Sunday signing

[ravenrover]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

Compete with Bailey???
1st name on team sheet

[Ryaldinhio]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

McCann is on holiday at the moment.

I did wonder if GM was away given there was no interview

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

McCann is on holiday at the moment.

I did wonder if GM was away given there was no interview

I thought he was in his civvies when he did the Gibson and Molyneux interviews so last task before jetting off!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

Compete with Bailey???
1st name on team sheet

Well he might be but every player should feel like there's competition for places.

[ncRover]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

I think Clifton will rotate with Sbarra mainly.

McCann likes an energetic midfielder in that advanced position to try and win the ball back high up the pitch.

Then:

Bailey with Broadbent in reserve

Close / Westbrooke to control the tempo

[KingKendrick]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

I think Clifton will rotate with Sbarra mainly.

McCann likes an energetic midfielder in that advanced position to try and win the ball back high up the pitch.

Then:

Bailey with Broadbent in reserve

Close / Westbrooke to control the tempo

Have yet to see anything from Broadbent yet that would suggest he can fill in for what Bailey does.

I do agree that Clifton will likely either fill in for sbarra or Bailey depending on injuries etc. Clifton did say in his interview he wants to contribute to getting goals and creating chances so you would imagine McCann has told him where he see’s him in the side. Close/westbrooke/broadband are not good enough in the press to be playing 10.

[Barmby Rover]

Hoping to create a Richie Wellens out of him? Him breaking up the play, using Bailey etc as a Stock?

[Bentley Bullet]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

This lad sounds like he'll be here to compliment and/or compete with Bailey  and Broadbent. I guess McCann has now all the options depending as he sees fit, with potentially playing two holding midfield players plus a Close or Westbrooke, or one anchor with Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra in front in a diamond?

I wonder now we've made these initial signings, McCann will go for a break before returning to complete our business , which of course could be loans, so it may go quiet for a couple of weeks.

I think Clifton will rotate with Sbarra mainly.

McCann likes an energetic midfielder in that advanced position to try and win the ball back high up the pitch.

Then:

Bailey with Broadbent in reserve

Close / Westbrooke to control the tempo

Have yet to see anything from Broadbent yet that would suggest he can fill in for what Bailey does.

I do agree that Clifton will likely either fill in for sbarra or Bailey depending on injuries etc. Clifton did say in his interview he wants to contribute to getting goals and creating chances so you would imagine McCann has told him where he see’s him in the side. Close/westbrooke/broadband are not good enough in the press to be playing 10.

Broadband could do with being a bit quicker, IMO.

[Ryaldinhio]

All this talk of Broadbent being no good does my nut in.

GM believes he will be something and he knows more about that than me and most, if not all, on here!

Ultimately someone takes a punt on these young players or lower league players, they don't all work out, but the lad hasn't had a proper chance yet IMO.

In Grant I trust.

[philsky]

Hoping to create a Richie Wellens out of him? Him breaking up the play, using Bailey etc as a Stock?

I hear you but Bailey isn’t a Stock imo - different sort of players - both superb.

Stock in my top 10 rovers players over my 56 years following

[Metalmicky]

Well, that's a bit sneaky. Catching most of us off guard and signing someone on a Sunday....Well, announcing it anyway.

I agree, a flaming Sunday is taking the piss.  I was in my church and just absorbing the sermon.... I nearly spat my pint out when someone said we had signed another.....

[Bessie Red]

Hoping to create a Richie Wellens out of him? Him breaking up the play, using Bailey etc as a Stock?

I hear you but Bailey isn’t a Stock imo - different sort of players - both superb.

Stock in my top 10 rovers players over my 56 years following

I agree with you that they are not the same type of player, but its a long time since Ive seen a Donny player as consistent week in week out as Bailey!

[DonnyOsmond]

All this talk of Broadbent being no good does my nut in.

GM believes he will be something and he knows more about that than me and most, if not all, on here!

Ultimately someone takes a punt on these young players or lower league players, they don't all work out, but the lad hasn't had a proper chance yet IMO.

In Grant I trust.

Doesn't sound like a forum is the right place for you.

[Ryaldinhio]

All this talk of Broadbent being no good does my nut in.

GM believes he will be something and he knows more about that than me and most, if not all, on here!

Ultimately someone takes a punt on these young players or lower league players, they don't all work out, but the lad hasn't had a proper chance yet IMO.

In Grant I trust.

Doesn't sound like a forum is the right place for you.

Cant say I disagree with you 

[KingKendrick]

All this talk of Broadbent being no good does my nut in.

GM believes he will be something and he knows more about that than me and most, if not all, on here!

Ultimately someone takes a punt on these young players or lower league players, they don't all work out, but the lad hasn't had a proper chance yet IMO.

In Grant I trust.

I think it’s a fair assessment to say last season with us he didn’t show enough to say that he would be pushing for a start in this side.
 GM does know more than all of us but he’s hardly going to come out publicly and say he’s been disappointing but privately I would imagine they have spoke to him and told him they need more if he is going to have a future at this football club. 

[Ryaldinhio]

All this talk of Broadbent being no good does my nut in.

GM believes he will be something and he knows more about that than me and most, if not all, on here!

Ultimately someone takes a punt on these young players or lower league players, they don't all work out, but the lad hasn't had a proper chance yet IMO.

In Grant I trust.

I think it’s a fair assessment to say last season with us he didn’t show enough to say that he would be pushing for a start in this side.
 GM does know more than all of us but he’s hardly going to come out publicly and say he’s been disappointing but privately I would imagine they have spoke to him and told him they need more if he is going to have a future at this football club.

