Wycombe Wanderers have announced their retained list, which now leaves us in a situation where we can analyse the players still on contract. Whilst there have been no major surprises, there are three players who as of yet may leave the club, having been offered contracts but not accepted them yet. These are of course Franco Ravizzoli (GK), Chris Forino-Joseph (CB), and Gareth McCleary (RW). For the convinience of this piece, they will not be included, as to help us review the squad that is guaranteed to be here next year.
This will also follow the 4-2-3-1 we have deployed to much success since January, and will include players in multiple positions, such as Luke Leahy, who can play as both a Left Back, and as a Central Midfielder, albiet it would be preferable to deploy him in midfield rather than in defence.
Goalkeepers: Laurie Shala (19)
Nathan Shepperd has been confirmed to be leaving the Chairboys, whilst Franco Ravizzoli has not yet confirmed he will be with the club for next season, which leaves Kosovian U-19 player Laurie Shala. The Development Squad prospect had been on loan at Potters Bar Town FC where he unfortunately broke his collarbone, and was handed a new deal in the aftermath.
This is a position that could see upheaval depending on the decision of Franco, who will likely seek assurances he will remain the no.1 goalkeeper for the future. If he moves on, it could leave a tough situation heading into next season.
Left Backs: Luke Leahy (31)
A position in definite of attention, with the depatures of Kane Vincent Young, Nigel Longwijk, Joe Jacobson, Saxon Earley, only Leahy can truly play the position, with Jack Grimmer playing there in an absolute pinch. The Chairboys have already been linked with 23 year old left-back Josh Edwards, and if Bloomfield wants to be able to play Leahy in his more favoured midfield role, a new left back is an absolute necessity in the transfer window.
Center Backs: Ryan Tafazolli (32), Joe Low (22), Declan Skura (22)
Theres two guaranteed starters there in Tafazolli and Low, who have complimented each others abilities very well throughout last season, with Tafazolli’s defensive steel and aerial ability combining with Joe Loe’s passing and technical prowess to make a formidable partnership. Declan Skura meanwhile impressed in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy early rounds, and went on to a solid loan spell at Ebbslfeet Town, and could hopefully be the next development team player to make the jump to first team football. Chris Forino-Joseph could well sign on for another season too, and would be a major miss if he decides to leave.
Right Backs: Jack Grimmer (30), Jason McCarthy (28), Jasper Pattenden (22)
An area well stocked, Jack Grimmer has been an excellent starter this season having improved massively under Matt Bloomfield, whilst Jason McCarthy offers solid and experienced rotatation as a backup, with a willingness to run and battle adding another dimension to the bench. Jasper Pattenden meanwhile represents an unusual challenge, having excelled as a right wing-back before his injury. He could well be trained to offer support in the position, being an excellent attacker, and a tenacious fighter, but needing mentoring from a defensive standpoint.
Central Midfield: Luke Leahy (31), Josh Scowen (31), Matt Butcher (26), Luca Woodhouse (19), Taylor Clark (18)
A mix of experienced heads and young prospects, central midfield looks well stocked before you remember Leahy played just 13 games in midfield this season, and Scowen has increasingly been used as an attacking player, with Butcher holding down the fort alongside young starlet Freddie Potts. Woodhouse and Clark represent good prospects for the future, but may not be able to come into the first team right at the start of the season. A move to add some depth to the position makes sense, and we could well see another loanee come into the fold in the position.
Left Wing: Kieran Sadlier (29), Brandon Hanlan (26), Beryly Lubala (26)
Sadlier has made the left wing his own since joining from Bolton Wanderers, and looks set to continue as a main starter on the wing, while the injured Hanlan could make a comeback there, using his pace and dribbling ability to offer something different to the more technical Sadlier. Lubala meanwhile can play across the attacking spots, and left-wing looks like another position that may not need major updates in the summer.
Attacking Midfield: Josh Scowen (31), David Wheeler (33), Christie Ward (20)
Scowen was increasingly deployed as an attacking player towards the end of the season to some affect, combining his already well known stamina and workrate with a surprising amount of vision and passing ability. The Swiss-Army-Man Wheeler has also rotated there too, whilst Christie Ward remains an intriguing prospect in the position. With the return of loanee Dale Taylor to Nottingham Forest, the position could well use some additions, especially with Scowen also having commitments further down the field.
Right Wing: Beryly Lubala (26), David Wheeler (33), Jasper Pattenden (22)
The ever young Gareth McCleary is yet to commit to another season, and having been a nailed on starter in the position despite his age, if he choses to move on he could throw the position into flux. Lubala could well be the major beneficiary of any such decision, especially as his skills would contrast well with Sadlier on the other side of the pitch. Wheeler represents another reliable option there, being used as an aerial battering ram against the smaller and weaker fullbacks, while Jasper Pattenden could also be deployed there, to make use of his attacking ability without the defensive risks of playing right-back.
Striker: Sam Vokes (34), Richard Kone (20), Brandon Hanlan (26), Beryly Lubala (26)
A position with no true shortage of options, Bloomfield can boast a wide number of different options for every imaginable scenario up front, which is quite a nice feeling to have. Sam Vokes can be relied to continue dominating the air and drawing center backs, Richard Kone is clinical and surprisingly strong at linkup play despite his inexperience in the professional football, whilst Lubala and Hanlan offer the pace and dribbling ability to scare any center-back who pushes forward that little too much. Its hard to imagine needing another option in the area unless something truly remarkable happens in the summer window.
