SecretSam Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Anyone know what the story is here? I've seen his name mentioned a few times on here, know a lot of people rate him - is he what we need? And how likely is he to leave if Cheltenham win the Play-Off final this weekend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Anyone know what the story is here? I've seen his name mentioned a few times on here, know a lot of people rate him - is he what we need? And how likely is he to leave if Cheltenham win the Play-Off final this weekend? Firstly I don't know if there is actually any story. He's never been officially linked with City, even though I and some other friends have mentioned him to McInnes, to Louis Carey and to a club Vice President. Whether we've actually had a look at him and are not interested I don't know? He came through Portsmouth's academy, and moved to Cheltenham at the start of the 2010/11 season. He played in 43 league games this season, scoring 5 goals and also scored a fantastic free-kick in the play-off semi. He's just turned 21, is 6ft 1 and is a central midfielder. He's extremely composed in possession and would argue is one of (if not the) best ball-player/passer in League 2. He could easily step up to Championship level and play in a midfield 2, but also revels in playing as a 3 man midfield. He's a set-piece specialist, takes corners, free-kicks and possesses a long throw too! He's a good talker and organiser on the pitch and is Vice-Captian too. I'd say he is just what we need. In regard to whether he'll leave Cheltenham even if they go up, I think it's a given. He's got 1 year left on his current deal, and I doubt Cheltenham would stand in his way if an offer comes in. Not sure what any potential fee might be, he's highly rated and could easily go for anything up to £1m, but I'd more realisitically say a bid in the region of £250k could get the ball rolling. Alas, I fear it's all too late though, as there is already interest from Cardiff, Ipswich and now Reading too, so we're gonna miss out on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor10 Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Shame we might miss out on him as I really like the look of him! I think he is type of player we should be looking to sign more of! Young players in the lower leagues is definitely a market we need to exploit more often. However saying that with our current scouting system, and Del himself saying he hadn't really heard much about the likes of Marlon Pack and Eunan O'Kane, I wouldn't expect those kind of signings to happen at all this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen 15 Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Poor player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Poor player. Would you care to expand on this? I've taken the time to descibe why I feel he is a good player, perhaps you could argue your case more eloquently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Lewis Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 He played in 43 league games this season, scoring 5 goals and also scored a fantastic free-kick in the play-off semi. He's just turned 21, is 6ft 1 and is a central midfielder. He's extremely composed in possession and would argue is one of (if not the) best ball-player/passer in League 2. He could easily step up to Championship level and play in a midfield 2, but also revels in playing as a 3 man midfield. He's a set-piece specialist, takes corners, free-kicks and possesses a long throw too! He's a good talker and organiser on the pitch and is Vice-Captian too. If he can play in goal as well do we need anybody else ?, could save a fortune on wages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderincornwall Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Poor player. Troll account looking at his previous posts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Troll account looking at his previous posts... Yep, I just saw some of his other delightful contributions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gasbuster Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Troll account looking at his previous posts... With a username of PEN15, then yes, that is a given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Ian M Posted May 23, 2012 Admin Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Would you care to expand on this? I've taken the time to descibe why I feel he is a good player, perhaps you could argue your case more eloquently? He plays in L2 init. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcherryberry Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Shame we might miss out on him as I really like the look of him! I think he is type of player we should be looking to sign more of! Young players in the lower leagues is definitely a market we need to exploit more often. However saying that with our current scouting system, and Del himself saying he hadn't really heard much about the likes of Marlon Pack and Eunan O'Kane, I wouldn't expect those kind of signings to happen at all this summer. Agreed. Add Liam Sercombe at Exeter, Matt Ritchie at Swindon & Eddie Ashodi at Forest Green too. All young hungry cheap and talented players on our doorstep and sadly they wont even be on our radar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecretSam Posted May 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Ritchie will go for real money if he leaves, he's known