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.
Showing posts with label Lincoln City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lincoln City. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 May 2008
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!
Friday, 2 May 2008
The Goalkeeping Question
Despite being one of the most successful goalkeepers in the clubs history, breaking records for both appearances and clean sheets, there is still much debate over whether Alan Marriott should be offered a new contract this summer.
I, for one said at the start of this year that perhaps we needed to sign someone as genuine competition, as this would improve Alan as a goalkeeper.
No one was signed and Marriott started the season as our automatic 1st choice keeper, and it wasn’t until results had got so bad that the two Johns were sacked that is place was called into question.
One of the first things PJ did when he took over was sign Ben Smith on loan from Doncaster, a 22 year old goalkeeper. He started off solidly enough, but a number of errors culminating in a clanger away at Grimsby saw him shipped back to his parent club and Marriott reinstated.
Mazza has since been the first choice, his run of games in the first team only ended when he got injured at Chester. He was inspirational in some of the games during the winning streak in February, and has looked solid ever since being reinstated.
Ayden Duffy has replaced him, and although he has never played a league game before has impressed many watchers with his strong, authoritative command of his area – something that Mazza has never done.
So, do Lincoln offer Marriott a contract, offer Duffy a contract, or offer them both contracts or indeed neither of them? I still believe that Marriott needs competitions to perform to his best – just like when we had Paul Pettinger or Simon Rayner (both very competent goalies). If Marriott is to be offered a new contract, therefore, I don’t feel it can be as a definite number one, so can Duffy provide adequate cover? His performances in the last couple of weeks certainly suggest so, but would PJ start them both off on an equal footing? Perhaps the best thing to do would be to offer Duffy a new contract, and find another more experienced keeper to contest the place with him? Or offer Marriott the contract and try to persuade somebody of similar ilk to himself to join the club?
However, what the Ben Smith experiment showed was that there aren’t a lot of better keepers than Marriott around who would be both a) available and b) willing to come to Lincoln, so perhaps the best option is indeed to sign them both on again for next season, but with neither as the assured number one – giving Marriott real competition.
I, for one said at the start of this year that perhaps we needed to sign someone as genuine competition, as this would improve Alan as a goalkeeper.
No one was signed and Marriott started the season as our automatic 1st choice keeper, and it wasn’t until results had got so bad that the two Johns were sacked that is place was called into question.
One of the first things PJ did when he took over was sign Ben Smith on loan from Doncaster, a 22 year old goalkeeper. He started off solidly enough, but a number of errors culminating in a clanger away at Grimsby saw him shipped back to his parent club and Marriott reinstated.
Mazza has since been the first choice, his run of games in the first team only ended when he got injured at Chester. He was inspirational in some of the games during the winning streak in February, and has looked solid ever since being reinstated.
Ayden Duffy has replaced him, and although he has never played a league game before has impressed many watchers with his strong, authoritative command of his area – something that Mazza has never done.
So, do Lincoln offer Marriott a contract, offer Duffy a contract, or offer them both contracts or indeed neither of them? I still believe that Marriott needs competitions to perform to his best – just like when we had Paul Pettinger or Simon Rayner (both very competent goalies). If Marriott is to be offered a new contract, therefore, I don’t feel it can be as a definite number one, so can Duffy provide adequate cover? His performances in the last couple of weeks certainly suggest so, but would PJ start them both off on an equal footing? Perhaps the best thing to do would be to offer Duffy a new contract, and find another more experienced keeper to contest the place with him? Or offer Marriott the contract and try to persuade somebody of similar ilk to himself to join the club?
However, what the Ben Smith experiment showed was that there aren’t a lot of better keepers than Marriott around who would be both a) available and b) willing to come to Lincoln, so perhaps the best option is indeed to sign them both on again for next season, but with neither as the assured number one – giving Marriott real competition.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Louis Dodds
Louis has today told The Lincolnshire Echo that, despite being a Leicester lad, he hopes the Foxes go down as then he would get more chances to play for their first team in League One.
To me, this sounds pretty negative for a couple of reasons - 1)He doesn't feel he has the ability to make it in the Championship (even if a player felt this he wouldn't usually come out and say it) and 2) It sounds as though Lincoln are very much a second resort for him.
He has impressed most watchers this season, with occasional glimpses of class intertwined with regular solid performances.
He has started 37 league games for the Imps this year, with 3 appearances as sub. In that time he has scored 9 goals - a ratio of nearly 1 every 4 games, which is not bad considering he has played the large majority of the season on the wing.
His highlight of the season was, almost without doubt, his 'Goal of the Season' against Wycombe at home in Jacko's last game before he went for his treatment.
However, he has scored many good goals - other notable ones being the free-kick away at Shrewsbury and the curler away at Rotherham.
I, personally, would like to see Dodds stay at the Bank for next season, however it doesn't sound like he really wants to be here, and I don't think this is the sort of player that PJ wants.
To me, this sounds pretty negative for a couple of reasons - 1)He doesn't feel he has the ability to make it in the Championship (even if a player felt this he wouldn't usually come out and say it) and 2) It sounds as though Lincoln are very much a second resort for him.
He has impressed most watchers this season, with occasional glimpses of class intertwined with regular solid performances.
He has started 37 league games for the Imps this year, with 3 appearances as sub. In that time he has scored 9 goals - a ratio of nearly 1 every 4 games, which is not bad considering he has played the large majority of the season on the wing.
His highlight of the season was, almost without doubt, his 'Goal of the Season' against Wycombe at home in Jacko's last game before he went for his treatment.
However, he has scored many good goals - other notable ones being the free-kick away at Shrewsbury and the curler away at Rotherham.
I, personally, would like to see Dodds stay at the Bank for next season, however it doesn't sound like he really wants to be here, and I don't think this is the sort of player that PJ wants.
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
v Wrexham
Well, on Saturday I get to see the Imps in action for the final game of the season, meaning this will be first time I have had chance to see Gary King and Ayden Duffy. From reports, King sounds to be a very good prospect and sounds like he has a very mature head on his young shoulders. Duffy, on the other hand sounds to me like he will not be offered a new contract. Numerous handing errors seem to outweigh his quality of being dominating in his area, and I really cannot see Jackson offering him a new deal! Roll on Saturday.
Welcome!
Welcome to the newest Lincoln City fansite. As an Imp in exile (Hull) I will not be able to give detailed match reports on every single City game, but when I do get the chance to see them I will offer my opinions. I will also offer my opinions on a wide range of Imps related topics, and if you are visiting here you will no doubt recognise my opinions as similar to those of "Martin, Lincoln' on the Echo website - that would be me!
I will have a lot of polls on the site - so keep checking back to offer your opinion!
Also, I will aim to offer player profiles for all of the Imps squad!
Thanks for visiting!
I will have a lot of polls on the site - so keep checking back to offer your opinion!
Also, I will aim to offer player profiles for all of the Imps squad!
Thanks for visiting!
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