Jack Whatmough, Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor are all out of contract. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.comJack Whatmough, Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor are all out of contract. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com
Jack Whatmough, Andy Cannon and Tom Naylor are all out of contract. Picture: Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com

What Danny Cowley has previously said about the 11 out-of-contract players ahead of Portsmouth retained list

Decision time is approaching for Danny Cowley.

Since being appointed permanent head coach on Monday, despite failing to guide Pompey into the League One play-offs, plans for the 2021-22 season are already full steam ahead.

The first major acts Cowley must carry out is decide on the futures of the 11 out of contract players.

Plenty has been made about the number whose deals have culminated now the campaign is over.

Included in the group are captain Tom Naylor, Jack Whatmough, Ryan Williams and Craig MacGillivray – who’ve all been regulars when fit.

With Cowley plotting a renewed League One promotion push, he has to decide who out of the 11 can make an impact next term and who is surplus to requirements.

With that said, we’ve taken a look at what the head coach has previously said about each of them since taking the hot seat from Kenny Jackett in March...