Reserves v Port Vale

Quoted from barrattstandman

Ricky Miller . ......17 games 1 goal for Vale this season . End of !

Totally out of favour with Aspin, and also difficult to get in a team that mainly plays only 1 up front and that will always be the Pope, Also rumours abound re horizontal jogging in all the wrong places at all the wrong times, and too much drinking, but it is all rumour/hearsay coming from around Burslem,  

Quoted from Madeleymariner

Totally out of favour with Aspin, and also difficult to get in a team that mainly plays only 1 up front and that will always be the Pope, Also rumours abound re horizontal jogging in all the wrong places at all the wrong times, and too much drinking, but it is all rumour/hearsay coming from around Burslem,  

A player for whom the Conference appears the right level. Have to say I am surprised that he has failed at Luton, Peterborough & now PV given his glut of goals in the Conference. Thought him & Pope were nailed on for 35 goals between them so good job I am not in charge of player recruitment 😄😄

Taken from the GET

Michael Jolley got the chance to take a look at some of the players vying for a return to the starting XI in League Two as Grimsby Town’s reserves were beaten 3-1 by Port Vale.

Among those looking to impress the Mariners boss was Adam Curry, who was playing as a trialist from Hull City.
So, how did the defender get on? And how did his team-mates for the day fare?

Sports writer James Findlater runs the rule over the reserves’ performances at Blundell Park…

Sam Russell – 7/10
Made a few comfortable saves, and couldn’t have done much about any of the goals – especially the second, which proved a cruel blow after Town’s hard work. The Mariners are certainly in safe hands with their goalkeeping coach.

Reece Hall-Johnson – 6/10
Made a few useful bursts going forward as he returned to a more regular position at wing-back, and looked as solid as he usually does in helping out his back three. It’s good to see plenty of competition at full-back for Town.

Harry Davis – 6/10
A welcome return for the defender after serving his concussion protocol, and he looked calm and composed at the back as well as being steady on the ball before making way at the break.

Ludvig Ohman – 6/10
There doesn’t seem to be much danger of the Swede missing a header! Looked to have built up a decent understanding with his new team-mates, although it’s still very early days for him yet.

Adam Curry (trialist) – 7/10
A solid showing from the young Hull City defender, who looked to have a good understanding with his team-mates for the day despite only being on trial. Certainly worth consideration based on his performance.

Sebastian Ring – 7/10
Looked confident on the ball, and the wing-back role appeared to suit him well. Proved to be a danger with his crosses in from the left, which could have easily led to Town taking the lead before the break.

John Welsh – 7/10
A good showing in the engine room from the Mariners skipper. He showed the strength and guile which has brought him success over the years, and made a case to earn his place back in the regular side.

Martyn Woolford – 6/10
Had a couple of shots from distance which didn’t quite come off for him, and aimed to offer some support to the front three whenever the opportunity arose.

Jordan Cook – 7/10 (STAR MAN)
Worked his socks off to stake a claim for a return to the starting XI in the league. Could have easily opened the scoring in the first half but for a superb save, before showing great composure from the spot.

Rumarn Burrell – 6/10
Showed great pace and energy up front without getting any results. Had a great opportunity to take the lead before the break after bearing down on goal.

Ahkeem Rose – 6/10
Perhaps didn’t see as much of the ball as he would have perhaps liked, but still played a big part by winning the penalty that drew Town level for a short time.


FROM THE BENCH
Alex Whitmore (Harry Davis 45): A fairly solid return for the defender on his return from suspension, and he’ll be eyeing up an immediate return on Saturday – 6/10

Mattie Pollock (Ohman 61): Continues to show why he’s so highly thought of, and even offered some support going forward.

Ollie Saunders (Ring 61): An able replacement at wing-back as Town rang the changes.

Tom Jamieson (Hall-Johnson 61): Showed plenty of energy in getting the Mariners forward.

Kyle Richardson (Woolford 77): A cameo for the midfielder as Town continued to search for an equaliser.

Curry didn't look any better than the other center backs at the club to me on that showing.. Ring looks good tho hard to judge in a reserve match.

Ohman seems impressive in the air never really got tested on the deck today tho. Cook worked hard tho his final ball let him down a few times today.

Quoted from TwoLeftFeet

Curry didn't look any better than the other center backs at the club to me on that showing.. Ring looks good tho hard to judge in a reserve match.

Ohman seems impressive in the air never really got tested on the deck today tho. Cook worked hard tho his final ball let him down a few times today.

I'd agree with that entirely.  

Having had a quick Google of Curry it seems he's risen from the depths of the Northern Premier League to the Championship quite quickly.  Unfortunately, based on that single showing, he looks far more suited to the former.  He's a big enough lad and wasn't frightened of putting his body in the way but a real lack of pace and positional sense.  It is one game and it may be he's not used to playing in a back 3 but on that showing I wouldn't personally be having another look.  Pollock came on for 30 minutes and looked a much better prospect.  

I guess if Jolley is thinking of going to a back 3 again, he'll need/want a left footed centre back, which Curry appears to be.

Regards Cook, I think the issue with him is that he doesn't have a really outstanding attribute, or enough of one to displace someone ahead of him in the pecking order.  If he plays in midfield, he's not got the energy levels that Clifton or Hessenthaler have.  If he plays up front he hasn't got the physical attributes that Thomas or Cardwell have and if he plays in that advanced midfield/withdrawn striker role he's not as technically good as Embleton or Vernam.  Which sort of mirrors what we were told about him when he was at Luton, not had a settled place and then never quite good enough to move up the pecking order when he did get a chance in a position.