Defensive Signing

Incoming apparently.

Desperately hoping a forward player is right behind them, I know Hurst doesn't like to move too quickly but you could argue our next 5 fixtures are the biggest in our recent history given their proximity to us in the table.

I hope it's two players from at least L1 level, and who we have paid substantial transfer fees for.

It's it's a couple of has been free transfers from L2 reserve teams or kids from the Conference I would say we may as well forget it and start following a local tiddlywinks team instead.

Quoted from RonMariner

I hope it's two players from at least L1 level, and who we have paid substantial transfer fees for.

It's it's a couple of has been free transfers from L2 reserve teams or kids from the Conference I would say we may as well forget it and start following a local tiddlywinks team instead.

H*ll, Sunderland and the gimps (as well as others from league 1) played in the papa John’s or whatever last night, so would only presume that it could be a player from one of those??

Ben Richards Everton a possibility?

Yeahhhhh C'mon, lets go!

[tweet]1349304741151584257[/tweet]

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Ben Richards Everton a possibility?

Hope not. Wasn't good enough for Bradford, who have just replaced him with Niall Canavan. He's only played 140 games in his career, so he's a back up at best for me.

Not rated by Bradford fans
He was good to start with but found wanting of late.
Big unit though

Cant hear him

any position signed is good for us really at the minute, anyone coming in now can see the job that needs doing and get into the mindset required for the challenge ahead

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

H*ll, Sunderland and the gimps (as well as others from league 1) played in the papa John’s or whatever last night, so would only presume that it could be a player from one of those??

i had a look at lincoln's squad a week or 2 ago and there's not much slack there.seems to be a pretty regular squad and the bit part players are either youngsters, which i don't think we need, or loanees

one name stood out at Dull Shitee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_McLoughlin_(footballer)

only played in Mickey Mouse and League Cup games

Would be happy with someone physical and vocal like Krystian Pearce

Quoted from A.l.f.

Would be happy with someone physical and vocal like Krystian Pearce

Don’t understand the enthusiasm for Pearce as think he’s a very similar player to Waterfall and IMO certainly no better and although he may give the squad more defensive depth don’t see it as an improvement which is what we need.

But we all have views on players and over the years I have probably been wrong more than right with my enthusiasm for new signings.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Don’t understand the enthusiasm for Pearce as think he’s a very similar player to Waterfall and IMO certainly no better and although he may give the squad more defensive depth don’t see it as an improvement which is what we need.

But we all have views on players and over the years I have probably been wrong more than right with my enthusiasm for new signings.

He's also been released by Solihull recently as they didn't extend his contract. I know our current predicament isn't attractive and the team is like a bucket with holes but I would hope we would be going for someone a bit more ambitious than Pearce. Although he's only 31, Mansfield....and clearly Solihull as well...got rid of him for a reason I'm sure.

A CB with a bit of pace, please God.

Pollock & Waterfall look like they’re running in treacle and when you’ve no pace in the back line, you inevitably end up sitting deeper to avoid anything going in behind you.

Pierce got rid of by Solihull because of money, not because of performance according to Solihull fans, look at how highly rated he is by other clubs he's played for. I feel we need another centre half but i'd love to see Hewitt make the switch, personally feel he would be our best option there by a country mile.

Quoted from ska face

A CB with a bit of pace, please God.

Pollock & Waterfall look like they’re running in treacle and when you’ve no pace in the back line, you inevitably end up sitting deeper to avoid anything going in behind you.

The lack of pace will really hinder Pollock's progress. The last couple of games particularly highlighted his lack of pace and he really is very slow even over short distances. Shame for the lad, but I suspect it will mean talk of the Premier League will be a fantasy.*

*Makes diary note for 18 months as he signs for... in the Premier league.

*Breaking news*

Paul Hurst signs himself and Ben Davies for Grimsby Town.
"Defense needs strengthening", he says in a comment to BBC Radio Humberside.

I’m glad it’s a defender TBH, we need to become much harder to beat

Pearce was playing for Solihull as he is local to them. I expect he'll get a league club in this window.

Not that I'm touting for his signature.

