In consideration of our failing season, thought an update to our contract situation might be worthwhile. Apologies for the length.
GK
2023
Woods (31) - Is he Injured? noticed the boy Ritchie was on the bench Sunday.
2024
Lewis (34) - Been off form but capable of getting that back made some good saves yesterday.
No real issues here. Lewis has been out of form, but not really a problem for January or even next summer.
Defence
January 2022
Devlin (28) - Injured needs to be released.
Summer 2022
Considine (34) - Injured and aging but should be given another year extension.
Gurr (26) - not of the required standard.
2023
MacKenzie (21) - Injured will be fine once he recovers from injury.
Gallagher (30) - Injured looked off form when he has been fit.
2024
Hernandez (24) - Loaned out hopefully Atlanta repay us for the fee paid out on their behalf and the whole sorry mess can be put to bed.
McCrorie (23) - arguably a midfielder been OK at the back and we have had little option.
Ramsay (18)- Injured could end up receiving offers for him, maybe his current injury will delay them till next summer.
Bates (25) - improving.
I'd hope we are looking to start next season with MacKenzie, Gallagher, McCrorie (is he a midfielder), Ramsay (unless the right offer comes in) Bates & Considine (depending on his recovery). In January, Devlin must be off the payroll, attempts made to get Gurr off too, and fingers crossed Atlanta buy Hernandez (for everyone's sake). Should be planning on 4-6 of the current lot being here next season. Assuming recovery from injuries and no more occurring;
MacKenzie, Gallagher, McCrorie, Ramsay and Bates till end of the season, that are good enough, scope for additions.
Midfield
Summer 2022
Hayes (34) - can see him signing an extension if offered but is he as effective as first time around? Can we get better and younger for the wage?
Hedges (26) - will be off, decision is balancing any money offered and what player(s) can we bring in against what little Hedges playing within himself brings for the remainder of the season.
McGeouch (28) - Injured? (again) imagine he's looking to see what offers he gets and will be trying to minimize injuries to his fragile body in the meantime.
Ojo (30) - Also seems to be looking to see what offers he gets and we should be able to do better.
McGinn (34) - Past it.
End of Loan Summer 2022(If possible cancel them all in January)
Jenks (19) - Not good enough
Samuels (21) - Not good enough
Longstaff (21) - Not good enough
2023
Campbell (20) - Doesn't appear as if Glass rates him that highly.
Kennedy (27) - Injured (allegedly) tried to get rid of in the summer depending on how true the back injury is, will likely try again.
McLennan (22) - Injured he's got strength, pace, skill all let down by decision making and consistency. Should be at a higher level if he's going to make it at his club.
Brown (36) - Injured? Will give his all and probably been our best player, but he's 36.
2024
Ferguson (22) - doesn't want to be here will push for a move to england again in January.
Next season would be planning on Hayes (to sign a new contract), Campbell, Brown, McLennan maybe Hanratty. Potentially for remainder of the season we have;
Campbell, Brown & Hayes who will give their all all, albeit Brown is 36 and probably will need a rest at some point some & Hayes who is 34 and has 6 months left on his contract. Hedges, McGeouch and Ojo who will be playing with one eye on a signing on fee elsewhere, won't care where we finish and play accordingly. Jenks, Longstaff and Samuels none of whom are good enough and none have a vested interest in our success. Kennedy and McLennan who are not good enough and Ferguson who is trying to get a move elsewhere.
Forwards
2023
Watkins (31) - Hopefully stays injury free for the remainder of the season.
Ramirez (30) - Possibly Glass's singular piece of good recruitment
JET (30) - wrong type of player for battling at the wrong end of the table
An aging strike-force. Can't see any of them being here after summer 2023. JET too much of a luxury but can't see anyone taking him off our hands in January. Ngwenya to join them next season?
Youth on loan
Ngwenya (18) - contract till 2024
Ruth (19) - contract till 2022
Barron (19) - contract till 2022
Ritchie (18) - contract till 2022
Duncan (17) - contract till 2022
Hanratty (18) - contract till 2024
Mykyta (19) - contract till 2022
McIver (18) - contract till 2022
Gallagher (20) - contract till 2022
Milne (18) - contract till 2022
As far as I can find only Ngwenya and Hanratty signed for longer than the end of the season?
Following Sunday it appears we may only have 15 fit outfield players fit. 3 defenders (1 is Gurr and McRorie will be banned for hibs), 9 midfielders (Longstaff might as well not be here, Jenks and Samuels aren't good enough, McGinn has made 2 starts from 7 appearances ), 3 forwards (1 is JET).
7 games till the break and opening of the window.
Recruitment has been a shambles for a while now, nothing we saw in the summer points to improvements and this must be the most unbalanced & incoherent (almost as bad as this post), uncommitted and aging squad we've had in a long time. Hopefully our DoF has been making several plans based on any number of scenario's.
We have to;
Mitigate the effect losing Ferguson and/or Ramsay would have
Take into account the lack of commitment from the 8 midfielders with no contractual obligation beyond the end of the season.
The imbalance inexperience and decimation through injury of our defence.
The age of our attack.
And the lack of players in their "prime years" throughout the squad.
And this has to be balanced against;
how shit January is as a transfer window
that we have enough to ensure we don't get dragged into relegation worries
not make rash decisions that fuck up future season with more aging or not good enough players all playing the same positions on high wages.