Lots of debate surrounding where people think we should be, Carrick's performance etc. but I think we have gaps in the playing squad that stop us from pushing on from playoff contenders to promotion contenders. I will caveat that by saying that I think we're working towards that position and it seems like we are getting more right off the pitch over the last couple of years compared with the years beforehand.
Dieng - last season was excellent but this season has been average for his potential ability. Looking increasingly likely that he is off anyway so we need to sign a number 1 goalkeeper. (SELL)
Brynn - impressed when he's played. Good standard for a number 2 and hopefully only going to improve so in a good position to push the number 1. (KEEP)
Glover - done ok the last few games and probably good enough to be a third choice despite his limitations so long as he's happy with that role. (KEEP)
Ayling - been really good at times and provides experience and leadership. Question marks over shelf life (KEEP)
Dijksteel - one of the success stories of the season, a player I really like but does have the odd clanger in him and is far from perfect so question marks about him being first choice (KEEP - new contract)
Smith - was brilliant until injury but due to age and nature of the injury I fear that his time is up (RELEASE)
Bangura - potentially superb and the only one of the left backs that looks capable of functioning in the same way Giles did which allows our left midfielder to invert but he's missed so many games since he signed that he looks like a total crock (KEEP and hope for the best)
Engel - really likeable and I think most fans hope that things work out for him, puts in some good games but also some shockers and looks like Championship might be a step too far for him to be consistent for a team at the top (SELL)
Borges - jury is still out with him. Looks to be better when inverting rather than providing width so his success could depend on us signing a left sided Doak kind of player (KEEP)
McCormick - looks promising from his brief appearances but there's always a lot of uncertainty around young players stepping up (KEEP)
Lenihan - looked the part last season but, as with Smith, is he going to be able to recover from this injury? He's contracted until the end of next season and I doubt we'd find a buyer given how long he has been out (KEEP - only because selling might be difficult)
Clarke - a couple of months ago he was in fine form and looked like our best defender but things seemed to have soured since then and yesterday he didn't look bothered at all. Rumours that he's not happy and wants out (SELL)
Fry - prone to criticism at times, sometimes unfairly, a good quality player for this level (KEEP)
Van Den Berg - quality player and destined for bigger and better things, has the odd mistake or poor game but is still a young kid so hardly surprising (KEEP - for as long as we can)
Edmundson - he's ok, apart from yesterday when he kept twatting simple passes out for a throw in. Bog standard Championship centre half but not our player anyway and not really done enough to warrant making the move permanent (LOAN ELAPSES)
Howson - been a brilliant player for us and still capable of putting a performance in but he can't go on forever and has been injured when we've desperately needed cover for Morris (RELEASE)
Hackney - has been on the end of a lot of criticism this season despite him having to carry the whole of the middle of the park himself. Top quality player at this level and another who we'll struggle to keep hold of (KEEP - as long as we can)
Morris - took to this league instantly and has been missed more than anyone else while he's been injured. Top quality player. (KEEP)
McCabe - looks promising and very much in the Hackney mould, would do as good a job as Barlaser as backup from what I've seen (KEEP)
Barlaser - the boo boy. Hasn't impressed when he's played, mainly due to the imbalance in the midfield pairing. Could well be a decent enough back up to Hackney but with McCabe coming through it makes more sense to use his squad space for a different kind of midfielder (SELL)
Azaz - our main creator and his goal/assist stats are best in the league. Had a quiet month compared to the previous ones but still a great player (KEEP)
Gilbert - seems to impress when coming off the bench but then not as effective when starting. Still looks like there's a player in there though. Back up to Azaz (KEEP)
McGree - on his day he's our best player, not had his day for what seems like a while (since QPR away). As fans we don't get the inside info into what may or may not be going on with him so questions about his fitness and mentality surface. Needs an adventurous left back to compliment him. (KEEP)
Burgzorg - a bit of an enigma. Has the pace and physicality to be an asset but seems to be under the required standard to nail down a place as a key player. Better than I first thought he was because at the start of the season he looked absolutely atrocious. Could be handy as backup or impact player (KEEP)
Doak - absolute superstar and we look a bit lost without him. Sadly he's not our player so will be leaving at the end of the season, if not sooner. (LOAN ELAPSES)
Hamilton - I don't know what he is. Doesn't look good on the left, doesn't look good on the right. Yesterday he took up some good positions but then did absolutely nothing with the ball. Doesn't look like he can beat a man when he has him stood up 1 on 1 (LOAN OUT)
Forss - definitely has the required quality but seems to be made of glass which is a real shame as he's popular with the fans for good reason. I'd give him another season and if it's the same pattern as this year then let his contract come to an end (KEEP - for one more season)
Latte Lath - I love him, he's class and not just for his goals but for his work-rate off the ball as well. I think we all know that he'll be gone soon, most likely within the next 19 days (SELL)
Conway - really good player at this level, good numbers and potential to develop further. (KEEP)
So from that list of 29 players there's quite a few who haven't performed to the required level to push us on towards being a top 2 team and if I was Carrick/Scott I'd be looking to replace (or having to replace) 10 players.
New keeper
Right back
Left back
2 x centre back
backup defensive midfielder
right winger (potentially 2)
left winger
centre forward
All that without someone coming in and nicking Hackney, VDB or Azaz.
