Hursty’s Best Signing(s)?

To lighten the mood little.

I was reading a random article from 2019iah I think that listed the top 10 earners at Ipswich, and some familiar names were up there. It got me thinking about just who I think Hursty’s best signing for Town was/is?

Naturally there are far too many variables and categories in which fans rate players I.e. quality, longevity, impact on the team, impact on the club/commnity, goals, team successes, character, leadership etc etc… so here’s my 2p worth.

To make it slightly easier and a bit more fun I’ve done it per position!

Note, signing made whilst in joint control with Rob Scott are allowed.

Goalkeeper! For longevity and character it has to be Macca. But I was tempted to opt for Dean Henderson because he was exemplary. However, though signed by Hurst, think he might have only played him once? He shone under Bignot if I remember correctly.

Defender! Tough one this as there has been some immense defenders. Honorary mentions for Ian Miller, Carl Magnay, Shaun Pearson, Josh Gowling, Toto Nsiala, Richard Tate et al. My choice is Connor Townsend. Rolls Royce of a player

Midfield: Just has to be the ginger meastro, Craig Disley.

Forward: Again, very tough choice as there have been a few high quality ones! Think for goals and impact on the team I have to opt for Podge. Could easily have been Connell, Hearn or Bogle or McAtee though.

Who do you think are the best signings Paul has made across his two spells?

Quoted from Mighty_Mariner

To lighten the mood little.

I was reading a random article from 2019iah I think that listed the top 10 earners at Ipswich, and some familiar names were up there. It got me thinking about just who I think Hursty’s best signing for Town was/is?

Naturally there are far too many variables and categories in which fans rate players I.e. quality, longevity, impact on the team, impact on the club/commnity, goals, team successes, character, leadership etc etc… so here’s my 2p worth.

To make it slightly easier and a bit more fun I’ve done it per position!

Note, signing made whilst in joint control with Rob Scott are allowed.

Goalkeeper! For longevity and character it has to be Macca. But I was tempted to opt for Dean Henderson because he was exemplary. However, though signed by Hurst, think he might have only played him once? He shone under Bignot if I remember correctly.

Defender! Tough one this as there has been some immense defenders. Honorary mentions for Ian Miller, Carl Magnay, Shaun Pearson, Josh Gowling, Toto Nsiala, Richard Tate et al. My choice is Connor Townsend. Rolls Royce of a player

Midfield: Just has to be the ginger meastro, Craig Disley.

Forward: Again, very tough choice as there have been a few high quality ones! Think for goals and impact on the team I have to opt for Podge. Could easily have been Connell, Hearn or Bogle or McAtee though.

Who do you think are the best signings Paul has made across his two spells?

Hate to be pedantic but Connell first time was signed by Neil Woods

The return of Connell which only lasted a few games was by Hurst

Quoted from Davec

Hate to be pedantic but Connell first time was signed by Neil Woods

The return of Connell which only lasted a few games was by Hurst

Ah of course he was.. thanks for pointing that out!

Keeper: McKeown, you can't let the ending cloud your judgement.
Defender: Conor Townsend, much better than our level in each loan spell.
Midfield: Disley, scored some important goals, and led by example.
Striker: Bogle, ridiculous to think what we could have actually signed with the fee we received for him.

Midfield depends on whether club legend status and longevity are being prioritised over quality. If they're not then Jay Matete trumps Disley. Absolutely ridiculous player who made that relegation season almost bearable at times.

Crocombe, Townsend, Nolan, Bogle

My Paul Hurst signing 11 would be -

GK: Max Crocombe
RB: Richard Tait
LB: Connor Townsend
CB: Andy Smith
CB: Toto Nisala
CM: Jon Nolan
CM: Jay Matete
CM: Craig Disley
FW: John Mcatee
FW: Padraig Amond
FW: Omar Bogle

Hurst has signed some very good players but also a lot of forgettable names which is par for the lower leagues, but he has never ever got enough good players in the same team that gave us a sniff of automatic promotion even in non league.

