Should They Stay Or Should They Go?

We take a look at the players that will be playing for their futures for the remaining eight games as they try to impress manager Dean Keates in the hunt for a new deal.

We give our opinion on whether we should keep or release the players out of contract.

Flo Cuvelier
Flo would once tear your defence apart…not anymore. Flo has been plagued with injury after injury and despite us giving him a chance to resurrect his career it just hasn’t happened. He is a long way from the wonder kid we had on loan from Stoke.

Maybe another season under Keates could be just what he needs but with Edwards out for sometime we cannot afford to utilise wages and a squad place for another injured midfielder.

VERDICT – RELEASE

Joe Edwards
Its devastating that Joe is out for sometime with his ACL injury as he has been the most consistent performer for the Saddlers this season and will be most peoples choice for player of the season.

From a selfish point of view his injury will fend off any potential buyers until he is back in action so our chances of keeping him have somewhat increased dramatically over the past few months.

We wish Joe the best of luck with his rehabilitation and look forward to seeing him back in a Saddlers shirt in the Autumn.

VERDICT – KEEP

Erhun Oztumer
In an ideal world you will want your best player to sign a new deal and stay with the club a bit longer but we must be realistic that hes leaving at the end of this season.

Oz has scored nearly fifty goals in two seasons for a struggling side and many League 1 clubs and Championship clubs will be trying to persuade him to join them this summer.

VERDICT – KEEP, BUT HES GOING

Reece Flanagan
Very much like Morris and Bakayoko, Reece has the talent but just doesn’t show it enough. There were times when all three of them look destined to have a bright future with the Saddlers and go onto bigger and better things – it just hasn’t worked out that way.

Reece suffered a terrible injury which kept him out for most of last season but despite being fit for most of this campaign he hasn’t been used as much as he would have liked.

Maybe new boss Dean Keates will give him another year to see if he can improve under an actual manager but for me he’s had his chance.

VERDICT – RELEASE

Simeon Jackson
Probably the most frustrating signing for ex boss Jon Whitney. Jackson on his day has the ability to score but pretty much like our performances under Whitney they were very few and far between.

Jackson has been loaned out to Grimsby Town since January and has only managed to find the net on one occasion.

Given his reported large wage it would be criminal to keep him here and it will benefit both the player and the club to part ways.

VERDICT – RELEASE

**Amadou Bakayoko’s initial deal runs out this summer but the club have an additional year in their favour should they wish to exercise it.