Not many rumours come out of the club these days

Wouldn't mind big Jamille Matt.

Was great the season before last when Newport were good but him and Amond seemed to struggle this year. 

Have no idea if he's mobile enough but from recollection he was a nightmare to defend. Not massively prolific but I think Askey's system is predicated on a fairly equal sharing of goals, as opposed to a reliance on the frontman (though one who could get 15 would be lovely).

I think the problem with securing a forward in our system is that we sort of need a physical + mobile striker who can do it all; have it to feet and lay it off, physically bully centre halves in the air, and run the channels to stretch the defence.

Unfortunately, if a player can do all of these, he probably doesn't score much, as if he did, he'd be playing a lot higher.

With fitness and regular starts Cullen will get goals (on a limited sample size, he had the second best minutes/goal ratio in the league), but his lack of physicality may weaken the overall team. Then again, we went on our best run of the season with Cullen up top, and his first-touch and distribution looked class. He doesn't really get in behind much, though.

Point I'm trying to make is that the forward isn't going to be perfect if we continue with Askeyball; he'll either score a few, but not do a great deal as a link up man, or do everything you'd want as a forward without scoring many, instead facilitating others to share the goals out.

When Askey won the National League with Macc in 17/18 on one of the lower budgets of the league, his top scorer had 14, and his 2nd top had 9. Askey doesn't need/want the 20 goal a season, team on his shoulders forward.

That's why the likes of Matt and Nouble, not prolific but good all-round footballers, might be the best option.

Edited June 29, 20205 yr by Joe B

Jordan Turnbull released by Northampton. I'd sign him in a heartbeat!

25 year old centre back - played the majority of games for Northampton last season and bagged 5 goals so not sure why he's been released?

Think he's a left footer too so would add balance to our defence.

2 minutes ago, valeparklife said:

Jordan Turnbull released by Northampton. I'd sign him in a heartbeat!

25 year old centre back - played the majority of games for Northampton last season and bagged 5 goals so not sure why he's been released?

Think he's a left footer too so would add balance to our defence.

Would be the perfect signing but will be loads of competition. Think he can play in Joyce's role too.

Chance to come to a promotion chasing team, settled defence, experience next to him and behind him.... won't hold my breath but I'd hope we'd at least speak to his agent and see what he's wanting.

Edited July 2, 20205 yr by Joe B

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/curle-explains-reasons-behind-turnbulls-shock-exit-cobblers-2902292

Released for financial reasons. He's either on loads of money or Cobblers don't have much money left.

On 29/06/2020 at 13:19, Joe B said:

Wouldn't mind big Jamille Matt.

Was great the season before last when Newport were good but him and Amond seemed to struggle this year. 

Have no idea if he's mobile enough but from recollection he was a nightmare to defend. Not massively prolific but I think Askey's system is predicated on a fairly equal sharing of goals, as opposed to a reliance on the frontman (though one who could get 15 would be lovely).

Scores a lot of headed goals. Scott Bennett is the best player released by Newport. Excellent as a rightback and in midfield. Probably their best player last season. Would be an upgrade on Atkinson and would be pushing for a start in 2 positions. Matt must be a possible as he's a Birmingham boy.

On 29/06/2020 at 13:29, Joe B said:

I think the problem with securing a forward in our system is that we sort of need a physical + mobile striker who can do it all; have it to feet and lay it off, physically bully centre halves in the air, and run the channels to stretch the defence.

Unfortunately, if a player can do all of these, he probably doesn't score much, as if he did, he'd be playing a lot higher.

With fitness and regular starts Cullen will get goals (on a limited sample size, he had the second best minutes/goal ratio in the league), but his lack of physicality may weaken the overall team. Then again, we went on our best run of the season with Cullen up top, and his first-touch and distribution looked class. He doesn't really get in behind much, though.

Point I'm trying to make is that the forward isn't going to be perfect if we continue with Askeyball; he'll either score a few, but not do a great deal as a link up man, or do everything you'd want as a forward without scoring many, instead facilitating others to share the goals out.

When Askey won the National League with Macc in 17/18 on one of the lower budgets of the league, his top scorer had 14, and his 2nd top had 9. Askey doesn't need/want the 20 goal a season, team on his shoulders forward.

That's why the likes of Matt and Nouble, not prolific but good all-round footballers, might be the best option.

Cullen is pretty good with his back to goal. Its a lack of height rather than a lack of physicality. I think he's missed out sometimes due to a lack of height in the side rather than his inability to play the role.  Watching the playoffs was a reminder that you sometimes need 5 big guys in this league when playing the likes of Northampton. 

