Has signed for us . Interview on ifollow. Not sure how long tho

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/october/hall-johnson-signs-for-the-mariners/

One year

Can't say I've heard of the guy

22 year old.

Came through the Norwich City Academy so there's a link to Paul Wilkinson there.

Read in different places that he's a right back and that he's an attacking midfielder with an eye for goal.

Would've thought we're fine for right-backs so maybe looking at using him as a midfielder?

He's a wing back and its hall johnson not johnson hall. Played a few trial games. Goal record isnt bad for a full back

A stately home or a right back is not what we need at the minute.

But id say we'd need a left back not a right back but welcome nonetheless

http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/hall-johnston.htm

"An attacking midfielder from Cambridgeshire with an eye for goal"

More pacy than our other options, I'd imagine and perhaps might allow us the option of playing with wing-backs a bit more often?

The squad is a bit short of numbers at the back so no problems with this signing, but let's hope he is versatile and can play both sides if necessary.

Davies won't last for ever.  Sounds like one eye on next season.

Could be exactly what we need, more pace on the wings.

Looked promising playing in defensive role in reserves v Notts County at Ilkeston. Good pace and stood up to experienced and physical opposition. Clifton also has gained in strength and plays box to box reliably.
Kevin Nolan and staff shouting instructions from high in a stand, emphasising pressing role for his attack and avoidance of giving away cheap free kicks to his defence. Cardwell and DJ impressed too. Our coaches' style was much quieter but not necessarily poorer for that.
Clements looked off the pace but played some excellent passes when in space.  

Had looked forward to the promised highlights as the camera position was high and weather glorious. Perhaps we have decided not to advertise the talents of our trialists? Understandable perhaps, but many fans will have little to go on to assess our signed players.
Meanwhile, we can watch Scarborough and Solihull Moors.

Quoted from Skrill

Could be exactly what we need, more pace on the wings.

Really?

Bolly and DJ are not getting a start and fit right into what you just said

Welcome aboard.UTM

Welcome.

Its good that the new lad knows Kelly, DJ and Killip in addition to Wilko from his Norwich days.

He will have someone to chat to on the bench! ;)

Is that the 33rd member of the first team squad? We have two competent right backs already at the club, we need either competition or a replacement for our left back who is struggling. Another bizarre decision from the manager in my opinion.

Another Wilko signing, hope it's better than the 2 or 3 others we've signed upto now...

Welcome young man,

I welcome the player to the club and hope he's a success. Really, I do. Of course I do.

But excuse me if I think he'll just become yet another member of a squad who probably won't make more than a dozen appearances this season (possibly all from the bench).

An eye for next season, yes, possibly. I can agree with that.

However, Bignot signed a shed load of players while we already had a shed load of players under contract - with an eye for this season - and it's for this 'over-signing', we're led to believe, that he was given the old heave-ho.

And the dire football didn't help his cause, of course.

Now, is it fair to say that Slade is just doing exactly the same thing? Signing a shed load of players to replace another batch of players that haven't even started their careers at Grimsby yet?

And the football's dire.

Bignot was termed 'clueless' because he was young. Watching this Slade side is just like watching Bignot's side, except with more journeymen.

Fenty sanctioned all those Bignot signings. He's sanctioning loads more under Slade. Fans often wonder where that Bogle money went. We spunked it on all those players you don't remember from last season, and you won't remember half of these next season either.

I wish I could believe we're building for the future, but I just don't see it. Our entire back four could retire this summer.

No wonder none of us feel like there's a connection between the players and fans any more. I don't know who's coming, going or already been here for a year and haven't noticed them.

Welcome RH-J - suspect this might be for a different system???

Before this new lad was signed, we had 3 full-backs in the squad to cover 2 positions. This has been commented on in the past when people have rightly complained about the imbalance of the squad. We don't even have any obvious players who could fill-in at full-back - you'd be talking about playing central defenders there out of position as I don't think any of our wide players have the attributes to be defenders (Bolarinwa aside, perhaps?).

We're actually a little lucky that when Mills was out injured, our 36 year-old right-back didn't pick up a knock as that wouldn't have been any sort of a surprise.

Despite this, we now sign another full-back (who can also apparently play elsewhere) and it's suddenly a poor decision?

Can't help but feel that the criticism of this particular signing is just some looking for any sort of stick with which to beat Slade. It's his responsibility to make sure we have cover across all positions so this signing resolves one of our issues at the back, especially if he has the potential to add some much-needed pace. Obviously, an issue of his own making when he didn't sign enough defenders at the start of the season!

