Donovan Wilson Signs

From Sutton on a 2 year deal. Striker

Know nothing about him but seen him described as pacy which we’ve really been missing. Welcome Donovan!

Is he exclusively a striker or can he play across the front line?

Seems like a pacy striker who scored goals in the NL, but struggled in EFL due to Sutton playing long ball.

Liking the sound of the Pace..

People should look further than the basic stats. I think he’ll do very well here.

Don't think there will be many on here who knew a lot about him.

Hopefully adds a different dimension and finds his goal scoring boots.

Welcome and good luck Donovan.

If you look at the stats the service is there from glennon and efete, pace running into the box could be the key to making us the league 2 dark horse of the season

Reading his resumé, excites me. Been around a few clubs at home and abroad. Has a decent goals tally. Hurst had an eye on him for a few years and originally enquired in January. Great couple of days, unlike Town this. Things are changing, for the better UTM.  

Good with the ball, has pace and didn't adapt to playing long ball at Sutton apparently, just read that from a really good poster on Twitter,

If you dive deep into the stats of the Sutton guy, it actually tells a better picture and would be indicative of the moneyball technique being used. His career is a fascinating one being played across multiple countries. He started at Bristol Rovers and then Wolves paid a fee for him, when at Wolves he played in the cup competitions and the league, mainly used because of his explosive pace. Went out on loan to Port Vale and scored 1 in 8. Went out on loan to Spains equivalent of L2 and scored 6 in 16. Returned to England and went to Exeter replacing Trist Abrahams, only started 3 times and came off the bench 7 times. Career is then badly hampered by Covid and the seasons curtailing for the next few years until he signs for Sutton and scored 7 in 16 to help them promoted to L2.

There’s obviously a player there based on his pedigree and his assets seem to be very similar to Trist Abrahams in the fact of he’s very explosive with his pace. Never seems to of had a solid run of games in his career barring the last 2/3 years.

Looking into his stats from last season - Suttons main attacking outlet last season creating the most chances for the squad. Seems the data driven approach has found this one and him and Rose play into Hursts philosphy of goals are gonna come from all over the pitch rather than one single striker scoring you 30. Has a very clinical conversion rate and was one of the fastest players recorded in the league last season, could well be a diamond in the rough.

Great opportunity for a food stall tie-in at BP! Donovan's Doner Van!

Love a striker with some pace!

Can’t go just off goals but 7 goals in 2 seasons for a striker is beyond underwhelming

Loves scoring against the Scunts aswell  

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Tweet 1429775428953251842 will appear here...

Loves scoring against the Scunts aswell  

I like him! He's already a legend!

PS big crowd in for that game at a big club with big support.

Hmmm, not so sure about him now, basically everybody scored again the scunts, that was one of their problems, but seriously, welcome Donovan.

Quoted from WHYWONTYOULETMESIGNUP

If you look at the stats the service is there from glennon and efete, pace running into the box could be the key to making us the league 2 dark horse of the season

That's clearly become the aim now .

We are copying  past top 3 teams route to promotion , and attempting to mould a squad mirroring Leyton Orient & Stevenage recently and one's from recent seasons I suspect .

10 goals apiece can be expected from Clifton ,Rose and Donavan ,so a good start on that front .

I fully expect us to obtain a high quality midfield player ,maybe more patience will be required on that one though .

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I like him! He's already a legend!

PS big crowd in for that game at a big club with big support.

I only realised at the very end of the video that it wasn’t from the fanless, Covid season.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Tweet 1429775428953251842 will appear here...

Loves scoring against the Scunts aswell  

That looks like Scunny but the stands are empty so it can’t be can’t it???

Happy again with this one. Strong and quick, theoretically complimenting the other two strikers we've got on the books (Orsi, if he stays, as the fox-in-the-box and Rose as the intelligent link-up type).

Interesting that Hurst makes a point that he can play wide, down the middle or just off the frontman.  That suggests to me that a) we're definitely going to be seeing a proper No.9 walking through the door at BP and b) we won't be rigid with the system we're playing.

