Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: mushRTID on December 14, 2025, 10:50:54 am

Title: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: mushRTID on December 14, 2025, 10:50:54 am
I would love to be a fly on the wall here.

Grant will no doubt ask for more money to stay in the division.

A fair response would be asking Grant what has happened/gone wrong with TLT, Middleton, Gotts, Ajayi, Crew, Pearson, Olusanya etc.

Another question would be why it took our number 9 until November to start making an impact and will any significant monies spent take just as long to bed in.

We all know Grant will come out positive after the meeting. But I do wonder if he will get everything he wants.

Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Usher wide. on December 14, 2025, 11:11:15 am
I think he will mush.

Terry wants to ‘leave a legacy’, I take that as seeing the club back in the Championship not Lg2.

But you’re right, Grant needs to accept that the recruitment in the summer has been poor & whilst he has in the past recruited much better in the January window we shouldn’t be ‘ticking the days off’ until that window arrives because we yet again find ourselves nowhere near where we want to be.

So we can only hope an Adelukan or a Street walks through the
door…..or window.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: mpc123 on December 14, 2025, 11:27:36 am
Maybe the budget was split between then and Jan and no extra is required. Just what ins and outs there will need to be sorted
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Draytonian III on December 14, 2025, 12:15:10 pm
Wasn’t Lee Glover made a scout in off season instead of being on the coaching staff
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: TonySoprano on December 14, 2025, 12:21:07 pm
Ive got a horrible feeling that we will get a decent number 9, but also end up selling molyneux and / or Bailey on the cheap, which would negate signing the number 9 in the first place.

Id rather keep the money and give it to molls and bails in improved contracts.

The priority is keeping those 2, or we go.down, and languish in league 2 for years.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: mpc123 on December 14, 2025, 12:52:48 pm
Personally I think we are better than that.

I think we will come together and end up just above mid table.

Let Mccann and his team do the 2nd half of the season, they typically have.

I'm torn between the size of the squad and regular swapping and the success we have had in cups.

Lets see what those in charge do. Im excited by Jan onwards though.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Usher wide. on December 14, 2025, 02:06:45 pm
Ive got a horrible feeling that we will get a decent number 9, but also end up selling molyneux and / or Bailey on the cheap, which would negate signing the number 9 in the first place.

Id rather keep the money and give it to molls and bails in improved contracts.

The priority is keeping those 2, or we go.down, and languish in league 2 for years.

Don’t go to any parties this Christmas & ruin it for everyone.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Alan Southstand on December 14, 2025, 05:35:32 pm
Wasn’t Lee Glover made a scout in off season instead of being on the coaching staff
Yes he was. It’s been a disaster!
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: selby on December 14, 2025, 06:53:29 pm
  At least it looks like the management are being pro active and have targets to discuss.
  Getting them over the line is the hard part, but we live in hope.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Pancho Regan on December 14, 2025, 07:20:48 pm
I would love to be a fly on the wall here.

Grant will no doubt ask for more money to stay in the division.

A fair response would be asking Grant what has happened/gone wrong with TLT, Middleton, Gotts, Ajayi, Crew, Pearson, Olusanya etc.

Another question would be why it took our number 9 until November to start making an impact and will any significant monies spent take just as long to bed in.

We all know Grant will come out positive after the meeting. But I do wonder if he will get everything he wants.

Personally I think it’s a little harsh to tar TLT, Gotts, Middleton and Pearson with that brush.

Agree with the others listed.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: scawsby steve on December 14, 2025, 08:05:31 pm
I would love to be a fly on the wall here.

Grant will no doubt ask for more money to stay in the division.

A fair response would be asking Grant what has happened/gone wrong with TLT, Middleton, Gotts, Ajayi, Crew, Pearson, Olusanya etc.

Another question would be why it took our number 9 until November to start making an impact and will any significant monies spent take just as long to bed in.

We all know Grant will come out positive after the meeting. But I do wonder if he will get everything he wants.

Personally I think it’s a little harsh to tar TLT, Gotts, Middleton and Pearson with that brush.

Agree with the others listed.

I agree with that, Pancho, apart from TLT. He's been dreadful IMO. We need better.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: DonnyOsmond on December 14, 2025, 08:48:41 pm
Wasn’t Lee Glover made a scout in off season instead of being on the coaching staff
Yes he was. It’s been a disaster!

