Matt Hamshaw is one of three or four reported targets from relegated Mansfield. A pacey right winger, Hamshaw signed for the Stags in 2006 from Stockport County, having spent only one season at Edgley Park after signing from his first club, Sheffield Wednesday.
A local lad, Hamshaw had signed professional terms for Wednesday in 1998, and in 7 years with the club made only 74 league appearances, 39 of them coming from the bench.
His one season at Stockport saw him make 39 league appearances, and despite being captain for the season engineered a move back to a local team, Mansfield.
He has enjoyed two relatively successful seasons, making 85 league appearances.
Hamshaw has never really struggled with serious injury problems, and at the age of 25 should soon be entering his prime as a footballer.
This would mean he would not come cheap, as usually we sign players at the start or end of their career, but just like Danny Schofield, signing Hamshaw would be a real signal of intent. However, with N’Guessan, King, Warlow and Lenny on the books, do we really need to be looking at another winger, alongside Danny Schofield? In my opinion, King and John-Lewis may well end up operating as strikers, and Warlow as a left back. This leaves only N’Guessan to fill both wing roles, so perhaps signing both Schofield and Hamshaw would not be too much at all.
Overall, I cannot see us signing both of them, if either of them at all. Out of the two, I would rather see Hamshaw, but if signing either of these two means we cant afford a quality defender or two then I would ignore them completely.
Thursday 8 May 2008
Wednesday 7 May 2008
Danny Schofield Profiled
With Danny Schofield being mentioned once again, it’s probably worth a look at the career of this 27 year old midfielder.
Schofield has played his career predominantly as a winger, although he started as a striker. He can play on either flank, and some sources say he is one of the most talented players to never have played above League One.
He was signed in 1998 from Brodsworth Welfare for a nominal fee of £2k. He made his debut at the end of the 1998-99 season, playing the full game against a Crewe team containing Seth Johnson and Danny Murphy!
The next season he made four appearances, two of them coming in cup competitions, and it appeared that Schofield was about to break into the first team.
Despite this, he didn’t make any progress the next season, once again playing just the one match, this time in a bad tempered 3-0 defeat to promotion bound Fulham.
2001/2002 proved to be the big breakthrough season for Schofield, playing 40 league games and scoring 8 goals in the process.
The next season was another backwards step for Schofield, this time playing only 30 matches and scoring just 2 goals.
2003/2004 was more successful for Schofield, playing 41 games and once again scoring 8 goals.
2004/2005 Schofield made 12 of his 33 appearances from the bench, and scored 5 goals in the season.
Perhaps Schofield’s most successful season was 2005/2006, where he played 41 games and scored 9 goals, helping Huddersfield finish 4th in League One.
In 2006/2007 he once again featured heavily from the bench, making 10 of his 35 appearance as a substitute, scoring 5 goals.
In this, his last year at the Galpharm Stadium Schofield made just 25 league appearances, scoring only 2 goals in the process.
The Chances of us Signing Schofield?
I don’t really see that this is a realistic prospect. Unless he really wants to come and work with Peter Jackson, it will be very difficult for us to fight off competition from “bigger” clubs such as Yeovil, Bradford, Chesterfield and Rotherham. However, if Jacko really does have a big war chest and we are going to show ambition then this is just the sort of signing we need to make.
Schofield has played his career predominantly as a winger, although he started as a striker. He can play on either flank, and some sources say he is one of the most talented players to never have played above League One.
He was signed in 1998 from Brodsworth Welfare for a nominal fee of £2k. He made his debut at the end of the 1998-99 season, playing the full game against a Crewe team containing Seth Johnson and Danny Murphy!
The next season he made four appearances, two of them coming in cup competitions, and it appeared that Schofield was about to break into the first team.
Despite this, he didn’t make any progress the next season, once again playing just the one match, this time in a bad tempered 3-0 defeat to promotion bound Fulham.
2001/2002 proved to be the big breakthrough season for Schofield, playing 40 league games and scoring 8 goals in the process.
The next season was another backwards step for Schofield, this time playing only 30 matches and scoring just 2 goals.
2003/2004 was more successful for Schofield, playing 41 games and once again scoring 8 goals.
2004/2005 Schofield made 12 of his 33 appearances from the bench, and scored 5 goals in the season.