Quoted from Poojah

I only realised at the very end of the video that it wasn’t from the fanless, Covid season.

I think it's from a pre season game at Ilkeston.

Quite excited by this one, it's great to see so many positive moves in the transfer market so soon in the close season.

Exciting times!

Be good to see him linking up with Hunt - a more mobile frontline should bring the best out of him & his passing/vision.

Another one we can't fathom - South London to Grimsby. I've never heard anything as unrealistic.

Where will he live, what about his social life and how will he cope ( being a young man and all that) from being so far away from a big city?

It did not work out for Chesterfield when they putt all their eggs in one basket with one top striker.
Spreading the goals around the team is a far better approach and less of a risk.  

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Another one we can't fathom - South London to Grimsby. I've never heard anything as unrealistic.

Where will he live, what about his social life and how will he cope ( being a young man and all that) from being so far away from a big city?

You've got to remember the owners had a video made to send to prospective players highlighting all the good bits of the 'Meggies Riviera', it's clearly a very good film!

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Another one we can't fathom - South London to Grimsby. I've never heard anything as unrealistic.

Where will he live, what about his social life and how will he cope ( being a young man and all that) from being so far away from a big city?

It's even more impressive when you consider that Donovan Wilson is the only footballer in the whole of the UK who is moving clubs this summer.

A Sutton fan we know says this about him:

"Good on his day but they were too few and far between. Might do well with a new challenge as he may have gone a bit stake with us and the way we played.
He is useful at shielding the ball on the ground one on one and can turn players,  but tends to go it alone rather than bringing others into play."

Also said Donovan is not much good in the air so whacking it up to him won't work, but he seems a likeable bloke.

We have had a few Donovans playing for us over the years.

If you are as good as them you will do for me lad.

Welcome

Heard that he was too mellow in the yellow of Sutton, but that he's quick enough to catch the wind.

Quoted from Maringer

A Sutton fan we know says this about him:

"Good on his day but they were too few and far between. Might do well with a new challenge as he may have gone a bit stake with us and the way we played.
He is useful at shielding the ball on the ground one on one and can turn players,  but tends to go it alone rather than bringing others into play."

Also said Donovan is not much good in the air so whacking it up to him won't work, but he seems a likeable bloke.

I live in Sutton and know a few that go and watch regularly. They seem to suggest their style of play has done him no favours at all. However they like him and think he has bags of potential especially if given the chance to play to his strengths.

Having someone up top who can outpace the defenders will often give Alex Hunt another pass option.Could work well.

Without any research whatsoever I am sure that every time there has been a Donovan in the team we have won promotion*:

Don 1962
Terry 1979
Kev 1998
Wilson....??

* Go on prove me wrong  

Good opening interview, I liked the way he explained the Spain move and I'm guessing that's what Hurst was getting at when he said he likes football.

On a positive note. Hopefully Wilson is back pretty soon. 6 goals in 12 League Two appearances so far. 4 of those goals from coming off the bench.

Been told he can fid another club once he gets off his sickbed, Efete and Amos also been told surplus to requirements and this was all prior to the Walsall debacle.

Quoted from male private Nale

Been told he can fid another club once he gets off his sickbed, Efete and Amos also been told surplus to requirements and this was all prior to the Walsall debacle.

I'd be surprised with that but suppose what use is a player who cant stay fit

Still say Efete is better than Mullarkey but I'm not a football manager. Both will always be remembered here for the promotion season

Quoted from male private Nale

Been told he can fid another club once he gets off his sickbed, Efete and Amos also been told surplus to requirements and this was all prior to the Walsall debacle.

Artell said he’d spoken to some players when he was on RH on Monday. Amos’s deal is up at the end of the season so I could see that, same with Michee but in reality he’s no better or worse than Mullarkey & can fill in at CB at a push.

