages to come and choose Notts over other clubs. For example Dennis both Notts and Wycombe are interested, logic says go Wycombe but we need to make us look kmore attractive, ie pay more wages. Overall happy with retained list. Sad to see Ameobi go as hes been brilliant, Forte has been really good. Well Done Nolan!

We will have to hope Kevin has a good idea of who he can get in. He didn’t like Forte which he made pretty obvious since he ignored him during the terrible goal drought around December. I would have kept him but he may have wanted guarantees we couldn’t commit to. On the other hand Kevin loves Duffy and personally I would have let him go. Shola couldn’t play every game and his goal return this season was poor for a player of his class so sadly his time had come.

I we can improve in every position of those released (which surely is the point) we should have a good team next season. 

Remember there is a 5 year plan ..... if we don’t get promotion next term instead of being ahead of schedule we will be behind schedule so Mr Hardy needs to commit to some serious investment be it in transfer fees or wages or both.... can’t wait to see who we get in.

Would of kept Milsom and Saunders. Milsom could have been useful in the middle. But Saunders never really got his chance to prove himself. I heard good things of him playing on defenders shoulders with the ability to run and score which we could perhaps have done with but Forte was wasted last season when he made his starts he was scoring maybe was too late for him. Stead, as much as I appreciate him as a player, shouldn't be playing from the start maybe a player to bring on in the last few minutes maybe be a poacher. Collin, was always below Fitzsimmons in ability, had no distribution or decent goalkeeping ability. 

4 hours ago, TheFostarr94 said:

@Fan of Big Tone Edwards will be staying on as fitness coach.

That’s good news thanks @TheFostarr94 

 

Well then, that's certainly cleared the decks.

I don't see the need for a third keeper, Fitzsimmons is our No 1 & Pindroch is more than a capable back up.

Our defence no matter what anyone thought was the third best in the league so no surprises most of them kept on / offered new contracts.

Glad O'Connor been offered another contract, showed just what he can do in those 45 mins against Coventry.

The best young lads have been offered contracts which just shows how much work has gone into those decisions.

As for the replacements, I don't rate Dennis or bad news billy aka Akinde, it will be interesting just what we do from here.

@Fan of Big Tone surely Mike Edwards is due a second testimonial now... ha ha

The club need more people like him in employment

Overall the retained list makes a lot of sense and there will be a high level of scope for further improvements to the squad.

I may have changed a few decisions personally but as I mentioned I think the decision is pretty spot on by Kevin Nolan. It's a brave statement by him to release three strikers, it should mean we have a set of fresh faces up there.

All in all it makes sense. Forte was the only question mark really, but he was ineffective for much of the season until he was recalled in the last month or so and KN clearly doesn't rate him. We need new new blood up front and Forte needs a fresh start. I also hope Thompson finds a new League club and gets plenty of game time.

If the players we've offered a new contract to sign up we've got a decent foundation for next season yet also plenty of leeway to strengthen. I'm interested as to whether we'll look for a new keeper or let Fitzsimmons and Pindroch scrap it out for the number one jersey.