Official January Transfer Window Thread

Just 6 short weeks until the transfer window flies open and eyes are already starting to turn to Hurst’s shopping list. Try and keep all rumours, predictions, inside info & announcements to one thread if poss.

A reminder of the summer window’s hall of fame/shame:

Surrey97
Pontoonlew
Hagrid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mendonca1995
Corkyefes
coddy60

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It Bites (R)
Lukeo (R)
Telegraph Sport (R)
WozofGrimsby (R)


Those in the top 6 all have decent record with this kind of thing, Surrey97 the undisputed ITK poster but pontoonlew not far behind. The bottom 4, unfortunately, completely out the loop.

Who do we need then? A striker or two definitely, pontoonlew already hinted that we’d be looking at Orient’s Harry Smith. We might need a replacement for Kiernan too if Hurst doesn’t extend his loan from Walsall.

Billy Waters and Harry Smith on my wish list. Think we need another wide player also. Would like to see all young loans head back to their clubs and Hurst sign established lower league players instead.

I’d imagine it’ll be relatively quiet but we absolutely must get a striker in, no excuses now

I have a feeling that Sam Strandt leaving the club might mean it's a lean window for some of our ITK posters.

Inbound

There’s a number of players who are not at League Two level. We all know who they are and, not only do they need improvements for, those improvements need to be worthy of a first team spot. It might not happen in January but it needs to happen.

Wonder if we’ll be back in for Haughton at Fylde, 11 in 15 and top scorer in NLN? Kayode, another summer rumour, not tearing up any trees at MK Dons, their fans don’t rate him & he’s not played since coming on in the 89th min in a home loss to Bristol Rovers in October.

If we're shopping in the NLN, 21 year old Scott Pollock is doing well at Boston but it's a big step up. He's played 11 games at this level back in 2019/20 for Northampton who released him in the summer.

Boston currently have a young winger Gyamfi on loan from Peterborough who looks like he could have a promising future too.

Am going for Dallas at Solihull think is now the time to jump ship

We need experianced players not young guns in nappies learning to wipe there rear ends. Its just a waste of money when we need better especially up front

We have had much better loan players in the past from higher up the pyramid then the current crop.
We need to go there again if we are to improve in the January window but  be better at who take.

Had scouts from Grimsby at the Darlo game wanting to take a closer look at both Mark Beck (leagues top scorer) and our Middlesbrough loanee Daniel Dodds.

from the more injuries thread


Darlo Andy making an early bid !

Quoted from forza ivano

Had scouts from Grimsby at the Darlo game wanting to take a closer look at both Mark Beck (leagues top scorer) and our Middlesbrough loanee Daniel Dodds.

from the more injuries thread


Darlo Andy making an early bid !

Don't want him, sounds like a right Loser.

Quoted from diehardmariner

Don't want him, sounds like a right Loser.

Probably gone over a few peoples heads that one!

Quoted from denni266

We need experianced players not young guns in nappies learning to wipe there rear ends. Its just a waste of money when we need better especially up front

Yeah cheers for that, genius.

Quoted from forza ivano

Had scouts from Grimsby at the Darlo game wanting to take a closer look at both Mark Beck (leagues top scorer) and our Middlesbrough loanee Daniel Dodds.

from the more injuries thread


Darlo Andy making an early bid !

Couple of buck for beck?

Quoted from denni266

We need experianced players not young guns in nappies learning to wipe there rear ends. Its just a waste of money when we need better especially up front

Yeah, I mean when has a confident young striker ever done well for his new club?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erling_Haaland  

I get the point...

In an ideal world you would have a proven striker, or a player in any position, who is desperate to play for Town.  Be of an ideal age, good character and be more than happy to uproot his family to come here for probably average wages at this level.

Alas...

Anyone proven at this level gets a move higher up the ladder and with that more money (or in the case of someone like Paul Mullin a mega money move to any level), therefore largely putting them out of our reach.  In the unlikely event that there's a club at this level that have a surplus of proven players, they're not really likely to let them come to a rival are they?  I'm thinking a club like Bradford, they've got a glut of strikers who could potentially strengthen our frontline.  But they're only 9 points ahead of us in the table, having played a game more.  Having taken them close earlier in the season at BP, Mark Hughes might well see us as a potential threat so he'll be buggered if he's going to boost our options.

