Rob Atkinson

Just signed for Fleetwood he decent? sounds ok

Really?  Thought he wanted league football?

HP?

At his best - Great defender.

This seasons form - very average.

always liked him but he wanted league football dont understand why he'd go to fleetwood no disrespect i would class us as a bigger club and wages must be better here?.

Quoted from laitey

always liked him but he wanted league football dont understand why he'd go to fleetwood no disrespect i would class us as a bigger club and wages must be better here?.

Not so sure, their chairman is chucking money at the club isn't he?

Fleetwood just signed Paul Edwards the left back from Barrow. Looked really good against us in the away game

Quoted from siy2k5

Not so sure, their chairman is chucking money at the club isn't he?

oh right fair enough have not really been paying much attention  

Don't think he is as good as he or most of our fans think he is. He's an ok defender but not so good in the air and will give away a lot of stupid fouls through holding on to players.

To Fleetwood? So much for wanting to play in the league! Probs gone there instead  for the money, the girl private.

He was shocking in the air and agree about him holding players shirts. He rarely looked up for a battle imo, wasn't impressed with him very  over rated imo! You can have Bore to if you want Fleetwood?

Not as good as he thinks he is. Likes to be the 'ball playing' centre half and is half decent at it, but can be caught out. Easily out-muscled too. In summary: he's alright!

What a money grabbing girl private. Has anyone got that picture of him with the other girl private who's gone to Fleetwood? Thought he wanted league football? Tosser!

can anyone else find on the internet where it says he's signed for them??? coz i cant...  

Well we'll get a lot of freekicks from them next season, he likes to hug strikers.

Quoted from gtfc98

What a money grabbing girl private. Has anyone got that picture of him with the other girl private who's gone to Fleetwood? Thought he wanted league football? Tosser!

Took the words right out of my mouth!

My general opinion of him is that he's quite a good footballer, but not a good defender if you can see where I'm coming from. Not bad in the air or at tackling and is pretty good at reading the game, to be fair. However he does indeed like to hug strikers and gives away a lot of free kicks, not the strongest or quicker either.

Had Atkinson's contract run out? If so the timing is unfortunate, as he's six weeks too old to warrant a transfer fee, if it's a Bosman.
As for joining Fleetwood; yes, ofcourse Grimsby is a bigger club than Fleetwood, but then Grimsby is a bigger club than Crawley: that didn't prevent The Red Devils waltzing into The League. Fleetwood are clearly attempting to do in 2011-12 what Crawley did last season. If they've offered Atkinson more than any League Two team then the opportunity to be part of a BSQ Conference Premier title winning team is an attractive option. If Fleetwood fall short he may regret it and they may have problems.
I say again, next season is a going to be a thriller in your division.

Can hardly call him a girl private for going somewhere for the money. Who out of us lot wouldn't do the same? And let's be honest Fleetwood must be hot favourites to win the league now anyway so he could be back in the football league this time next year anyway.

Quoted from ROKERITE

Had Atkinson's contract run out? If so the timing is unfortunate, as he's six weeks too old to warrant a transfer fee, if it's a Bosman.
As for joining Fleetwood; yes, ofcourse Grimsby is a bigger club than Fleetwood, but then Grimsby is a bigger club than Crawley: that didn't prevent The Red Devils waltzing into The League. Fleetwood are clearly attempting to do in 2011-12 what Crawley did last season. If they've offered Atkinson more than any League Two team then the opportunity to be part of a BSQ Conference Premier title winning team is an attractive option. If Fleetwood fall short he may regret it and they may have problems.
I say again, next season is a going to be a thriller in your division.

so, who do your support then?

Quoted from Fishfinger

so, who do your support then?

My username's a give-away, I'm a Sunderland supporter. Mind, I'm spending a lot more time on Fishy Talk (and several other BSP teams sites) than any Sunderland messageboard. I'm not looking forward to our coming season but I'm excited about yours.

Quoted from Fishfinger

so, who do your support then?

