New left back

18 year old Conor Townsend from Hull on one month loan.
The end for Ridley?

who???????????????

Is he the one who previously refused to come? Happy we have somebody in though, nice to think that for the first time in a while our managers are actually spotting our weaker areas quickly!

Skillful winger according to the Hully Gullies in my office....

Plays for their yoof and occassionally the reserves.

Don't think it is the end for Ridley. Considering he wasn't even in the squad on Tuesday, I'm guessing he's got injured again and they're not comfortable playing Wood out of position for so long.

Good news though as it has been an area where teams have targeted us in the last few games. I'm hoping he's got a little bit of pace as that is what we've been lacking.

Quoted from psgmariner

Skillful winger according to the Hully Gullies in my office....

Plays for their yoof and occassionally the reserves.

he describes himself as a leftback according to his interview,tell the gullies they dont know what they are on about or we have signed the wrong player.

perhaps we're going 3-5-2 but with only one wing back....

He sounds quite adaptable. Eligible for Saturdays cup game too. Good news.

Inexperienced, never played first team football. Magic...

Quoted from Conference10

Inexperienced, never played first team football. Magic...

He`s going to play in the Blue Square not the Championship with Hull FFS

Quoted from pontoonlew

Is he the one who previously refused to come? Happy we have somebody in though, nice to think that for the first time in a while our managers are actually spotting our weaker areas quickly!

No, that was Will Atkinson.

I thought Featherstone was another one who didn't want to come over at some point?

Cant be any worse than what we've already got.
Im sure I've read somewhere the managers said we've got too much of a young squad already, could be wrong though.

Find this a bit strange - i know we need cover there for injuries and Ridleys lack of form at the moment,
but only a couple of days ago Scott was saying we lack men and leaders on the pitch and then signs an 18 year old!
Must be very mature for his age!

Quoted from petethemariner

Find this a bit strange - i know we need cover there for injuries and Ridleys lack of form at the moment,
but only a couple of days ago Scott was saying we lack men and leaders on the pitch and then signs an 18 year old!
Must be very mature for his age!

scott saying we lack leaders an sign an 18 year old....couldnt agree more what a really contradiction....

Weaknesses come in many shapes and forms, left side being one of them.
Some people are just never happy....  

Welcome to the club Conor and good luck.

Where the hell is Green?

Quoted from Martz86

Where the hell is Green?

I saw him in Oaklands having a pint with Glen Downey

Quoted from siy2k5

I saw him in Oaklands having a pint with Glen Downey

Cheers, I was starting to get worried

Quoted from 1600

Weaknesses come in many shapes and forms, left side being one of them.
Some people are just never happy....  

Welcome to the club Conor and good luck.

We all welcome Connor to the club, whatever his age, coming from a championship ex prem club he probably will be a very promising player - if your 'dig' was aimed at me, i was merely pointing out the contradiction Mr Scott has made, one minute saying we lacked 'leaders and men' and the next signing a teenager and therefore someone who most probably due to his age will be neither - please enlighten me where i said i wasn't happy at his arrival?
You really can be pompous at times.

I honestly wasn't suggesting you or others weren't welcoming him to the club - my comment was my own.
But if it came across like that then I apologise - not my intention.

I presume you're saying a left back was welcome but we could have done with more experience ?

To be honest, I prefer younger players in these full back positions.

I think any "leadership" issues will pale into insignficance for an enthusiastic player keen to prove himself who comes into the setup fresh a daisy not bogged down by motivational issues.

I would rather have an unproven 18 year old play at left back rather than wasting £1200 a week on Ridley. That's not a misprint £1200 a week!!!

I'd love to see a rundown of the wagebill for the whole squad...

Wonder where this leaves Green then?
Unless he gets better just after we win on Saturday and the young lad gets tried as a winger?

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Quoted from 1600

I honestly wasn't suggesting you or others weren't welcoming him to the club - my comment was my own.
But if it came across like that then I apologise - not my intention.

I presume you're saying a left back was welcome but we could have done with more experience ?

To be honest, I prefer younger players in these full back positions.

I think any "leadership" issues will pale into insignficance for an enthusiastic player keen to prove himself who comes into the setup fresh a daisy not bogged down by motivational issues.