That leaves exploiting the leagues below which a) takes away the proven element of the wish and b) every fornicator is trying to do this which is why you're seeing clubs shell out a fortune on non-league strikers with a decent season behind them.

The only other option, really, is to bring in someone from the higher levels who is unproven.  Unfortunately they do come in incredibly green and raw.  

I'm disappointed Hurst didn't address the lack of striking options earlier.  I think he needs to accept that he's not going to find the perfect option, he'll have to give way on something.  But I also think it's a bloody hard ask to find someone who's going to give us what we need.

If we're talking predictions.

I reckon Maguire-Drew leaves in the window to [insert South-East side in League Two/Conference].


This isn't based on any intel at all, purely a prediction.

Quoted from diehardmariner

If we're talking predictions.

I reckon Maguire-Drew leaves in the window to [insert South-East side in League Two/Conference].


This isn't based on any intel at all, purely a prediction.

I agree with you. I think JMD will go, Hurst just said he's back in training but needs to up his fitness, a repeat of what he has said about JMD many times.

Sourse prematch Accrington.

Keeping quiet in hope someone makes a big booboo and helps me climb out of relegation  

Quoted from DB

I agree with you. I think JMD will go, Hurst just said he's back in training but needs to up his fitness, a repeat of what he has said about JMD many times.

Sourse prematch Accrington.

Which will be a great shame. Its amazing despite our extensive checks to "ensure they are the right fit" Hurst continues to sign players who aren't fit enough, don't track back enough.

He simply isn't that type of player and it should be Hurst's job to get the best out of these mercurial players.

He seemed a good fit to me when he scored the winning goal in the play-offs.

Im quite surprised that JMD hasnt been loaned out. With no sign of starting a match here, farm him out to a lower league team for a month or two, then I can also see him leaving in January.

Yes he will forever go down in the annals of GTFC history, but only because he was in the right place at the right time. Sadly that doesnt mean he is a player worthy of a regular starting position in the League.


edit: had to edit as I had spelt annals incorrectly!!!

I would like to see JMD start more games, particularly at home, forget the tracking back that’s why you have players like Clifton who get everywhere. JMD has the skill to create and score goals sadly what has been missing in home matches, do we really need eleven workhorses?

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Which will be a great shame. Its amazing despite our extensive checks to "ensure they are the right fit" Hurst continues to sign players who aren't fit enough, don't track back enough.

He simply isn't that type of player and it should be Hurst's job to get the best out of these mercurial players.

He seemed a good fit to me when he scored the winning goal in the play-offs.

I really like JMD but you could argue he did the job he was brought in to do last year, but it’s potentially a different challenge this year (and, realistically, not a position we were expecting to be in when he was signed almost exactly a year ago). His contract’s up at the end of the season and he’s realistically got until mid-Jan to prove he’s fit or he’s probably going to be looking at a loan & leave on a free.

Like I’ve said before, he must have the best record in the squad in terms of “goal involvements” if you want to call it that. He makes stuff happen and we all know where we’ve been lacking this season. It might end up being a decision between keeping him or Wearne, or JMD himself might push for a loan/move rather than spending six months on the bench & struggling in the summer.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Which will be a great shame. Its amazing despite our extensive checks to "ensure they are the right fit" Hurst continues to sign players who aren't fit enough, don't track back enough.

He simply isn't that type of player and it should be Hurst's job to get the best out of these mercurial players.

He seemed a good fit to me when he scored the winning goal in the play-offs.

Clearly signed for non league, and even in that league I doubt he would have got a regular 90 mins. More of an impact player when needing a goal.

Quoted from ginnywings

Clearly signed for non league, and even in that league I doubt he would have got a regular 90 mins. More of an impact player when needing a goal.

That is not the point. Whichever league we are in he keeps signing players who do not fit the profile he really wants - he wants duracell bunnies first and foremost and even a cursory look shows that JMD is not that player. Wearne will go the same way and presumably he was signed to be a league player.

I don't care what style we play but it seems daft to keep signing players to try to mould them into what you want when these types find it very difficult.  It is asking too much for every player to be like Harry Clifton and just turn on their sublime skills when they are also a work horse.

