The Squad for 2017/18

[Rockford's Love Child]

I agree with Sparky that if Cook went we probably would not go up, certainly not automatically. However, for that reason I don't think he will be going anywhere.

I think Alabi will be a useful player to come off the bench late in games, with his pace and physicality. His scoring stats at Chester are good considering how bad they were for most of last season. Other than the defender who recently left them for the Championship, I can't think of any other Chester player we would be interested in, whatever their fans say.

 

[Boz]

Alabi's record elsewhere is not great though, one good season at Chester aside. If he comes and Cook stays, it's ok, but when we still need players elsewhere like a pacey defender,seems odd to be directing resources to the forward line.

 

[drwhoman]

I agree Boz. Maybe deals are in the pipeline but we need a couple of defenders. I hope we are not waiting to see trialists. Rarely any nuggets there. If any good a higher level team will often pick them up.

 

[bigmart]

17 goals in a poor team, several league teams interested in him think Alabi only a young lad can certainly improve would be a good signing for us for me

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

It seems that the Alabi signing will be announced at the open day tomorrow. Pleased if it is true.

 

[Ian]

Yep although the Cookie rumours about him leaving also seem to be gathering pace. We shall see..

 

[Boz]

My feelings on this haven't changed. Some announcement about a new defender may mitigate things a bit.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Ideally we would have another more mobile centre back. However, as it stands I think our squad is the best in the division, so there are no complaints from me.

Signing another defender depends on the availability of the right kind of player, and we have clearly been trying to recruit. There is no point bringing in a third-rate defender for the sake of it.

 

[Boz]

You would think that £15k+ which is the figure suggested as Alabi's fee could buy us better than a third rate defender though.

It Is hard to evaluate Alabi as a signing until it becomes clear who is moving on to accommodate him. At this stage in his development and on last season's form, Cook, Jennings and Norwood all seem better attacking players and losing any one of them would not take us forward.

 

[bigmart]

happy with the signing gives us more options up front, several league clubs interested he is young enough to improve. I think if any of the forwards are to leave it is more likely to be Mangan than Cook

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

You would think that £15k+ which is the figure suggested as Alabi's fee could buy us better than a third rate defender though.

It Is hard to evaluate Alabi as a signing until it becomes clear who is moving on to accommodate him. At this stage in his development and on last season's form, Cook, Jennings and Norwood all seem better attacking players and losing any one of them would not take us forward.

It is not a question of how much my money we have to spend on a defender, it is who is available and willing to come here. Regarding alabi, I am not sure how you are in a position to compare him to anyone yet and none of the players you list have left. As mart says, if anyone goes it will probably be mangan. You seem unaware that alabi scored more goals last season than any of our strikers bar cook.

 

[Boz]

I'm aware of Alabi's scoring stats and that he is capable of converting penalties. Wouldn't pick his career to date as my specialist subject on Mastermind though.

Would be surprised though, if there are no defenders out there who are decent at this level, meet our requirements and are willing to come here.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Would be surprised though, if there are no defenders out there who are decent at this level, meet our requirements and are willing to come here.

We have already been in talks to sign Tom Davies, who may yet arrive. I can hardly think of another NL defender who is as mobile as Ihiekwe, so recruiting a pacy defender will not be as easy as you imply.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

It looks like a winger we have had on trial could also be coming in this week.

 

[bigmart]

It looks like a winger we have had on trial could also be coming in this week.

supposed to have had a right back and winger on trial

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Gary Neville has just Tweeted that Salford have beaten us to the signature of Alabi.

If true, just another reason to hate that club......

 

[Sparky]

Just read Nevilles tweets. Will be disappointing but not disastrous if he doesn't come to us.

Ironically he said his next move would be for football reasons, I.e obviously a step up from
Chester but not too far as he wants to play football. Salford may have offered him silly money but will i guess be able to sell their long term project that no doubt Maynard & Hogan bought into.

 

[Ian]

Also Cook said today he's going nowhere. I think Alabi would have been a good addition to the squad but if what Neville says is true, we keep looking. He would have been a good squad player adding strength to the team but isn't integral.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I agree that it would not be a disaster to miss out on Alabi. However, it is frustrating when a bankrolled club in the division below can outbid us, let alone Eastleigh, Fylde and Ebbsfleet in our own division.

 

[bigmart]

Gary Neville has just Tweeted that Salford have beaten us to the signature of Alabi.

If true, just another reason to hate that club......

looks to be tongue in cheek, Alabi supposed to have signed with us yesterday