Wouldnt be surprised if its toto nsiala followed hursty just about everywhere

Quoted from gtfcmd

Wouldnt be surprised if its toto nsiala followed hursty just about everywhere

I wish.

There's a tough balance here between waiting patiently to get the "right" signings in, and needing players desperately because our next 4 games are against other teams down the bottom.

It'll make it very hard to stay up if we get some players in at the end of the month after potentially losing, or not winning any of, our next 4 matches.

so who does the new defender replace? Waterfall because of his  shortcomings or pollock, because he's being sold??

Glad it’s a defender, you only have to look at the goals against column to see we have issues there.

Quoted from gtfcmd

Wouldnt be surprised if its toto nsiala followed hursty just about everywhere

I would be flabbergasted if Toto coms back, but would be pleased to see him

Quoted from forza ivano

so who does the new defender replace? Waterfall because of his  shortcomings or pollock, because he's being sold??

We need a bit of pace at CB. So either of those could be the plodder along side the new pacy guy.

Quoted from forza ivano

so who does the new defender replace? Waterfall because of his  shortcomings or pollock, because he's being sold??

Very much doubt there is a queue for Pollock at the minute.

How strange that we've not heard any names, normally out there by now...

I know i don't post here often so you can choose to dismiss this post if you like, but as i keep seeing posts saying Pollock is being scouted and he's worth this, that and the other i thought i'd share a chat i had with a friend who is a scout for numerous teams at the top end of the football food chain and he absoultely assures me there has been no interest from any teams in Mattie Pollock. Holloway was apparently touting him around in the summer and he offered him to Leicester City for £250,000 but they weren't interested, saying he was too slow to make it at any level above League 1.

Quoted from drew peacock

I know i don't post here often so you can choose to dismiss this post if you like, but as i keep seeing posts saying Pollock is being scouted and he's worth this, that and the other i thought i'd share a chat i had with a friend who is a scout for numerous teams at the top end of the football food chain and he absoultely assures me there has been no interest from any teams in Mattie Pollock. Holloway was apparently touting him around in the summer and he offered him to Leicester City for £250,000 but they weren't interested, saying he was too slow to make it at any level above League 1.

Interesting you mention that, there definitely have been scouts watching Pollock, one in particular who represents a few clubs in the midlands, as for actual interest in signing him I’m not sure.

What interests me more is what you say about Holloway touting him around. I was told the same was being done with the young lad Boyd, and the only reason he played him was to increase the profile of the club and its youth academy and to drum up some interest in some of our youngsters. It just so happens he then scored a screamer. Apparently then a “source” from our club leaked to the media that the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea were interested.

Quoted from jimgtfc

Interesting you mention that, there definitely have been scouts watching Pollock, one in particular who represents a few clubs in the midlands, as for actual interest in signing him I’m not sure.

What interests me more is what you say about Holloway touting him around. I was told the same was being done with the young lad Boyd, and the only reason he played him was to increase the profile of the club and its youth academy and to drum up some interest in some of our youngsters. It just so happens he then scored a screamer. Apparently then a “source” from our club leaked to the media that the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea were interested.

yy



We have learnt not to believe anything Hollowhead said.

Quoted from drew peacock

I know i don't post here often so you can choose to dismiss this post if you like, but as i keep seeing posts saying Pollock is being scouted and he's worth this, that and the other i thought i'd share a chat i had with a friend who is a scout for numerous teams at the top end of the football food chain and he absoultely assures me there has been no interest from any teams in Mattie Pollock. Holloway was apparently touting him around in the summer and he offered him to Leicester City for £250,000 but they weren't interested, saying he was too slow to make it at any level above League 1.

No idea if this is true, but wouldn't be at all surprising.  I doubt if he will ever go beyond league one.

A George Santos type signing would be great.  A massive leader at the back (literally and metaphorically).  Ultimately he wasn't able to keep us up but he gave us hope.

Bobby Moore was slow but alas Mattie is not a Bobby Moore.

Good League one player though.

We need a Toto type at CB, A Disley leader in midfield, A Nolan creative sort, A bogle a quick handful unit up top and an Amond  - A clever fox in the box.

