Signing in the morning

Port Vale left back Danny Amos

Can he play right back?  

Definitely need competition for Crookes who offers nothing going forward.

League career so far.


2016–2021     Doncaster Rovers     14

2019             Hartlepool United (loan)     7

2021–2022     Port Vale     0     

Lets hope he can start his career off properly here.

It’s gotta be big.

Looks like a free transfer then > https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/2022/january/danny-amos-and-danny-whitehead-leave-port-vale/

Only 22, hopefully he can get his career back on track with us, if he is really signing.  I would guess till the end of the season, with the option of another 1+ year, we will soon see.

Gem of a signing. Match fit and played loads of games and just what we need.

1878 pushing the boat out here and we can see they mean business.

How many left backs do Port Vale sign if we've taken two off them in the last six months?!

Not wishing to write the lad off already but I am entitled to my opinion, this looks extremely underwhelming, hopefully I am wrong!

Cant be worse than Revan and Crookes needs a kick up the bottom

Meh

Quoted from Davec

Not wishing to write the lad off already but I am entitled to my opinion, this looks extremely underwhelming, hopefully I am wrong!

Bit harsh, if you consider it to just be one signing of potentially 6 or 7 and a direct replacement for Revan (who was poor) then it’s a slight upgrade on our backup. He seems to have won the YPOTY at Donny previously as well.

I’m not expecting all our signings to be superstars, although I am concerned we’re going to replicate last January and leave it to the last minute only to be left with nothing.

Seems to be quite positive reactions to him from Port Vale fans. Certainly much more positive than to Crookes
https://twitter.com/DannyAmos22/status/1481023841833000961?t=-q3Tu44SFa1Tr5KvPEDTlg&s=19

I don't mind this one - young lad with some potential as back up but hopefully to push Crookes harder than Revan could. Other positions need more than that though so let's see what comes next!

Crookes needs competition. Revan was not competition. Hopefully this lad can do this and offers plenty going forward. Only the first signing and I am okay with it

Hopefully him or Crookes have a reasonable right foot for Saturday.

I would guess that this is make/break for the lad in the pro game too.

Quoted from Rodley Mariner

Seems to be quite positive reactions to him from Port Vale fans. Certainly much more positive than to Crookes
https://twitter.com/DannyAmos22/status/1481023841833000961?t=-q3Tu44SFa1Tr5KvPEDTlg&s=19

I don't mind this one - young lad with some potential as back up but hopefully to push Crookes harder than Revan could. Other positions need more than that though so let's see what comes next!

Crookes needs to be the back up to a new player, not the other way around!

Quoted from Davec

Not wishing to write the lad off already but I am entitled to my opinion, this looks extremely underwhelming, hopefully I am wrong!

What would be an overwhelming signing though? Appreciate others may follow the lower leagues with a keener eye than myself, but Town players or ex players aside I've almost always never heard of most players we sign. Don’t know that I’ve ever been blown away by a player we’ve signed initially. Certainly not in recent times anyway.

Quoted from sam gy

What would be an overwhelming signing though? Appreciate others may follow the lower leagues with a keener eye than myself, but Town players or ex players aside I've almost always never heard of most players we sign. Don’t know that I’ve ever been blown away by a player we’ve signed initially. Certainly not in recent times anyway.

Agreed. If it's a striker I suppose there's a goal record to look at, but any left back who isn't Conor Townsend - not a clue.

Crookes has been steady on the whole since signing but his delivery around the box if and when he gets there is really bad. Not many players I can think of that kick a football as poorly as him.

For the recent criticism of Crookes, he was at his best when we had Efete on the constant overlap with Sousa down the right.  To allow this to happen, Crookes almost shifted across into a back three.  He's not your bombing on type full-back, much like how Gregor Robertson wasn't.  Robertson was equally deemed an underwhelming signing.

Amos is 22 with just a handful of games under his belt, which makes it highly unlikely anyone on here has actually seen him play.   He's been released from his contract by a side sixth in the league above us, no great shame in that.  He's also represented Northern Ireland several times at Under 19 and Under 21 level.  He's described as someone who can play either left-back or wing-back.  How the hell can anyone say that's underwhelming?

Is he going to put a 1000 seats on bums for Saturday?  Of course not.  But underwhelming is very harsh.  As Abdul asks, what the hell are you expecting from the signings?