On 27/06/2020 at 00:53, Pennywise said:

Ian Henderson released by Rochdale. He found out via social media, too, appallingly.

He’s 35 years old. 16 goals in a struggling side, in the league above last season.

Over 100 goals for Dale in 7 years. Excellent penalty taker.

I’d drive him here myself. Would definitely do a job at this level. Local too.

He’s older than the main striker we already have, and the pontiff has scored well over 100 goals in the last 7 years.

9 hours ago, Conrad said:

He’s older than the main striker we already have, and the pontiff has scored well over 100 goals in the last 7 years.

Whilst that is true, he didn’t score 16 goals in a struggling side in League One last season? He wasn’t even our first choice striker for large portions of the season.

He’d be Bennett’s replacement, anyhow. Then a younger, nippy player to come in and challenge Cullen. He’d be Archer’s replacement. If Popey is unfit, suspended or out of form, who do we turn to for that target man role? Worth pursuing, IMO.

It's an interesting discussion. But I imagine he'd be on a very good wage, want to play games all the time and not be on the bench. 

What do the Dale fans think? Lost his legs? Or badly wanted to keep him? Or was he released for financial reasons? Salford on his doorstep? Promoted Crewe?

I'm doubtful if he's a priority with Pope here.  It's more likely I think that we go for another younger lad or two with potential (Quigley/Bennett/Hugill) rather than an older experienced player who will want a fair wage and a regular start.

I'd focus most of our spending power (if we have any) on a replacement for Taylor and his goals from midfield. That's the crucial position for me. A 10 goal midfield player who can go box to box. A centre half is also needed. And I'd love to see Clark back. They are the 5 players I'd be looking to bring in.

Don't get me wrong. You can't have enough good players but looking at our squad and at our finances I think our priorities lie elsewhere.

 

Henderson is more a 10/ winger/ midfield player. He won't be coming to play down the middle on his own. He makes Cullen look a giant. There are quite a few younger players of similar styles available. Its not impossible that we will sign him but it would be as the 2cd forward he'd like. I'm sure he wants a more mobile centreforward than Pope competing with Cullen for a starting spot but it will be someone around 6ft not 5ft 6. My view is his priorities will be:

1 replacing Smith

2 main centreforward

3 reserve keeper

4 the other 3/ 4 recruits

I haven't made a prediction like this since summer 2011 (predicted Pope would score over 15 goals) but I think Burgess, Conlon and Oyeleke will get 20 goals between them next season. Watched the Scunthorpe game from last season and Newport from 2018/19 last night. It was noticable how much further up the field we were getting 2 of 3 midfield players towards the end of last season. Burgess probably does it naturally but Conlon's much more advanced and aggresive with the ball. His natural instinct before was to drop back into the pocket to pick the ball up whereas as the back end of last season he was clearly looking to support the striker. I'm guessing Askey is working on getting 2 of his midfield 3 to do that more.

1 hour ago, JRC said:

Henderson is more a 10/ winger/ midfield player. He won't be coming to play down the middle on his own. He makes Cullen look a giant. There are quite a few younger players of similar styles available. Its not impossible that we will sign him but it would be as the 2cd forward he'd like. I'm sure he wants a more mobile centreforward than Pope competing with Cullen for a starting spot but it will be someone around 6ft not 5ft 6. My view is his priorities will be:

1 replacing Smith

2 main centreforward

3 reserve keeper

4 the other 3/ 4 recruits

I haven't made a prediction like this since summer 2011 (predicted Pope would score over 15 goals) but I think Burgess, Conlon and Oyeleke will get 20 goals between them next season. Watched the Scunthorpe game from last season and Newport from 2018/19 last night. It was noticable how much further up the field we were getting 2 of 3 midfield players towards the end of last season. Burgess probably does it naturally but Conlon's much more advanced and aggresive with the ball. His natural instinct before was to drop back into the pocket to pick the ball up whereas as the back end of last season he was clearly looking to support the striker. I'm guessing Askey is working on getting 2 of his midfield 3 to do that more.

Said similar myself JRC, Manny in particular has an opportunity ( again fitness permitting ) to get forward lots with Joyce sitting. 

Manny himself ought to be setting a target of at least 6 ,,, that's goals , not appearances 😂

20 hours ago, Joe B said:

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/curle-explains-reasons-behind-turnbulls-shock-exit-cobblers-2902292

Released for financial reasons. He's either on loads of money or Cobblers don't have much money left.

Strange rationale, I’m wondering if going up has been dangerously costly for Northampton - taking the players off furlough and nt getting crowds through the gates.