With Luton’s 2021/2022 Championship campaign over, decisions must be made relating to the playing staff.
No doubt, these decisions on who to keep and who to let go have been the subject of many a discussion, in the past few weeks.
Yesterday, the Official Site gave us an insight, with regards to contracts expiring, into who will be leaving, who will be staying and who will be given the chance to stay.
In summarising the decisions made, it seems that the following:
• Luke Berry
• Harry Isted
• Cameron Jerome
• Peter Kioso
all of whom had contracts that had contracts expiring this summer have been kept on with the club exercising a clause in their current contracts.
To me that makes perfect sense, all have contributed this season, and all bring something to the table performance wise.
As for those that could stay but could also leave, we’re informed that negotiations are ongoing to extend the Kenilworth Road stats of:
• Kal Naismith
• Robert Snodgrass
• Danny Hylton
My view is that it is essential Naismith is tied to a new contract and I’d also like to see Snodgrass given another season.
However, I’m not sure about Hylton, is it time to sever ties?
We are also informed that two players who were sent out on loan:
• Dion Pereira
• Glen Rea
have returned, but do they both have a future at Kenilworth Road?
I suspect Pereira has but Rea could be on his way out if a buyer is found at a suitable price.
Another player who had been on loan:
• Elliot Lee
Has returned to Kenilworth Road but will become a free agent when his current contract expires at the end of June.
Some, including me, feel that Lee was never given a fair crack of the whip in the Championship but that’s the way football is sometimes. I’m sure Elliot will have no trouble finding a new club.
Turning to the U21 Development squad, the following have been either an option to extend their current deals or an option to sign new professional terms or remain under contract:
• Callum Nicolson
• Josh Williams
• Jameson Horlick
• Avan Jones
• Conor Lawless
• Tra Lucas
• Casey Petit
• Aiden Francis-Clarke
• Ed McJannet
Sadly, as was always inevitable, there have been casualties with some players being shown the door, with the list reading:
• TQ Addy
• Sam Beckwith
• Corey Panter
• Jake Peck
I’d imagine the news is exceptionally galling to the bottom three on that list as they have been with Luton, in one capacity or another, for over ten years. Hopefully, they’ll find clubs elsewhere.
But what are your feelings on the above lists, have the club got it right or do you feel some players have been hard done by?
Please feel free to have your say in the comment facility beneath this article.
COYH’s
Which Area Should Luton Look To Improve Most?
Defence!
Midfield!
Attack!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – The All-Important Question
Morning mh, when I first saw the list yesterday my first thought was not about who was being retained but the cost of keeping players who injures permitting will probably get little game time next season. This is not about knocking them but strictly financial terms so I was surprised to learn that there is little between those retained 3 players I expect to get little game an those released 1.3 mill wages roughly for a year for those kept an 988,000 released in the year. So really only about 300,000 different. Enough to by maybe 1 player. But with only 1.5 mill in a transfer fund and a keeper or 2 a priority. Where an what type of players do we go now. Unless the likes of Thorpe kioso perriera petit mcjannet are now expected to be given bigger roles.
the financial side of i, as you point out, doesn’t appear to leave us room to manouevre, perhaps Nathan has an ace or two up his sleeve!
No it doesn’t the highest earners are on 7 to 10000 a week. So top players won’t come it has to be younger types or foreign players released.
the influx of European talent seems to have dried up, is it down to the salaries expected?
Hi all , I think we should just wait to see who NJ and GS as they did alright this season so I trust 5hem to get the squad stronger and hopefully we finish as high as this season . Coyh
the young players you mentioned should be given a chance. it makes financial sense. stop playing the same players non stop,they need resting. i fancy i will be banging on about this for another season. i live in hope.COYH.