Quoted from above: "I wish I could believe we're building for the future, but I just don't see it. Our entire back four could retire this summer."

So on the one hand let's criticize Slade because the back 4 is too old and then criticize him for signing a young defender.

I sometimes think Hurst nailed it when criticised Town fans.  He achieved one of the hardest jobs in football getting us back in the League despite 5 yrs of fans saying he should be sacked.  We are seeing now what a good manager he is.

I wondered if he's being lined up to play left back perhaps with Dixon struggling for form at the minute? He says he prefers right back but is described as a versatile defender...

Yeah I was wondering that. Give us a bit more attacking threat from full back too.

Apparently he played up front for Braintree?

Quoted from LondonMariner43

Davies won't last for ever.  Sounds like one eye on next season.

That's why he signed a one year deal then  ;)

I can't honestly see Slade thinking that far ahead, he's for now. Maybe as a squad player, but one for this season.

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/october/hall-johnson-signs-for-the-mariners/

Interview is now online

Quoted from RichMariner

I welcome the player to the club and hope he's a success. Really, I do. Of course I do.

But excuse me if I think he'll just become yet another member of a squad who probably won't make more than a dozen appearances this season (possibly all from the bench).

An eye for next season, yes, possibly. I can agree with that.

However, Bignot signed a shed load of players while we already had a shed load of players under contract - with an eye for this season - and it's for this 'over-signing', we're led to believe, that he was given the old heave-ho.

And the dire football didn't help his cause, of course.

Now, is it fair to say that Slade is just doing exactly the same thing? Signing a shed load of players to replace another batch of players that haven't even started their careers at Grimsby yet?

And the football's dire.

Bignot was termed 'clueless' because he was young. Watching this Slade side is just like watching Bignot's side, except with more journeymen.

Fenty sanctioned all those Bignot signings. He's sanctioning loads more under Slade. Fans often wonder where that Bogle money went. We spunked it on all those players you don't remember from last season, and you won't remember half of these next season either.

I wish I could believe we're building for the future, but I just don't see it. Our entire back four could retire this summer.

No wonder none of us feel like there's a connection between the players and fans any more. I don't know who's coming, going or already been here for a year and haven't noticed them.

The right thing to have done with the money would have been to bring in 3-4 quality players on 2-3 year deals we got 2 with Jones/Osborne like you say the rest appears to have been wasted.

Quoted from Maringer

Before this new lad was signed, we had 3 full-backs in the squad to cover 2 positions. This has been commented on in the past when people have rightly complained about the imbalance of the squad. We don't even have any obvious players who could fill-in at full-back - you'd be talking about playing central defenders there out of position as I don't think any of our wide players have the attributes to be defenders (Bolarinwa aside, perhaps?).

We're actually a little lucky that when Mills was out injured, our 36 year-old right-back didn't pick up a knock as that wouldn't have been any sort of a surprise.

Despite this, we now sign another full-back (who can also apparently play elsewhere) and it's suddenly a poor decision?

Can't help but feel that the criticism of this particular signing is just some looking for any sort of stick with which to beat Slade. It's his responsibility to make sure we have cover across all positions so this signing resolves one of our issues at the back, especially if he has the potential to add some much-needed pace. Obviously, an issue of his own making when he didn't sign enough defenders at the start of the season!

I think most people realise we needed another full-back. It's just of the 3 full backs, you mentioned, two of them were right-backs and one was a left-back. Therefore, logically thinking, most people expected us to sign a left back not another right back. So if our left-back is injured we still have the problem of playing someone out of position. So it may not seem, on the face of it, that this signing solves the issue you brought up.

By the sound of the it the guy seems versatile and could possibly fill in at left-back, I don't know, I haven't heard he can but I don't know anything about the guy.

So for me, it's quite logical for people to question the signing until we know different. It's a football forum it's what we do.

Isn’t Ben Davies a more than capable left back if need be ?

Didn't Mills play left-back earlier in the season as well in that game in which he picked up a red card?

Most full-backs can play on both sides if necessary, but I remember hating playing on the left when I was a kid. I'd do it if required, but my left foot was flipping useless for anything but a weak hack up the line and short passes! Hopefully professionals will do a bit better.  :)

Simple fact is that there are always going to be a lot more right-backs around than left-backs because so many more people are right-footed. Dixon has had a bit of a wobbly spell, but I'd expect him to remain first choice. His record playing at a higher level would indicate he should be capable of playing reliably at this level once he settles down.

