Callum Jones

has picked up an injury and will not be returning Hurst says.

We probably need to sign yet another CM now

Hope Hurst can pick another decent player up. Jones and Raiky both looked a level above.

We’re bloody cursed

Will raiky not be back soon?

Just push Clifton into the middle and play JMD or Scannel.

Sorted

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Just push Clifton into the middle and play JMD or Scannel.

Sorted

This!

Real shame that. We definitely need to replace him sharpish. I think Hurst will keep Clifton out wide so it needs to be a CM because we are very lightweight in the middle unless he recalls Spokes.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Real shame that. We definitely need to replace him sharpish. I think Hurst will keep Clifton out wide so it needs to be a CM because we are very lightweight in the middle unless he recalls Spokes.

But why? Clifton’s natural position is central and we’ve got at least 2 fit and effective wide players in Scannel and JMD to step in.

Quoted from AussieMariner

But why? Clifton’s natural position is central and we’ve got at least 2 fit and effective wide players in Scannel and JMD to step in.

Clifton is a decent player across multiple positions and Hurst likes one his wide players to be a bit more defensively disciplined so I think Clifton will remain on the wing. Either way we need someone who can play wide so Clifton can move centrally or a CM.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Real shame that. We definitely need to replace him sharpish. I think Hurst will keep Clifton out wide so it needs to be a CM because we are very lightweight in the middle unless he recalls Spokes.

Spokes, really?

Play Scannell or JMD wide, H as central till Fox gets fit.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Clifton is a decent player across multiple positions and Hurst likes one his wide players to be a bit more defensively disciplined so I think Clifton will remain on the wing. Either way we need someone who can play wide so Clifton can move centrally or a CM.

I agree…Hurst will keep him on the left for his defensive duties….but here’s a thought Paul, why don’t you pick a more attack minded 11 and let the other manager  think about being more defensive? I’ll leave that thought with you Mr Hurst to mull over

Quoted from Sussexmariner

I agree…Hurst will keep him on the left for his defensive duties….but here’s a thought Paul, why don’t you pick a more attack minded 11 and let the other manager  think about being more defensive? I’ll leave that thought with you Mr Hurst to mull over

We’ve lost 1 in 9. Cant we just be happy for tonight

Quoted from Hagrid

We’ve lost 1 in 9. Cant we just be happy for tonight

Me personally, No

Get hunt back .Oldham are not playing him

Quoted from Norseman

Get hunt back .Oldham are not playing him

They are, he’s played the last two games.

We should’ve kept Hunt in the first place.

Quoted from chaos33

We should’ve kept Hunt in the first place.

Exactly!

Sadly predictable that this has become a 'let's knock hurst' thread.  Speedy recovery callum jones.

We tried to sign hunt permanently and he decided to try oldham instead.

Ita a shame both raikhy and Jones have got injured, add hunt and matete to that list and hurst has found found few decent centre midfielders I've not heard of, let's hope he can do it again.

At least no one has suggested bringing Danny Rose back...

anyone know why scannell got dropped yesterday?

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

Sadly predictable that this has become a 'let's knock hurst' thread.  Speedy recovery callum jones.

We tried to sign hunt permanently and he decided to try oldham instead.

Ita a shame both raikhy and Jones have got injured, add hunt and matete to that list and hurst has found found few decent centre midfielders I've not heard of, let's hope he can do it again.

At least no one has suggested bringing Danny Rose back...

This. Those 4, when you also drop in Nolan, show Hurst can identify and bring in quality central midfielders. *




* Awaiting from some pedant the name of a bang average central midfielder which Hurst brought in.

Cue Golfer  

Quoted from smokey111

This. Those 4, when you also drop in Nolan, show Hurst can identify and bring in quality central midfielders. *




* Awaiting from some pedant the name of a bang average central midfielder which Hurst brought in.

We had a ginger bloke who wasn’t too shabby as well.

Quoted from Poojah

We had a ginger bloke who wasn’t too shabby as well.

But we all got told on here every season that his legs has gone?😉

Quoted from forza ivano

anyone know why scannell got dropped yesterday?

