Bristol Rovers released 13 players and waved farewell to five loanees this week. Star players like Antony Evans and Sam Nicholson are also out of contract, leaving Joey Barton with the prospect of another busy summer in BS7.
While there were few surprises in the released and retained lists published by the Gas on Thursday, there is uncertainty in several key positions.
That is largely due to the huge success Rovers enjoyed in the loan market this season. Elliot Anderson, Connor Taylor and James Connolly specifically were roaring successful for the Gas, but the deal is you have to give those players back at the end of the rental agreement. The boss is in store for a waiting game if he acts on his desire for all of Rovers' loan stars to return for the challenge of League One.
And with Evans and Nicholson sure to have many suitors interested in their services, the reality of the EFL's lower leagues is Rovers could be a much-changed side when the campaign kicks of in late July.
Thankfully for the manager, he does have some of the stability he lacked last summer when overseeing a complete overhaul after relegation to League Two. In James Belshaw, Paul Coutts, Sam Finley, Josh Grant, Harry Anderson, Aaron Collins and others, he has a core of proven or ascendant talents that he can build around.
Here is how Rovers' depth chart looks with the players currently under contract...
Talking points
A luxury Barton lacked last season
Let's start with the positives, of which there are many. This time a year ago, Barton had few foundations to build his squad upon, with a near-complete overhaul required after a dismal relegation from League One.
Twelve months on, the core of a strong team is in place. In goal, James Belshaw showed himself as a top-class keeper in League Two and he appears more than capable of stepping up a level.
Two-and-a-bit months out from the first game, the Gas are light on numbers in midfield, but Paul Coutts and Sam Finley are perfect pillars to build upon. Both have plenty of League One experience and they were dependable leaders in Rovers' promotion triumph.
Harry Anderson and Josh Grant, too, are potential starters on the opening day and in Aaron Collins the Gas have a developing and dynamic goalscorer to lead their attack.
No position is off limits
For all the positives, there is no escaping the fact another busy summer awaits the Gas and the recruitment skills of Barton and Eddy Jennings will be tested again. They successfully rebuilt Rovers' squad last season and with so many of their starting spots filled by loanees and players now out of contract the Gas will be looking for new recruits in double figures.
It is understood the club are in a broad phase of their recruitment plans for the summer, searching far and wide to assess their options before zeroing in on targets.
No position is off limits for Rovers, with a need to add depth and quality in every third of the pitch. As it stands, the goalkeeper ranks look solid, but if Anssi Jaakkola were to want to pursue a starting opportunity elsewhere it is possible the Gas could be looking for an addition to the squad between the posts.
Elsewhere, there is work to do. The return of all – or more realistically, some – of this season's loanees would remedy some headaches, but even if that happens several more additions to the squad will be required.
Chances for youngsters
Obviously, the depth chart will look very different by the time pre-season starts, with renewals, incomings and exits all very possible, but youngsters will get chances to impress in pre-season.
Striker Harvey Greenslade and centre-back Jamie Egan have signed their first professional contracts, while Ryan Jones returns from a loan at Bath City. All three should get a look in when Rovers return for training in June ahead of their friendlies in July.
As Luca Hoole showed a year ago, pre-season is a huge opportunity for young players vying to make the first-team grade.
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