The clue may be in his username

Sorry, I'm not good with nicknames of most clubs

Not sure he is as good as he thought he was chasing the money and bright lights of the Stag Night Centre of UK if true. Often lost his man hence goals at set pieces to often and always hid and sat back if we went ahead as other people have said lazy.

He's not as good as he thinks he is, but he's OK. Not necessarily the defender you want in this league. I'd be far happier with Kempo and Garner.

He looked better with Bennett a division higher.  Not had a very good season as he struggled with big forwards. I wonder if he'll be first choice there,or maybe they already have a tall partner for him.

His first spell was his best . Never been the same since ...

I don't believe he held out for a contract with another conf team, given the change of manager at Rovrum, I wonder if he wasn't fancied by the Scott brother at rovrum and found himself surplus at town with Pearson may e comng here, a good wage from fleetwood and he's taken the chance and gone. I agree with a lot if the posters who reckon he's ok but not been good last season and holds onto strikers too often!

It could be Linwood and Atkinson as a paring!

There's a good defender in there somewhere.He's a good footballer and i thought he was excellent when he first came.Probably been ground down by the Grimsby curse and will be a new man at a new club,with a fresh challenge.He owes us nothing and you can't blame him for wanting a change of scenery.

I think a lot of our better players have been worn down by years of defeat and failure and we need to move them on and bring in fresh faces with a fresh impetus.Doesn't look like Scohurst fought to keep him.

As with Bore,a good thing for both parties.

Linwood didnt play to often last season ,weve still got Mcnulty and signed Matt Hughes from Celtic

He's a good defender and will probably turn out to be a good signing for you, even if he has been a little overrated by some of our fans at times IMO. I did expect him to go to a football league club though.

I cannot wait to watch Fleetwood and Crawley go bust. They are making a mockery of the lower leagues and its a disgrace, I hope Atkinson and all there other money grabbing signings fail miserably.

If Atko didnt state many times 'i want to go back into the football league' i wouldnt of minded who he went to. Its clear his been offered big money - and took it, money grabbing tosser. Hope he gets a bad reception at the park.

Ugh, i'm sick of these tinpot clubs with large monetary backers throwing money at everyone.

The Fleetwood manager said at the weekend that he was annoyed that people where referring to his side as next seasons Crawley.

Why is he surprised? In January Port Vale were said to be interested in signing Atkinson on loan with a view to a permanent deal in the summer. They withdrew when they found out what Atkinsons basic wage was at GTFC. If Port Vale baulked at covering his wage and given that he is unlikely to have accepted a deal at leas than his current deal then Fleetwood must be paying him a very handsome wage.

It seems the money bags tag is very well deserved

Are we not better off with out the likes of him IMHO after watching him closely I belive he was responsible for many goals .                                                                                                                                                                       with him gone our goalkeeper who ever he might be will breath a sigh of relive like many fans I will be pleased  when we know who the new lads will be.UTMM.

Rucksack! Always on strikers backs. Thought he played some decent games for Town but lost his way under Woods and S&H did not seem keen. If he has gone good luck to him CDAJATL
UTMM

Quoted from ginnywings

There's a good defender in there somewhere.He's a good footballer and i thought he was excellent when he first came.Probably been ground down by the Grimsby curse and will be a new man at a new club,with a fresh challenge.He owes us nothing and you can't blame him for wanting a change of scenery.

I think a lot of our better players have been worn down by years of defeat and failure and we need to move them on and bring in fresh faces with a fresh impetus.Doesn't look like Scohurst fought to keep him.

As with Bore,a good thing for both parties.

I think the system Buckley played that season with a back three suited him particularly, don't forget we went half a season only losing two games with him Bennett and Fenton playing that system.

Notably after reverting to a 442 under Newell and Woods and with Atkinson playing the majority of the games since being re-signed we've hardly won any games in the last three years!  

Quoted from pontoonlew

I cannot wait to watch Fleetwood and Crawley go bust. They are making a mockery of the lower leagues and its a disgrace, I hope Atkinson and all there other money grabbing signings fail miserably.

Doesn't seem to have done Wigan much harm.