Has he? Quite a few of the signings made were who Grants wanted for a while? Maybe it's McCann who's had the disaster and not Glover?
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: mushRTID on December 14, 2025, 09:04:32 pm
I would love to be a fly on the wall here.

Grant will no doubt ask for more money to stay in the division.

A fair response would be asking Grant what has happened/gone wrong with TLT, Middleton, Gotts, Ajayi, Crew, Pearson, Olusanya etc.

Another question would be why it took our number 9 until November to start making an impact and will any significant monies spent take just as long to bed in.

We all know Grant will come out positive after the meeting. But I do wonder if he will get everything he wants.

Personally I think it’s a little harsh to tar TLT, Gotts, Middleton and Pearson with that brush.

Agree with the others listed.

They haven’t been the worse signings obviously, but they are not in favour are they.

We needed new signings to come in and strengthen us. None of them have.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: GazLaz on December 14, 2025, 09:08:02 pm
Wasn’t Lee Glover made a scout in off season instead of being on the coaching staff
Yes he was. It’s been a disaster!

Has he? Quite a few of the signings made were who Grants wanted for a while? Maybe it's McCann who's had the disaster and not Glover?

Genuinely blows my mind that in 2025 we are talking about the potential of one man having “a disaster” when it comes to recruitment.


Surely this just highlights the need for an accountable, consistent, recruitment process that can be tangibly improved over time and sustainable around whoever works in the clubs football department?

How do we improve the current process?
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Alan Southstand on December 15, 2025, 10:41:06 am
Quite right Gaz, that’s why I said IT’S been a disaster. I never said ‘he’s’ been a disaster - that’s how others have interpreted it!

Consider your mind unblown, as far as my post is concerned.

The recruitment process leaves a lot to be desired, considering the ‘hit and miss’ nature of what/who we bring in. But this needs to be analysed against the level of budget that’s allowed. We hardly ever pay money for new players, for example, whilst the majority of Clubs at this level are investing. It’s hardly a level playing field, is it?
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: graingrover on December 15, 2025, 11:22:05 am
I was struck by Grant saying  dome time ago that he had not spent any money except a small token for Grehan .Maybe this is Grant ‘ playing the game with Terry and Gavin in return for their support BUT ..we are in League One which is a different proposition tomthree seasons ago .Cardiff have 8 times our wage budget according to Grant and have a player who has been the subject of a 19:million transfer fee ! Ask for 1.5 for  Street for example Grant ..get up to date with the financial realities of the cost of players to get you where YOU want the club to be !
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Filo on December 15, 2025, 11:31:59 am
We’ve had decent cup run revenue, that should compliment our budget
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Metalmicky on December 15, 2025, 02:03:38 pm
We've had some money in for our cup exploits to date - however, this isn't a King's ransom and won't fund much by way of transfers.  Beat Southampton and draw a Premier team in round 4 and we may have something significant in the money jar....
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: selby on December 15, 2025, 02:16:39 pm
A lot of work has gone into January this year, and everything that has gone before is not all down to one man Grant, and Liverpool's Real Madrid's, and  Manchester United's  recruitment this year shows even the top teams with all the best sophisticated analysis equipment and top men in that theatre don't get it right all the time.
   And they have spent a fortune on the results of their work, to underachieve this season up to press.
   Players can have all the quality in the world, but if they don't gell as a team it's all for nothing.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: selby on December 15, 2025, 02:57:11 pm
  If it was just a case of stats and money we would never have seen teams like Burnley, Ipswich, in my youth and more recently Cloughs Nottingham Forest and Derby or Leicester City and Aston Villa trump the money teams of the time. and teams with players who had never played at the top level in fairly long careers and players from lower league teams like Hartlepool, Workington, Fleetwood, and Armadale Thistle who went on to win the championship and play in Europe.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Sprotyrover on December 15, 2025, 03:14:36 pm
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: GazLaz on December 15, 2025, 03:32:33 pm
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship

Matty Pearson…
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 15, 2025, 03:40:41 pm
A lot of work has gone into January this year, and everything that has gone before is not all down to one man Grant, and Liverpool's Real Madrid's, and  Manchester United's  recruitment this year shows even the top teams with all the best sophisticated analysis equipment and top men in that theatre don't get it right all the time.
   And they have spent a fortune on the results of their work, to underachieve this season up to press.
   Players can have all the quality in the world, but if they don't gell as a team it's all for nothing.