around the country so will have been scouted to death. Pack may have gone under the radar and sounds like just the ticket - worth a punt IMHO. I think lower league talent is absolutely the way to go - so what if 50% don't work out? The other 50% will and some will go on to move on to greater things - if that is City's role, to help nurture young talent to a higher stage, then that's fine, we can make a crust and some success out of that. Better that than take prem players on loan so that someone else gets the benefit of our hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor10 Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Agreed. Add Liam Sercombe at Exeter, Matt Ritchie at Swindon & Eddie Ashodi at Forest Green too. All young hungry cheap and talented players on our doorstep and sadly they wont even be on our radar. Surely it's just common sense to be scouting that kind of market, even more so if Del doesn't know a lot about it? I just think we need a change of policy in terms of player recruitment. Targeting the lower leagues for up and coming talent doesn't really represent much of a risk at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor10 Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Ritchie will go for real money if he leaves, he's known around the country so will have been scouted to death. Pack may have gone under the radar and sounds like just the ticket - worth a punt IMHO. I think lower league talent is absolutely the way to go - so what if 50% don't work out? The other 50% will and some will go on to move on to greater things - if that is City's role, to help nurture young talent to a higher stage, then that's fine, we can make a crust and some success out of that. Better that than take prem players on loan so that someone else gets the benefit of our hard work. Yeah spot on. There is no risk involved going down that route. If they don't turn out to be great then so be it. At least we won't have huge earners on the wage bill and expensive journeymen that nobody else wants. Whereas if they come good, it will only benefit us the more the improve and if we can't keep hold of them at least we would make a sizeable profit from selling them on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Ian M Posted May 24, 2012 Admin Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Yeah spot on. There is no risk involved going down that route. Well apart from the not having players good enough for the 1st XI and getting relegated as a result if they turn out to be carp you mean? But in essence I'd agree that I would like to see us pick up more young lower league signings but this should be done in balance with hopefully a spine of experienced championship performers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor10 Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Well apart from the not having players good enough for the 1st XI and getting relegated as a result if they turn out to be carp you mean? But in essence I'd agree that I would like to see us pick up more young lower league signings but this should be done in balance with hopefully a spine of experienced championship performers. Yeah of course. Obviously we shouldn't flood the starting 11 with novices but I believe there are players at that level that could actually improve our squad. There is bound to be one or two that don't flourish but as you say, if it's done with a balance to it, the chances of success will be greater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jock Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Firstly I don't know if there is actually any story. He's never been officially linked with City, even though I and some other friends have mentioned him to McInnes, to Louis Carey and to a club Vice President. Whether we've actually had a look at him and are not interested I don't know? He came through Portsmouth's academy, and moved to Cheltenham at the start of the 2010/11 season. He played in 43 league games this season, scoring 5 goals and also scored a fantastic free-kick in the play-off semi. He's just turned 21, is 6ft 1 and is a central midfielder. He's extremely composed in possession and would argue is one of (if not the) best ball-player/passer in League 2. He could easily step up to Championship level and play in a midfield 2, but also revels in playing as a 3 man midfield. He's a set-piece specialist, takes corners, free-kicks and possesses a long throw too! He's a good talker and organiser on the pitch and is Vice-Captian too. I'd say he is just what we need. In regard to whether he'll leave Cheltenham even if they go up, I think it's a given. He's got 1 year left on his current deal, and I doubt Cheltenham would stand in his way if an offer comes in. Not sure what any potential fee might be, he's highly rated and could easily go for anything up to £1m, but I'd more realisitically say a bid in the region of £250k could get the ball rolling. Alas, I fear it's all too late though, as there is already interest from Cardiff, Ipswich and now Reading too, so we're gonna miss out on this one. So why is he playing in league two then?I would not worry if you miss him.As Murray Davidson has all those talants too.And Ian Black if you land them next season.Scott Robertson is a good player to,and a Scotland international.And they are all free and looking for clubs.I had thought you would have moved for Swanson.He might move to the Posh,and Brighton and Boro are sniffing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynriley Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I appreciate what everyone is saying with regard to picking up young talent from the lower leagues , BUUUUUTTTTT , when we signed Taylor and Bolasie from L2 last summer , neither were met with much approval. As has been said , picking up 1 or 2 is fine to add to the squad and bring along but we need to be careful not to overload the squad with "one's for the future". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipdawg Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 So why is he playing in league two then?I would not worry if you miss him.As Murray Davidson has all those talants too.And Ian Black if you land them next season.Scott Robertson is a good player to,and a Scotland international.And they are all free and looking for clubs.I had thought you would have moved for Swanson.He might move to the Posh,and Brighton and Boro are sniffing. Where were Black, Robertson or Davidson playing when they were 20 years old? Pretty sure Black & Davidson were squad players for teams below SPL level at that time, not sure about Robertson. The fact he's at a League 2 team now is a completely redundant argument but you keep making it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcherryberry Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 We have always missed out on local talent. From Guy Whittingham & John Mcginally when at Yeovil, Kevin Miller & Scott Hilley at Exeter, Lee Sharp at Torquay, Duff & McCann at Cheltnham to more recently Mackie & Mason at Plymouth. The list goes on. Due to this clubs ignorance on local talent we will miss the boat yet again with the likes of Pack, Okane & Sercombe etc. as bigger fish than us are now waiting to pounce. Sick of this club being linked with second rate Scottish players when we got young hungry cheap talent on our doorstep! It's much more of a gamble IMO taking a 25/26yr old from Scotland than a 19/20yr old kid from the English Leagues 1 & 2. I want my team to be packed with young hungry local lads not a team full of Partridges, Clarksons, Fosters or Sproules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jock Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Where were Black, Robertson or Davidson playing when they were 20 years old? Pretty sure Black & Davidson were squad players for teams below SPL level at that time, not sure about Robertson. The fact he's at a League 2 team now is a completely redundant argument but you keep making it Robertson was breaking into the Scotland team.And Black might still have been at Blackburn.Davidson was playing with Livingston in the SPL.Black played with ICT in the SPL.And moved to Hearts afterwards.Just accept that there better players.And more ready to come into your team now.And please do not slate the Scottish first division.When Don Cowie has played most off his football there for Ross County.And is tearing up your league across the bridge.And for me Black is better than him,just shading it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizzle Jordan Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Robertson was breaking into the Scotland team.And Black might still have been at Blackburn.Davidson was playing with Livingston in the SPL.Black played with ICT in the SPL.And moved to Hearts afterwards.Just accept that there better players.And more ready to come into your team now.And please do not slate the Scottish first division.When Don Cowie has played most off his football there for Ross County.And is tearing up your league across the bridge.And for me Black is better than him,just shading it though. Don Cowie is tearing up the championship? He's good but I wouldn't go that far. Also you said in one of your posts you were a City fan so why say ''your league'' when it should be ''our league'' regardless if the league isn't in Scotland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jock Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Don Cowie is tearing up the championship? He's good but I wouldn't go that far. Also you said in one of your posts you were a City fan so why say ''your league'' when it should be ''our league'' regardless if the league isn't in Scotland. I said City are my championship team,since Del moved there.I am fickle had a thing for Watford a while back when Mackay went there.And now I am off them.So give me a better holding midfielder better than him?Funny thing is he plays out wide,when ever I watch Cardiff.And for Scotland he is a holding midfielder.I am not his biggest fan,but he impressed me in the Lithuania game in Glasgow.I thought he had a great game in his first start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipdawg Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Robertson was breaking into the Scotland team.And Black might still have been at Blackburn.Davidson was playing with Livingston in the SPL.Black played with ICT in the SPL.And moved to Hearts afterwards.Just accept that there better players.And more ready to come into your team now.And please do not slate the Scottish first division.When Don Cowie has played most off his football there for Ross County.And is tearing up your league across the bridge.And for me Black is better than him,just shading it though. I can't dispute any of those things to be fair, though I do know that it's not that long ago that Livingston and ICT were in the 1st division and they may not have been regulars at 