Tactical apparently. Sousa’s strengths preferred to Scannell’s due to how they play.

Must admit, it wouldn’t have been my choice and it was a head-scratcher when I saw the team before the game. Then again, I don’t know the first thing about how BW play so I respect the decision of Hurst because obviously he’s scouted them.

It’ll be interesting to see who starts on the right on Tuesday. Sousa obviously has quality but just lacking in the important areas IMO but he does have the pace the other two don’t. JMD and Scannell both have a lot more guile and composure in the final third. JMD already has good numbers against his name since arriving and Scannell had a good first start against Yeovil.

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

Sadly predictable that this has become a 'let's knock hurst' thread.  Speedy recovery callum jones.

We tried to sign hunt permanently and he decided to try oldham instead.

Ita a shame both raikhy and Jones have got injured, add hunt and matete to that list and hurst has found found few decent centre midfielders I've not heard of, let's hope he can do it again.

At least no one has suggested bringing Danny Rose back...

My understanding is Hunt was happy to stay but Wednesday changed the terms of the loan and we didn’t want to commit to their terms.

That was my understanding too.That they wanted us to cover his full salary of £5k a week and we wouldn't do it.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

That was my understanding too.That they wanted us to cover his full salary of £5k a week and we wouldn't do it.

Well if Oldham are doing that, it’s an expensive gamble that so far hasn’t paid dividends. I was certain they’d pull clear and Stevenage be dragged in, but they’re running out of games…..

Anyway, we can’t be paying £5K a week to anyone.

Don't know if that figure is definitely right but definitely what was floating about. If true agree with you 100%

I sometimes wonder if our fans remember what a total shambles this club was when Hurst came in.

Remember what Holloway left behind? A bunch of non-league strangers from Stourbridge, Aberystwyth and Folkestone Invicta, mixed with kids as young as 15.

In just over a year we've shown all the dross the door, brought in players like Pearson, Fox, McAtee, Taylor etc and got the best out of existing players in Clifton and Waterfall.

We'd won 6 of our last 8 before yesterday - still 1 defeat in 9 - we're in play-off contention and we put in a pretty decent showing against a team above us in the league who haven't lost at home all season and who made the 5th round of the FA Cup.

If Hurst's cautious personality is the only thing left to attack then I'd take that as a massive compliment to how many other things we've improved across the board.

Quoted from RichMariner

I sometimes wonder if our fans remember what a total shambles this club was when Hurst came in.

Remember what Holloway left behind? A bunch of non-league strangers from Stourbridge, Aberystwyth and Folkestone Invicta, mixed with kids as young as 15.

In just over a year we've shown all the dross the door, brought in players like Pearson, Fox, McAtee, Taylor etc and got the best out of existing players in Clifton and Waterfall.

We'd won 6 of our last 8 before yesterday - still 1 defeat in 9 - we're in play-off contention and we put in a pretty decent showing against a team above us in the league who haven't lost at home all season and who made the 5th round of the FA Cup.

If Hurst's cautious personality is the only thing left to attack then I'd take that as a massive compliment to how many other things we've improved across the board.

Excellent post Rich

Quoted from smokey111

This. Those 4, when you also drop in Nolan, show Hurst can identify and bring in quality central midfielders. *




* Awaiting from some pedant the name of a bang average central midfielder which Hurst brought in.

Even as someone who isn’t Hursts biggest fan that can’t be denied.

Nobody can say Hurst can’t spot a good midfielder

Quoted from Mariner_501

Even as someone who isn’t Hursts biggest fan that can’t be denied.

Nobody can say Hurst can’t spot a good midfielder

Just for balance he did sign James Berrett as well!!!!!!

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Just for balance he did sign James Berrett as well!!!!!!

And Luke Summerfield.

Runaway tried to get his Blackpool band together by signing Billy Clarke who worked and Elliott Grandin who clearly wasn't fit.

Louis Boyd hasn't been mentioned since Runaway left but Hurst has brought in a number of decent midfielders. Certainly ones that are an improvement on Rose et al. Hopefully when the shackles are free, we can put that money into our squad and maybe have one of our own. By all accounts we did try to get Hunt permanently in January.