I'm gonna guess that it's easier and more achievable to take a player who has technical abilities but a lower work ethic/physical attributes and install a level of graft and/or improved fitness levels on them, as opposed to taking a workhorse type and improve their technical capabilities.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

That is not the point. Whichever league we are in he keeps signing players who do not fit the profile he really wants - he wants duracell bunnies first and foremost and even a cursory look shows that JMD is not that player. Wearne will go the same way and presumably he was signed to be a league player.

I don't care what style we play but it seems daft to keep signing players to try to mould them into what you want when these types find it very difficult.  It is asking too much for every player to be like Harry Clifton and just turn on their sublime skills when they are also a work horse.

I take your general point but in the case of JMD I don't think it holds water. We signed him to get us out of non league, to be a player whose work rate deficiencies we could carry at that level against the park the bus type sides. And also to use as an impact player against the better sides. Which is how he was used. And it worked, just a year earlier than expected! So Hurst has used him exactly as he wanted to last season, no failure at all in the transfer.

The new level we find ourselves at changes his calculation as to how to use him though. Personally I'd rather see more of him but I don't think it was a flaw of Hurst to sign him in the first place, quite the opposite.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

That is not the point. Whichever league we are in he keeps signing players who do not fit the profile he really wants - he wants duracell bunnies first and foremost and even a cursory look shows that JMD is not that player. Wearne will go the same way and presumably he was signed to be a league player.

I don't care what style we play but it seems daft to keep signing players to try to mould them into what you want when these types find it very difficult.  It is asking too much for every player to be like Harry Clifton and just turn on their sublime skills when they are also a work horse.

It may not be your point, but I think it is valid one. Not all players are signed to be first choice, play every 90 mins types.

It's a squad game and some players are just squad members to be used in certain situations.

Now we have gone up a level, some will fall by the wayside. If he hadn't had another year on his contract, I doubt he would have got an extension.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

Which will be a great shame. Its amazing despite our extensive checks to "ensure they are the right fit" Hurst continues to sign players who aren't fit enough, don't track back enough.

He simply isn't that type of player and it should be Hurst's job to get the best out of these mercurial players.

He seemed a good fit to me when he scored the winning goal in the play-offs.

Otis Khan of the present and Nathan Arnold from the past says you're wrong (plus the fact that he's kept Scannell on, so he obviously believes in him)

In his pre-match (Accrington) Hurst spoke of some players being similar within the squad, emphasizing that he is building a squad from which he picks a team to perform against a specific opposition. He also spoke that he has been looking for a strike for about 18 months.

As he pointed out, some of the strikers he targeted ( In leagues above us ) wouldn't be released by their clubs, other strikers offered to him by their agents were not a fit, for unmentioned reasons, for his squad.

So the likes of JMD and probably Wearne may leave in January. JS is on record as saying that we need to improve the squad every transfer window. Let's hope we get that all elusive striker and replacements for the loanees who will return to their respective clubs.

I think PH makes less mistakes in the transfer market than most managers, and when does make a mistake he gets rid sharpish
When he signed JMD I think he was fairly sure we’d be in the national league again this season and would have played a much bigger part
Bottom line is that although he makes things happen occasionally, he’s not a league two player

Quoted from diehardmariner

I'm gonna guess that it's easier and more achievable to take a player who has technical abilities but a lower work ethic/physical attributes and install a level of graft and/or improved fitness levels on them, as opposed to taking a workhorse type and improve their technical capabilities.

In JMD case it’s not just fitness or work rate which can be instilled he is also just slow when he tries to track back he is running in treacle . I don’t think you can give people pace anymore then you can give them skill.

Quoted from forza ivano

Otis Khan of the present and Nathan Arnold from the past says you're wrong (plus the fact that he's kept Scannell on, so he obviously believes in him)

i asked on another thread the other day if Scannell was anywhere near fitness and making it into the matchday squad

Quoted from WOZOFGRIMSBY

i asked on another thread the other day if Scannell was anywhere near fitness and making it into the matchday squad

Having Scannell back would be like a new signing...etc etc etc...