20. As I've said before, i rate Black and would be happy if we signed him but surely you see the point I'm making? Where a player is at 20 doesn't necessarily bare relation to where they end up. Look at our old boy, Hartley. Played in the lower leagues of Scotland and England for a number of years before ending up in the Champions League. Davidson, Robertson and Black are not automatically better signings because they are currently a little higher level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jock Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I can't dispute any of those things to be fair, though I do know that it's not that long ago that Livingston and ICT were in the 1st division and they may not have been regulars at 20. As I've said before, i rate Black and would be happy if we signed him but surely you see the point I'm making? Where a player is at 20 doesn't necessarily bare relation to where they end up. Look at our old boy, Hartley. Played in the lower leagues of Scotland and England for a number of years before ending up in the Champions League. Davidson, Robertson and Black are not automatically better signings because they are currently a little higher level I get that why do you think I keep banging on about Mark Millar,the Falkirk play maker.And the big Morocan striker El Alagoui?Both are free and were with Falkirk.Millar might sign a pre contract with Swansea City according to the record.If he does not he is worth a look at on trial.He is still only 23,and looks better than that Higginbotton that Huddy signed and went on loan to Barnsley.Hartley might have been loaned there.He was with Celtic and Hearts up here.And I think he was with Millwall to.He was with St Johnstone,not sure if he played in division 1.Cant remember ever seeing him face Ayr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipdawg Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I get that why do you think I keep banging on about Mark Millar,the Falkirk play maker.And the big Morocan striker El Alagoui?Both are free and were with Falkirk.Millar might sign a pre contract with Swansea City according to the record.If he does not he is worth a look at on trial.He is still only 23,and looks better than that Higginbotton that Huddy signed and went on loan to Barnsley.Hartley might have been loaned there.He was with Celtic and Hearts up here.And I think he was with Millwall to.He was with St Johnstone,not sure if he played in division 1.Cant remember ever seeing him face Ayr. If you get it why do you keep telling us that Black, Davidson and Robertson are better than Pack despite never having seen the latter play? I've heard Falkirk have a reputation for playing decent football (so would be interested if we signed any of their players) but so do Cheltenham. Why are the Falkirk players less of a risk than a Cheltenham one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jock Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 If you get it why do you keep telling us that Black, Davidson and Robertson are better than Pack despite never having seen the latter play? I've heard Falkirk have a reputation for playing decent football (so would be interested if we signed any of their players) but so do Cheltenham. Why are the Falkirk players less of a risk than a Cheltenham one? I have saw Pack play,see him on the football league show every week.And I have watch him in a few games on P2P.And cant see the big deal what so ever.Suppose he is local,and you want one off your own to get behind.I can accept that,how ever if he is any good.The guy will sign for a bigger club on more money.Least I am tipping you off on some hidden gems.I reckon Tam Scobbie could handle SPL and Championship to,and is a good defender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murraysrightplum Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 The Jock in "taking-over-thread-by-mentioning-scottish-players-that-are-better-than-the-one-originally-mentioned" shocker! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderup Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I have saw Pack play,see him on the football league show every week.And I have watch him in a few games on P2P.And cant see the big deal what so ever.Suppose he is local,and you want one off your own to get behind.I can accept that,how ever if he is any good.The guy will sign for a bigger club on more money.Least I am tipping you off on some hidden gems.I reckon Tam Scobbie could handle SPL and Championship to,and is a good defender. Jock, could you name a team of freebies or cheapies from North of the border for us? I appreciate the Hearts and Rangers situations could be to our advantage so have a go if you don't mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chipdawg Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I have saw Pack play,see him on the football league show every week.And I have watch him in a few games on P2P.And cant see the big deal what so ever.Suppose he is local,and you want one off your own to get behind.I can accept that,how ever if he is any good.The guy will sign for a bigger club on more money.Least I am tipping you off on some hidden gems.I reckon Tam Scobbie could handle SPL and Championship to,and is a good defender. So you don't think he's very good but you think he'll go to a bigger club on more money than we will pay?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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