Let’s be fair to Crookes, he had a shocker on Tuesday, but other than that has been really steady. We really missed him when he was out.  

I think we have to attach limited relevance to people who don’t have an informed opinion on individual players.
Some people on here are completely unrealistic about players and indulge in pre-judgement and overstatement. Saying Crookes can’t kick a ball is just daft. I’ve also read recently that neither of our keepers are ‘up to it’, as well as lots of other examples of nonsensical opinions on players like Hunt, Fox, Clifton etc. We are a 5th tier club. Players make some mistakes, sometimes. Watch Prem games and you’ll notice players making mistakes at elite level too. Watched West Ham at Norwich yesterday, and plenty of examples of poor defending.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Let’s be fair to Crookes, he had a shocker on Tuesday, but other than that has been really steady. We really missed him when he was out.  

Yeah, more Gregor Robertson than Conor Townsend, but nothing wrong in that. He surprised me with how bad he was on Tuesday night though - hopefully just a one off and he can get it out of his system as I think there’s a solid enough full-back in there.

Quoted from diehardmariner

For the recent criticism of Crookes, he was at his best when we had Efete on the constant overlap with Sousa down the right.  To allow this to happen, Crookes almost shifted across into a back three.  He's not your bombing on type full-back, much like how Gregor Robertson wasn't.  Robertson was equally deemed an underwhelming signing.

Amos is 22 with just a handful of games under his belt, which makes it highly unlikely anyone on here has actually seen him play.   He's been released from his contract by a side sixth in the league above us, no great shame in that.  He's also represented Northern Ireland several times at Under 19 and Under 21 level.  He's described as someone who can play either left-back or wing-back.  How the hell can anyone say that's underwhelming?

Is he going to put a 1000 seats on bums for Saturday?  Of course not.  But underwhelming is very harsh.  As Abdul asks, what the hell are you expecting from the signings?

I agree. It looks like Port Vale have released Amos because they have paid a decent fee for Chris Hussey from Cheltenham. Hussey is 33 and more of a LCB than LB. Clarke tends to prefer 3 at the back and plays with inverted wide midfielders.

Amos should be a more attacking LB than Crookes and will hopefully provide competition.

As you say, Crookes often tucks in as a LCB when Efete is on one of his long, loping, lung-busters on the other flank. I am hoping Efete's hamstring is being basted with horse placenta juices to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Quoted from diehardmariner

For the recent criticism of Crookes, he was at his best when we had Efete on the constant overlap with Sousa down the right.  To allow this to happen, Crookes almost shifted across into a back three.  He's not your bombing on type full-back, much like how Gregor Robertson wasn't.  Robertson was equally deemed an underwhelming signing.

Amos is 22 with just a handful of games under his belt, which makes it highly unlikely anyone on here has actually seen him play.   He's been released from his contract by a side sixth in the league above us, no great shame in that.  He's also represented Northern Ireland several times at Under 19 and Under 21 level.  He's described as someone who can play either left-back or wing-back.  How the hell can anyone say that's underwhelming?

Is he going to put a 1000 seats on bums for Saturday?  Of course not.  But underwhelming is very harsh.  As Abdul asks, what the hell are you expecting from the signings?

To be fair, he hasn't been released from his contract, his contract has expired and there could be all manner of reasons why he hasn't stayed there longer.

Similar age to Sears with a similar point to prove. The difference is though that this lad isn't dealing with the challenge of moving 4 hours away from home.

I said earlier in the season that Crookes looks like a steady-Eddie type of a player. He's generally been pretty solid but you have to expect the odd error at this level.The likelihood of getting another Danny Andrew/Townsend type of player are slim so we just have to look for somebody solid in general.

Crookes can reportedly also play at centre-back, I seem to remember reading? If so, in the longer term, this Amos lad might give us the opportunity to play a back 3 with wing-backs on occasion. Could be helpful.

We need some new signings, but some people seem to have gone all Little Britain:  "Don't want that one".

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

As you say, Spokes often tucks in as a LCB when Efete is on one of his long, loping, lung-busters on the other flank. I am hoping Efete's hamstring is being basted with horse placenta juices to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.

They say a helping of that juice is useful when typing player's names.  

Sorry Mate.  

