I'm very happy - we have Cody and a defensive midfielder. Money still there if we need a loan, otherwise we will be in a very different situation when promoted with players available who didn't want to go to Div 2. Keep the cash safe for now.
I'm still concerned that should we pick up injuries or suspensions or both and should Cody be recalled after 4 weeks then we'll be going into the final stretch under manned. Yes we have some good youth remaining but doesn't anyone else question why the likes of Dack have only been warming the subs bench whilst on loan at non league????? Also I thought any new signings were supposed to be an improvement on what we have? Gregory and Robinson over say Payne and Jackman. Which 2 would you pick? And also as someone mentioned earlier that MA said he doesn't like loans......... Are people starting to think promotion is a for gone conclusion??? It's not. Still a long way to go. I'm not as happy as I was at the start of the day.
Picking up Gemini's point, we know Robinson was a regular at Bournemouth for a couple of seasons and has been an occasional selection at Huddersfield. We have seen a bit of Gregory. We all know Montrose, Payne and Jackman and we know their ability to cover different positions. So with 3 months or so to go how would people rank in order these five which are listed alphabetically; 1 Gregory 2 Jackman 3 Montrose 4 Payne 5 Robinson.
It is tough to rate Gregory so early and also Robinson ain't played yet so I can't say much but I think Gregory is a good player who will continue to improve.
grumpygit I think that I understand that statement - but how are clubs like QPR able to pay (reportedly) £100,000 per week ( Samba ) when their ground capacity is only 18,000 ? I can't help feeling that this is one rule that will find a loophole - not that I think we should risk the financial long term future of the club by offering ridiculous wages for short term gain.
Gemini I think you are failing to remember that we've only really had three injuries all season. Martin and Allen both with broken hands and Whelps with his dead leg. The team is far more fitter than under the Hess regime yet still have the combative tenacity. Suspensions have been fewer this season with our most undisciplined players of last year Lee and Martin have both cleaned up their acts. If we do get injuries/suspensions, they will most probably be infrequent and we have the players to cover positions. Left Back is probably the only place but we still have Joe Carter on the books. As for the Cody situation, we can easily use Weston to fill that role and move Charlie Allen to the left. Having Jackman in the squad would have been more ideal but we have to deal with what we have. Also I think you are being a bit harsh on Gregory and Robinson. Ok Mad Dog signed Gregory after one game which is not always the best method, but he's come straight from a team that are battling relegation in this league to one chasing the title. Two completely different situations and he will start to pick up his performances by being surrounded by better players (no offence Wombles). Robinson, we can't judge as he has yet to make an appearance for us. Dont jump the gun just yet gemini, give these players some time to prove themselves. We are still top of the league don't forget
I am being nothing more than cautious. Just because we've been ok on the injury front doesn't guarentee that we will be in the future. I don't see how I've been harsh on Gregory and Robinson, I only stated that it was said that only players that were an improvement on what we have would be brought in and then asked if these two were an improvement. I'm not sure they are. Only time will tell though. I am concerned that people are taking promotion for granted when it is far from it. I have questions and doubts and I'm worried that we may pass up the opportunity to do something special this season. I hope my fears are unfounded. The questions I have still remain.
Little disappointed that we didn't sign another 'name' player but basically that's only because fans kept putting up rumors that we would be signing one. The anticipation just kept climbing, but I think we have a squad already good enough to go the distance. Overall I'm extremely happy with Leon and Cody coming in. Hopefully Gregory and Anton Robinson will prove to be good as well. I think we have the striking positions covered with the main 4 we have now. I think it would be a sad waste to get in another striker and see Birchall left out. I also am very glad we didn't pay 'over the odds' for any players. There are too many Portsmouths, Swindons, Lutons etc I don't want us to go down that path. And I honestly don't believe MA wants to ship out good players and bring in poorer players. Not a lot of sense in that hey? It is his job, his reputation and his income on the line after all. But it's as if some fans think he is deliberately trying to make our promotion bid harder. I don't buy that at all. He has made his own decisions on who to let go, and who to bring in. We are currently top of the Table so I'll leave him to it and hope he continues to succeed.
I'm not going to place Robinson at this time. A. Jackman (purely because I feel he is more attacking than Payne) B. Payne C. Montrose D. Gregory (to early to place any higher)
I can see where you're coming from Gemini, but I honestly feel that we will be able cope if such events do occur. We have players that can play in a number of positions and I'm sure they will be able to cope temporarily. As to Robinson and Gregory, by questioning them you are kind of questioning Mad Dog's decisions. You have to remember we are top because of him. He has brought the right players in that has helped move us from averaging 8th to now one that can seriously push for promotion. I am one of the people who was astounded by some of the players we've let go. Especially Payne on loan, Essam and Jackman on free's and to release Evans. However we have to come to terms with the fact that there isn't enough room in the team for them (excluding Payne from that statement). Some fans probably are taking it for granted but its probably because we haven't really experienced it that much in the clubs history. I have faith in Martin Allen to make the right decisions for the club, no matter how frustrating those decisions may be.
To early to judge gregory or robinson but you have to trust MA. If you look at defence then he kept fish and martin but improved it with barrett and legge. In midfield he has kept our most effective players of Lee and Whelpdale and improved with weston- to early to judge gregory and robinson. In attack he has kept Kedwell and improved with burton and cody. time will tell how well gregory and robinson pan out but thus far he has been spot on.
Agree with all of the above. I still feel that it would be madness to let Birchall go anywhere. He is in the Cody mould albeit unproven at this level. The chances to play have been minimal but he has the right character, he is a fighter and he is fit (now). Prolific goal scorers at non league or low league levels DO, in the main, retain their prowess. My memory only stretches back as far as Kevin Keegan (from Sc***horpe I believe), but there have been many others since. I do believe that if St Cody does get recalled Birchall will do the job. It will take just one goal from him in the league to set him on his way as with strikers, it is also partly psychological. He is raring to go and I believe an important part of the team. COYG......
As mentioned above, Anton was never really a fit at Huddersfield; as if we signed him because he played so well against us we couldn't afford not to. He was, while at Bournemouth, a really standout quality midfielder at League One level - not just breaking up play, but he could spray the ball about a bit, too. We thought he was going to be the same when he joined Town, but for whatever reason neither Clark nor Grayson fancied him. Its fair to say he looked a bit lightweight and out of his depth when he did feature, but I don't read too much into that. Its a deal that suits all parties. He was never going to get a chance with us, so really, a chance to shine elsewhere is the best we could all hope for. I wish him well.
Just to echo what Hoadie said earlier about Scally - people should lay off him. He has done ludicrous amounts for our club, especially in the last few seasons. Yes he is controversial, yes he makes odd decisions sometimes, but his commitment to the club is beyond question. Look at the financial state of football and especially lower-league clubs... and yet how many times have we gone into administration in the past 15 years? [Touch wood]
