Jose and Joey's arent the only contracts with a year to run...

The following players deals also expire at the end of next season: Harper, Guthrie, Lover, Shola, Kadar, Smith, Ferguson and a few of the higher profile youth players in Zamblera, Tozer, Adjei, Tavernier and Soderberg.

So I ask, who's do we renew? (Current age in brackets if that helps your decision.)

Harper (35) - depends on his form, but I expect by then Forster or Krul will be ready to take over as number 1, most likely no, maybe a one year extension if necessary because by the time his contract ends, he will be 37.
Guthrie (23) - I would give him a deal, hasnt complained at not getting games and a capable player, helps provide the sort of depth we'll need to go for Europe without just being another body for the sake of it, also on very low wages.
Lover (31) - would probably let him go and thank him for his services, doesnt look the threat he did last year but a great guy and you cant fault his effort, just the skill or stamina he still has. Keep him for next year as backup then dont renew
Smith (30) - I like him, but on those kind of wages I would hope we sell him before this issue arises. If he took a significant pay cut I wouldnt mind him staying, but you'd have to say a club with European ambitions should have better, younger cover for Tiote.
Kadar (20), Ferguson (19), Tavernier (19) - all yes, great prosects and can see them all being here for some time, Kadar in particular I see as a possible long term replacement for Colo.

Havent included the other youth players as we havent really seen much of them at all yet.

Thoughts?

 

Soderberg yes from what ive heard, How long has Haris got.

 

Signed a 5 and a half year deal a month or so ago.

 

ah yeah forgot. cheers

 

I'd say it depends on what Lover wants to do in the future. If he fancies coaching, I'd say make him a player/coach now.

 

Agree about Lover, he doesnt quite have the ability anymore but is a very intelligent player. I think he'd want to go back to Denmark for a year or two though if he still felt fit enough. Maybe a coaching offer would tempt him.

 

That's a lot of players, a lot of work to be done over the next season me thinks!

 

donaldson and inmans run out this summer

 

Nice thought about Lovenkrands Smudger!

Rather than fade away as a Newcastle Reserve, he could still have a couple solid seasons at FC Copenhagen (or a 'lesser' Danish team) and end on a high. He seems like a really genuine bloke who has pride in his game, I just don't think he's up to the EPL anymore.

Soderberg. By the end of next season we'll be thinking hard about Harper, if he decides to go then Soderberg will be our third keeper. He's highly-rated and what I've seen of him, seems good cover for Krul and Forster.

Guthrie. I'd keep him. Good age and has good character, makes and effort and doesn't sulk when he has a string of games on the bench. Fair wages and a decent quality squad player.

Smith. I like his character but with those wages, perhaps a move to Leeds or another top championship team? I don't see him breaking back into the team.

Ferguson and Tavernier, definitely. I'm still not sure whether they'll become first team regulars but between them they cover both flanks and have plenty of time to improve. I'd loan them out as soon as they sign new contracts though.

Kadar for sure! A big centreback with a bright future, by 2012/13 he should be getting a good number of games so sign him up on a long deal.

Shola's going nowhere, it just doesn't seem right. Ten-year contract.