- Print Topic - Archive

Quoted from The Yard Dog

That bus has passed, we need to move.

The bus hasn't passed, if he is available and we have a decent chance at adding him to our ranks we would be absolute fools. The guys been playing year in year out in the Championship and has more pedigree than all our current centre-backs.

As unlikely as it seems that he would join us anytime soon, I'd never scoff at the idea of him coming back at any age. Danny Collins was an ageing former Premier league centre back and was a great success imo

Quoted from jaygy

As unlikely as it seems that he would join us anytime soon, I'd never scoff at the idea of him coming back at any age. Danny Collins was an ageing former Premier league centre back and was a great success imo

Always felt in the minority where Collins was concerned in that I thought he was a bit excrement.

Bennett would be great but not entirely sure I’d break our defence up to accommodate him just yet…

Quoted from aldi_01

Always felt in the minority where Collins was concerned in that I thought he was a bit excrement.

Time was always against him but he improved us when he came in. Options of Pearson, Gowling and Boyce weren’t really sufficient for League Two at the time.

Quoted from aldi_01

Always felt in the minority where Collins was concerned in that I thought he was a bit excrement.

Bennett would be great but not entirely sure I’d break our defence up to accommodate him just yet…

I agree. He read the game very well, but was so slow that we dropped incredibly deep all the time and were always under pressure as a result.

Bennett has play a lot in a back three, so I see him a great addition to the squad if PH wants to play that way. Not sure he would greatly improve the team in a back two. But what do I know?

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

Bennett has play a lot in a back three, so I see him a great addition to the squad if PH wants to play that way. Not sure he would greatly improve the team in a back two. But what do I know?

Why upset the apple cart? We have 4 quality centre halves and i imagine he would blow the wage structure apart.

Next summer Shaun Pearson is out of contract and probably unlikely he stays, Andy smith returns to Hull leaving us with Maher and waterfall. If there’s any possibility of Bennett now it would be a terrific signing and a real statement. Would also give us a genuine option of playing 3 at the back this season.

I thought Collins was 'solid', but not much more. You could just as easily have thought he was a veteran lower division defender as compared to a former international Premier League player.

Quoted from Superdan147

Next summer Shaun Pearson is out of contract and probably unlikely he stays, Andy smith returns to Hull leaving us with Maher and waterfall. If there’s any possibility of Bennett now it would be a terrific signing and a real statement. Would also give us a genuine option of playing 3 at the back this season.

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.

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?

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.

Quoted from Maringer

I thought Collins was 'solid', but not much more. You could just as easily have thought he was a veteran lower division defender as compared to a former international Premier League player.

Nothing about the way Collins played at town would’ve have given you an idea he played top flight football, speed aside, most of those lads stand out still when they drop down.

If Bennett came in, it’d be great and probably a statement of intent but we have, in my opinion one of the best centre halves in the league and whilst waterfall would even admit himself that he’s knocking on, the pair of them have a great understanding…

Lol he isn't coming here.

I wouldn’t rule it out. To be released his contract will have been paid up at least in part and with his ties to the area he could afford to fit into our wage structure if he chose to.
I think Smith is to good to be here beyond the end of this season and Hurst doesn’t seem to want to play Pearson so there would seem to be reasons for both parties to be interested in a deal.

Quoted from mimma

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???

They did recall Townsend to sell him to Scunthorpe but he was only on an emergency loan, not a season long one.

Quoted from aldi_01

Always felt in the minority where Collins was concerned in that I thought he was a bit excrement.

Bennett would be great but not entirely sure I’d break our defence up to accommodate him just yet…

Collins was excrement? Next joke please

Never mind playing for us, he could probably afford to buy us.

Player Chairman. :)

Quoted from ginnywings

Never mind playing for us, he could probably afford to buy us.

Player Chairman. :)

Nah, not anymore, the early bird price of buying 50 grands worth of shares for £500 ended with hollowtwãt

If you wouldn’t want him at out club then you have to be mad.
Premier/championship defender and would be far to good at our level.
If he signs it would be one of the best signings by any club in this division.

Give your heads a wobble!

Quoted from monkeyboy

If you wouldn’t want him at out club then you have to be mad.
Premier/championship defender and would be far to good at our level.
If he signs it would be one of the best signings by any club in this division.

Give your heads a wobble!

