Paul Hurst county pre-match interview

Don't know who's listened to this yet but telling that Macca asked to have his name circulated.
Gets dropped and looks like he's throwing his toys out his pram again rather than fight for the number 1 shirt!..
Sorry, but he's disappointed me.

Has he ever been dropped without putting in a transfer request? Not quite sure these are the actions of a club legend and great servant.

Each to their own though.

Perhaps he just wants to play week-in, week-out?

A more traditional approach may be to try and work to earn his place back? Crocombe’s only been in since the start of December, it’s not like he’s been frozen out all season.  Bit disrespectful in my opinion, not really what I’d expect from the club captain.

Quoted from ska face

Has he ever been dropped without putting in a transfer request? Not quite sure these are the actions of a club legend and great servant.

Each to their own though.

Twice last season when Holloway dropped him and then Hurst did for Eastwood.

The request was to do with the Bignot reign being chaos, not being dropped.

And Hurst told him to find a new club, so what else was he supposed to do? Even if it was after the point he was told "actually, you can stay since we have principles etc", then it's hardly like he'd want to stay around a circus that treats you like that.

I noticed it was Gwilym probing whilst none of the usuals have asked a single question about him. I do think there is something going on, he's reportedly a high earner that is out of contract in the summer and Hurst might think he can get better value for money elsewhere.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

I Hurst might think he can get better value for money elsewhere.

A sentiment I totally agree with.
Thanks for everything Macca. Good luck in the future.

Quoted from pen penfras

Twice last season when Holloway dropped him and then Hurst did for Eastwood.

The request was to do with the Bignot reign being chaos, not being dropped.

And Hurst told him to find a new club, so what else was he supposed to do? Even if it was after the point he was told "actually, you can stay since we have principles etc", then it's hardly like he'd want to stay around a circus that treats you like that.

He was bound by the transfer window last season and Runaway was going to get rid of him in January after replacing him with his coach. I can't imagine what that would do the guys confidence, having the guy that is being paid to coach and improve you actually wanting your place in the team can't have been good for him.

I'm surprised Russell is still here but then again Runaway gave him a 3 year deal just before Covid curtailed the 2019/20 season.

Can’t really see that we could agree to his name being ‘circulated’ at present though. You always need two keepers, so it’s not as if we could let him go in the immediate future, unless PH has someone else he’s looking to bring in.

he's doing his best to find James a club, as he doesnt see him as a long term option here

Stop looking to dig the knife in

he's been a loyal, gracious and fantastic servant to this football club, and if he wants to go elsewhere to find 1st team football, we owe him at the very least the assitance to do that

Quoted from chaos33

Can’t really see that we could agree to his name being ‘circulated’ at present though. You always need two keepers, so it’s not as if we could let him go in the immediate future, unless PH has someone else he’s looking to bring in.

Probably thinks Ollie Battersby is now ready to be 2nd keeper.

It’s clear James is a top earner and, under the 5 subs rule, you can’t even afford to name a 2nd keeper as sub let alone him being a highly paid not even bench warmer.

I think it is quite obvious that James's contract will not be offered a new deal at the end of the season, all things must come to an end and nobody can deny that whilst his best days may be behind him, he has single handedly in the past kept us in games and for all his faults, his reactions were once incredible.

I think we will all wish him the best of luck and if he is prepared to travel then i am certain he will find another national league club.

Have I missed something here? Just listened to the Notts County press conference and didn't hear his name mentioned

Quoted from buckstown

Have I missed something here? Just listened to the Notts County press conference and didn't hear his name mentioned

Same here

On radio Humberside Sports talk website

Nothing wrong with wanting to leave if he’s not getting games here. It’s the honourable thing for Hurst to do as well to let him go.

Not many sides in the NL have an excellent back-up goalkeeper. Battersby should be good enough to fill that role. And let’s be honest, it’s not even a role on the bench it’s outside the first 16.

More than happy with this. Best of luck to Macca, I hope it’s NL level at least.

Best of luck to Macca who has been a good servant to the club. I hope he gets fixed up soon.

Footballer in wanting to play games of football shocker.