Good post. That’s why it should be player profiling first based on what you already have / need in your desired system and then looking at data on specific attributes second.
But even then, a player can also have good data due to being the right fit for a good team. People always say go and get X from so-and-so they’ve scored lots of goals, but that doesn’t guarantee anything.
Players are also human beings, they don’t always want to move to a different area of the country for family reasons.
It’s hard, but I don’t think many of our signings (Billy Sharp renewal included) even pass the initial correct player profile test.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: drfchound on December 15, 2025, 03:49:54 pm
“I don’t always pick the best players but I pick the players who are best for the team.”
Alf Ramsey.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: danumdon on December 15, 2025, 03:51:40 pm
Wasn’t Lee Glover made a scout in off season instead of being on the coaching staff
Yes he was. It’s been a disaster!

Has he? Quite a few of the signings made were who Grants wanted for a while? Maybe it's McCann who's had the disaster and not Glover?

Genuinely blows my mind that in 2025 we are talking about the potential of one man having “a disaster” when it comes to recruitment.


Surely this just highlights the need for an accountable, consistent, recruitment process that can be tangibly improved over time and sustainable around whoever works in the clubs football department?

How do we improve the current process?

We attempted a semblance of going down that road did we not when Copps was made director of football or whatever it was, seems it all changed when GM can back and laid down his requirements to accept the job.

Could that have been the point where we took the wrong turn, alongside getting the correct people into the correct jobs we should have been stipulating to any prospective new manager that the system we were attempting to put into place was to remain and the new manager would have to work with it?

I'd have liked for the club to have brought into that policy in a more serious and business like manner, Copps for all his legendary achievements for us on the field was perhaps not the right choice for that job but if we had gone about it correctly in sourcing a DOF with certifiable experience we may be now experiencing the benefits of such a move.

It looks like GM had his own vision and to get him we gave into his every demand, may work for us in the short term and he may well recover our position after Jan but like you said, for a clubs development and longer term aims is it really going to benefit us?
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Sprotyrover on December 15, 2025, 04:53:08 pm
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship

Matty Pearson…
another one needed, the size and experience of Division one centre halves is doing us.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Sprotyrover on December 15, 2025, 04:54:51 pm
Think Brian clough said a football team is built around a centre half, centre Forward and Goalkeeper, we are short of all three.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Padge_DRFC on December 15, 2025, 05:05:11 pm
Think Brian clough said a football team is built around a centre half, centre Forward and Goalkeeper, we are short of all three.

O'Riordan was rubbish on Saturday but has been decent mainly since joining
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Alan Southstand on December 15, 2025, 05:16:22 pm
Good point Sproty and I would add a nasty piece of work in midfield? Broadbent has been steadily improving into that defensive midfield role, but we need some height and physicality in there, for me. Someone that will send shivers down the opposition’s spine. At the moment, and to Grant’s own admission, we are too nice in that we let people get through us all too easily.

It’s all too easy blaming defenders but the midfield have to take their share of responsibility also. Case in point for their 4th goal on Saturday. Where was the blockers and the cover down our right side? Answer - nowhere to be seen!

Yes, Timmy should do better, but our defenders should know by now, what he’s like and be alert to his blocking saves, surely?

Fingers and toes are crossed for a positive outcome to today’s meeting.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Draytonian III on December 15, 2025, 05:44:58 pm
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship


He has made 570 league appearances

150 in non league football.
419 in League 2.
1 in League 1.

Yeah he would be a great signing especially seeing that he is now 35 , 11 years after his one League 1 appearance !!!!
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: selby on December 15, 2025, 08:04:31 pm
  Well in about six weks time we will know the outcome.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: The Beast on December 15, 2025, 08:09:08 pm
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship


He has made 570 league appearances

150 in non league football.
419 in League 2.
1 in League 1.

Yeah he would be a great signing especially seeing that he is now 35 , 11 years after his one League 1 appearance !!!!