Quoted from Mallyner

They say a helping of that juice is useful when typing player's names.  

Sorry Mate.  

Ooops...misspoke about Crookes  

Just testing you were awake  

Looking at his Twitter post, not one bad comment from the 29 who replied.  All complimentary and some saying he was unlucky not to be playing regularly.

C'mon then!!... mornings nearly been n gone and my thumb aches from refreshing twitter!..
On Crookes, he had an absolute mare on Tuesday but that's the only time this season I can say that tbh, he's been reliable up until then, tries to get down the wing but lacks any pace and cannot cross a ball effectively, but for this level he is a more than competent left back imo.

Player numbers are so low that I am pleased for to see any signing.  We could lose even more players this Sat (God forbid).  Lets build from from one new player.  

Quoted from jamesgtfc

To be fair, he hasn't been released from his contract, his contract has expired and there could be all manner of reasons why he hasn't stayed there longer.

Similar age to Sears with a similar point to prove. The difference is though that this lad isn't dealing with the challenge of moving 4 hours away from home.

Ah yeah, fair point.  Even better then.  Couldn't get in the side of a team chasing for promotion in a league above us.  That's not a negative reason for his release in my eyes. For Port Vale to be sixth at this stage of the season, it suggest they're half decent.  They've got the joint fourth best defensive record in that division.  

This signing isn’t actually officially confirmed yet, or at least, I can’t find confirmation.

Quoted from chaos33

I think we have to attach limited relevance to people who don’t have an informed opinion on individual players.
Some people on here are completely unrealistic about players and indulge in pre-judgement and overstatement. Saying Crookes can’t kick a ball is just daft. I’ve also read recently that neither of our keepers are ‘up to it’, as well as lots of other examples of nonsensical opinions on players like Hunt, Fox, Clifton etc. We are a 5th tier club. Players make some mistakes, sometimes. Watch Prem games and you’ll notice players making mistakes at elite level too. Watched West Ham at Norwich yesterday, and plenty of examples of poor defending.

What constitutes an informed opinion? Does going to almost every game count?
I said Crookes kicks the ball poorly, which he does. His technique is bad. He can pass down the line and tackle and do lots of other things well like pass short and head the ball. He is steady which there is nothing wrong with and I like him as a player for Grimsby.
You are in the wrong though if you think he gets his foot around the ball properly when he needs to get the ball in to the box. If you regularly make games you will already know this and be aware of the number of times a cross from deep is spun in to the air clumsily from his left foot.
Tbh I am considering whether you are in a position to pass an informed opinion on him.

It seems from the scant knowledge we have of him, that he is a decent prospect looking to get more game time and settle somewhere.

Seems to be a more mobile, attacking full back/wing back and that can make a big difference to a sides attacking potential, as we can see on the other side of the pitch. Crookes is a steady eddy in defence, but is limited as an attacking option.

He also agreed to go out on loan to Hartlepool and drive up there every day, which says something about his commitment and that's something PH will like about him.

Not actually official yet though, so...

PH saying nothing before the weekend!

Quoted from quebec38

What constitutes an informed opinion? Does going to almost every game count?
I said Crookes kicks the ball poorly, which he does. His technique is bad. He can pass down the line and tackle and do lots of other things well like pass short and head the ball. He is steady which there is nothing wrong with and I like him as a player for Grimsby.
You are in the wrong though if you think he gets his foot around the ball properly when he needs to get the ball in to the box. If you regularly make games you will already know this and be aware of the number of times a cross from deep is spun in to the air clumsily from his left foot.
Tbh I am considering whether you are in a position to pass an informed opinion on him.

Amazing he made it as a pro if your judgement can be said to carry more weight than professionals. Seems to me that this is yet another case of an overstatement because you’ve seen one or two examples of crosses by Crookes that were disappointing. As I’ve said in another thread - professionals make mistakes, and at this level - below the EFL- these errors are likely to be more frequent than you would expect from world class players. Personally, I see a competent left back for this level who has some strengths and some areas for improvement; exactly as you’d expect for an NL left back.

