The Hotel End

So who do people see R.P bring in and letting go?

for me

D'ath & Rodders are nailed on to leave along with Byrom and poss Hopper & Gorre going back to their clubs which would free up some money to strengthen the team.

I've said this before but i would like to see us bring in Enoch Andoh (winger) together with another striker. Hoskins and JJ Hooper are not starters and not the answer imo opinion, i believe R.P is plugging the gap until January.   

We were in for Cox so maybe a player in the same mould which would be a bonus in going forward and keeping us in this league this season.

Yep top drawer left winger!

D'ath and Byrom will surely both be off - I'd much rather keep hold of rodders especially as we're going to need cover in January but I don't get to see him in training like page does. I'm more concerned by how rod has seemingly gone backwards after last season - I would've hoped with a former international centre back as manager he would have got even better. I agree with the quality left sided attacker as a priority but page seems fine pleased enough with jjh, I just pray that we don't sign him permanently. I reckon we could also do  with a nippy forward alternative to revs/Rico and a mobile ball winning centre midfielder but none of these grow on trees.

         A good and truthfull post, Sir.

Id guess Rod has gone backward cos his confidence has been shattered and he hasnt hardly played. If page is happy and keeps Hooper then im afraid my confidence in Page would start to wain

Where do you suggest he plays, in place of?

Like I say none of us know what goes on behind closed doors but page doesn't strike me as being the kind of person to cut his nose off to spite his face or bear grudges, I'm sure if he thought rod was good enough he'd be in the starting 11 regardless of what we think of him. I'm slightly more concerned about his views on jjh particularly after last weekend although it sounds like this thigh injury might have an impact on that

A goal scoring winger and another striker.
We could do with a big name signing for our level, show some serious  intent.
Matt Taylor could use his influence to persuade some higher league players to spend a last contract at Northampton?

I don't think a ground like ours could draw such a big name player  ;D

I just keep wondering if a more mobile ball winning midfield general type would help us with the issues we are having with defensive organisation. I just feel that McCourt and o'toole are too slow and the timing of their tackling isn't exactly either of their strengths. Like I say this type of player doesn't grow on trees and if they become available they will be much in demand.

??  Rod is fourth choice CB, unless two are injured/unavailable,  when should he be selected?

When we need to throw a body up front as an extra attack late on... ;)

https://www.youtu.be/gQGqcUNFgDQ

Rod could do a Langers.

Just get the paper work done away from the ground.. Thats how it used to be done to avoid the old county ground scaring off potential new signings 😉

Im not the manager but id have given him game time v Harrow and the next round , cos come jan when he is needed he will be a little rusty dont you think,

A lad that has go so lost in the wilderness that even David Bellamy would have a job finding him. 

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39298000/jpg/_39298870_bellamy3_bbc_300.jpg)

I feel that some of the requests for various signings are likely to remain unfulfilled . To my mind Mr Page priority is to sort out the defence. So probably a centre half is perhaps a top priority maybe a more defensive minded midfielder but I happen to think that Taylor, JJOT and McC are more than adequate for L1.
As for an inside forward and a winger it's a big ask to get the standard required!

Isn't Jak McCourt our mobile ball winner? Stats with him in the team against him out of the team tell a story.

Hmmm, individually Diamond,Zak and Nyatanga have been superb individually this year, not sure what thw answer is

A proper left winger, Enoch Andoh would be a great pick up here and would not command a fee.

Another striker if we let Hooper go, unless we are going to start playing Hoskins right up the top rather than in behind.

I would keep McDonald, maybe we could loan him out to get some much needed game time.

I would have liked to see D'Ath this season, but it is clear RP has other ideas so he will be off.

big rod out on loan - although it leaves us short of cover with only 3 centre halves
phillips out on loan - although then we have no cover at right back

d'ath and byrom out - both toilet

hooper and gorre back to their clubs.

strike lucky and get a matchwinner a la ricky holmes in.

easy.

Yes D'ath and Byrom are both 'Toilet' ...

....  ::)

Gorre will go back
D'Ath will leave
Byrom will leave
Rod on loan or contract terminated
JJ Hooper will sign a 1.5 year deal

We'll get a winger and a striker, both of whom will be Welsh or from a Welsh team

McCourt is key, but he's also almost certain to be suspended again before the end of the season so we do need cover.

Speculation obviously but I'd guess that McDonald and D'Ath are on low wages. We could let them go and I know page doesn't seem to fancy them but they have previously shown potential and I think you would struggle to get better on the money they're on.
Hanley, Phillips and Sonupe are probably on low wages too but unlike the previous two in their limited time on the pitch look way short in terms of ability.
It makes sense that Byrom will be let go.
Hoskins, Beautyman and Potter look set to be fighting it out for the central position behind the main striker. All look OK in this role but struggle when played in any of the wider roles leaving us a bit heavy in the central position.
Hooper and Gorre also for me have really struggled in those wide roles which as many have pointed out is the main problem area, would really hope both loans finish/cut short at Christmas and this is the main priority in terms of strengthening.

New centre half needed to replace Diamond.  Some more bite in Midfield and some more punch needed up front.
The depth of the squad is very poor and we are carrying a lot of deadwood.

Some might say some of it was never alive.

I'd be chuffed if we could get someone like Bury's Danny Mayor or Plymouth's Graham Carey. 

Carey is very injury prone - spent a lot of time out last season.

That's the very reason ge is plying his trade at Plymouth and I would hazard a guess maybe in our reach. He would be regularly playing in the championship had he not had issues. Last seasons problem I believe was separate to previous issues too.

sadly, this is probably down to the new loan systems in place, in that it doesnt exist now outside the transfer windows - which means, as page said, you need cover in every position from the word go - which means some of them arent up to scratch when needed, as you prioritise elsewhere in the squad.

so we might not see the offload of the lesser earners that we expect, possibly until the end of the season.

id forgotten about hanley and sonupe to be honest!!

I like the look of Luke berry at Cambridge and Anthony grant's contract is due to expire in the summer at port vale - just a shame that we would have to deal with their t@@t of a chairman which isn't likely, I guess it might be a possibility in the summer when he is a free agent?

I believe you can start to speak to players who are out of contract in the summer in January so Grant may well be still on R.P radar. 

 Taylor and Creswell, Should NOT have been released.

It sounds like grant would be a more than decent addition - the biggest drawback is that he's got a poor disciplinary record which sounds familiar

Disagree about Taylor - watching him waddle around the pitch in the televised match recently brought back memories. Much as I liked cresswell he wouldn't get anywhere near the first team with diamond, Zak, nyatanga and rod ahead of him in the pecking order.

Really - how do you arrive at this comment?

Well I/many of us wanted evolvement in the Summer and I want the same again. Not the revolution that we ended up with.

1. I'd send Hooper and Gorre back.
2. I'd look to offload Byron.
3. I'd loan out Concrete Rod. I really hope we do not get shot of him, massive potential in my opinion.
4. I'd loan out D'Ath for the same reasons as Concrete.
5. Id bring in a left winger/someone who can play that position effectively.
6. Id bring in a striker.
7. Id sign 2 or 3 youngsters to take a look at with a view to 17/18 season and to full up the numbers that Rod and D'Ath going out on loan will leave.

We've got to get into a 3 or 4 in/out maximum each window now. We are not far off from having a squad capable of mounting a promotion challenge...

Finally, if theres any way we can get Ricky back then just bloody well do it!

I would say that with current defensive probs we need a decent centre half. Feel that one of our current centre halfs is not quite upto the standard requred.

For once I think fans are singing from the same songsheet. Now we require RP and KT to agree and succeed in getting in the 3 or 4 quality players in January.......................easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

With Zak away during the ANC, Rod is the cover for Diamond and Nyatanga.
He would also be the cover if any of the three were injured, I wouldn't advocate releasing him out on loan unless on a short recall leash.

Regarding the remainder, it's would be great to be able to offload but you need to be sure of being able to replace with like for like and/or better on a similar budget.  Great in theory but a lot more difficult in reality, especially during the January window.

We desperately need a quick striker and a quality left winger, maybe a box to box midfielder as well.
I will drive Kenji Gorre back to Swansea, one of the worst performers with ability I have seen, he ain't going to make it.

Hooper to stay with Gorre and D'ath leaving and 2 new wingers to come in. If we can offload Byrom get another CM in until the end of the season.

I can see Buchanan leaving if there's chance - he still has 18 months left on his contract and will probably be one of the higher earners. I reckon Page is looking for someone who gets up and down the pitch a lot more

Are you mental?

Somone's been on the funny pills!

Buchs is easily our most consistant performer over the last 2 years, not to mention a fantastic leader and seems a great personality. You would be hard pushed to fine player that would get "further up and down the pitch" also.

The only way I see Buchs leaving is if Wilder comes in with a massive offer and I mean massive!

Ricky Holmes to have a major fall out with Charlton's new manager or owner (probably more likely) and to return on transfer deadline day at 23:59

Prefer it if he (or any of our new players) returned/arrived on the first day of the transfer window..

I'd be happy with a new centre back, a left winger and a nippy new striker, midfielder would be nice but not a priority.

Yes please, this is probably closer to reality than it seems at first read

Agreed

Aren't we all?   Just some more than others.

Will he be bringing Bayo with him? Scott Mcgleish? Marco Gabbiadinii? Will Sammo do for the centre back?  Let's have Graham Carr  as manager while we are at it!

Bayo I hope not (I know im in the minority)
The others are all retired.
Ricky is scoring goals still, getting MOM awards, was goal of the month in October I think and is arguably the best winger in the division.
Not sure what your point was?!

I think Wriggles will be shouting Hurrah! for that to happen.

Unlikely
Holmes is out for 6/8 weeks through injury.

We Cobblers have a habit of looking back. Not a criticism , just an observation.

I agree with the Bayo obsession by some.

Theres a difference looking back between re-signing Ricky Holmes or JJ Hooper!  ;)

Interesting comments from KT regarding the Man Utd fixture meaning we can be more competitive in January....also great to hear him admit they never properly replaced Holmes.

What did he say about the Man Utd fixture?

More money in the back pocket to go and spend

Basically the "proposed/forecast  16/17 surplus" of £275k was due to the Manu Tie. He shuddered at the mistakes Smith made and thought that the tie was a fascinating event for the Club.

Not sure why everyone is still going on about Ricky Holmes and I completely disagree with the above. Great last season, and he got his move from the 6 months he played last season. He was untested at this level and has always been very injury prone throughout his career (Out again I see) so I think whatever we got for him was a good deal. 

