Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[Moomin]

Crawley press now saying Collins to Luton is a done deal

Great signing for Luton if that comes off. Him and Hylton will be a great combo.

 

[Youpies]

Luton are looking very strong at this stage. They have the advantage Mansfield do not have of not bringing in a whole new team and waiting for them to gel. They have kept a large part of last years squad and are improving where necessary. I can see Luton finally getting automatics

 

[Judge Dredd]

Have to say the recruitment is looking really good if this comes off, Jones seems to have taken on a lot of lessons from last year and finally prioritised quality over quantity with the fringe players shown the door and a tighter squad. Also brought in experience and some steel.

We still need another midfielder or two to complete it but we are shaping up nicely. The spine is starting to look like a good mix of experience, know-how and strength. Stech - Cuthbert - McCormack - Hylton/Collins is a decent core to build a team around it's fair to say, although the pessimist inside of me is still thinking there is question marks remaining over who will partner Cuthbert in defence and McCormack in midfield (never mind when he inevitably picks up an injury...).

 

[Super_horns]

Hope Bonham does well - needs a few good games to get confidence.

 

[hellogregory]

Collins is a great signing for Luton. Shame for Marriott though as there's a good striker there but probably won't get regular football now which he needs at 23 years old.

 

[Judge Dredd]

Jones has always maintained that he wanted 4 strikers and to keep Marriott so I'm hoping it's not the beginning of the end for him.

Personally got my fingers crossed that we'll play 3 up front at times next season instead of the shitty diamond 4-4-2, to get both Vassell and Marriott time on the pitch, but I think the more likely scenario is that Marriott will be sold unfortunately :-( Personally I think that would be a mistake, I do think that despite last season he's going to turn out to be a better player than Vassell but he's probably on a significantly higher wage than Vass and if the rumoured Peterborough bid is true I can't see us turning that kind of money down. Hoping it's nonsense though as I'd much prefer him to stay.

 

[GodsGift]

Billy Knott signs on a one-year deal.

 

[Vanni]

Judge - As much as we all love attacking football , 4-3-3 will not work nowadays with so many sides setting up in a 4-5-1 formation esp.when playing away from home. There are some sides who supposedly play 4-4-2, at home generally, but in reality it's actually closer to 4-5-1.

I can only speak about L2 footy, and IMO, far too many sides are setting up in a cautious manner as time goes by, and are concentrating more on stopping the opposition than scoring themselves. The 'a point is better than nowt' approach.

 

[Youpies]

Formations don't really matter in league two from what I can tell. So few of the players have the quality, intelligence or tactical ability to play them properly for 90 minutes

 

[Captain]

We've completed two signings, Blair Turgott as reported by the Daily Mail/Sky Sports yesterday and Joe Martin from Millwall.

 

[Vanni]

Formations don't really matter in league two from what I can tell. So few of the players have the quality, intelligence or tactical ability to play them properly for 90 minutes

Don't know if sir is aware, but the EFL are looking for a new PR guy, whose sole responsibility will be to make L2 more appealing to the masses.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Don't know if sir is aware, but the EFL are looking for a new PR guy, whose sole responsibility will be to make L2 more appealing to the masses.

I nominate carver

 

[Judge Dredd]

Judge - As much as we all love attacking football , 4-3-3 will not work nowadays with so many sides setting up in a 4-5-1 formation esp.when playing away from home. There are some sides who supposedly play 4-4-2, at home generally, but in reality it's actually closer to 4-5-1.

I can only speak about L2 footy, and IMO, far too many sides are setting up in a cautious manner as time goes by, and are concentrating more on stopping the opposition than scoring themselves. The 'a point is better than nowt' approach.

There's very little difference between an outright 4-3-3 and the 4-4-2 diamond as we played it last season tbh, whoever played at the point of the diamond basically did no tracking back most of the time. McGeehan practically played as a striker half the time such was his desire to get in the box. We even played Hylton there a couple of times when we wanted to get two other strikers on the pitch. I think it would be a fairly natural progression for us based on how Jones likes to set up, and our midfield is by and large shite anyway and tends to get bypassed in most games regardless of how we set up.

Put it this way, I'd rather see Marriott or Vassell on giving defenders something else to think about than Jordan Cook wandering around the pitch aimlessly not touching the ball. And Cook is a striker by trade anyway (apparently)!!

 

[Imp in Branston]

Billy Knott signs on a one-year deal.

Pleased with that, a full pre-season behind him to get fit and we should have a decent player there.

 

[CrazyImp]

Delighted with the signing of Knott. Will be in the top few CMs in this division with a full pre-season behind him.

Luton and Exeter looking very strong, they're my top two for the minute.

 

[Hatter86]

Fantastic signing if Collins comes off. Would have 4 quality strikers, each bringing something different.

Very impressed with our recruitment. After this we are looking at another keeper, as Jones wants two senior ones after last seasons balls up, an attacking midfielder to replace McGeehan and someone to partner McCormack in the middle. I'd also like a towering centre half if I'm being greedy. And a winger. And Rakish Bingham...