We are a decent striker away from having a chance to get near the playoffs or if not, I feel we may be looking over our shoulder and potentially drawn into a relegation battle... It's as simple as that and Hurst has a big challenge in the next window to get it right (alongside the board making funds available).

I would like to think someone like Dallas is on our radar, but who knows.
If Solihull still want the money they quoted in the summer (what I heard), then it wont happen.

One thing I hope doesn't happen, is that he goes for another youngster from reserve level and doesn't give them a chance (ie Richardson).

In the summer, I said that we wouldn't of been stupid to take a punt on Joe Nuttall from Scunthorpe and based on him already scoring 9 in a very poor Scunthorpe side, that might of worked out well. Who knows.

Lets see what it brings.

Now we have a Head of Recruitment we might find a decent striker in January.

Let's hope so.  

Quoted from grimsby pete

Now we have a Head of Recruitment we might find a decent striker in January.

Let's hope so.  

If the unions get their way there’s gonna be loads on the run  up to Christmas

Quoted from wiggers

Billy Waters and Harry Smith on my wish list. Think we need another wide player also. Would like to see all young loans head back to their clubs and Hurst sign established lower league players instead.

I wonder how accurate this is, £1,500 a week according to this: https://salarysport.com/football/sky-bet-league-two/barrow/

Grimsby Towns apparently: https://salarysport.com/football/sky-bet-league-two/grimsby-town/

If it is correct, I guess the likes of the loan players including McAtee, Pepple and Simmonds are subsidised by the parent clubs, as I can't imagine us paying those full salaries in this league, but who knows, gates are up.

Hurst says, in his pre-match chat with Matt Dean, that “a couple of loan players might go back, their clubs might call them back or the players might want to go back” in January. Personally wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar situation to last year where Revan, Bapaga, Towler and Hunt all went back and were replaced with more experienced players.

Elsewhere, Tshimanga to Stockport rumoured to be on the cards.

Yeah agreed, bapaga for example, once he found his feet was in the side quite often and won pens and got some goals and assists, but he still got sent back in Jan. Towler did brilliantly and was recalled I believe. Hunt was taken back by Sheffield wed to get him in league 2. Revan was out of his depth and went back.

I think pepple, Richardson and simmonds are likely to go if we think we are in with a chance of signing a couple of more experienced forwards.

I like Richardson, clever feet. I'd like to see him, Clifton, mcatee with kiernan

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

I wonder how accurate this is, £1,500 a week according to this: https://salarysport.com/football/sky-bet-league-two/barrow/

Grimsby Towns apparently: https://salarysport.com/football/sky-bet-league-two/grimsby-town/

If it is correct, I guess the likes of the loan players including McAtee, Pepple and Simmonds are subsidised by the parent clubs, as I can't imagine us paying those full salaries in this league, but who knows, gates are up.

I don't see how a website would know all this, so not sure it is true, but if it was, what I would be concerned about is that our top 6 earners are all defenders (taking away the top 3 as they are not our players).

Screams that we need to recruit at least one top quality attacking player in January.

Our new Head of Recruitment Analysis was taking in King's Lynn v Stevenage today in the FA Cup Second Round.

Maybe he’s had an email about Luke Norris? 👀

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Our new Head of Recruitment Analysis was taking in King's Lynn v Stevenage today in the FA Cup Second Round.

bit of a coincidence , coz someone at the match was talking about us possibly being interested in their big lanky centre forward, who knows Hurst somehow(?). I presume they're talking about Gold Omotoyo

Quoted from forza ivano

bit of a coincidence , coz someone at the match was talking about us possibly being interested in their big lanky centre forward, who knows Hurst somehow(?). I presume they're talking about Gold Omotoyo

Hurst embraced Omotoyo at the end of our game at their place last season. He's scored a few goals for them this season but I don't think he's league standard having seen him quite a bit.

There are some gems at that level, like Langstaff who Notts County signed in the summer but I don't think any of the King's Lynn team are players we would take a punt on.

Looking forward to the Going for Gold headlines in the transfer gossip columns.

You're playing catch up.

Quoted from Abdul19

Looking forward to the Going for Gold headlines in the transfer gossip columns.

You're playing catch up.

The heat is on. The time is right.
It’s up to you to play your game


(Or something like that!)