If we can get/keep Wright, Morais and Scannell fit, I think we will have the wide men to give us the service we need

Quoted from jimgtfc

Interesting you mention that, there definitely have been scouts watching Pollock, one in particular who represents a few clubs in the midlands, as for actual interest in signing him I’m not sure.

What interests me more is what you say about Holloway touting him around. I was told the same was being done with the young lad Boyd, and the only reason he played him was to increase the profile of the club and its youth academy and to drum up some interest in some of our youngsters. It just so happens he then scored a screamer. Apparently then a “source” from our club leaked to the media that the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea were interested.

Were they wearing khaki shorts, a neckerchief and going "dyb dyb dyb"?

Quoted from LondonMariner43

No idea if this is true, but wouldn't be at all surprising.  I doubt if he will ever go beyond league one.

Not all about pace... a certain Paul Futcher had none what so ever, but kept Stan Collymore and various other strikers quite... Positional sense is key mind... He should hopefully develop that.. 8-)

Harry Maguire is hardly quick, but goes to show, pace is not the be all...

Another Danny Collins type when he first came would be ideal

Quoted from MarshMariner

Not all about pace... a certain Paul Futcher had none what so ever, but kept Stan Collymore and various other strikers quite... Positional sense is key mind... He should hopefully develop that.. 8-)

Harry Maguire is hardly quick, but goes to show, pace is not the be all...

Paul Futcher played the game with his head,  literally and metaphorically speaking, his reading of the game and anticipation was top drawer. Not to mention his composure and footballing ability.
Sorry, I find it hard to turn down waxing lyrically about futch whenever the opportunity arises. What a player. A centre back half as good would be a big improvement on what we have presently.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Ben Richards Everton a possibility?

Gone to Barnet.

Quoted from Mariner1980

Gone to Barnet.

We could have dodged a bullet there!

Pollock can still improve over the next 8 years or so.  He may not get faster but his reading of the game, positioning and experience should all get better.  He is selling potential.

Quoted from TownSNAFU5

Pollock can still improve over the next 8 years or so.  He may not get faster but his reading of the game, positioning and experience should all get better.  He is selling potential.

This.

Easy to criticise but the lad is still only young. Won’t reach his peak potentially for another 5/6 years at least. Needs to keep playing to develop and play alongside someone that compliments him. I find the Waterfall/Pollock combination too similar in style and that causes imbalance on the back line. Agree with some other comments that he needs a bit of pace alongside him.

Quoted from Tommy

There's a tough balance here between waiting patiently to get the "right" signings in, and needing players desperately because our next 4 games are against other teams down the bottom.

It'll make it very hard to stay up if we get some players in at the end of the month after potentially losing, or not winning any of, our next 4 matches.

We could sign 4/5 players tomorrow, stick them in the starting line up and get beat worse than we already have done. I appreciate what you are getting at but if we don’t get it right and sign players for the sake of it, we are doomed. Just have some patience and we’ll get there.

Re: Pollock... Josh Gowling came to watch him didn’t he? He’s Hereford manager (who are semi-pro) and does part-time scouting for West Brom.

Our best hope is two or three good loan signings.

I know I will be hammed for this but we have a very mobile CB
Hewitt
Every time he's played in that position he's been better than the CBs we have.

Quoted from TAGG

I know I will be hammed for this but we have a very mobile CB
Hewitt
Every time he's played in that position he's been better than the CBs we have.

Better on the ball and more mobile and quicker than pollock n waterfall.

Personally I’d go pollock and Hewitt.

Quoted from itsnotcoditshaddock

Glad it’s a defender, you only have to look at the goals against column to see we have issues there.

We have issues everywhere

Hewitt is a wanderer and often loses his concentration. He’s often failed to track his man throughout his time with us.

Also think Hewitt could be an adequate RB or CB.
Surely his wandering can be coached out.

Not sure why Hendrie isn’t an option for LB we also have Harb and Preston.