Quoted from quebec38

What constitutes an informed opinion? Does going to almost every game count?
I said Crookes kicks the ball poorly, which he does. His technique is bad. He can pass down the line and tackle and do lots of other things well like pass short and head the ball. He is steady which there is nothing wrong with and I like him as a player for Grimsby.
You are in the wrong though if you think he gets his foot around the ball properly when he needs to get the ball in to the box. If you regularly make games you will already know this and be aware of the number of times a cross from deep is spun in to the air clumsily from his left foot.
Tbh I am considering whether you are in a position to pass an informed opinion on him.

He’s also got small oval mole on his right arm - making him useless in your eyes, now if it had been square you’d be happy.

Quoted from chaos33

Amazing he made it as a pro if your judgement can be said to carry more weight than professionals. Seems to me that this is yet another case of an overstatement because you’ve seen one or two examples of crosses by Crookes that were disappointing. As I’ve said in another thread - professionals make mistakes, and at this level - below the EFL- these errors are likely to be more frequent than you would expect from world class players. Personally, I see a competent left back for this level who has some strengths and some areas for improvement; exactly as you’d expect for an NL left back.

You are actually arguing with yourself here. I’ve already said I like him and think he’s an ok player so what are you going on about? He has poor delivery though and kicks the ball awkwardly, that is literally all I was saying.

I can’t have been any more explicit in stating what else I do like about Crookes and I left loads off as well.

Can’t say anything positive without being called a “happy clapper”, can’t say anything negative without people like you making accusations of making over statements and whatever else. Welcome to the Fishy. What a strange and toxic place.

You’re the one arguing with himself mate. You said he ‘kicks the ball poorly and his technique is bad’. But you ‘like him as a player’?! Right. You see why your view looks all over the place? You’ve backtracked and you’re classicly now deflecting. You’re entitled to your view - carry on. Points have been made and you look a bit daft now. I would read ‘he kicks the ball poorly and his technique is bad’ as a polite way of saying ‘I think he’s cr@p’. But you ‘like him as a player?! Wow. How low are your expectations, and what happens when we get a left back who’s technique is really good? Obviously your view of his ‘technique’ is worth more than the coaches/managers who’ve sanctioned his career in the professional game. I’d quit now and stop digging.

Quoted from chaos33

You’re the one arguing with himself mate. You said he ‘kicks the poorly and his technique is bad’. But you ‘like him as a player’. Right. You see why your view looks all over the place? You’ve backtracked and you’re classicly now deflecting. You’re entitled to your view - carry on. Points have been made.

“Crookes has been steady on the whole since signing”

“He can pass down the line and tackle and do lots of other things well like pass short and head the ball. He is steady which there is nothing wrong with and I like him as a player for Grimsby”

Snippets from my 2 earlier posts in this thread. I also have one criticism of him too. No need to backtrack “mate”

Carry on getting your knickers in a twist chaos 😎

Bristol Mariner also weighing in with a weird post about moles - see above

[tweet]1481687536447762439[/tweet]

Official

Quoted from BenBB

[tweet]1481687536447762439[/tweet]

Official

hahaha he literally told RH no incoming pmsl

Quoted from chaos33

You’re the one arguing with himself mate. You said he ‘kicks the ball poorly and his technique is bad’. But you ‘like him as a player’?! Right. You see why your view looks all over the place? You’ve backtracked and you’re classicly now deflecting. You’re entitled to your view - carry on. Points have been made and you look a bit daft now. I would read ‘he kicks the ball poorly and his technique is bad’ as a polite way of saying ‘I think he’s cr@p’. But you ‘like him as a player?! Wow. How low are your expectations, and what happens when we get a left back who’s technique is really good? Obviously your view of his ‘technique’ is worth more than the coaches/managers who’ve sanctioned his career in the professional game. I’d quit now and stop digging.

Seeing as you keep editing the same post.

What an oddball you are. If you read past all the positive comments including the one where I said I like him as a player, and took the one negative comment and read that as me saying he’s cr@p? Lmao well that’s on you pal - you look a bit daft now right?

As for the awful point at the end of my view being worth more than a professional coaches etc. Remind me what the point is is of the forum if it isn’t to talk to likeminded people with a common interest in GTFC? Isn’t football about opinions? I haven’t once said anything malicious about any player on here so I don’t really get your issue.

“I am all left-footed, I can use my right but it’s more just for standing on!"

A comedian!

Quoted from Southwark Mariner

“I am all left-footed, I can use my right but it’s more just for standing on!"