There's no room for sentiment in football. He's been a good servant for the club, but even legends have to move on eventually, and it seems that the time has come.

Good luck Macca, you will always be welcome here.

there was some mention of players with contracts that trigger an extension clause if they play any more games. Could be that.

Quoted from pen penfras

Twice last season when Holloway dropped him and then Hurst did for Eastwood.

The request was to do with the Bignot reign being chaos, not being dropped.

And Hurst told him to find a new club, so what else was he supposed to do? Even if it was after the point he was told "actually, you can stay since we have principles etc", then it's hardly like he'd want to stay around a circus that treats you like that.

I was speaking to someone who works at the club and I was told that McKewan has been told he can leave and that possibly another keeper may be brought in to be above him in the pecking order so he probably may have played his last game for Town.

If he’s been given the heads up that he won’t be playing much or at all  , and club going in different direction GK wise … what’s wrong with asking to see if anybody wants him … the club know what he can do after 10 years , he’s fought for and won the number one shirt for a decade .. certainly don’t see it as throwing any toys anywhere .

I think he could well end up at a league 2 club if he goes.

Quoted from Madeleymariner

I think he could well end up at a league 2 club if he goes.

Not this season he won't unless it's as an emergency loan to cover an extreme keeper shortage.

Without moving away his realistic options at this level are Chesterfield, Halifax and Notts County. Would it be wise to send him to a promotion rival?

There are a few options a level lower with York being the only realistic full-time team. Boston have an excellent keeper on loan from Sheffield United in Marcus Dewhurst that Sheffield United will probably want playing higher next season so I doubt they would be interested in him. He's not going to go play for Bignot at Guiseley, Farsley have no ambition whatsoever. There is also Bradford PA or teaming up with Luke Spokes at Spennymoor or Danny Rose at Darlington. I suppose the most realistic destination until the summer is Alfreton or York though.

Yes, I understand the reasons that he may or may not leave, but its a pretty shittty thing for Town to do to a player in what should be a very memorable Testamonial year for him.

What are they trying to say? "Youve had everything we promised you for your Testamonial year, so now you can go!"

Or is it him saying "If I cant get in the matchday XVI, I want to go somewhere that I can", and who can blame him?

Possibly being the highest paid player on our books and not even getting to warm the bench on matchday cant be good for his confidence.

The last match he, McKeowen played was Away at Solihull 23/11/21  losing 2-0.
Strangely we had lost the previous 4 matches, then actually won, then lost at Solihull and PH drops him. Maybe it's a PH's "stand in the corner" job. The truth is I didn't think he was the weakest player, the team didn't just do enough. The old 2+2=5 team effort was 2+2=3 1/2  Perhaps he made his thoughts audible about the 180 deg change in fortune and PH reacted.  

(P.S. Eleven in Roman is XI, not XVI, I mean no disrespect)

Quoted from GrimPol

The last match he, McKeowen played was Away at Solihull 23/11/21  losing 2-0.
Strangely we had lost the previous 4 matches, then actually won, then lost at Solihull and PH drops him. Maybe it's a PH's "stand in the corner" job. The truth is I didn't think he was the weakest player, the team didn't just do enough. The old 2+2=5 team effort was 2+2=3 1/2  Perhaps he made his thoughts audible about the 180 deg change in fortune and PH reacted.  

(P.S. Eleven in Roman is XI, not XVI, I mean no disrespect)

11 + 5 subs

Quoted from GrimPol

The last match he, McKeowen played was Away at Solihull 23/11/21  losing 2-0.
Strangely we had lost the previous 4 matches, then actually won, then lost at Solihull and PH drops him. Maybe it's a PH's "stand in the corner" job. The truth is I didn't think he was the weakest player, the team didn't just do enough. The old 2+2=5 team effort was 2+2=3 1/2  Perhaps he made his thoughts audible about the 180 deg change in fortune and PH reacted.  

(P.S. Eleven in Roman is XI, not XVI, I mean no disrespect)

The second goal we conceded at Solihull probably sealed his fate in Hurst's eyes, it was really really poor from him (5m55s here):

https://youtu.be/nRCiSzEXPE0

He has been a good servant for GTFC but like all sportsmen they reach a point when their performances start to decline. Time for a replacement but never forget what he had done for the club.