 

[joethegill]

Pleased that Knott has joined Lincoln. Very much a case of 'face didn't fit' down here, and even though I was never that convinced by him last season he's tidy enough to make an impact at League Two level. Nice guy too.

 

[Big Bird]

Luton, Mansfield, Coventry look stand out to me so far.

We still need about 10 players though...too early to judge where we'll fit in.

 

[Kenneth E End]

Are we getting close to "pissing this tinpot league" territory?

In all serious we still need at least 2 more outfield player in addition to Collins to 'finish the job' per se.

Our recruitment has been excellent this summer. A lot of the budget was freed up already getting rid of players like CMS and Green plus the additional £1.65m from player trading income, rising to potentially £2m if Marriott goes too.

 

[jacobncfc]

Collins is a great signing but should be for that money at this level, I guess.

 

[That Fat Centre Half]

Yeah until we sign another midfielder I'm steering well clear of any league pissing predictions. Arguably haven't improved upon our weakest area, and with McGeehan gone it very well might be worse.

 

[Big Bird]

Wonder where McCormack will play for Luton. Had him in centre mid and he wasn't great, moved him to Centre Half and made the League 1 play offs with him partnering Aden Flint.

Think Brentford used him as a full back.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Genuinely believe if Crawley sell Collins then they're looking at being favourites for 24th if they don't replace him...

 

[mtfc26]

Think Luton are recruiting really well fair play to them arent Collins and Hylton quite similar in style though??

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

Our interest in signing Wes Brown appears to have cooled after the player failed to turn up for initial talks with Dave Artell and Kenny Lunt.

Doesn't surprise me one bit and I'd rather look elsewhere given his lack of fitness of late.

 

[Urban]

No real idea on anything, but every season we have this talk of teams being really strong and most of them are always really underwhelming.

In other news, there's rumours we've made a signing. We signed the Amazon delivery paperwork for some more printer ink.

 

[PaulHaddock]

No real idea on anything, but every season we have this talk of teams being really strong and most of them are always really underwhelming.

In other news, there's rumours we've made a signing. We signed the Amazon delivery paperwork for some more printer ink.

He looks good on paper.

 

[CrazyImp]

Genuinely believe if Crawley sell Collins then they're looking at being favourites for 24th if they don't replace him...

Either them or Morecambe.

 

[Stringy]

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/june/getting-to-know-our-new-signings/

Short intro to Mansfield's new signings ripped from the OS.

Conrad Logan
Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 18/04/1986

Goalkeeper Conrad Logan became manager Steve Evans' first signing of the summer following the conclusion of the 2016/17 season.

The former Rochdale shot-stopper opted to join the Stags instead of signing a new deal at Spotland.

Last season, Logan played a vital role in Dale's League One play-off bid, as they ultimately finished ninth in English football's third tier.

Prior to joining Keith Hill's Rochdale, the former Leicester 'keeper enjoyed a spell north of the border with Hibernian, where he wasted no time in becoming a cult hero.

His first game for Hibs – a Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United – involved a string of fine saves as the game went to penalties, before he kept out two spot-kicks in the shootout as Hibs reached the final, which they won by defeating Rangers 3-2.

Bobby Olejnik
Goalkeeper
Date of birth: 26/11/1986

Experienced shot-stopper Bobby Olejnik joined the club from fellow League Two side Exeter City in June.

The Austria-born 'keeper has plied his trade in England and Scotland for the last 14 years since joining Aston Villa from Austria Wien.

After a number of loan spells whilst with Villa, Olejnik left the West Midlands and signed permanently with Scottish side Falkirk, where he spent four years vying for the number one spot with Tim Krul.

He returned to England with then-Championship side Peterborough United and enjoyed relative success at London Road – including a number of personal honours including equalling the club's clean sheets record in a single season with 22.

Olejnik left Posh and joined Exeter City where he spent the last two seasons before moving to North Nottinghamshire.

Zander Diamond
Defender
12/03/1985

Scottish defender Zander Diamond turned down a new contract at Northampton Town to join Steve Evans' side in May.

He was voted as the club's Player of the Season for 2016/17 as the Cobblers enjoyed a solid first season in League One.

After leaving first club Aberdeen, Diamond moved to England with Oldham Athletic before making the switch to Burton Albion.

The Alexandria-born man was part of the Brewers' side which reached the play-off final but then opted to join the Cobblers halfway through the 2014/15 season.

The following year, Diamond played a key role in Northampton's title-winning campaign which saw them promoted to League One.

David Mirfin
Defender
18/04/1985

Three-time promotion-winning defender David Mirfin left former club Scunthorpe United to join the Stags in May.

He won promotion from Division Three with Huddersfield Town in 2003/04 and went on to win a number of personal accolades in the seasons which

followed as he flourished in the third tier of English football.

Mirfin swapped Huddersfield for Scunthorpe in 2008/09 and immediately won promotion to the Championship. He helped them maintain their Championship status before joining Watford, but he soon returned to Glanford Park.

The Sheffield-born defender helped the Iron win promotion from League Two and was an essential cog in their side last season as they finished in the League One play-off positions.