If the current lot were signed mainly on the strength of data and stats and if they were a good character it means nothing if you can't coach them to become a cohesive unit.

How has nobody got Nathan Pond in their lists? The best centre back Hurst has brought to the club by far. Unless you all know he was a Rob Scott signing?

I'd have Hearn, McAtee and Podge over Bogle any day of the week. Bogle only did it for about 20 games

Quoted from Mighty_Mariner

To lighten the mood little.

I was reading a random article from 2019iah I think that listed the top 10 earners at Ipswich, and some familiar names were up there. It got me thinking about just who I think Hursty’s best signing for Town was/is?

Naturally there are far too many variables and categories in which fans rate players I.e. quality, longevity, impact on the team, impact on the club/commnity, goals, team successes, character, leadership etc etc… so here’s my 2p worth.

To make it slightly easier and a bit more fun I’ve done it per position!

Note, signing made whilst in joint control with Rob Scott are allowed.

Goalkeeper! For longevity and character it has to be Macca. But I was tempted to opt for Dean Henderson because he was exemplary. However, though signed by Hurst, think he might have only played him once? He shone under Bignot if I remember correctly.

Defender! Tough one this as there has been some immense defenders. Honorary mentions for Ian Miller, Carl Magnay, Shaun Pearson, Josh Gowling, Toto Nsiala, Richard Tate et al. My choice is Connor Townsend. Rolls Royce of a player

Midfield: Just has to be the ginger meastro, Craig Disley.

Forward: Again, very tough choice as there have been a few high quality ones! Think for goals and impact on the team I have to opt for Podge. Could easily have been Connell, Hearn or Bogle or McAtee though.

Who do you think are the best signings Paul has made across his two spells?

"Naturally there are far too many variables and categories in which fans rate players I.e. quality, longevity, impact on the team, impact on the club/commnity, goals, team successes, character, leadership etc etc"

I don't give a toss about most of that, I look to what a player does on the pitch.

Signing often go beyond simply, who plays the best.

Bringing Shaun Pearson back into the fold seems like a great move now, similar with Croudson.

Then, if you look at players, we’ve had some crackers, some a minority seemingly didn’t understand but ultimately were much much better than some give them credit for.

Crocombe
Henderson
Townsend
Hearn
Disley
Clay
Magnay
Toto
Arnold
Tait
Mcatee
Taylor
Macca
Miller
Bogle
Amond

I think in the early days Rob Scott was a big influence on the better players we signed - McKeown, Pearson, Disley and Hearn all arrived in the same summer. Before he and Hurst joined us, they had a reputation for winning by big margins at Boston, and we saw some of that while they were joint managers here (weren’t we top scorers at home in the whole of Europe at one point, when Hearn was scoring hat-tricks for fun?).

I remember us beating Stockport by 7, sticking 5 past Alfreton a few times, Barrow, Bath, Woking, etc.

When Hurst flew solo there were still big wins here and there (7 v Halifax & Alfreton, 6 v Gateshead, 5 v Dartford, Altrincham, Stevenage).

I just think he’s become more pragmatic and defensive over time. He’s signed some cracking signings - some who are still enjoying a vert good career at this level (Bogle, Cook) and the likes of Tait, Nolan, Townsend etc have gone to play in higher divisions.

I’m pro Hurst but even I admit that it seems like he’s lost that edge. He’s a well rounded manager but just can’t get that ruthless streak going.

Trouble is, he’s now put himself in a situation where he can’t afford many more defeats, especially as we’ve now won just twice in nine, and are out of two cups.

So to dig us out of this little hole, I’m probably expecting the football to become even more attritional because we don’t look like we have the confidence to enjoy ourselves when we get ahead.

At 2-0 up yesterday, a Hurst team of the past would have put that Crawley team to bed by 3 or 4. I think he’s signed good attacking players but they can’t stay fit and when they play he can’t get them going.