Unless he’s not settled from a personal point of view I’d be surprised at Wilson. He was at Monday’s game if he’d been told to do one I suspect he wouldn’t have bothered.

Could do well if we use his speed well.

Quoted from male private Nale

Been told he can fid another club once he gets off his sickbed, Efete and Amos also been told surplus to requirements and this was all prior to the Walsall debacle.

His goal ratio is 81 minutes per goal, the best at the club.  Next best is Pyke at 168.  Would be a shame to see him go.

Quoted from male private Nale

Been told he can fid another club once he gets off his sickbed, Efete and Amos also been told surplus to requirements and this was all prior to the Walsall debacle.

Taking into account all your other rubbish posts, I would ask you to show me proof that these 3 are leaving.

I've just been told by a man with a dog in Peoples Park that it was you who told him. Can you give me proof where you heard it.

Would not be surprised to see Amos go
Effete maybe

Wilson only if his injuries are long term

I have to admit, I've not been overly impressed with his general play, but he has scored goals when fit. It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Artell's new style of play when he is eventually fit again. Hopefully, it will work out well.

Quoted from Maringer

I have to admit, I've not been overly impressed with his general play, but he has scored goals when fit. It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Artell's new style of play when he is eventually fit again. Hopefully, it will work out well.

Agree with that. Looks to have a decent finish but hasn't really shown a great deal else so far.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Artell said he’d spoken to some players when he was on RH on Monday. Amos’s deal is up at the end of the season so I could see that, same with Michee but in reality he’s no better or worse than Mullarkey & can fill in at CB at a push.

Unless he’s not settled from a personal point of view I’d be surprised at Wilson. He was at Monday’s game if he’d been told to do one I suspect he wouldn’t have bothered.

I seem to recall that Amos had a 1 year extension in his last contract and used that to get an extra year, otherwise, PH would have got rid of him.

Quoted from Maringer

I have to admit, I've not been overly impressed with his general play, but he has scored goals when fit. It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Artell's new style of play when he is eventually fit again. Hopefully, it will work out well.

He's not fit? Would you know the problem and the timeline of his recuperation? Thanks in advance.

Quoted from GrimPol

He's not fit? Would you know the problem and the timeline of his recuperation? Thanks in advance.

Do you know the problem why he's not been picked and the next time he will be.

Thanks in advance.

Quoted from arryarryarry

Do you know the problem why he's not been picked and the next time he will be.

Thanks in advance.

Erm?

Quoted from Maringer

I have to admit, I've not been overly impressed with his general play, but he has scored goals when fit. It will be interesting to see how he gets on with Artell's new style of play when he is eventually fit again. Hopefully, it will work out well.

Hurst made an odd comment about Wilson on RH before he moved on I’ll paraphrase but it was something like “sometimes in his head he’s injured” unusual for Hurst that.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Hurst made an odd comment about Wilson on RH before he moved on I’ll paraphrase but it was something like “sometimes in his head he’s injured” unusual for Hurst that.

I assume the data didn't show that.

Looking at his spell at Sutton, he seems to be played in around 75% of their games over a couple of seasons, though this includes coming off the bench plenty of times. Not too bad an injury record for them.

Quoted from 123614

Taking into account all your other rubbish posts, I would ask you to show me proof that these 3 are leaving.

Impossible for me to prove it as it was told in conversation, however the data on donovan wilson in training and matchdays is abysmal, he maintained he was injured and went to 3 different specialists who could find nothing wrong with him. Town are cutting their losses if someone is daft enough to take him.

As with the other two, both are out of contract at end of season and not in Artell's plans.

Believe what you want, I just put it out there

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Hurst made an odd comment about Wilson on RH before he moved on I’ll paraphrase but it was something like “sometimes in his head he’s injured” unusual for Hurst that.

Hurst has said that about a couple of players in his last spell....i think Max Wright and maybe Scannell initially or maybe Souza ??
Funny how it's the wingers/strikers he doesn't mind speaking up about.