That’s the problem, who is available in January? I don’t think people realise how difficult it is to find someone who is going to improve the side, pass all the due diligence, be available, be affordable and not have 15 other clubs having a look. On Football Manager you might be able to pinch Aden Flint for 20k but in real life you can’t.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 15, 2025, 08:10:09 pm
Ismael on COR. Says he’s keeping a close eye on him and may recall.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25685659.blackburn-rovers-boss-hint-january-transfer-decision/
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on December 15, 2025, 08:26:30 pm
Ismael on COR. Says he’s keeping a close eye on him and may recall.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25685659.blackburn-rovers-boss-hint-january-transfer-decision/

Yea, covered this speculation here

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=295716.0
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Sprotyrover on December 15, 2025, 08:26:39 pm
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship


He has made 570 league appearances

150 in non league football.
419 in League 2.
1 in League 1.

Yeah he would be a great signing especially seeing that he is now 35 , 11 years after his one League 1 appearance !!!!
Sorry DRAYTONIAN I Said, such as, or such as our own ex player Rob JONES.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Draytonian III on December 15, 2025, 08:30:35 pm
But you mentioned a player that is still playing, if you had said Rob Jones, Jack Ashurst, Norman Hunter, Ron Harris, Syd Bycroft it would have been different, wouldn’t it
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Sprotyrover on December 15, 2025, 08:51:43 pm
But you mentioned a player that is still playing, if you had said Rob Jones, Jack Ashurst, Norman Hunter, Ron Harris, Syd Bycroft it would have been different, wouldn’t it
Well we played them several times recently and he stuck in my mind as a pain in the but centre half.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Draytonian III on December 16, 2025, 08:41:18 am
Yeah as a 35 year old League Two centre half, as poor as some are saying that we’ve defended lately in League One, just imagine him trying to keep up with a 22 year old League One centre forward.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: steve@dcfd on December 16, 2025, 09:39:16 am
We need a big bruising centre half like Mikey Dementriou to get us kicked into the Championship

Matty Pearson…
But does Grant want that type of centre half as Gaz says we have Matty Pearson yet Grant doesn't play him. On Saturday he played three young centre backs and left the experienced big bruising centre half on the bench who should have played middle of the three.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: normal rules on December 16, 2025, 08:27:05 pm
Last season saw an incredible turnaround in form at the back end. It would need something pretty special to replicate this.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on December 16, 2025, 08:52:34 pm
In fairness to Grant we do normally pick a couple of players in Jan that add quality and turn our form hot.

That said the OP is where I’ve been at for a while. We seem to sign new or offer contract extensions to prayers who end up been down the pecking order or out of favour almost immediately.

It’s perfectly reasonable to be a bit skeptical if your writing the cheques.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: In the box on December 16, 2025, 09:56:30 pm
I would love to be a fly on the wall here.

Grant will no doubt ask for more money to stay in the division.

A fair response would be asking Grant what has happened/gone wrong with TLT, Middleton, Gotts, Ajayi, Crew, Pearson, Olusanya etc.

Another question would be why it took our number 9 until November to start making an impact and will any significant monies spent take just as long to bed in.

We all know Grant will come out positive after the meeting. But I do wonder if he will get everything he wants.
No one is for sale in January !!and we don’t spend money ..
McCanns signings have not really impressed. We’ve been lucky in the last two seasons with Adelakun and then Street both made a huge contributions in a short time . If it is that there’s other  similar players out there available then we’ve got lucky again and it will have to be as I doubt any club lets players go in middle of a season without a very good reason .
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: moses on December 17, 2025, 08:19:10 am
Who is on the fringes of the Lincoln team we can pick up this year to give us a boost for the rest of season?

Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: mpc123 on December 17, 2025, 10:59:50 am
Personally there are only 1 or 2 that have not worked.
I think its the fans over reactions at points that make it feels like that. Molly and Broadbent alot of fans were saying they were rubbish at one point, just a small example, but you can see the effect.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 17, 2025, 11:27:37 am
Personally there are only 1 or 2 that have not worked.
I think its the fans over reactions at points that make it feels like that. Molly and Broadbent alot of fans were saying they were rubbish at one point, just a small example, but you can see the effect.