Bit in bold surely referring to anyone who believes we’re signing Bennet.

Haven’t seen Bennet play for years so can’t comment on his current ability.

What I can say is that Smith and Waterfall are an excellent partnership I wouldn’t be in a hurry to break it up. And I say this as one of the many who would happily have seen Waterfall depart a couple of seasons ago.

Smiths and Waterfall were both properly excellent today.

Our defensive record is good. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Quoted from gtfc98

Collins was excrement? Next joke please

All about opinions. Sadly, for me, Collins is just another in a long line of players coming for another pay day. Was average at best and can’t think of a performance that stands out.

As for Bennett, who knows. I guess some of it depends on what he wants and what Hurst wants.

Might not be everybodys thoughts but i'd much rather blow what we have on trying to sign smith long term , we've had some good young centre halfs in my time watching the mariners but this lad best of the lot bennett included , he can pass tackle head & he covers the ground like a gazzelle

Quoted from cardiffmariner

Haven’t seen Bennet play for years so can’t comment on his current ability.

What I can say is that Smith and Waterfall are an excellent partnership I wouldn’t be in a hurry to break it up. And I say this as one of the many who would happily have seen Waterfall depart a couple of seasons ago.

Smiths and Waterfall were both properly excellent today.

Our defensive record is good. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Almost every game this season, Smith has made a howler of a mistake and if we'd played clinical teams, he'd be getting slated for costing us so many goals. It's fine margins, but the rave reviews are a bit much. For the other 89 minutes, he looks a class above.

Take the emotion and the fact he is a former player out of the picture and if we were linked to a former experienced premier league centre back with 4-5 years left, everyone would be very happy. I can’t see it happening personally due to a number of factors but it was only a couple of games ago we had to play Efete at centre half, football moves fast!

Quoted from pen penfras

Almost every game this season, Smith has made a howler of a mistake and if we'd played clinical teams, he'd be getting slated for costing us so many goals. It's fine margins, but the rave reviews are a bit much. For the other 89 minutes, he looks a class above.

Fair point, I agree with that. Has to work on his concentration, otherwise looks great.

Quoted from toontown

Fair point, I agree with that. Has to work on his concentration, otherwise looks great.

Arveladze has gone on record to say that he needs to reduce numbers now. As much as I like Bennett, I’d rather have Smith.

Quoted from toontown

Fair point, I agree with that. Has to work on his concentration, otherwise looks great.

That's why he's out on loan isn't it? Not a dig at you mate but I really get fed up when people pick fault with some of the young loanees we've had over the years. They're learning the game by playing first team competitive football, we all know (well most of us do) that they'll make mistakes and are not the finished article.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

That's why he's out on loan isn't it? Not a dig at you mate but I really get fed up when people pick fault with some of the young loanees we've had over the years. They're learning the game by playing first team competitive football, we all know (well most of us do) that they'll make mistakes and are not the finished article.

Equally I think some people are guilty of going over board bigging players up and making out their flawless. A bit of balance that's all.

I think he's great, and I'm sure he'll learn from those occasional errors and become even better.

Quoted from toontown

Equally I think some people are guilty of going over board bigging players up and making out their flawless. A bit of balance that's all.

I think he's great, and I'm sure he'll learn from those occasional errors and become even better.

I know these are big ifs but :
If we get promoted or at least make some progress in the play-offs and
If Hull want to sell him then Smith would be an excellent signing for the future and certainly worth paying good money for. He is a developing, young defender who you could build a good defence around.
Like I said, big ifs but IMO a better option than signing a top class defender who is approaching the twilight years of his career.

Quoted from rancido

I know these are big ifs but :
If we get promoted or at least make some progress in the play-offs and
If Hull want to sell him then Smith would be an excellent signing for the future and certainly worth paying good money for. He is a developing, young defender who you could build a good defence around.
Like I said, big ifs but IMO a better option than signing a top class defender who is approaching the twilight years of his career.

Don't disagree although I am sure he will be out of our financial reach, he looks better than Pollock for example.

Mind you I thought that would be the case with Glennon...

Quoted from toontown

Equally I think some people are guilty of going over board bigging players up and making out their flawless. A bit of balance that's all.

I think he's great, and I'm sure he'll learn from those occasional errors and become even better.