OK accepted 90's - all i was pointing out is that Scott was saying one thing and doing another, i fully expect the young lad to be decent, but this will really be a 'baptism of fire' for him, he will have sampled nothing like BSP Football before and no-one, not our management team or probably even the lad himself ,knows if he can handle it.
As a previous poster has said, what happened to Green? he fits the bill, 22 so not old, but with experience at league level, unlikely to be bullied and he offered us a new dimension at full back. This all stinks of finance to me, Hull are probably wanting this young lad to get experience and will probably still pay his wages, whereas we would have to offer Green a contract, i suppose in our position thats the prime concern.
Hope Connor does well for us, as Devitt did a couple of years ago, but like him he will return there,
loan singings are just a short term fix IMO.

I see your points.

If he's a babe in arms (how old is he ?) then there may be a concern or two.

Must admit I wondered/assumed if he might a revelation similar to that full back we got from Man City, but until we see him we just don't know.

I'm hoping it's still a case of signing Green once he's fit/the FA Cup money comes through and this is a stop gap.

Unless there's a chance we could be signing this kid instead or is that unlikely if he's "highly rated" ?

Quoted from black an white stripes

scott saying we lack leaders an sign an 18 year old....couldnt agree more what a really contradiction....

Ryan Bennett was club captain when he was 18.

Players like Ryan are an exception to the rule though Les, most 18 year olds care  about nothing more than themselves and have few leadership qualities, hope Connor is also an exception to the rule, but i would be suprised if Hull would let him go if he  does have these qualities, he would probably be captaining their 2nd or 3rd teams.
I wish him well at GTFC though, lets hope he's a 'good un'

I doubt we're paying anything towards the lad's wages either.

Why do people keep going on about Green? Yes he looked decent but he has been injured pretty much since we brought him in so therefore why would we want to take him on a more permanent basis?

I'm shocked some people are questionning the lad before they've seen him play! Remember the last 18-year-old we got from Hull? Jamie Devitt didn't do too bad for us...

I think given we're skint the chances of us finding a good quality left back, who's proven and experienced and also a leader on the pitch was probably slim. Hopefully the lad will come in and do the business for us.

LB is a position we're struggling with at present, be it form or injury. I hope he gets a chance on the left wing too. Personally i think our width is pretty shambolic, with only Coulo as a real option at the moment, and his form isnt exactly setting the league alight.

So good luck to the lad!!

UTM

Not happy with the defence, so we sign a new young, hungry and determined left back, and your still not happy ?

he hasn't played a game yet and your slating scott for this signing.

http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk.....51-detail/story.html - good read

"Hull's Reserve coach Stuart Watkiss, who has obviously been here, pulled me at training last Thursday and asked me if I wanted to go to Grimsby and I jumped at the chance.

"It is a competitive league and it is nice to get out and play in that, and I am really looking forward to it."

He said: "I know quite a bit about Grimsby. When I was younger when City were not playing I would come and watch with my dad and I know it is a good club.

"When I came and watched them as a kid they were in the first division and I don't think they deserve to be down here.

He's already mentioned an extended stay if it goes well. I really hope it works out, after years of mostly uninspiring loans involving disinterested, bench warming dross here we have a lad, well rated, who has watched Town as a kid and has some affinity for the club.

With limited chances at Hull, perhaps he will play himself into a transfer window over the next month at least, and hopefully up to January if necessary.

He will want to impress anyone watching and should be of at least the same standard as our players.

The main thing is how will he react to a month of hard hassle and haranguing from experienced non league players.

Devitt was a good example of players wanting game time - shame he got loaned to Bradford - he would have certainly added something to us!

The situation with Green, whether a contrived injury or just left hanging on money / terms, means we need to have immediate cover for a player sadly slowing down and out of form - this lad needs to be encouraged to provide that cover, and hopefully another element to both attack and defence in one body shape.

Good defence first, please, we need solidity, then all other options for attacking, crosses etc are much added and welcome bonuses.

Hopefully we can then see a leader emerge from the more experienced players if our overall play and results run improves!

Watkiss comes across again in a time of need!

If this lad can cover left back and left midfield he could be just what we need.

It was a long time ago when I was 18 years old - but he'll be desperate to do well and prove himself. Can't think he'll lack for effort, so best wishes to him. He will obviously lack experience - but beggars (us!) can't be choosers.

