This afternoon.

Joe Grayson

Confirmed on GTFC Instagram

Joe Grayson signs from Blackburn until end of season

Son of Simon Grayson.

Midfielder

Random words

Replacement for Famewo I reckon seeing that his done his hamstring again.

immediate two thoughts on this:

1) is this a benefit of our work and help with Embleton and his development being noticed and other teams being happy for their young prospects to come here?

2) from what I can find, he's a left footed defender who's been playing centre-back but can also cover left-back. Are we about to about to have another go at 3-5-2?

I think he's a versatile midfielder, not a defender.

Blackburn fans on twitter saying he's been playing as a centre half and is really composed on the ball. As does a reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph.

Clearly able to play several positions so will be interested to see where we use him.

MJ will be happy as Larry to have signed another of his targets   ;)

Holding midfielder?? We are a bit small in that area.

he's both according to this linky thingy

https://www.rovers.co.uk/teams/development-squad/profiles/defender/joe-grayson/


please can we have a lump of a centre forward next ?

Quoted from promotion plaice

MJ will be happy as Larry to have signed another of his targets   ;)

I see what you did there PP.... shut that door on your way out!  ;)

Quoted from Tommy

immediate two thoughts on this:

1) is this a benefit of our work and help with Embleton and his development being noticed and other teams being happy for their young prospects to come here?

2) from what I can find, he's a left footed defender who's been playing centre-back but can also cover left-back. Are we about to about to have another go at 3-5-2?

This was my first thought.

Good luck to the lad and I hope he does well for us but I'm still bewildered why we are signing players for positions we have covered...talking midfield role rather than his defensive role...and not addressing the fact we need a decent, 6 foot plus beastly centre forward...
We are in league 2 and need more of a physical presence on the pitch....
Don't get me wrong, it's great to watch when we play the ball on the ground and tear through defences but we have no plan B and in this league you need that big bully in the box...
Not being negative just being realistic

Quoted from Tommy

Blackburn fans on twitter saying he's been playing as a centre half and is really composed on the ball. As does a reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph.

Clearly able to play several positions so will be interested to see where we use him.

I get the impression from some of his signings and what he has said, that MJ likes a certain amount of adaptability with some of his players. This certainly gives you more options in playing format and the ability to switch to a plan B during a game.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Good luck to the lad and I hope he does well for us but I'm still bewildered why we are signing players for positions we have covered...talking midfield role rather than his defensive role...and not addressing the fact we need a decent, 6 foot plus beastly centre forward...
We are in league 2 and need more of a physical presence on the pitch....
Don't get me wrong, it's great to watch when we play the ball on the ground and tear through defences but we have no plan B and in this league you need that big bully in the box...
Not being negative just being realistic

I just don't buy into this argument. Once you play a big beast of a centre forward then the tendancy is to lump it towards him. This is " egg and milk " to the majority of centre halves at this level. There are many variations on playing with the ball on the deck to give you a plan B and these are the areas we need to be developing.

Quoted from rancido

I just don't buy into this argument. Once you play a big beast of a centre forward then the tendancy is to lump it towards him. This is " egg and milk " to the majority of centre halves at this level. There are many variations on playing with the ball on the deck to give you a plan B and these are the areas we need to be developing.

With that said, ask yourself why Lincoln are top of this league...
It's not about the punt forward as much as at set pieces and crosses where we are massively under sized...it's shown this season that when we play "footballing" teams we perform relatively well but against the bigger, more physical sides we wilt...that's what I mean about that bulky boy in there, someone who will give centre halves something to think about rather than them not having to lift a foot off the floor to clear the ball out the air...

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Good luck to the lad and I hope he does well for us but I'm still bewildered why we are signing players for positions we have covered...talking midfield role rather than his defensive role...and not addressing the fact we need a decent, 6 foot plus beastly centre forward...
We are in league 2 and need more of a physical presence on the pitch....
Don't get me wrong, it's great to watch when we play the ball on the ground and tear through defences but we have no plan B and in this league you need that big bully in the box...
Not being negative just being realistic

Lots of teams in this league have success by playing with ball to feet in the enemy half, Exeter, Mansfield etc

Just because we've signed a defender/midfielder bloke doesn't mean we aren't also trying to sign a striker bloke.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

With that said, ask yourself why Lincoln are top of this league...
It's not about the punt forward as much as at set pieces and crosses where we are massively under sized...it's shown this season that when we play "footballing" teams we perform relatively well but against the bigger, more physical sides we wilt...that's what I mean about that bulky boy in there, someone who will give centre halves something to think about rather than them not having to lift a foot off the floor to clear the ball out the air...

If it's a bulky boy we need, I have that attribute.  :)

Good luck to Joe and welcome.

Welcome to GTFC Joe.

"Grayson will be available for selection for tomorrow's visit to Lincoln City."

https://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/grayson-signs-until-end-of-season/

Why is he pictured playing against Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal, who finished playing for The Gunners nearly 4 years ago?

It says in GT that he broke into the U23's in 2017 and made his senior debut against Lincoln last year.

Arsenal last played Blackburn in 2013.