Vadine Oliver has only started 3 games since joining Bradford. Andy Cook's form has left him on the bench. He ticks alot of boxes.

Quoted from forza ivano

bit of a coincidence , coz someone at the match was talking about us possibly being interested in their big lanky centre forward, who knows Hurst somehow(?). I presume they're talking about Gold Omotoyo

Lots of links to Omotoyo after his performance and the Hurst embrace at the end of the game.

But I wonder if the Head of Recruitment was looking at someone who Hurst got a brief look at quite recently, Stevenage's Jamie Reid.

Slightly fallen out of the starting line-up in the league of late and Evans will no doubt want to boost his options/shuffle his pack a little in January, even more so with a bit of a windfall coming from their cup run which will no doubt see them getting some TV money from their trip to Aston Villa in the New Year.

Pure speculation but the Cambridge striker that scored on Saturday.

John Bostock still without a club and currently training with Notts County...

Don't know anything about him but looks like he would've been with Palace at the same time as Scanz so i'd say it's a dead cert

He's a holding midfielder who has never lived up to his early hype.

If ever there was a position where I felt confident we won't be looking to strengthen in the window, it's probably this one.

Bennett to finally sign?

Have a mate that supports welling and reckons ade azeez is being watched by clubs in the conference premier / Vanarama premiership and league 2

Putting 2 and 2 together means I’ve not one clue if that’s town!

What about having a look at Pollock at Boston?
15 this season with a bang average team in that league.
Hat trick today.

Quoted from TAGG

What about having a look at Pollock at Boston?
15 this season with a bang average team in that league.
Hat trick today.

Agent Shaun is on the case

Looking through the squad I think most of us would be really happy with the situation with the goalkeepers, defence and central midfield.

Max and Pardington

Efete / Cropper
Glennon / Amos
Maher / Waterfall / Smith

Green / Holohan / Morris / Clifton / Hunt* / Khouri

After this we start to get very thin and it’s glaringly obvious where we need to be looking.

Wingers - Khan. Include Clifton again here.

Centre forwards - McAtee and Taylor.

Kiernan’s loan is up.

I think it would be fair to say Orsi and JMD are not in Hurst’s plans. Pepple, Richardson and Simmonds make up the numbers but they haven’t really proved much.

The Orsi situation seems odd to me, I can only guess he hasn’t impressed in training. He rarely gets on to the pitch to show why he shouldn’t get more chances.

Hunt is another odd one. I was quite vocal about not being bothered whether he came back at the time. I think he’s a good player but I thought it was a move for a position we didn’t need. He had a run of three games in September where he completed 90 mins but we managed a single point. Since then we’ve barely seen him. I wouldn’t want him to and don’t think he will leave this window but it seems he’s got one foot in the JMD club atm.

On the plus side, we have got together 75% of a decent League Two squad in 6 months. We are desperate for two good players in the wing and centre forward positions though aren’t we (not earth shattering news, I know).

Scott Pollock, attacking midfielder, aged 21 at Boston United - 13 goals in 19 appearances inc hat-trick on Saturday, 15 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.

Maybe too much of a jump huh?

As for National League - top scorers, could do with a striker who scores regular in League Two - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/national-league/top-scorers

Top 25 scorers in League Two, not a Grimsby player in sight.... McAtee flying the nest....time to sign a striker?  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/league-two/top-scorers

"We aint got no facking money! Look, we doing the best we can, if ya don't like it, don't fackin come!"

As well as improving our striking options I feel we need to be introducing more creativity in our midfield and get a wide player who can also add goals and some more physicality up front.

Surprised to see one poster yesterday suggesting we need a new left back as I feel the defence is one area that is pretty decent although if Bennett suddenly changed his mind I would be happy to have him on board.

Quoted from Lincoln Mariner 56

As well as improving our striking options I feel we need to be introducing more creativity in our midfield and get a wide player who can also add goals and some more physicality up front.

Surprised to see one poster yesterday suggesting we need a new left back as I feel the defence is one area that is pretty decent although if Bennett suddenly changed his mind I would be happy to have him on board.

We’ve got a creative midfielder (Hunt) who we paid money for (unusual) who doesn’t even get on as sub.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

We’ve got a creative midfielder (Hunt) who we paid money for (unusual) who doesn’t even get on as sub.

