Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[Optipez]

Momentum does count for a lot but we took a bit of time to get used to the level in 22/23, slow start but eventually finished 4th. We literally start every season slow though so may have just been us but it seemed to take a while for Wrexham to get going this season too.

Teams take their chances more at this level. Notts fans may testify to this. The league isn't miles better than the NL but you have to be on it more week after week, majority of teams are like playing a NL play off side (at least) every week. But then again, this means other teams around you drop points so it's important to stay level. headed.

In the NL, you could get away with 5/10 performances and see off the bottom half teams tbh. Can't do that in League Two.

It isn't miles better, I agree but it is definitely more physical. We found it a long old slog and tired in the last fifteen minutes of matches at the beginning of the season until we adjusted. It's a cliche but there were no easy games, we'd be well on top for a first half but opposition teams are resilient and we weren't blowing them over like in the NL and they'd come back into it holding on for draws or too often nicking a win from games we should have put to bed earlier.
I think Chesterfield will be fine but wouldn't necessarily have them down for back to back promotions.

 

[spireite]

Until we know what we've got coming in in terms of defensive recruits, it's all a bit unknown. We conceded 65 goals in winning the league last season, way more than any other league winner as far back as Flashscore records go (about 25 years). It's obvious to everyone where we need to strengthen to be competitive. Getting Madden shows the Kirks are going to be backing Cook so hopefully we do get some decent ones in.

 

[womble76]

Chesterfield already showing intent on having aims for promotion.

League Two nowadays just looks like a stop gap for National league champions.

Only because a few big clubs for the level finally sorted their shit out. Won't be the same in a year of so.

 

[OneDecentLester]

Until we know what we've got coming in in terms of defensive recruits, it's all a bit unknown. We conceded 65 goals in winning the league last season, way more than any other league winner as far back as Flashscore records go (about 25 years). It's obvious to everyone where we need to strengthen to be competitive. Getting Madden shows the Kirks are going to be backing Cook so hopefully we do get some decent ones in.

We will 100% bring in at least x3 starting defenders this summer IMO. An RB, LB and CB. Out of all our defenders, the only one who really nailed down a position week in week out was Grimes who was a mainstay, the others were rotated consistently throughout the season, which I actually think played a part in our goals against column. Can’t see Cook wanting to do that a division up, he will want a more settled back 4 for sure I’d have thought.

I’d argue another CB too on top of the above, as could see Williams leaving

 

[Luke Imp]

Do keep up sir. Community trust aren’t the majority stakeholders anymore.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1768059341830005127

"They are hoping to break-even next year."

Fair play if they manage that!

 

[ASpireite]

We will 100% bring in at least x3 starting defenders this summer IMO. An RB, LB and CB. Out of all our defenders, the only one who really nailed down a position week in week out was Grimes who was a mainstay, the others were rotated consistently throughout the season, which I actually think played a part in our goals against column. Can’t see Cook wanting to do that a division up, he will want a more settled back 4 for sure I’d have thought.

I’d argue another CB too on top of the above, as could see Williams leaving

I'd be happy with Sheckleford as starting RB tbh. He picked up a lot over the course of the season and in the cup games against higher opposition he was excellent. CB has to be to a priority, especially someone who is capable playing it out of the back if Grimes will continue to be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Walker has signed a contract extension, as expected the Carlisle link was a load of nonsense.

 

[hellogregory]

Walker has signed a contract extension, as expected the Carlisle link was a load of nonsense.

And “Insider Chicken” is now trying to dig himself out of the hole after his Walker to Carlisle thing has been proven to be bollocks

https://twitter.com/x/status/1790762534569496783

 

[LS Bantam]

Chapman and Platt were the only two without an option for another year, this seems to be us just exercising it.

 

[jacobncfc]

It isn't miles better, I agree but it is definitely more physical. We found it a long old slog and tired in the last fifteen minutes of matches at the beginning of the season until we adjusted. It's a cliche but there were no easy games, we'd be well on top for a first half but opposition teams are resilient and we weren't blowing them over like in the NL and they'd come back into it holding on for draws or too often nicking a win from games we should have put to bed earlier.
I think Chesterfield will be fine but wouldn't necessarily have them down for back to back promotions.

Pretty much agree with this. I think we probably only got properly dominated over 90 mins three times all season, at home to Stags and Stockport, and away at Crawley (plus Sutton opening day but early ‘keeper red card made that weird). But where you always felt pretty comfortable at 1 or 2-0 up against 90% of NL teams, or like the goal would come if you were drawing against a smaller team late on, it’s just not like that at this level. Got to be switched on 90 mins all the time.

 

[hellogregory]

I’m as much if not more looking forward to seeing some of our in contract losers hopefully depart than actually signing new players.

It’s so important we rid the losers mentality from this changing room. If we don’t then it won’t matter who we sign.

 

[kieran_vale]

I’m as much if not more looking forward to seeing some of our in contract losers hopefully depart than actually signing new players.

It’s so important we rid the losers mentality from this changing room. If we don’t then it won’t matter who we sign.

