Doug Tharme and Curtis Thompson

Quoted from diehardmariner

Well as others have said his recruitment so far hasn't been too bad..

Artell doesn’t pick the signings though? He’s head coach. He isn’t the manager. He has an input in the process, maybe even a veto, but recruitment is not in his remit.

Hume and Tharme were both targets in the summer for example.

If Cheltenham are relegated, I still think that George Lloyd would be an asset to sign to improve the midfield or in the No 20 role.

He showed graft in harassing defenders and also scored a few goals.

There may be more rough diamonds in Arlett's wish list and he will have his known wants from previous experiences and going to see matches.

If he wants Hunt back for creativity in passing, then he  another Pouton like player as a strong protector in midfield.

I saw Hunt in his last game playing more on the right flank for York, so I wondered if that was something where he may have more time for thinking and crossing?

A strong midfield is an essential so not to let teams overpower us.

Weaknesses this season - poor accuracy in passing, lack of ball control once received, slow play which is allowing opponents time to reset, players not showing on the flanks to spread play, so many goal chances not being converted.

Even saying that we have players who have been injured, the players at this level should be capable of trapping and controlling the ball in less than 4 or 5 touches.

I can see some ruthless decisions being made at season end, but would wish all leaving players success unless they come up against us !!

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Artell doesn’t pick the signings though? He’s head coach. He isn’t the manager. He has an input in the process, maybe even a veto, but recruitment is not in his remit.

Hume and Tharme were both targets in the summer for example.

Yeah absolutely, he said on the DN35 podcast he gets a veto but anybody who thinks he's identifying these players and leading on signing them is barking up the wrong tree.

He said when he came he wouldn't be leading in this, Stockwood said after Hurst went one of the reasons for it was because he didn't listen to the recruitment team in the summer but went his own way a lot.

Keep hearing this, oh his signings in January were good - he isn't signing them. If it had been Pearson instead say we would have had the opportunity to sign at least most of them, quite possibly all

Quoted from Poojah

Agree this is both an opportunity, and the right time, to be ruthless. Personally, I’d offer Hume a contract, still think there’s a role for Clifton if we can play him alongside better players and feel we should probably offer Ainley something if only for the optics, but the rest I broadly agree with.

Worth noting though that such an opportunity is a double-edged sword; if we’re going to ring the changes then we sure as shít need to make a better job of it than we did last summer.

I think the only footballing argument for retaining Clifton is his versatility which makes him an asset on the subs bench and as a squad member to cover for injuries and suspensions. I really don’t understand why so many of our fans think he’s such a good player when, IMO, he’s distinctly average. Still I’m a big fan of both Glennon and Hunt so we all have our blind spots.

If I am Head coach there is no way on God's earth am I not having a huge say in who we sign, despite having a recruitment specialist.

Also, players often gravitate to managers they know or trust, or have played for previously.

I can understand the recruitment chap recommending some names unknown to the manager, and then helping with any recruitment process but no manager or Head coach will allow players to be signed who he isn't happy with as its his job on the line.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

I think the only footballing argument for retaining Clifton is his versatility which makes him an asset on the subs bench and as a squad member to cover for injuries and suspensions. I really don’t understand why so many of our fans think he’s such a good player when, IMO, he’s distinctly average. Still I’m a big fan of both Glennon and Hunt so we all have our blind spots.

I can see both arguments. It’s clear that he has a great engine and covers a huge amount of ground, which like the Serge Makofo / pace argument isn’t all that useful, but did score 9 goals last season and has scored 20 in the last 3 seasons, which is reasonable for a midfielder.

I don’t think he’s played particularly well this season, and has found himself out of the starting line-up on merit, but I do think that surrounded by better technical players and with a bit of confidence (which I think he’s lost) he has the potential to be an asset for us next season.

That said, I understand the argument of his dissenters nonetheless. Personally, I think playing away from his home town might do him some good.  

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

If I am Head coach there is no way on God's earth am I not having a huge say in who we sign, despite having a recruitment specialist.

Also, players often gravitate to managers they know or trust, or have played for previously.

I can understand the recruitment chap recommending some names unknown to the manager, and then helping with any recruitment process but no manager or Head coach will allow players to be signed who he isn't happy with as its his job on the line.

Err, yeah he said he had a veto. It doesn't change anything I said

I do not get the whole negativity regarding Clifton and can't believe some are questioning keeping him next season. Yes it has not been his best season but like him or not he is proven at this level. He was player of the season last year by some distance. Do we need some better technical players? Yes of course, but you need a balance and mixture of everything. I still believe we are a better team with Clifton in it than not.

As I have said on another thread I am cautious of a full clear out this summer. I would be keeping our better out of contract players and that includes Clifton. I have a feeling Green will stay as well, Artell seems to like him. Artell has said in a previous interview that discussions with 2 out of contract players have started, no idea who these are but I think he will look to keep at least a few for some consistency.

Quoted from HarrogateMariner

I do not get the whole negativity regarding Clifton and can't believe some are questioning keeping him next season. Yes it has not been his best season but like him or not he is proven at this level. He was player of the season last year by some distance. Do we need some better technical players? Yes of course, but you need a balance and mixture of everything. I still believe we are a better team with Clifton in it than not.

As I have said on another thread I am cautious of a full clear out this summer. I would be keeping our better out of contract players and that includes Clifton. I have a feeling Green will stay as well, Artell seems to like him. Artell has said in a previous interview that discussions with 2 out of contract players have started, no idea who these are but I think he will look to keep at least a few for some consistency.

I got a dozen + red crosses for suggesting similar. But I agree. This has been a v poor season for him but hes hardly been the worst player. His versatility n engine n passion are all extremely valuable topls

Quoted from forza ivano

I got a dozen + red crosses for suggesting similar. But I agree. This has been a v poor season for him but hes hardly been the worst player. His versatility n engine n passion are all extremely valuable topls

Definitely keep if we can as he's proven at this level, this is his worst season, he's suffered as others have but he's far from being the worst performer. However, I reckon he will go to Shrewsbury to link up with Hurst.