The Tigers currently have 25 players on professional contracts. Peter Taylor has stated that he would like to get the size of the squad down to about 22, a first choice 11 and cover for every position. That's at least 3 players required to depart in the summer. How do you decide who needs to go?. A number of different factors like form, commitment, cover, ability, contract terms etc, come into play when considering such a task. The easiest way to find the candidates is to review the squad, position by position. Let's start with the Goalkeepers.
Boaz Myhill has arrived from Aston Villa with the expectation of being a ‘great prospect' sat squarely on his shoulders. To date he has done nothing to suggest that he won't indeed fulfil this potential. His youth, tremendous frame and keenness to command his area all add up to an exciting talent who could well make the position his own for a very long time to come.
Paul Musselwhite, to his credit, has never let his fitness and enthusiasm waiver through trying times. At the age of 35 some worry that he is getting a little long in the tooth. But when you consider that until recently England's number 1 was 39, you realise he could potentially continue for another 3 or 4 years. He may not be the quickest or most commanding, but he has good reflexes and an abundance of experience to call upon.
Danny Harvey's credentials are hard to assess, primarily due to the limited chances he gets at Reserve level, never mind the first team. The season's end, when he is out of contract, will determine whether or not he is to be Myhill's understudy or released, probably into non-league, in order to gain experience.
Alan Fettis has become a frustrating figure at City. On his day he is a superb shot stopper, but poor positional play and the consequent lack of confidence this gave the defence resulted in some disappointing performances. Now that Myhill has firmly established himself as number one and with rumours out of Blundell Park suggesting Aidan Davison may be about to hang up his boots, I suspect Alan might sign a permanent deal with Grimsby Town when his loan deal expires at the end of the season.
Goalkeeper candidates: Danny Harvey and Alan Fettis
How about the defence? Let's compartmentalise it into 3 distinct disciplines, Centre Backs, Right Backs and Left Backs. Starting with Centre Backs;
We have Taylor's first signing, Damien Delaney. Such a physique coupled with a good left foot make for an impressive player and one who, at the moment, looks as though he is going to get better and better. Another of Taylor's utility signings, he has now made the left sided centre back position his own with some towering performances and is a front runner for the player of the year award.
After a patchy start to his City career Marc Joseph has emerged as a solid, reliable player with a turn of pace and has now formed a dependable partnership with Delaney in the centre of defence.
Richard Hinds' utility value to the team cannot be over estimated. He started the season at centre back but has also proved his worth at right back. Performances in midfield have not proved quite as successful, but his defensive versatility is a real bonus.
Justin Whittle is not great with the ball at his feet. Thought I'd get the sum total of Justin's bad points out of the way. His good points are many. Tough, passionate and committed are just a few superlatives one could mention to describe the mainstay that is Justin. That said, his inadequacies with the ball at his feet and his advancing years may consign him to a supporting role.
Centre Back candidates: None
Next it's the Right Back berth.
Alton Thelwell's career with City has been dogged by injuries, but recent performances suggest he has real ability and his versatility has been proven with some solid performances at left back during Dawson's enforced absence. When he and Dawson are fit, the right back berth appears to be his.
Although the arrival on loan of Lee Marshall from West Brom had been justified on the basis of injuries to Thelwell and Whittle, there seems a good chance he may well be looked at as a permanent signing. If he can firstly prove his worth, and secondly accept vastly reduced wages, he will probably sign a two-year deal in the summer.
Right Back candidates: None
Now for the Left Backs:
Andy Dawson's arrival from Scunthorpe United, with the disputed title of ‘best left back in the Third Division', would seem worthy after an impressive start to his tigers career.
Left Back candidates: None
With the defence sorted we move onto the midfield. In Centre Midfield we need plenty of options.
Ian Ashbee is a reliable player with a no-nonsense approach. He may not possess much in the creativity department, but his enthusiasm and drive have made him an influential captain. His vocal presence and organisational skills should not be underestimated
Then we have the precocious talent of Stuart Green. I don't think there's any need for me to wax lyrical. Suffice to say that his undoubted ability has won the day and his role in the squad as the ‘playmaker' is cemented.