Perhaps Schofield’s most successful season was 2005/2006, where he played 41 games and scored 9 goals, helping Huddersfield finish 4th in League One.
In 2006/2007 he once again featured heavily from the bench, making 10 of his 35 appearance as a substitute, scoring 5 goals.
In this, his last year at the Galpharm Stadium Schofield made just 25 league appearances, scoring only 2 goals in the process.
The Chances of us Signing Schofield?
I don’t really see that this is a realistic prospect. Unless he really wants to come and work with Peter Jackson, it will be very difficult for us to fight off competition from “bigger” clubs such as Yeovil, Bradford, Chesterfield and Rotherham. However, if Jacko really does have a big war chest and we are going to show ambition then this is just the sort of signing we need to make.
Tuesday 6 May 2008
Let's just wait and see what Jackos got up his sleeve
The ink has dried on the contracts, and there are more than a couple of surprises on the retained list.
Everyone expected Moses, Stallard and Croft to go and a few even said they wouldn’t be surprised if Marriott went. Most said Forrester would stay, and everyone expected captain Kerr to sign a new deal. A few even said that Clarke was deserving of another year to prove himself. However, very few expected to see Ayden Duffy offered a new contract!
The thinking behind. . .
Letting Marriott go – Perhaps this wasn’t our choice. My guess is that he was offered a one year deal, and he felt that wasn’t enough security for a man of his responsibilities. He will find a new club, perhaps in this league or maybe the one above, but I am sure that if he is ever to return to the Bank he will receive the largest of standing ovations. Thanks for the memories Mazza, you will never be forgotten!
Letting the three aging campaigners go – Croft, Moses and Stallard have all played at a higher level than this – two of them even playing in the dizzy heights of the Premiership – and all have undoubted ability. However, between them they have started just 50 league games this season, and that is not enough. Stallard was a fan’s favourite in his first season, and will always be remembered fondly. Croft’s LCFC career never really got going, and Moses’ had more false starts than an old Llada.
Keeping Scott Kerr – No question here, especially as his number of appearances this season triggered a clause in his contract meaning he had to be offered a new one. He has been inspirational this season, and but for his misdemeanours with referees would surely have won the player of the season award. I’m sure this will not be the last contract that Kerr earns at the Bank.
Keeping Ayden Duffy – Strange one this. I for one don’t think he should have been offered a new contract. Apparently he dominates his area, and is also a good shot stopper and before I had seen him I knew this sounded too good to be true. And rightly enough, come Saturday when I saw him for the first time he flapped, wandered around his box, couldn’t make decisions and looked generally poor. I personally cant believe he has been offered a new contract, and genuinely hope that Jacko manages to find a top notch first choice keeper who doesn’t spend too much time on the sidelines!
Keeping Shane Clarke – although unpopular with large sections of the Imps following, Clarke supplements the arguably more talented midfield trio of Freck, Kerr and Pembleton very well. He showed his potential in the 15 minutes after half time on Saturday, and clearly has the potential to become a top player. He has the attributes of pace, hard work and good tackling ability, he just needs to pick the right pass more often.
Keeping Jamie Forrester – I would suggest there have not been many occasions in the history of the Imps where a player who has scored 14 goals in a season has been so unsure of his future, and this is the situation Jamie found himself in until today. However, I believe this is the right decision, and one that could prove greatly beneficial to the development of Forrester’s career as a coach, but lets not forget that Forrester has actually played more football for the Imps this season that anyone else!
Conclusion
Although there are a couple of shocks in there, I believe we need to have faith in the decisions of Jacko and Iffy and be patient to see what signings they have up their sleeves. Hopefully they have already got players they want to sign on a hit list, and let’s just hope that come August the only signing isn’t a 36 year old striker from Scunthorpe!
Everyone expected Moses, Stallard and Croft to go and a few even said they wouldn’t be surprised if Marriott went. Most said Forrester would stay, and everyone expected captain Kerr to sign a new deal. A few even said that Clarke was deserving of another year to prove himself. However, very few expected to see Ayden Duffy offered a new contract!
The thinking behind. . .
Letting Marriott go – Perhaps this wasn’t our choice. My guess is that he was offered a one year deal, and he felt that wasn’t enough security for a man of his responsibilities. He will find a new club, perhaps in this league or maybe the one above, but I am sure that if he is ever to return to the Bank he will receive the largest of standing ovations. Thanks for the memories Mazza, you will never be forgotten!
