Stickied Confirmed Signings 2023/24

[Eastleigh Fan]

Scott Barrow is a good play off standard player for this level, but I think if you really want to win the league then you need slightly better. The other Macc fans might not agree with me, but when we played some of the better teams away in 2014-15, such as Bristol Rovers, he was definitely having a tough time defensively against some of the best players at this level, and definitely contributed to the 4-0 loss. He is very good at running with the ball, and capable of the odd screamer.

Personally speaking, anyone who is considered "Play off" standard, is good enough to be in a side that hope to make the top 5. So i'll be more than happy if he signs. We were only originally looking for cover for our regular LB, Michael Green, who is an excellent left back, so if he does sign Barrow, then we have 2 very good players fighting for the jersey, which can only bode well.

 

[GodsGift]

Finally got rid of Vadaine Oliver,on big money and will release more money for a new striker

It appears he's signed for a new club called "Notts Cunty".

 

[Minstermen central]

Finally got rid of Vadaine Oliver,on big money and will release more money for a new striker

I'm not going to say how I know as I'd get my bollocks clipped, but Jake Hyde was on £1400pw, not sure how this would compare to Vadaine.

That is what I heard about Hyde (75k a year) and always injured,the same person told me Oliver isn't far behind.Glad to see back of them least this strong looks hungry?

 

[Luke Imp]

James Caton signs for Southport. Decent signing for them, that.

He doesn't think about the game from a defensive point of view. He'll not track back and when he does eventually wander back, he's not switched on when players are moving around but he'll give you something going forward. It's just a case of whether you tolerate his complete lack of defensive work given what he has the potential to offer you in the final third.

A better signing for Southport than it would have been for us i.e. we have Muldoon, Arnold and Hawkridge so it wouldn't be too outlandish to suggest he'd have been a 4th choice winger taking into account what the Cowleys want from their wide men.

Caton or Arnold for us was a no brainer really.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

From Shrewsbury, to Mansfield, to Wrexham, to Lincoln, to Southport, he's dropped quite a bit. I wonder if he's not a great person to have around a dressing room, we seemed to get rid of him pretty quickly, even though he impressed coming off the bench a few times.

 

[Imp in Branston]

James Caton signs for Southport. Decent signing for them, that.

He doesn't think about the game from a defensive point of view. He'll not track back and when he does eventually wander back, he's not switched on when players are moving around but he'll give you something going forward. It's just a case of whether you tolerate his complete lack of defensive work given what he has the potential to offer you in the final third.

A better signing for Southport than it would have been for us i.e. we have Muldoon, Arnold and Hawkridge so it wouldn't be too outlandish to suggest he'd have been a 4th choice winger taking into account what the Cowleys want from their wide men.

Caton or Arnold for us was a no brainer really.

Yep agreed, he should be the stand out player for Southport. I think if it wasn't for Arnold he would have signed here a week or so ago, even given his lack of defensive tracking back. Very decent signing for the Port.

 

[Imp in Branston]

From Shrewsbury, to Mansfield, to Wrexham, to Lincoln, to Southport, he's dropped quite a bit. I wonder if he's not a great person to have around a dressing room, we seemed to get rid of him pretty quickly, even though he impressed coming off the bench a few times.

There were one or two murmurs here about that but no idea how true they were.

 

[CrazyImp]

Didn't understand Lincoln fans' hype about Caton, at all. Slightly above average winger at Conference level, Arnold is far superior.

 

[Steve_Wafc]

There were one or two murmurs here about that but no idea how true they were.

I have no idea either, just conjecture. At the time though it was becoming increasingly likely that we were going to lose Vose and Caton looked a good replacement for him, but despite not playing badly he wasn't retained any longer, makes me think there was something else there.

 

[Davidimp]

Played well in his first 3 home games after that was outshone by Maris and did very little away from home.