Russell Fry is a young talent of whom much is expected. Being handed a three-year contract at only 16 years of age was a firm signal of City's belief and also a clear message of ‘hands off' to would be suitors. Probably another year before he makes an impact on the first team as injuries have blighted his season.
Junior Lewis has arrived from Leicester City on loan until the end of the season. He appears neat and tidy in possession and has a very good engine. His knack of disrupting the opposition is proving decisive in handing City the initiative in games. Having signed for Taylor for the fifth time he may well have a good chance of securing a permanent deal come the summer, should performances continue to warrant it.
Centre Midfield candidates: None
Right Midfield.
Jason Price not only gives the team attacking width in Right Midfield, but also provides essential balance, with Elliott operating in a similar role on the left. He offers all you could want from a winger, pace, goals and a good work ethic.
Ryan France arrived from non-league Alfreton Town with a bang. Not many players make scoring debut's in a 6-1 victory. The early signs are good and he is the heir apparent to Price should injuries or suspension arise.
Right Midfield candidates: None.
The final midfield berth is Left Midfield.
Once again we have a very special talent in Stuart Elliott. Deceptively quick and good in the air, his potential; like so many of this team; will be truly recognised when City reach the First Division (notice I say ‘when' and not ‘if', there's confidence for you!). Like Price, pace and goals are a big part of his game and of late the defensive aspect of his game has also improved.
Andy Holt looks to be awakening from the hibernation he's been in for the best part of two years. A string of solid substitute appearances might just be enough to earn him a years contract extension, a lot will depend on Taylor's plans for next season. It is touch and go for Holt at the moment.
Further cover comes in the shape of a City Junior with good ability, Nathan Peat. He has that little something in his make-up that could make him a success, unfortunately it seems unlikely to be with his hometown club. Nathan is likely to make his breakthrough with a new club next season.
Left Midfield candidates : Andy Holt and Nathan Peat
And so we arrive at the final, and some might say the most important area of the team, the Centre Forwards. After all, without goals you don't win matches, regardless of your defensive and creative prowess.
Ben Burgess is the attacking lynchpin through which City develop most of their attacks. At 6ft 3in and 14st you'd be forgiven for assuming his game is all about physical presence and aerial dominance, and to some extent it is, but he has good feet and links play extremely well.
City's first close season capture was Danny Allsopp from Notts County. At first glance City seem to have benefited greatly from the desperate financial position clubs like County find themselves in. We have signed a forward with a ‘goal every other game' record, for a fee of around £50,000.
Jonathan Walters' arrival from Bolton Wanderers is providing Burgess, and in particular Allsopp, with stiff competition for one of the strikers jersey's. He is very similar in build and style to Allsopp, and has the same blistering pace.
Jamie Forrester joined the tigers with a very good ‘goals per game' ratio in the second and third divisions and is providing the strength in depth required to mount a sustained promotion campaign. The arrival of Walters though has resulted in few chances and he may well be considering his future at City.
Clayton Donaldson's performances, and more importantly, goals for the juniors and reserves, have resulted in a two year contract. At such an early stage in his career, it is too early to assess his capabilities, suffice to say his potential has been recognised and rewarded. Continued loan spells with Conference teams will help with his development for the immediate future.
Centre Forward candidates: Jamie Forrester
In summary, City's squad of 22 would look like:
Goalkeepers: Boaz Myhill, Paul Musselwhite
Centre Backs: Damien Delaney, Marc Joseph, Justin Whittle, Richard Hinds
Right Backs: Lee Marshall, Alton Thelwell
Left Backs: Andy Dawson + New Signing
Central Midfielders: Ian Ashbee, Stuart Green, Junior Lewis, Russell Fry
Right Midfielders: Jason Price, Ryan France
Left Midfielders: Stuart Elliott + New Signing
Centre Forwards: Danny Allsopp, Ben Burgess, Jonathan Walters, Clayton Donaldson
The actual scale of squad transformation could be even greater than suggested with uncertainty surrounding the likes of Musselwhite and Whittle who are out of contract in the summer and as yet have not been offered new deals. Marshall and Lewis may not be offered, or indeed, accept permanent contracts. Fry and Donaldson may well decide not to spend another year as reserve team players.
One thing's for sure - changes are inevitable come what may, let's just hope it's triumphant strengthening and not frustrated rebuilding come May itself.