Stickied League 2 Transfer Rumours/Confirmed Transfers 2023/24

[jbet]

I can guarantee that you will not see a more pointless or waste of a signing than Ryan Lloyd signing for us. He was with us for years, barely played, looked non existent when he did play. However, he randomly kept getting contact after contract. Since then he hasn’t pulled up any trees in non league with Macclesfield and Chester and barely played for Macclesfield last year. But Vale being Vale and due to Lloyd being a local lad who Askey knows, we’ll happily give him a job.

Quite frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a poorer scouting network than Vale’s recently.

I sort of agree and despair when I see us talking about it being positive that players are 'local' - we're a professional football club ffs.

However, Askey's comments about 'seeing things he's never seen in all his years in football' about some of last season's squad makes me forgive him for wanting some good, honest lads around the place who he can trust. I've just listened to a podcast with our new owners who have echoed that sentiment - we're properly vetting the characters coming into the club to make sure they're the right fit for us which is much needed in my opinion.

 

[valefan16]

I sort of agree and despair when I see us talking about it being positive that players are 'local' - we're a professional football club ffs.

However, Askey's comments about 'seeing things he's never seen in all his years in football' about some of last season's squad makes me forgive him for wanting some good, honest lads around the place who he can trust. I've just listened to a podcast with our new owners who have echoed that sentiment - we're properly vetting the characters coming into the club to make sure they're the right fit for us which is much needed in my opinion.

I think this is it really, I mean as a back up its not the end of the world, but clearly things were not right in that changing room last season with a few of the players and we can speculate on who they were but its clear he has looked to move on some who have been a problem and signed characters who will not be disruptive. If this was going on also how did that affect and how was it handled by Aspin I wonder? How did the model pro's like Legge and Brown feel about these players?

Overall some of the performances and ending last season may have been partly influenced by the goings on in the dressing room so hopefully we see the best of the players we have now.

 

[Luke Imp]

Any views on Joe Morrell, Si Robin? Sounds like he's joining us on a season long loan from Bristol City and notice he played a lot when on loan with you.

 

[Si Robin]

He's a decent player, certainly someone I'd have back here.

Gets stuck in, and isn't hampered by his size despite being a small lad. Good on the ball, plays a decent pass and not afraid to have a shot on goal (scored a couple for us from distance).

Good signing for Lincoln I reckon - assuming he hasn't regressed in the past season.

 

[GodsGift]

Always liked Joe Edwards whenever I've seen him, but not sure Walsall fans were particularly sad to see him so. Think he's capable of playing in a number of positions but when I saw him he played as a number 10 and looked very dangerous. Think he's used to playing further back normally though.

 

[AnotherStagsFan]

I don't see that as a bad season. You said playoffs if we are lucky. Now I'm going to have to quote you when we are in the playoffs. Id be more than happy to parade you around the streets as some deity or mystic meg if we are in the playoffs. However I do understand your hatred of the playoffs after being in the automatics most of the year then bottling it when it mattered and failing in the playoffs. Must still be smarting

You are correct, I’m cynical and not ready to deal with football yet!

 

[Trapdoor]

Liam McAlinden is apparently on trial at Walsall.
I'll be amazed if he gets another Football League club.

Wow. He needs to try and get regular experience in the conference imo. He's still young but I cant see him getting much game time at L2 level.

 

[Northern1]

Well yeah that's the key bit. Our clubs were forced, as always, to dance to the PL's tune. I agree too that it ruins at least as many players' careers as get propelled onto the world stage. The amount of players with real promise at this level who then make no further senior appearances until they're about 24 doesn't bear thinking about.

Dean Henderson, a product of our youth academy is getting a lot of stick from Man U fans for daring to ask for a higher salary; however from noises he's made before (he wasn't sure he wanted to sign a new contract with them last season either) I think he feels they're holding his progression back. He's excelled at every level he's played at but ManU control where he goes and how long for and so his progression isn't in his own hands. I think he's clear he either wants promoted to ManU's first team where he can challenge De Gea for the number one shirt or he wants to go back to Sheffield United where he won promotion to the premier league, or at least to another premier league club and be in control of his own destiny, not at risk of getting dumped in the reserves and going a season without playing.

