Squad for 2025-2026

[Forbury Lion]

In addition to the retained/released list, I've heard that Hunt and Carey are offering Lewis Wing an extension. This makes sense to me. Sets down a marker that may persuade others to stay, and indicates a team to be built around him.

Tempting out of contract players they want to keep to sign a new deal should be the priority, they can maybe speak to Lewis and say they want to offer him an extension when they get a chance.
The benefits are the players re-signing will not get wind of Lewis new deal and presumably higher salary until after they have signed their new deals and the team will be in a stronger position if we get everything else locked down so Lewis may see this as a promotion chasing team and that was the reason he joined us and turned down higher offers in the first place.

[linkenholtroyal]

From the "Deals Offered - First Team" section who do we expect to stay and who do we think are being pursued by other clubs?

Michael Craig
Jeriel Dorsett
Kelvin Ehibatiomhan
Abraham Kanu
Amadou Mbengue
Joel Pereira
Tivonge Rushesha
Michael Stickland
Basil Tuma
Jayden Wareham
Andy Yiadom

I'd guess only Amadou Mbengue and Joel Pereira would be in demand elsewhere

I'd probably agree with that - those two would potentially be the ones to be offered elsewhere.

I would add Craig to that list as the only other one. but i think the offers would likely be lower Champ or promotion pushing League 1 if he had other suitors.

[linkenholtroyal]

So the never go back list just getting it out the way.... purely on merit of there football ability would you sign any of the following ex players-
Tom Holmes - likely to be loaned out again
Tom Mcintyre - likely to be loaned out again if not bought by Charlton if promoted
Yakou Meite - Free agent likely release
Andy Rinhomota - Free agent likely release
Nelson Abbey - likely to go out on loan again
Ethan bristow _ free agent


Just getting it out the way if I have missed anyone that might be available / possible add to the list

[Ark Royal]

So the never go back list just getting it out the way.... purely on merit of there football ability would you sign any of the following ex players-
Tom Holmes - likely to be loaned out again
Tom Mcintyre - likely to be loaned out again if not bought by Charlton if promoted
Yakou Meite - Free agent likely release
Andy Rinhomota - Free agent likely release
Nelson Abbey - likely to go out on loan again
Ethan bristow _ free agent


Just getting it out the way if I have missed anyone that might be available / possible add to the list

Tom Mcintyre, for his ability to plug in anywhere in a back four. Meite in full Yak mode would be great, but the guy is made of Weetabix.

[Tinpot Royal]

So the never go back list just getting it out the way.... purely on merit of there football ability would you sign any of the following ex players-
Tom Holmes - likely to be loaned out again
Tom Mcintyre - likely to be loaned out again if not bought by Charlton if promoted
Yakou Meite - Free agent likely release
Andy Rinhomota - Free agent likely release
Nelson Abbey - likely to go out on loan again
Ethan bristow _ free agent


Just getting it out the way if I have missed anyone that might be available / possible add to the list

I'd take Nelson Abbey back.

I'd take Meite back but only if it's a condition of Mbengue signing a new deal!

[Ascotexgunner]

Two Toms and Nelson.
Tom M. is a great utility player, especially as a DFM in tough games..
Tom Holmes is a decent Warhorse and would fit in well with Strickland if if Mbengue goes.
Nelson Abbey just bacause he was so good for us....still young....Good at fullback and centre back.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I don't know what will be more exciting, when a big player like Wing signs an extension or when we actually pay a fee for a player. Will be nice to see us dip into the loan market for a change, at least with greater flexibility, Orient really showed this past season the benefit loan players can bring in.

Loans provide no long term value though. If Orient go up, they will already face a tough task to survive, before you even consider that their squad will be substantially weaker without Kelman and Donley. Kelman in particular is on loan from QPR and there is zero chance they would let him return if Orient are a rival for survival.

It's not sustainable if your star players are on loan. You can handle a Campbell, but not a Bindon. It will take a lot of clever recruitment and coaching just to make our backline stand still compared to last season.

[Sutekh]

How many of the above though were only “rated” here because they were academy and the club couldn’t get anyone better. None have exactly impressed since they left and the Toms in particular were pushed out the door to lower levels as quick as anything by their parent clubs.

[Stranded]

I don't know what will be more exciting, when a big player like Wing signs an extension or when we actually pay a fee for a player. Will be nice to see us dip into the loan market for a change, at least with greater flexibility, Orient really showed this past season the benefit loan players can bring in.

