Clarke has said we will be taking around 7 on trial for 2 weeks when the players return for pre season. We know 1 is Pierce Mitchell (aged 18), who was released by Bristol City near the end of last season after finishing his 2 year scholarship. He played in a development game for us in April and impressed. He then stayed and trained with us until the end if the season and been invited to come back on 30th June for his trial. He can play RB and also right side CB. We also know 1 is Lewis Taffe (aged 22), who currently plays for Concord Rangers in the Conference South division. Clarke has been told good things about him after speaking to three or four people. He is a striker. We dont know yet who the other 5 players who have been invited to attend a 2 week trial with us on 30th June. But I do know that this will be a mix of players who currently play in the conference leagues and who currently are without a club who has league football experience. They have a mix of positions but some will be competing with each other for the same position. Clarke has confirmed that from this bunch of trialists "We'll possibly be looking to take one or two of them if they are good enough", so we wont be keeping them all!
If we sign Taffe, then surely we need another striker as well. Brunt, Harrold and White all injury prone. We shouldnt be relying on a striker from Concord Rangers to shoot us back to the football league! We need a striker with lots of pace to burn which will scare this league. Until we get this player in the door, we wont come top 5.
If JC is available & a deal can be done, then we could (& prob will) do a lot worse !!! I know resigning JC is a "marmite" (other spreads are available) topic, but his know how in & around the box imo could make the difference !! Now where did I put my tin hat !!!
Mmmm, tin hats could be useful if he's re-signed. Not my choice at all - Forest Green have Lee Hughes who is a better striker, albeit a pretty horrible individual, and he's not exactly set the Conference alight.