A comedian!

Certainly not cover for Efete!!!

Attacking and defending, naturally left footed, and hopefully will get a fair chance before the site knocking crew jump in !!

One down - right back cover next ??? And a Saturday debut, perhaps, if Hurst can find someone before 5pm tomorrow?

Quoted from acko338

Attacking and defending, naturally left footed, and hopefully will get a fair chance before the site knocking crew jump in !!

One down - right back cover next ??? And a Saturday debut, perhaps, if Hurst can find someone before 5pm tomorrow?

If not who do you think PH will use a RB obvious choice will be Clifton i reckon but then he is suspended.  So im going with Ben Fox.

Hopefully Crookes can use his right foot for a bit more than standing on Saturday.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Let’s be fair to Crookes, he had a shocker on Tuesday, but other than that has been really steady. We really missed him when he was out.  

Apart from the shocker he had at Solihull!😉

I like Crookes hes a steady player, not many seem to get past him (maybe for pace) but from the appearances ive seen he looks decent signing.

Quoted from quebec38

Seeing as you keep editing the same post.

What an oddball you are. If you read past all the positive comments including the one where I said I like him as a player, and took the one negative comment and read that as me saying he’s cr@p? Lmao well that’s on you pal - you look a bit daft now right?

As for the awful point at the end of my view being worth more than a professional coaches etc. Remind me what the point is is of the forum if it isn’t to talk to likeminded people with a common interest in GTFC? Isn’t football about opinions? I haven’t once said anything malicious about any player on here so I don’t really get your issue.

Oddball?! Ok. You’re the one who’s published view is all over the place.

Quoted from chaos33

Oddball?! Ok. You’re the one who’s published view is all over the place.

Lmao you really don’t get it do you.

There is more to being good at football than having fantastic technique when it comes to kicking the ball.

We’ll break it down in to chunks if you like to make things more simple for you to digest.

Let me know when you understand that and then we’ll go through the next bit pal.

Just have a little look at how you’re coming across. Crosses and ticks. I don’t have an axe to grind. I don’t need you to ‘go through’ your view mate. I couldn’t care less. You own the content of your posts.

Couldn’t care less? Seems that way. I literally said I like Crookes but criticised one part of his game and you have gotten all excited with defending him when there was no reason to.

This is on you, not me. The only reason I’m going on is to defend myself because you seem to have me down as someone going to town on a player negatively when I have done nothing of the sort.

As for the ticks and crosses - if that’s what floats your boat pal then cool but personally I have them switched off. Ticks and crosses on an internet message board don’t determine how I conduct myself nor reflect the kind of person I am.

Quoted from quebec38

Seeing as you keep editing the same post.

What an oddball you are. If you read past all the positive comments including the one where I said I like him as a player, and took the one negative comment and read that as me saying he’s cr@p? Lmao well that’s on you pal - you look a bit daft now right?

As for the awful point at the end of my view being worth more than a professional coaches etc. Remind me what the point is is of the forum if it isn’t to talk to likeminded people with a common interest in GTFC? Isn’t football about opinions? I haven’t once said anything malicious about any player on here so I don’t really get your issue.

Seems he has become the self appointed oracle of this board,nobody can disagree with him,he is a legend in his own mind.

Quoted from chaos33

Just have a little look at how you’re coming across. Crosses and ticks. I don’t have an axe to grind. I don’t need you to ‘go through’ your view mate. I couldn’t care less. You own the content of your posts.

Is that why you are so destructive of other peoples posts then.You really come across as being quite misanthropic,do you need help?

Quoted from Meza

If not who do you think PH will use a RB obvious choice will be Clifton i reckon but then he is suspended.  So im going with Ben Fox.

Longe-King probably.

Quoted from Meza

If not who do you think PH will use a RB obvious choice will be Clifton i reckon but then he is suspended.  So im going with Ben Fox.

Leaving Coke in a midfield 1?

Quoted from friskneymariner

Is that why you are so destructive of other peoples posts then.You really come across as being quite misanthropic,do you need help?

No don’t think so.
There are a few posters contributing cobblers. I’m just commenting on that. If you didn’t post such cr@p, you wouldn’t be called out. Ok with you?

