It’s safe to assume that the Reading supporters are well aware of this, but in case you missed it, here’s a brief reminder: many of our present senior players have contracts that expire at the conclusion of this season. That is, *looks at calendar*, pretty soon.

Noel Hunt mentioned in his comments after the Barnsley loss that the discussions would start this week (the one starting May 5). It’s not all doom and gloom – this could be an opportunity for us to assess the strengths of the squad and look at where the opportunities are within to free up some wages to spend elsewhere – something of a reset for Hunt to get the squad in place he needs for a summer of recruitment, to try and then go one better next season.

Here’s my take on who should be kept or let go, for the sake of argument. Since the contract circumstances for individuals primarily representing the academy sides are unclear, I have concentrated on the senior team. I’ve worked through this by position to do this, but as always, I obviously don’t know what I’m talking about, so please feel free to point out my mistakes.

Goalkeepers

Coniah Boyce-Clarke: Release

Although I would love to see Boyce-Clarke stay and make his first team debut, it appears that the writing is on the wall for him, and maybe a drop to a lower level to get regular football can reignite the spark for him. He has gotten to the point where he has pretty much outgrown the academy teams, and for whatever reason he hasn’t really been in contention for even warming the bench for the senior side, with David Button frequently preferred. The most telling thing, though, is that Hunt turned to Tom Norcott when Button was recently unavailable.

David Button: Release, unless…

We can persuade him to take a one-year contract with reduced terms. Despite not being a fan favourite, he is a good backup and a positive presence on the squad. He can contribute in this way, at least temporarily.

It might not be worth it, though, if we can’t persuade him to accept a pay reduction and simply remain for a year. I am aware that in the summer we might need to sign a backup goalie (Alex McCarthy, anyone?) and that this is frequently a difficult position to fill. Let’s hope it’s not a case of “be careful what you wish for,” but it’s probably best to let him go back into the wild.

Joel Pereira: Keep

Because obviously. To ensure that no sly agents try to sneak him into a club higher up the pyramid, it would be fantastic if someone could put him in a broom cupboard at Bearwood until the season begins. To discourage anyone from removing him from us, we will all collectively deny he ever existed until he has signed a new contract.

But whether he decides to stay or not is another matter entirely. In a way, he appears to be content and truly enjoying his football and surroundings for the first time in his career. In exchange, he is tremendously appreciated by the fanbase and team mates. This must be very important.

It would be hard to blame him for wanting to push himself further, though. We may, however, hope that a pay increase will encourage him to stay and attempt to advance with Reading.

Defenders

Harlee Dean: Release

Ultimately, Dean feels that Hunt’s style of play is far more appropriate for him than his predecessor’s more advanced style, and it was a shame that he suffered an injury that kept him from continuing his comeback journey in the heart of defence.

On the other hand, despite his effectiveness, his all-around game is a little more limited, so we should probably try to give Louie Holzman and/or Michael Stickland more playing time (assuming they stay around, of course). We might be able to hire someone who can stay with us for a longer period of time by releasing his wages. Dean can go away with a smile on his face.

 

Jeriel Dorsett: Keep

It’s kind of a no-brainer. Although it’s unclear if he is currently our first or second choice left back, as I have stated again, his future should be in the heart of defence rather than on the left side.

Although I would want to see him start with Mbengue next season, his versatility will be helpful if we need to rearrange the pack in the middle of a game because of an injury or a send-off. In relation to which…

Amadou Mbengue: Keep

I’ll riot if he departs. I broke my strict alphabetically listed code to segway from Dorsett to Mbengue because he is so crucial.

He seems content where he is and wants to climb the pyramid with us, despite whispers of interest from higher up. I’m also concerned that his playing style, which isn’t unpredictable but is unique, might not be as well-liked by others. He will be adored here in RG2, at least.

Andre Garcia: Keep

This one is tough. First of all, it’s difficult to determine the precise nature of his contract predicament. He may easily have another year to run, for all we know. Great if it is.

The second reason for this is that he is another person who is getting acclaim from those further up the pyramid, including those in the Premier League. It’s feasible that he will sign with a team like Bournemouth before returning to us on loan to further his development. Although I would rather keep him properly, that wouldn’t be too horrible.

Finally, as I’ve stated previously, he doesn’t feel like a full-back, so his future does lay further forward. To see what he could do nearer the goal, cutting in from the right and giving people headaches, I’d love to see him given a chance higher up the pitch. He is the most likely natural successor to Femi Azeez that we could find.

Louie Holzman: Keep

Although it appears that Stickland has surpassed him in the hierarchy due to Tyler Bindon’s departure and the likelihood of at least one other centre-back leaving, it would be ideal to keep him on board to continue his development. In addition, he is a superb defender. However, his contract situation is not totally clear. It’s time to leave the academy and start working full-time.