Post edit....I seem to think Nsiala also had a similar case  

It's funny that.  My daughter always used to be poorly on a Monday morning except during school holidays.

Quoted from male private Nale

Impossible for me to prove it as it was told in conversation, however the data on donovan wilson in training and matchdays is abysmal, he maintained he was injured and went to 3 different specialists who could find nothing wrong with him. Town are cutting their losses if someone is daft enough to take him.

As with the other two, both are out of contract at end of season and not in Artell's plans.

Believe what you want, I just put it out there

Thought so, just speculation, no proof.

Quoted from male private Nale

Impossible for me to prove it as it was told in conversation, however the data on donovan wilson in training and matchdays is abysmal, he maintained he was injured and went to 3 different specialists who could find nothing wrong with him. Town are cutting their losses if someone is daft enough to take him.

As with the other two, both are out of contract at end of season and not in Artell's plans.

Believe what you want, I just put it out there

Really?  And I suppose you heard that 'in a conversation'  also?  So no proof?

Hurst always favoured defence to attack and even dropped Podge in the middle of his great run of goals.

Bogle also got dropped but his defenders could have a right stinker but stay in the side.

Looking at this team he put together with all the cup money.

If he kept Orsi. and played him like Crawley are ( another 2 goals today ) signed Bennett who wanted to play for us on not a great wage.

He would not be sat at home waiting for his next job.

Bring on the red crosses.

Quoted from grimsby pete

Hurst always favoured defence to attack and even dropped Podge in the middle of his great run of goals.

Bogle also got dropped but his defenders could have a right stinker but stay in the side.

Looking at this team he put together with all the cup money.

If he kept Orsi. and played him like Crawley are ( another 2 goals today ) signed Bennett who wanted to play for us on not a great wage.

He would not be sat at home waiting for his next job.

Bring on the red crosses.

I think you’re spot on .

Quoted from 123614

Really?  And I suppose you heard that 'in a conversation'  also?  So no proof?

Are you some kind of simpleton?

This whole site is full of rumour, conjecture and at times outright shite. I don’t think I have ever seen a post with 100% proof of providence attached.

I can’t tell you who I had the conversation with as they work at club and as I said I don’t care if you chose to believe it or not.

It seems I have you rattled

Quoted from grimsby pete

Hurst always favoured defence to attack and even dropped Podge in the middle of his great run of goals.

Bogle also got dropped but his defenders could have a right stinker but stay in the side.

Looking at this team he put together with all the cup money.

If he kept Orsi. and played him like Crawley are ( another 2 goals today ) signed Bennett who wanted to play for us on not a great wage.

He would not be sat at home waiting for his next job.

Bring on the red crosses.

I don’t do crosses & ticks but we scored a fair amount of goals when we came up in 2016.

The 2nd time he got us up we scored 9 goals (5 in one) in 3 play off games that didn’t include a home game. We also came behind in all 3.

We scored a few goals in the cup run too, 5 in the first round v the team top of the league above, 5 in the 4th round v a team that are now in the prem.

Yes the football wasn’t great but this narrative insinuating we just used to sit there and absorb opposition attacks for 90 minutes is cobblers.

Would love to know how you can be sure about the Bennet comment TBH.

Quoted from male private Nale

Are you some kind of simpleton?

This whole site is full of rumour, conjecture and at times outright shite. I don’t think I have ever seen a post with 100% proof of providence attached.

I can’t tell you who I had the conversation with as they work at club and as I said I don’t care if you chose to believe it or not.

It seems I have you rattled

Hahaha, another non factual post.  I have no idea why you think you have me rattled, lol.  Odd that all your information comes from 'someone at the club' and you can't confirm it.  

I do believe a certain person is cantankerous.

Quoted from 123614

Hahaha, another non factual post.  I have no idea why you think you have me rattled, lol.  Odd that all your information comes from 'someone at the club' and you can't confirm it.  

Why would anyone name the employee that gave them some information that the board and management probably wish to keep confidential?

