Conor Washington released
The club today issued their released and retained list.
Chris Gunter, Conor Washington, Adam Matthews, Ben Watson, Pape Souare and Stephen Henderson all leave following the expiry of their contracts.
Whereas all of the loan players return to their parent clubs, that is Akin Famewo, who we did have an option to buy, Elliot Lee, Jonathan Leko, Mason Burstow, Nile John and Juan Castillo.
Well it was the clean sweep most people wanted, but Washington not being offered a new contract is still a surprise.
I have said often that we were a better side with Washington in it. His departure will only make a lick of sense when we see who replaces him.
Washington leaving the building may also show intent to change formation to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
There was a lot to like about Conor, and if he could finish more consistently then he would not be playing in the 3rd Division, but he still has a goal record of one in three and always looked to me as if he was a step ahead of most of his team mates in terms of making space and stretching opposition defences.
I saw a stat today that said in the 28 games that the Irishman played in last season we won 47 points. In the 18 games he did not start in, we won 12. I hope we do not regret letting him go especially hearing that Thomas’ reason may have been his vocal support of Jacko.
Jackson and Sandgaard and one assumes his son did not agree on the decision not to extend Washington’s contract.
The others that departed makes sense. The Adam Matthews experiment has surely run it’s course.
Ryan Inniss, Jake Forster Caskey, Josh Davison and Nathan Harness were each rewarded with one-year extensions. Each had that option in their contracts, and I have to say that the decision on Ryan Inniss seems nonsensical.
It would have been a silly decision to move JFC on after a year of rehabilitation. Josh Davison’s retention might only be to protect us if the club’s gets an approach for him, otherwise frankly I would have put him in the departure lounge.
George Dobson, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Ashley Maynard-Brewer have each had a one-year option added to their contracts that were due to expire in 2023.
Ben Purrington and his agent are in discussions with the club. He’s one I’d like to keep him, whilst Jason Pearce has been offered an academy coaching role.
Chicago Addick 
Lets be honest here. I liked Washington, Bur top 6 with him – no way. We have to look past mid table mediocrity which is where we are currently mired. Of course whether the powers that be have the acumen to sign the right players remains to be seen.
Make or break season for JFC, I am hopeful he comes good IF he can keep off the long term injury list.
I am hopeful that JFC and Inniss come good, but then again I also believe in Father Christmas 🎅
I am also pleased that Blackpool did not take up the option on Kirk. I would love to see what Fraser and Kirk can do under the right manager, with Stockley up top. Neither had any chance in the rigid system Jackson employed. If TS is true to his word on wanting expansive football then these are the 2 who could deliver IMO.
If TS sells Kirk cut price that would smack of negligence to me, as I am convinced his value will soar. After all he proved he can do the biz with Crewe.
C’mon, build a team around these 3 plus JFC/CBT and Dobson.
Kirk came with a good pedigree. i didn’t see many of our expert scouts in the fanbase slam that signing.
Innis why Washington Mathews a bit odd decisionye, let’s hope TS knows more than me, after watching the club for 60 years not sure about that one. It takes a football professional to know about football more than the average fan.
Sorry CA I disagree with your comment about Josh Davidson. 22yr is very young for a No.9. It is in my opinion the most difficult position to play. In the 60+ years I have watched CAFC I can only recall 3 No.9s who established themselves when under 24 i.e Leary, Matthews and Leaburn.
Leary was not a conventional 9 in that he played deeper than was the norm. Matthews struggled physically as a 9 but dramatically improved when Firmani came back from Italy and took over the 9 shirt. Leaburn is the only youngster that played as a conventional 9 for a sustained period that I can remember. Davidson whilst on loan at FGR had his best games playing alongside Jamal Matt who is similar in build and playing style to Stockley. I say give Josh the chance to show what he can do next season before giving up on him. If you look through other teams you will find very few young 9s.
I glad you disagreed rierti. Always happy to hear your input.
in the 28 games that the Irishman played in last season we won 47 points. In the 18 games he did not start in, we won 12.
…..
How many of those games did we also miss Jayden Stockley and Chuks Aneke?
He didn’t score enough goals and squandered a few one-on-ones and a missed penalty, but great work ethic and he could play the high-press game and we looked a better team when he played. He won’t be out of work for long.
If I’m being honest I couldn’t see a forward line of Stockley/Washington/Aneke plus Davison and Kanu scoring the 50-60 goals between them that we would need if we want to get promoted.
In every promotion season we’ve had a 20 plus goals a season striker – Lyle Taylor, Bradley Wright-Philips, Andy Hunt, super Clive etc. I don’t see any of the above strikers getting to 20 goals a season. So signing a striker is a must – but who?
Josh Davison – I don’t think we used him that well last season. He’s not a target man and Nigel Adkins used him several times a sole striker which wasted his skills. He needs to play as a fox-in -the-box striker playing off knock-downs from the target man – either Chuks Aneke or Jayden Stockley.
As we didn’t use him well I’m not 100% sure what to make of him.
Elsewhere Kieffer Moore looks like he’ll be playing premiership football next season, he was once on trial at Charlton, he also failed to make it at Yeovil and it took him a few seasons to make it.
He’s worth a second look in my opinion, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is only being retained to force a deal from Swindon with a nice sell in the small print if he turns out to be a late developer.
Totally agree with your comments about Davison he needs to play off of a striker like Stockley. The possible signing of Marquis does not impress me but he may also benefit from playing alongside Stockley or Aneke as he has never struck me as a proper No.9 when at Millwall ,Doncaster or Portsmouth.
SP – I hear we are signing John Marquis from Lincoln on a free.
IMO a top signing of a quality proven L! scorer, and for nothing.
He and Stockley can take us to the top 6
Well done TS and the team – really excited by this news.
Marquis has only once scored 20 goals in a season in L1.
Marquis? He’s been around too long.
Washington and Marquis both 29.
Washington 12 goals, Marquis 9 goals last season.
Almost just replacing Washington as a like for like, except Washington has a lot more energy and is quite fast and also comes back and helps the defence, whereas Marquis is more of a Stockly type player and quite slow!
IMO not a good siging at all, Millwall & Porstmouth both off loaded him and Lincoln have also decided not to retain him for next season, after his loan from Portsmouth. So we would now have our three main strikers all around the 29 year old area, with Chucks probably managing half a season from the bench if that, plus I thought we were looking for a more youthful striker for the future, who will get between 15-20 goals to complement the oldies!
As for giving Inniss another year on the physio bench for most of it, that is a complete joke!!!
CA and Mike,
The point is stick with what we have and settle for mid table mediocrity, or twist and try to push on. I had no issues at all with Washington if I wanted another wasted season. I don’t and believe Marquis can help us push on. Watch for another striker singing too.
Oh and I agree with Inniss – pointless and expensive.