I'm too lazy to type out honorable mentions

Gk - Macca
Def - Townsend
Mid - Nolan just beats Disley because of the quality player he was over Disley
FW - Podge

I'd like him to sign at Shrewsbury

I think if you're talking of an impact, then it probably has to be Nolan for me. Right time of course, but without him (and the Braintree 'keeper having a nightmare) we don't go up that year.

But then there's someone like Giles Coke.  He didn't have the 'success' but when he first arrived he was exactly what we needed.  A leader on and off the field, Matete was something else but it was Coke who allowed him to bomb forward.  

Disley, Pearson, McKeown were all absolute stellar signings for their length of consistent service.  Danny Collins, a genuinely class above player.  Dean Henderson, the one who went onto be something much, much bigger. Conor Townsend, if I'm saying Nolan got us over the line then I think it's fair to say we would have already crossed the line at ease had he stayed for the whole season.

Goals win games.  Hearn, Amond, Bogle, even Andy Cook.

A near impossible question to answer as to who is 'best'.  But if you're asking my favourite Hurst signing, I'm probably going Shaun Pearson.  Did the business here once, brought back into help do it again.  Did it, no fuss. No dramas, stepped aside when he needed to.  Just class.

His own contract.

Quoted from diehardmariner

I think if you're talking of an impact, then it probably has to be Nolan for me. Right time of course, but without him (and the Braintree 'keeper having a nightmare) we don't go up that year.
.

Is the Nolan myth still getting meddled. Baffling. The stats of course tell a completely different story.

Nolan started 17 regular season National League ganes in 2015/16…

W 7 D 4 L 6 GF 23 GA 22 GD +1 Pts 25 PPG 1.47

The other 29 regular season National League games that season…

W 15 D 10 L 4 GF 59 GA 23 GD +36 Pts 55 PPG 1.90

But apparently Nolan made us better and without him we wouldn’t have gone up.

The truth: Monkhouse getting injured was the catalyst for our play-off success. Hurst brought workhorse Craig Clay in central midfield and shuffled Nolan out to the left wing where the flaws in his game were less exposed.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Is the Nolan myth still getting meddled. Baffling. The stats of course tell a completely different story.

Nolan started 17 regular season National League ganes in 2015/16…

W 7 D 4 L 6 GF 23 GA 22 GD +1 Pts 25 PPG 1.47

The other 29 regular season National League games that season…

W 15 D 10 L 4 GF 59 GA 23 GD +36 Pts 55 PPG 1.90

But apparently Nolan made us better and without him we wouldn’t have gone up.

The truth: Monkhouse getting injured was the catalyst for our play-off success. Hurst brought workhorse Craig Clay in central midfield and shuffled Nolan out to the left wing where the flaws in his game were less exposed.

Although can't argue with stats, I feel it is slightly harsh on Nolan, there could be any number of reasons why form dipped at that time, and its not forced to be solely Nolan who indivually was excellent, and is somebody who did well at a higher level also

Quoted from Davec

Although can't argue with stats, I feel it is slightly harsh on Nolan, who indivually was excellent, and is somebody who did well at a higher level also

Clearly. His best position isn’t central midfield in a 4-4-2. Hurst used him correctly at Shrewsbury where he was utilised in a 3 man central midfield in a 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 system.

Without doubt (and I suspect you'll find no argument from anyone) that Monkhouse's injury forced Hurst's hand and in turn benefited us.

But your points just highlight the fact that football isn't played on a spreadsheet.  There are so many other variables at play in PPG (who were we playing, who else was fit, what form was everyone else in?).  

Nolan was a class above this level, albeit in a side that was stuttering a little bit.  He doesn't come into the fold, we miss his attributes and in my opinion don't even get close to beating Braintree, never mind FGR.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

Is the Nolan myth still getting meddled. Baffling. The stats of course tell a completely different story.

