With this season winding down like Neil Warnock in front of the fireplace on a cold Cornwall evening, resting his feet on a gently purring Paddy Kenny, it’s worth planning ahead for next season. With the fans employing the traditional “this year was pants, next year will be our year” tactic (something we do to delay the onset of full-blown Leeds-induced dementia) let’s get cracking with the analysis.

The 2014/15 season started with a massive injection of new players (some domestic, most not), both on loan and signed permanently. The January window was utilised to ditch the last of the Warnock signings and the high earners and sprinkle options into the team. And by that I mean sign Sol Bamba. Ngoyi might as well be a deckchair for all he’s added to the team due to laughable management on our part – seriously, who signs a player with a niggling injury without conducting a medical? Anyway…

Let’s have a look down our player roster and decide who to keep, who to sell and see if we can’t get Luke Varney sold into human trafficking.

Loanees

Benedicic – ruled out for the season with a long-term injury, but he’s rated quite highly. I’d like to see him on loan again next season if he’s fit.

Adryan – I like the Wonderhorse, I do, but he looked so sad in his LUTV video that I firmly believe he’ll soar off into the sky like Falcor in the Neverending Story. With an “agreed” fee of £3m there’s more chance that Leeds will convince Zlatan Ibrahimovic to have “ALL LEEDS AREN’T WE?” tattooed on his scrotum than there is of us signing the effeminate attacking midfielder. He looked lively for the development squad the other night, but I partially expect that his exclusion from the side is in recognition of the fact he won’t be signed permanently so that spot is used on players who have a future at the club. I would like to see him stay and played, but it looks unlikely at this point.

Del Fabro – another player who I’d like to see more of. He’s certainly been quiet in the way Adryan (via his wife) hasn’t (on social media), so I don’t know if he’s happy or not. He’s looked reasonable for the development squad so I’d like to see him signed for another year on loan.

Montenegro – sign him up. I’ve liked the look of him for the development squad, he seems to have this knack of getting into the right positions, he seems a bit quick too. Certainly an option to have at the club, I’d sign him. Not on big money at all, as a prospect.

Sol Bamba – unquestionably he needs to be signed permanently. A crucial player in our defensive rigidity and a good companion for Bellusci’s wayward approach, Sol keeps things tidy and seems to be a good leader. 100% sign him ASAP.

Ngoyi – meh. Signed without a medical and perma-broken. His reputation is good and if you believe what is said about him then he’d be a superb addition to the squad, but I’m beyond underwhelmed at his first 2 months at the club. Pointless. Either his fitness needs resolving or there’s no place for him here.

Cani – I believe “LOL” is the best choice here. From the limited match-time I’ve seen him play (and his scoring record) I’d much rather we bought Matt Smith back if we needed a more blunt striking option. Cani can leave, for me.

Signings who joined this season

Stuart Taylor – I don’t have much to say about him. He’s only ever going to be #2 so he’s probably okay. I’m not sure I’d be confident with him as #1 if Marco got injured, but he’s probably fine.

Silvestri – unquestionably keep. One of the players of the season. Big player for us.

Bianchi – sell. If we can. I’m underwhelmed by Tommaso, he doesn’t really suit our style of play and we have far better options in the squad. I’d far rather players like Phillips or Dawson are brought through than Bianchi given more game time. Time to go.

Berardi – if you’d have asked me this question in December I’d have suggested he leave, but he’s proven himself in recent games to be quite useful. I’m not sure I’d consider him a first choice for any position but he’s a valuable squad player and for that reason I’d keep him. Doing quite well and deserves to stay.

Ajose – he’s scoring for fun on loan, so while I’d keep him, I think another loan stretch would be good for him. He’s 22 and would benefit from regular first-team action, but has looked promising. Keep and loan out (until Christmas, then we can see where he’s at).

Sharp – I like Billy but I’m not sure he’s the best long-term option for us. I’ll vote to keep him, but wouldn’t be heartbroken if we signed someone better than necessitated his exit. I think he’s a nice lad and certainly able to poach, but he doesn’t really fit our style of play and I expect that might limit his opportunities. But if he’s able to score regularly he’ll be kept and deservedly so, but he does need to score more.

Cooper – has done okay, but has unwittingly found himself on the bench due to the unlikely partnership of Bellusci and Bamba being more steady. Most wouldn’t have expected it, but Cooper isn’t first choice. He has looked okay at left back and is a good option for centre-back too so should obviously be retained. Assuming he’s happy not being first choice (assuming we sign Bamba permanently).

Antenucci – keep. I rate Mirco, I think he has lovely technique and has done quite well this season. The fact teams like Norwich are interested speaks volumes too, so I’d keep him. I’d actually quite like to see him given starts before the end of the season, I think his recent performances have deserved this. He’s our leading scorer too, albeit with 10. Mirco stays.

Bellusci – mental, lairy, prone to foul and sometimes brilliant. I like Peppe, I think he suits us. He’s performed well when partnered with a more stable defender like Bamba too, who he has formed a tidy understanding with.

Sloth – unsure. When he first appeared I thought he was a really smart ball-playing midfielder, but we haven’t managed to find the right position for him. He’s not been effective in an attacking midfield role, he’s not combative enough to work in our midfield two, so while I think he’s a great prospect I don’t see where he’s supposed to fit in. So for me, I think Sloth might be worth selling. Reluctantly, but I just don’t see how we’re supposed to use him in the current setup.

Doukara – unsure too. He started well but since being outed by Cellino as a player who would follow him out the door, Doukara seems disinterested. Before matches he seems to warm up alone, I’m not sure if that’s me projecting a believe that he’s unhappy onto him, but I simply don’t see Doukara staying at Leeds. The fact he cost a reported €1.5million doesn’t help either. I initially liked his directness but I can’t help but feel that he seems alienated and not integrated into the side at all.

Existing players

I won’t list everyone, as the entirety of our academy should be retained, I’ll just list some of the “other” players where there’s potentially a decision to be made.

Austin – contract expires in the Summer and deserves another (pending a work permit, which is a worrying concept). I’d keep him, absolutely without question. Whether we can or not is different. I’ll be disappointed if he ends up leaving.

White – I like Aidy, but I think we’ve outgrown the meerkat. We’ve tried him in a handful of positions and he’s debatably best at left back, which is a position we don’t need him in. Charlie Taylor has that down and Berardi is a suitable backup. Aside from a great goal against Everton I’m not sure what Aidy has offered us. He’s been really unlucky with injuries but I think his time at Leeds is coming to an end.

Tonge – gone. On loan to Millwall and his contract won’t get renewed.

Byram – needs a new contract. Arguably the best player at the club and his current deal ends in 2016. Needs a big, long-term deal ASAP.

Murphy – same as Byram, has done very well and needs a longer deal.

Morison – meh. Deal expires in 2016 and there will certainly be better options available on the market. I’d sell him to Millwall.

It also goes without saying to state that Cook and Mowatt need good, long deals. But that’s not exactly a difficult decision is it?

So there you go. I’m not talking about players I’d like to add at this point, just what I’d do with the current squad. Agree/disagree? Get yourself over to the I Hate Leeds Facebook page to discuss. Or send me hate on Twitter. COME AT ME BRO. I’m ready for the Varney Army Massive.

Does anyone else think Doukara looks unhappy? On and on.