Michael Stickland: Keep

Ctrl + C Ctrl + V It’s unclear exactly what his contract situation is, and although it appears that Stickland has surpassed him in the hierarchy, he has also surpassed Holzman. With Bindon going and at least one other centre-back expected to depart, it would be great to keep him around to continue developing, especially since he is a superb defender. It’s time to leave the academy and start working full-time.

 

Andy Yiadom: Keep, if…

For the club, our captain has been a superb servant. However, the fact that Tivonge Rushesha, who is out of position, has been selected before him makes it obvious that he is no longer first choice. Indeed, if Abrefa weren’t ill, you’d expect him to be starting games ahead of Yiadom.

But as this astute writer foresaw, Yiadom’s versatility in playing on the left and even providing support in central defence over the second half of the season has been immensely helpful.

He can be used as a backup or rotation option in the future. But he might have to give Lewis Wing the armband full-time as a result. Since his last contract was finalised while we were a Championship team, unlike anyone else’s, we cannot afford to keep paying him those kinds of wages, so it will undoubtedly be necessary for him to sign a contract extension on reduced terms. In my opinion, the best compromise for everyone would be a one-year contract with a second option.

We may have to say goodbye and wish him luck if he refuses to be accommodating on this, which is his right, I should add.

 

Midfield

Tom Carroll: Keep

Our most stacked position on the team is midfield, as was indicated previously in the article. Ben Elliott, Harvey Knibbs, Wing, and Charlie Savage will need to move, and that’s before we take into account Craig’s role as a midfielder and Rushesha pushing through, with players like Tyler Sackey, Shay Spencer, Jay Senga, and Charlie Wellens vying for a spot.

Though, once again, the majority of our midfield is committed for at least another year, Carroll has looked at ease in the few minutes he has been given and gives us a little depth to allow for rotation in cup games, experience for a young midfield, and possible cover if any of our regular contingent move on.

Carroll can stay on for another season while we give the younger guys a little more time to get ready for their first team debut.

 

Michael Craig: Keep

In relation to that, while I am aware that he has been a valuable right-back for us, it doesn’t appear that this will be a long-term answer, even though he has performed admirably in this position.

He might have been eligible to win player of the season if he hadn’t been injured. There’s also a sense that he might be the best candidate to fill Wing’s position and help him advance up the field.

There is a major “if” involved in persuading Craig to stay, as he is also attracting interest from Championship level players and, oddly, those at the bottom of the League One table. But as soon as possible, we must persuade him to sign a contract.

Tivonge Rushesha: Keep

Despite being out of position, he has performed admirably and had a strong run in the first team. Rushesha finds it intriguing that he won’t have an instant route to the first team if Craig and Carroll sign and the other four players mentioned manage to stay mostly injury-free.

He signed a one-year deal last summer, and I’d be shocked if it didn’t include a one-year option. He’s one of the few players I believe we should think about loaning him out to another League One team so he can continue to improve.

Forwards

Mamadi Camara: Release

Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to perform for us this season when given the opportunity, and it’s not only because it would have been wonderful to sell Camara and receive some cash.

As seen by his four goals and two assists in 1,929 minutes played in 38 games this season, Hunt appears to have had trouble finding a position for him on the field. He frequently switches between the left and right flanks with little effect on either.

After he had a clear run without any injuries, I was among those who thought he would finally start to play this year. But that was not to be.

Kelvin Ehibhationhan: Release

I mentioned it following the games over Easter weekend, but to refresh your memory, is he a winger or a striker? I’m not sure.

On the pitch, what does he offer us? It’s not goals—four in 33 League One games this season. Three assists in the league entire season isn’t the problem. His average TTE player rating has been among the lowest among the team’s regular starters.

As a fan base, we do appear to have an odd bond with Ehibhatiomhan. Although I doubt anyone would question releasing Camara, the concept of releasing Ehibhatiomhan doesn’t sit well with me. He has been about as effective as Camara, if not less so considering his minutes.

Even if we all want him to succeed, we must look at the statistics and put aside our feelings after two seasons of consistent first-team football. Has he gotten better? No. Aside from using his left foot better, he still needs to improve on the same areas we mentioned two years ago.

Yes, I would wonder if he wants to stay at all. It hurts to not sell him for cash in a world of FFP and PSR since he has recently played a lonely and frequently sad role on the pitch. We would only keep him, though, in the naive belief that he will continue to develop into the football player we think he can be. However, how likely is that to actually occur?

 

Jayden Wareham: Keep

This is an easy one. It is obvious that we really need a striker to support the team. Is Wareham the man to lead the line the next season? He only needs goals, and maybe providing him with more imaginative wingers to help him achieve them.

He has, however, demonstrated that he is prepared to battle for his position and merits the opportunity to establish himself as the main man as well as the opportunity to remain on.