Nolan started 17 regular season National League ganes in 2015/16…

W 7 D 4 L 6 GF 23 GA 22 GD +1 Pts 25 PPG 1.47

The other 29 regular season National League games that season…

W 15 D 10 L 4 GF 59 GA 23 GD +36 Pts 55 PPG 1.90

But apparently Nolan made us better and without him we wouldn’t have gone up.

The truth: Monkhouse getting injured was the catalyst for our play-off success. Hurst brought workhorse Craig Clay in central midfield and shuffled Nolan out to the left wing where the flaws in his game were less exposed.

Ultimately it’s a team game, but the standout spell that season undoubtedly came from Conor Townsend.

P9 W7 D1 L1 - PPG 2.44

For me, still the one player I’ve seen that looked most above the level in a Town shirt*; the way he affected games  during that short spell was incredible. Without him, we wouldn’t have even made the play-offs that season.

*Even more than John Oster circa 02/03.  

Agreed on Townsend on all counts.  It's a big statement to make for a loan player, but in terms of their ability compared to the level they were playing at, he's probably the best player I've seen in a Town shirt.

Just looked him up and can't believe he's 30 now.  

Quick approximate tot up indicates around to 150 signings so far in the two spells. In ten years time 10 percent good another 10 percent  remembered as ok . 80 percent forgotten

Quoted from HerveJosse

Quick approximate tot up indicates around to 150 signings so far in the two spells. In ten years time 10 percent good another 10 percent  remembered as ok . 80 percent forgotten

Such is life in lower division/non-league football.

I'm surprised that there doesn't appear to have been any mention of Danny Andrew here. He was so good for us in that one season with us that we didn't even bother playing with a left-sided midfielder half the time - he was doing both the full-back and midfield role himself! Townsend was good in his short spell with us, but for consistency, none of Hurst's full-backs have been near the level of Andrew over the course of a whole season.

Quoted from HerveJosse

Quick approximate tot up indicates around to 150 signings so far in the two spells. In ten years time 10 percent good another 10 percent  remembered as ok . 80 percent forgotten

First spell - https://www.transfermarkt.co.u.....e/0?station_id=42302

Second spell - https://www.transfermarkt.co.u...../0?station_id=295446

Quickly working through that list, I'd go with the following as very good.  

Craig Disley
Liam Hearn
James McKeown
Shaun Pearson
Conor Townsend
Ian Miller
Andy Cook
Nathan Pond
Lennell John-Lewis
Tom Naylor
Alex Rodman
Toto Nsiala
Carl Magnay
Nathan Arnold
Ollie Palmer
Josh Gowling
Padraig Amond
Richard Tait
Jon Nolan
Danny Andrew
Danny Collins

Jay Matete
Ben Fox
Ryan Taylor
John McAtee
Max Crocombe
Niall Maher
Andy Smith

Not accounting the decent/good signings like Gregor Robertson, Craig Clay et al.  Nor anyone signed this summer like Conteh.  

Quoted from diehardmariner

Agreed on Townsend on all counts.  It's a big statement to make for a loan player, but in terms of their ability compared to the level they were playing at, he's probably the best player I've seen in a Town shirt.

Just looked him up and can't believe he's 30 now.  

Incredible player, luckily enough to attend one of the games he was involved in. The record on his impact speaks for itself, particularly impressive for a full-back.

Quoted from Poojah

Ultimately it’s a team game, but the standout spell that season undoubtedly came from Conor Townsend.

P9 W7 D1 L1 - PPG 2.44

For me, still the one player I’ve seen that looked most above the level in a Town shirt*; the way he affected games  during that short spell was incredible. Without him, we wouldn’t have even made the play-offs that season.

*Even more than John Oster circa 02/03.  

I see your Conor Townsend and I raise you Alex Jones.

Made 3 starts and 1 appearance off the bench in the NL in the 2015/16 season.