Quoted from chaos33

No don’t think so.
There are a few posters contributing cobblers. I’m just commenting on that. If you didn’t post such cr@p, you wouldn’t be called out. Ok with you?

Contributing cobblers or just having an opinion you don’t agree with?

No, there’s a difference. I like debating topics. Saying a player ‘can’t kick a ball properly’ and has ‘poor technique’ and then, when challenged, saying you ‘like him as a player’ doesn’t really ring true does it. Nowt wrong with challenging people’s views.

Quoted from chaos33

No, there’s a difference. I like debating topics. Saying a player ‘can’t kick a ball properly’ and has ‘poor technique’ and then, when challenged, saying you ‘like him as a player’ doesn’t really ring true does it. Nowt wrong with challenging people’s views.

The weird thing here is we are agreed we both think he is a good footballer. I said I liked him before it ever took you to “challenge” me.

What you can’t seem to separate in your weird mind is that you can be good at football whilst not kicking it with great technique.

I would point you in the direction of a podcast with a recent £30m footballer that admitted until recent years that he didn’t kick the ball very well at all - he just didn’t get it. But that would blow apart this weird obsession you have with Adam Crookes’ left foot.

You are quite a rude bloke aren’t you chaos.

I’m rude? You’re the one getting all defensive and using pejorative words. What’s wrong?

Lmao. Cringing for you here.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Leaving Coke in a midfield 1?

ah, forgot about that.  

Long-King came on for Efete so i guess he would do the same again.  Not sure Long-King is the right choice for me, sure we have someone who is right footed with some pace, maybe Max.

I love opening a thread after a long day at work to find an argument going on, keep up the good work lads 👍

Quoted from ginnywings

Longe-King probably.

Would it make sense to go with three at the back given no right back and play 2 out of Sousa, Wright & Scannell as the wide players, Fox, Coke, in front of back three with McD, McA and Taylor up top?

Hopefully quite an attacking approach.

Quoted from chaos33

No, there’s a difference. I like debating topics. Saying a player ‘can’t kick a ball properly’ and has ‘poor technique’ and then, when challenged, saying you ‘like him as a player’ doesn’t really ring true does it. Nowt wrong with challenging people’s views.

So where does belittling someone for a misplaced comma fit in? seems to be like a pretty shallow and vacuous to me,come across a few people like you before

I’ve never had a threesome but I guarantee it would be just like this.

Chaos and Quebec banging away like middle-class families on Clap For Carers night and me, crouched in the corner, bashing F5 like my life depended on it.

Quoted from Poojah

Yeah, more Gregor Robertson than Conor Townsend, but nothing wrong in that. He surprised me with how bad he was on Tuesday night though - hopefully just a one off and he can get it out of his system as I think there’s a solid enough full-back in there.

The thing with gregor though was that although he lacked pace he had a very good cross from deep so still offered something in attack. Crookes most definitely lacks that. He is also clearly not the sort of player to beat a man and cut a back a cross after getting in behind. This means he offers nothing going forward.

I agree with the opinion otherwise of being very much a steady Eddie reliable player defensively and pretty tall for a full back so useful in the air defensively etc. It's strange though, despite this defensive steadiness I seem to remember that up until a couple of months ago we did seem to have a weakness for letting goals in from that left side when we were talking about weaknesses. (can't really think if that has continued mind) I wonder if that was due to having to cut inside a bit as the team shifted across to accommodate effete being a bit further forward. And that in turn meant that with crookes not being the quickest that when teams broke they had a bit more time on that left side? Because he seems very reliable when  the play is directly in front of him.

To be honest since he's return one thing I have been really disappointed in is hursts recruitment at full back. He has had a few shockers to be honest, bunny the worst (possibly for health reasons) but Haversham was poor and revan doesn't look upto men's football in division 5. Effete, crookes and sears whilst not bad are not a patch on the likes of magnay, tait, Danny Andrew, Connor townsend, and Robertson who he brought in in his first spell.

Habergham  not Haversham flipping predictive text!

Toontown you are in for it now pal 😂

Quoted from quebec38

Lmao. Cringing for you here.

Don’t. Look back at your posts on this thread and own what you’ve written. You were challenged. You didn’t like it. Save your cringes for yourself.

Quoted from chaos33

Don’t. Look back at your posts on this thread and own what you’ve written. You were challenged. You didn’t like it. Save your cringes for yourself.