Quoted from Abdul19

Doesn't seem to have done Wigan much harm.

It took Wigan time, they built a new stadium and transformed the infastructure of the club before splashing money on players. They also didn't totally bankroll and spent more money than they had. They also were'nt playing in local leagues like these two sides were not so long ago. Whelan was also a fan and local man, these new guys are just rich men who will get bored eventually. So no, you cant really compare these guys to Wigan.

Well Alan will win at least one penalty off him.

He is a very good footballer not much of a defender holds to much and in a scrap he comes off 2nd best .......Would look better higher up the leagues

He is a very good footballer not much of a defender holds to much and in a scrap he comes off 2nd best .......Would look better higher up the leagues

Some damn silly ( and envious) comments on this thread IMO, Fleetwood aren't a  'Tin Pot club' they are an up and coming club with a chairman willing to put his money where is mouth is , what is wrong with that? their ground is being developed with the aim of league football- would we complain if this was our club? Of course not!
I'm a Town fan, always have been  and always will be, but what a pompous attitude some of our fans have - we have a good history, but history ise exactly  what it is, our ground is becoming a wreck and we deserve to be where we are, the day that we stop thinking of ourselves as being ' too big for this league' will be our first steps forward to  regaining league football.
To the Fleetwood poster - Atkinson is a league standard defender, who, if he signs, will do well for you next year.

Quoted from petethemariner

Some damn silly ( and envious) comments on this thread IMO, Fleetwood aren't a  'Tin Pot club' they are an up and coming club with a chairman willing to put his money where is mouth is , what is wrong with that? their ground is being developed with the aim of league football- would we complain if this was our club? Of course not!
I'm a Town fan, always have been  and always will be, but what a pompous attitude some of our fans have - we have a good history, but history ise exactly  what it is, our ground is becoming a wreck and we deserve to be where we are, the day that we stop thinking of ourselves as being ' too big for this league' will be our first steps forward to  regaining league football.
To the Fleetwood poster - Atkinson is a league standard defender, who, if he signs, will do well for you next year.

What like he did well for us last year and the year before? I don't think you can really be classed as a 'league player' when you were part of the worst defence in the football league.

Quoted from pontoonlew

It took Wigan time, they built a new stadium and transformed the infastructure of the club before splashing money on players. They also didn't totally bankroll and spent more money than they had. They also were'nt playing in local leagues like these two sides were not so long ago. Whelan was also a fan and local man, these new guys are just rich men who will get bored eventually. So no, you cant really compare these guys to Wigan.

They spent a million quid on a player whilst they were in League 1. I've no idea who owns Fleetwood.but I'm guessing he's not local (seeing as this apparently makes a difference).

Quoted from gtfc98

What like he did well for us last year and the year before? I don't think you can really be classed as a 'league player' when you were part of the worst defence in the football league.

Can i just point out that a defence consists of 5 - Keeper, right back, left back and 2 centre backs, so lets not  apportion ALL the blame on Atkinson Eh? Perhaps an effective midfield might have made a difference?
Atkinson had many outstanding games for us - cannot fathom why fans of all clubs seem fit to slag off players
leaving their clubs for little more than bitterness, he served this club well - he wasnt manager during Newell/Buckley Mark 3 or Woods was he?, merely 1 player, so lets get a sense of proportion.
Linwood  was slagged off by many Town fans, yet played in a team last season that did the double over us,
lets hope  its not a case of deja vu?

Quoted from Abdul19

They spent a million quid on a player whilst they were in League 1. I've no idea who owns Fleetwood.but I'm guessing he's not local (seeing as this apparently makes a difference).

I think he is local to the Fleetwood area but he only invested in them because the Blackpool board didn't allow him in.  He made a statement that he will get Fleetwood into the league and seems very determined to do it.  I also believe he is a very wealthy and shrewd man.

Can't deny Fleetwood any success if their chairman is trying to do for them that Morecambe and the like have achieved.