Dont disagree with any of that. One thing though is that GM doesn't need to continually back him publicly, saying he will be a special player for this club etc. He has been saying these things when he isn't in the team, not under criticism etc. So for me I think GM really believes in this kid, that's enough for me.

I dont expect he will be in starting 11 when we now have Bailey, Close, Westbrook, Sbarra, Clifton and Broadbent all in some form of CM roles. But if GM believes in him then let's give him time and see how he fares.

Feel the attitude to GB was similar to McGrath when he signed/played. For a young lad in what was a poor performing team at the time I think he did OK but he got a bit of a rough ride on here. He has potential and not all signings are about immediate impact. I think he could be a great player, big imposing, great left foot, can play a ball, not afraid to go forward.....but his time in the team was not during our best spell.

Trust in GM

[Move DRFC]

Anyone actually know what Clifton's best position is? Is his profile basically a hard working centre mid?

[ravenrover]

My info is he is more like replacement for Biggo

[idler]

That’s how I read it after his interview and what has been said about him arriving late in the box.

[Alan Southstand]

Probably falls somewhere in between a Rowe and a Biggins? Gets about the pitch from looking at the few clips of him and likes a tackle (no bad thing).

I think GM and the management team will improve him still further and iron out his flaws. A good solid signing for our midfield and a good age.

I’d still love Craig back, though!

[Metalmicky]

Grimsby fans are generally complimentary about his energy and versatility.  Apparently had a poor season last term - but was playing in a poor team which dragged his game down with it - but still gave 100%.  Can read the 10 page thread on his departure here....

https://forum.thefishy.co.uk/?m-1717325114/s-0/

[selby]

  If history repeats itself he will get a chance here with Close because Close will miss at least a third to half a season unfit, and the other half our results will tank and we will be changing players to try and get a winning formula.
  The squad being built looks good to me, but there are names in it that will never get anywhere near a starting place.
  Apart from that I acknowledge that the announcement of the signing was on a Sunday, but as far as I know I would think the contract will be on another date as unless the rules have changed you cannot sign a player on a Sunday, no idea why that was by the way.

[The Dav]

I’ve got a Grimsby season ticket pal, he’s gutted that he’s left, says he’s a 100% commited player, and as fit as a butchers dog, however he did mention his passing sometimes can leave something to be desired! Let’s hope GM works on him and he performs better in a stronger team eh ?

[Reg of the Rovers]

It's horses for courses, we need an enforcer type to do well in League 2 and sometimes we've lacked that muscle and battle. Clifton sounds an important piece of the jigsaw, as others have said he should free up Bailey to be more creative and be the insurance for Close / Westbrooke / Broadbent who can be tidy on the ball but lack the metal and energy off the ball we need. Plus Close and Westbrooke both pretty injury prone so strength in depth will help.

[wing commander]

   We will have to see how he goes, on the face of it it's a strange one for me. Didn't have a great season last season and both Grimsby fans I know said the same thing, he tries his gonads off but gives the ball away constantly and is lacking in skill. So on the face of it not what you would be expecting to sign if you were hoping to be going for promotion.

However Grant has seen something in him that he thinks we will need and he's a far better judge than us, so that's good enough for me

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Sounds very much like an engine room type player with energy in the press, decent defensively, then just play simple balls to get things going. Not someone, in the advanced midfield role where we need more assists and goals, being prepared to run at and get beyond defences. In that position, you need a decent goal return. Biggins achieved that in the second half of the season but was limited overall in his general contribution in the middle of the park. The more creative ingredients are likely to be provided by Close, Westbrooke and Sbarra, depending on how McCann chooses to blend the mix.

[ncRover]

I think he’ll do a lot better here.

For midfielders, it sounds like we’ve got one of the best athletes in the division.

Grimsby don’t have any playmakers in there but were (by the sounds of it) asking Clifton to try play tika-tika football without having those around him who could help him.

We are a bit more direct than that but still have the likes of Close, Sbarra and Westbrooke who are technically gifted players.

It will be interesting to see who Grimsby sign. Looking at their retained list, they’ve got a lot of work to do if they want to be successful playing “attractive football” after finishing 21st in League 2.

[GazLaz]

I think he’ll do a lot better here.

For midfielders, it sounds like we’ve got one of the best athletes in the division.

Grimsby don’t have any playmakers in there but were (by the sounds of it) asking Clifton to try play tika-tika football without having those around him who could help him.

We are a bit more direct than that but still have the likes of Close, Sbarra and Westbrooke who are technically gifted players.

It will be interesting to see who Grimsby sign. Looking at their retained list, they’ve got a lot of work to do if they want to be successful playing “attractive football” after finishing 21st in League 2.

I think they will have a good season next season.

[KingKendrick]

  If history repeats itself he will get a chance here with Close because Close will miss at least a third to half a season unfit, and the other half our results will tank and we will be changing players to try and get a winning formula.
  The squad being built looks good to me, but there are names in it that will never get anywhere near a starting place.
  Apart from that I acknowledge that the announcement of the signing was on a Sunday, but as far as I know I would think the contract will be on another date as unless the rules have changed you cannot sign a player on a Sunday, no idea why that was by the way.

His contract won’t start until his existing one with Grimsby finish’s at the end of June

[Mike_F]

Speaking to a Grimsby fan mate yesterday I'll echo what others have said. He is a grafter who doesn't stop running. Under the "right" manager can be very decent but the system/tactics haven't been quite right for him at Grimsby of late.

That being the case, I have faith that if anyone is the "right" manager to get the best out of players it's our gaffer.