Stickied Transfer Rumours 2023/24

Might be a youngster from Leicester joining us....

We are potentially signing a midfielder this week as mills has realised we are a bit light there and has experimented with defenders in midfield

We had Courtney Cameron (winger) on trail in tonights game opinions Torquay fans?

This is what we said about his trial at Luton…

Gulliball said:

Not really. Too inconsistent to be useful as a squad player. He offered nothing at all for us last season. You should be aiming much higher.

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yellow said:

To be fair, he looked like he's one of those players more suited to a higher level.

Could do a half decent job for a L2 side, maybe. Just needs a good run of games and confidence.

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I think if you have money, there are far better players to go after. He offered absolutely nothing for us last season, and in all his time here, the good moments were few and far between. Consistency, end product and mind-set all lacking.

Gulliball said:

I think if you have money, there are far better players to go after. He offered absolutely nothing for us last season, and in all his time here, the good moments were few and far between. Consistency, end product and mind-set all lacking.

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I appreciate the feedback, but he clearly has something. He was up against a very good (unbeaten in 7) Everton U21 side last night and was the standout player on the pitch. Brabin has said he's not going to rush into anything and so is maybe aware that he is inconsistent, but he's put in 2 very good performances against both Blackburn and Everton U21. He set up 2 last night and his delivery was brilliant, he was quick and direct. Yes, he lost the ball a few times but wingers will do that.
If we can sign him and get him playing like last night, he'd be potentially a brilliant signing.

If you look at his career, it's on a downwards spiral. From promising beginnings, what he's actually delivered is minimal. He's had two years at Torquay, enough time to see the full range of his abilities, and wasn't good enough to be kept on by us. We're about the bottom of the ladder too - not many players leave Torquay and go on to stay as a professional.

I would also say that playing against u21 sides is what he does best. His youth career was promising and he normally starts and ends the season well. What I would be concerned about is that when he has a competitive opponent, his output falls somewhat. We finished 12th in our first season down here last year largely because we had too many young and inexperienced players who weren't capable of getting up for the fight week after week after week. We had no money, so had to sign players with some defects, and inexperience is better than any other defect. You have a budget to sign far better in my opinion. Over 46 games, on rough pitches, against 11 men behind the ball and I really don't think he'll be much help to you.

1884 Belmont said:

I appreciate the feedback, but he clearly has something. He was up against a very good (unbeaten in 7) Everton U21 side last night and was the standout player on the pitch. Brabin has said he's not going to rush into anything and so is maybe aware that he is inconsistent, but he's put in 2 very good performances against both Blackburn and Everton U21. He set up 2 last night and his delivery was brilliant, he was quick and direct. Yes, he lost the ball a few times but wingers will do that.
If we can sign him and get him playing like last night, he'd be potentially a brilliant signing.

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Playing U21 sides is not the same as being booted about for 90 minutes with minimal protection from the ref.

LlayDragon said:

Playing U21 sides is not the same as being booted about for 90 minutes with minimal protection from the ref.

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Come on they won't play Halifax EVERY week

I fully appreciate the comments and I didn't mean to be dismissive of the feedback. Likewise, I know U21 sides will give a different test but believe me when I say that Everton U21 were not shy with the tackles last night. I'm not saying he won't be inconsistent and I'm not saying he will even be signed - Brabin clearly wants to take his time - but he was very impressive last night and clearly has talent. Also, Everton U21 beat both Southport and Wrexham, our new divisional counterparts, so to perform well against them obviously has some merit.

Stand out performer?? You joking?? The lad couldn't run past their full back granted he has good feet and can put a cross in but i dont fancy him. Looks very weak and looked bored and went missing for half of his time on the pitch. You sure you were watching Tranmere last night? Adam Mekki on theother hand fast very very good feet and isnt scared of a tackle!! Sign him definitely

1884 Belmont said:

I fully appreciate the comments and I didn't mean to be dismissive of the feedback. Likewise, I know U21 sides will give a different test but believe me when I say that Everton U21 were not shy with the tackles last night. I'm not saying he won't be inconsistent and I'm not saying he will even be signed - Brabin clearly wants to take his time - but he was very impressive last night and clearly has talent. Also, Everton U21 beat both Southport and Wrexham, our new divisional counterparts, so to perform well against them obviously has some merit.