Investment is desperately needed midfield and striker dependent on formation.
We have few nailed on in these 6 places

Scannell and Hanson, nailed on but not fit
Wright if fit

Not sure any of the others are up to it

Quoted from Sandford1981

Paul Futcher played the game with his head,  literally and metaphorically speaking, his reading of the game and anticipation was top drawer. Not to mention his composure and footballing ability.
Sorry, I find it hard to turn down waxing lyrically about futch whenever the opportunity arises. What a player. A centre back half as good would be a big improvement on what we have presently.

This....Pure Quality!

My fear is that we're playing Pollock too much. He's gone from an up-and-coming prospect to a first team regular without any real option to rest him.

I'm not doubting his talent one bit, but when you're thrown into the professional game as young as Pollock was, you need protecting to a degree. He's been playing against wily and tough opponents week in, week out, and you do well to remember that he's still only 19.

It's been brilliant for his development but he's been playing so much that I worry he's regressing. The Mattie we're watching right now isn't the Mattie we saw break through. He's being forced to play in high-pressure games at a very young age and while that can be seen as a positive in terms of experience, we need to guard against him going down the Simon Ford route.

He broke through at a young age under Lennie, I think, and was overused because of our budget cuts in 2002/3 and 2003/4. He had some talent but he ended up in the first team, almost as default, and played in poor squads, which suffered back-to-back relegations.

I want Mattie to be judged at his best, and I think he needs a break. Trouble is, with Ohman and Mohsni released, and Idehen a similar age with less experience, we don't have a choice.

I'm not a fan of Waterfall but I think he can improve a little under Hurst, and that may be enough with someone more capable alongside him.

Quoted from TAGG

I know I will be hammed for this but we have a very mobile CB
Hewitt
Every time he's played in that position he's been better than the CBs we have.

We would miss him in mid- field though , best player on our books in my humble opinion, VERSATILE.

Quoted from Sandford1981

Paul Futcher played the game with his head,  literally and metaphorically speaking, his reading of the game and anticipation was top drawer. Not to mention his composure and footballing ability.
Sorry, I find it hard to turn down waxing lyrically about futch whenever the opportunity arises. What a player. A centre back half as good would be a big improvement on what we have presently.

Don't ever apologise for waxing lyrical about the great Futch. What a player, and center half he was. We were lucky to have Futch and Gary Birtles in the same team. Now that was football!!!

Quoted from TAGG

I know I will be hammed for this but we have a very mobile CB
Hewitt
Every time he's played in that position he's been better than the CBs we have.

Said this for ages, he's mobile and has an unreal ping on him. Especially if we wanted to play out he was by far our best option there and obviously wants to play for the club.

“Arsenal have recalled Zech Medley and Trae Coyle from their loan spells at Gillingham, with the pair set to return to London Colney within the next 24 hours.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans told BBC Radio Kent that he expects Medley and Coyle to return to Arsenal despite both players having initially joined the League One club on loan for the season.

Medley featured prominently earlier in the campaign before an injury halted his progress, while Coyle has mainly been used as a substitute.

It is expected that both players could be loaned out again shortly, with Arsenal eager for them to gain further experience of senior football.”

From
Arseblog.com

So have we signed anyone?

Quoted from malkamalka

Arsenal have recalled Zech Medley and Trae Coyle from their loan spells at Gillingham, with the pair set to return to London Colney within the next 24 hours.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans told BBC Radio Kent that he expects Medley and Coyle to return to Arsenal despite both players having initially joined the League One club on loan for the season.

Medley featured prominently earlier in the campaign before an injury halted his progress, while Coyle has mainly been used as a substitute.

It is expected that both players could be loaned out again shortly, with Arsenal eager for them to gain further experience of senior football.

I did see this earlier and wonder. Coyle has played 21 times for Gillingham this season but has only made 3 league starts. Medley, an absolute unit of a centre half, has had more game time but hasn't started since the end of November.

You'd imagine a move to League Two for at least one of them would be the next logical step. A basement division relegation scrap might just put a few hairs on the chests of the southern softies...

Quoted from davmariner

So have we signed anyone?

Nah. Ask again tomorrow

Quoted from Poojah

I did see this earlier and wonder. Coyle has played 21 times for Gillingham this season but has only made 3 league starts. Medley, an absolute unit of a centre half, has had more game time but hasn't started since the end of November.