 

[MTFC_07]

Personally speaking, anyone who is considered "Play off" standard, is good enough to be in a side that hope to make the top 5. So i'll be more than happy if he signs. We were only originally looking for cover for our regular LB, Michael Green, who is an excellent left back, so if he does sign Barrow, then we have 2 very good players fighting for the jersey, which can only bode well.

I think you have a good chance of winning the league, although I'm not fully convinced by your manager. Saying that, I think Eastleigh, FGR and Tranmere have the best squads and I'm not convinced by Mark Cooper or Gary Brabin either.

 

[Eastleigh Fan]

Yes even amongst our own fans a lot of us feel that Toddy still has plenty to convince us he's the man. Up to a month ago, his recruitment has been poor, but we appear to now be bringing in some very good players. But its the style of football that he comes in for most stick. The last 4 months of last season we played some dire stuff and slipped out of the play off spots because of it. We can play well & have played well PS, but his sides have tended to revert to a "dont lose the game" mentality, rather then a positive lets go on and win it by playing nice stuff & trusting our game.
The owner has told him he expects a good, attractive brand of football, with a successful side, as being what will be a package to keep fans happy and of course help to keep us increasing the fanbase further still, so lets see how we are doing at the end of Sept, because if we are not firing and playing attractive football by then, it could well be an early exit for Chris Todd.
Personally, i like him, but think he needs an older more experienced man or coach with him, and we dont have that. So the buck will stop with him, if we do not hit the ground running, starting on Saturday.

 

[Chris FGR]

Todd is a top bloke, I really hope he does well, definitely deserves to. Still got a signed copy of his book, really inspiring stuff.

 

[Swedes]

From Shrewsbury, to Mansfield, to Wrexham, to Lincoln, to Southport, he's dropped quite a bit. I wonder if he's not a great person to have around a dressing room, we seemed to get rid of him pretty quickly, even though he impressed coming off the bench a few times.

The last 3 clubs he's actually played league games at have all been bang-average sides at this level, so I don't get the comment about him dropping levels. He looked useful enough in his last spell with us, and absolutely tore us a new one when we played at Sincil Bank last season.

Whilst I dont doubt Lincoln have eventually signed a better player, I'm surprised that we could agree terms with him so quickly when they couldn't.

 

[Imp in Branston]

The last 3 clubs he's actually played league games at have all been bang-average sides at this level, so I don't get the comment about him dropping levels. He looked useful enough in his last spell with us, and absolutely tore us a new one when we played at Sincil Bank last season.

Whilst I dont doubt Lincoln have eventually signed a better player, I'm surprised that we could agree terms with him so quickly when they couldn't.

I don't think it was just about money in the end, reckon Caton wanted to sign, but The Cowleys must have had a good idea Arnold was coming in. Arnold is here on a 2 year deal after turning down offers from league clubs and FGR and Eastleigh so he won't have come that cheap.

 

[Swedes]

I don't think it was just about money in the end, reckon Caton wanted to sign, but The Cowleys must have had a good idea Arnold was coming in. Arnold is here on a 2 year deal after turning down offers from league clubs and FGR and Eastleigh so he won't have come that cheap.

Given the wages we pay, and the fact we already had most of our squad in place before we signed him, it wouldn't surprise me if he's had to move in with his mum and will have to scab lifts to training!

 

[Luke Imp]

Matt Rhead signs a new deal, which takes him to the end of next season.

Hopefully no silly release clause in there.

 

[EnglishRed]

Yes even amongst our own fans a lot of us feel that Toddy still has plenty to convince us he's the man. Up to a month ago, his recruitment has been poor, but we appear to now be bringing in some very good players. But its the style of football that he comes in for most stick. The last 4 months of last season we played some dire stuff and slipped out of the play off spots because of it. We can play well & have played well PS, but his sides have tended to revert to a "dont lose the game" mentality, rather then a positive lets go on and win it by playing nice stuff & trusting our game.
The owner has told him he expects a good, attractive brand of football, with a successful side, as being what will be a package to keep fans happy and of course help to keep us increasing the fanbase further still, so lets see how we are doing at the end of Sept, because if we are not firing and playing attractive football by then, it could well be an early exit for Chris Todd.
Personally, i like him, but think he needs an older more experienced man or coach with him, and we dont have that. So the buck will stop with him, if we do not hit the ground running, starting on Saturday.