Atkinson, I thought he did well for us in the season we managed to stay up.  The last two seasons though he hasn't found any real form and thinks he is better than he is.  He'll get very close to defenders and as someone described him as a rucksac it's not far off.  This is one of the reasons he is turned easy and one of the main reasons he gives free kicks and the odd penalty away.  Not sad to see him go, for me he was just an average defender, he may fair better in a better team.  I wish him no ill and I don't particularly wish him well, glad I won't have to suffer any more gay photo's of him and Peter Till.

My player rating for him would be 5/10

Atkinson thinks he's better than he actually is. If he was more aware of his weaknesses he'd probably be a better player.

Not really that big, that strong or that quick and he gets bullied by big strikers.

Might be wrong, but  are you sure it was Atkinson with Till  in that picture? Bit suprising if it is,
seeing i am  reliably told that he is quite 'handy' in a scrap! C'ant imagine that  applies to Till!

When Bennett left everyone thought Atkinson was just as good as him. Without bennett though Atkinson look fragile gave away penalties which helped us get relegated and was prone to a lot of mistakes. He is quite good at distribution and not a bad last ditch tackler but he is very poor in the air and has look disinterested most of this year and I personally believe garner is better. His positional sense is average to poor and tbh the wage he must be on fleetwood could have got someone better.

Quoted from petethemariner

Might be wrong, but  are you sure it was Atkinson with Till  in that picture? Bit suprising if it is,
seeing i am  reliably told that he is quite 'handy' in a scrap! C'ant imagine that  applies to Till!

Handy in a scrap, seems to get pushed around to easily to be true.  I'm sure someone will PM you that picture for your collection if you so wish  

Quoted from Marinerz93

Handy in a scrap, seems to get pushed around to easily to be true.  I'm sure someone will PM you that picture for your collection if you so wish  

I can assure you i am the last person on this planet who would be interested in any sort of gayboy photos, so perhaps you shouldn't judge me by your own standards - i'm trying to make a reasoned agrument for Atkinson and  can only tell you what i've been told, so basically, grow up!

Quoted from petethemariner

I can assure you i am the last person on this planet who would be interested in any sort of gayboy photos, so perhaps you shouldn't judge me by your own standards - i'm trying to make a reasoned agrument for Atkinson and  can only tell you what i've been told, so basically, grow up!

Oooooh, seemed to have touch a nerve there, I didn't mean to offend you but your boyfriend may be something between the sheets but he's not up to much on the turf.  Which part of me do you want to grow and do you want a picture of that  

Marinerz93, presume that makes you a big tough  18 year old, shouldn't really be bothered to respond to
morons, but its you and only you that  keeps making the  gayish comments, so maybe its YOU that should
address that.
Said it before, will say it again - GROW UP.

Quoted from petethemariner

Some damn silly ( and envious) comments on this thread IMO, Fleetwood aren't a  'Tin Pot club'

Yes they are. Also here's two of their players looking like big gayers:

[img]http://i54.tinypic.com/s5ha86.jpg[/img]

So the 'Tin pot club' has some sort  relevance to a few  lads on holidays behaving like gays does it?
By the way one of those lads on there looking faggotish is i believe is Peter Till, who has a stunning girlfriend,
so it  probably doesn't quite add up does it? Just a thought -  Perhaps a few lads on the urine on Hols having a bit of a laugh?

Peter Till is the biggest twit of them all

Quoted from petethemariner

Marinerz93, presume that makes you a big tough  18 year old, shouldn't really be bothered to respond to
morons, but its you and only you that  keeps making the  gayish comments, so maybe its YOU that should
address that.
Said it before, will say it again - GROW UP.

Address this, the 93 doesn't indicate the year of birth and I'm no spring chicken.   I've been in HM Forces for over 20 years so I do have a tough side but generally I like banter and I don't take things too seriously.  If you can't take banter for what it is then maybe you'd better un-twist your knickers and put a pair of man pants on, better still go commando like me.  There's nothing better than letting the old fella swing like nature intended. As a side note, happily married with 3 kids for over 21 years.