I personally liked Luke Summerfield…….

I liked Summerfield, doing well for Halifax, I think he might acually improve our midfield if he signed tomorrow (he won't)

I’m not sure Somerfield is the Safeway for us to go.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I’m not sure Somerfield is the Safeway for us to go.

Jolley tried getting some Scandinavian (for) Value in.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

I’m not sure Somerfield is the Safeway for us to go.

Kingston please shut the door when you leave!! 😆😆😆

Quoted from jamesgtfc

And Luke Summerfield.

Runaway tried to get his Blackpool band together by signing Billy Clarke who worked and Elliott Grandin who clearly wasn't fit.

Louis Boyd hasn't been mentioned since Runaway left but Hurst has brought in a number of decent midfielders. Certainly ones that are an improvement on Rose et al. Hopefully when the shackles are free, we can put that money into our squad and maybe have one of our own. By all accounts we did try to get Hunt permanently in January.

The Luke Summerfield who won several Player of the Year awards in his last season here?

Agree with Dave. I liked sunmerfield. For some reason in his first year here the supporters didnt take to him, went out on loan. Cane back and 2nd season- admittedly we were shite- but he was our best player

Quoted from GrimExile

Kingston please shut the door when you leave!! 😆😆😆

Fine. Fare enough.

Hey, Presto and I’m gone!

Yeah Summerfield got better and better in his time here and was our best player in his final season. Heard him getting some really unfair criticism the other day and it actually annoyed me a bit. Can only assume they’d forgotten how good he was and not that they didn’t appreciate him.

That midfield of Summerfield and Berrett came in for a lot of criticism from fans I recall. Sums up the ambition of our board that our central midfielders were signed from relegated York.

Summerfield was the better of the two, a lot of running but it was never going to be easy replacing Disley. Much better than the other York midfielder however...

Summer field put a lot of effort in but had the worst concentration levels of any central midfielder I have ever seen play for town. Would put the oppo in on goal more frequently than he ever did ours!

Quoted from toontown

Summer field put a lot of effort in but had the worst concentration levels of any central midfielder I have ever seen play for town. Would put the oppo in on goal more frequently than he ever did ours!

That’s how I remember it. Him and Berrett used to play so square that if they lost the ball there was no cover for the defence.

Not massively disagreeing with much of what's been said about Summerfield and Berrett but let's also not forget that we were in or around the play-offs with those two midfielders when Hurst left for Shrewsbury.

Quoted from RichMariner

Not massively disagreeing with much of what's been said about Summerfield and Berrett but let's also not forget that we were in or around the play-offs with those two midfielders when Hurst left for Shrewsbury.

So I guess you could say that we were getting 3 points on a Saturday without a strength and conditioning coach...

Quoted from RichMariner

Not massively disagreeing with much of what's been said about Summerfield and Berrett but let's also not forget that we were in or around the play-offs with those two midfielders when Hurst left for Shrewsbury.

Both very very average with LS being slightly less average. If we are thinking he would improve our midfield then I know nothing about football.

Absolutely bang average, both of them, agree.
The best midfielder we had from York in my opinion was Paddy McLaughlin, but Hurst never really played him much as he didn’t think he was physically strong enough to play in a central two, despite his skill, passing and goals return.

Quoted from chaos33

Absolutely bang average, both of them, agree.
The best midfielder we had from York in my opinion was Paddy McLaughlin, but Hurst never really played him much as he didn’t think he was physically strong enough to play in a central two, despite his skill, passing and goals return.

you always said this because he was your mate, and the fact he never played league football for me shows Hurst was right

Quoted from chaos33

Absolutely bang average, both of them, agree.
The best midfielder we had from York in my opinion was Paddy McLaughlin, but Hurst never really played him much as he didn’t think he was physically strong enough to play in a central two, despite his skill, passing and goals return.

McLaughlin hasn't played league football since 2013...

Summerfield was a decent player who fans didn't like from the off because he got in the team ahead if Disley in that first season back in the league.

