Ryan Bennett

I'll be surprised if we see Bennett sign for us at this time. Yes I am aware it would be a similar signing to Collins who also signed out of the window, but there are differences between now and then, when Collins signed we had played 8 league games and conceded 14 goals and only had 3 CBs all of whom had little experience above national league level, yes they was all experienced but that was mainly national league experience and we was leaking goals so we did need an experienced CB to come in and help us out, compare that to now we have 4 CBs at present and we have more football league experience in that, and have only conceded 4 goals in our opening 5 games, which is a lot better than 16-17!

So in 16-17 we needed that experienced CB signing but this time round the need just isn't there is it.

Quoted from FPVmariner

I recall that ‘conversations’ took place?  Or is my memory that bad….  Whatever, Sustainability seems to be the watchword around the club.  It would therefore follow that if a significant financial investment was going to be made, then the money would perhaps be better spent on making Smith a permanent signing?

100% it would IMHO.

We're talking about a player who hasn't played below championship level in basically 10 years and is still in his early 30s. If he signed, it would be a great signing. And I disagree that we wouldn't care if he hadn't played for us before. If we were linked with any player of that pedigree and age, it'd peak my interest.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Well my view won’t be universally popular but….

What type of statement is it? If he hadn’t played for us previously nobody would be talking about this. Where people talking about say Danny Collins prior to his arrival.

Maybe we could have 3 at the back now, Waterfall, Smith and Maher? How do we know Bennet has still got it?

Not sure why we’d spend budget on Bennet this season, maybe next term but personally I’d prefer us to go younger in a player and retain & develop with a 3 year deal and potentially sell on.

Danny Collins was 36 when he came in, Bennett is 32 and was playing Premier League football 2 years ago. In theory, he should have another year or two above this level easily; especially when he played in 18 Championship games last season.

If we broke the bank to sign him that would go against everything the owners and Hurst talk about plus potentially cause a rift in the camp. If he came here for peanuts, fair enough but I think it would be a signing that could cause more harm than good.

If we are going to spend good money on a defender then I would rather see us pursue Andy Smith on a permanent. It sounds daft as Bennett is clearly still a top defender but I don't know who you drop in our solid defence for him. Smith and Waterfall work really well together and we've got Maher to come into that with Pearson available too. Ryan Bennett doesn't have a track record for scoring goals so he can't replace what Waterfall brings at the top end of the pitch.

Quoted from Mariner93er

We're talking about a player who hasn't played below championship level in basically 10 years and is still in his early 30s. If he signed, it would be a great signing. And I disagree that we wouldn't care if he hadn't played for us before. If we were linked with any player of that pedigree and age, it'd peak my interest.

But that was my point other than in the mind of Town supporters he’s not been linked.

Agree about the level stuff which makes it even less likely.

If we have chased hunt for perm rather than loan then I would imagine we asked the same about smith. There are a number of reasons that might not have been possible but would be surprised if we didn’t ask the question

Quoted from Posh Harry

If we have chased hunt for perm rather than loan then I would imagine we asked the same about smith. There are a number of reasons that might not have been possible but would be surprised if we didn’t ask the question

Smith is one of the better centre halves in League Two at 20 years old. I don’t know what kind of valuation that attaches to him, but I should think it is out of our league.

Quoted from Poojah

Smith is one of the better centre halves in League Two at 20 years old. I don’t know what kind of valuation that attaches to him, but I should think it is out of our league.

I agree, which was one of the possible reasons. Others could be that Hull just don’t want to sell or he doesn’t want it to be permanent but sees it as good development for himself

Smith has put himself in the shop window with his performances but he is clearly above our level in terms of skill and wages. If Dull don't see him in their plans they can now get more for him based on his performances here.
Didn't Dull recall a player from us that was on a season long loan so they could sell him? Can't remember the details, Townsend perhaps???

Ryan is only 32. No age, particularly for a centre back. He's moved back to Grimsby, well Humberston Ave and I've heard one or two snippets that he would be up for joining us and wouldn't want (or need) silly money.

The only two problems are we are currently playing two centre backs, and we have four first team centre backs on the books. Five is too many. We would need to move one out in my opinion. Also, would Ryan want to be starting every game? You could argue Smith, Waterfall, Maher have the same intentions.

Smith isn't ours, but is class and I wouldn't want him to go back. Waterfall has been immense, Maher has only just joined and is rated highly. Shaun Pearson has been wonderful for us, I honestly don't see him playing now, only 33 years old and in all honesty may be released at the end of the season. Have to consider Shaun is a leader on and off the pitch and I'm sure he's a huge and influential part of the squad.

If Shaun were to move on, to a National League club where he would play then perhaps that would suit all parties. I hate to suggest it, but Scunthorpe would be a great fit for him. They are desperate for a centre back to play alongside Boyce.