OK Marinerz93 maybe i did go off on one, bit stressed at mom after being made redundant -  i'm no spring chicken either and i too have a tough side, but what was a discussion about the merits or otherwise of Rob Atkinson as a footballer  all became a bit childish, i d'ont post on here  for that sort of nonsense, i like to talkGTFC and  football
Call it a truce and move on.

Quoted from petethemariner

OK Marinerz93 maybe i did go off on one, bit stressed at mom after being made redundant -  i'm no spring chicken either and i too have a tough side, but what was a discussion about the merits or otherwise of Rob Atkinson as a footballer  all became a bit childish, i d'ont post on here  for that sort of nonsense, i like to talkGTFC and  football
Call it a truce and move on.

No problem petethemariner and sorry to hear about you being made redundant, it's certainly tough and things seem to be getting tougher.  I hope you find something sooner rather than later.  What we need is some more signings who will give us all a little boost.

Quoted from Marinerz93

No problem petethemariner and sorry to hear about you being made redundant, it's certainly tough and things seem to be getting tougher.  I hope you find something sooner rather than later.  What we need is some more signings who will give us all a little boost.

Cheers mate appreciate that, sorry about my current lack of sense of humour - maybe Town will cheer me up in the coming months, jesus we all need it..

Happily married Dave? But it all went down hill as I walked out the Church doors! It's well known about HM Forces Latent Homosexual behaviour, hidden behind the ladish behaviour. Tough Cmon buddy your RAF, toughest it gets is choosing your hotel n room! You'd think you'd spent time fighting Terry T in the past few years! Love you as well buddy, really looking forward to new season, maybe you might make a full one this year no strange excursions! Lmao

Quoted from Gtfc grassroots

When Bennett left everyone thought Atkinson was just as good as him.

everyone?

Quoted from pontoonlew

It took Wigan time, they built a new stadium and transformed the infastructure of the club before splashing money on players. They also didn't totally bankroll and spent more money than they had. They also were'nt playing in local leagues like these two sides were not so long ago. Whelan was also a fan and local man, these new guys are just rich men who will get bored eventually. So no, you cant really compare these guys to Wigan.

Knowing both Towns Fleetwood have been growing since about 1997 so not that quick. They've spent £5million developing the stadium which is nearing completion and complete with offices and other income streams for the club, in addition a thriving   junior, full time youth and community infrastructure. Their chairman is a mad keen supporter, from the town and  who lives by the ground and has been involved for years. Finally they were playing Wigan in 'local leagues' in the 70s , so a pretty silly, sweeping assumption.

Quoted from Fishfinger

Sorry, I'm not good with nicknames of most clubs

It's grounds

My wife is a Sunderland supporter. They could be in problems this year without Bent and Henderson.

Hooray, everyone likes a Fishy happy ending.


Petethemariner-------><------------Marinerz93.

Not sure who two in the middle are though.  

http://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com.....rom=&ucat=1&


On there official site now.  

No massive loss IMO played a big part in our decline, and i stick to what i have always said he is vastly overated..

Quoted from Tommy

Fleetwood must be hot favourites to win the league now anyway so he could be back in the football league this time next year anyway.

my money though would be on Luton to go up next season,just missed out 2 seasons in a row I can see them going up in the third now that Crawley are out of the equation

Quoted from ticker_1610

Happily married Dave? But it all went down hill as I walked out the Church doors! It's well known about HM Forces Latent Homosexual behaviour, hidden behind the ladish behaviour. Tough Cmon buddy your RAF, toughest it gets is choosing your hotel n room! You'd think you'd spent time fighting Terry T in the past few years! Love you as well buddy, really looking forward to new season, maybe you might make a full one this year no strange excursions! Lmao

I wish it was hotels ticker, haven't checked in for over 15 years and probably worked with your old unit more than you did, I've got a lot closer to Terry T than your average NAAFI cowboy  

I've seen how Marines look after each other on det  

As for a full season, I'm on standby to go somewhere at short notice (yes a strange excursion) so will have to hold off getting a season ticket again until next season.  I was hoping that with just 18 months left they'd leave me alone but as a trade specialist you go first.