Ditto for us. Getting the Dog & Duck or whoever to take on the likes of Dan Jones or Ryan Loft will be as good as a new signing for me. I know some will say lower level they may fare better but if you have a losing mentality it will carry over regardless of league.

 

[Si Robin]

I wouldn't mind just hearing something. We did our retained list, released season tickets and it's been total silence since.

The Trust have produced a brilliant document though that's been presented to the club around modernising it at all levels and trying to keep up with pretty much everyone else in the Football League:

Cheltenham Town: Building for the Future - Robins Trust

www.robinstrust.org

Some of the stuff in there will seem very basic and you almost wonder how we have managed to do as well as we have given how useless we are behind the scenes.

 

[CFC91]

Looks like we are about to sign Timmy Akinola from Qatar - ex Arsenal, Huddersfield + had a loan spell with us pre going to Qatar. Interesting one

 

[valefan16]

Ditto for us. Getting the Dog & Duck or whoever to take on the likes of Dan Jones or Ryan Loft will be as good as a new signing for me. I know some will say lower level they may fare better but if you have a losing mentality it will carry over regardless of league.

DJ is decent at L2 level, but injuries have been a big issue there and then his illness mid season which hospitalized him. Still no idea what is happening with Lewis Cass either.

Not sure anyone is going to take Loft, although if Uche doesn't sign it isn't too disastrous as long as the new striker is decent! Loft as 3rd or 4th choice is workable.

Our fans are already having a meltdown because we haven't signed anyone all because Chesterfield and Mansfield have signed the odd player.

 

[spireite]

Looks like we are about to sign Timmy Akinola from Qatar - ex Arsenal, Huddersfield + had a loan spell with us pre going to Qatar. Interesting one

Bit of youthful running in the midfield I don't hate it, and he's very good at winning then keeping the ball. Not a starter most weeks but young players with potential is the way. Now please can we sign a fucking defender

 

[Luke Imp]

Tim Akinola was in our youth system, we released him and then he bizarrely ended up at Arsenal, although it turned out by their own admission that they just signed 20 or so released EFL academy players to beef up their youth sides for a year or two.

 

[クレイグ]

Ash Taylor has had his contract terminated. Quite possibly the best bit of business we've ever done. Beautiful.

 

[Carver]

Antoni Sarcevic has turned down a new contract offer at Stockport and is rumoured to instead be signing for a L2 club that begins with 'C' and are one of the early favourites to be challenging for promotion next season.

But which one?

 

[spireite]

Tim Akinola was in our youth system, we released him and then he bizarrely ended up at Arsenal, although it turned out by their own admission that they just signed 20 or so released EFL academy players to beef up their youth sides for a year or two.

That's interesting what age was he released? We had him year before last, and whilst he wasn't a regular starter (he won't be now either) he showed very good technical ability, much higher than NL ball retention (think he had one of the highest pass completion figures in the league) and an ability to drive forward with the ball and hard to dislodge. There's a player there. Hard to know exactly what his best position actually is but we've brought him as a backup CDM for sure

 

[spireite]

Antoni Sarcevic has turned down a new contract offer at Stockport and is rumoured to instead be signing for a L2 club that begins with 'C' and are one of the early favourites to be challenging for promotion next season.

How can Crawley afford that?

 

[Carver]

How can Crawley afford that?

I would have thought he'd be signing for us but since he's over the age of 30 and renowned at this level then it's probably Chesterfield he's going.

Will be some signing and is a serial promotion achiever at most clubs he's been at down here.

 

[hellogregory]

i wish we could terminate a few of our players’ contracts by mutual consent.

I know carver is talking about promotions and titles already but in the real world we have a hell of a lot of work to do in terms of incomings and outgoings before we can even think about top half let alone playoffs, promotions, finals, titles etc.

As I’ve said previously, first and foremost we need to get rid of some of the in contract losers. We can’t go into the season with such a large portion of our squad being the serial losers of last season, no matter who comes in.

 

[JJ1990]

Sarcevic heading to Bradford.

 

[Stocky]

Sarcevic heading to Bradford.

Yep.

Our journalist Sam Byrne has said he's going to Bradford. Gets very little wrong.

 

[hellogregory]

Antoni Sarcevic has turned down a new contract offer at Stockport and is rumoured to instead be signing for a L2 club that begins with 'C' and are one of the early favourites to be challenging for promotion next season.

But which one?

When are you going to stop this shit?

 

[EnglishRed]

Cradford

Barlisle.

It's easy to confuse the two.

 

[ForzaCounty]

Sarcevic heading to Bradford.

If they get Croasdale too then I'd be willing to back Bratfud for promotion (the usual managerial farce notwithstanding)

 

[クレイグ]

What's he like these days?

 

[Stocky]

What's he like these days?

Excellent. Intelligent player and works harder than he's given credit for because he's got that languid running style. Always picks up a couple of small-medium injuries a season though. Did that in all of his three seasons with us. I think he'll do well for Bradford if they're going to get the ball down and play.