Whats he created when he’s played? When he has started, i think he’s been dissapointing

Quoted from Hagrid

Whats he created when he’s played? When he has started, i think he’s been dissapointing

I agree with you, he's certainly not the same as when he came on loan last year.

Quoted from Hagrid

Whats he created when he’s played? When he has started, i think he’s been dissapointing

I didn’t suggest he had. Hurst made a point of saying he had chased his signature, we gave him a three year deal and he’s been warming the bench for the last month. Odd.

Most of Hunt's success came from linking up with McAtee last season and he's not played a single minute with him yet this season. Get the two of them on the pitch together and they might both start producing?

Quoted from Chrisblor

Most of Hunt's success came from linking up with McAtee last season and he's not played a single minute with him yet this season. Get the two of them on the pitch together and they might both start producing?

Watched him play about 12 minutes for Wednesday against Rayo Vallecano in pre season. Passes being pinged around and players moving into 'pockets'. ' He stitches moves together when the ball is on the deck and strikes the ball well. Problem is, our midfield is a game of head tennis and a physical battle much of the time.

I am still surprised that he has had so little chance since Morris lost form and confidence.

Quoted from Croxton

Watched him play about 12 minutes for Wednesday against Rayo Vallecano in pre season. Passes being pinged around and players moving into 'pockets'. ' He stitches moves together when the ball is on the deck and strikes the ball well. Problem is, our midfield is a game of head tennis and a physical battle much of the time.

I am still surprised that he has had so little chance since Morris lost form and confidence.

I’m a big fan of Hunt but I’m now thinking that we haven’t got the players with the movement to make the most of his passing. I often say it but our off the ball movement is woeful and is possibly the reason we now seem to be picking more attritional midfielders.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I’m a big fan of Hunt but I’m now thinking that we haven’t got the players with the movement to make the most of his passing. I often say it but our off the ball movement is woeful and is possibly the reason we now seem to be picking more attritional midfielders.

Hunt is still a young player putting him in for a couple of starts does him no favours, give him a run of 6+ games and you’ll see he’ll make a difference, I’m amazed he didn’t get thrown on yesterday.

The problem we have here is that it looks like Hurst sees Holohan and Clifton as undroppable which I’m not sure is right, both have been decent this season, neither have the passing ability and skill with the dead ball Hunt has.

We arguably have the strongest mid field we’ve had in ages, yesterday that’s not why the game was lost but if selection was right that’s where it and others should be won.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Hunt is still a young player putting him in for a couple of starts does him no favours, give him a run of 6+ games and you’ll see he’ll make a difference, I’m amazed he didn’t get thrown on yesterday.

The problem we have here is that it looks like Hurst sees Holohan and Clifton as undroppable which I’m not sure is right, both have been decent this season, neither have the passing ability and skill with the dead ball Hunt has.

We arguably have the strongest mid field we’ve had in ages, yesterday that’s not why the game was lost but if selection was right that’s where it and others should be won.

My point is that Hurst doesn’t trust his forwards to score so picks the midfielders who are more likely to score than those who are more likely to create.

Quoted from Nelly GTFC

Scott Pollock, attacking midfielder, aged 21 at Boston United - 13 goals in 19 appearances inc hat-trick on Saturday, 15 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.

Maybe too much of a jump huh?

As for National League - top scorers, could do with a striker who scores regular in League Two - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/national-league/top-scorers

Top 25 scorers in League Two, not a Grimsby player in sight.... McAtee flying the nest....time to sign a striker?  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/league-two/top-scorers

"We aint got no facking money! Look, we doing the best we can, if ya don't like it, don't fackin come!"

Scott Pollock is definitely on our radar

Quoted from MuddyWaters

My point is that Hurst doesn’t trust his forwards to score so picks the midfielders who are more likely to score than those who are more likely to create.

It's a bit of a conundrum in that we don't seem to create enough actual chances for any striker to score.

Nearly all of our better play is from too deep so I don't think the answer is just to get one or two league 2 quality strikers in, as welcome as that would be but also a change of mindset to be more attacking in the first place. Its all right "defending as a team" but there is no one in advanced positions when we win the ball.