ManU are reluctant to loan him out to a Premier League rival or to let him leave. ManU fans think he's an ungrateful little shit but I'm not sure what exactly he has to be grateful for. He's achieved what he did in spite of them, not because of them. It's been hard work and a desire to play at whatever level he can get regular football at that has gotten him where he is, not a sports science team at ManU. If he'd been a Grimsby player he'd have got his move and earned some money for Grimsby in the process, same goes for Shrewsbury, and he'd be looking forward to his first season as a regular starter in a Premier League team, not wondering whether he was going to get any first team football at all.

All recent England goalies have gone out on loan or started at lower clubs. Some youth players need to grow some balls and think of the bigger picture. If they are good enough, racking up games will get them the big money move. Nice wage when young may mean no wage when older.

 

[Northern1]

You are correct, I’m cynical and not ready to deal with football yet!

Right for Flitcroft to get the sack?

 

[Red Dragon]

Our first choice goalie, Joe Day, has today joined local rivals Cardiff City. Best wishes to him. He's been a credit to County.

 

[valefan16]

Ricky Miller has had his contract mutually terminated and had left Port Vale.

 

[Buxton Vale]

Ricky Miller has had his contract mutually terminated and had left Port Vale.

hardly surprised, but disappointed all the same. We did see a flash of what he could do against Mansfield and Crawley, but he wasn't reliable.

 

[valefan16]

hardly surprised, but disappointed all the same. We did see a flash of what he could do against Mansfield and Crawley, but he wasn't reliable.

The Sentinel says its been ongoing for weeks which explains the rumours.

I liked him in terms of he was different, his celebrations against Cambridge and Mansfield were like being one of us but didn't do enough goal scoring and obviously we only hear rumours as to what's gone on.

The Mansfield game he will be remembered for and it was a good memory in one of the clubs lowest points so I guess we can be thankful at that, winning that was the catalyst for the run that followed and our survival.

 

[Conker]

He’s nowhere near good enough for the football league, unfortunately.

 

[IanPVFC]

No surprise about Miller. Askey has been talking about the culture at the club for awhile now. I think we can guess who the culprits are from those released/made available.

Plenty of rumours along a similar vein about Miller so doesn't take too many guesses about what's gone on.

 

[Buxton Vale]

No surprise about Miller. Askey has been talking about the culture at the club for awhile now. I think we can guess who the culprits are from those released/made available.

Plenty of rumours along a similar vein about Miller so doesn't take too many guesses about what's gone on.

That's all the bad apples gone hopefully. Will be interested to see if he is replaced, or we go with what we have. I hope the next signing is a creative midfielder.

 

[LeonTheGreen]

Taken a lad called Ben Barclay on trial. Apparently he’s shite so hopefully he doesn’t impress

 

[F!RTHY]

Linked with Ricky Holmes. Quality player, but no good if he’s injured all ’time.

 

[MatthewArgyle]

Got Ben Barclay training with us next week is he any good?

 

[Indian Dan]

Got Ben Barclay training with us next week is he any good?

See the post from your fellow Pilgrim above.

 

[Jimbo’s Reds]

Apparently Lionel Ainsworth is pictured training with us today. (According to Plymouth fans as it’s blurred out) be very happy with him.

 

[Conker]

Rose is on the plane to Portugal so I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Wooderson]

Got Ben Barclay training with us next week is he any good?

Hmmm. Was on loan with us back end of last season. He isn’t terrible and put in a couple of decent performances, most notably against Mansfield at home in a 1-0 win, but then (along with his young CB partner) got bullied by Jamillie Matt three days later when we were 1-4 down after 50
mins. Also got stupidly sent off for a crazy tackle at Crawley three games before the end of the season when we were desperate for the points. Only 22 so could improve, probably an ok back-up CB for you.

 

[The Terminator]

The two players I thought might be leaving this week have both reported back for pre season training today, so any move this week looks unlikely.

 

[Jonny12]

What did the Walsall fans think of Corey Blackett-Taylor ? We have just signed him on a two year deal from Villa.

Good player, would have liked him back here. Quick, good feet but had zero end product. Typical winger in that he'd have a game where he'd be unplayable, next 2 or 3 hes invisible. He did best for us on the left of a front 3, was much quieter and sort of a non-player in a traditional 442. Very promising player though if he can find some end product.

