Transfer window

[Rockford's Love Child]

Published accounts reveal that forest green's wage bill was 2.1 million last year, on gates of 1,800. So if a club is spending above its means at this level, it certainly is not us.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

At his press conference today mellon said mekki and almond are not part of his immediate plans and players are available for loan.

 

[Boz]

Just those two available for loan, or others? Feel sorry for both of them, the way things have panned out, but might be in their best interests to move on.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

He was asked about Mekki and Almond and said it goes without saying that if you are not in the squad you are not in the manager's immediate plans. However, I don't think he had only those two players in mind. He said he has told several players they should go out on loan to get football.

Almond was unlucky with the timing of his arrival, while I think Mekki just does not have the stamina to play the kind of pressing game Mellon wants.

It was interesting when Mellon expanded regarding recent recruitment. He said on occasions we have brought players in for the long term, even when we already have several individuals who can play the same position, purely because they are quality players who would not be available for another two or three years if we did not sign them.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Mark cooper has said that dunn chose us ahead of fgr.

 

[Boz]

There is talk elsewhere of Connor Jennings going to Macclesfield. As the Silkmen still have a chance of making the play-offs, a permanent deal would be a surprise, though after selling Lewis and Rowe they would have the funds. However might a loan deal be an option? It puzzles me how little opportunity he's been given by MM, given his proven record at this level and the positive things said about him by the manager when Micky came to the club.

 

[Ian]

I agree Boz. I did expect to see a lot more of him since his injury problems earlier in the season but maybe with the size of the squad now it's difficult fitting him in.

 

[Sparky]

I may be being harsh but does this raise more question marks about MMs use of our massive squad?

It might be that Connor hasn't really got over his injury and as an ex Macc player im sure he would go there for first team football. Macc were decent against us and will have the funds you would think.

It's a bit strange though as MM clearly likes the diamond. But he plays an out and out winger at the head of it instead of Connor who you would think is more suited.

If we were winning and playing well without the likes of Connor and Dawson then fine, but we're not, and MM keeps persisting with the diamond incorporating an unfit Wallace and not using Tollit in the best way IMO.

I used to fantasise about a 4-4-2 with Tollit one side and Dawson the other!

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I am surprised that Jennings has not been used more by Mellon and certainly would not want him to go anywhere permanently. I would guess Mellon thinks he can only play one of tollitt or Jennings. Connor can't really operate in a 442, while if we use a diamond there are no natural wide positions and only one player can play at the head of the diamond. In fact, I can't think of any formation where both tollitt and Jennings can play in their best positions. Talk of Mellon mismanaging the squad is over the top. I think he is simply going through the process of deciding which players he rates and those he does not, like any manager inheriting someone else's players.

 

[Boz]

The only formations that could accommodate both Tollit and Connor J would be a very attacking 4312, but unsure if Tollit is up to the defensive aspect of a midfield 3 or a rather more cautious 4411. Thought CJ should have been on the bench yesterday, probably ahead of Mangan and should have been brought on in the South Park game. Given he's done ok when given a start, away at Wrexham and the Bootle game his lack of opportunity is a surprise.

I share some of Sparky's concerns that our large squad is not being used effectively. Micky is not a fan of squad rotation even for Trophy games, so a number of players are left kicking their heels.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Thought CJ should have been on the bench yesterday, probably ahead of Mangan and should have been brought on in the South Park game.

Yes, I agree with that. Given that Micky favours the diamond, it is bizarre that the player best suited to that system does not appear to be in his plans at the moment.

 

[Sparky]

Connor J signing on loan at Macc tomorrow with a view to a permanent move.

Pity we couldn't have shipped Kirby there instead! This is very surprising - starting to think MM is a bit like Brabin with his favourites (a bit harsh perhaps).

Need to be slightly careful as Macc only 10 points away from us and will be chasing a play off place. It's questionable why he has gone to a top 5 rival of ours.

 

[Boz]

Connor J signing on loan at Macc tomorrow with a view to a permanent move.

Pity we couldn't have shipped Kirby there instead! This is very surprising - starting to think MM is a bit like Brabin with his favourites (a bit harsh perhaps).

Need to be slightly careful as Macc only 10 points away from us and will be chasing a play off place. It's questionable why he has gone to a top 5 rival of ours.

Where has the confirmation come from, Sparky? I'd presume that nothing would be made permanent until the end of the season, to be sure he doesn't play against us in the play-offs.

Starting to doubt Micky's judgement over this...

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I am unsure of the wisdom of this, but it is a bit early to start casting aspersions about Mellon (he has only been here three months !).

A loan might make sense, but I certainly hope it does not result in a permanent deal.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

starting to think MM is a bit like Brabin with his favourites (a bit harsh perhaps).

Every manager has favourites to one degree or another.

 

[Sparky]

Just a rumour Boz but from a good source. Will see what tomorrow brings but won't be a surprise.

RLC - agree its very early and MMs record is still very good since he took over. I just think the slightly pessimistic fans such as myself have seen things over several weeks that we haven't been happy with e.g. His persistence with kirby, not seeing anything of Dawson or Connor J when we have lacked a cutting edge, playing Wallace who hasn't looked fit enough, playing the diamond where our quickest player in Tollit, an obvious wide man, was stifled, not having enough mobility in the middle of the park, the slow build up play from the back that the defenders are being encouraged to do. Appreciate I haven't seen any away games but these are my views from the Kop and from listening to away games on the radio.

Of course no manager is perfect and as I say, we're still in a good position compared to where we finished last season.

I'm not going to judge Mickey completely until the end of the season and if we make the top 5 then I'll take that now. It's just the last few weeks haven't been great in my view and are not giving me confidence for the weeks ahead. But I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

On the debit side, we have the best home record in the division, the best defensive record, have not lost to anyone outside the top six other than on Sutton's plastic pitch, are still in with a realistic chance of the title, look almost certain to get a play-off place.....

We were ninth when Mellon took over and he has basically had to mix and match with Brabin's squad, several of whom he probably does not rate. In my view you can't fully judge him for another twelve months at least, when he has had a full pre-season and transfer window and has his own squad in place.

Having failed to make the play-offs last season, and looking set to fail again when Mellon took over, to finish in the top five will be a real achievement this season.

 

[Ian]

I agree the performances haven't been great recently Sparky but it's never going to be perfect. I think we just have to let Micky get on with it and let's see where we end up. We are five points from the top with plenty to play for. This is the time where we just need to get behind the team.

I think in football you are only as good as your last game. Don't forget we won 3-0 at Woking without many complaints. Then we get supporters doubting Mickys ability a game later.

 

[Boz]

I think that Micky is heading in the right general direction and has a better understanding of where the fans are at than Brabin ever did.

Excepting Tollit, who was already on loan at the club, I'm not sure the players he's brought in have improved things greatly in the short term. Too early to judge in terms of Dunn and Buxton, who've only just docked and the others may improve over time.

I'd say a play-off place would be a reasonable outcome, so long as we don't go out to a Connor Jennings goal!

 

[Sparky]

Like I say we're still in a much healthier position than from when MM took over so he should take credit for that.

I'm a glass half empty person so hope I'm proved wrong over the coming weeks. Trust in Mickey