Mclaughlin was bang average in the conference.

I reckon average is the biggest compliment James Berrett has ever received.

Quoted from Hagrid

you always said this because he was your mate, and the fact he never played league football for me shows Hurst was right

I feel like that sums up opinions a lot of people have on players. Heavily overrated because of personal friendships or being friends of a family member, we had youth team players who got released that people would swear blind would be winning games by themselves had they been playing. Turns out most of them achieve nothing after being let go beyond playing in local pub leagues.

I mean I think Paddy in that York team looked cuts above most non league midfielders, the problem was when he came here.. apart from the odd bit of brilliance was just average most the time. I agree on the sentiment he probably had the talent to play levels higher but there was something missing. Similar to Jamey Osbourne, technically sound but just lacked something.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

I mean I think Paddy in that York team looked cuts above most non league midfielders, the problem was when he came here.. apart from the odd bit of brilliance was just average most the time. I agree on the sentiment he probably had the talent to play levels higher but there was something missing. Similar to Jamey Osbourne, technically sound but just lacked something.

I think Osbornes issue was desire. Had the ability but to me, injury aside, I’m not convinced he ever really fancied it. Perhaps it was the pressure of being at a league club and no longer being the big fish?

Paddy was alright but nothing spectacular, hence why he was never consistently picked. Summerfield had big shoes to fill and in truth wasn’t that bad but he was forever compared to Dizza so was never going to stand out.

I don't mind embarrassing myself here and saying that I thought (at the time) Berrett was a good signing.

I mean, I saw the logic in it. We'd just returned to L2 and he'd been playing for Carlisle in L2 week in, week out, before he joined Yeovil then York, in the same division.

Lots of L2 experience — probably wasn't a big earner, likely joined as a squad player... seemed sensible, given that we now know Hurst was operating with one arm tied behind his back.

Quoted from RichMariner

I don't mind embarrassing myself here and saying that I thought (at the time) Berrett was a good signing.

I mean, I saw the logic in it. We'd just returned to L2 and he'd been playing for Carlisle in L2 week in, week out, before he joined Yeovil then York, in the same division.

Lots of L2 experience — probably wasn't a big earner, likely joined as a squad player... seemed sensible, given that we now know Hurst was operating with one arm tied behind his back.

James Berrett had only played one season in L2 prior to signing for us- York City's relegation season 2015/16. Prior to that he spent 9 seasons and 233 league appearances in L1 with Huddersfield, Carlisle & Yeovil.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

James Berrett had only played one season in L2 prior to signing for us- York City's relegation season 2015/16. Prior to that he spent 9 seasons and 233 league appearances in L1 with Huddersfield, Carlisle & Yeovil.

On paper you can't complain at that record.

Summerfield’s pedigree was solid too, having played somewhere in the region of 80 games in the Championship and another 120 in League One prior to joining us.

I don’t think he was as bad as some remember. He covered a huge amount of ground out of possession and could read the game well to break up play. He was just incredibly profligate on the ball; a kind of League Two Derek Niven.

Quoted from aldi_01

I think Osbornes issue was desire. Had the ability but to me, injury aside, I’m not convinced he ever really fancied it. Perhaps it was the pressure of being at a league club and no longer being the big fish?

Paddy was alright but nothing spectacular, hence why he was never consistently picked. Summerfield had big shoes to fill and in truth wasn’t that bad but he was forever compared to Dizza so was never going to stand out.

Didn't we agree to sell him because he couldn't settle in the area?

Osborne was a very very good player IMO, but if your heads not in it, then it was always going to be difficult to keep him.
Summerfield was similar to Leary for me, decent enough, always give 100%, and never really let you down, without setting the world alight

Summerfield was brought in as the next Disley, the problem is he wasn't even a Disley type player.   He was expected to make those runs beyond the front man, collect the knock-downs and push on from deep.  In his second season when he was encouraged to play a bit deeper and to his more natural game he was much, much more effective.  