I don't think he has done that well at Charlton so far. You say he is arguably the best winger in this division, on what bias? If going by goals, Paul Anderson has scored more league goals this season so far :-)

Based on what I've seen of both players I'd say Ricky Holmes is a better winger than Paul Anderson.

We need a fox in the box striker. Something we've been missing from the start of the season. The amount of chances Hoops and Hoskins have missed.

 ;D

It's hard to argue, however goals and assists per game plus games missed through injury Anderson is the better player. Who would I rather pay money to watch is a different story. If both players were free agents, wanting the same wages, I'd go for Ricky, but I can see the argument for Anderson.

Well, just over a week ago I reckoned I could't see us getting many points between then and end of January. We've just lost our 2 most winnable games so I'm not optimistic. If we're mid table end January I'd be VERY happy.

Good call, whoever that was?

There's always a first time for everything!  ;D

Whilst I do not have faith in Page, above all else we need some real pace in the team. Also we need greater quality in the midfield. Sadly I doubt that we will get what we need and this could prove to be our downfall,

Well I'm far from satisfied with yet another defeat but at least Rod has proven himself up to the task, his case pleaded by me for several months.
Long may he obtain an extended run...and see our results improve.

Much as I can't stand him I can't help but think that Steve Evans has got it right when he says about Mansfield "There's no one out of the picture here, it's my job to embrace every player and give every one of them an opportunity ", I don't think you can say the same about page.

Should be dozens available on free transfers in January?

20 goals already this season in the conference.. Dover's Ricky Miller mid 20's so would have sell on value and for a small amount of our cup run wind fall, we could secure his service.

He's tried his luck in the football league before with Luton (at L2 level) and struggled massively.   

Get John Marquis back - 10 goals in 17 appearances at Doncaster and the style of striker we badly need.

Are you jokng - He is more or less an exact carbon copy of Revell - Give 110% - harries and pushes defenders - Just his finishing is poor - Think of the amount of chances he missed last year in league 2 - Now we are a step up from that - No thank you!!

We need either a fox in the box type or someone with real pace - something different to what we already have!

Glastonbury is right.  The problem should be been dealt with in before 31 August. It is that much harder in the January window.

Are Chesterfield still struggling? Is Ched Evans available? 

No and no

The lad at Macc town Danny Rowe looked pretty usefull as did a few of his team mates..

Revell is 33 years old and Rico 34, Marquis is 24. Even with his 'poor finishing' he managed 6 goals in 15 games. He's funny too.

Would love Omar Bogle but don't think there is anyway we could afford him.

AND, they were playing the best team outside the Premier, oh hang on a minute.  ;D

So is Louis Moult. Scored two more today.

I read somewhere this week that Barnet were looking to make a £250k bid for Bogle to team him up with akinde - ludicrous on 2 counts, firstly why would bogle want to go there and secondly where would they get quarter of a million from.

I have a sneaking suspicion that monies set aside for striker/Ricky Holmes replacement was spent on Matty Taylor.
Whether over the season that's a good decision or not time will tell.
So if more budget could be freed up for a striker especially with Revell out of form that would be my choice.

Interesting.

Found the article and it seems like Grimsby are looking at Kemar Roofe type money, which certainly rules us out.

           I agree, I think our defending will get better, but we do need a forward who can score goals.

I see that armson at brackey got man of the match yesterday in their cup game at Blackpool - I'd love to see him here but there was an interview with him before the match where he said that he has had interest from a number of league clubs but as he has a good job outside of football it would take a very good offer for him to make the move.

I agree, made a few good runs in the 2nd half, got pace and not a bad final ball either

Not sure that adds up considering we almost signed Dean Cox?

I know I probably sound like a broken record but I'm still gutted that we didn't sign cox - he is exactly what we are crying out for and it was never properly explained why it all fell through at the eleventh hour. I've been thinking about January and how people are saying that page needs to be given the window but surely the question should by why he put together such an unbalanced squad in the first place. In fact if results continue how they are kelvin is going to have to make a decision whether to give him funds to strengthen or to sack him and pay him off giving a new man the opportunity to bring his signings in.

According to KT, Cox pulled out (oooerrr). Said even his agent couldn't work out why.

Remember we have to entice people to what is considered a football backwater.

Not nice but maybe good to target clubs in trouble like
Chesterfield, Coventry etc.

Akinde and Gambin from Barnet. Sordell and Jodi Jones from Cov make sense. Luke Berry Cambridge. Have always liked Billy Kee and O'Sullivan from Accrington. Toney?

We can dream about akinde but I would imagine he is way out of our price range - gambin is a more realistic shout but again I'm sure he will be in demand with his contract expiring in the summer. It's all gone quiet on Enoch andoh - I presume that his recovery from injury is taking longer than expected. I've said before that Luke berry from Cambridge would be a cracking signing but again I suspect that he's now out of our range.

Always perplexes me why we don't more players on loan from the London and Birmingham clubs. Were bang in the middle. Even Norwich or what about Watford where Page played?

KT should be banging down their doors no?

There is no guarantee that these players are any better than what we already have. You might get the odd gem but Premier League academy players are not good enough as we've seen for ourselves over the years.

He probably would be banging those club doors down if the transfer/loan window allowed?

I wouldn't have thought there would be any point banging watfords door down re loans/signings due to their ownership by the pozzo family and their links with various foreign teams. To be honest I don't think short term youngsters on loan are going to be the answer - just look at gorre for proof

Bring back Akwasi Asante

Only their Forum Fans are !

Page suggested today that the club are close to sorting out some deals with a few targets for January. Who do we think is coming in then or what positions? Hopefully a striker and winger are secured ASAP (both pacey preferably).

I'd guess James vaughan

Pages preferred option seems to be players over 30, or younger players who have never played league football.
Some players in the middle would seem the ideal choice.

I wouldn't get too carried away, he said exactly the same throughout the summer regarding replacements for Holmes, Adams and Collins. He signed Anderson on the last day of the window and Hooper a couple of days before, both of which have turned out to be pretty sh!te. Not forgetting the Cox saga of course...

His scouting ability is in his @rse. He has probably made another cash offer for Beautymans twin.

Enoch Andoh - watch this space.

Hopefully if correct he is fully up to speed because he's been out for a long time, cracking player if we can get him fit though.

Doubt it. Signed a 2 year deal at Bury August 2016.

Didn't he become a free agent before the last window closed? Therefore pointless for both parties to wait until Jan ...

If we lose the next three which is not out of the realms of possibility surely kelvin will have to pull the trigger meaning that any deals that he has lined up will be a waste of time. Also as andoh is a free agent there wouldn't be a need to wait for the window to open.

He was out until October I think, has been getting fit ever since.

There would of been little point signing him just to get himself fit. Now though, is a different matter.   

My guess is Lee Trundle and Cohen Griffiths

So now he is fit we are going to wait another 2 weeks? Your logic seems on par with Page's...

I didn't say he was fit, I said he was getting himself fit - totally different to walking straight into the first team.

If he can't immediately go into our team (he's been out for approx 15 months) what's the point, no need to rush the signing through. Therefore, two weeks or longer will be fine.
   

Anyone that is 12, linked to Wales somehow and doesn't have much experience please.

https://mobile.twitter.com/EnochAndoh27/status/807565184487325696?p=v

I would love to know why his parents called him Enoch

Sweet Jesus he's played 16 games in his entire career.

16 games ? he might be too experienced for Page  ;D

I guess you are not counting the ones in Cyprus then?

Big fans of star wars.

Here is another angle. Can we keep Hoskins in January. What deal is he on at the moment?

I would guess D'Ath and Byrom will be leaving along with Gorre. So i'd rather us replace these 3 players with two players of higher quality. A left sided winger and a fox in the box type to play off Revell or Rico.

 :D

We might already have the Fox in the box type in Joe laciofano.Guess we will never know as the lad never gets any game time to find out if he is ready to make the step up.

Plenty of other bigger teams will be sniffing around for Sammy but the Hotel Enders seem to only care what big guns we can bring in.

Who would you rather loose if we had to sell to buy, Hoskins or Smith?

Don't forget that Hooper is going back to Vale, and Zakuani is going on African Cup of Nations duty for a month.

Thank f*** for that

What if most of the players that page has lined up for January are in fact the players we have on loan (apart from Hooper). That would cheer a few of you up  ;D

Surely there must be some concrete rumours atoumd by now?

This is what I've heard...Concrete is made up of three basic components: water, aggregate (rock, sand, or gravel) and Portland cement. Cement, usually in powder form, acts as a binding agent when mixed with water and aggregates.

That's just a lie put around by the Asphalt industry.

Andoah is almost guarenteed to be one of the incomings I would suggest.

Oxymoron?

The problem with that is he's coming back from a serious knee injury and won't be anywhere near match fit - we need players to hit the ground running. Also as he's unattached I wouldn't have thought there's any reason why we couldn't have signed him before the window opens

Neither was Bayo when we signed him and then look what happened.  ;)

Been training with the Vale youth team for a while and is close to stepping that up apparently


http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/enoch-andoh-training-at-port-vale/story-29994573-detail/story.html

Yes he went to Nandos

It also says he is nowhere near ready to step up to even first team training.
If this is the level of ambition then we are in deep mire.
We need the big name striker we were promised in the summer, a quality left winger, and someone like Samir Carruthers from MK in the middle and if KT has any cash left after that we need a loan right back because Phillips isn't very good at defending.

 The time hs come to let Marc Richards go, He has been a very good player for us, but age is not on his side, Revel is pushing on a bit too.

Revs is only 33 - not quite ready for the knackers yard. It looks like he burned himself out in the first couple of months of the season but I hope he will come good again provided page addresses the issues with supply when the window opens.

           
            Good point. Revel needs a goal,, even it's a lucky one, that coud get him scoring again.

I wouldn't have thought so, Revs averages about 7 goals a season across a season. He is never going to be prolific, one of the reasons we needed another forward in the summer!

Despite the fact that his form has definitely dropped over the last few months I think revs is the least of our worries - he has been feeding off scraps, even chasing his own flicks he's been that isolated. I don't dispute that we could do with another striker option but we desperately need to upgrade the centre of midfield and attacking left side as a priority

I think our worry regards revs is that he'll be wanted by Mansfield.

Does this mean the deal for Hal Robson-Kanu is back on?

No but your close

Nwanko?

 :o

Aha. How I've missed Shoeys random transfer rumour generator.

Shopping list -

A left winger

A centre forward

A centre mid.

A Right winger

in this order please thank you

Not massively different than the start of the season, then?  :-X

The fact we went in for Dean Cox on the last day of the season and then didn't seal the deal suggests that we probably didn't spend all our budget in September which is hopefully why we are light on quality.