Letting the three aging campaigners go – Croft, Moses and Stallard have all played at a higher level than this – two of them even playing in the dizzy heights of the Premiership – and all have undoubted ability. However, between them they have started just 50 league games this season, and that is not enough. Stallard was a fan’s favourite in his first season, and will always be remembered fondly. Croft’s LCFC career never really got going, and Moses’ had more false starts than an old Llada.
Keeping Scott Kerr – No question here, especially as his number of appearances this season triggered a clause in his contract meaning he had to be offered a new one. He has been inspirational this season, and but for his misdemeanours with referees would surely have won the player of the season award. I’m sure this will not be the last contract that Kerr earns at the Bank.
Keeping Ayden Duffy – Strange one this. I for one don’t think he should have been offered a new contract. Apparently he dominates his area, and is also a good shot stopper and before I had seen him I knew this sounded too good to be true. And rightly enough, come Saturday when I saw him for the first time he flapped, wandered around his box, couldn’t make decisions and looked generally poor. I personally cant believe he has been offered a new contract, and genuinely hope that Jacko manages to find a top notch first choice keeper who doesn’t spend too much time on the sidelines!
Keeping Shane Clarke – although unpopular with large sections of the Imps following, Clarke supplements the arguably more talented midfield trio of Freck, Kerr and Pembleton very well. He showed his potential in the 15 minutes after half time on Saturday, and clearly has the potential to become a top player. He has the attributes of pace, hard work and good tackling ability, he just needs to pick the right pass more often.
Keeping Jamie Forrester – I would suggest there have not been many occasions in the history of the Imps where a player who has scored 14 goals in a season has been so unsure of his future, and this is the situation Jamie found himself in until today. However, I believe this is the right decision, and one that could prove greatly beneficial to the development of Forrester’s career as a coach, but lets not forget that Forrester has actually played more football for the Imps this season that anyone else!
Conclusion
Although there are a couple of shocks in there, I believe we need to have faith in the decisions of Jacko and Iffy and be patient to see what signings they have up their sleeves. Hopefully they have already got players they want to sign on a hit list, and let’s just hope that come August the only signing isn’t a 36 year old striker from Scunthorpe!
Monday 5 May 2008
Comparison
Well, with the season at a close I have noticed more than one similariy between our folk hero, Peter Jackson, and the returning messiah at St James' Park, Kevin Keegan.
When both men took over at their respective clubs this season they had started the season well below expectations, and not only had their previous attacking flair disappeared, both teams had begun to ship goals as well.
So, in the middle of the season when both managers took over they both faced the very real, stark prospect of relegation. However, a very good unbeaten run for each team, Lincoln's coming in February and Newcastle's in March and April were inspired not only by the return to form of a goalscoring centre forward (Ben Wright/Michael Owen) but even more so by the introduction of a very special manager.
And the managers too have similarities. Both prefer to set the tone of training sessions rather than actualy get involved, leaving it to their trusted coaches to instead do the actual work. Both are inspirational motivators and perhaps most tellingly both decided to stick with the squads they had at their disposal, rather than spending what money was available to them on signing that would last less time than a test match against Bangladesh.
So, all in all I am not comparing the two - how coud you? But they certainly do have similarities.
When both men took over at their respective clubs this season they had started the season well below expectations, and not only had their previous attacking flair disappeared, both teams had begun to ship goals as well.
So, in the middle of the season when both managers took over they both faced the very real, stark prospect of relegation. However, a very good unbeaten run for each team, Lincoln's coming in February and Newcastle's in March and April were inspired not only by the return to form of a goalscoring centre forward (Ben Wright/Michael Owen) but even more so by the introduction of a very special manager.
And the managers too have similarities. Both prefer to set the tone of training sessions rather than actualy get involved, leaving it to their trusted coaches to instead do the actual work. Both are inspirational motivators and perhaps most tellingly both decided to stick with the squads they had at their disposal, rather than spending what money was available to them on signing that would last less time than a test match against Bangladesh.
So, all in all I am not comparing the two - how coud you? But they certainly do have similarities.