We won all 4 games (that’s PPG of 3).

Without those 12 points we’d only have finished 8th that season & Paul Hurst would probably have been lynched at Halifax later in the season.

Quoted from GollyGTFC

I see your Conor Townsend and I raise you Alex Jones.

Made 3 starts and 1 appearance off the bench in the NL in the 2015/16 season.

We won all 4 games (that’s PPG of 3).

Without those 12 points we’d only have finished 8th that season & Paul Hurst would probably have been lynched at Halifax later in the season.

aye he was a good player, believe he had to retire quite young

Quoted from GollyGTFC

I see your Conor Townsend and I raise you Alex Jones.

Made 3 starts and 1 appearance off the bench in the NL in the 2015/16 season.

We won all 4 games (that’s PPG of 3).

Without those 12 points we’d only have finished 8th that season & Paul Hurst would probably have been lynched at Halifax later in the season.

Conor Townsend was playing in all 4 of those games too!

Quoted from ChannelMariner

Conor Townsend was playing in all 4 of those games too!

Exactly. Alex Jones was carrying him. He made it easy for Conor.

Quoted from Hagrid

aye he was a good player, believe he had to retire quite young

Yeah. Last heard of he was running a far right conspiracy theory and fake news website in the U.S.

It's not a Hurst signing but if we're just chucking stats out there...

Terry Barwick in 2005/06

10 games.
7 wins
2 draws
1 defeat (Champions elect Carlisle).

He only started 2 of those games but we can hide from that.

The wins included the away win at Championship Derby and then the famous Spurs win in the following round of the Carling Cup.  We won't ignore that one.

Of the 284 minutes he was on the pitch, we only conceded a single goal and scored four goals.

It's clear and obvious that had he played every minute that season we would have won the league with an impressive 105 points (32 wins and 9 draws).  Entertaining we wouldn't have been though with just 58 goals scored and 15 conceded.

Quoted from Poojah

Ultimately it’s a team game, but the standout spell that season undoubtedly came from Conor Townsend.

P9 W7 D1 L1 - PPG 2.44

For me, still the one player I’ve seen that looked most above the level in a Town shirt*; the way he affected games  during that short spell was incredible. Without him, we wouldn’t have even made the play-offs that season.

*Even more than John Oster circa 02/03.  

Interestingly when you take out the 4 games where Townsend had the benefit of playing in the same team as Alex Jones, you find that games featuring Townsend without Jones…

W 3 D 1 L 1 Pts 10 PPG 2.00

Games where both played…

W 4 D 0 L 0 Pts 12 PPG 3.00

The stats don’t lie. Conor Townsend was 50% better with Alex Jones in the team along side him. You can’t argue with facts. 63% of all people know that.

Such a shame that injury ended his career before his immense talent was fulfilled.

Quoted from diehardmariner

It's not a Hurst signing but if we're just chucking stats out there...

Terry Barwick in 2005/06

10 games.
7 wins
2 draws
1 defeat (Champions elect Carlisle).

He only started 2 of those games but we can hide from that.

The wins included the away win at Championship Derby and then the famous Spurs win in the following round of the Carling Cup.  We won't ignore that one.

Of the 284 minutes he was on the pitch, we only conceded a single goal and scored four goals.

It's clear and obvious that had he played every minute that season we would have won the league with an impressive 105 points (32 wins and 9 draws).  Entertaining we wouldn't have been though with just 58 goals scored and 15 conceded.

Speaking of underused players in the 05/06 season, Glen Downey scored a league goal every 40 minutes he played. If that egghead Slades had given Glen the game time he deserved, he'd have finished the season on an impressive 103 goals.

With Downey's deadliness in front of goal and the wall of steel Barwick put in front of Steve Mildenhall's goal, clearly we would have progressed through the lower leagues quickly.

Reaching the Championship just in time to sign David Nugent and his England form (a goal every 11 minutes).




Missed. Opportunity.