We have come up a division. If they look an alright player (Gotts, Crew, Middleton, Pearson) but aren’t getting in the starting XI then they haven’t worked. Because that it isn’t enough.

Contract renewals to Sharp and Senior also blocked routes to upgrading ST and LB starting positions.

There is a lot to do. Yes we can upgrade in January, but so can everyone else.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: GazLaz on December 17, 2025, 11:36:26 am
Personally there are only 1 or 2 that have not worked.
I think its the fans over reactions at points that make it feels like that. Molly and Broadbent alot of fans were saying they were rubbish at one point, just a small example, but you can see the effect.

We have come up a division. If they look an alright player (Gotts, Crew, Middleton, Pearson) but aren’t getting in the starting XI then they haven’t worked. Because that it isn’t enough.

Contract renewals to Sharp and Senior also blocked routes to upgrading ST and LB starting positions.

There is a lot to do. Yes we can upgrade in January, but so can everyone else.

Think the last point is a good one. Its hard to comment too much not knowing the deals they are on, but we could have improved the squad by replacing those two. Same with Close and Zain the year before. Too many mistakes made in that department.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Alan Southstand on December 17, 2025, 11:50:15 am
Personally there are only 1 or 2 that have not worked.
I think its the fans over reactions at points that make it feels like that. Molly and Broadbent alot of fans were saying they were rubbish at one point, just a small example, but you can see the effect.
Simple fact of the matter is we’ve only signed 2 players who had league one experience - Hanlan & Pearson. Neither of those have had the impact that was expected.
The loans, in general, have been very disappointing when you consider they were supposed to be the icing on the cake.
I know we’ve all got a degree in hindsight, but let’s face it, last summer’s transfer window was very mediocre (at best).
It certainly hasn’t just been 1 or 2!
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ForsolongaRover on December 17, 2025, 09:00:36 pm
Personally there are only 1 or 2 that have not worked.
I think its the fans over reactions at points that make it feels like that. Molly and Broadbent alot of fans were saying they were rubbish at one point, just a small example, but you can see the effect.
Simple fact of the matter is we’ve only signed 2 players who had league one experience - Hanlan & Pearson. Neither of those have had the impact that was expected.
The loans, in general, have been very disappointing when you consider they were supposed to be the icing on the cake.
I know we’ve all got a degree in hindsight, but let’s face it, last summer’s transfer window was very mediocre (at best).
It certainly hasn’t just been 1 or 2!
The two relatively early signings - Gotts and Middleton were arguably made against competition from other suitors and both have been competent if not totally adequate. Hanlan was seemingly on the market yet apparently not recruited in the face of intensive competition. The rest might be likened to modest bets on outsiders. TLT was not objectively reassessed.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: steve@dcfd on December 19, 2025, 07:36:00 am
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ForsolongaRover on December 19, 2025, 09:34:33 am
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.

Lincoln actually look a good bet for promotion.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 19, 2025, 09:58:19 am
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.

Sounds like it was just short of their £350,000 record and he had a year left.

Knowing they like to look at that league, I wonder if McCann has his eye on Harry Wood at Shelbourne - 9 goals and 5 assists from attacking midfield and it looks like Grant gave him his professional debut at Hull a few years ago.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: GazLaz on December 19, 2025, 01:42:09 pm
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.

Sounds like it was just short of their £350,000 record and he had a year left.

Knowing they like to look at that league, I wonder if McCann has his eye on Harry Wood at Shelbourne - 9 goals and 5 assists from attacking midfield and it looks like Grant gave him his professional debut at Hull a few years ago.

I like Jack Henry-Francis for Shelbourne. He can play.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: steve@dcfd on December 19, 2025, 01:52:01 pm
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.

Sounds like it was just short of their £350,000 record and he had a year left.

Knowing they like to look at that league, I wonder if McCann has his eye on Harry Wood at Shelbourne - 9 goals and 5 assists from attacking midfield and it looks like Grant gave him his professional debut at Hull a few years ago.

I like Jack Henry-Francis for Shelbourne. He can play.

Will we pay a fee very rarely do.
We will be in the loan market again
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Usher wide. on December 19, 2025, 10:52:29 pm
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.