Judgement Day is Coming
With the retained list set to be announced tomorrow, specualtion is rising that only Scott Kerr and Jamie Forrester will be retained from the out of contract players. With the Echo pretty much assuming that the Boulding deal is signed and delivered, how many more players can we raid from the relegated twosome? Perhaps the wing wizard Hamshaw, defensive rocks Alex John-Baptiste and Jake Buxton, or maybe even the protege Boulding, Rory. Or perhaps we should be looking towards Wales, and giant defender Sean Evans, or maybe free kick specialist Wes Baynes, or is the possibilty of signing right back Spender to provide competition for player of the season Green a real one?
We shall discover on the morrow who Jackson feels can match his vibe, and just how much of chairman Wright's "good" budget he shall have to play with.
Exciting times at the Bank indeed.
We shall discover on the morrow who Jackson feels can match his vibe, and just how much of chairman Wright's "good" budget he shall have to play with.
Exciting times at the Bank indeed.
Sunday 4 May 2008
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Tuesday is thought to be the day that Jackson/Onuora announce the retained list for next season. Here I asses each of the players who’s contract is up, and whether they should still be at the Bank next season.
Alan Marriott – dependable stopper who has broken all sorts of records for Imps. Played in two Play-Off finals for the Imps, five Play-Off campaigns and next season is not only his tenth but were he to play a good lot of games would surpass Grant Brown’s appearance record for the Imps. However, I feel he needs genuine competition to maintain performance, and he has always been a confidence performer – something that has been hard to come by when goalkeeping behind a defence leakier than Roman Abramovich’s wallet. I think Marriott has done enough this season to earn a new contract so I am going to say STAY.
Gary Croft – don’t think there is much question here. The former Grimsby, Ipswich, Blackburn and Grimsby (again) defender, despite having a good brain is two or three yards too slow all the time, and was awful against Wrexham on Saturday, confirming my opinion of GO.
Adie Moses – Adie has been a loyal servant to every club he has been at, however, he is now in the situation where he plays well for three games, but then is injured for five. Not the sort of player Jackson’s reduced squad will be able to carry, so I’m afraid to say GO.
Jamie Forrester – his legs are now slower, he chases around less but 14 goals in a team who has struggled for most of the season is a good return and his experience and coaching ability will be vital in bringing on youngsters such as Lennel John-Lewis and Gary King. He has played more minutes for the Imps this year than anyone else – often being deployed in a wide role and has performed admirably. I think STAY - I feel he will have a vital role to play next season.
Mark Stallard – In his first season at the Bank I was so impressed with Stalls that I nominated him my Player of the Season. Hugely intelligent link up play combined with lethal finishing saw him form a deadly partnership with Jamie Forrester. However, John Schofield’s seemingly inane desire to prove Stove Torpey was a good signing, and Ben Wright’s form since the arrival of Jackson mean this has been a frustrating season for the big man, and I have to say GO. I hope he goes on and scores goals somewhere else as I really like him as a player, and he will always be one of my favourite City players. Thanks Mark, and good luck.
Scott Kerr – No question. 3 year contract, natural leader. STAY.
Ayden Duffy – Despite some praise from some quarters, he looked dreadful on Saturday and I don’t feel he will provide real competition for Marriott. GO.
Louis Dodds – although a lot depends on Leicester, Dodd’s has become part of the furniture this year and a number of classy displays topped off by a number of classy goals have made Dodds a bit of a hero at the Bank. It would have been good to see him down the middle, but 9 goals from the wing isn’t a bad return at all. So, if possible, STAY.
Shane Clarke – has featured more prominently this year than perhaps even he would have expected and has got better as time has gone on, but with the squad needing cutting down I would have to say GO. Good luck Shane.
Bearing these decisions in mind, then, that leaves the Imps with a squad of:
Marriott, Green, Beevers, Brown, Frecklington, Forrester, Kerr, Amoo, Wright, N’Guessan, Warlow and Hand. Add to this Danny Hone, Lennel John-Lewis, Martin Pembleton and Gary King then you have 16. When you consider that Peter Jackson wants a squad of 18 then this doesn’t leave a lot of room to bring in new blood. So, who should make way? Well Jamie Hand is almost certainly on his way out to Oxford, Nat Brown could probably find a new home at Moss Rose with Keith Alexander so this leaves only Ryan Amoo to find a new home for. If the club could find a new home for Amoo (other than reserve team captain) then that leaves Peter Jackson with five spaces, as I believe Warlow is a good enough prospect to keep hold of.