Did we get Anderson instead? Can't remember if he was after deadline?

We need pace and quality in wide areas and ideally someone who can play up top and run in behind.

A centre midfielder would be a good idea as JJOT and McCourt will be suspended a few more times before the end of the season.

Someone like Joel Byrom

Hopefully this allied with a chunk of the Man U money means there's sufficient funds in place to secure some quality reinforcements - I'm just concerned that January isn't really the time for getting value for money, page shouldn't really have left himself with this kind of work to do, should have been just a tweak here and there. Whatever quality is available is going to be massively in demand and let's face it if it's a choice between us or say Peterborough or charlton or mk dons we are going to lose out

I would even look at getting Toney back in on loan.... cant be any worse than JJ Hoops..

I was told after the Rochdale game by a very trustworthy chap that we tried to get Toney in but his father was against it. Which I thought was fair enough, why go back?

Agreed or DCL

One in the eye for CW!

DCL playing in Prem now, no chance!

Toney's got about as bad a disciplinary record as o'toole this season

Oh dear. Keep up, Evers! :P

 

Peterborough are returning George moncur to Barnsley after his loan - weren't we after him on the deadline? I suppose it depends if he has played for Barnsley this season - you can't play for 3 teams in a season can you?

He played two games for them I think, you can play for up to three teams as far as I was aware, so he could come here.

Good player.

It might be possible then - like someone posted yesterday though the priority is left wing/attacking midfielder, then an alternative forward with pace if we're not going to give joe I a chance and then a central midfielder - hopefully we'll get all three.

Definitely another winger/attacking mid, although hopefully Potter will build on his Oxford performance and give us some options here. Someone in the Dean Cox mould....

Agree that we should only get a centre mid if Byrom is not going to get a chance, he is no worse than McCourt (on current from) in my book.

The striker would have to be of decent quality at this level (ala Marquis and Collins last season), otherwise I am still insistent we should be looking to let Iaciofano loose and see what the young lad can do.

Unfortunately it's clear that page doesn't rate byrom - I fully expect him and d'ath to be released/move on once the window opens with hopefully gorre and hooper going back to their parent clubs. Also wouldn't be at all surprised to see nyatanga signed permanently.

I think Nyatanga is worth it if we can get him, that way we have four decent CB's. Unless Concrete Rod wants to move on, which would be a shame.

Four gives us cover when Zak is away with Congo.

I believe you can be registered to three clubs in one season but can only play matches for two.

I would certainly not turn down someone in the Dean Cox mould however I think that is partly what Anderson is here for. The way Page has set us up defending deep I think we require pace as a priority, both out wide and up top. Hopefully they will be the areas we strengthen. I wonder how much budget letting JJ Hooper, Gorre and I assume Byrom and D'ath would free up.

That's a shame if right, he would fit in well here.

Should be a decent amount, Gorre was much talked about as a prospect so you would have thought would be on a decent wedge and Hooper should be on wages comparable to other strikers at this level.

Also I'm sure KT is on record saying that page will have a chunk of the Man U money available should he want it - my only concern is where page thinks we need to strengthen, hopefully it tallies with what is actually needed

Jones from Coventry

I heard a *rumour last week from a decent'ish source that significant outside investment was arriving in January and that we would have a big wedge to play with in the transfer market. He couldn't elaborate on this further. We shall see.

Its pretty clear from interviews with both Page and KT that players have been lined up so I guess we will see at least a couple of early signings if thats the case. And 'kind of' backs up this investment rumour. It will be very interesting to see the level of player that we are targeting!

That name has been linked before and if I recall he was decent when we played them earlier in the season, my main worry would be that he doesn't seem to have played that much recently for a really poor Coventry side - mostly an unused substitute

That would determine whether we do our shopping at harrods or Lidl!

I like Byrom and D'Ath but if Rob isn't going to play them, maybe they are better off at Cambridge. Gorre and Hooper back to their parent clubs. I would guess this would save £5k per week in total, I'd then go for quality over quantity at left wing and a number 10. No need for squad players taking up budget, we still have Hanley, Sonupe, Beautyman and Joe Italian plus the players that these top end replacements push to the bench i.e. Anderson, Rico/Revs

Perhaps we could tempt Cambridge with a player plus swap for Luke berry!

Can see the attraction for 'investors'. Done right reckon you could scrape Championship promotion for 10 mil and reap 90 + million PL reward.

Geographically would say Gambin + Akinde (Barnet) Berry Cambridge, Sordell Cov would be good. Then there are those lads at Dover and Maidenhead tearing it up.

Andoh and Grant of Port Vale gotta be good shouts.

Here's a question. If Red Bull showed interest but would decimate the clubs identity would you say yes/no?

Red  Bull would give us wing(er)s

I would guess that gambin and grant would be more likely as they are out of contract in the summer, the likes of akinde and berry would be unbelievable but very unlikely due to price and the fact that championship clubs would be interested

Maybe we could transfer Cobbler78

Think we woyud have to pay someone to take him/her away

 ;D

If they wanted to finish the "Red Bull East Stand" for us, then I wouldnt say no.
But as their F1 team is based in MK, then it would make more sense for that to be their preferred location. Thats assuming that they actually want to invest in a football team. And MK certainly have a history of changing identities.
Anyway, what if this significant investment is coming from the Shaq? He certainly isnt short of a buck or two. And it could come with all sorts of American bells and whistles attached.

brad bobley?

This window is big, but the massive one is end of season when all of the high earners are out of contract, might be an idea to start getting replacements in now.

Also, we are talking about incoming players, but what if teams come in for our co reacted players, Smith, Buchanan etc

That's a very good point - buchs is the heartbeat of our side

That would be heavenly, the guy is seriously boring.

That wasnt quite was I was thinking,but I would deffo draw the line at that one.  ;D

nyatanga  is a year loan

^  ^   ^   ^   ^
Im not sure what relevance, my quote plays in your point Ecton?

Dont know what happened there  i didnt include it lol

I wasn't clear, I meant if their was the possibility of making him permanent in January (if Barnsley would release him of course), then I think we should.

If not I think his contract is up in June, can he sign a pre-contract maybe?

It was aimed at Raul'

Oh dear, Evers doesn't realise that DCL has gone to Evers!!!!!

No it wasnt, it was aimed at Ecton, and he explained himself. Thank you Ecton.
Keep up Evers.  ;D

If we do have a bit of cash, I love to see us go after Ollie Watkins down at Exeter. Lots of pace and guile and an eye for goal. One for the future that could be sold on for big profit!

He will be off somewhere (prob higher up) by the sound of things!

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38414626

Gosh well I never when did we sell him 🥔 head.

With a lot of season long loans there is the option to recall during the January transfer window.......

Football League Transfer Rules.....

"53.2.2. Standard Loans can be for half a season or a full season. Any recall clause can only be included in a full season standard loan and this can only be activated during the second (January) transfer window"

Brandon Comley currently on loan at Grimsby is on our radar.....

Source?  ;D

A bit random even for you.

http://www.90min.com/posts/4334304-mk-dons-reportedly-chasing-qpr-youngster-brandon-comley

Seems like an MK Dons target, so let's just add the two nearest teams to them into the frame as well.

But never say never, we do like a random signing.

I'm sure it'll be a tough choice for the lad once he arrives at the various grounds!!

I'd like to see us have a punt  on James Armson at Brackley. Luke Berry is the kind of player we could build a team around - he might have interest from higher up but you never know until you test the waters.

Every League One team is going to be looking at Akinde and Bogle, but stranger things have happened. We'll probably be nowhere near either of them but they both fit the profile of the type of forward we desperately need.

I agree entirely mate but I read that armson has a good job outside of football and it would take an unbelievable package for him to give it up, and berry only signed a new 3 year contract relatively recently so I would assume this will be prohibitive.

College [url]education exams officer [http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38012629/url]according to this - I would have thought we could make it worth his while.

Would be good to draw on local talent for a change. It always used to irk me that other clubs would raid the Dimones for the likes of Simeon Jackson and Lee Tomlin while we twiddled our thumbs.

I hope it's possible but I'm sure I've read somewhere that our non-league scouting system isn't exactly extensive. I wouldn't say I'm an expert but I'm sure that it's been said that there are a few other brackley players are worth a look.

Let alone a few Stourbridge players(their right winger for a start)

I understand your point but don't forget Brackley are three league below us. To sign one of their players would be the equivalent of a prem club signing a league two player and that rarely works out well. Toney is an example from us but they were buying potential rather than current ability.

Revell turned down MKD for us!!

If they had offered him two years rather than one he'd still be at MK
Their loss

Revell turned down a one year contract at MK and signed for us on a two year deal. Which would you do at his age ?

What give up MKD with John Lewis nearbye

I'm preparing to be massively underwhelmed in January.

Hope I am massively wrong though.

And the reason for that is.....?

Work to be done early according to Page, maybe not long to wait in that case. Then you can be massively underwhelmed or hopefully the opposite.

Literally no reason, just in a negative frame of mind today!

Come on snap out of it! Three points tomorrow and Monday and four quality signings to follow next week - nothing to be negative about.

Ok, I'll put my whisky away, and have a lie down - will feel alright in a few hours.   

I like the bit 'if it doesn't happen it'll be no fault of our own'.. hmmm, I'm always positive:) four quality signings will be coming in, you heard it here first! Happy New Year everyone 😄

As we saw in the previous window we are not exactly renowned for getting deals over the line - not all our fault to be fair but if other more "fashionable " clubs gazump us there's nothing we are going to be able to do about it

John Akinde, Stuart Beavon, Jay Simpson, Luke Berry, Luke Gambin, Stanley Aborah, Jodi Jones. That'll do.

Now look who needs to put the whisky down!

Funny you should mention beavon - I think he's the kind of player we might be able to get but whether he is what we need is another question, he's not exactly blessed with pace. I know aborah had a good game against us but I don't think county fans rate him and Jodi jones doesn't even get a game at Coventry

 ;D

Beavon's a whole hearted link up man and not getting in the team at Burton. Plus his dad used to play for us that'll do lol.

As for Jones and Aborah both talented but playing for struggling teams. Sometimes being amongst better players can liven them up.

Most of these choices are fairly local from clubs not rolling in cash.

On the whiskey diet. Lost 3 days last week.

 ;D  ;D

Fair play, I'm warming to the idea of beavon but I don't think aborah has even been in Notts county's squad recently so whether he's injured or not I've no idea. I bet none of us would be surprised if we end up with 2 or 3 18 year olds from Swansea when the window closes!

Agreed. Aborah's been injured

you do know all the above you mention will not been signing for us in this window. but love the positive out look.  ;)   

It's nice to dream.