Looking forward to catching up with you, Tiny and the boys and a few jars for good measure

Quoted from mariner marc

my money though would be on Luton to go up next season,just missed out 2 seasons in a row I can see them going up in the third now that Crawley are out of the equation

Cambridge finished 2nd for two seasons in a row then dropped the following seasons.  I think Luton will be in and around the Play-off's but I don't get the feeling they are going to be a force this coming season.  Fleetwood seem to be upping the stakes and who knows we may be in with a chance also.

Quoted from Marinerz93

who knows we may be in with a chance also.

hope so

Quoted from mariner marc

hope so

I get a feeling that things are going to change for us mainly because of how the new managers work.  Town fans always back players who get stuck in and fight for the cause and in turn it drives the players on.  I believe this season we will see players giving more than the 50 to 60 % we are used to seeing.

Quoted from Marinerz93

I get a feeling that things are going to change for us mainly because of how the new managers work.  Town fans always back players who get stuck in and fight for the cause and in turn it drives the players on.  I believe this season we will see players giving more than the 50 to 60 % we are used to seeing.

and I get the feeling that Scott wont stand for anything less than fully committed performances week in week out from the players which is encouraging for our possible promotion push next season

Quoted from petethemariner

So the 'Tin pot club' has some sort  relevance to a few  lads on holidays behaving like gays does it?
By the way one of those lads on there looking faggotish is i believe is Peter Till, who has a stunning girlfriend,
so it  probably doesn't quite add up does it? Just a thought -  Perhaps a few lads on the urine on Hols having a bit of a laugh?

But thank fook that isn't everyone's idea of "a laugh".

Quoted from Tezla

Knowing both Towns Fleetwood have been growing since about 1997 so not that quick. They've spent £5million developing the stadium which is nearing completion and complete with offices and other income streams for the club, in addition a thriving   junior, full time youth and community infrastructure. Their chairman is a mad keen supporter, from the town and  who lives by the ground and has been involved for years. Finally they were playing Wigan in 'local leagues' in the 70s , so a pretty silly, sweeping assumption.

I also know both towns well and have watched Fleetwood many times over the last 30 years or so. The chairman, Andy Pilley, is a local man ( a builder i believe). They have progessed through the pyramid over the last decade by building steadily & strengthening each year not by simply throwing money at it all at once.

They have virtually rebulit the ground over the last 4 years.The chairman has stuck by his managers and put his money where is mouth is to improve the team. His aim is to get Fleetwood into the football league...people would have thought him mad only a couple of years ago but now looks a real possiblity. Sounds like a good chairman to me.

If he were our chairman i think we would all be really happy with his chairmanship...some sour grapes on here i think.

Atkinson is a decent defender and should do well at Fleetwood. I was a little surprised he has joined another BSP club..all be it one with real ambition.If its the money he gone for is anyone on here going to tell me they would refuse more money from another JOB if they weren't particularly happy. I think as fans we sometimes tend to lose sight of the fact that for players it is a job and there is no loyalty from either side just ask Leary, Hudson, Ademeno, Makofo, Cummins, Samuels etc etc

Maybe he's not good enough to get a contract in League 2 so wants to join a BSP team he thinks can make it there ?
I don't think that's any reflection on us cos of his wages and how much we rated him in terms of "value for money".

To the Fleetwood poster, I'd say he is skillful and can pop up and score a few in the box.

Quoted from mariner91

But thank fook that isn't everyone's idea of "a laugh".

That's tame.

Quoted from BottesfordMariner

I think as fans we sometimes tend to lose sight of the fact that for players it is a job and there is no loyalty from either side just ask Leary, Hudson, Ademeno, Makofo, Cummins, Samuels etc etc

Yes - I've thought that for some time. How can we expect the players to be committed to the club if we are not committed to them?

I remember the roar of approval when Atkinson appeared and Heywood went off against Darlington wasn't it? That seems to have evaporated. Fenton was just the same at holding people and giving away free kicks. Ademeno was very impressive when he did play.