Sounds like it was just short of their £350,000 record and he had a year left.

Knowing they like to look at that league, I wonder if McCann has his eye on Harry Wood at Shelbourne - 9 goals and 5 assists from attacking midfield and it looks like Grant gave him his professional debut at Hull a few years ago.

I like Jack Henry-Francis for Shelbourne. He can play.

Will we pay a fee very rarely do.
We will be in the loan market again

“He can play”..football?

What can he bring to the team that we don’t currently have would be a helpful post….anyone?

Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Chris Black come back on December 21, 2025, 03:14:20 pm
I see Lincoln have paid a fee and wages for a 24 year old left back from Ireland. It's not broken their transfer record. They will intend to do their best to try and get promoted.

No idea about the financials on this deal but Lincoln paid out 350k for Varfolomeyev in the summer. They have got some cash behind them. Probably not since signing Billy permanently the first time have we got near to 350k.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: steve@dcfd on December 21, 2025, 05:12:12 pm
Looking the leading goal scores in league 1 we find the top 4 signed from £750,000 to £3m all have double figures in league goals. All were permanent signings not loans to Plymouth Cardiff Leyton Orient and Barnsley.
Our leading goal scorer is Bailey who has 6 midfield player. We don't have a striker in the top 25 league scorers.
To improve our position and our team is signing Loans and free transfers the way to go especially in  important positions. We all appreciate that the owner has backed Grant but was the amount enough. We need to improve the funds if we are to improve the quality.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Chris Black come back on December 21, 2025, 05:18:06 pm
You could easily see Hanlan comfortably getting double figures in league goals if he played a full season. He’s a good player at this level and given our resources, as good as it gets for us. Our problem is three-fold: giving him scraps to feed off; not playing to his strengths; and not giving him any back-up so we’d knacker him by each January if we carried on as we are.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: GazLaz on December 21, 2025, 06:32:02 pm
You could easily see Hanlan comfortably getting double figures in league goals if he played a full season. He’s a good player at this level and given our resources, as good as it gets for us. Our problem is three-fold: giving him scraps to feed off; not playing to his strengths; and not giving him any back-up so we’d knacker him by each January if we carried on as we are.

The treatment he had early season from the fans was horrific.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: In the box on December 21, 2025, 07:12:52 pm
You could easily see Hanlan comfortably getting double figures in league goals if he played a full season. He’s a good player at this level and given our resources, as good as it gets for us. Our problem is three-fold: giving him scraps to feed off; not playing to his strengths; and not giving him any back-up so we’d knacker him by each January if we carried on as we are.

The treatment he had early season from the fans was horrific.
Was Hanlan the type of striker we thought we’d  sign after what Rob Street did for us .Robs style of play seemed to bring out the best of our midfield at the time . McCann knows it’s down to a lot of hard work finding Streets quality just waiting to be discovered, because there isn’t the cash to buy that type of talent off the shelf . I just hope we drop lucky again!! 
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 21, 2025, 07:30:14 pm
Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. I think if you’d have stuck Hanlan in that L2 team he’d have got a fair few goals too.
If you’re big, quick and decent at football in League 2 you’re gonna find it easy as there aren’t many players who tick all those boxes in that division.

It’s the rest of the team bar Molyneux struggling with the step-up that is the issue.

In attack we need another striker because Sharp should be nowhere near this division. Then a left winger who is a similar/ better version of Adelakun, which Grant has never got since for some reason. And an attacking midfielder who can bring some athleticism to the midfield.

I think a better attack would mean we don’t have to be so gung-ho.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Ian Nimmo on December 21, 2025, 07:56:11 pm
Hanlan is nowhere near similar to Street.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: In the box on December 21, 2025, 08:02:26 pm
Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. I think if you’d have stuck Hanlan in that L2 team he’d have got a fair few goals too.
If you’re big, quick and decent at football in League 2 you’re gonna find it easy as there aren’t many players who tick all those boxes in that division.

It’s the rest of the team bar Molyneux struggling with the step-up that is the issue.

In attack we need another striker because Sharp should be nowhere near this division. Then a left winger who is a similar/ better version of Adelakun, which Grant has never got since for some reason. And an attacking midfielder who can bring some athleticism to the midfield.