A good list of the type of players we should be looking at.

I'd like to add Enoch Andoh (if fit would be perfect), Mikael Mandron (use our Eastleigh ties, is a good age), Omar Bogle and Scott Kashket (both unlikely but we should have money to spend).

I'd rather we use Iaciofano/Hoskins upfront than spend money on a striker to sit on the bench, so whoever is coming in will have to be better than Rico/Revs. Especially if we stick with 4-2-3-1 rather than 4-4-2.

Kieran Richardson has just been released and can play left wing? We may want to get someone younger in though.

I get the Enoch Andoh shout, ex Vale, Page knows him well, winger etc.

Have any of us actually seen him play though?!

https://www.youtu.be/0VnRdow_7fs

...bonus mention of Cobblers.

I've seen him twice, looked promising.

A friend and his Dad are Vale season ticket holders, they rated him also based on what they saw.

Always a gamble, like any signing.

Fair do's mate.

I think for a club like ourselves a lot of our signings have to be risks.

I don't think any of us have any idea of our targets or what kind of kitty page has to spend - if as drilling alluded to yesterday we are about to have some investment then this would drastically change the quality of player we are after. The lack of any substantial rumours means either the club are keeping their cards close to their chest or our targets are low key

Byrom and Dath are gone they have had offerss,
One thing I have heard which is interesting is Rico to Newport.
Let's just say the source might of come from within the team

I really hope not - despite being injury prone Rico is still a proven goal scorer as we saw at oxford and is more worth his place than revs at the moment

I don't think Rico is ready for a fourth tier relegation campaign, an unplayable pitch and a mad manager.

Lets face it if we can get in a better forward than Rico or Revs then nobody will complain. Both have seen better days and the team badly needs fresh blood up front.

I guess if we do then Rico may well be off.

Id be shocked to see Rico leave. He is still an effective player at this level and lives locally, no need for him to leave.

Unless his freed up wages allow us to bring in someone better / more effective ???

If there's word that Rico is on his way then surely that must mean something better is lined up?

You'd like to think so but logic doesn't always work at the cobblers! I'd be very surprised if Rico leaves given KT's relationship with him and buchs as the senior pros but stranger things have definitely happened.

Byrom to Mansfield apparently
http://www.stagsnet.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=30531

Wish he'd got more of a chance this year, truth be told though, probably not quite good enough for this level.

Will be great for L2 though, not sure he's the creative spark Mansfield want though going by their forum. P

Think we all knew it was coming, but a real shame I think.

Could definitely have done a job for us, even if just for cover.

This definitely means we need a CM now.

Expecting a loan centre back to cover for Zakuani?

Really disappointed he never got to show what he could do with Northampton in League 1. I really liked his style of play.

In truth though he was never going to have enough pace. Thats why Preston released him when in Division1

The problem is, we have played 442 recently. Rico and Revs.
I feel that its Pages chosen style.

Both Taylor and JJOT are better players than Byrom so i see no issues with him being not in the side.

Do we know anyone on Pages radar? I can't be arsed to scroll though 13 pages.

Cheers

No. Nobody does.

Not even Page

I am Hoping Mr Melville does.  ::)

Byrom was alright, but Rose had got in front of him in the pecking order towards the end of last year even in League 2. I don't think there's a gulf in class between him O'Toole, and Taylor obviously is a lot better in some areas and arguably worse in others, I'm not convinced with any of our midfield to be honest.

Danny Rose was our best CM. Not properly replaced IMO.

We practically won the league when rose signed

We`d have won the league if Rose or Byrom have played, there`s no way Byrom would have cost us 13 pts
in the run in, just my opinion, although I admit Rose did improve the team 

I see Page has stated he wants bodies in the building as soon as possible in January. No mention of taking time to make sure he gets the right quality in, just 'bodies'. All sounds pretty promising.

It reads to me that they have their eye on players but may lose out to other clubs.
If deals are done you wouldn't add the caveat 'things out of our control' would you?
Let's see if KT can deliver this window.

Let's give them a chance once the window opens - you never know we might be pleasantly surprised, I doubt it but there's a possibility. One things for sure, if we lose today - and let's be fair there is a good chance we will - the knives will be out again rightly or wrongly and the business we do will be crucial to pages future.

The Knives will be out who ever we sign, it just depends how they actually perform.

The players signed will have to hit the ground running or they will be booed by s*** sections of our fans.

I seem to remember Rose was added as more of a cover player, he wasn't even in the Oxford starting line up. He played enough to start for us though.

2:55 PM - 31 Dec 2016Twitter
Northampton Town
@ntfc
Stay there Cobblers fans, news of one departure and two new arrivals coming on Matchday Live at 3pm: ntfc.co.uk/news/article/s…

Byrom confirmed

I see young Ollie scored a hat trick today for Exeter, prob the final nail in any chance of us getting him. Shame as I think he has real sell on potential and is exactly the sort of player we need.

It seems as if Boateng will be cleared to play on Monday. Who do you think should make way for him?
it's a tough one for me as I reckon we have a pretty strong starting eleven. I guess Anderson is the likely candidate although I think he's decent player.  This may account for why Page is reluctant to make substitutions.

We'll Jon-joe and McCourt haven't exactly been pulling up trees recently and Taylor's form is up and down. If fit I would assume boateng will replace o'toole and if available wylde will replace Anderson. It's still frustrating to see Hoskins on the right, I'd drop Rico or revs and play Sam as number 10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehiuhKzjeXI&feature=share

Some decent finishes in there, looks a bit like Hoskins but perhaps a better finisher and more of a natural winger?

Think you're right, Revs to be dropped for Wylde who will move out left, Ando wide right and Hoskins playing behind Rico with Taylor/JJOT and Boateng sitting.

So Hooper and Gorre still to go back to their parent clubs, maybe D'Ath to leave also, hopefully we go for one or two players of L1 or even Championship calibre to challenge the first 11 rather than 3 or 4 squad players. This is what Wilder consistently did by bringing players in from higher leagues.

What? RP said we'd get in early so that's 'business done' surely..  ;)

Sounds good, but what does Mr Page think? Not sure about Anderson he only has one admirer on here and he has gone on walk about!

He started today on fire, roasting their left back twice and has a decent cross. Excellent work rate too (not unlike Gilligan!) but goes missing too often. However, a much better option than Gorre and better than anyone else who can play right wing (except maybe Hoskins but he needs to be playing more central IMO) so needs to start.

I think I put the kiss of death on Anderson yesterday when I remarked on about the 20 minute mark how well he was playing, really making the most of the nice, wide pitch and finding himself lots of room. He promptly did bugger all for the rest of the match.

At one point in the second half Taylor made a break with Anderson running behind him. It was crying out for an overlapping run to give Taylor an option as his aging legs inevitably flagged. However, when Taylor did indeed have the ball taken off of him, where was Anderson? Nowhere, because instead of making a run he'd inexplicably slowed to a jog and left Taylor to get on with it. He was hoiked off shortly afterwards but should have been pulled a good 10 minutes earlier.
He frustrates the hell out of me. Clearly there's a lot of ability there but he just doesn't impose himself on games.

Anderson broke his leg just over a year ago. Probably worth the gamble in signing him on a one year deal in terms of technique but maybe not in physicality and stamina.

That would be absolutely criminal if true. the lad needs to learn the game and play regular first team football at his age

Jay Simpson has handed in a transfer request...would be a decent signing

On between 5k-8k per week if you believe the rumors.

To be honest if we are offered anything over 50k for Smith I would take it, and im sure we could put that money to good use. O'Toole is coming towards the end of his contract also. However, if we could get another 2 years out of Smith I would be equally pleased, be a shame to lose him for nothing at the end of the season.

Good player, but not exactly banging the goals in at Orient this year.

Nor was Ricky Holmes at Portsmouth before he became a Cobbler!!!!!

Beavon has joined Cov in a swap deal for Sordell with Burton so that's 2 of those gone. Barnet fans reckon Gambin and Akinde are offski imminently. Simpson's put in a transfer request.

True, but would be hoping we could sign a in-form striker if we are going to sign one.

Would not say no to Simpson though, hopefully it's just him being fed up leading to his barren run after smashing them in for fun last year.

Barnet have suddenly discovered a gold mine - 3 signings, including a striker, announced with £140,000 spent on transfer fees.  It could mean Akinde is on the move but where to is anyone's guess.

I'd be pretty confident it won't be to us - even if we were interested we'd be involved in an auction and there's no way we'd pay what others would offer and he's not very likely to choose us over the championship and top level league one clubs that are bound to be interested - probably same with the likes of jay Simpson

Are you forgetting akinde turned us down because he was to good for league two he had his chance

Not fit to wear the shirt

We already have two older Akinde style players in our team. Shouldn't we be looking for a different style of attacking option to add to the mix?

Adam Le Fondre not getting alot of minutes at wigan, the exact ST we need, ambitious but would be a real statement of intent  ;D

£6k+ per week!!!!!!!!

Simpson will be off to Southend I reckon as they almost signed him end of last window...

Could we go back in for that palace striker who we allegedly had in the bag up until Bolton came in for him?
Scrap this bit, Keshi Anderson signed on loan to Bolton for the whole season...

I personally would be more than happy for young Ivan to return, along with one other pacy striker to come in....

If Simpson goes to Southend, could we get Simon Cox?

Just the 10 years too late.

Can take Oli McBurnie on loan please Mr Page.

Looks like the lesser spotted dean cox is joining coventry

What? Doesn't he have his debut for Crawley today? If he does play today, he can't play for anyone else this season as he has alreay played for Orient. Surely, if he does leave he will wait til the summer, otherwise he will miss out on a whole season of football due to contract issues. If thats the case, he is not the sort of player we would have wanted at NTFC as it will be obvious he is only after the money.

If he doesn't play for Crawley today, we know he is on the move. I hope Crawley weren't paying his wages for the 4 months he was unable to play for them.

Looks like dean Cox is due to play for Crawley Town today. There's a feature about his long-awaited return to action in their match programme. Next!



http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/2016-17/crawley-town-yeovil-town-3491529.aspx

Sheffield Utd in for oxolonas rob hall

I think you mean Jay Simpson? Thought to be linking up with Russell Slade again.

They are after both
They'll have a very decent team if they get them

Bet Hall would be gutted to leave a club with a set up like oxfords for that of Sheff United.

Dean Cox is making his debut for Crawley today, this will be his third team this season!
He can't play for anyone else, unless you mean Simon Cox at Southend.

Anyway time I left UTC.