Quoted from Maringer

Didn't Mills play left-back earlier in the season as well in that game in which he picked up a red card?

Most full-backs can play on both sides if necessary, but I remember hating playing on the left when I was a kid. I'd do it if required, but my left foot was flipping useless for anything but a weak hack up the line and short passes! Hopefully professionals will do a bit better.  :)

Simple fact is that there are always going to be a lot more right-backs around than left-backs because so many more people are right-footed. Dixon has had a bit of a wobbly spell, but I'd expect him to remain first choice. His record playing at a higher level would indicate he should be capable of playing reliably at this level once he settles down.

Dixon has had some very poor patches in quite a few games but at both Chesterfield and Port Vale i thought he did very well

Quoted from LondonMariner43

Quoted from above: "I wish I could believe we're building for the future, but I just don't see it. Our entire back four could retire this summer."

So on the one hand let's criticize Slade because the back 4 is too old and then criticize him for signing a young defender.

I sometimes think Hurst nailed it when criticised Town fans.  He achieved one of the hardest jobs in football getting us back in the League despite 5 yrs of fans saying he should be sacked.  We are seeing now what a good manager he is.

The bit you quoted above was by me, and it's been taken a little out of context.

The point I made still stands - that our entire defence could retire this summer - but I accept that Hall-Johnson could be a player for next season.

If he is, then great. But that's not the vibe I get from a 9-month contract offer.

On the face of it, he's a back-up signing, nothing more. I hope he impresses in his time with us, does well and earns a new contract next season, but based on what's gone before, I don't see that happening.

I'm not calling for Slade to be sacked - and I was a staunch supporter of Hurst. Maybe I'm just fed up of seeing so many players come and go.

It's difficult to attach yourself to any players at the moment. It's also startling to note that after James McKeown our next longest serving player is someone like James Berrett (nothing against the bloke).

I don't think Dixon's as bad as he's made out to be. From what I've seen, Woodford offers no protection in front of him.

In all my years supporting town I can only think of Magnay who seemed assured in both fullback positions and Kevin Jobling was one of those players who seemed capable of 'doing a job' almost anywhere in the team.

Any others in the last 20 odd years? Can't remember Macca venturing to the other side of the pitch.

Paul Bignot? ;)

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

In all my years supporting town I can only think of Magnay who seemed assured in both fullback positions and Kevin Jobling was one of those players who seemed capable of 'doing a job' almost anywhere in the team.

Any others in the last 20 odd years? Can't remember Macca venturing to the other side of the pitch.

Gary Croft?

Tommy Watson could play at full back or midfield.

Loved Tommy Watson. Never stopped running. Real terrier. Not great technically but you always need a few who are willing to put a proper shift in when they put on the shirt.

UTFM

I'm a bit baffled (not difficult) about our recruitment policy. Were we looking for a young,versatile right back and brought some in to trial with that position in mind, or was he offered to us by an agent for a trial and impressed, so we signed him regardless? Did we have to get some out before we brought him in?

We seem to be signing a few players who are free agents after a trial period. We also seem to be having a lot of players in that have been at Norwich, presumably with the Wilkinson link.

Straight out on loan according to RS, to National League side.

Sounds like he's going out on loan soon according to R.S latest interview.

Game time.....with a view to earn a deal for next year.  Im not sure what RHJ is thinking.

Not played a competitive match for nearly 6 months. Makes sense.

Quoted from Meza

Game time.....with a view to earn a deal for next year.  Im not sure what RHJ is thinking.

He's probably made up. Had a trial, worked hard, got a deal for the rest of the season and the chance to earn a longer deal.

Yeah.  Maybe RS has said to him go out on loan get match fit come back and put yourself in contention.  He's probably Davies's replacement maybe?

Slade also said the Club have an option on his contract to trigger a year's extension.

Will Mills and Davies both be up at the end of this season ?

Slade's language post match was about it being "good business" and the short term loan seems like an ideal scenario.....Solihull with Asante might not be a bad idea if they could be persuaded .

