McMahon has not tried everything in his power to keep us up however. His refusal yet again to give Stockton any game time yesterday on grounds of inexperience, despite the fact that Cole has scored against a Championship side and a Championship side to be this season, yet putting on Kirby and Rowe who are equally inexperienced beggars belief. If he doesn't think Stockton up to it, then why have him on the bench and why release Sodje?
That said, I would agree that the assistant manager isn't the main cause of our current woes. The unbalanced squad at the start of the season compounded by a clearly past it central defender in the form of Foster along with a heavier than usual crop of injuries to key players have been significant, as have off-field events. My own view is had Ronnie still been in charge we would have scraped enough additional away points even with the injury factor to make safety. As the full circumstances of his betting offences still aren't in the public domain, it is impossible to judge if he reasonably could have been kept on as manager.
As for staying/going, it's near certain Wallace will be off regardless, while if we get relegated I would expect Ash Taylor to move on; even if we miraculously stay up, he may get a better offer. Of the rest, I don't know. Koumas if he wants to carry on would probably be willing to stay, Jennings hasn't looked the same player since the injury and has some responsibility for putting OFW in the position to concede the second goal. I see that one of the pro-contracts we've offered is to Sam Ramsbottom, a goalie. This suggests Mooney will be off, which is a shame as what I've seen of him suggests a capable keeper if not perhaps as good a shot-stopper as our current no 1.