Hurst has signed some good midfielders, but he's also signed some pretty average ones too.  It's quite easy to highlight the likes of Disley and more recently Matete et al.  But just like with the myth about him signing good full-backs, he's signed some stinkers too.  

For what it's worth I think Hurst's success rate on signings is pretty decent for the level we're at.  At this level, there's never a guaranteed good signing and I'd argue that Hurst would come up quite well comparatively to most managers in this league and above.

Even better than I realised!

During his first season with us, Summerfield was generally OK, but developed a nasty habit of giving the ball away at the worst possible moment during a few games which led to goals against. I thought he was pretty good the following year.

Berrett was just a shirt wandering around the pitch most of the time and, thinking back, I'm still baffled as to how he made so many appearances at a higher level. A man who could be brushed off the ball with a hard stare.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Summerfield was brought in as the next Disley, the problem is he wasn't even a Disley type player.   He was expected to make those runs beyond the front man, collect the knock-downs and push on from deep.  In his second season when he was encouraged to play a bit deeper and to his more natural game he was much, much more effective.  

Hurst has signed some good midfielders, but he's also signed some pretty average ones too.  It's quite easy to highlight the likes of Disley and more recently Matete et al.  But just like with the myth about him signing good full-backs, he's signed some stinkers too.  

For what it's worth I think Hurst's success rate on signings is pretty decent for the level we're at.  At this level, there's never a guaranteed good signing and I'd argue that Hurst would come up quite well comparatively to most managers in this league and above.

I think he has signed over 30 players in just over a year so you would hope there would be the some decent players in there.

For what it’s worth despite coughing the ball up far too often Luke Summerfield is one of the most hard working players I’ve seen in a Town shirt in recent years.

Recruitment will make or break a football manager and we know that unlike his at least one of his predecessors after his first spell with us he dies his homework & due diligence, what happens on the pitch when a signing arrives is mainly down to the player in reality.

For what it’s worth despite coughing the ball up far too often Luke Summerfield is one of the most hard working players I’ve seen in a Town shirt in recent years.

Recruitment will make or break a football manager and we know that unlike his at least one of his predecessors after his first spell with us he dies his homework & due diligence, what happens on the pitch when a signing arrives is mainly down to the player in reality.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

Fine. Fare enough.

Hey, Presto and I’m gone!

Aldi os!

Quoted from arryarryarry

I think he has signed over 30 players in just over a year so you would hope there would be the some decent players in there.

36 since the 8th of January last year. How I long for those halcyon days in the 90s, where between getting promoted at Wembley in 1998 and the end of the 99/00 season two years later, we made a grand total of 4 permanent signings (Stacy Coldicott, Lee Ashcroft, Danny Coyne and Bradley Allen), two loan signings (Mark Nicholls and Ian Hamilton) and one short-term contract (Jim Dobbin).

The stability was remarkable looking back. A reminder of how times change in football, but we do need to get back to a point where we’re not signing double figures worth of players every transfer window.

Quoted from Poojah

36 since the 8th of January last year. How I long for those halcyon days in the 90s, where between getting promoted at Wembley in 1998 and the end of the 99/00 season two years later, we made a grand total of 4 permanent signings (Stacy Coldicott, Lee Ashcroft, Danny Coyne and Bradley Allen), two loan signings (Mark Nicholls and Ian Hamilton) and one short-term contract (Jim Dobbin).

The stability was remarkable looking back. A reminder of how times change in football, but we do need to get back to a point where we’re not signing double figures worth of players every transfer window.

I think that comes with longevity of a manager. We all know the financial landscape of the game as a whole is massively different now and clubs try to cut their cloth accordingly and have to balance short term contracts against wages and ensure they don't place themselves in financial difficulty 'going for it'.

To try and recreate that level of stability you have to do as much as you can to back a manager long enough to find the players who perform, try and build trust and environment they want to be part of and keep building a nucleus year on year. It can be a slow and sometimes painful process but there isn't a fast way to achieve stability. This is one of the reasons I am a big PH fan. It can be frustrating at times - Tuesday night being a good example - but in the Mk1 version we were better each season. Maybe only marginally but I don't  believe we ever took a backward step.