Quoted from RoboCod

He's already mentioned an extended stay if it goes well. I really hope it works out, after years of mostly uninspiring loans involving disinterested, bench warming dross here we have a lad, well rated, who has watched Town as a kid and has some affinity for the club.

Sounds like Michael Leary  

Quoted from biggles9999

Sounds like Michael Leary  

Don't ! My positivity is hanging by a thread as it is...

Cant see why this couldnt be a more regular thing, hull could be our 'parent club' Works for both clubs IMO. Wouldnt it be awesome if we have another jamie devitt on our hands!

Quoted from bradzmilne

Cant see why this couldnt be a more regular thing, hull could be our 'parent club' Works for both clubs IMO. Wouldnt it be awesome if we have another jamie devitt on our hands!

Definitely, as our current wingers are shite.

According to tonights GET Green needs 3 weeks rest and then he will come back to the club to train and his fitness will be re-assessed. Apparently there is a verbal deal on the table subject to his fitness. So we will have to wait to see how this one transpires and in the meantime we have Connor for a month and maybe more.

Quoted from rancido

According to tonights GET Green needs 3 weeks rest and then he will come back to the club to train and his fitness will be re-assessed. Apparently there is a verbal deal on the table subject to his fitness. So we will have to wait to see how this one transpires and in the meantime we have Connor for a month and maybe more.

So if Green comes back, and Townsend is still here, Townsend could be pushed more up front possibly ? He can play wide left apparently, and knows what's required of left back so could be a handy winger with a natural tendency to cover. Lots of if's and could's but that would certainly give us a stronger left side while Mofo sorts himself out.

Quoted from RoboCod

So if Green comes back, and Townsend is still here, Townsend could be pushed more up front possibly ? He can play wide left apparently, and knows what's required of left back so could be a handy winger with a natural tendency to cover. Lots of if's and could's but that would certainly give us a stronger left side while Mofo sorts himself out.

This will never happen. I know I will be shot down in flames here but Makofo has no place in our side. For all his running he has no end product , runs into blind alleys and hasn't a clue how to be a " team player ". The Dynamic Duo were completely correct in putting him on the transfer list last May and the fact that nobody came in for him in the summer proves his lack of true footballing ability.

According to Watkiss, the lad is more than good enough for this division in either position, from the horses mouth today at 14:00 hrs.

Quoted from rancido

This will never happen. I know I will be shot down in flames here but Makofo has no place in our side. For all his running he has no end product , runs into blind alleys and hasn't a clue how to be a " team player ". The Dynamic Duo were completely correct in putting him on the transfer list last May and the fact that nobody came in for him in the summer proves his lack of true footballing ability.

I dont think anybody will shoot you down in flames.

Most of know we were sold a dud,and for all his efforts he isnt even a footballer really.He is quite a good athlete,but thats what his chosen career should have been.

I used the term "sorts himself out" out of politeness (cos I'm like that) but I pretty much agree. The Townsend lad is well rated, Green was very strong, we could be going some way to strengthening the team starting with the rather dodgy left side, followed maybe by the dodgy right side (if Hull have any right sided players to lend us please Mr Watkiss ?)

Let's find out if he's any good in the left back position where he's needed first and foremost for a month at least, to tighten up a leaking defence!

Let's also hope for a steady team selection with no injuries for a month to try and instill some positional sense into the defence!

Quoted from ticker_1610

According to Watkiss, the lad is more than good enough for this division in either position, from the horses mouth today at 14:00 hrs.

Things got so much worse when that man was forced out by Newell...

Quoted from Dan

Things got so much worse when that man was forced out by Newell...

WHS ! Watkiss was a great guy who i still see jogging around town ! and also attends town matches if hull are not playing !

would welcome him back in any role without a doubt

He is a top bloke, always as open n honest. He asked for my opinion on what's not right n told him lack of width, a couple of players short in defence and confidence to build on a lead away from home! He said he thought along similar lines! But both agreed the duo arnt far off putting together a team that can win consistently. All managers make mistakes in new signings these two havnt done that bad IMO! In all honesty I can see Ridley, Duffy, Eagle, Garner, Spencer, Artus being moved on and replaced! If we now have a RB n LB, then Wood should be used either RW or CM alongside Church n Disley.

A good first game from the young lad - if he can play with the same confidence and skill levels on Saturday, then hopefully we have found a temporary stopper to the right winger floodgates of previous weeks.