😬😂

Quoted from friskneymariner

So where does belittling someone for a misplaced comma fit in? seems to be like a pretty shallow and vacuous to me,come across a few people like you before

Errr….

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

I’ve never had a threesome but I guarantee it would be just like this.

Chaos and Quebec banging away like middle-class families on Clap For Carers night and me, crouched in the corner, bashing F5 like my life depended on it.

😂

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

Would it make sense to go with three at the back given no right back and play 2 out of Sousa, Wright & Scannell as the wide players, Fox, Coke, in front of back three with McD, McA and Taylor up top?

Hopefully quite an attacking approach.

That might work if Wright and Scannell weren't made of twigs and cotton.

Think it's also quite a big change to personnel and formation, so I would be inclined just to keep it simple and keep LK at right back.

If Wright and the new lad were fit and raring to go, then maybe playing with 3 at the back and wing backs could work, but too many ifs and buts in that scenario I think.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

I’ve never had a threesome but I guarantee it would be just like this.

Chaos and Quebec banging away like middle-class families on Clap For Carers night and me, crouched in the corner, bashing F5 like my life depended on it.

Surely that would be a foursome Knut - you're missing out Friskney who's come across a few people like Chaos before.

Call it a hunch but I'm going to guess Hurst will not be picking Scannell at wing back either this Saturday or on any others.

😂

Quoted from quebec38

Toontown you are in for it now pal 😂

I know that, the bigot that I supposedly am! 😉

Quoted from quebec38

The weird thing here is we are agreed we both think he is a good footballer. I said I liked him before it ever took you to “challenge” me.

What you can’t seem to separate in your weird mind is that you can be good at football whilst not kicking it with great technique.

I would point you in the direction of a podcast with a recent £30m footballer that admitted until recent years that he didn’t kick the ball very well at all - he just didn’t get it. But that would blow apart this weird obsession you have with Adam Crookes’ left foot.

You are quite a rude bloke aren’t you chaos.

Good film that.

Quoted from toontown

To be honest since he's return one thing I have been really disappointed in is hursts recruitment at full back. He has had a few shockers to be honest, bunny the worst (possibly for health reasons) but Haversham was poor and revan doesn't look upto men's football in division 5. Effete, crookes and sears whilst not bad are not a patch on the likes of magnay, tait, Danny Andrew, Connor townsend, and Robertson who he brought in in his first spell.

Is this a bit of a myth?  

Obviously having to take into account when Hurst was with Scott at the helm, his first summer of recruitment was 2011, from there I think it's quite a mixed bag as to who's brought in as full-back, on either side.

2011-12

Gary Silk, Jamie Green, Conor Townsend (loan).

Silk was average at best, Green could have been excellent if it wasn't for chronic injury problems whilst Townsend was a huge success.

2012-13

Sam Hatton, Aswad Thomas

Hatton very average as I recall.  Thomas went from very impressive to very frustrating at an alarming pace.

2013-14

Paul Bignot, Jamal Fyfield

Less said about these two the better.

2014-15

Carl Magnay, Daniel Parslow, Gregor Robertson.

Magnay was a big success, although he tailed off post Christmas as I remember.  Parslow was more utilised in midfield and I think the previous comments on Robertson sum him up nicely.

2015-16

Danny East, Richard Tait, Evan Horwood, Anthony Straker, Conor Townsend (loan).

Successes first.  Tait and again Townsend.  Both excellent additions and I think you'll do well to ever find a finer pair of full-backs at Conference level than those two.  Tait was an upgrade on Magnay, even when it looked unlikely we would ever do so.  Townsend was absolutely levels above anyone else by this point.  Arguably the best player I've seen in a Town shirt in terms of how much better he was than the level we were operating at.  Quite literally a Premier League player slumming it in the Conference.  

East - thought he was ok but inconsitent.  Horwood, brought in as short term cover for Robertson and largely average.  Straker, awful.

2016-17

Danny Andrew, Zak Mills, Dan Jones, Ben Davies.