You'd imagine a move to League Two for at least one of them would be the next logical step. A basement division relegation scrap might just put a few hairs on the chests of the southern softies...

Coyle was very good for me on Football Manager!!

Quoted from malkamalka

Arsenal have recalled Zech Medley and Trae Coyle from their loan spells at Gillingham, with the pair set to return to London Colney within the next 24 hours.

Gillingham manager Steve Evans told BBC Radio Kent that he expects Medley and Coyle to return to Arsenal despite both players having initially joined the League One club on loan for the season.

Medley featured prominently earlier in the campaign before an injury halted his progress, while Coyle has mainly been used as a substitute.

It is expected that both players could be loaned out again shortly, with Arsenal eager for them to gain further experience of senior football.

You forgot the quotation marks from your cut n paste

Quoted from mimma

Don't ever apologise for waxing lyrical about the great Futch. What a player, and center half he was. We were lucky to have Futch and Gary Birtles in the same team. Now that was football!!!

Wouldn’t happen these days because former top level players don’t need to come to places like this.

Quoted from KingstonMariner

You forgot the quotation marks from your cut n paste

Source:

https://arseblog.news/2021/01/coyle-and-medley-recalled-arsenal-loanees-round-up/

Quoted from KingstonMariner

You forgot the quotation marks from your cut n paste

Source:

https://arseblog.news/2021/01/coyle-and-medley-recalled-arsenal-loanees-round-up/

So what are you saying Malky?

That's another one gone belly up!...not looking like Hurst is making much headway unfortunately, think he'll be lucky to get anybody in, starting to worry we we won't see any changes this month...feel a bit down hearted if I'm honest ..

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

That's another one gone belly up!...not looking like Hurst is making much headway unfortunately, think he'll be lucky to get anybody in, starting to worry we we won't see any changes this month...feel a bit down hearted if I'm honest ..

thinking we need to get the hoses on the pitch and get saturday postponed!

ps if it goes ahead and you want to make some money Sarfend are 12-5 with Betfair and William Hill

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

That's another one gone belly up!...not looking like Hurst is making much headway unfortunately, think he'll be lucky to get anybody in, starting to worry we we won't see any changes this month...feel a bit down hearted if I'm honest ..

The only way he can make signings is from the out of work pool like Habergham or loanees. He’s in the same boat as Holloway but worse. The club is even less attractive long term now than it was in the summer, who is going to want to sign on and be playing non-league in a few months even if offered top whack?

It isn’t negativity it is reality. I hope it isn’t but it is looking increasingly like make do and mend what we have. Fingers crossed there are still irons to be pulled out of the fire.

Quoted from ancientmariner54

We would miss him in mid- field though , best player on our books in my humble opinion, VERSATILE.

I think we've missed the influence of Hewitt's pace and performances at centre half much more than him adding very little effect in his recent midfield outings, in which he has been as anonymous as anyone else..

Quoted from ancientmariner54

We would miss him in mid- field though , best player on our books in my humble opinion, VERSATILE.

As you rightly say it’s all about opinions, and I’ve not got anything against Hewitt as a player, but if he’s the best on our books then imo we are more f8cked than I thought we were

Quoted from Posh Harry

As you rightly say it’s all about opinions, and I’ve not got anything against Hewitt as a player, but if he’s the best on our books then imo we are more f8cked than I thought we were

I like Hewitt but, like you say, he shouldn’t be our best player. I’d like to see him as a gap filler with his versatility rather than first name on the team sheet.

Quoted from Bigdog

I think we've missed the influence of Hewitt's pace and performances at centre half much more than him adding very little effect in his recent midfield outings, in which he has been as anonymous as anyone else..

How many games has he played centre half?

Quoted from arryarryarry

How many games has he played centre half?

If I recall he's played in the back 4 a few times, under Jolley I remember him doing a good job at right back with Hendrie going on the left. Couple of times he's filled in as centre half his certainly looked more than competent in that role...saying that, we still need a seasoned centre half, almost a Danny Collins esque...just not quite so slow though and one who doesn't confuse the steward with McKeown!!..