I've heard we have bid for Mks Samir carruthers.
Anyone else heard anything.
This was from an MK fan who knows the time of day.
Says three clubs have bid but thinks we are getting him
Shocked if true

would be happy, a CM who has abit of pace and likes to drive with the ball, chips in with a goal aswell

Who cares who we bring in. Page is the problem..

Give it a rest Shoey.

And pi**es where he wants...

In fairness they have just announced that they have accepted a bid and he is due to link up again with another ex MK player....

May not be us but that's probably why the rumour is gathering pace.....
I can't see it myself but it's a genuine rumour...
On a transfer rumours page.....
No need to give it a rest or apologise...
Any rumours your end Neil?

Zilch. Zero. The only rumour I want to hear is about Rob Page leaving.

You do crack me up shoey, one second you say we haven't got enough money to sack page. Five mins later we are outbidding two other clubs to get a player in. Make your mind up!!!

It's pretty obvious to anyone with half a brain and access to google that carruthers is going to charlton to link up with his old manager

After the shambles of a second half we could bring in 10 new players but Page wouldn't manage to get anything out of them. Page is the problem and he needs to go NOW.

A competent manager would make a better fist of the players we already have.
Anyone spot any unemployed managers at sixfields today?

Only one unemployable one but unfortunately he is still in a job.

I don't think we can afford to sack page.
I also don't think we will buy SC.
It was however a rumour I heard and since then it's been announced he is leaving.
Maybe KT will send us into shock by spending money on a decent signing.
Personally I doubt it hence the fact I mentioned I'd be shocked in the original post.

Id like to see any money put aside for new players to be spent on replacing the management team.

Lets get the best out of what we have first before adding to it and making things worse.

We would comfortably stay up with exactly the same squad we have (plus 1 striker with pace if the right player came up).

As others have said, Page is the problem.

Yes agreed. Signing players for transfer fees is out of the window. If we have cash it will surely be spent rectifying the mistake made a few months ago.

From 2 mins of looking on a forum its clear sc is not coming here. Seems Charlton and Sheff u are in for him and his likely to go up north!

Agree totally with this, this team is capable of finishing half way under a manager that will get something out of them. Under page we will be relegated

I only really look at this forum
There's enough entertainment on here....
Anyway I don't think RP sees himself going,he's lined up a couple more signings to come in and have a go.

I genuinely dread to think who page has lined up - if I were a successful businessman like KT I wouldn't let page anywhere near more funds and demand that he actually coaches and improves what he has already got

He is going to have to bring in some decent quality and change his tactics to repair the damage that he has caused.

I see that Charlie Slater, BBC Radio Nottingham commentator, (@CharlieSlater15), has just tweeted that Mansfield made a move for Lawson, but the deal fell through.

Just cant trust Page any longer, if he stays for this Transfer window, it will condemn  us to watching the the clueless ones brand of football, which if doesnt get us relegated it will surely bore us to death.

Just looking at that guys twitter feed and noticed the unbelievable stat that between them forest and Notts county have amassed 1 point from the last 45 on offer! On a cobblers topic it says that d'ath's move to Mansfield fell through down to money - you wouldn't have thought that he'd be on a fortune and if this is the case I can't see any other league 2 teams (other than the top 4/5 who wouldn't touch him anyway) signing him. Alternatively perhaps he'd rather bide his time and see if page gets the sack

We are still 8/9 points ahead of 4th Relegation spot. I like to think or hope we can stay clear of a relegation battle. Whether that's with Page or not is a moot point. I get the impression that there are a few sides below us who are actually worse. Well that's what F/A stats tell me. Difficult times but best to keep chin up.

I was not that impressed with Carruthers when he played here. Plenty of moans on MKD forum about his display that day. How many of us have actually seen him play other than at Sixfields?

KT should never have given him a 2 year contract last Spring when he knew there was a good chanced Wilder would be off at the end of the year

Matt Green at Mansfield is a decent striker who actually scores goals

His contract runs out in the summer i was reading, 30 years old, think there will be a fair few teams interested in him tho

Carruthers off to Sheffield United...Charlton also in for him....never gonna compete with those so lower expectations guys...

Doesn't matter who we bring in if the manager has no kin' clue what to do with them and has no plan A nevemind a plan B...

Even if we do stay up, as a long time season ticket holder, can't be done with watching RP negative dross every week. Play to win and if we do lose, at least say we had a right go...

Bored bored bored...

There's a big difference between permanent signings and loanees.  I very much doubt that KT's backers will endorse anything other than loans. I'd wager that KT was on the phone to David Bower in Dubai before the game even finished trying to decide their next steps. The only fee they have trusted Page with has been Bambi aka Sleeping Beautyman.  Says it all.

Apart from Zakuani RP can't claim any of his signings to be a success.

Alex revell is a decent signing IMO
If he were to hit 15 goals this season I'd hardly call that a failure.

And even that is questionable given he's seen more of Congo than Cobblers this season.

Revell, Nyatanga, Taylor? They have not been too bad. Phillips is the best 2nd choice right back we have had for a long time, better than most of our first choice right backs over the years. Anderson has been useful, just a shame he goes missing 2nd half of most games, maybe he has learn from this as he's taken him off last couple of games.................that we lost late on....yes I see the irony of this.

McCourt started well, looks unfit now. Gorre had promise, but not ready for proper football.

Who has been a genuinely poor signing?

I don't agree with some of this. For a start I am no longer quite so confident in the squad. Defence yes but the midfield and forwards an emphatic NO.
To me our best bet is a windfall transfer fee for Smith to free up funds. IMO we need several new players. Personally I am prepared to put up with current Manager provided he can bring in some decent players and so ensure our survival in L1. Even if Page survives this season pretty sure he wont be with us for 2017/18. Not after Pboro and Stourbridge fiasco's

I though Beautyman at Oxford was more like a hyper puppy over eager to please. At least his shot was bad enough for Rico to get that flick on it.
Mike Wailing was sitting with KT today.

Actually, Beautyman has been a poor signing, forgot about him, and we paid £25k for him.

Revell okay, no different to Rico though so pointless.

Nyatanga I don't rate at all as a defender.

Taylor I'd forgotten about and Phillips I agree.

Anderson imo is s***e. Not his fault I don't think, his body not up to it after breaking his leg.

McCourt distinctly poor now, had a few good games but totally lost it.

Sonupe. Gorre..who've we missed?

Point is, only Zakuani has been a success imo.

You must be kidding

This is pretty much spot on. Beautyman has been ruined to. Looked a tidy player on arrival.

Cant help but think if we had kept Rose, Marquis,  Byrom(who is better than McCourt) we would be much better off. Least we would have given a championship winning team a chance!

Page needs to add massively, his reputation will be battered if he undoes all Wilders work in a season. Nonway we should be below Wimbledon and Oxford!

Seen nothing from him suggests hes better than Concrete.

If we had to go 442 Id take a starting line up with Marquis and Collins ahead of Rico and Revell but we obviously werent interested.

I also think Concrete has been poorly handled and to some extent Byrom too. Not convinced we needed both Nyatanga and Zakuani and although initially excited by Taylor, Matty does not apoear like he'll be as valuable as an equally aged Taylor we once had....

Revell..... hmmmm. No one can fault his effort but he's not exactly pacy or prolific. So I'm not expecting wonders if RP is the buyer. Seems like he's spukned the budget already

Not at all. I think he "looks" a good defender. If you actually watch him properly, he's not great positionally. No better than Rod.

Revell - okay just about!

Nyatanga - good signing (Amazed at yr decision on him)

Taylor - still useful for us.

Phillips - done ok so far.

Anderson - SU rated him !! but not sure about Mr AWOL tho'.

McCourt distinctly poor now.

Zakuani has been a success

50% successes.

ps   I still think D'ath could a job - based on todays midfield efforts.

Well to me if he looks a good defender he must be one. I've nothing else to go on.

You forget Hooper and Raheem Hanley...another on a 2 year deal rather than a 6 month option!

It's a game of opinions.

So in summary we have a bunch of "OK" signings who have been ruined by p1ss poor coaching, selection, and tactics?  About correct IMHO.   Paul Wilkinson is training on the wrong field at Moulton - he should be whistling at the dogs in the dog agility paddock.

 ;D ;D Cheered me up

Why did he sign Beautyman for money if he sits on the bench every week? Started most games early on in the season out of position.

He then got put into his right position and did well, chipped in with a few goals, would like to see him put back in the starting line up, might aswell try something different page!

Insider - Genuine question. Why are you so Anti Page/Wilkinson?

 ;D ;D ;D

Genuine question. Why single one person out with that question when 99% of posters are now in that camp?

Because Insider has been of this opinion for a while and has been very vocal about it. I have a hunch he is not impressed with what he see's at training. However, he also said Boateng was a like for like replacement for Hooper, so a pinch of salt to be taken. Interested, none the less.

True - but it's a matter of fact not opinion that we're currently not coping at this level. We also don't seem fit enough.

Agreed.

Ivan Toney, anyone?

Would take him back in a heartbeat, has been scoring in a very poor Shrewsbury team.

You would think Shrewsbury would do their utmost to keep hold of him though.

Should have got him rather that Hooper in the first place...

Only concern on 10 yellows already!!!

Whilst he would be an improvement on what we already have he is not the answer - only scored 6 goals too, so not prolific

That is a quarter of the goals scored by Shrewsbury, who have scored 11 less than us.

Agree with Glastonbury. What we need is a striker with pace and and an end product called goals. Hoskins continues to flatter to deceive and even if he moves inside will not score enough to keep us away from a relegation fight.

Heard this again yesterday but also that his dad is against him returning.

No Thanks, his Dad is right

I liked Toney when he was here before, wouldn't neccessarily want him back though.

We need a goalscorer, he isn't one.

He actually scored 7 goals this season in all competitions from 25 starts and 1 sub appearance. 3 of those 7 were penalties however, with 2 in the game against us!

Very true, I obviously just found the league stats and not the full season ones.

Still a good return in an awful side (even we beat them!) in my opinion and would still have him here as he offers something different to what we have.

Agree with the something different thing.......he's young and mobile, something which neither of our two strikers are.

Revell started the season chasing everything down, putting himself about, but he can't do that forever. His workrate has dropped......fatigue?!

Possibly, he was dead on his feet again yesterday.

Cannot fault his effort and work rate, always 110%. The problem is it's always by himself, you could see the anguish written on his face as he chased down three defenders one after the other with the ball to turn and see the rest of the team stood off at least thirty yards away.

We'd win more games if half the team could press the way he does, although I appreciate they may have been told otherwise.

If I was a player in talks with NTFC, I would check out this forum, and probably decide to go elsewhere...
Just saying...   ::)

I don't know why but i can see us getting Ivan Toney back on loan....