We’ve made our first signing. Joe Edwards, from Walsall. Any good?

I really like Joe when he was here. Signed as a RB but he played about 3 games there until he realised he was pants there and was better in midfield. Quite a interesting player though in that in my opinion he isn't good at anything in particular apart from running in a centre midfield partnership. He's okay at tackling, his passing is limited and short, good dribbler but lacks presence in centre midfield. This is why his best form came as a left mid/wing back for us two seasons ago as his game isn't really suited for a central midfielder but he doesn't have the pace to be a natural wide man either. Very versatile though, played RB, LWB, LM, RM, CM, CDM and CAM in his 3 years here and did okay in all of them except RB. Was sad to see him go as he's a great guy who gives 100% and can chip in with goals too, but didn't have too much of an impact overall and we'd be better off getting a more traditional central midfielder (like we have now got in Stuart Sinclair).

Liam McAlinden is apparently on trial at Walsall.

I'll be amazed if he gets another Football League club.

Yeah him and Jon Flatt are apparently on trial. A few of us are hoping that he is just training with us to get fit but I'm a glass half full kind of guy so I'm thinking they're both on trial.

Wouldn't fancy either of them.

 

[LeonTheGreen]

Good player, would have liked him back here. Quick, good feet but had zero end product. Typical winger in that he'd have a game where he'd be unplayable, next 2 or 3 hes invisible. He did best for us on the left of a front 3, was much quieter and sort of a non-player in a traditional 442. Very promising player though if he can find some end product.

I really like Joe when he was here. Signed as a RB but he played about 3 games there until he realised he was pants there and was better in midfield. Quite a interesting player though in that in my opinion he isn't good at anything in particular apart from running in a centre midfield partnership. He's okay at tackling, his passing is limited and short, good dribbler but lacks presence in centre midfield. This is why his best form came as a left mid/wing back for us two seasons ago as his game isn't really suited for a central midfielder but he doesn't have the pace to be a natural wide man either. Very versatile though, played RB, LWB, LM, RM, CM, CDM and CAM in his 3 years here and did okay in all of them except RB. Was sad to see him go as he's a great guy who gives 100% and can chip in with goals too, but didn't have too much of an impact overall and we'd be better off getting a more traditional central midfielder (like we have now got in Stuart Sinclair).

Yeah him and Jon Flatt are apparently on trial. A few of us are hoping that he is just training with us to get fit but I'm a glass half full kind of guy so I'm thinking they're both on trial.

Wouldn't fancy either of them.

Cheers mate, hopefully he has a good impact in our squad. He may have more of an impact against League 2 sides.

 

[Si Robin]

Yeah him and Jon Flatt are apparently on trial. A few of us are hoping that he is just training with us to get fit but I'm a glass half full kind of guy so I'm thinking they're both on trial.

Wouldn't fancy either of them.

Flatt's a strange one - he came in for the final 10 games of our Conference winning season and didn't put a foot wrong. Made some decent saves and generally saw to it that we went up comfortably.

He was then brought in at the start of the 17/18 season and was absolutely useless. Parried absolutely everything that was hit at him, usually causing himself more trouble, and generally giving the defence no confidence whatsoever. Flinders was brought in on a free and Flatt wasn't seen again. I was amazed when he went to Scunthorpe last season.

As for McAlinden, the lad needs some confidence. He looked bereft of it from day one here and once Duff came in he wasn't getting near the starting 11. There's a player there, it just needs dragging out of him.

 

[LeonTheGreen]

Charlie Kirk from Crewe mentioned on Twitter. Fee of 200k, probably a load of shite but would be a decent addition.

 

[Moomin]

McAlinden was really highly thought of at Wolves once and when we signed him we thought we’d picked up a jem.

His first season was decent, scored 7 goals and only started 9 games along with a fair number of sub appearances. His second season started quite well but he lost his place and never really recovered.

I agree he needs to drop down a level or two to play regularly as I don’t see the point of him bench warming at a league club.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Charlie Kirk from Crewe mentioned on Twitter. Fee of 200k, probably a load of shite but would be a decent addition.

Unlikely.