I think a better attack would mean we don’t have to be so gung-ho.
” Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. ”???
. Hanlan is a heavy weight who can run but isn’t slick like Street who’s good in the air , faster behind the defender and can open up defences … oh yeah he scored important goals that won games .. and he’s worth even in L1 over a million £ . Hanlan was a free transfer .
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: GazLaz on December 21, 2025, 08:06:04 pm
Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. I think if you’d have stuck Hanlan in that L2 team he’d have got a fair few goals too.
If you’re big, quick and decent at football in League 2 you’re gonna find it easy as there aren’t many players who tick all those boxes in that division.

It’s the rest of the team bar Molyneux struggling with the step-up that is the issue.

In attack we need another striker because Sharp should be nowhere near this division. Then a left winger who is a similar/ better version of Adelakun, which Grant has never got since for some reason. And an attacking midfielder who can bring some athleticism to the midfield.

I think a better attack would mean we don’t have to be so gung-ho.
” Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. ”???
. Hanlan is a heavy weight who can run but isn’t slick like Street who’s good in the air , faster behind the defender and can open up defences … oh yeah he scored important goals that won games .. and he’s worth even in L1 over a million £ . Hanlan was a free transfer .

Who’s valuing Street at over a million. No chance.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Chris Black come back on December 21, 2025, 08:08:58 pm
2 league goals in 20 league appearances for Lincoln City this season.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: In the box on December 21, 2025, 08:09:38 pm
Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. I think if you’d have stuck Hanlan in that L2 team he’d have got a fair few goals too.
If you’re big, quick and decent at football in League 2 you’re gonna find it easy as there aren’t many players who tick all those boxes in that division.

It’s the rest of the team bar Molyneux struggling with the step-up that is the issue.

In attack we need another striker because Sharp should be nowhere near this division. Then a left winger who is a similar/ better version of Adelakun, which Grant has never got since for some reason. And an attacking midfielder who can bring some athleticism to the midfield.

I think a better attack would mean we don’t have to be so gung-ho.
” Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. ”???
. Hanlan is a heavy weight who can run but isn’t slick like Street who’s good in the air , faster behind the defender and can open up defences … oh yeah he scored important goals that won games .. and he’s worth even in L1 over a million £ . Hanlan was a free transfer .

Who’s valuing Street at over a million. No chance.
Lincoln turned down that already !!
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 21, 2025, 08:17:15 pm
Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. I think if you’d have stuck Hanlan in that L2 team he’d have got a fair few goals too.
If you’re big, quick and decent at football in League 2 you’re gonna find it easy as there aren’t many players who tick all those boxes in that division.

It’s the rest of the team bar Molyneux struggling with the step-up that is the issue.

In attack we need another striker because Sharp should be nowhere near this division. Then a left winger who is a similar/ better version of Adelakun, which Grant has never got since for some reason. And an attacking midfielder who can bring some athleticism to the midfield.

I think a better attack would mean we don’t have to be so gung-ho.
” Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. ”???
. Hanlan is a heavy weight who can run but isn’t slick like Street who’s good in the air , faster behind the defender and can open up defences … oh yeah he scored important goals that won games .. and he’s worth even in L1 over a million £ . Hanlan was a free transfer .

I said Street was better in the air! Street is younger which affects his market value. But both are mobile, hard-working centre forwards of a good physical size. Grant referenced this when BH was signed. Don’t get me wrong I’d rather have Street.

But we saw Street in a good L2 team and we’re seeing Hanlan in a poor L1 team. League 2 defenders are much slower.

As another option, I would get a striker who’s better than Hanlan in the air as we play quite direct and get crosses in. And then get some pace around that.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Chris Black come back on December 21, 2025, 08:35:26 pm
Street was very good for us and will likely have a shot at playing higher than League One. However he is now 24 and has a grand total of 8 league goals in 86 League One games. By far his standout performance in his career was his 12 in 24 for us last season in League Two.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: CJK on December 21, 2025, 09:43:53 pm
Got to factor in that Street has not played many games as the central forward in that Lincoln team.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on December 21, 2025, 09:58:35 pm
Hanlan is a good player, technically a better player than Street if a bit less combative but he's done nothing to show he's not a good player.  Took his goal really well again yesterday too.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: EasyforDennis on December 21, 2025, 10:07:45 pm
Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. I think if you’d have stuck Hanlan in that L2 team he’d have got a fair few goals too.
If you’re big, quick and decent at football in League 2 you’re gonna find it easy as there aren’t many players who tick all those boxes in that division.