Where's these two new signings then?...

me thinks KT is holding out to see if the dumb one can turn it around at brissle

Luke Varney gone to Burton today - not sure if we were one of a number of league one clubs chasing him?

A 34 year old forward... just what we need.

We'd only want him if he could defend.

You can never have too many 30 + players  ;D

What about 40+, I'll clean my boots. ;D

Its only Wednesday  :o

We had one of the oldest squads in the EFL last season - it didn't seem to do us any harm.

More likely to sign Reg.

One of those silly 'transfer rumours' twitter accounts are saying a Chinese club have bid for Taylor haha

With the money they throw around they can have him and we could replace him with a younger more energetic centre mid, if only the rumour was true!!

Taylor is only good for his set pieces, he goes missing in games

Agree, thought as he played championship football last year he would be alot better on the ball and with his passing, looks like he isn't going to have the legs for the second half of this season

http:// that must be the major investment coming in this month

As did I! Maybe he didn't play 90 minutes a game like he has this season?

Come on Ectonian any more news etc on players coming in and investment.

Re Taylor, its possible you get a bit more time and space a level up. I'm guessing but L1 might be a bit quicker than he thought it would be...

I'm not 100%, but is this also his first time playing regular central midfield football?

For the record, I really enjoy watching him... but he doesn't work well with how we play football this season. If we pressed higher, he'd have more space to utilise his clear ability.

Was hoping ud tell me evers

Zilch 8)

Is he a nippy striker?

Should have got them wrapped up today, just so they'd receive "Premier League clearance" in time to play on Saturday!  :)

I was hoping for international clearance to be granted.

Suleh Zilch from Papua New Guinea. If he can cook us up a goal or two we might be alright  ;)

We tried to sign a couple of players, but we just couldn't get them over the line...

to be honest it all fell through when I explained to them I didn't want them to actually cross the half way line!  ;D

Rob Page - Jan 2017

I really hope we sign someone good...another Gorre and a last min loss at Rovers would be gut wrenching..

Chron says one in by Saturday, probably a right back.

Loan central.

Also says we are looking at bringing in 3 new players over the next week or so. Apparently a loan deal for a striker has already been agreed but may not be announced until the weekend at the request of their current club.

Right back is a difficult one as when Moloney is match fit again I would be surprised if we get anyone who is better than him, drives us forward so well. Dont want to see us invest too heavily in a 3rd RB.

Just read the Chronic and can't believe that KT is giving him the funds to bring players in, I think the fact that they are all loans say it all for me!

What's the odd on the striker being Toney - very short I would imagine!!

like i've said before he would be an improvement on what we have options wise - but would not be the answer

So he should be given no money and have to make do with the squad we currently have?
Did you hear KT at the forum? He said then that it only makes sense to pay for players who have a sell on value so was always likely to be loans or out of contract players.

As manwork says - It reeks of Page being given 2/3 games to turn it around - otherwise we would not just be looking at loans!

Is thats the case he should just be sacked now!

Only buy players with a sell on value ? How much was Beautyman again ?  ;D

In our current situation loans are probably best. Page is being helped in the transfer market but equally we are not giving players 2 or 3 year contracts when Page could get the sack in the next few weeks. Any new manager would then have players on contracts that maybe he doesn't want, loans will go back to their cubs - no harm done.

We had decent loans last season Marquis, Collins, Prosser. It can work if you get the right ones. To say it doesn't cost money is also false, sometimes there is a loan fee & percentage of wages to be paid. If they are Championship players that can amount to a fair chunk.

Correct he should be sacked and a new manager, Nigel Adkins? Given the means to put together the missing pieces that Page negated to do in the summer, replace RH and NA as well as a quick striker, the rest of the squad(Wilders) is more than capable of a mid table finish in league one.

We have a player with potential sell on value in Rod.

Didn't we pay for Beautyman too? Not sure what his sell on value would be the way he is being utilised.

By the way there is a big difference between loans and players that are contracted to NTFC!

So who are these three new players then, thought some of you were ' in the know'..? :)

Gary Mulligan, Ashley Corker and Danny Alfei.

If the striker is Toney, like some have suggested. Why does it have to wait until after the weekend, I can't imagine Newcastle are short of players?

Apparently Phillips is out for a maximum of 2 weeks, wonder if there is still a need to obtain cover for RB if Moloney is back at the end of the month as well.

The striker we are signing will be JJ Hooper to the end of the season!

Ha, ha. That's not funny.

I know I should laugh... but. :-[

We have a Youth Team, the Youth Team will have a right back.

If it is only two weeks then we should be looking to bring them up, otherwise there is no point in having a Youth Team.

Didn't he get an outing or two in pre season?

You are the snake man?



phew

To replace RH is nigh impossible! As for NA he is replaceable but faded last season and was mostly on the bench toward EoS. I am not so confident in the capabilities of the rest of the squad particularly midfield.

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/cobblers-closing-in-on-hat-trick-of-new-signings-1-7758785 (http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/cobblers-closing-in-on-hat-trick-of-new-signings-1-7758785)

So 3 players coming in with a another possible striker as well..

Sounds promising but Page won't play them correctly.

Must be an out of contract right back/centre back we can shoe-in for a few weeks...then get rid if up to the usual RP standard of signing!

Gorre and JJ spotted arriving at Sixfields..

Pascal Chimbonda was a jack of all trades in defence wasn't he??

Where's Tozer when you need him???  ;D ;) ;D ;D

Or Phil Chard. Now that guy could play almost anywhere.

Funny you should say that...

What we really need is a player called Dan ....

Or Jordan?

Paul Anderson attracting attention from a number of championship and league one clubs....
Out of contract at the end of the season but we may get a small fee.

Should cost a few spence to get him in.

Jordan Spence?

Cracked the code!!

And they said you were Slowe  8)

 ;D

I'm sorry but I just don't believe this. What Championship club would want Anderson?? Unless they are going on reputation and not a scouting report...

It was a tweet from a really rubbish made up rumours account on Twitter.

One thing which few fans seem to be bearing in mind is that - historically - we are punching above our weight in League 1. Since those heady days in the sixties, we have spent 34 of the 47 years in the basement division. Of course we want to see the club progress, but so too did our fans in 1976, 1987, 1997, 2000, and 2006 when we had won promotion. Kelvin Thomas' biggest challenge - in backing his manager in this transfer window - is to try to break new ground by turning us into a legitimate third tier club, rather than one 'on loan' from the basement.

Rodney I appreciate your sentiments, but please dont keep saying the above. Its belittling ;)

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

http://citiblog.co.uk/2017/01/05/championship-cobblers-paul-anderson/

After listening to RP on Player he seems to suggest we won't be signing a right back now. Phillips could be available again a week on Saturday against Scuny.

It will be interesting to see how he gets round not having a right back on Saturday. I will go for three at the back Diamond, Nyatanga & McDonald with wing backs Anderson or Hoskins right wing back Buchanan Left wing back. If so lets hope it works better than against Boro.  

A back three sounds good to me!

Surely we can be entertaining at the same time as becoming a 'solid' third tier club? That's what my issue is.
I don't expect us to be at the top of league one but I'd like to see some attacking football.

Our biggest problem will be attracting the players to the club that will take us to the top half of this league. We're a small club and its likely any half decent players will be sought after by bigger clubs with bigger budgets - that's why we've ended up with youngsters & players coming to the end of their careers or coming back from injury this season

We managed to get the likes of Buchanan, O'Toole, Richards & Maloney when in league 2 by offering them 3 year contracts but i don't think KT is the sort of man for these kind of contracts

I'd guess it's someone who is covering a cup tied player,  what with it being the 3rd round this weekend,  although we're not a part of it thanks to our negative management.

Or somebody who is still on loan at another club ......

The thing is, we HAD a team that would have kept us comfortably in the top half of League One. The only player who played at Pompey on the last day of last season, who we couldn't have kept is Danny Rose, all the others were under contract for this season or loanee's who wanted to join us.

If only it was that simple .....

Not quite so sure as some performances last season for example Mansfield, Stevenage & Yeovil we were decidedly average but for RH in the first two might well have lost. Even against Luton where we shipped 3 goals it was RH again who saved us. Unfortunately we lost Rose and RH and neither have been adequately replaced.Other markers last season was those drawn home games against the Dons and BR. Some of those results hinted that some improvements were required. I don't think Marquis and Collins were L1 standard otherwise both would be plying their trade higher than L2.

Agree with most of that, though at this very moment, Marquis has again scored for top of the table Donny against Pompey. Wouldn't fancy our chances against either of those currently!

We are going to end up with what, 5 loan players potentially in the starting 11?

My thoughts exactly I'm sure it will do wonders for team spirit.
A clear mark of intent from our owners.

Your Gareth aren't you?

RH may have got the winning goal but make no bones about the fact we were far superior to Luton in that game.
Not sure how a home game against a team that was two leagues higher at the time could have been a marker either.
We had areas we needed to improve on but what aspect of our team has actually improved? We are worse I. Every department and that is the managers doing.

Ahhh loanees, never works having too many, weve been down this road before and it doesnt end well.

Rob Page....the new Stuart Gray?  ;)

Source for this info please?

Well, Nyatanga, Boateng and Wylde.

Expected to sign 3 more, one of which is definitely a loan so that's 4 right there.

Can you make a few up like this rumour on investment?

Blimey didn't think you were back tracking with Nyatanga! So not quite sure then! I suppose if rumours on here are correct you might well be right. I heard they are after a couple of Stourbridge players; sell on value and all that!

Alfred, you are usually ITK so what were the problems ?

I'm not, but I don't pick the team.

Hardly. Stuart Gray was a bloody good coach who assembled a helluva team... Admittedly he then totally lost the plot, but still a lot more knowledgeable than the current incumbent.

In other news
Alex Jones has signed for Bradford and Bristol rovers seem confident of signing jay Simpson tomorrow,if that happens we all know what will happen....

There is not a whisper on any Bristol Rovers Media/Forums/Bristol Post on Simpson joining BR. So can you please name your source.

Maybe, just maybe if Simpson is off there, then we maybe chasing one of their strikers, who would be further down the pecking order and is why the signing wont be announced till after sat???

Harrison maybe??

Marcus Browne from West Ham due to join on loan...

I liked the Gray team. He had an eye for a player, Gabor Gyepes just oozed two footed class.
And then as Jolly says, he lost the plot, and signed any old muppet on loan.

He has no sourse, just a vivid imagination.

His random transfer rumour generator.

Coventry apparently ...

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/transfer-news/coventry-city-gossip-west-ham-12404986

Intresingly rovers have 7 strikers on their books without any additions!

