Shrimpsvoices

I've not seen any news on Stockton's injury. Any updates? Also, I'd love to know if his new contract offer has been withdrawn? I'd like to think it has, because we don't want a player who doesn't want to play for us, being the highest paid player at the club. His value will have plummeted, what with him being 'ill' and 'injured' for so much of the season. I'd not want him to still have a contract with us in his back pocket as a 'fall back'. If he doesn't get sold in the next couple of weeks, then he'll hopefully knuckle down, in order to get a club next season.

As for the new players, I was going to ask, would people bring them in to the side tomorrow, or keep the same starting eleven? Obviously, the question is now moot, but I would have liked to keep the same eleven and make the new guys work for a place, as no-one deserved to be dropped. But with no game tomorrow, and another week of training, Derek may want to bring them in for Port Vale?

It would be a good question to ask, who is still transfer listed? I'd hope that Cooney has proven himself, and taken off. What about the others who were transfer listed at the start of the season? I can't remember... ...wasn't Delaney listed? Hopefully he's off the list now.

I'm guessing we'll still be wanting six figures for Stockton, but who would be willing to pay £100k+ after the half season he's had? Add on the shenanigans over summer and the fact he's out of contract in a few months - I can't see him moving. No idea on whether the contract offer is still there. Be interesting to see how things unfold this summer - I think a lot depends on how he performs this second half of the season.

I probably would have kept the same starting XI for tomorrow, although I wouldn't be too upset to see Simeu come in for Rawson. That said, while Rawson has his moments in open play he's an absolute titan when defending set pieces. Can't see Crowley going straight in although we'll be seeing him off the bench for sure.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think it was indicated a few months ago that Delaney was off the transfer list? I like Cooney a lot but I think he does get a bit of a free-pass sometimes, especially in comparison to Love. They both have defensive lapses, and Cooney had an absolute stinker against Plymouth last month. I'm not sure if Derek is completely on board with him still - I don't think he'll move this January but I'm unsure whether or not he'll get a new contract in the summer.

Still no news re Cole's injury? Other than a rumour that he won't be going anywhere in January, due to the injury, I've heard nothing. If that is true, then it is more concerning than if he was moving, as it would suggest a longer term injury, certainly more than another couple of weeks, at minimum. I think I'd prefer to hear that he was going, than out long term, but hearing ANYTHING would be good!

I can't see us being willing to let him go at any price given the injury to Kieran.

At the moment we have Watts, Hunter and Arthur who can do a job up front. However, given none of them are regular strikers, it doesn't leave us with much confidence up front unless we can bring in another Striker. I'm sure DA and the people behind the scenes are more than aware of that though and doing what they can to resolve it.

I'm confident that DA and GS are actively in pursuit of additional signings (both on loan or on contract) that will fill the void left by Keiran and the injury to Cole which as has been stated we have little news of his state of play.

However when you start to look around for 'accomplished' strikers who may be available one has to take into account their current wages (based on info in another post) and OUR clubs ability or otherwise to be able to match or even come close to their current wage.

I find it incredible that Fleetwood are rumoured to be after Stockley who it is believed to be on £6000 per week when their owner is facing a Court Case for financial irregularities that may involve his current financing of his club.

No news is good news perhaps? Flapping around worrying and speculating doesn’t do any good, apart from keep the forum going I suppose.
DA brought in Simeu on loan, knowing that the Harrogate deal was in the pipeline for Ockers, so he was getting prepared for one out, by getting one in.
We have let 4 go now, so possibly room for two in?
With Phillips returning to his parent club, perhaps Cole is ready to return? Tbf the club keep quiet about injuries, take the Taylor situation as an example, and the return of Hunter early after being told it would be Feb following them announcing immediately following his operation it would be December!
It’s obfuscation, and a little frustrating, but there is a pattern.

I imagine another proper centre forward will have shot up the priority list now with Phillips's injury. We've got plenty of players who can operate as a second striker type like Hunter, Watts and Crowley (Gnahoua too), but we could do with some proper back-up/competition for Stockton. Gnahoua can deputise a bit in that role but I wouldn't fancy him being the sole back-up for the rest of the season.

One of those unofficial twitter accounts is mentioning us being loaned Michael Mellon , a 19 year old striker from Burnley.

Although on loan at Rochdale at the moment I wonder if Scott Quigley be back in the frame for a deal with OUR club having reported to have been of interest earlier in the season.