It’s the rest of the team bar Molyneux struggling with the step-up that is the issue.

In attack we need another striker because Sharp should be nowhere near this division. Then a left winger who is a similar/ better version of Adelakun, which Grant has never got since for some reason. And an attacking midfielder who can bring some athleticism to the midfield.

I think a better attack would mean we don’t have to be so gung-ho.
” Hanlan and Street are quite similar. Maybe Hanlan is a bit better on the ball and Street is a bit better in the air. ”???
. Hanlan is a heavy weight who can run but isn’t slick like Street who’s good in the air , faster behind the defender and can open up defences … oh yeah he scored important goals that won games .. and he’s worth even in L1 over a million £ . Hanlan was a free transfer .

Being a free transfer means nothing nowadays. Trent AA went to Real Madrid as a free transfer.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: les@donr on December 21, 2025, 10:55:52 pm
Plymouth paid 1.2m for the lad who scored a hatrick against us yesterday. Plymouth signed him through a get out clause in his contract at PV. If we want quality we have to pay for it. Getting players in on frees hasn’t worked. Invest in a proven striker who can get us goals, and keep us up. My own preference would be to offer a bid for Street, that Lincoln can’t refuse. Might be expensive, but what is the cost of relegation from L1
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 22, 2025, 06:32:28 am
Plymouth paid 1.2m for the lad who scored a hatrick against us yesterday. Plymouth signed him through a get out clause in his contract at PV. If we want quality we have to pay for it. Getting players in on frees hasn’t worked. Invest in a proven striker who can get us goals, and keep us up. My own preference would be to offer a bid for Street, that Lincoln can’t refuse. Might be expensive, but what is the cost of relegation from L1

Not the case. Tolaj was available for free after leaving Aldershot 18 months ago. He went to our L2 promotion rivals Port Vale while we signed Billy Sharp. He wasn’t exactly unheard of either.

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=289579.msg1276042#msg1276042
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Petche on December 22, 2025, 10:38:02 am
I think we just need to be careful if we were to go after Street, as pointed out he was great for us against League 2 defenders but can he have the same impact in League 1?
He's not exactly been prolific for Lincoln though I accept not a regular starter.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: TonySoprano on December 22, 2025, 10:39:58 am
I think we just need to be careful if we were to go after Street, as pointed out he was great for us against League 2 defenders but can he have the same impact in League 1?
He's not exactly been prolific for Lincoln though I accept not a regular starter.

I dont believe hes playing as a number 9 at Lincoln
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on December 22, 2025, 07:00:06 pm
I just can't see any way, Rob Street would want to come here from Lincoln even if we met Lincolns valuation. 
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: EasyforDennis on December 22, 2025, 07:11:21 pm
I just can't see any way, Rob Street would want to come here from Lincoln even if we met Lincolns valuation.

One way that He would come to us is ££££££££.

Its a job
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: glosterred on December 23, 2025, 01:52:31 pm
From Ricky Charlesworth

Grant McCann confirms Toyosi Olusanya, Charlie Crew, Connor O'Riordan and Damola Ajayi are all returning to their parent clubs.

Also says hoping to get two players through the door as soon as the January window opens.

Story shortly #drfc


COYR
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Stewmaiden79 on December 23, 2025, 02:01:38 pm
Shame about Connor going back, I was mainly impressed by his contribution. All the rest I’m not too disappointed to see them leave. Hopefully find some improvements in the January window.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: Fal on December 23, 2025, 02:14:49 pm
In his Blackpool pre match he also mentioned that there are 2 ready to sign on 1st Jan, then 2 not far off aswell but didn’t specify what positions.
Title: Re: Transfer meeting tomorrow
Post by: ncRover on December 23, 2025, 04:40:29 pm
Shame about Connor going back, I was mainly impressed by his contribution. All the rest I’m not too disappointed to see them leave. Hopefully find some improvements in the January window.

Started well but got done twice in two games by big strikers from crosses recently.