Quoted from malkamalka

Why is he pictured playing against Tomas Rosicky of Arsenal, who finished playing for The Gunners nearly 4 years ago?

It says in GT that he broke into the U23's in 2017 and made his senior debut against Lincoln last year.

Arsenal last played Blackburn in 2013.

I don't think that picture the Telegraph have used is actually him.

Don't know if he will go straight in the team tomorrow but he has played against City in the Carabao Cup in August 2018 when Blackburn thrashed them 4-1  . He played the full 90 mins at left back.

Quoted from forza ivano

please can we have a lump of a centre forward next ?

Retired years ago, unfortunately.  :)

Quoted from Tommy

immediate two thoughts on this:

1) is this a benefit of our work and help with Embleton and his development being noticed and other teams being happy for their young prospects to come here?

2) from what I can find, he's a left footed defender who's been playing centre-back but can also cover left-back. Are we about to about to have another go at 3-5-2?

I think this is Jolley's preferred option too. We would see this lad at left side centre and Ring at left wing back. He is trying for belt and braces though isn't he Tom? He wants players who can cover a 3 or a 4 at the back or a wing back all available in his squad.

Having said that and I am all in favour of building a team from the back and midfielders getting forward, but we need goals like fish need water and I hope we see a reliable goalscorer through the door pretty soon.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

With that said, ask yourself why Lincoln are top of this league...
It's not about the punt forward as much as at set pieces and crosses where we are massively under sized...it's shown this season that when we play "footballing" teams we perform relatively well but against the bigger, more physical sides we wilt...that's what I mean about that bulky boy in there, someone who will give centre halves something to think about rather than them not having to lift a foot off the floor to clear the ball out the air...

Yeah I remember us getting completely outplayed by Lincoln at Blundell Park earlier in the season... 🤔

Quoted from tanga_the_indestructible

Yeah I remember us getting completely outplayed by Lincoln at Blundell Park earlier in the season... 🤔

And??...did we score many or really threaten their goal??..and did their big bully not win/cheat a penalty??..
Yes we completely gave them the runaround and a masterclass in how to play football the right way, but I stick with my initial statement that we have, as yet, not addressed the one area on the pitch that virtually every town fan knows has been lacking real quality for the past 2 seasons ..

I don't think we need a lump to be honest. Thomas holds the ball up fairly well and more so Cardwell. We need to work the ball better from back to front and create better quality of chances. Other than Fox, the left side has been fairly weak in open play and MJ has signed two players that can hopefully improve that area, so well happy with that, and Grayson looks like he could cover central areas too.

As I've previously said, fully expect MJ to play three at the back in the near future. Maybe a 3-5-2 or maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Vernam and Embleton off Thomas with wing backs outside of Hess and Clifton, which would be an exciting prospect..

See he has a full sleeve tattoo. No self respecting young player would be without one.  ;)

Another who is the son of an ex league player from Yorkshire. Perhaps there is a pattern emerging?

Welcome Joe.

When was the last time we ever had one of these mythical big-lump-6ft+-goal-machines? Can’t think of any all the way through the conference, even players like Elding at over 6ft & strong didn’t play like that.

You’re probably looking at Gary Jones under Slade, 13/14 years ago, and he was only 6’1” iirc. Don’t think we need it.

While we have been very good against the better footballing sides in the division, which suits our style of counter attacking, we have struggled against the likes of Macclesfield, Morecambe, Cambridge and Cheltenham, so i can see why people would think we need a few more beefy players. But i think what we need is a bit more creativity to break these teams down, not battering ram types. We have a very good core of extremely hard working players, but for me, we just need a little extra guile, especially down the flanks, where we don't get behind the more agricultural teams often enough. I fully expect MJ to go with wing backs as the season progresses, and i think his signings reflect that. You don't need a big lump up front for that, you need forwards who make good runs and can link play. I still think we need another experienced striker this window though.

Who was our lump when we got promoted from non league and Amond scored a hatful?  

Quoted from LondonMariner43

Who was our lump when we got promoted from non league and Amond scored a hatful?  

Bogle!!

Quoted from LondonMariner43

Who was our lump when we got promoted from non league and Amond scored a hatful?  

Monkhouse on the left wing.

I get the feeling we'll play wingbacks tomorrow against Lincoln, especially with the new lad coming in, at the same time that we get nearly all our centre backs back again. I agree with Ginny though, we lack that bit of pace and flair on the wings to unlock defences. This is a much bigger priority for me than a lump up front. Whenever we hoof it up, it never goes near our player anyway, so there's no point us getting one.

Quoted from ginnywings

While we have been very good against the better footballing sides in the division, which suits our style of counter attacking, we have struggled against the likes of Macclesfield, Morecambe, Cambridge and Cheltenham, so i can see why people would think we need a few more beefy players. But i think what we need is a bit more creativity to break these teams down, not battering ram types. We have a very good core of extremely hard working players, but for me, we just need a little extra guile, especially down the flanks, where we don't get behind the more agricultural teams often enough. I fully expect MJ to go with wing backs as the season progresses, and i think his signings reflect that. You don't need a big lump up front for that, you need forwards who make good runs and can link play. I still think we need another experienced striker this window though.