Loans provide no long term value though. If Orient go up, they will already face a tough task to survive, before you even consider that their squad will be substantially weaker without Kelman and Donley. Kelman in particular is on loan from QPR and there is zero chance they would let him return if Orient are a rival for survival.

It's not sustainable if your star players are on loan. You can handle a Campbell, but not a Bindon. It will take a lot of clever recruitment and coaching just to make our backline stand still compared to last season.

Loans are vital at this level as they get you, potentitally, a quality of player that you would not otherwise be able to get hold of.

The key is getting the balance right - 2 or 3 well thought out loans (i.e in positions where you cannot find a suitable permanent deal) can turn an average side into an excellent one. If you can also find loans where you have a strong chance of being able to bring that player in permanently at the end, then fantastic.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Theoretical... you're Rob Couhig and you successfully buy Reading FC. Reading miss the POs, Hull get relegated and sack Selles.

Selles was in charge when you originally tried to buy the club... would you try to bring him back, stick with Hunt, try to bring in a statement quality manager, or go batshit crazy to boost the club profile and appoint Wayne Rooney.

If I had the money and was RC, I'd hire 2 different independent consultants and ask them to analyse the Selles half and Hunt half of the seasons and identify what the key weaknesses were tactically that led to the big defeats - especially against the Stockport/Lincoln type sides and whether there was any evolution in tactics as time went on.

The objective would be to identify whether any additional tactical input would help NH improve - hes clearly an asset.

Selles had a coach who was also sacked with him- is he now part of Team Selles or could he return?

[morganb]

I don't know what will be more exciting, when a big player like Wing signs an extension or when we actually pay a fee for a player. Will be nice to see us dip into the loan market for a change, at least with greater flexibility, Orient really showed this past season the benefit loan players can bring in.

Loans provide no long term value though. If Orient go up, they will already face a tough task to survive, before you even consider that their squad will be substantially weaker without Kelman and Donley. Kelman in particular is on loan from QPR and there is zero chance they would let him return if Orient are a rival for survival.

It's not sustainable if your star players are on loan. You can handle a Campbell, but not a Bindon. It will take a lot of clever recruitment and coaching just to make our backline stand still compared to last season.

Loans are vital at this level as they get you, potentitally, a quality of player that you would not otherwise be able to get hold of.

The key is getting the balance right - 2 or 3 well thought out loans (i.e in positions where you cannot find a suitable permanent deal) can turn an average side into an excellent one. If you can also find loans where you have a strong chance of being able to bring that player in permanently at the end, then fantastic.

Also with loans they often don't arrive in time for pre-season as the loaning club take time to decide on their squads and identify which players are surplus to requirements. Loan players have a tendency to arrive towards the end of the window then take a few weeks to get up to speed on play style, tactics etc.

[dontbedaft]

One thing I just realized is the Lewis Wing spent a couple of seasons as a teammate of Joe Jacobsen. I wonder if that would be an influence at all over whether he is offered and/or agrees to extend his contract beyond this season...

[Sutekh]

One thing I just realized is the Lewis Wing spent a couple of seasons as a teammate of Joe Jacobsen. I wonder if that would be an influence at all over whether he is offered and/or agrees to extend his contract beyond this season...

Lewis Wing player/CEO

[Royal Ginger]

So the never go back list just getting it out the way.... purely on merit of there football ability would you sign any of the following ex players-
Tom Holmes - likely to be loaned out again
Tom Mcintyre - likely to be loaned out again if not bought by Charlton if promoted
Yakou Meite - Free agent likely release
Andy Rinhomota - Free agent likely release
Nelson Abbey - likely to go out on loan again
Ethan bristow _ free agent


Just getting it out the way if I have missed anyone that might be available / possible add to the list

Rinhomota is the sort of downgrade from Savage we should be looking at if we can sell him on for a pretty penny. Not shown as good but we know he’s got it in him plus our players don’t seem to do great after going to Cardiff in recent years.

[Ascotexgunner]

Theoretical... you're Rob Couhig and you successfully buy Reading FC. Reading miss the POs, Hull get relegated and sack Selles.

Selles was in charge when you originally tried to buy the club... would you try to bring him back, stick with Hunt, try to bring in a statement quality manager, or go batshit crazy to boost the club profile and appoint Wayne Rooney.

