END OF SEASON PLAYER REVIEW
We've had a great season at Pride Park and it's time to assess who will remain part of this project come next season.
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ADAM LEGZDINS (2 Apps)
Adam is a decent backup, and not much more. Sadly, he is not content to warm the bench and so he will probably move on this summer, we are actively on the lookout for a replacement.
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FRANK FIELDING (47 Apps)
I remain to be entirely convinced by Frankie. He's an excellent shot stopper but at times he is caught wanting and his positioning is often wayward. Will most likely remain at the club next season though.
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JOHN BRAYFORD (38 Apps, 0 goals)
John is a top full back, to be honest there are few better in the Championship. He played the majority of games but missed a couple of months through injury. Will certainly remain next season.
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KIERON FREEMAN (15 Apps, 0 goals)
Kieron is unquestionably a talent, but has been found wanting when stepping in for Brayford on a number of occasions this season. I will probably seek out a loan move for him so that he can polish his game.
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MIQUEL NELOM (36 Apps, 0 goals)
Miquel settled in from the word go, so I am delighted with what was my first signing as Derby manager. He has come on leaps and bounds and I would be delighted to see his move become permanent though it is not looking promising at the moment.
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GARETH ROBERTS (12 Apps, 0 goals)
Gareth is a player at the twilight of his career, which makes the fact that he was the only available left back at the club when I joined all the more surprising. Is set to be released in June.
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MICHAEL HOGANSON (8 Apps, 0 goals)
Michael is a big, big talent. He has pace to burn and is improving his understanding of the game day by day. We are really excited by his potential but we intend to see him out on loan next campaign in order to enhance his development.
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JAKE BUXTON (17 Apps, 0 goals)
Jake has proven a reliable backup and will probably retain that role come next season. With the return of captain Shaun Barker not too far away though, he may be even more pushed for a place in the side.
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RICHARD KEOGH (36 Apps, 1 goal)
Richard put in some top shifts last season and even made his Republic of Ireland debut. He is a top player and I expect him to continue progressing next season.
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JAMES O'CONNOR (7 Apps, 0 goals)
James is a classic utility player. Sadly there is not much place for him in the side so he will be transfer listed this summer and placed in the reserves.
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MARK O'BRIEN (31 Apps, 0 goals)
Mark has come on leaps and bounds this campaign and we are absolutely thrilled by his progress. He is a shoe in whenever he's fit and always puts in a shift. We look forward to him improving next season.
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TOM NAYLOR (1 Apps, 0 goals)
Tom is a talented lad, but is not really getting a look in at the moment, and spent time on loan at Preston from January onwards. My Assistant rates him quite highly so I will send him on loan again next year and then decide on his future after that.
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VALENTIN GJOKAJ (20 Apps, 0 goals)
A player for whom I have a lot of time, Valentin is a seriously talented player. Covered for the injured Keogh at the end of the last campaign and really staked his claim for a starting spot. Big things expected of him next year.
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CRAIG BRYSON (36 Apps, 5 goals)
Craig is a top player, and despite being in and out of the side this campaign, he has shown real quality. A real workhorse and vital player, will definitely stay next campaign.
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PAUL COUTTS (39 Apps, 2 goals)
Paul's consistency has earned him rave reviews, as well as a couple of stunning free-kicks. Certain to stay next year.
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JEFF HENDRICK (35 Apps, 2 goals)
Jeff has done well this season and is still a raw talent. Expect him to become even more important next campaign - we are hoping for big things from this lad.
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MARK YEATES (21 Apps, 3 goals)
Yeatesey filled a gap at the beginning of the season and had a decent start to the campaign but injury forced him out of the side, and his place was taken by the likes of Will Hughes and Mason Bennett. Will go back to Watford in the summer.
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WILL HUGHES (29 Apps, 4 goals)
Will has been heavily touted as a star of the future, so there has been a lot of pressure on him to perform. They needn't have worried though, Will has been remarkable since coming back from injury and expect him to only get better next year. What an exciting player.
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DAVY KLAASSEN (41 Apps, 12 goals)
Davy is another dutch loanee, and what a season he had here at Pride Park, treating us to some exquisite goals and delightful football. Talks are ongoing to see him rejoin the club next year but his talent has been noticed elsewhere. All we can say is that we were happy to take on such a young star.
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SIMON CHURCH (10 Apps, 2 goals)
Simon joined on loan from Reading late in the campaign, but certainly made an impact with a couple of nice goals and impressive approach play. Out of contract in the summer, with Derby certainly one of the clubs with an interest.
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JAMIE WARD (36 Apps, 6 goals)
Jamie grew with significance as the season wore on and is a highly valued player at the club. We will look to hold onto him this summer.
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THEO ROBINSON (20 Apps, 3 goals)
Theo is a pacy forward with a good finish, but sadly never managed to hold down a starting spot. Out of contract in the summer, and seeing as how he failed to fit into the system in place, he will most likely depart.
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CONNOR SAMMON (37 Apps, 14 goals)
Feed the fish! Connor had a great season for us this campaign, combining his excellent hold up play with some nice finishes. I have been impressed and while I am actively searching for more players in this role, he will stay next season.
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MASON BENNETT (15 Apps, 2 goals)
Mason has had a fine breakthrough season at the club. At just 16 years of age, he has burst onto the scene and is ready for more football. May look to loan him out for the first few months of the season to help round a bit of his game off, especially as he was playing out of position here by the end of the campaign. Very exciting player though.
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So there we have it, those are the boys at the club, and the following are the players on the transfer list/set to release:
Adam Legzdins
James O'Connor
Theo Robinson
And the players who will probably see loan time next season:
Kieron Freeman
Michael Hoganson
Mason Bennett
Tom Naylor
Meanwhile, I am actively searching ahead of the upcoming transfer window, and you will hear any news here first.