36 signings in 14 months is OK if you're getting to where you want to be. Whilst admitting that Holohan and Mcguire- Drew look decent, other than McAtee, we haven't signed anyone else on a permanent who you would absolutely want in your team next season. Most of the best players that have come in are loans.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

36 signings in 14 months is OK if you're getting to where you want to be. Whilst admitting that Holohan and Mcguire- Drew look decent, other than McAtee, we haven't signed anyone else on a permanent who you would absolutely want in your team next season. Most of the best players that have come in are loans.

Waterfall needs an extension, Pearson I wouldn't do without in the squad, Efete is a decent non league right wing back, Sousa, juries out tbh
I'd take Crocombe as a number. 2 but we could with a better keeper imo
Amos and Fox buck that trend, as a left wing back I've enjoyed watching young Amos and Fox has been v.good as a battling midfielder.
Burgess, meh, cant pass a ball, tackle or do much in all honesty.
Holohan and JMD look good, very good, Macatee needs to stop being a one man army and Taylor, well, good hold up forward but ain't getting you 25 goals a season is he?
So, for saying most of our nest players have been loans I disagree, we do have good players on the books and a decent spine, just needs a bit of fettling and not major surgery like last season's squad required.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

36 signings in 14 months is OK if you're getting to where you want to be. Whilst admitting that Holohan and Mcguire- Drew look decent, other than McAtee, we haven't signed anyone else on a permanent who you would absolutely want in your team next season. Most of the best players that have come in are loans.

Waterfall needs an extension, Pearson I wouldn't do without in the squad, Efete is a decent non league right wing back, Sousa, juries out tbh
I'd take Crocombe as a number. 2 but we could with a better keeper imo
Amos and Fox buck that trend, as a left wing back I've enjoyed watching young Amos and Fox has been v.good as a battling midfielder.
Burgess, meh, cant pass a ball, tackle or do much in all honesty.
Holohan and JMD look good, very good, Macatee needs to stop being a one man army and Taylor, well, good hold up forward but ain't getting you 25 goals a season is he?
So, for saying most of our nest players have been loans I disagree, we do have good players on the books and a decent spine, just needs a bit of fettling and not major surgery like last season's squad required.

Quoted from gtfc_chris

I think that comes with longevity of a manager. We all know the financial landscape of the game as a whole is massively different now and clubs try to cut their cloth accordingly and have to balance short term contracts against wages and ensure they don't place themselves in financial difficulty 'going for it'.

To try and recreate that level of stability you have to do as much as you can to back a manager long enough to find the players who perform, try and build trust and environment they want to be part of and keep building a nucleus year on year. It can be a slow and sometimes painful process but there isn't a fast way to achieve stability. This is one of the reasons I am a big PH fan. It can be frustrating at times - Tuesday night being a good example - but in the Mk1 version we were better each season. Maybe only marginally but I don't  believe we ever took a backward step.

That's not quite true, the season we actually got promoted we finished on less points and one place lower than the previous season.

As for changing manager, I bet Stockport hadn't changed theirs.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Waterfall needs an extension, Pearson I wouldn't do without in the squad, Efete is a decent non league right wing back, Sousa, juries out tbh
I'd take Crocombe as a number. 2 but we could with a better keeper imo
Amos and Fox buck that trend, as a left wing back I've enjoyed watching young Amos and Fox has been v.good as a battling midfielder.
Burgess, meh, cant pass a ball, tackle or do much in all honesty.
Holohan and JMD look good, very good, Macatee needs to stop being a one man army and Taylor, well, good hold up forward but ain't getting you 25 goals a season is he?
So, for saying most of our nest players have been loans I disagree, we do have good players on the books and a decent spine, just needs a bit of fettling and not major surgery like last season's squad required.

Good summary I reckon, I was trying to think who from the above had promotions on their CV? Pearson, Taylor, Holohan and Waterfall? Not sure it’s a big factor just wondering really.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

36 signings in 14 months is OK if you're getting to where you want to be. Whilst admitting that Holohan and Mcguire- Drew look decent, other than McAtee, we haven't signed anyone else on a permanent who you would absolutely want in your team next season. Most of the best players that have come in are loans.

