We asked the verdict of our Rovers fans’ jury about the club’s retained list.

 

No great surprises in the retained list though disappointed in the Lewis Holtby situation which I don’t really understand. Similarly, Corry Evans will be missed though not as much as he could and should have been.

I’m glad that speculation regarding Ryan Nyambe’s exit proved incorrect as he still has a lot to offer.

Those leaving have either failed to take their chances or are in the twilight of their careers so no criticisms there. Hopefully Harry Chapman will sign a new contract as he has lots of potential and is a crowd pleaser.

Bradley Johnson, if he maintains fitness, is worth keeping for his physicality but I would imagine Elliott Bennett has played his last game after a distinguished career at the club.

The loss of loan players, however, is going to be a problem, particularly if Daniel Ayala continues to be wrapped in cotton wool and is immobilised by the weight of his salary.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis will be missed and Harvey Elliott probably impossible to replace. So we need to again make some shrewd loan signings if we are to progress from our ever stagnant league position.

Finally, we appear to have retained our manager and this has led many supporters to feel that the possible wind of change has blown rather cold.

Paul Yates

 

The main surprise to me was the offer of a new deal to Elliott Bennett, what on earth is his rationale behind that? The player has barely been selected to come off the bench this season let alone start a game so I can’t work it out.

Stewart Downing had to go as he has not had much of an impact this season, I’m sorry to see Amari’i Bell go but to me he was never quite up to being a Rovers player.

Lewis Holtby on his day looked good sadly he didn’t have that many good days for me so that was the right call.

Corry Evans never let us down and he could be considered unlucky to leave but I suspect he was on a decent wage and the cloth needs to be cut accordingly.

Charlie Mulgrew to me left two years ago when he joined Wigan as there was no way back for him and he has been on loan virtually ever since, but he was first class for us.

The main surprise was the release of Joe Grayson. I thought he had a big future for us but obviously the boss didn’t think so.

The extra year triggers on Ryan Nyambe, Joe Rankin-Costello and Joe Rothwell are correct but now we need to tie them down for longer.

Andrew Robinson

 

I think after the failings of this season, we needed a rebranding and there's a number of players that haven't lived up to what we'd have hoped for them. 

I'm in agreement to all of the players leaving yet I'm surprised to see Bradley Johnson given a new contract.  Upon his arrival, I was excited by what he had to offer - a combative midfielder, very strong in the air and who has an eye for goal.  Yet aside from the occasional patchy bit of form, he's been far too anonymous in games and too slow for our high tempo style. 

Admittedly, we are lacking in experience but it's more important to have effective players on the pitch than leaders in the dressing room who underperform on a weekly basis. 

Hopefully releasing quite a few of our more experienced players will free up wages to allow us to compete with other clubs as it seems this is where we lost out on the likes of Patrick Bauer and Harrison Reed.  It will also bring a new mindset to the team which after the season just gone could be a welcome change.

Kelvin Wilkins