Youre very keen to find out where these rumours started from?   ;D

From what I can see, more likely to be joining Coventry.

Your not bothered, stuck in a nice comfy pub with your new found pals. I reckon there has to be tottie in the C&C to entice you from the delights of the Memorial Ground .

Some Fans are like a fidlers elbow, up and down , up and down depending how their mood takes them.

Gray didn't loose the plot. When any manager showed how good he was, Cardoza expected him to carry on with less support. The same happened with Boothroyd.

Lawson to Looton?

Surprised to hear from a big Blade fan at work that their forums are rumouring they want to take Anderson off us, interestingly they thought he was our best player when we played them.

Wouldn't mind signing a couple of the Stourbridge players, be good to give this non league channel a look as it's worked well for other teams

Rumours of Crystal Palace being keen on Lewis Moult for £500K+

Another one that got away!

Can he play for more than 2 teams in a season ????

Pretty sure the answer is No....

Your right on Anderson and SU. Makes our experts on here look silly.
Welcome to this Forum  ;)

Of course he can - He has only played for us this year and is free to move anywhere in the jan window

Key word being Year ..... i think the rule states season

I could be wrong ... but the fifa web site states season not year .....

We might be in for someone who is playing in the FA cup this weekend, and this is why the said player/s can't be released until after the game.

Could it be Luke Benbow of Stourbridge? He seems to have a very good goalscoring record, also spent time at The Glen Hoddle Academy in Spain. He also would like a crack at league football given the chance.

Didn't go to Stourbridge myself, did anybody who went rate him?

How come we have signed Boateng then who has played for Bristol Rovers this season?

And if rumours are correct why would Bristol Rvoer be chasing Jay Simpson who has played for Orient this season.

As the transfer window is open again its free trade of movement till the end of Jan!

Did Anderson play for Bradford this season ?

Yes he did. Don't know about league games, but was cup tied for us in league cup & checkatrade trophy.

You can be registered with 3 clubs but only appear for 2 in 1 season

Hope we get Marcus Browne unfortunately i actually went to the game against West Ham under 21's and he was the stand out player from the game. Direct centre attacking midfielder 

True, season 2015/16, Prosser, Furlong, Martin, Marquis, Collins, Watson, Calvert-Lewin, Brisley......but you know, these facts get in the way of another dig at the current manager.

There you are. Was wondering when you were going to come and defend your best mate again.

Some loans work out, some don't. Sometimes it works having several sometimes it doesn't. The main issue in this instance would be Page actually being able to get decent players in, not to mention how he will use them on the pitch.

Apologies - I had fogotten he had played for Bradford  :o

Shouldn't you be at training rob?

Scraping the barrel for some ego boosters, youve made a fool of yourself on here so now you are trying to make someone else look foolish. Out of those, Prosser, Martin, Watson made no impact,the others , granted , but were bought in in various stages of the season, not potentially 5 loanees starting at Bristol. As you are one for picking and choosing stats to suit your argument , find me another season where loads of loanees have made a positive impact on a season

As you say, some work some don't. I prefer to make my judgement on facts and after I've seen them play, but I understand everyone likes to base their opinions differently.

Speaking of making yourself look silly, Kyle Walker, Saido Berahino, Mark Lyttle, Mathew Rush, Simon Cox, Lee Barnard, Lee Nichols, Stewart Dallas....I could go on, but you get the picture.

doesn't answer the question he asked you though.

not sure how much of an impact lee barnard or stuart dallas made either?!

I'm confident it does.

your confidence is misplaced then

Havnt u got some wood to be cutting in the East Stand ??

Cobbler 78, are those stats regarding the loan players ? i know how you like your stats.
 PS we miss you on the "Page Out " thread  ;D

No you are right , dont go on making yourself look silly

So these all played together did they ????  ::) ::) ::)

 ;D

Ignoring the nonsense contained in the most recent posts above still no sign of that elusive striker being signed in time for tomorrow.  August revisited? Looks like Anderson will cover at right back.  He will be busy.

Every single one of the players you list came from a higher division at the time.  I have never been supportive of any manager bringing in loanees from the same division unless we've played their parent club twice and they're coming with a view to a permanent move.

FYI, no training at Moulton today, the squad have travelled down to Brizzle today with an overnight stay.  

Correct, just to add, I'm not generally if favour of too many loans either. I was just pointing out, not all of the are Danny Alfei's.....

VC - well done for bringing the thread back to topic. Pretty sure that Anderson should be ok at right back! Bit of a song and a prayer tho'

Has the training improved at all Kev- what do the new players look like?

Today's the day then. Who's going to be spot on with their guess / rumour ?
My guess is Shoemaker is wrong  ;D

Signing shed loads of loan players is hardly planning for the future.  One of the main reasons we've failed to grasp any sort of sustained success, is the high turnover of players,  and im not only including loanees.
We seem to, over the last 10 years or so at be signing half a team every 6 months, and I for one am just about fed up of it.

Anyway it seems like the David Moyes of L1 is struggling again.

Nothing will be announced now, as was pretty obvious..

You lot are going to have a heart attack when you see Zander at right back again on Saturday.

Marcus Browne to be announced today

Come on Ormen what made you pick "Frank" why not "Bob"?

A ridiculously high turn over of players when we took the p**s out of League two last year makes it even worse. If you can't build after the season we had last year you never can.

Lawson to Luton today too perhaps???

More on the Marcus Browne story here ...


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/coventry-set-to-miss-out-on-premier-league-midfielder-as-league-one-rivals-close-in/

Well considering how crucial he could be to our current team according to some on here I hope we get a good fee for him.

Kevlin has said that we had an offer accepted from a club and personal terms agreed for a striker who had done well on loan somewhere in this league until a bigger club came in. Wondering if it was Alex Jones who was at Port Vale.

Sounds like Ivan could potentially be returning..

undisclosed

Believe it was Alex Jones yeah.

Story of the summer again so far isn't it....missed targets.

Its the reality of where we stand in the L1 Market

True.

Shame he is the sort of player who perfectly fits the criteria. Played enough games at this level to show he could do it, still young and no reason to assume he wont continue to improve. Port Vale fans seem gutted to see him go.

Isn't Browne a CM?

We have had since August to scout for another striker but end up going back for Ivan Toney who doesn't appear to be in a rush to re-join NTFC.  I find it disappointing that we do not seem able to fill this glaring weakness in our side and bright prospect though Toney may be we should be able to move on from him.  On a slightly brighter note I am surprised that we received a transfer fee (modest I'm sure) for D'ath who has hardly kicked a ball in anger since last season.

The transfer window's only been open a few days, get a grip man.

Wow, I genuinely didn't expect a fee to be involved. Surely the best bit of business at NTFC in quite some time.  :P

It's a fact. Not an opinion.

Get a grip.

But against that we paid money for Beautyman  ???

D'Ath barely kicked a ball in anger in the second half of last season either. Still think he looked better the season before. Alex Jones was the player who turned NTFC down, despite terms being agreed. Can't blame him for joining Bradford, or blame NTFC. We are in a bigger goldfish bowl now, with sea life that can out-hunt us. We all need to understand that.

So, both Anderson and Beautyman can play right back according to KT, yet RP decided to play Diamond there v Bradford  ::)

Just another s*** stirring comment though.

You always seem to turn to tart mode on here when things get tough.

 ::)

So Toney (on 10 yellows already) or Shaq Coulthirst from Boro???

 I think the old lines will be coming along very soon.
 We nearly signed that player, we nearly signed this player, very close to completing a deal but it didnt  come off. Might resign an old player and some unproven teenagers  just to keep the natives happy. Very hard to compete with other Clubs, if only we had a bigger ground and more income streams.
 New Chairman, new Manager, New transfer window, same old excuses.

I hope we included a sell on clause in the deal because I still believe D'ath has the potential to play at a higher level, providing he can rediscover the form he showed in his first season with us.

If what KT said about emulating 'Boros transfer dealings then probably nominal fee but with sell on clause.

Where are you getting this from?

I saw Toney but there's no confirmation. The last I saw he was still deciding. I haven't seen anything on Coulthirst.

That's the spirit. Let's start digging out the best chairman we've had in a very long time too. Good work T.

At the moment I prefer looking at things in a positive manner after missing out on Cox late on in the summer.
Not even a week into the transfer window and we have two decent looking loan signings in positions we needed to work on with the possibility of a good third loan in Browne and we've just missed out on a player which happens to all managers and Chairmen in all leagues.

People like yourself seem happier whinging and moaning rather than trying to keep a balanced view on things.

then you are mental

Or you're a poor judge of player's potential. We'll see.

I'm not sure where this myth comes from. He made 46 appearances for us last season and started some pretty huge games (e.g. Exeter away) - he came off the bench in pretty much all of the others and most of the time for long periods too.

Anyway, it doesn't matter now. Just another part of last season's wonderful season ripped up and thrown in the bin to satisfy one man's ego.

Or maybe just the fact that he isn't good enough for league one in the managers opinion. I love how last season people were having a pop at Lawson when ever he played. Now all of a sudden he is a world beater

Not sure he even touched the ball at Exeter,  but hay ho.

I think the point is that we'll never know. But based on what I've seen, I'd have him over Anderson, Gorre, Sonupe, Hooper and Beautyman.

I would absolutely love for Ivan to come back home... really rate the lad and is definitely a Cobblers supporter. Hopefully loan till the end of the season before sorting something permanent out.

I too would like to see Toney return, after all 'he's one of our own'. And after the way the squad has been ripped to shreds this season it would be nice for a Cobbler to be playing in the current Cobblers side.

Interestingly its KT whose talking about the manager, whilst at every other club it tends to be the manager that discusses transfers/potential transfers with the media. Its almost as if KT is trying to broker the deal.

I see a few people are still positive about the current playing side of the club. Fair play to you is what I say, theres not an ounce of me that wants Rob Page to be our manager anymore. Not an ounce. I do however wish I shared your outlook but I don't so hey ho!   ;D

Divided opinions on the shrews forum. Poll in the shrews newspaper of keep or not a resounding not. Manager not a fan either!!

I'd welcome him back as long as it's not all Bertie big b ollocks. Does it represent a failure on his part to return?

Whatever he would still need decent service.

Toney taking his time to decide shows he thinks he bigger than the club, if he loved the club he would have seen that offer and accepted it straight away.

No way is he going to get a better offer than us, him and his family still live here ffs.

Liked him when he was here a few years ago, if he joins with us signing another ST then it could be ok, if hes the only ST we sign we could be in trouble.