It is a bit of a test this for Hurst who often seems to eventually hit on the right formula in the end, but it would be nice for an upturn in form before the new year.

Quoted from Surrey97

Scott Pollock is definitely on our radar

It might be when location works in our favour for once.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

It's a bit of a conundrum in that we don't seem to create enough actual chances for any striker to score.

Nearly all of our better play is from too deep so I don't think the answer is just to get one or two league 2 quality strikers in, as welcome as that would be but also a change of mindset to be more attacking in the first place. Its all right "defending as a team" but there is no one in advanced positions when we win the ball.

It is a bit of a test this for Hurst who often seems to eventually hit on the right formula in the end, but it would be nice for an upturn in form before the new year.

Without name dropping, I’m friends with a former Premier League midfielder who has often told me that really good midfielders need really good movements in front of them, either to receive the ball or to create space for runners. If you watched Giroud yesterday, his movement arguably created all three French goals.

This is our problem. There’s no guile about us without Taylor and very little off the ball movement. That’s why our passing is so pedestrian at times.

Just pointing out that I mentioned Scott Pollock on 25th October in a different thread, so unless anyone else can find earlier evidence then I'm having at least some share of that one.  

https://forum.thefishy.co.uk/Blah.pl?m-1666620233/highlight-Pollock/id-1601757#id1601757

Duly noted.

You've enquired about Tom Hopper apparently.
Doesn't start for us, plays a bit part but is club captain.

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

You've enquired about Tom Hopper apparently.
Doesn't start for us, plays a bit part but is club captain.

be a fee involved in that i'd imagine

Quoted from Hagrid

be a fee involved in that i'd imagine

We paid 150k nearly 3 years ago - Can't imagine it would be much. Might be a loan anyway I was told - Wage would be the issue I would imagine.

What’s going on with Vernam? Return was rumoured to have fallen through last minute in the summer when one of your other wingers did/didn’t go to Wigan, or something along those lines.

I'd definitely have Tom Hopper here. Perhaps the Lincoln fans can enlighten us but I seem to remember him being a player in the Taylor mould. Fairly clever, holds the ball up, brings others into play, etc. Bit more mobile than Taylor too, I'd imagine. Has played the vast majority of his career in L1.

Hopper has already done Boston, Scunny and Lincoln, so saving the best 'til last hopefully.

He'd be an excellent replacement for Taylor and a good age too.

Quoted from Chrisblor

Most of Hunt's success came from linking up with McAtee last season and he's not played a single minute with him yet this season. Get the two of them on the pitch together and they might both start producing?

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Without name dropping, I’m friends with a former Premier League midfielder who has often told me that really good midfielders need really good movements in front of them, either to receive the ball or to create space for runners. If you watched Giroud yesterday, his movement arguably created all three French goals.

This is our problem. There’s no guile about us without Taylor and very little off the ball movement. That’s why our passing is so pedestrian at times.

These.  In bucket loads.

It was also with McAtee having that free role, which he isn't playing at the minute.  I'd also add to that he had Bagapa and Sousa stretching teams from wide too, playing them in behind and across the lines.  

Hunt's technically excellent, the problem is the rest of the team don't make the runs that he needs for him to make use of his vision and passing range.  He's not slow and has quick feet too, in the absence of someone to take advantage of what he can offer I wouldn't mind seeing him trying to do that advanced midfield role, buzzing in and around the striker(s).  

Clifton, Green and Holohan will all run beyond the frontman, but their runs are relatively straight and predictable.  They need someone who brings them into play from a central point, as opposed to someone picking their runs out.  Frustratingly last season we lacked these runners, whereas this season we lack the thing we had last.

There's so many things missing from our attacking output at the minute, but I think a central point, i.e. Taylor Mk II, changes that.  That allows McAtee to drop into his favoured position, which in turn allows eye of the needle passing from Hunt and it also gives a focal point for the central runners.  I'd also argue it would allow Khan and Kiernan to stretch teams a bit more as they've the options of going long and wide or short and inside.  

What's Tony Rees up to these days, anyone?

