One of the delights of these boards is that it can take to you undiscovered parts of cyberspace. So thanks to whoever it was (apologies, but it's too many scotchs into the night to have the patience to find who) who posted the link to the PFA available players list - http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa-transfer-list. (In the clear light of a new day, credit to Tom-Tom-Sat-Nav). From this, and assuming it's kept reasonably up to date, you can quickly establish that there are more than 50 goalkeepers currently available on free transfer. Even allowing that some are going to be out of our price range salary-wise, and some just won't meet management criteria, it must surely be the case that there is someone out there who will, eventually be persuaded to play for us for the money that is on offer. In all there are more than 500 players on the PFA list available for free transfer, and I'm fairly sure that that list only lists players from clubs in the top 4 divisions. My perception is, therefore, that this is broadly a buyers market, and although you will still have to pay top price for the top quality, surely there must be some players out there who will be able to contribute to a 'new team', assuming that Hessy has got a proper plan in place. Yes, it is frustrating to see established quality players leaving the Gills, and others choosing not to join, and there being a deathly hush from Priesfield Road on the signing of new players. But I remain perhaps unreasonably optimistic that behind the scenes a plan is being hatched that will see a balanced and well prepared side, capable of both scoring and defending goals, emerge on the first day of next season. At my age I should know better. but.......
With all these goalkeepers that are available would it not better to get hold of a keeper now while the choice is there rather than wait until other clubs have picked the best. Perhaps Gills do not want to pay players during the summer months and would rather leave till the last minute.
It seems that the current mindset for the majority of these players on the list is that they will hang tough until the last few weeks of the summer...then they will be a lot less picky about who they join and what sort of contract they accept. They are playing a dangerous game, but hey you never know, it may be beneficial for a club like us. Our wage bill has been sufficiently reduced, and we have had to get shot of a couple of big players in order for us to re-evaluate our finances and look forward. Unfortunately for the likes of Barcham and Akinfenwa, it was extremely unlikely that they were set to stay for reduced contracts, and you can't really blame them for that. I would imagine that Barcham has had offers thrust in his direction, but may be playing the waiting game himself. As for us, what do we do next? The general consensus is that we are going to have to again turn to non-league players, or L2 acquisitions with a point to prove. I know that the anti-Stimson backlashes often referred to players who are from non-league who haven't made the grade, but you just have to use the initiative that they are players who will take pride in wearing the shirt, and will put in 100% every game. The likes of Mackail-Smith (if reports are anything to go by), Jackson, Beckford, Morison to name but a few, who were all playing non-league football as recently as 2 years ago, will next season be plying their trade in the Premier League and this is partly due to the fact that a football league team merely took a chance on them being able to make the grade. I know the tendency, and I've had it as well, is to see the PFA list and treat it very much like a game of Football Manager, is all too inviting, but we have to think realistically. We know the areas we need to strengthen, and I'm sure Mr Hessenthaler and his team are actively scouting players to fill these gaps, but the truth of it is that we are sadly gaining less of an attractive status to possible new players, and therefore they will do their best to hold out for another offer. When it becomes clear that one may not come along, then they may think twice about where their immediate future lies. I'm not going to go through the list again, I get far too carried away with "he'd do a job" and not thinking about "he could probably get better offers elsewhere", but it will certainly be interesting to see who lines up in the blue and black come August....
No one can blame Hessy for "dipping" into the non-league market, as this does have to be done from time to time. However, I do feel that due to him being "handcuffed" to severe budget cuts, he may be forced to mainly rely on the non-league market for players and I cannot accept that by doing this will give us, the Club, a great chance to secure promotion. Experience and good leadership on the pitch and from Management is a better way to go forward together with a guarantee that both the Manager and Chairman are both "singing from the same song sheet"
Firstly the non-league argument, Have people forgotten that Hess was playing non-league until he was 26 I think, he, more than any, probably knows that a lot of players just need a chance. As for the 50 keepers on the list, all want to play as high up the ladder as they can, earning as much money as they can, there will still be some without a club come the end of July and then league and wages will become secondary to being unemployed.
Not all players, if any at all start their careers in The Football League. then again, there are no League Clubs with entirely non league players in their squad. The trick is to strike a balance, both player wise and budget wise. However, I am afraid at the end of the day we may be left with the dregs and this will make even more difficult for Hessy to weave his magic. Are we favourites to get promoted?
