Apart from Kalas and Bentley let's hear from you who'll start in August from the 65.
In all seriousness RP I'm struggling to answer that, because I don't know who Mark Ashton will buy in or let go (no-one does). I also don't know which of our 'crocks' will be available. We could be stuck with certain players because we have no alternative for their position. There is also the elusive player we have been missing - it's POSSIBLE that with that midfield 'general' on the pitch, the likes of Nagy, Pato, Massengo and O'Dowda etc could be free to play to their own personal strengths(?)
I'm not trying to duck the question - just struggling to answer because there are so many different scenarios.
I flippantly said earlier that we should only keep about 5 players from the current squad. That's unrealistic of course and we still need a full squad, so I've listed my more realistic recommendations below.
I think we both agree on Bentley and Kalas. I would NOT want to lose either of them.
With regards to the rest, I think that many could still do a job for us if we get our midfield 'General' in to run the show, but with nobody currently available for that role they are struggling. I don't believe they are simply 'crap', but there are definitely better and more consistent players in the Championship, so I would be keeping an eye on the market to try and improve on them.
However, the number one focus should be on getting our General - and I wouldn't simply let any of the current first-team players go without replacing them. I suppose that puts them in the 'keep if there is nobody better' category, rather than the 'dump at all costs' category!
Mawson I would unload because of his wages. I originally thought Palmer was the one on stupid money but apparently it's Mawson.
I honestly can't judge Walsh or Williams - they've only played a couple of times. I like what I hear about them, but it remains to be seen if they can deliver.
I'd get rid of Baker. Good player but always injured.
So to summarise, naming the squad from memory and assuming the injured ones are fit:
First on the team sheet:
Kalas, Bentley
Keep:
O'Leary, Vyner, Semenyo, Massengo (yes, he's starting to grow on me!), Edwards, Weimann and possibly Bakinson,
Keep if no better replacement found:
Pato, Wells, Martin, Nagy, Hunt, Palmer, DaSilva, O'Dowda, Mariappa, POSSIBLY Walsh and Williams (I honestly don't know about these two)
Actively look to replace:
Mawson (wages -
see below), Baker (injuries - shame), Sessegnon (I just don't rate him)
Buy:
Midfield 'General' -
URGENT
Replacement for Diedhiou
There are a lot of players I haven't mentioned by name because I can't think of them off the top of my head, so I guess we can do without them........
There you go RP - sorry it's a bit of a long read - and it took a lot of thought, and I've tried to be realistic - there is no way we'd replace everyone except Kalas and Bentley.
EDIT:
I originally named Palmer as being on shockingly high wages because of a historic post on here a few months ago, but according to Jiffie it's Mawson, not Palmer, who is being paid stupid money. Not sure where the original source of the Palmer 'rumour' was but I've updated my post above in response. It's easier if we unload Mawson to be honest - Palmer plays an active part these days.
I've edited my post above accordingly and swopped them around.