If I had the money and was RC, I'd hire 2 different independent consultants and ask them to analyse the Selles half and Hunt half of the seasons and identify what the key weaknesses were tactically that led to the big defeats - especially against the Stockport/Lincoln type sides and whether there was any evolution in tactics as time went on.

The objective would be to identify whether any additional tactical input would help NH improve - hes clearly an asset.

Selles had a coach who was also sacked with him- is he now part of Team Selles or could he return?

I'll do it for nothing.......
Weaknesses.......still shit away from home, can't beat the clubs at the bottom. Overcome that and we would easily be in the playoffs.
Would I take Selles back?.....not a chance in hell. His away record was garbage.....did enough to make us competitive in the league, but we now need to move on. Theres something ironic about the two managers we looked at closely, Nathan Jones and Chris Wilder who both look good for the playoff finals. Would we look at them again if available and next season starts badly for Noel?

[Meatwad]

Theoretical... you're Rob Couhig and you successfully buy Reading FC. Reading miss the POs, Hull get relegated and sack Selles.

Selles was in charge when you originally tried to buy the club... would you try to bring him back, stick with Hunt, try to bring in a statement quality manager, or go batshit crazy to boost the club profile and appoint Wayne Rooney.

If I had the money and was RC, I'd hire 2 different independent consultants and ask them to analyse the Selles half and Hunt half of the seasons and identify what the key weaknesses were tactically that led to the big defeats - especially against the Stockport/Lincoln type sides and whether there was any evolution in tactics as time went on.

The objective would be to identify whether any additional tactical input would help NH improve - hes clearly an asset.

Selles had a coach who was also sacked with him- is he now part of Team Selles or could he return?

I'll do it for nothing.......
Weaknesses.......still shit away from home, can't beat the clubs at the bottom. Overcome that and we would easily be in the playoffs.
Would I take Selles back?.....not a chance in hell. His away record was garbage.....did enough to make us competitive in the league, but we now need to move on. Theres something ironic about the two managers we looked at closely, Nathan Jones and Chris Wilder who both look good for the playoff finals. Would we look at them again if available and next season starts badly for Noel?

I would rather gouge my own eyes out with a meth spoon than ever have Wilder on the touch line for us tbh. I understand he is a decent manager, but never really liked him as a person.

[Sutekh]

Theoretical... you're Rob Couhig and you successfully buy Reading FC. Reading miss the POs, Hull get relegated and sack Selles.

Selles was in charge when you originally tried to buy the club... would you try to bring him back, stick with Hunt, try to bring in a statement quality manager, or go batshit crazy to boost the club profile and appoint Wayne Rooney.

If I had the money and was RC, I'd hire 2 different independent consultants and ask them to analyse the Selles half and Hunt half of the seasons and identify what the key weaknesses were tactically that led to the big defeats - especially against the Stockport/Lincoln type sides and whether there was any evolution in tactics as time went on.

The objective would be to identify whether any additional tactical input would help NH improve - hes clearly an asset.

Selles had a coach who was also sacked with him- is he now part of Team Selles or could he return?

I'll do it for nothing.......
Weaknesses.......still shit away from home, can't beat the clubs at the bottom. Overcome that and we would easily be in the playoffs.
Would I take Selles back?.....not a chance in hell. His away record was garbage.....did enough to make us competitive in the league, but we now need to move on. Theres something ironic about the two managers we looked at closely, Nathan Jones and Chris Wilder who both look good for the playoff finals. Would we look at them again if available and next season starts badly for Noel?

The issue is more with the more physical sides who have a tendency to get in the team’s face. Really need a couple of experienced “big” players in the team that can “look after” things.

[rabidbee]

I didn't go to many games, but I thought one of our problems was that we didn't really have many alternative plans for coping with different types of teams. But I suspect that that is not uncommon at this level.

[Panas]

Weaknesses.......still shit away from home, can't beat the clubs at the bottom. Overcome that and we would easily be in the playoffs.

We got 12 wins, 3 draws, and 1 defeat against the bottom eight this season. I'll take that next year happily. If anything, it was our record against the top ten that was the issue (and even that wasn't exactly terrible).

We also had the 11th best away record in the division. Not brilliant, but certainly not dreadful.

[stealthpapes]

I didn't go to many games, but I thought one of our problems was that we didn't really have many alternative plans for coping with different types of teams. But I suspect that that is not uncommon at this level.

yup, if plan A didn't work, there was no plan B. Just like for like, or worse, swaps.