Two To Go?

Rumours are beginning to circulate that both Steve Stone and Shaka Hislop are set to be released this summer.

It's well known that the contracts of both were due to expire at the end of the season although Perrin and Milan have both stated their wish to negotiate with both players - and indeed the other players who are due to re-sign, including Patrik Berger and Hayden Foxe.

As of this morning The Quay begun reporting that both players have been released. Later in the day, The News also started to spread the same story and included quotes from Steve Stone, claiming he was "gutted". Apparently a lot of it relates to Stoney not playing 60% of games this season, a clause inserted in his last contract.

73 starts, 10 goals

Even so, it's yet to be confirmed from the club. What seems a bit strange is that last night at a Supporter's Meeting, Perrin and Storrie spoke of how they hoped to negotiate contracts in the forthcoming week and that deals had yet to be done. Considering that gathering finished late last night and that The Quay were reporting this from around seven this morning, the mind boggles as to when Stoney and Shaka were told - and indeed in fact if they actually were. Who's to say Stone wasn't cornered as soon as he reached the training ground this morning by The News for quotes without fully knowing the facts?

It's a departure twinged with sadness for both players. Shaka Hislop has played 100 games for Portsmouth and has barely made a single mistake but was unlucky enough to make a comment involving the word "Southampton" during the Harry Redknapp fiasco; meanwhile Steve Stone is a very good player, clearly committed to the cause and a fans favourite, but possibly age and fitness is against him. With Perrin wanting a younger squad composed of his own players and Milan wanting a tighter financial ship, some may question the sense of paying £15,000 a week to someone who will only play half the games next season, and even then last for about seventy minutes alone.

Stuck on 100

Don't get me wrong though, I love Stone and I'm still holding out hope that he - and indeed Shaka - will stay, and perhaps this is just media musing. I'd say their experience would be useful in coaching roles, especially Shaka as Alan Knight is set to leave. If they do go then ultimately it won't be too much of a surprise - no place for sentimentality in football and all that - so let's give them a good reception at West Brom on Sunday afternoon. (Go on Alain. Despite what I said about no sentimentality, give them both a last run-out). You have to wonder, however, if this could be the beginning of the end for several senior players from the promotion side - the likes of De Zeeuw and Primus must also surely be candidates to be moved on since they're in their mid-30s and only have one year left on their contracts. Lower league sides could no doubt offer them regular football and longer term security.

It's a delicate balancing act between youth and experience, and we've got to have faith in Perrin to sign the adequate replacements.