• Nigel Adkins has been given the Tranmere job on a permanent basis signing until the end of the 25/26 season. Continue the discussion here.

The Squad for 2017/18

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I don't understand this signing. It just seems like Mellon's latest attempt to force Cook out of the door and just when he is coming into form as well.

Reading the comments of Wrexham fans, McDonough is a similar player to Cook and Waring, so unless the latter is going out on loan this is a strange move. Cook and Norwood should always be first choice in my view, and beyond them we should be doing more to get the best out of Alabi rather than bringing another forward in.

In addition, there are other areas of the squad like the full back positions where this money could surely have been better used.
 
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Ian

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That’s a clear indication that the others strikers we have aren’t up to the job. I’d be very surprised if we see much of Mangan and Waring now.

How long is short term exactly ?
 

Sparky

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I can only assume that Micky WANs another physical option to Cook. Waring I'm guessing hasn't impressed enough and neither mangan or Alabi are target men so it means we have decent cover for Cookie.

If Cook leaves I'll be absolutely fuming
 

drwhoman

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The new guy is on a one month loan and it appears that he can score goals. An Irish youth international who was loaned to Wrexham and then to Cambridge Utd later last season. Scored five for Wrexham, not sure how many for Cambridge. Was given a new contract at Forest so they must fancy him. In light of his loan term I doubt if Cook will be going immediately and certainly not to an NL side. I suppose it depends on where we are at in January. If things are going well and he is scoring goals I doubt if either he or the club would want to end their relationship. In the summer would be a different matter if we are not promoted. Mind you, that would apply to a number of players.
 

drwhoman

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Sorry - short term loan. One goal for Cambridge in 13 appearances. 5ft 11in so not a beanpole. Scored two for Wrexham against FGR which must be in his favour!
 

Boz

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I don’t see this as a move to get Cook out, notwithstanding MMs issues with the player. Otherwise, surely he’d have persisted with Alabi last night? Waring has 2 sub appearances in difficult situations, so can’t see enough to form a fair opinion of his ability, particularly as he missed pre-season with injury.

McDonagh scored a few for Wrexham, but their fans don’t seem to rate him, weak in the air, despite his height. He got 1 goal for Cambridge in around a dozen games. Just baffled why we need him now.
 

drwhoman

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The kid is young and enthusiastic. Give him a go. Wrexham fans do not rate him - let us be fair - they were rubbish most of last season - no place for a young player.
 

Boz

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The kid is young and enthusiastic. Give him a go. Wrexham fans do not rate him - let us be fair - they were rubbish most of last season - no place for a young player.
Who’s to say Waring, Rokka, Gumbs aren’t equally enthusiastic though. Is Tranmere after our indifferent start any better place to be than Wrexham last season...
 
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Dr Whoman, this is not about how good a player McDonough is or isn't, it is about how we use scarce resources when there are obvious weaknesses elsewhere in the squad. Does a team at this (or any) level really need six or seven strikers ?

We are skint and we only have one specialist left back, one right back and one fit winger (on loan). We already have two forwards who will score a lot of goals at this level if they are played regularly.
 
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Rumoured tonight that Tollitt will be out for three months. Hopefully nonsense.
 

Sparky

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Disastrous if that's true. For him on a personal level particularly.

I can only assume that 2 of mangan, waring or Alabi will be leaving us.
 

drwhoman

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Clearly MM feels we need to stick the ball in the net more and only Cook and Norwood seem able to do this and hence the striker revolving door. The defence is reasonably tight so not a desperate issue. Midfield maybe. It is also a question of who we can get. If we can only afford 19/20 yr olds will they offer an upgrade in defence or midfield?
 
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The issue of width and pace still is not fully resolved though, particularly if tollitt is out for an extended period. Whether we play with wing backs or in a 442, we still need more options out wide.
 

Cowshed Kid

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I posted earlier about Tollitt and "stiffness".
It was obvious to us at game that something was amiss early doors.
Such a shame.
Can't blame the player or MM I suppose because he was desperate to play.
The only plus point is we won't miss him cos he hasn't played!
The new lad, presumably will be splinter picking on bench.
Really doubt he's going to offer us anything different than Mangan, Waring, Alabi.
Cookie has to start on Saturday.
I would give him a five year contract cos we haven't had a proper number nine since the likes of Steely.
 

Sparky

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As Cowshed Kid says we should be offering new deals to the likes of Cookie as soon as we can. Hopefully even Micky now realises he is crucial to the team but after the way he was treated and as he's been linked with L2 clubs, I fully suspect unless we offered Andy silly money, he'll run his contract down and see what offers he gets in the summer. Can't blame him really.

If we don't go up he'll easily get a contract at a L2 club you would think.

Agree totally with RLC re wingers and pace in general. One of the things that got the crowd (and our players) going on Tuesday was Tollit & Nors running at speed early on - then it was Motley-Henry. It is vital we bring someone else in with real pace if we can't rely on Ben - otherwise it could be back to the slow 5-3-2 build up.
 

Ian

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Sadly, RLC was spot on and it’s 12 weeks out for Tollitt. That’s a disaster. Was he rushed too early? Feel for the lad.

However this should not distract us from using wingers tomorrow.

I wonder if McDonagh will feature?
 

Sparky

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Unbelievable regarding Tollit. Its a fractured knee cap - unrelated to his previous injury.

Also Mangan taken to hospital after feeling dizzy at training.
 
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Our injury curse continues. That's what has blown our budget. As CK says, at least we have got used to being without Ben.
 
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