As for these five positions I believe City need a goalkeeper, a centre half, a left back, a midfield utility player and a centre forward. Tuesday will be very interesting indeed!
Alan Marriott – dependable stopper who has broken all sorts of records for Imps. Played in two Play-Off finals for the Imps, five Play-Off campaigns and next season is not only his tenth but were he to play a good lot of games would surpass Grant Brown’s appearance record for the Imps. However, I feel he needs genuine competition to maintain performance, and he has always been a confidence performer – something that has been hard to come by when goalkeeping behind a defence leakier than Roman Abramovich’s wallet. I think Marriott has done enough this season to earn a new contract so I am going to say STAY.
Gary Croft – don’t think there is much question here. The former Grimsby, Ipswich, Blackburn and Grimsby (again) defender, despite having a good brain is two or three yards too slow all the time, and was awful against Wrexham on Saturday, confirming my opinion of GO.
Adie Moses – Adie has been a loyal servant to every club he has been at, however, he is now in the situation where he plays well for three games, but then is injured for five. Not the sort of player Jackson’s reduced squad will be able to carry, so I’m afraid to say GO.
Jamie Forrester – his legs are now slower, he chases around less but 14 goals in a team who has struggled for most of the season is a good return and his experience and coaching ability will be vital in bringing on youngsters such as Lennel John-Lewis and Gary King. He has played more minutes for the Imps this year than anyone else – often being deployed in a wide role and has performed admirably. I think STAY - I feel he will have a vital role to play next season.
Mark Stallard – In his first season at the Bank I was so impressed with Stalls that I nominated him my Player of the Season. Hugely intelligent link up play combined with lethal finishing saw him form a deadly partnership with Jamie Forrester. However, John Schofield’s seemingly inane desire to prove Stove Torpey was a good signing, and Ben Wright’s form since the arrival of Jackson mean this has been a frustrating season for the big man, and I have to say GO. I hope he goes on and scores goals somewhere else as I really like him as a player, and he will always be one of my favourite City players. Thanks Mark, and good luck.
Scott Kerr – No question. 3 year contract, natural leader. STAY.
Ayden Duffy – Despite some praise from some quarters, he looked dreadful on Saturday and I don’t feel he will provide real competition for Marriott. GO.
Louis Dodds – although a lot depends on Leicester, Dodd’s has become part of the furniture this year and a number of classy displays topped off by a number of classy goals have made Dodds a bit of a hero at the Bank. It would have been good to see him down the middle, but 9 goals from the wing isn’t a bad return at all. So, if possible, STAY.
Shane Clarke – has featured more prominently this year than perhaps even he would have expected and has got better as time has gone on, but with the squad needing cutting down I would have to say GO. Good luck Shane.
Bearing these decisions in mind, then, that leaves the Imps with a squad of:
Marriott, Green, Beevers, Brown, Frecklington, Forrester, Kerr, Amoo, Wright, N’Guessan, Warlow and Hand. Add to this Danny Hone, Lennel John-Lewis, Martin Pembleton and Gary King then you have 16. When you consider that Peter Jackson wants a squad of 18 then this doesn’t leave a lot of room to bring in new blood. So, who should make way? Well Jamie Hand is almost certainly on his way out to Oxford, Nat Brown could probably find a new home at Moss Rose with Keith Alexander so this leaves only Ryan Amoo to find a new home for. If the club could find a new home for Amoo (other than reserve team captain) then that leaves Peter Jackson with five spaces, as I believe Warlow is a good enough prospect to keep hold of.
As for these five positions I believe City need a goalkeeper, a centre half, a left back, a midfield utility player and a centre forward. Tuesday will be very interesting indeed!
Wrexham Review
I got the chance to see the Imps for their last game of the season on Saturday, and from the moment I was nearly knocked over by a trio of Batman, Captain America and a large rabbit walking down the high street I knew this was going to be a day to remember!
