SPORTS editor Mat Kendrick has followed Harriers' fortunes home and away all season. Here he gives his verdict on which of the
current players should still be in the Aggborough dressing room next term.
Judgement day arrives for Mark Yates and his Kidderminster Harriers squad after they get the formalities of this weekend's final match of the season against champions Accrington Stanley out of the way.
When John Coleman's title-winners arrive at Aggborough on Saturday, Harriers will see at first hand the type of team it takes to clinch promotion from non-league football's top division.
And if he hasn't already made up his mind, it will give Yates one final chance to assess his current players and decide who he feels belongs to be part of his revolution for next season.
After last weekend's depressing defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge, the Kidderminster chief hinted that the Aggborough dressing room could have an altogether different look about it next term.
Yates must decide which of his current personnel is capable of delivering the fans' demands of a quickfire return to the Football League - and which of them should be shown the door.
The Shuttle/Times & News has decided to give him a helping hand by assessing all of the remaining members of the squad - starting with the three players already signed up for next season.
SIGNED AND SEALED
JAKE SEDGEMORE
He was the manager's first signing for next season because of his versatilty and experience of Conference football with Hednesford, Hereford, Northwich, Shrewsbury and Burton.
There's still much more to come from Sedge who is yet to show Harriers fans what he is capable of.
CORRECT: STAY
RUSS PENN
Burst onto the scene midway through the season and has deservedly earned himself a new deal. Combative and forward-thinking Penn is learning to channel his natural aggression in the centr of the park. Not always able to sustain his own high standards, but always keen and committed.
CORRECT: STAY
GAVIN HURREN
Another youngster who has impressed after effortlessly making the progression to the first team. Calm and unflappable at the back, the former Nottingham Forest youngster knows when to play out of defence and when to boot it into Row Z.
CORRECT: STAY
IN THE BALANCE
DAN LEWIS
The modest youngster has been a consistent performer during his first concerted run between the sticks.
He is an athletic shot-stopper and a decent organiser who deserves to be kept on and is worthy of starting next season as number one.
VERDICT: STAY
JOHN DANBY
Not long ago he was being linked to a big money move to the Premiership.
Despite a catalogue of blunders, Danby has natural talent and hasn't become a bad keeper overnight.
He should be persevered with and receive better goalkeeping coaching to repair his fragile confidence.
VERDICT: STAY
WAYNE GRAVES
Aggborough's forgotten man has been on the pitch so scarcely that half the Harriers fans would struggle to recognise the former Scunthorpe right back.
His chances of impressing have been hampered by an ongoing groin strain and sadly Graves must leave.
VERDICT: GO
JOHNNY MULLINS
Despite being on loan, the player-of-the-year favourite is bizarrely one of Harriers longest-serving players and easily the most popular.
His personal performances haven't quite hit the heights of last year, but he is still too good for the Conference.
If Premiership Reading release him Harriers should snap him up, but he is sure to receive better offers.
VERDICT: STAY
JONNY HARKNESS
The Irish left-footer arrived with the tag of set-piece specialist and delivered with a stunning goal at Southport and several assists from deadball situations.
But there were reasons Walsall released him - his poor positioning and defensive uncertainty - and those are the same reasons why Harriers should do likewise.
VERDICT: GO
DARYL BURGESS
The skipper is often a commanding centre half who brings a wealth of experience to the team.
But his lack of pace has been exposed in some of Harriers' recent drubbings and perhaps the time has come for the former Albion stopper to step aside for a younger man.
VERDICT: GO
MICHAEL BLACKWOOD
If ever a player summed up inconsistent Kidderminster, then it is Blackwood.
On his day the former Villa youngster has the pace and close control to light up dull Conference games.
But his `day' comes around as often as his goals or assists - ie not very often.
VERDICT: GO
GARETH SHELDON
The ginger winger has flattered to deceive all season after arriving from Exeter with high expectations.
His on-pitch effort and commitment can't be faulted but be it up front or out wide it just hasn't happened for Sheldon, who still gives the impression he could be in better shape.
VERDICT: GO
TERRY FLEMING
Gets through a lot of fetching and carrying work unnoticed in the centre of the park but a midfielder of his experience should be exerting more influence on games.
At times his first touch and choice of pass leave a lot to be desired and maybe the manager himself could do an equal or better job if he re-laces his boots.
VERDICT: GO
LUKE REYNOLDS
The school caretaker has been the only real bright spot over the past few weeks.
Lacks sharpness and is still very raw, but is a natural goalscorer, has the main ingedients to succeed and with full-time training and coaching could really kick on.
Reynolds is willing to work hard and deserves his first professional contract.
VERDICT: STAY
LEE THOMPSON
Deserves a new deal following his vast improvement over the second half of the season.
Personal problems disrupted his early days at Aggborough - but Thommo has started to show signs of why the Boston fans still rave about him.
His tireless running and intelligent link up play has earned him a reprieve, but only if he improves his shocking goals output.
VERDICT: STAY
SIMON RUSSELL
Another one who is borderline. Harriers expected big things of Russell this season but `Scholesy' has failed to produce the goods.
He has the ability to be a sensation at this level, as long as Yates can toughen him up a bit and get him to add a mean streak to his game.
VERDICT: STAY
BUBBLING UNDER
From the briefest of glimpses of MICHAEL MCGRATH, ASHLEY WALKER AND TOM BYRNE, it seems that the youngsters have potential but are still some way off making the first team grade.
Perhaps they could be kept on to bolster the numbers....but I haven't seen enough of them to make a judgement.
Do you agree with our verdicts on who should stay and who should go?
Or do you have other suggestions about who Mark Yates should keep or dispense with?
Let us know by writing to us at Sports editor, Kidderminster Shuttle, 6 Towers Buildings, Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2DY.
Alternatively, e-mail your views to kidsports@midla nds.newsquest.co.uk
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