Toddy is no Taiter

 

[CrazyImp]

Matt Rhead signs a new deal, which takes him to the end of next season.

Hopefully no silly release clause in there.

Somewhere in the deepest north-west, Paul Cox is currently having an aneurysm.

20 more goals please.

 

[EnglishRed]

I'm starting to believe that Lincoln could actually trouble the play offs for once this year.

Unbelievable Jeff.

 

[CrazyImp]

I'm starting to believe that Lincoln could actually trouble the play offs for once this year.

Unbelievable Jeff.

It's a brave new world. We don't have a joke Sunday League manager in charge of us this season either, which is always a bonus.

 

[PaulHaddock]

It's a brave new world. We don't have a joke Sunday League manager in charge of us this season either, which is always a bonus.

Nope, just a PE teacher.

 

[Railway Blue]

Sincil Bank is one of the grounds I've visited more than most others and always enjoy the games there. We've even won a couple. You keeping Rhead til the end of next season could be the best business you've done this year among other good signings. Our 'double' over you the season before last will be one to cherish as I don't see us troubling you too much this season. I also remember when you were in L2 and reached 5 consecutive play-offs and lost them all. Also remember when I first started supporting Chester you were a 2nd tier team. You need to get back into the league.

 

[GodsGift]

So Rhead will be allowed to train in Stoke every Monday as he's fed up of the two-hour commute and he has a young family based there.

Bit of a strange setup. Who exactly is he going to train with?

 

[EnglishRed]

It's a brave new world. We don't have a joke Sunday League manager in charge of us this season either, which is always a bonus.

It should help. Last season you should have been closer than you ended up.

I'm starting to think we'll be down here forever

 

[Chris FGR]

It should help. Last season you should have been closer than you ended up.

I'm starting to think we'll be down here forever

You'll finish above Lincoln, and probably make top 5. Once you get there you never know, could catch one of the big 3 on a bad day and suddenly you're at Wembley. Chin up.

 

[Luke Imp]

Sincil Bank is one of the grounds I've visited more than most others and always enjoy the games there. We've even won a couple. You keeping Rhead til the end of next season could be the best business you've done this year among other good signings. Our 'double' over you the season before last will be one to cherish as I don't see us troubling you too much this season. I also remember when you were in L2 and reached 5 consecutive play-offs and lost them all. Also remember when I first started supporting Chester you were a 2nd tier team. You need to get back into the league.

Trevor Kettle. Discuss...

So Rhead will be allowed to train in Stoke every Monday as he's fed up of the two-hour commute and he has a young family based there.

Bit of a strange setup. Who exactly is he going to train with?

I'm guessing Monday's are more geared towards recovery work. You'd imagine that he'll be in for training on a Monday before a Tuesday game, though?

 

[EnglishRed]

You'll finish above Lincoln, and probably make top 5. Once you get there you never know, could catch one of the big 3 on a bad day and suddenly you're at Wembley. Chin up.

That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me Chris. I'm welling up here.

It will be a close league this year. There are three clubs who should be at the top given their squads and then a whole raft of others who could make the play offs.

 

[Imp in Branston]

Nope, just a PE teacher.

It's not just Danny, Nicky Cowley is an equal. It's also like having another manager to help out and give different ideas even though he is kind of classed as his assistant. Coming from a PE background even though both have plenty of football experience hasn't hindered them in I think 9 seasons of success at previous clubs. Wouldn't swap what I have seen/heard so far for any other manager(s) in this league.

 

[Imp in Branston]

So Rhead will be allowed to train in Stoke every Monday as he's fed up of the two-hour commute and he has a young family based there.

Bit of a strange setup. Who exactly is he going to train with?

Been given an individual training regime, as have all the players to help keep as optimally fit as possible.