Just a bit of background info. Aylesbury boy who is cousin of oxfords Robbie hall





Ps talking of right backs trying to play left back.robbie stock dales effort as left back many years ago is still one of the funniest things I've seen on a football pitch. I really don't think Robbie could kick a ball more than 6 inches with his left foot and boy did he have an uncomfortable afternnon

The lack of a spare LB showed tonight when having to put Davies there, it completely nullified any threat from him going forward

Anyone seen his tackle against Dagenham have a look on Google, it's pretty shocking!

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Anyone seen his tackle against Dagenham have a look on Google, it's pretty shocking!

Slade said he likes a tackle.  :-/

Bizarre

Gone out on loan to Chester

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2017/october/hall-johnson-joins-chester-on-loan/

Why bizarre?

He's had no competitive games for months. Seems sensible to me.

Clearly Slade wants competition for places so if this lad gets some game time under his belt and it works for Clements & Asante with Osborne fit the starting 11 could look very different for the last 3rd of the season.

Are we building a squad to minimise the revolving door in the summer and give us a flying start next season?

Good idea In my opinion get him out on loan to gain match fitness as he's obviously not had much game time and come back In January with Asante and clem fully fit for the final push into the playoffs and hopefully more !!! UTM

Quoted from ginnywings

Why bizarre?

He's had no competitive games for months. Seems sensible to me.

Sorry didn't mean the loan was bizarre - completely understand that. More surprised at the club he's gone to. Can imagine a strange phone call between Bignot and Slade

Quoted from Swansea_Mariner

Anyone seen his tackle against Dagenham have a look on Google, it's pretty shocking!

Shocking tackle at Dagenham, hopefully the Girl Pipers didn't see it.  :)

Quoted from Henryscat

Sorry didn't mean the loan was bizarre - completely understand that. More surprised at the club he's gone to. Can imagine a strange phone call between Bignot and Slade

Yeah, i did think about it later being Chester and remembered Bignot had gone there, so yes, slightly bizarre i grant you.

Quoted from ginnywings

Yeah, i did think about it later being Chester and remembered Bignot had gone there, so yes, slightly bizarre i grant you.

Nothing is bizarre in football. Even when Clough and Taylor fell out personally, their clubs would still do business. Presumably his name was circularised around the NL and Chester were first to pick up the phone.

"Listen" as well as packing his boots I hope he remembered to include his bull sh1t detector!

Just scored for Chester

Playing as a right winger i think.

Quoted from Meza

Playing as a right winger i think.

Why does every thread turn to politics FFS😉

Quoted from Civvy at last

Why does every thread turn to politics FFS😉

Haha......if he carrys on like that he might be a remainer 😉

Quoted from Sigone

Just scored for Chester

And Yussuf scores for Barrow :)

Looks a good game, 2-2 at HT

Quoted from Meza

Playing as a right winger i think.

He's at right-back tonight according to flashscore, with Clements at left mid for Barrow

Bignot will be even more confused than normal.

94th minute winner for Chester

The Marcus Bignot show has begun already then.

He's found his level - lower end of a tin pot league

In my opinion, he had to go.  However, I bear him no ill will at all. He brought a smile to our faces for a little while.  Had it worked out on the pitch he could well have become a firm fans favourite.
He obviously wasn't happy about the way his departure came about, but to me that's understandable.  Even if I don't agree with him. He clearly will be a big hit with the Chester fans to start with. So for me, I'd say 'good luck' unless you play us.  

My Chester supporting mate says although Hall-Johnson was the sponsors MOTM on Saturday he didn't look that impressive.
He also said Marcus wasn't over doing the bullsh1t and has been fairly honest about the performaances

Perhaps he's learned from his brief time at GTFC and the prompt departure? Don't wish him ill and wouldn't mind if he did well elsewhere - just as long as I don't have to listen to his endless spiel.

Maybe he's accepted that he can't be the epicentre of every team he manages. I think we dodged a bullet not retaining him but hope he does well at Chester as they are a decent club

Maybe he's accepted that he can't be the epicentre of every team he manages. I think we dodged a bullet not retaining him but hope he does well at Chester as they are a decent club

Hey look it's all about me .

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Hey look it's all about me .

He said after the game," with such great fans we have here, if I don't get this club promoted in 2 years, I will run round the pitch with a sausage up my bum "   :P :P

Quoted from grimsby pete

He said after the game," with such great fans we have here, if I don't get this club promoted in 2 years, I will run round the pitch with a sausage up my bum "   :P :P

Obviously he must have met Johnnyboy whilst he was here  ;)

From what I've been told he tried to run us like a part time club and was actually an arrogant sharp object off camera