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They were a bit fortunate to beat us...

That said Everton always put out a good u21 side, no mugs.

Mekki impressing then?

Aswad Thomas was on trial for Eastleigh the other night.

A good player but too risky and (most likely) expensive for us. It'd be somewhat worrying if they signed him, surely Richard Hill couldn't not get promoted with their squad?

Suit their style all attack and no defence

wozzatrfc said:

Stand out performer?? You joking?? The lad couldn't run past their full back granted he has good feet and can put a cross in but i dont fancy him. Looks very weak and looked bored and went missing for half of his time on the pitch. You sure you were watching Tranmere last night? Adam Mekki on theother hand fast very very good feet and isnt scared of a tackle!! Sign him definitely

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I agree with this Harris was easy motm I love him already.

Sparrow said:

Aswad Thomas was on trial for Eastleigh the other night.

A good player but too risky and (most likely) expensive for us. It'd be somewhat worrying if they signed him, surely Richard Hill couldn't not get promoted with their squad?

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Frealaf said:

Suit their style all attack and no defence

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Aswad has been told he is not first choice of our trialist's. We have had Dan Harding training and playing for us, although he is looking for a Championship side to take him after being released by Notts Forest. However, so far, we are the only ones who have offered him a contract, so who knows....he's from Eastleigh & i gather still lives in the area. At the moment our entire "first choice" back four are injured too!

You are spot on about our defence & this is a huge worry for the fans, with plenty of calls for a new CH on our forum, but the boss says he doesn't need one apparently. I know its only pre-season, but we have also been struggling to score goals. with 3 x 2-0 loses in our last 5 games & only 3 goals scored in the other 2 games, one of which was against a side 5 steps lower than our level. No need to panic just yet, but i'm less convinced with us going into this season than last. Lafayette, although now also injured, looks a dud. and both Josh Payne & Andy Drury are still well off the pace fitness wise, yet the manager only plays them both for 45 mins in these PSF games. They won't get their match sharpness that way!
Our last PSF is this Saturday against Barnet, so i'm not expecting a win, meaning we go into the season with a very poor PS behind us and with quite a lot of injury and fitness concerns. All part of the fun i guess.

Thomas is a decent player.

but seems to lack common sense, will cost you needless goals as he did for us a few times.

also he is a bad egg... arrogant.

If he's a bad egg, then Mr Hill wouldn't have him anyway, he likes to control the players and anyone playing up or trying to assert some form of player power/control through arrogance, soon finds themselves kicked out the club, as happened with Harry Pell & Craig Stanley last season.
I don't think he will sign Thomas anyway, we have already turned down better trialist's than him. i.e Joe Devera (released by Portsmouth).

Eastleigh Fan said:

You are spot on about our defence & this is a huge worry for the fans, with plenty of calls for a new CH on our forum, but the boss says he doesn't need one apparently. I know its only pre-season, but we have also been struggling to score goals. with 3 x 2-0 loses in our last 5 games & only 3 goals scored in the other 2 games, one of which was against a side 5 steps lower than our level. No need to panic just yet, but i'm less convinced with us going into this season than last. Lafayette, although now also injured, looks a dud. and both Josh Payne & Andy Drury are still well off the pace fitness wise, yet the manager only plays them both for 45 mins in these PSF games. They won't get their match sharpness that way!
Our last PSF is this Saturday against Barnet, so i'm not expecting a win, meaning we go into the season with a very poor PS behind us and with quite a lot of injury and fitness concerns. All part of the fun i guess.

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Going by the Grimsby Town FC Pre-Season Performance Chart, you're going to get relegated.