DA is his own man and will do what he feels is best for OUR club. However to bring in a youngster with no EFL experience would be a huge gamble especially as our style often resorts to a single striker on his own battling against some very experienced defenders.

Youngsters are only used to playing non competitive games and NOT mans football and EFL1 is no league to see if a 19 year old can cut it on his own in a mans game.

In our position in the league we need experience and I wonder if for the coming game Obeka will be brought in from the cold....assuming that Cole is not available. Thankfully Ash is on his way back but he's not a centre forward prepared to battle it our with some experienced central defenders.

I've already suggested Scott Quigley but I doubt Stockport would cut short his loan with Rochdale for him to come to us.....or would they....

Just noticed Micheal Mellon scored hat trick on 13th Jan for Burnley u21s

Deffo knows where the net is ...could be a decent move for us and him

redrobo wrote:DA is his own man and will do what he feels is best for OUR club. However to bring in a youngster with no EFL experience would be a huge gamble especially as our style often resorts to a single striker on his own battling against some very experienced defenders.

Youngsters are only used to playing non competitive games and NOT mans football and EFL1 is no league to see if a 19 year old can cut it on his own in a mans game.

In our position in the league we need experience and I wonder if for the coming game Obeka will be brought in from the cold....assuming that Cole is not available. Thankfully Ash is on his way back but he's not a centre forward prepared to battle it our with some experienced central defenders.

I've already suggested Scott Quigley but I doubt Stockport would cut short his loan with Rochdale for him to come to us.....or would they....

You do realise that you're typing up and posting this and not casually just thinking to yourself?

If only we had an example of a teenager who had made the leap from our under 18 academy football and almost immediately impressed playing in league 1.
Hmmm

Adam is NOT a lead the line type of player and has never done that role in the first team.

I still maintain that we need experience to do that demanding role and to throw a youngster with no EFL experience or even that of the 'mans' game is asking too much.

Respect your thinking about Adam but for me he's not the type of player we might need assuming that Cole is not available especially now that Keiran has cut short his loan deal.

Kieran Phillips isn't much older than Mellon and he did ok

Redalert1970 wrote:Kieran Phillips isn't much older than Mellon and he did ok

Suggest you have a look at his senior playing career to date. Info on Wikipedia.....

Huddersfield 10
Walsall 26
Exeter 11
Morecambe 20

He's had quite a bit of EFL experience before he came to us.....but don't let the facts get in the way of your thoughts....

Callum Lang was also very young when he came on loan

Let's see what happens

Might be cheaper to loan a U23 if we can negotiate a low % of the wage that we need to pay.

[quote="redrobo"]Although on loan at Rochdale at the moment I wonder if Scott Quigley be back in the frame for a deal with OUR club having reported to have been of interest earlier in the season.

[/qu

Dale fans haven't been impressed with him, so I'd rather not.

Redalert1970 wrote:Just noticed Micheal Mellon scored hat trick on 13th Jan for Burnley u21s

Deffo knows where the net is ...could be a decent move for us and him

Certainly knows where the net is, and sounds like a move would be good for both parties, as you say. But, he may be injury prone?

https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/pla ... ael-mellon

redrobo wrote:Adam is NOT a lead the line type of player and has never done that role in the first team.

I still maintain that we need experience to do that demanding role and to throw a youngster with no EFL experience or even that of the 'mans' game is asking too much.

Respect your thinking about Adam but for me he's not the type of player we might need assuming that Cole is not available especially now that Keiran has cut short his loan deal.

The main reason why Mayor isn't a 'lead the line' type of player is because he's a winger, not a centre forward.

Mellon is a centre forward, and will have trained and developed towards being able to play in such a way.

Granted, a first loan spell for any player in any position comes with its risks, but he's highly rated and we've got to make the most of the situation. Sounds like we weren't the only club in for him, so let's hope it works out.

Regarding Stockton's availability, there has been no actual update on this so I wouldn't be assuming anything about his fitness at the moment.

Mellon sounds like a direct replacement for Kieran Phillips i.e. he’ll play alongside Cole and will be the ‘running behind and working the channels striker’ than Phillips was, which sounds good to me as that formula has been working.

I'm happy we've got him in. Loads of goals at U21 level, hopefully he's ready for the next stage in his development. Score on debut v Pork Vale would be nice!