That's a bit harsh on Macclesfield who played football better than us on the day.  We are some way off yet as I think we would both agree.

Quoted from ginnywings

While we have been very good against the better footballing sides in the division, which suits our style of counter attacking, we have struggled against the likes of Macclesfield, Morecambe, Cambridge and Cheltenham, so i can see why people would think we need a few more beefy players. But i think what we need is a bit more creativity to break these teams down, not battering ram types. We have a very good core of extremely hard working players, but for me, we just need a little extra guile, especially down the flanks, where we don't get behind the more agricultural teams often enough. I fully expect MJ to go with wing backs as the season progresses, and i think his signings reflect that. You don't need a big lump up front for that, you need forwards who make good runs and can link play. I still think we need another experienced striker this window though.

Couldnt agree more. A young Neil Woods would do for me. One of the features of his play was his intelligent runs. And while were at it another Gilbert wouldnt go a miss.

I think we are taking steps to try and replace Collins who will no doubt depart in the summer. A left footed defender adds balance and utility players help during an injury crisis.

Interesting that Hendrie went to Man Utd at 14 as a central defender only to be told he wasn't tall enough and trained as a central midfielder before later being converted into a full back.

Think the what people are saying about 3-5-2 is valid. What strikes me is the versatility of the defensive signings that we’re now bringing in. We know Hendrie can play all across the back four, Ring can play central and on the left, Grayson seemingly can too, Davis was fine at RB earlier in the season.

MJ also has barely looked at any outright wingers. He has signed Pringle but that was last minute in the transfer window when he realised that 3-5-2 was not going to work.
Think possibly if/when we reach safety he may start experimenting with it?

I am still concerned about where the goals are going to come from.

Welcome Joe 😁

Welcome Joe I am sure you will .your stay(thumbup)

Regarding the big striker or lack thereof, I think there is little doubt that a good big 'un will do better than a good little' un. At this level, however, you don't tend to get players who can outmuscle defenders as well as score goals and link play. I think Cardwell is probably going to be our token 'big' striker though he's not likely to bully many defenders in this division.

We've got a reasonable amount of pace with Vernam and Thomas though I do think we're a bit lightweight in attacking positions and there's no doubt we're a pretty diminutive team compared to many in this division. That side of things will improve once the central defenders are back in so I'm not too concerned.

We're setting up to try and play football and don't really have the squad for a more kick and rush style of football so no plan B in that regard. I hope the expected move to 5 at the back helps us take control of midfield a bit more because, good though our run was in December, there was too much backs to the wall defensive stuff and we need to make sure teams don't have as much possession against us as they have been doing of late.

Blackburn Rovers season ticket holder mate of mine says we have made a really good signing..

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

I think this is Jolley's preferred option too. We would see this lad at left side centre and Ring at left wing back. He is trying for belt and braces though isn't he Tom? He wants players who can cover a 3 or a 4 at the back or a wing back all available in his squad.

Having said that and I am all in favour of building a team from the back and midfielders getting forward, but we need goals like fish need water and I hope we see a reliable goalscorer through the door pretty soon.

Absolutely. Then if he did want to switch during the first half of a game to a different formation (one with a back 4),  he could do it without making a sub.

Re: a striker. I'm sure he's looking for one. As are most clubs too I'd imagine. I'd be interested to see if we played two central strikers and Embleton just behind them, if we'd actually start creating more chances for the personnel we've currently got. And then would Thomas score a lot more goals? I think he's be capable.

Quoted from Bigdog

I don't think we need a lump to be honest. Thomas holds the ball up fairly well and more so Cardwell. We need to work the ball better from back to front and create better quality of chances. Other than Fox, the left side has been fairly weak in open play and MJ has signed two players that can hopefully improve that area, so well happy with that, and Grayson looks like he could cover central areas too.

As I've previously said, fully expect MJ to play three at the back in the near future. Maybe a 3-5-2 or maybe a 3-4-2-1 with Vernam and Embleton off Thomas with wing backs outside of Hess and Clifton, which would be an exciting prospect..

You'd also have the option to leave Thomas through the middle and push Embleton and Vernam out to wider forward positions - but keep them high up the pitch (even out of possession) and really pin the oppo full-backs back.

The more i think about our squad now with these new additions, players back fit and greater strength in depth, it's starting to look very interesting as there's plenty of tactical variations we could go with. Even within similar formations.

Quoted from Grantley

Think the what people are saying about 3-5-2 is valid. What strikes me is the versatility of the defensive signings that we’re now bringing in. We know Hendrie can play all across the back four, Ring can play central and on the left, Grayson seemingly can too, Davis was fine at RB earlier in the season.

MJ also has barely looked at any outright wingers. He has signed Pringle but that was last minute in the transfer window when he realised that 3-5-2 was not going to work.
Think possibly if/when we reach safety he may start experimenting with it?

I am still concerned about where the goals are going to come from.

Not sure about the highlighted bit. Thought he looked slow and clumsy at right back (especially in that shambles at Bury). He's miles better at CB and I thought looked a bit of liability to RB.