Toney is not the answer, him signing would be another nail in pages coffin.

i saw this coming and to be honest i can make up my mind if its a good move or not. intrestingly KT has come out and said the ball is in his court if he wants to come back or not, i can only think  he isnt keen on a move back becasue after all what is there really to think about...

Nothing to think about it should have been a straight forward 'Yes'.
His family live here
Hes not getting into Toons team anytime soon
Wont get offers from championship teams
Guaranteed game time here
The fans still love him

Very strange.

Given the right service I think Toney would be a great signing. Far more mobile than Rico and Revell. How people are complaining about signing him is beyond me! Doubt we would even be paying his wages, it's a drop in the ocean to Newcastle. Pair him up with a small, quick striker and they will do damage.

Edit: Toney and Hoskins could be a match made in heaven.

Where would you goals come from with a Toney / Hoskins partnership. They would get about 10 goals a year between them and that's part if the problem with Toney 1 in 10 is not what's needed right now when Rico and revell are not scoring, he isn't that quick and from the shrews game very lightweight still. As I say unless you sign a 20 goal forward as well not what is needed now!

They already have 10 goals between them. Correct though, we need that 20 a season striker, a goalkeeper who doesnt concede and tactics that allow us to outscore the opposition.

Its possible Toney see's it as a failure if he comes back... maybe?

Ched Evans .... come on Page he is welsh..  ;D

The whole sorry affair this week is like dejavu from the summer, how desperate are we that we have to announce the strikers we missed out on, so as it stands we have no new players and have sold another championship winning player to Luton.......

Or maybe he just subscribes to the theory "you should never go back"? I was once offered two jobs, the pay was much of a muchness only one was with a company I'd worked for before. I picked the entirely new one; I'd enjoyed my time at the other company last time around and left with a good reputation. The role I was offered was slightly different to ones I'd done previously and there was the possibility I'd not do as good a job on my return, so I decided not to go back and went for the other one instead. Besides, when I stalled while making up my mind the company I joined upped their offer to convince me.... ;D

If page believes Hoskins is a striker he would have played him there by now surely?

or was he waiting for us to sign wingers so he can put Hoskins up there?

they both may not score alot of goals but you dont know till you try it, (which page probs wont cus hes so keen to show us that Rico and Revell can work as a pair)

Didn't someone once say Toney's dad was against him returning on loan to us at the start of the season?

I once went to Skegness it wasn't better the second time i went,
i hope Toney's not gonna do a Skegness

I mentioned after the Rochdale game that I was told his Dad wasn't in favour of Ivan coming back. As I said at the time I personally totally understand.

Thanks for that

Ivan is probably thinking about what is best 4 his career

His heart is probably telling him to go home ... but is that what is best for him as a young professional footballer?

in many ways coming to us is the easy option .... but is it best for Ivan the footballer?

Playing first team football in L1 and under the tutelage of Rico must be a decent option. The fact it's in his hometown must be a benefit too (in terms of settling in). There must be more to it as Relap has kind of hinted at above.

Living at home playing at a club he knows

Living away from home at a club he dosnt

id argue he'd learn more as a person doing the later.

Why when we're not doing well do some Cobblers fans pine for players from bygone years when we were just as s***.

They`re not really "new found pals", as I having been going in there for a few years now, back when Pete was still the landlord. As for tottie, you should see the state of some of the hen partys,and pub crawl ladettes that start arriving on a saturday evening.  ;D
I genuinely hope that you have a good day out tomorrow. Because that will mean that we come back with three points. Somehow though, I cant see it happening. The Memorial is one of my least favourite grounds to visit, so I shall be happy in my comfy pub.
Where are you lot stopping for a drink? I seem to recall that, Chipping Sodbury was a decent stop, with a couple of good boozers. Certainly far better than Yate!

Ivan could come back, score a hat trick every game from now until the end of the season and some of the sad articles on here would still find something to moan about and put him down. Personally if I was Ivan I would listen to his dad. 

 :-* :-* :-*

On D'Ath, good luck to the lad on his fresh start. Unfortunately my last memory of him in a cobblers kit was when he was being told to F off by some of our over passionate fans after the stourbridge game. He looked horrified.  

I'd be pretty happy to see Ivan back. Unlikely to locate much better, we know what we are getting.

The other name I've heard mention isn't as good as Ivan in my opinion.

Something needs to kick-start the positivity again.

Make sure it's you then  :-*

C O DOUBLE B L E R S COBBLERS.

That's the good stuff  8)

When Bayo came back it worked pretty well (although it was at a different stage in his career).

From our perspective, Ivan ticks a lot of boxes: he would provide pace and movement without detracting from our strength and aerial threat up front. As someone who is comfortable in the Northampton area and has a genuine affinity for the club he would also immediately side step some of the common concerns about loan players.

I also get the impression that his career hasn't quite ignited in the way he would have liked. He's done ok but hasn't really pulled up any trees in any of his loan spells. A spell back where he first achieved success might be just what he needs to bang in some goals and get things moving again.

It looks as though NUFC will be promoted this season & that may spell the end of Toney's time at that club. I would think he is hoping that a lower half Championship club will have him on their radar but I doubt that he will make it at that level. I hope I am wrong.  Difficult one for him to decide on a return to the Cobblers but if he went to Shrewsbury I can see no reason for rejecting a return to us. It could be a short-term fix for us but we have a long term problem and it is disappointing that we are no closer to solving this than at the end of August.  It does raise serious questions about our scouting & recruitment.

  I may be wrong here but, I thought Toney was overated whwn he was here.

Shut up Ormen

Who else have you heard?

Still making your mind up Ivan? Today may have helped.

Hoopers loan is finally up (well Monday) so fingers crossed that he won't be announced as a permanent signing early next week... :o

Another crap desperate signing by RP

How the hell can Hooper be recalled to the squad today, at the expense our own highly promising young Joe?

RP, Wilko, Kenny and Melville can all do one  >:(

I think Melville sits at home on champ manager selecting highly rated players off there

That's the problem its not just RP we need to pay off  :(

Agreed. However I would take him simply because he'd be better than what we have.

I bet he's chomping at the bit to sign up!
Manager uncertainty will do us no favours during this window.
Who in their right mind would sign for us right now?

I would but I don't qualify due to your stipulation of right mind. I do have a certificate if that helps?

Marcus Browne now close to joining Cov, you would hardly blame him!

The club is looking like a rudderless ship
Is it hardly surprising we can't get the players we desperately need?

As long as it still has a plank to walk we should be OK.

Ormen=#Frank

It seems to have taken you a surprisingly long time to discover that!

Different time zone  ;D

As some idle interest what made you chose #Frank - Ormen. Fly was a pretty good one and it suited you. As second choice "Bob" would have been good.

You would have to get inside of my head to understand evers  ;) Just remember one is incarnate from another ,one ends and a new one begins.



Talking about new ones, do you know when the new (not played for us before) striker is signing?

https://youtu.be/g479wtPBCW0

A claret and white barmy army  ;D

Aren't we supposed to be announcing a signing today? We had to wait until after the weekend's games or something.

It was meant to be Marcus browne but hes now joining coventry

Not that we were going to, but in case some thought we might. Jay Simpson off to the MLS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38564444

Anyone heard of any trialists in this game with Stevenage ?

I imagine there is at least one as they haven't announced the team.

Not seen the line up but same old story, 1-0 up going into the 82nd minute and then lose the game 2-1

Not fit enough

No he's not, Coventry have denied any interest in him - doesn't mean he's coming here either though, not now Page has been sacked.

Host of changes made in the final minutes - so don't read too much into it.

I would have thought after the 5-0 hammering at Rovers that Page would have at least got some new players to boost spirits. Nothing!!! Come on Rob....do something!!

You're kidding, right? :o ;D

whoooooooooooooooshhhhhhhhhhh

What are you on.

Maybe the new manager will be also called Rob.

You noticed my smiley, right? ::) Whoosshh!!! indeed, el thicko!

Such a load of tripe on here!

It would help if yr choice of imoji's were more relevant. Shock and laughter don't go together Einstein.

Oh dear. (Shakes head and walks away from keyboard.)

Toney going Scunny

Oh dear

Good news IMHO - Ivan is not the answer.

Lets not live in the past and let the new manager bring in his own players.

Hardly the past. One of our own who is no where near his prime yet.

Statistically speaking, he has a record of two goals for every game he's played against us I believe?

Hardly a good barometer of his goal scoring attributes is it really comparing goal scored against us. If you did you would have the Bristol rovers lad Harrison on a par with someone like Suarez!!

Also the majority of those ivan goals against us were pens!!

I would prefer to look at the bigger picture, think his career average is something like 1 in 6/7. That's not what we need when Revell and Rico are both not scoring too.

Ivan better get used to Div one/two football because it's his level if he is lucky,
at 20 years of age he should(if he was good enough) to be pushing for a first team place at Newcastle,
sadly too many young players get stars in their eyes early in there careers and then fade away,
should never of left here,till he was scoring at least 1-3.

Intresting news

Stourbridge defender Dan Scarr, 22, who scored his side's goal in their 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat by Wycombe last weekend, has been taken on trial at Premier League West Brom. (Express and Star)

TBH this happens all the time in lower league football.

New signing at 3.30pm.

He's one of our own...

Rob Page is returning

Welcome back Ivan Toney Neal Eardley

Neil eardly , RB till end of the season

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1-uOYVXUAAYdjW.jpg)

That Eardley fills me with confidence

very droll

Wasn't meant to be, thought it would be Toney, edited when it wasnt

At least he can provide some cover until Moloney comes back... unless he gets injured aswell #InjuryProne

You would hope that the potenital new manager may have some involvement in bringing him in?

I know - it was droll prior to edit, sharpish tho'.

At least we have a right back for Saturday now.

Subject to international clearance... remember it was not granted in time for Hiram for the Bradford game

I believe Neal Eardley played under John Sheridan at Oldham.  :P

Just seen Sheridan is now manager at Oldham... Phew!

Or under Rowett at Birmingham.....surely not!!

I had the same thought but after checking prev stats seems to only managed handful appearance for Birmingham and was signed pre-Rowett

But still hoping!

Do people know this signing was actually arranged by RP last weekend. According to his interview he was asked to come to training on Monday then half hour later RP was sacked. He then played in the mid-week reserve game, did well and has now signed until the end of the season. 

Therefore, it is not down to any new manager guys but the previous one. He is also Welsh, so there you go no further proof needed that RP arranged it. 

Toney signs for Sc***horpe

If my sources are correct, RP had agreed to sign another player, but that deal didn't complete after his sacking.

well you might as well say who it is then...

Watched Eardley play a few times for Blackpool, very much like Brendan Maloney, likes to get forward and attack. A decent free kick taker aswell.