Are any players now held away from the 16 on match days, due to games played, triggering contract extensions?

If so, an honest explanation would give fans the reasons why certain players are not even warming benches.

That Solihull goal just looks to be a good finish to me. I didn't agree it was an error when I first saw it and nothing has changed on a second viewing.

He's not been at his best over the past season or two, so if he is going to leave, fair enough. I just don't think criticism was due on that occasion.

Sbarra is a good player and nice little run, looks like he wrong footed JM and maybe JM thought he was going to put it into his left,   Shouldn't have been able to have a shot off for me.

Quoted from Meza

Sbarra is a good player and nice little run, looks like he wrong footed JM and maybe JM thought he was going to put ir ro his left,   Shouldn't have been able to have a shot off for me.

Yes it's poor from McKeown but it's fine margins. We were unlucky not to intercept the first pass from the edge of their box but the main question I'm asking is why someone didn't take a booking for the team.

Quoted from bedders78

11 + 5 subs

Thanks for explaining Bedders.

The match day squad does indeed include the 5 subs too

Macca is a decent bloke and a decent player at this level, he's saved us more points that he's cost us. If he was happy with being dropped I'd be worried.

Though his name was "circulated" it may have been to go out on loan, to get game time or in  the shop window so he gets fixed up for next season?  

Mariners legend. Will be sad to see him go but he’s got to look after his family and obviously wants to play while he still can. I’ve never criticised him. Never would.

Quoted from chaos33

Mariners legend. Will be sad to see him go but he’s got to look after his family and obviously wants to play while he still can. I’ve never criticised him. Never would.

Such an overused word - legend . Compared to good goalkeepers that I have seen play for Grimsby, such as Charlie Wright, Harry Wainmaan, Steve Sherwood and Nigel Batch then Macca doesn't get a look in . Good servant yes but legend no.

The guy is only 32. I was always told that's the age when keepers should be hitting their peak.

Keepers can play full-time football at quite a high level for longer than outfield players, in general. If he looks after himself, he could play L2 or NL football for another five or six years yet.

But I must be honest (and I think he's been a fantastic servant for this club) he's not showing the form we've seen in the past. Definitely within him to achieve those levels again, just might not be with us now.

Quoted from acko338

Are any players now held away from the 16 on match days, due to games played, triggering contract extensions?

If so, an honest explanation would give fans the reasons why certain players are not even warming benches.

Grant is 22mins away from triggering a 3yr extension

Quoted from RichMariner

The guy is only 32. I was always told that's the age when keepers should be hitting their peak.

Keepers can play full-time football at quite a high level for longer than outfield players, in general. If he looks after himself, he could play L2 or NL football for another five or six years yet.

But I must be honest (and I think he's been a fantastic servant for this club) he's not showing the form we've seen in the past. Definitely within him to achieve those levels again, just might not be with us now.

I think the last manager we had absolutely destroyed his confidence. You play to your players strengths and forcing a style of football on him that isn't his game resulted in a dreadful own goal and his coach being deployed as the first choice keeper.

If I was McKeown, I would have wanted my coach to stand up for me and tell the manager that wasn't the right call but instead Holloway told the media Russell wanted to play still. McKeown has to work with Russell every day and I could understand if he found that difficult. A good keeper coach should always have his keepers back; rather than his shirt.

First time I saw those highlights, got to admire the cracking football leading to their 1st goal, left us looking like statues  

Quoted from RichMariner

The guy is only 32. I was always told that's the age when keepers should be hitting their peak.

Keepers can play full-time football at quite a high level for longer than outfield players, in general. If he looks after himself, he could play L2 or NL football for another five or six years yet.

But I must be honest (and I think he's been a fantastic servant for this club) he's not showing the form we've seen in the past. Definitely within him to achieve those levels again, just might not be with us now.

If Macca has hit his peak then surely the next season or so will see his decline. If that is the case then surely we should be looking to the future and grooming a replacement? I don't think he is the best keeper of the teams at this level and even if we were promoted this season IMO we would would need better in FL2.