Am surprised by this take considering you’re a fan of big squads.
If we have 13 under contract there’s room for 11 new players - an entire new starting line-up - and to still maintain a small, tightknit squad. When was the last time we had that many new signings in a summer?
I’d let Bonne, Wood and Waldron go. They’re out of contract and aren’t in our plans.
Defensively I don’t understand what people have against Gubbins. He’s fine as depth and has a chance to be more. People seem to have a real problem with the concept of depth.
Crowther may have a future at RCB but it isn’t in the middle of the three. I wouldn’t stand in his way if he wanted to leave.
In midfield we need some younger legs but whilst everyone now seems to hate on Noor he offers the type of versatility and experience that you need in a squad and would make him an ideal depth piece.
Bridge is another who even if he is no longer a starter offers value from the bench with his experience, versatility and ball retention ability. Personally I’d try and get the best out of him. The loyalty that he (and others) showed doesn’t seem to be a two way street and the fanbase craves novelty over stability. Time after time we hear calls for players to be given a chance and why isn’t Maher (or whoever is in charge) isn’t picking them only for them to be deemed surplus to requirements or not good enough once they’ve played a few games. George Wind is the latest example of a player who improves out of the team. He’s done fine for a back-up when he’s come in but no more. A few months ago Gus was flavour of the month; now people want to ditch him for the shiny new toy that is Wind.
I’d sign a dozen players between now and the summer and still keep the vast majority of the existing squad around because we don’t just need a starting XI but a squad. If our backups are good enough to be midtable (like we currently are) we’ll be in a good spot next season.