There's too much negativity towards players, but as others have said it has been like that for years. Mike Cullen got the same treatment as I remember.

Was Atko the last remaining player who brought us down here?

Quoted from BottesfordMariner

If its the money he gone for is anyone on here going to tell me they would refuse more money from another JOB if they weren't particularly happy. I think as fans we sometimes tend to lose sight of the fact that for players it is a job and there is no loyalty from either side

I think though in years gone by prior to 1961(after the abolishment of the minimum wage) there use to be more player loyalty to clubs due to the cap in wages.However since 1961 and the financial growth in football since then this has all changed

Not too fussed he left, says all you need to know really!

I enjoyed our last visit to G,T. and have to say that,some of you must have got programs from us when you visited highbury.Some of you must realise that Fleetwood Town was re incarnated by the great ex England And Grimsby Town Midfielder, Harry Betmeads nephew,Jim. Jims Great Grandad also played for Barrow when they were first promoted to the league in the early 20s. Please dont say that we are fighting above our weight and ,to be truthfull a lot of us think Grimsby are fighting below their weight,although i think that a lot of your fans must have been honory members at Cotees Bar

Atkinson's qualities and weaknesses as a central defender have been well documented on this thread.

I often wondered if he might be better employed in a defensive midfield role - especially considering the "strength" of our midfield recently. We'll never know now.

Quoted from ardnas

I enjoyed our last visit to G,T. and have to say that,some of you must have got programs from us when you visited highbury.Some of you must realise that Fleetwood Town was re incarnated by the great ex England And Grimsby Town Midfielder, Harry Betmeads nephew,Jim. Jims Great Grandad also played for Barrow when they were first promoted to the league in the early 20s. Please dont say that we are fighting above our weight and ,to be truthfull a lot of us think Grimsby are fighting below their weight,although i think that a lot of your fans must have been honory members at Cotees Bar

I hope it goes well for you mate, not as well as us of course...

I think people may feel you're fighting above your weight because you're not traditionally known as being a club with real potential or history...

My view is that potential and history have to be created from somewhere and whilst I don't know much about Fleetwood, it seems your owner has been creating the potential for a while and you may just go on and make a good history for yourselves...

I wish we had a man in charge with the vision and funds your owner apparently has and I think most of our fans would feel the same, hence why some of them make snidey comments born out of jealousy...

We are where we are through a man who has consistantly made poor decisions and seems incapable of stopping himself from doing it... He doesn't do it out of spite or for any other real agenda but still he does keep dragging our once proud club to deeper depths of despair and whilst I appreciate the financial burden he now has with the club, this has mainly been brought about through his own disasters... I believe he is a genuine fan but lacks any ability to run a football club...

Back to Atkinson, I can't say i'm dissapointed to see him leave us... He was decent with ball but not by no means is he a good defender, not for this league anyway... Like others have said, he constantly hangs on to the shirts of other players, is weak, has no real pace and sometimes his decision making is suspect...

I don't really know if Atkinson is that good. If he was, wouldn't he have had offers from league clubs? And if he had offers and turned them down to go to Fleetwood, what does that say about his ambitions in the game? Or maybe he has had a reality check. But while Fleetwood may have a fair chance of promotion, it's far from certain and if they fail it could leave him in the same position next year.

Quoted from mariner91

But thank fook that isn't everyone's idea of "a laugh".

Completely agree with you though.

He was good and we managed to turn him into average. We will replace him quite easily

I didn't blame him for wanting to get back in the league BUT now he's signed for another BSP club for probably more wonga i've lost all respect for the bloke.

From their OS.

Quoted Text

Grimsby Town skipper Rob Atkinson has agreed to join Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Fleetwood Town. The 24-year-old central defender has played just under 100 games for the Mariners since 2007. The defender came through the ranks at Barnsley and had loan spells with Scarborough, Halifax and Rochdale.

Atkinson earned his second England ‘C’ cap when he joined George Donnelly and Sean Clancy in the defeat against Portugal in May. Recent Highbury signing Andy Mangan also took part in the May international match.