Eastleigh Fan said:

Aswad has been told he is not first choice of our trialist's. We have had Dan Harding training and playing for us, although he is looking for a Championship side to take him after being released by Notts Forest. However, so far, we are the only ones who have offered him a contract, so who knows....he's from Eastleigh & i gather still lives in the area. At the moment our entire "first choice" back four are injured too!

You are spot on about our defence & this is a huge worry for the fans, with plenty of calls for a new CH on our forum, but the boss says he doesn't need one apparently. I know its only pre-season, but we have also been struggling to score goals. with 3 x 2-0 loses in our last 5 games & only 3 goals scored in the other 2 games, one of which was against a side 5 steps lower than our level. No need to panic just yet, but i'm less convinced with us going into this season than last. Lafayette, although now also injured, looks a dud. and both Josh Payne & Andy Drury are still well off the pace fitness wise, yet the manager only plays them both for 45 mins in these PSF games. They won't get their match sharpness that way!
Our last PSF is this Saturday against Barnet, so i'm not expecting a win, meaning we go into the season with a very poor PS behind us and with quite a lot of injury and fitness concerns. All part of the fun i guess.

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Lafaytte is big and awkward to deal with but I'm not convinced he's good enough for a club with aspirations of promotion.

Your squad definitely looks good enough to challenge come the end of the season, but could be a slow start.

On paper, we have a relatively easy start to the season. However, although we could quite conceivably take at least 15/18 points from our first 6 games, equally, with our injuries and lack of goals PS, we could also find ourselves only picking up 6-9 points and already chasing the pack. Over the years we have always been slow starters, but pick up a lot of points after November, so maybe the pattern will continue. I would like to see at least 2 more fit players added to the squad before the season starts.

Lafayette hasn't looked big or awkward in my opinion, infact quit the opposite, he doesn't look for the ball much and seems to only want to do the pretty things. he doesn't get in the box much or make forward runs either & tends to continually drop deep to get the ball, but we already have enough ball players to do that. Not sure we have seen him compete or win a header yet either which has been mentioned by others on our forum. Constable will work his nuts off upfront, but he needs a partner who isn't going to hide and i get the impression from Lafayette so far, that he doesn't want to work too hard. We'll see, maybe its his fitness level & injury (dead leg) that has been inhibiting him so far. I'm just concerned that at least 6 of what would be our starting eleven, are carrying injuries & have not had much of a pre season, and when that happens, it can take them at least 6 games to get into their stride once they are injury free. As stated, by then, we could find ourselves 10+ point behind the frontrunners.

Eastleigh Fan said:

Aswad has been told he is not first choice of our trialist's. We have had Dan Harding training and playing for us, although he is looking for a Championship side to take him after being released by Notts Forest. However, so far, we are the only ones who have offered him a contract, so who knows....he's from Eastleigh & i gather still lives in the area. At the moment our entire "first choice" back four are injured too!

You are spot on about our defence & this is a huge worry for the fans, with plenty of calls for a new CH on our forum, but the boss says he doesn't need one apparently. I know its only pre-season, but we have also been struggling to score goals. with 3 x 2-0 loses in our last 5 games & only 3 goals scored in the other 2 games, one of which was against a side 5 steps lower than our level. No need to panic just yet, but i'm less convinced with us going into this season than last. Lafayette, although now also injured, looks a dud. and both Josh Payne & Andy Drury are still well off the pace fitness wise, yet the manager only plays them both for 45 mins in these PSF games. They won't get their match sharpness that way!
Our last PSF is this Saturday against Barnet, so i'm not expecting a win, meaning we go into the season with a very poor PS behind us and with quite a lot of injury and fitness concerns. All part of the fun i guess.