Over a period of time, certain posters on here have proven to have a reasonable track record of being accurate, but they are never going to reveal their sources for obvious reasons.

But Male Private Nale isn’t one of them.

[b][/b]

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Why would anyone name the employee that gave them some information that the board and management probably wish to keep confidential?

Over a period of time, certain posters on here have proven to have a reasonable track record of being accurate, but they are never going to reveal their sources for obvious reasons.

To substantiate a rumour and not look like you’re making it up or trying to look like you’re ITK and not just taking pot shot guesses to possibly make yourself look good.

The fact that disseminating company confidential detail can lead to getting you fired would suggest it doesn’t happen as much as what some suspect or others claim to be a part of.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Would love to know how you can be sure about the Bennet comment TBH.

When Ryan first started training with us he was asked by the press if he wanted to sign for us and he replied he would and money would not be a problem when it came to his salary.

Sorry can not remember who it was who asked the question but that was Ryan's reply.

Quoted from grimsby pete

When Ryan first started training with us he was asked by the press if he wanted to sign for us and he replied he would and money would not be a problem when it came to his salary.

Sorry can not remember who it was who asked the question but that was Ryan's reply.

News to me but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Thanks Pete.

We could certainly do with someone with that level of experience now though.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Why would anyone name the employee that gave them some information that the board and management probably wish to keep confidential?

Over a period of time, certain posters on here have proven to have a reasonable track record of being accurate, but they are never going to reveal their sources for obvious reasons.

If you have read ALL this guys posts, you would see why I even doubt his 'info' came from 'someone at the club'.

Quoted from chaos33

But Male Private Nale isn’t one of them.

Exactly!

Quoted from 123614

If you have read ALL this guys posts, you would see why I even doubt his 'info' came from 'someone at the club'.

I think the user is a former employee with an axe to grind, who probably still has contact with people within the club. This user is not one I trust entirely, but I have heard from a couple of people that Efete and Amos have been told they can leave. Someone also pointed out to me that both Hurst and Artell have been pretty sketchy about Wilson's injuries, so I think there could be something in him being free to leave too.

In no way do I trust what that user says, but I have heard about Efete and Amos from a couple of people, and I don't think the Wilson comment is too far from the truth.

Quoted from 123614

Exactly!

You and Chaos should take a lead from Aldi and exit stage left to become one of the many voyeurs.

Both very quick to call people out but in reality offer very little, these long winter days must really take its toll.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I think the user is a former employee with an axe to grind, who probably still has contact with people within the club. This user is not one I trust entirely, but I have heard from a couple of people that Efete and Amos have been told they can leave. Someone also pointed out to me that both Hurst and Artell have been pretty sketchy about Wilson's injuries, so I think there could be something in him being free to leave too.

In no way do I trust what that user says, but I have heard about Efete and Amos from a couple of people, and I don't think the Wilson comment is too far from the truth.

My cloak appears to be slipping James, quite the sleuth.

I offer my opinion on a range of subjects on here and it obvious I am not liked by many for speaking my mind but I say it how I see it. That's the whole point of these boards isn't it or do we just sit and massage each others egos?

Quoted from male private Nale

You and Chaos should take a lead from Aldi and exit stage left to become one of the many voyeurs.

Both very quick to call people out but in reality offer very little, these long winter days must really take its toll.

When asked, I provide proof, you don't!

Wilson is a half decent player injured way to much we cannot afford to carry him.

Quoted from Yoda

Wilson is a half decent player injured way to much we cannot afford to carry him.

You need to pack it in Yoda that's about the 5th post of yours  I've agreed with this year.

Quoted from male private Nale

My cloak appears to be slipping James, quite the sleuth.

I offer my opinion on a range of subjects on here and it obvious I am not liked by many for speaking my mind but I say it how I see it. That's the whole point of these boards isn't it or do we just sit and massage each others egos?

Now now ladies 😊😊😊😊 all opinions welcome 👍👍but won’t stop you being slated 👍👍