The team was as expected, with Duffy continuing in goal, Player of the Season Paul Green at right back, Lee Beevers partnering Joint Young Player of the season and Away Player of the Season Danny Hone at centre back and Gary Croft continuing at left back. Louis Dodds started on the right wing, with King on the left and captain Kerr partnering Lee Frecklington in central midfield. The XI was completed by Jamie Forrester and Ben Wright – tied neck-a-neck on 14 goals for the season. The bench was comprised of Adie Moses, Mark Stallard, Dany N’Guessan, Owain Warlow and Shane Clarke.
In the 16 there were 6 players from the clubs youth setup, and 8 who were playing their last game before their contracts expired.
The first half was a largely tame affair, and before Wrexham scored the only real incident of note was Lee Frecklington hobbling off after sustaining what looked like a fairly nasty shoulder injury. Wrexham’s first goal game after a free kick was needlessly given away by Paul Green, and it was a beauty of a free kick whipped in at pace towards the edge of the six yard box and there was nothing Duffy could do. The second was from another set piece – this time after Croft had handballed at least 3 yards inside the area, and the free kick was smashed past one end of the wall, and with Duffy seemingly stood right behind his wall, the ball sailed into the net.
City’s reply soon before half time was comical – a Beevers long ball headed over his keeper under pressure by the Wrexham centre back.
City started the second half brilliantly, Shane Clarke playing like a man possessed, and along with Kerr was running the game from the centre of the park. Two or three corners, and two or three shots and City were back to two goals behind, another free kick sailing past a seemingly misplaced Duffy. Ben Wright then snatched a goal back at the other end, to go ahead in the Golden Boot race, only for Wrexham to run straight back down the other end.
An entertaining game was drawn to a close with two glaring Ben Wright misses, and despite numerous warnings from the PA System, fans streamed onto the pitch at the end to dealy the Imps’ players coming out for a lap of honour.
The game told me very little, except for the performance of two players. It became clear that we cannot under any circumstances retain Ayden Duffy. He looked nervous, very indecisive and even his ‘command’ of the area was awry. However, Scott Kerr is a different matter and he bossed this game from start to finish, playing with the passion he has always had but with a touch of control and elegance too – whenever he got the ball he used it intelligently, and on this performance is the lynchpin to build this team around next season.
The team was as expected, with Duffy continuing in goal, Player of the Season Paul Green at right back, Lee Beevers partnering Joint Young Player of the season and Away Player of the Season Danny Hone at centre back and Gary Croft continuing at left back. Louis Dodds started on the right wing, with King on the left and captain Kerr partnering Lee Frecklington in central midfield. The XI was completed by Jamie Forrester and Ben Wright – tied neck-a-neck on 14 goals for the season. The bench was comprised of Adie Moses, Mark Stallard, Dany N’Guessan, Owain Warlow and Shane Clarke.
In the 16 there were 6 players from the clubs youth setup, and 8 who were playing their last game before their contracts expired.
The first half was a largely tame affair, and before Wrexham scored the only real incident of note was Lee Frecklington hobbling off after sustaining what looked like a fairly nasty shoulder injury. Wrexham’s first goal game after a free kick was needlessly given away by Paul Green, and it was a beauty of a free kick whipped in at pace towards the edge of the six yard box and there was nothing Duffy could do. The second was from another set piece – this time after Croft had handballed at least 3 yards inside the area, and the free kick was smashed past one end of the wall, and with Duffy seemingly stood right behind his wall, the ball sailed into the net.
City’s reply soon before half time was comical – a Beevers long ball headed over his keeper under pressure by the Wrexham centre back.
City started the second half brilliantly, Shane Clarke playing like a man possessed, and along with Kerr was running the game from the centre of the park. Two or three corners, and two or three shots and City were back to two goals behind, another free kick sailing past a seemingly misplaced Duffy. Ben Wright then snatched a goal back at the other end, to go ahead in the Golden Boot race, only for Wrexham to run straight back down the other end.
An entertaining game was drawn to a close with two glaring Ben Wright misses, and despite numerous warnings from the PA System, fans streamed onto the pitch at the end to dealy the Imps’ players coming out for a lap of honour.
The game told me very little, except for the performance of two players. It became clear that we cannot under any circumstances retain Ayden Duffy. He looked nervous, very indecisive and even his ‘command’ of the area was awry. However, Scott Kerr is a different matter and he bossed this game from start to finish, playing with the passion he has always had but with a touch of control and elegance too – whenever he got the ball he used it intelligently, and on this performance is the lynchpin to build this team around next season.
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