Let's all take a step back and look at this decision with cool, clear heads... :?
The biggest problem I can see with our current squad is a complete lack of competent full backs. We've got three left sided players (OK, two now that Wilcox is injured, and I'm not counting Morris because, well....) - they are all better suited to play on the left of midfield rather than at left back. In my opinion they've all been filling in there - Stewart is never a left back, and whilst Tiatto can do a job there we'd all like to see him further up the pitch.
The same can be said for the right side. Canero, whilst able to fill in at right back, is much better going forward, and Gillespie is not a right back at all (some might say he's not a winger either, but...) - so that leaves Makin as the only genuine full back in the squad.
We also have (I know, I know) the one and only Scowcroft who can fill in on either side of midfiled, and also (yes, I know!) Tricky Trev. Neither are ideal, but again, both are paid for and available and can 'do a job'.
So, if we are to look to the future (as we must) surely the prioity right now is to bring in a full back or two (or three).
Harper has obviously been great, but he's only on loan. Who knows what his wages would be, what his transfer fee would be, and whether we can afford either of them. And if our priority is to bring in full backs, then even though on current form he's our best winger, Harper is the obvious casualty as, whether we like it or not, we're committed to Gillespie and Canero for the longer term, and more importantly, they're paid for (or at least budgeted for). Gillespie is still available on a free, I assume, but obviously nobody wants him. And I don't hear the doors at Filbo Way being beaten upon for Canero's signature either.
So, in our current financial plight, I'm afraid it makes sense to release Harper. I'd much rather we were able to keep him, sell Gillespie, and buy a few more full backs, but we just haven't got the cash. And I think that not adequately replacing Sinclair, Thatcher and Davidson was Micky's biggest mistake this season, as playing wingers as full backs just isn't working, and it ultimately cost Micky his job.
:roll: :roll: :roll: