Lenell John-Lewis return (merged)

Happy with that. Works extremely hard, will bring others into the game and make the ball stick. Seems to have got over his injury and scored a few allbeit at a lower level, but undoubtedly an improvement on what we have. Still only 31 - plenty have got over bad injuries with some time lower down to re-find their form.

As for the stick he got whilst here, was massively unfair - yes he missed a few howlers, but more than made up for that with goals he made for others, his workrate and still got 16 himself - he also looked like he gave a intercourse, which is more than you can say about 90% of what we've got at the moment.

Hanson, Payne and Shop - not awful at lg 2 level by any account if they can stay fit.

Is this confirmed?

If he's the player he was 5 and a half years ago he'll be a cracking signing. Chances are he isn't, but he'll still be an improvement.

Quoted from Neilo83

Is this confirmed?

No, but the rumours have been gathering momentum for some time. He's not playing at the moment as his league is currently suspended and we desperately need reinforcements up front, so it would make perfect sense. Hurst has signed him more than once and he's obviously fit and firing as he's scored 9 goals this season. He's got more to offer than Green, Jackson or Gibson for sure.

As things stand, teams in the NLN and NLS will be looking to get their wage bills down. If the non league structure goes t1ts up this season, there will be plenty more to choose from, but right now is what is important and who is realistically available and wants to come here.

A number of managers do this
Not necessarily or just for ability but things like hard work, setting example, trust, loyalty, good in dressing room

Cloughie always too McGovern and O'Hare with him - and latter was very rarely a starter

PH needs people he can trust and knows

And LJL only 31 - has scored a few this season (admittedly two tiers below) - knows PH and Payne - played at a good level

He really can't be any worse than our strikers apart from Hanson

Payne, LJL, Rodman (?)

Good buys IMO

At the minute I’d just be happy with someone who understands the offside rule, doesn’t foul the oppo when they’re facing their own goal and who has taken a shot in the last 6 months.

Just having a quick look on Twitter at the reaction, it genuinely never fails to amaze me how some of our fans don't quite seem to grasp the concept that there's more to playing up front than just scoring goals.

LJL will be brought in to do the grafting.  He'll be there to chase everything down, to make sure defenders don't have any breathing space, to force them into making mistakes.  It'll be up to the likes of Payne, Scannell, Wright, Morais etc. to take advantage of those mistakes.  Also to work off his ability hold the ball up.

We're 23rd in the league and with less than a week to go before the transfer window shuts.  We were never going to sign 11 players who are perfect.  Hurst recognises the value and importance of what people bring to the team.  Just like how he isn't going to put two flair players in central midfield, he isn't going to just chuck two poachers up front.  

LJL improved when he was with us especially in terms of his first touch, that was reflected in the goals he scored before he left. He's a unit as well and isn't easily bullied, I also remember even through it didn't always go well for him he never gave up, always put in a shift and backed himself from the spot. Looking at what we had even with Payne being added if he's anywhere near match fit I'd take him.

Plus the main thing is Hurst trusts him to set the right tones and examples on and off the pitch.

Quoted from pontoonlew

Really not convinced on this signing, seems like nostalgia taking the lead instead of any real common sense.

It's not fans signing him, it's an experienced professional football manager. IF Hurst is looking to bring him in it'll be because he feels he can offer us something now, rather than the fact that he was good for us 5 years ago.

We desperately need to bolster our attacking options, because...

Hanson = massively injury prone and only just returned from a lengthy spell out.

Green = low on confidence, perhaps past it?

Payne = just returning from injury but looks a good signing on paper

Sisay, Jackson Jr, Gibson......maybe they might come good at some point, but right now they can't be relied on. We need experienced heads to get out of this shite.

We really do not have much.

Quoted from ska face

Our current options are two lads who were at Folkestone Invicta and Halesowen Town (step 7) last season. LJL has scored 9 in 10 a level above, and has spent his entire career in divisions above that. So I’d say he’s an improvement on what we’ve got.

I do love how pepple on here slate Jackson Jr and Gibson for coming from non-league and tryin to mek their way in the pro game. The 2 of them have scored more goals than Hanson and Green combined. You only hav to look at our midfields lak of assists to see our issue ain’t a striker one. We don’t have midfielder who can pass to feet or and don’t look fit meaning we hardly have any possession. Coupled with he fact that our defenders like to hoof of our strikers are stuffed. Hurst was right on Saturday some of our so called experienced players seem to be looking for their last payday.