Which players are under contract for next season?

Do you know if he's been injured or just out of favour Mark 🤔

Not got a clue

I don’t usually like doing these until after the end of the season - especially as a lot of my thinking here will be based on how well the players suit the current system, despite how clear it is that said system needs changing - but I may as well have a crack seeing as everyone else is doing so. Obviously, I’m also operating under the assumption that we’ll still be in the same league next season, though there’s absolutely still a chance we might not be!

Stanway - Obviously try everything we can to keep him, but realistically he’ll be off. The Football League beckons.
Woodthorpe - Not sure whether he’s capable of being undisputed first-choice, but think he’s done enough to at least earn a new deal. Left-back still has to be one of our priorities in the transfer market, though.
Taylor - Has to go I’m afraid. Still love the guy from his first spell, and might be willing to give him another chance were he not among the higher earners here, but I doubt that’s the case.
Williams - Could actually see him staying, but I’d honestly feel sorry for him if he were still playing in the NLN next season as he’s obviously too good for this level. Again, deserves to be in the EFL.
Glendon - I know he divides opinion, but he has to stay for me (though ideally we should see if he’d be willing to take a modest pay cut). He’s not the reason we’ve underwhelmed recently.
Whitehouse - Been a bit disappointed with some of his performances this season, compared to how good he was when he first arrived, but think he’s just about done enough to earn a new deal; again, ideally on terms more favourable to us.
Thomas - You know I love the guy, but his injury record and Cal’s failure to get the best out of him mean it wouldn’t surprise me if he left. Hopefully that’s not the case, and he not only stays but is given a more influential role.
Norton - Has to go. Pleased that he’s improved enough to at least be seen as a decent option off the bench, but just hasn’t been prolific enough to warrant another contract.
Daly - Surprised he hasn’t had more minutes as he seems a very good prospect. Would like to see him stay and develop further, but I’d trust Cal’s judgement if he decided he’s not good enough.
Murray - Would keep as a useful squad player. Can’t say I’ve ever been his biggest fan, but he’s one of the few players to have actually improved this season, and can’t imagine he’s on big money.
Hall - With all due respect, surely the move to Scarborough would suggest there’s no future for him here. Again, never been a massive fan, and despite some decent performances earlier this season, I think the decision to give him a new contract last summer seems like a bit of a mistake in hindsight.
Heywood - Probably has to go, unfortunately. Comes across as such a likeable guy but don’t think he’ll ever be a starter for us, and it wouldn’t be fair on him to keep him just as emergency backup.
Coates - Missed almost as many games as he’s played, and at times I’ve wondered whether his absences have solely been down to injury or whether there’s been something more at play, but he’s surely too talented a player to release. Generally been very good when he’s played, and he’s been the only full-back to actually flourish under Cal. We do still need to look for a proper backup, though.
Roberts - Very much in the Simon Grand zone at this point, and if he stays, it should be on a contract weighted more towards his physio work but with the option to continue playing as a backup. I know he’s a strong voice in the dressing room and all, but I think that’s more of an indictment of the lack of leadership in the squad than anything else.
J. Burton - Yes, he’s technically still a Chester player. Safe to say he won’t be for much longer.
Edwards - As others have also speculated, don’t know whether there’s been some kind of bust-up with Cal, as he seems to be about fourth choice these days even when fit. I like him and if it were down to me I’d probably keep him, especially if Williams and/or Burke were to leave, but I can’t really see him staying.

I’m on the fence about both loanees. We know Tollitt is a class act on his day, but he’s also been one of the chief disappearers during this poor run - I’d happily have him back if his wage demands were reasonable, but the mistakes of last summer have surely taught us not to splurge too much money on players who we aren’t absolutely sure will be a success. Kieran Burton is still under contract at Hartlepool for next season, and they might even want to use him in their first team - if not, it’d make a fair amount of sense to bring him back here on loan, potentially as a Williams or Burke replacement, though we might prefer to sign someone permanently instead.

I also think it’d be interesting to discuss what we’d do about the four contracted players if they too were out of contract in the summer. We’re in a very good position with Burke, whereby we’ll either get another season out of him or will be able to command a good fee for him, and we’d surely still want Weeks to stay for another year despite his struggles this season. When it comes to Caton and Peers, though, I’m almost relieved that things have been taken out of our hands, because I think they’d be the two most difficult players over whom to make a decision - though I think the whole situation with them would go some way towards suggesting we ought to revert to the policy of one-year contracts for all but the most prized assets. We need to focus our efforts next season on getting the best out of them and ensuring they stay injury-free, because another disappointing campaign from one or both could have pretty major consequences both financially and in terms of our league position.

What are you going on about telling me to keep my mouth shut?

I know as much as anyone does about Liam Edwards, nothing. I just stated the obvious that we see him once in a blue moon.

For the record I haven't worked for the club in nearly ten years.

There was a comment that he'd played at Warrington while he wasn't well. He went off midway through the 2nd half. A couple of weeks later it was said that he'd played with flu because we were short of players. Cal said he had been unwell, and it was an ongoing situation that he was having to deal with. Or something like that.
He then reappeared for a couple of games as sub and started. Since then disappeared again.

Hopefully he's OK and able to play if we need him. Granted it all seems a bit strange considering the Warrington game was 3 months ago. If he has a condition that means he is unable to play or train properly for that long, it may be helpful for both the player and the fans for the club to issue a statement.  

It did occur to me that it could be a mental health issue rather than physical as it was being described as illness rather than injury but that’s pure speculation on my part.

I see your point as a key 3 or 4 signings would transform this team. Problem is, you'd need to clear out some of your better players to pay for those new key signings. On balance I think it needs to be done though.  Also something doesn't look right in the group at the moment. A change may improve things.
Pretty sure Cal will make better signings this summer, than last.

Interesting on the subject of injured players, is there any more to it? Could we do something different around training, fitness or recovery? Or is it as simple as we have a lot of injury prone players?

We have seemed to have a lot of non-contact injuries

I guess we are just very unlucky then, because over the last 3 seasons we seem to have had an endless supply of them. Obviously speculation if it's the training, the artificial surface or whatever and there's nothing you can do about the freak ones like Glendon, Thomas or Peers.
It's more the muscle based ones that keep players out for a month, or are reacurring that seem to be a major issue.

Can’t see Wyll staying, I have heard rumours of coming back home to Barrow, to replace Farman who is in his 30’s - also Dundee
Utd have shown interest apparently. BIG mistake on not giving him a two year deal when I said we should have.

Adam Thomas was signed while he was coming off a long term injury. Liam Edwards the same. I understand there’s luck involved but there are lessons here.

Said to my brother the other day that Carlisle or Barrow would be a decent next step for Wyll

Agreed, do very well to find a keeper of his quality if he does leave in the summer.

Wasn’t he signed under Watson? Under a 1 year contract with an additional one year option? So he was signed (effectively) on a two year contract?