He may not be able to attack as often against BSP level teams, but a good month of performances will certainly help the side to progress in the league (and hopefully the FA cup as well !).

The last time we found a bunch of young lads that gelled together with some experienced players , we had a cracking team.

I'm now hopeful for the November games !!

Quoted from ticker_1610

He is a top bloke, always as open n honest. He asked for my opinion on what's not right n told him lack of width, a couple of players short in defence and confidence to build on a lead away from home! He said he thought along similar lines! But both agreed the duo arnt far off putting together a team that can win consistently. All managers make mistakes in new signings these two havnt done that bad IMO! In all honesty I can see Ridley, Duffy, Eagle, Garner, Spencer, Artus being moved on and replaced! If we now have a RB n LB, then Wood should be used either RW or CM alongside Church n Disley.

in all honesty I can`t in the case of Duffy Eagle and Garner also Spencer will come in handy when strength is required up front

Eagle brings nothing to the game as a wide player in fact he hinders our counter attacking by having no pace n no delivery. Duffy is adequate but there are far better players in the non league arena better than him. Garner has gone backwards as a player, maybe it's his nights out with eagle affecting his performances! But as if this moment all 3 mentioned could n should be replaced with better players that offer width out wide, pace at the back n strength n guile uptop!

Quoted from ticker_1610

Eagle brings nothing to the game as a wide player in fact he hinders our counter attacking by having no pace n no delivery. Duffy is adequate but there are far better players in the non league arena better than him. Garner has gone backwards as a player, maybe it's his nights out with eagle affecting his performances! But as if this moment all 3 mentioned could n should be replaced with better players that offer width out wide, pace at the back n strength n guile uptop!

Its all about opinions but the three players mentioned are more than adequate for this league and deserve their place in the squad, the grass is always greener on tother side

Eagle is a very useful player to have, IMO he's only player we have with a great amount of creativity waiting to be released. He's not an out and out winger, we know that, yet people still tend to give him stick when he doesn't burst down the flank past his man. He needs to play in the middle, behind the strikers but we don't play a formation that allows him to do that. I certainly wouldn't push him out the door though.

A solid debut from Connor, too. Looked very assured on the ball.

I'm surprised to see that there is still some discussion about 'moving on' lots of players and signing replacements this season. It is pretty obvious that the days of Fenty paying off endless signings are over - don't forget, we've got no facking money.  

The signing of the lad from Hull is the perfect type for us. We have plenty of experience in the squad so young players eager to do well are ideal, providing they are capable enough of doing a job. If this lad from Hull goes well and stays for the season (assuming the loan rules allow this!), we wouldn't need to worry about signing the injury-prone Green. I'd imagine he'd be a lot cheaper than signing Green as well as Hull must surely be supporting most of his wages for now.

It would be nice to sign a flying young winger in similar circumstances but we probably do have too many wide players already. Just a pity they aren't more effective.

Why do you think he'd come here? Would he rather be a championship team reserve, or a conference first-teamer? Tough call.

Quoted from wigworld

Why do you think he'd come here? Would he rather be a championship team reserve, or a conference first-teamer? Tough call.

It really depends on his personality, I suppose. His initial comments indicate that he'd rather be playing than sitting on his backside as a Championship team reserve reserve reserve. Playing competitive football is imperative for young players to develop and I think he'd be mad to prefer intermittent reserve team football at the KerCee to the, erm, cut and thrust of the Conference.

If he gets the opportunity of loan spells at League Two clubs then fair enough, I would understand if he didn't want to come here. Otherwise, I can't see how playing for us can be anything but a win-win situation for him.

I expect that Pearson, Hull's manager, would appreciate seeing a young player wanting to get games and if he's not in the running for first team football at present then playing here is as good as anywhere.

Quoted from Musso74

I would rather have an unproven 18 year old play at left back rather than wasting £1200 a week on Ridley. That's not a misprint £1200 a week!!!

Please tell me that is a joke, or a wild guess.

Quoted from RonMariner

Please tell me that is a joke, or a wild guess.

musso74 ain't usually wrong mate - was one of the first, if not the first, with names of the new signings in the summer plus stuff about connell
don't know who he is, but he's got a good sauce/source/sorss

Problem is when we get a decent loanie Scunny comes along to pinch him