Hayden White
Defender
15/04/1995

Right-back Hayden White needs no introduction to Stags' fans after impressing whilst on loan at One Call Stadium last season.

He joined Steve Evans' side on a half-season loan deal in January 2017 and proved to be an instant hit.

White provided solidity at the back and frequently joined in with attacks, providing a dangerous outlet on the right-hand side.

He began his senior career with Bolton Wanderers where he embarked on four different loan spells before making the switch to Peterborough United.

White's Posh career lasted just half-a-season as he joined Stags on loan in January, before making the permanent switch last month.

Johnny Hunt
Defender
23/08/1990

Stags completed the transfer of versatile left-back/left midfielder Johnny Hunt from Chester in May 2017.

The 26-year-old is highly competent at either left-back or left midfield and is widely regarded as an unfulfilled talent.

Hunt began his career with Wrexham before making the switch to League Two side Cambridge United in 2014/15.

After expressing a wish to move closer to home, Hunt joined National League side Chester and has been a near ever-present for the Blues over the last two seasons.



Paul Digby
Midfielder
02/02/1995

Versatile midfielder Paul Digby joined the Stags from Championship side Ipswich Town in May.

The 22-year-old began his career at South Yorkshire side Barnsley where he progressed through the ranks with striker Danny Rose.

He became Barnsley's fourth youngest ever player when he was handed his debut aged 16, and also went on to earn international honours with England's under 19s and under 20s.

After impressing Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy during a loan spell at Portman Road, Digby joined the Tractor Boys permanently in 2016 before leaving to link up with the Stags last month.

Paul Anderson
Midfielder
23/07/1988

Experienced Championship midfielder Paul Anderson put pen-to-paper on a deal at One Call Stadium after leaving former club Northampton Town.

Anderson swapped Hull for Liverpool as a youth team player and won the FA

Youth Cup with the Reds, before joining then-League One side Swansea City on loan and won the title with the Welsh side.

Despite winning the league with the Swans, Anderson was bought for £250,000 by Nottingham Forest.

He enjoyed two play-off campaigns during his time with the Reds before leaving to join Bristol City and then Ipswich Town.

After leaving Ipswich, Anderson had a season with Bradford City and then a year with Northampton Town last season.

Jacob Mellis
Midfielder
08/01/1991

Stags added to their squad with the impressive acquisition of talented midfielder Jacob Mellis from League One side Bury.

The 26-year-old began his career as a youth team scholar at Sheffield

United, before joining Premier League champions Chelsea for £1m in 2007.

The former England U16s' captain made his Chelsea debut in a Champions League win against MSK Zilina in November 2010.

After a brief loan spell at Southampton, Mellis signed for Barnsley, where he was a consistent performer in the Championship, making over 70 appearances in a two-year spell.

In July 2014, the versatile midfielder moved to then-Championship outfit Blackpool, before enjoying spells at Oldham Athletic and Bury in League One.

Will Atkinson
Midfielder
14/10/1988

Former Southend United midfielder Will Atkinson turned down the offer of a new deal at Roots Hall to join the Stags.

The versatile former Hull City man previously spent a month on loan with the

Stags in 2008.

After joining a number of clubs on loan whilst with Hull, Atkinson eventually left to join Bradford City on permanent basis in 2012.

Atkinson was part of the Bantams' side which reached the League Cup final after beating Aston Villa, Arsenal and Wigan en route to Wembley.

Three months after the League Cup final, Atkinson and Bradford returned to Wembley in May as the Bantams defeated Northampton Town in the League Two play-off final.

However, he left Bradford that summer to join then-League Two side Southend United and again won promotion via the play-offs.

Jimmy Spencer
Striker
13/12/1991

Despite winning promotion from League Two with Plymouth Argyle last season, Spencer left Home Park and moved to North Nottinghamshire in May.

Spencer spent 12 years with hometown club Huddersfield Town as a youngster before leaving to join Notts County after loan spells with Bradford City, Cheltenham Town and Port Vale, among others.

His good form with the Magpies was rewarded with a two-year deal, but this was cancelled in January 2016 to link up with former boss Shaun Derry at Cambridge United.

Spencer scored six goals in 18 appearances for the U's before he left to join Plymouth Argyle, where his solitary season yielded promotion to League One.

Lee Angol
Striker
04/08/1994

Stags signed highly-rated striker Lee Angol from Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee in May.

A youth career with Tottenham Hotspur was followed by a stint with Wycombe Wanderers before he made a move to Luton Town.

Angol joined Boreham Wood on loan at scored 32 goals, including a strike in the play-off final, as they won promotion to the National League, before he was snapped up by Peterborough United.

He was Posh's leading scored in 2015/16 but an injury-hit campaign in 2016/17 resulted in him only appearing towards the end of the season with Lincoln City, whom he joined on loan and helped to catapult them back into the EFL.

 

[Conker]

Can't be denied we have made some good signings this summer.

A striker with a decent proven record would round it off nicely.

Apperantly the lad we signed today was unexpected because it became apperant that he could be signed on a free, so we could yet expect two more signings.

If that's the case it will be a couple players too big, hopefully some loans are sorted.