Taken from the OS The manager is still looking to add to his squad and is gearing up for the big kick off on 9th August. He said: âItâs difficult to assess the development of the side at the moment as I have to balance things up. I donât want many injuries and I havenât got a settled side yet. Itâs important that I get all my players fit for 9th August. You donât get continuity in pre-season as you are always changing players during games. I think most managers would tell you that pre-season is difficult and, as far as we are concerned, we are adding players into the squad and looking at one or two young lads as well as triallists. I donât look at any results in pre-season, I look at performances and how we are progressing. We arenât going to be playing a team like Yeovil on 9th August. They play totally different to how Grimsby will play and itâs important that the lads know that.â New signing Andy Monkhouse didnât feature last night, though he did travel with the squad. Clarke said: âHe is a little bit behind on his fitness levels which is why he wasnât involved tonight Heâs working hard, though, and will play some part in the game on Saturday.â As for the triallists, it would appear that Neal Trotman and Daniel Thompson wonât be staying with the club, though the manager has yet to make a decision on Ryan Higgins. Clarke said: âRyan, a former Birmingham City trainee, has done well in two or three games and I think heâs a young lad with potential. I will make a decision on him in the next few days.â
im surprised to be honest although i havent seen him play. clarke looks like he will play 3 CB's at the back. parkes, lockyer & mcchrystal. what happens if 1 gets injured during the game? we need another CB. whats the point waiting and searching for another CB. just sign him up now as he is already gelling. he is experienced as well. rather have him than pierce mitchell who is another inexperienced youth.
Disappointed that Trotman and Thompson aren't staying. Trotman looked very sound, and Thompson had good presence up front and a good touch.
It's great to ensure players want to play for us in all, but we are getting to the point where we NEED bloody players and fast. Offer one or two better deals if they are proven players at this level. We don't want to start the season with a half squad, or start a season with players who have had a poor pre-season, like we have done in recent years!
clarke says 4 more players - 5 if you count smiths replacement. how can we be 5 players short with 17 days to go before the season starts! yes players asking for stupid money is not clarkes fault and clarke not being held to ransom is the right thing to do but im still shocked we are still short in players. i can see higgings joining us when smith goes and thats if higgins dont get a offer from another club in the meantime. so thats 1 out of 5 players. we need 4 more and i can see 3 of these being loans which wont come in until around the end of august.
Clarke said on Monday he's not too keen on loanees. Not to say he won't get one or two if needed, but he says they often don't work out.
If you were the Director or manager of a Championship club would you want your young prospect kicked about in the Conference? Yo! Ville managed to get loans from the Prem last season because they would be playing against potential Prem players this season (if you get my drift) They were relegated and have to rebuild again Cheltenham also play the loan market quite well but does it bring them success? If we get loans in its more likely to be League 2 players now, sadly