Quoted from Son of Cod

I'd definitely have Tom Hopper here. Perhaps the Lincoln fans can enlighten us but I seem to remember him being a player in the Taylor mould. Fairly clever, holds the ball up, brings others into play, etc. Bit more mobile than Taylor too, I'd imagine. Has played the vast majority of his career in L1.

He is a good player, works hard and is definitely more than a goal scorer, unselfish and must be good to play with - Also chips in with goals - Relatively mobile but a good focal point for an attack - I feel he is finding it harder at L1 but then there are a lot of good players and clubs that have splashed some dollar, so maybe I am being unfair - He doesn't start much but that is due to Jack Diamond offering more really.

Quoted from ska face

What’s going on with Vernam? Return was rumoured to have fallen through last minute in the summer when one of your other wingers did/didn’t go to Wigan, or something along those lines.

He is just a squad player, when all are fit he doesn't start - We have had some injuries so recently he has started more but they are coming back so I would expect he will drop to the bench again.

Was trying to think how I knew the name Tom Hopper then it clicked...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-32950519

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

He is a good player, works hard and is definitely more than a goal scorer, unselfish and must be good to play with - Also chips in with goals - Relatively mobile but a good focal point for an attack - I feel he is finding it harder at L1 but then there are a lot of good players and clubs that have splashed some dollar, so maybe I am being unfair - He doesn't start much but that is due to Jack Diamond offering more really.

On paper, he's the exact striker we are crying out for. Taylor but younger, fitter, more mobile and more of a goal threat. Then the issue is everyone, and I mean everyone will be in for him. Maybe location can work in our favour here? But if we offer say 1.5k a week and Salford offer 4k, location becomes irrelevant.

Regarding Pollock, doesn't he also play the sort of McAtee role, ie not a natural striker? Hursty clearly thinking long term with both of these.

Hopper would be an outstanding signing, if true.

Quoted from Mariner_09

On paper, he's the exact striker we are crying out for. Taylor but younger, fitter, more mobile and more of a goal threat. Then the issue is everyone, and I mean everyone will be in for him. Maybe location can work in our favour here? But if we offer say 1.5k a week and Salford offer 4k, location becomes irrelevant.

Regarding Pollock, doesn't he also play the sort of McAtee role, ie not a natural striker? Hursty clearly thinking long term with both of these.

I had heard it was more likely to be a loan - I can see that as he is contracted I think with us until Summer 2023  - I would imagine he is on 3.5k a week with us, Captain and used to be a regular starter - I would imagine we may pay some of that depending on what we need to do in terms of freeing up wages. I really like him, you can never say definitely but I personally think he would tear it up at L2 and push you right up the table.

Quoted from nealeardleyscrossing

I had heard it was more likely to be a loan - I can see that as he is contracted I think with us until Summer 2023  - I would imagine he is on 3.5k a week with us, Captain and used to be a regular starter - I would imagine we may pay some of that depending on what we need to do in terms of freeing up wages. I really like him, you can never say definitely but I personally think he would tear it up at L2 and push you right up the table.

We've been saying for months, if we're a honest, that a top striker of that ilk will turn us from mid table also runs to a serious side. Maybe a loan with a view to a permanent when his contract ends in the summer. 3.5k may have to drop to 2.5k or something, naturally you'll be earning less.

Does anyone know what our top earners are on?

Quoted from Mariner_09

We've been saying for months, if we're a honest, that a top striker of that ilk will turn us from mid table also runs to a serious side. Maybe a loan with a view to a permanent when his contract ends in the summer. 3.5k may have to drop to 2.5k or something, naturally you'll be earning less.

Does anyone know what our top earners are on?

Wasn't their a thread some months ago that suggested McKeown and Hansen were on £3k per week.

According to this site Morris, Hunt and Glennon are on £2.5k per week with loan players on more.

https://salarysport.com/football/sky-bet-league-two/grimsby-town/

Quoted from DB

Wasn't their a thread some months ago that suggested McKeown and Hansen were on £3k per week.

According to this site Morris, Hunt and Glennon are on £2.5k per week with loan players on more.

https://salarysport.com/football/sky-bet-league-two/grimsby-town/

If that's right then paying a top striker 3.5k isn't "breaking the wage structure", strikers tend to earn more anyway.

I'd imagine Waterfall's a decent earner as well, maybe Holohan as well.