Andrew was class and I think it's fair to say only his knee history resulted in us having a chance of signing him, no surprise he's progressed back up the ladder.  Mills had potential and whilst I expected him to go onto better things, he's consistently performed either at the same or a level above us since leaving.  Davies was a very astute signing.  Jones never got a chance other than that bizarre decision by Bignot to play him in centre-mid at home to Donny.  He's interesting a near ever present for the Port Vale side that our new signing couldn't get into...

early 2021

Joe Bunney, Sam Habergham

I didn't think Bunney was as bad as some made out. Whereas Habergham clearly looked a player who had been good a few years back, I guess in both cases unfortunate how injuries had robbed them of their abilities.  Also says a lot when we ended the season with Evan Khouri and Harry Clifton playing out of position ahead of them.


All in, yeah there's some real success stories like Magnay, Tait, Andrew and Townsend.  But largely there's a lot more what I would class as poor to average signings than good ones.   I think that's the nature of football transfers, not all will be amazing.  But over a course of 8 full years (taking 2021 as a whole), it's not exactly outstanding from Hurst on the full-back charge sheet is it?

2021-2022 so far

Michee Efete, Adam Crookes, Ryan Sears, Seb Revan.

Efete the stand out of the bunch but after an impressive start he's faded a bit (as per most the team since October).  Crookes is very steady and I honestly don't get the recent negativity towards him.  Sears I thought was fine, much like Crookes on the other flank but obviously bigger issues at play.  Revan was poor to be honest.

When you look at that list DHM has posted it's clear the likes of Danny Andrew, Connor Townsend, Carl Magnay and Richard Tait have clouded our judgement.

Efete and Crookes have been decent on the whole and Sears looked good when he played but it's off field issues there.

I think our biggest mistake this season is offering Giles Coke another year and making him captain. Aside from injuries and suspensions, you would expect the captain to be in the starting 11 most weeks.

I’d agree it has turned out to be an error with Coke but I think it would be harsh to put it on Hurst. He was good last season and everyone welcomed the move in the summer.

Shame what’s happened with him though although tbf I think it was the Chesterfield game he played well and then obviously went off early against Halifax at home. I hope he can continue to recover his form but he does look leggy.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I love opening a thread after a long day at work to find an argument going on, keep up the good work lads 👍

Just did the same during my lunch break, crikey what a load of old nob rot, We really do need to win a game of football. I have just had a bet that says we will win by three or more clear goals utm

I think the thing with Coke is that he was exactly what we needed last season.  We lacked someone who could just protect the back four and be a bit of a shithouse, not just in terms of ruffling feathers but that really quite annoying habit of getting in the way just at the right time to halt a dangerous attack.  

He was also someone who was prepared to be brave and hold onto the ball, not just finding the easiest way to get rid of the ball.  He was calm, composed and slowly it spread to the rest of the team - albeit not quite enough to get us out of trouble.

This year though our aspirations are better than of 12 months ago.  We don't want someone in the heart of the midfield who is going to look after the back four and recycle play in a nice manner.  We're up against teams who have that in place themselves.  We don't want to even be in a position where we need to have someone shielding the back four, hell we don't want the ball going anywhere near them and when it does they should be good enough to deal it with it themselves.  We want people who can make things happen on an attacking front.  

Naturally there has to be a balance and you can't have 10 attackers out there.  But the better teams would have someone in the deepest midfield role who can still switch play at pace, drag opposition players out of position, carry the ball forward themselves and create chances.  Arguably that's the role Alex Hunt can and did do (at times).   It's not Coke's game, not anymore. But largely the midfield itself is quite imbalanced.

I'm not so sure that signing Coke to another contract was a mistake.  Just that we didn't get the rest of it right.  If you had Coke in a 3-man midfield with say John McAtee and another attack minded player, that we largely lack so let's say Harry Clifton and he's under orders to bomb forward, you would probably get away with it.  But if you've got Coke, Fox and Hunt in there it's not really dynamic.  You've got two guys who want to take the ball off the centre-backs and then the other who is looking to be that all action box-to-box with an eye on breaking stuff up too.  

Coke's probably got a role to play, but ironically it's probably in a team that's set up to be quite gung-ho.  With him as the one who gives the freedom to the full-backs to bomb on, the other midfielders to push further forward etc.

I think Coke is one of those plyers that is appreciated more by managers and team mates than he is fans.

Agree. I think he’s being a little harshly judged by some.

Agree, harshly treated. I'm sure he makes a contribution off the field, which people don't take into consideration.