It's important Peterborough United's next retained list is not as shocking as the last one - here's what I would do

The current season’s issues started with a retained list last May which was an absolute shocker as players who were blatant underperformers were kept on.

Posh released two players (Kabongo Tshimanga and David Ajiboye) and placed four others on the transfer list, one of whom, Bradley Ihionvien, is still under contract at London Road.

Posh must do better this year and make space for the better players who will surely be needed if a place at the third tier top table is to be secured.

Sadly midfield maestro Archie Collins will leave London Road for better things after three years of excellent service as his current contract expires in June. On-loan players JJ Morgan and Peter Kioso will also leave.

Here are the players I would also release, sell or even give away, plus those I would keep.

RELEASE Posh would seek a goalkeeper on an emergency loan if anything (God forbid) happened to Alex Bass this season which suggests there isn’t a lot of faith in current back-up BASTIAN SMITH. He’s out of contract this summer and he’s 21 early next season so probably not improving quickly enough.

JACOB MENDY is a left-back who would be behind two others if he stayed. He shouldn’t be offered another contract when his current deal expires this summer.

Harsh, given his horrible injury record since joining Posh, but a pay-off for RIO ADEBISI could be the best option for both club and player. He’s another left-back who, if fit, would now be well down the pecking order. I suspect his departure, with a year left on his contract, would free up decent money in the salary cap.

SELL I don’t see a role for midfielder DONAY O’BRIEN-BRADY in the Posh first-team. He’s been at Posh for three seasons and started just 16 League One games. He’s out of contract at the end of next season.

CHRIS CONN-CLARKE wasn’t placed on the transfer list until August and eventually left on loan for National League Carlisle United. He hasn’t pulled up any trees in Cumbria which is a shame as there’s an option for Carlisle to sign him permanently. If they don’t go up maybe they will. His Posh contract is also up in June 2027.

Ironically BRAD IHIONVIEN could well have started some League One games after Harry Leonard became unavailable had he a) been fit b) stayed at London Road. He was sent out on loan to Shrewsbury amid question marks regarding his attitude and current Posh boss Luke Williams is keen on a happy squad. His contract expires at the end of next season.

Winger ABRAHAM ODOH did okay in his first season at Posh, but he has lost form totally in the current campaign. A change of scenery is needed before his contract runs out next year.

My first-choice Posh right-back next season will be Carl Johnston so I’d listen to offers for Academy graduate JAMES DORNELLY. He’s a solid young pro, but pace out wide is a key to how Posh want to play.

KLAIDI LOLOS was a strange signing last August and he has a contract until 2028. Posh should let the attacking midfielder go even if they can’t raise a fee for him, which will probably be the case.

GEORGE NEVETT is okay on the ball, but he lacks the physique or pace to ever be a certain starter in the centre of a promotion-chasing defence. The Welsh Under 21 cap is behind David Okagbue, and should be behind Lucca Mendonca next season, in the Posh pecking order although his left-footedness is admittedly an advantage.

KEEP

If we can get 25 League One games or so out of TOM LEES I’d sign him on for another season. The centre-back will be 36 in November, but he looks after himself and his ability to get the best out of others is a more than useful asset.

I’m torn about SAM HUGHES. You could treat him like Rio Adebisi given his injury struggles. He hasn’t now played for 11 months and he’s 29 later this April. Is it a risk to keep him and Lees? Probably, but I’d only like to see one new centre-back arrive in the summer rather than two to give Mendonca his chance.

DECLAN FRITH is a winger who has struggled to make an impact this season, certainly compared to the other recruit from last summer KYRELL LISBIE on the other flank who has been electric. But he’s been injured, and there have been flashes of quality, so I’m inclined to give him another go as I am with CIAN HAYES whose speedy direct running has caused issues for League One defences, even if the end product is currently a bit hit and miss.

I suspect Hayes and Frith will be the second-choice wingers next season to Lisbie and a new signing. It’s imperative Posh resist the inevitable offers to sell LIsbie, centre forward HARRY LEONARD and midfielder MATT GARBETT if promotion next season is to be a possibility. It would be devastating to lose Garbett and Collins.

Obviously ALEX BASS has to stay, midfielders BRANDON KHELA and BEN WOODS have shown more than enough to be retained as have defenders DAVID OKAGBUE and HARLEY MILLS, while youngsters LUCCA MENDONCA, PAT SYKUT and BOLU SHOFOWOKE must be given a chance to develop.

Full-back CARL JOHNSTON should be club captain next season.

LOANS

Posh will need to sign a back-up striker for Leonard, but DAVID KAMARA and PEMI ADEROJU have signed long-term contracts and loans for more game time could benefit them, and therefore their parent club.