The Lancashire outfit fought off a number of Football League clubs to capture the central defender.

Fleetwood Town manager Micky Mellon is away on holiday so chairman Andy Pilley welcomed Atkinson to the club:

“Rob is our 7th signing of the summer and one of the players who was very high on our list. He is an extremely exciting player and our supporters will recall him playing for Grimsby at Highbury earlier this year. I’m sure Rob will prove to be a very useful acquisition and a first class player.

Quoted from Les Brechin

The Lancashire outfit fought off a number of Football League clubs to capture the central defender.

I do find that quite hard to believe.

At the heart of a hopeless defence which saw us relegated from the Football League and then, last season, part of a defence which saw the club finish in a poor mid-table position in the BSP.

What is the attraction for these clubs?

Saying that, no doubt he'll have a couple of blinders against us next season...  

Judas.

Maringer I always respect you analysis and posts and I'm not singing Atkos praises by any means, but I'm a little suprised you maybe can't see the problem.

You've only got to look at a lot of ex-Town players now playing at a higher level.
It's not cos "they're sh1t" as some other fans seem to think, it's arguably because the whole setup wasn't up to scratch.
I'd guess most players look either better or worse than they really are, depending on how they're coached and the quality of the players around them.
Some players like Sweeney went from top goalscorer to complete cack when the team struggled - I think it comes down to confidence and motivation.

Maybe Atko wasn't as motivated as he should have been(remember Woods made a comment regarding "league players" before he dropped him) but unless you're making some progress as a team, it's really difficult to motivate yourself week in week out and play your very best if things are going completely mammaries up and others around you are failing.

You can point to Alan Connell as the exception but it's a lot easier to be personally motivated to score as many as possible when your goals tally is already up there regardless of the team.

Going back to the Bath FA cup defeat as a prime example, I've always thought the way Town teams have sunk lower and lower shows how important momentum and confidence is.

Without prejudging them my fear with Scott and Hurst is if we hit a bad patch and they demand more and more from the players with every bad result they simply won't get it. It's a lot easier to motivate players to run the extra yard when the team is on the up.

Just heard a little rumour Bore has been offered a contract at Fleetwood  

Quoted from 1600

Maybe Atko wasn't as motivated as he should have been(remember Woods made a comment regarding "league players" before he dropped him) but unless you're making some progress as a team, it's really difficult to motivate yourself week in week out and play your very best if things are going completely mammaries up and others around you are failing.

I'd imagine Atkinson has had rather more than a thousand reasons each week to be motivated. A pity it obviously wasn't enough! Personally, I don't think motivation was necessarily a problem. The culprit was ability.

Obviously, players will perform better when part of a stronger team or as a settled defensive unit. However, Atkinson has simply made too many individual errors for me over the past couple of seasons. I'm not sorry to see him leave because I just think that he's not a very good defender, especially when faced with big strikers of the sort you find all around the lower divisions and in the BSP.

A pity, really, as he looked good in his first spell with us a few years ago and I was surprised at the time that Barnsley were willing to let him leave.

Quoted from Maringer

I'd imagine Atkinson has had rather more than a thousand reasons each week to be motivated. A pity it obviously wasn't enough! Personally, I don't think motivation was necessarily a problem. The culprit was ability.

Obviously, players will perform better when part of a stronger team or as a settled defensive unit. However, Atkinson has simply made too many individual errors for me over the past couple of seasons. I'm not sorry to see him leave because I just think that he's not a very good defender, especially when faced with big strikers of the sort you find all around the lower divisions and in the BSP.

A pity, really, as he looked good in his first spell with us a few years ago and I was surprised at the time that Barnsley were willing to let him leave.

completely agree with this post.

Quoted from Super Clive

Just heard a little rumour Bore has been offered a contract at Fleetwood  

Don't you mean you've made up a rumour that Bores been offered a contract?

Very disappointed to see Rob leave Grimsby Town, and very surprised to see him end up at another BSP team. I feel he was at least L2 standard and probably higher IMO.