Of the current squad, assuming we remain in this division next season, I’d say the following would be worth retaining either as first team players or to make up the wider squad:

Crocombe
Efete
Pearson
Waterfall
Clifton
Fox
Holohan
Sousa
Maguire-Drew
McAtee
Taylor

That’s 11 players, plus probably another 3 or 4 about whom there remain some question marks - Amos, Crookes, Scannell, Wright etc. That gives you something to build on, and a summer where ‘only’ 7 or 8 signings are needed, rather than the almost total rebuild needed last summer.

You stand a better chance of recruiting well when you can concentrate your efforts in a few key areas rather than a whole squad, and so if 5 or 6 of those signings are improvements on what you’ve got then it should be sufficient to have a really good crack at the title. Whoever goes up this season (and I hope it’s Stockport and Wrexham if it’s not us) will be a lot stronger than what comes down - Scunny and one of Oldham or Stevenage, most likely.

This season was always going to be transitional. My personal opinion is that we are not capable of winning the play-offs should we make them, but I think it’s a decent result that we’ll go into the final 10 games of the season with a realistic shout of getting there. Some will disagree, I get that, but this is a tough league to get relegated into because the only style you can do it in is one of total disarray, and the competition this season is tougher than ever.

Steady away - lots still to be done but I reckon we’re in the best place we’ve been as a club in some considerable time, on balance.

Quoted from arryarryarry

That's not quite true, the season we actually got promoted we finished on less points and one place lower than the previous season.

As for changing manager, I bet Stockport hadn't changed theirs.

Fair point on the actual points tally but we did get promoted. I'd argue that trumps whether we finished 2nd or 6th with 1 point more or 10 points less.

I think the current squad with an out and out goalscorer alongside Taylor with Macatee behind them would be in the top 3.

We needed to splash out on an out and out striker but perhaps for understandable reasons we didn't, and it will cost us if we don't make the play offs.

If we dont go up we won't need as many summer signings and hopefully can get the quality and sought after striker we need.

Agree with Poojah’s summary - pretty much spot on.

Going on to next season, IF we have any money to spend/use - need a striker obviously, but would Taylor be as good in a 2? I think he’s had a bit of a raw deal by some on Twitter lately - he’s mainly up top on his own and getting some treatment from defenders, works hard for the team with McAtee playing off him but not as a striker. Maybe it’s to Taylor’s detriment at the minute? Would he be better utilised in a ‘proper’ partnership? It would mean a tweak to the system, but I’d look at someone like McAleny from Salford..pretty much used as a substitute, only got 2 goals all season or something, but looked a player at his previous club. A player type that Hurst looks for..someone who’s ‘lost their way’ and wants to improve again.

Taylor is the best forward at holding off the defender and linking up play that we've had for absolutely yonks so I'm surprised he seems to be getting any stick. It's not his fault if the other attacking players and aren't close enough to support him or run on to his lay-offs. As the lone forward, it is up to his teammates to get up alongside and ahead of him and they aren't doing it enough at present.

Quoted from Maringer

Taylor is the best forward at holding off the defender and linking up play that we've had for absolutely yonks so I'm surprised he seems to be getting any stick. It's not his fault if the other attacking players and aren't close enough to support him or run on to his lay-offs. As the lone forward, it is up to his teammates to get up alongside and ahead of him and they aren't doing it enough at present.

That surprises me too. Will be an interesting call regarding a new contract given his age.

I've seen more games this season than I have for a while really (excluding the covid season with ifollow) and what I would love to see more of is trying to get runners in behind opposition defences.

We seem to want to play into feet an awful lot and it means we play pretty much all the game in front of their defence. When we get beyond it's most often from Sousa's dribbles, but then his end product is as we know it to be. With McAtee favouring a return ball in front of Taylor, no-one runs beyond him which I think makes us easier to defend against. The times we do get the wide players playing much higher is when we get spells of pressure, but again there rarely seems to be the support for options to finish the attack.