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The problem with your pre-season transfer business, for me, is that you haven't addressed the main flaw in your team from last season. Eastleigh were great at attacking for what...80% of the season? Good at rolling over the teams below them. However, on those rare occasions they failed to score, I bet they were almost always beaten and not able to grind out a 0-0. Would be surprised if there were many 1-0 wins, too? That's the problem with playing so gung-ho, unless you're really really good at it you're gonna struggle on your off days or against strong defences. It's certainly why we beat your four times and it's why I can only see you at best levelling a season of being beaten playoff semi finalists. Don't get me wrong, I know our model from last season wasn't perfect. If it was, I wouldn't be here having this conversation with you in the Non-League forum would I?! I also think you've made some good signings by the way, but they're also signings that arguably only serve to upgrade parts of your side that were already working. As someone (Frealaf?) said somewhere else, FGR seem to be realising and trying to rectify their previous mistakes. I don't see any evidence of this at Eastleigh, really. Would be interested to see if you think that is a fair assessment, or if not I'd be interested for you to suggest otherwise.

I agree with you 100%, and there are plenty of our own fans who feel exactly the same. One of ours has been writing these kind of comments on our forum very frequently & he also challenged the manager about it, at a recent fans forum, where this guy put the defensive statistics direct to the manager and owner who where taking questions from fans. Mr Hill said outright that he disagreed and felt he didn't need a new center half and he was happy with what he has at his disposal. So if the manager can't see it and doesn't feel a need for strengthening the defence, then that either makes him a very bad manager, or none of us know what we are talking about. Seen as his record with us is second to none, it's a tough one to go against him on. When it comes down to it, the manage will fly or die by this decision, as i agree with you that we will do well just to finish top 5, but if i were the owner and have spent what he has spent, then anything outside of that has to be seen as a bad season and a backward step. As you state, you only have to look at how many goals we conceded last season to know where the problem lies & if anything our defensive unit is weaker at the moment & as i said earlier, 3 of the back four (4 of 5 if you include the keeper) are injured.

Eastleigh just sign players so others can't have them. See Odubade, Lafayette etc.

That was a sketch on the fast show live once upon a time....

I think we can all agree that it would be awful if Eastleigh got promoted, so I'm glad they have these defensive problems.

It's an interesting one r.e. attack vs defence and it's one we've been having on our forum off the back of our pre-season i.e. looking solid but not scoring many.

I think to be a decent team in any league, scoring a lot gets you to a point, but being solid defensively gets you to that next level needed (unless you're stupidly good going forward and scoring 3 or 4 a game, which is highly unlikely).

Just to add to the above, I posted the following about 4 weeks ago on the L2 forum responding to a Bristol Rovers fan over something:

Luke Imp said:

Eastleigh's problem is their defence. They concede far too many goals - around 50% more than you last season for example and had the 2nd worst defence in the top half of the league (61 with Gatehead on 62).

They score lots, which is fine, but when you come up against a half decent defence/better teams they still have that problem at the back. Scoring that many gets you to a point, but you have to mix it with a decent defence to push on that little bit further.

They finished only 4 points ahead of Macclesfield, who scored 60 (compared to Eastleigh's 87) and only conceded 46 (compared to their 61).

May have missed signings, but I've not seen anything to suggest they'll be better defensively this season.

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Eastleigh Fan said:

I agree with you 100%, and there are plenty of our own fans who feel exactly the same. One of ours has been writing these kind of comments on our forum very frequently & he also challenged the manager about it, at a recent fans forum, where this guy put the defensive statistics direct to the manager and owner who where taking questions from fans. Mr Hill said outright that he disagreed and felt he didn't need a new center half and he was happy with what he has at his disposal. So if the manager can't see it and doesn't feel a need for strengthening the defence, then that either makes him a very bad manager, or none of us know what we are talking about. Seen as his record with us is second to none, it's a tough one to go against him on. When it comes down to it, the manage will fly or die by this decision, as i agree with you that we will do well just to finish top 5, but if i were the owner and have spent what he has spent, then anything outside of that has to be seen as a bad season and a backward step. As you state, you only have to look at how many goals we conceded last season to know where the problem lies & if anything our defensive unit is weaker at the moment & as i said earlier, 3 of the back four (4 of 5 if you include the keeper) are injured.

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Eastleigh fan in 'having serious conversation with someone', shocker.........