👍👍👍

If Smith was making zero mistakes he’d be in Hulls first team. The long term win for Hull is that we develop him and at some point they either get an oven ready player back or they cash in. We get a bloomin’ good player for a year which is great, but ultimately the goal for true sustainability has to be developing our own youngsters and selling on. We’ve had limited success over the years, Drinkell, Wilko, Oster and Bennett, although two of those came through the youth setups at other clubs. Okay we’ve sold a couple in the last two or three years but not exactly a production line.

Academy’s cost money, I get that but I see us as at least equal with Peterborough, Rotherham and until recently Brentford. All three have benefited to greater/lesser extents from either developing talent and/or buying cheap and selling high. It’s clear already that Jason and Andrew are no fools, but I just have an inkling that they didn’t just buy the club because of being fans/Grimsby born and bred, I’m of the opinion that they have a business plan that will be gradually revealed which will not only secure short term success, but also long term consistent growth.

Do we need Bennett? No

Would he improve us if he signed? Hell yes.

Undoubtedly an outstanding player and in this division he would certainly make us a force by adding that quality and experience.

Would I want us to break the bank and put us under strain financially to sign him.... No.

I think we have enough quality in the 4 we have, in Waterfall, Smith, Maher and Pearson (although I appreciate Smith may not be a long term option and this will probably be Pearson's last season with us).

In all honesty though, I cannot see Bennett dropping down to this division anyway and I'm surprised he's not signed on with either Hull, Lincoln, Sheff W or Barnsley (the last 3 I feel would be more realistic).

All players make mistakes, it's part and parcel of being human. Does Smith make many mistakes? I don't think he does, and sometimes his speed can get him out of a hole.
If it wasn't for the fact that Bennett once played for us, he would have gone under the radar of another ex premier league player that has been released.
I would break the bank to keep Smith simply because he is only starting out, so we would get a player with his career in front of him as opposed to Bennett. We would get a fair few years out of Smith or a big pay day. To me it's a no brainer.

i thought when we got towler he was good but smith in a differant league for a 20 yr old centre back to be like him week in week out is astounding , if we could i'd sign him in a heartbeat he will be a championship player shortly on a regular basis if not hull then a champs bigboy

collins was excrement and Smith makes a howler every game

Good god almighty ;D ;D ;D ;D

Quoted from Hagrid

collins was excrement and Smith makes a howler every game

Good god almighty ;D ;D ;D ;D

Exactly my thoughts. Both demonstrably nonsense.

Smith and Bennett Centre back partnership for us in league 1 next season, you heard it here first :)

Who says Bennet would be expensive? the guy is rich. he doesnt need the money now does he?
He may be looking at coaching role to go with playing , who knows?

We are the club that gave him his break and we treated him very well too, why wouldnt he want to come back here?
Its not about money for all players. hes got plenty enough to retire if he wanted and never have to worry.

I have no idea whether he’d be interested in coming back, and agree that if location is important Hull and Sheff Weds would be more attractive.

Not sure about Lincoln as a more likely destination though. For the last couple of years maybe, but is that still the case?

There’s not many league places between us now and our trajectories look to be quite different right now.

If I was already highly regarded at a club that helped launch my career I know where I’d go.

Quoted from jaygy

Smith and Bennett Centre back partnership for us in league 1 next season, you heard it here first :)

Wouldn't that be lovely?
In all honesty we are going to be looking for a decent experienced centre back before too long, as Waterfall can't go on forever (especially if we did manage to go up)

Quoted from fishcake63

i thought when we got towler he was good but smith in a differant league for a 20 yr old centre back to be like him week in week out is astounding , if we could i'd sign him in a heartbeat he will be a championship player shortly on a regular basis if not hull then a champs bigboy

Smith is a good young player who is doing very well for us so far, but let's not gloss over the fact that he's only made 6 appearances in the Football League to date. Bennett left us when he was a year younger and he'd already made over 100 Football League appearances by then.

Whether or not Bennett is the player he was even a year or two back, I don't know, but I don't think Smith measures up to him if you compare them at similar ages. Smith looks a really good prospect. Bennett was a really, really, really good prospect who has spent the majority of his career at least a couple of divisions above where we are now and I suspect he'll be playing at a higher level this season as well (if fit, of course).

I'd assume Bennett will find himself a League One club not too far from N.E. Lincs in due course. Lincoln and Burton look as though they could do with a bit of shoring up in defence, for instance!