I don't really understand the suspense; I'm sure we all know what it will say. All out-of-contract players will be released.
Released at end of contract: Radhi Jaidi David Connolly Bartosz Bialkowski Lee Holmes Ryan Doble Harlee Dean Aarran Racine Scholars released: Jack Dovey Steve Mowthorpe Conor O'Sullivan Dan Bowman Scholars offered professional contracts: Matt Young Joe Curtis Bevis Mugabi Chris Johns Promoted to First Team: James Ward-Prowse Calum Chambers Luke Shaw Jack Stephens
About what was expected, no real surprises are ever really on these lists, but it's good to hear the positive statements on the 4 moving up. All of the new first teamers look like future Premiership players, to have a crop of four first team players emerge at the same time is very promising. Looking forward to the announcement of the new intake. I know little of Young, Curtis, Mugabi and Johns, so who knows how they will fare. Maybe there's another star in that group too.
Amidst all the talk of new players, this is a good point to pause and say thank you to those leaving. Several of those have been here over the last 2-3 years which have been happy and exciting times for saints fans. So thanks and good luck to all- let's hope they get fixed up with new clubs and prosper elsewhere.
I think it's great news that Shaw, Chambers, Stephens and Ward-Prowse have been promoted to the first team!
http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/145944-Retained-List Already a thread, could the mods merge if possible? Personally, It's what we expected and I'm surprised (but happy) about the promoted youth players
Sad to see Connolly go. He had a touch of class about him and gave us the momentum at the start of this season. Also real shame to see Bart go he's been here longer than most and hes only played very limited amounts of football. Finally Holmes sad to see a career ruined by injuries like his has been. Wish these players the best for the future.
With Bart and Holmes, it might be the best thing for them; both have hung around the fringes of the first team, and as such haven't gotten much playing time. Holmes looks to be landing on his feet with Swindon, where he'll have the opportunity to build back up, and Bart should be able to find a role as a first-choice keeper, if perhaps at a lower level.
Bart should be very comfortable as a Number 1 for a Championship/League One team. Good luck to him, he's been a good understudy for a long time, I hope he finds success. I feel like this group of four youngsters is a real sign of something special, like our Butt, Beckham, Scholes, Nevilles or something, it's very exciting.
I am surprised that some people are surprised (see that?) the four youngsters have been put in fist team squad. For three yars now the plan has been to push homegrown youngsters into first team. There will be even more over the coming years. One of the reasons Pardew went, was because of his lack of desire to bring in the kids. NC and NA have been saying all season the % of youngsters in the first team will be high in a few years time. Don't see the surprise. it's good stuff.
I think the reason most of us are surprised is the timing, I personally wasn't expecting it for a few more years yet, when they were 18/19 - they're only 16/17
