9 minutes ago, JRC said:

I wasn't in the country at the time. I was complaining to someone very much connected to the club when I came to the UK early April that season for 10 days. I thought it was ridiculous we let Hall go without experienced backup and that our subsequent relegation form backed that up. I got told then about Hall Clarke and one or two other things. I am very confident it's true.

Logically if the story put out by the club at the time was true (he left to be near his family) then he wouldn't have come back. Burslem hasn't moved 150 miles south and east in the last 2 years. He also hasn't gained a second family from Stoke. There were a couple of people who posted rumours about the Hall transfer on OVF when it happened. At the time I had no idea if there was any validity to them.

I can believe it with what was going on at the time. 

Doesn't really matter does it, both great men.

3 hours ago, Guppys left peg said:

Interesting interview with Phil Sproson (Gabriel’s agent) about how he came to sign here. Saw off competition from 6 other clubs and finally down to us and a “well established L1 club” and he chose us. Positive sign we are not just looking to make up the numbers next season.

Good article, looks like the website that broke the story had solid information.  I'm guessing Lincoln were the side he chose not to sign for as they are established but further from London.  Charlton were probably the side who were leaving him hanging after they got promoted.  It's not that much easier commuting Stoke to London than from Blackpool. Northampton would be much easier!

6 minutes ago, Rory said:

I can believe it with what was going on at the time. 

Doesn't really matter does it, both great men.

There was a lot going on, although given the circumstances it was understandable.  Both men did a lot for the club and have been very good ambassadors.

2 minutes ago, JRC said:

Good article, looks like the website that broke the story had solid information.  I'm guessing Lincoln were the side he chose not to sign for as they are established but further from London.  Charlton were probably the side who were leaving him hanging after they got promoted.  It's not that much easier commuting Stoke to London than from Blackpool. Northampton would be much easier!

He could well live somewhere south of Blackpool in which case it’s not too bad a commute, we just don’t know.

4 hours ago, werstayinup said:

Although we know Curtis can play up top(I aren't sure that's where DM sees him playing long term) in reality we have Tolaj/Stockley and Paton as our current strikers,I really dont think Paton's future is at Vale(obviously could be wrong) so for me we are going to need at least 2 strikers to come in if DM wants to carry on with 2 up front(which i am sure the majority of us would like)

We only need 1 new striker but they have to be top half league 1/championship level. Tolaj and a decent new signing up top and then Stockley and paton in reserve. I don't think paton has had a chance yet. Tolaj is good enough for this level, stockley has the experience, paton still needs a chance and then a young up and coming striker who like tolaj we think could be very good. We don't want to be pissing cash up the walk just for the fun of it.

Slightly off topic but Man ure have signed Cunha from Wolves for 62.5mill. Crazy.

2 hours ago, Diego Maradona said:

Couple of general comments:

1) Wouldn't be surprised if Mitch does sign. My main reason is that, for me, the use of 'wing backs' are our main way of getting out from the back and putting pressure on the opposition. DM may want to prioritise this position as a real priority when attacking. I think we'll be quite 'solid' as a team but we are going to need to get out. With Mitch, Gabriel, Headley, John we've got decent wing backs.

2) Regarding 'getting out/forward' we must get someone in who can link the midfield and attack.

 

Dont forget we have Shorrock as well who imo is capable of stepping in when needed but if Clark does sign again then it would spell the end of Hart for me,I think we would try and move him on then

1 minute ago, werstayinup said:

Dont forget we have Shorrock as well who imo is capable of stepping in when needed but if Clark does sign again then it would spell the end of Hart for me,I think we would try and move him on then

I'd be looking to offload Hart whatever happens. The weakest link in the squad?

27 minutes ago, Conrad said:

Slightly off topic but Man ure have signed Cunha from Wolves for 62.5mill. Crazy.

I think he is a very good player but fees in the Premier are ridiculous anyway

44 minutes ago, Conrad said:

He could well live somewhere south of Blackpool in which case it’s not too bad a commute, we just don’t know.

If you subscribe it says his family live in London in paragraph 2.

His partner became quite famous for a TikTok about this time last year. She inadvertently broke that he was on the verge of a transfer (Lincoln or Oxford,  can't remember) in discussing looking for schools. 

14 minutes ago, werstayinup said:

Dont forget we have Shorrock as well who imo is capable of stepping in when needed but if Clark does sign again then it would spell the end of Hart for me,I think we would try and move him on then

I think Shorrock needs to go out on loan for a season, or at least 'til January. 

3 minutes ago, JRC said:

If you subscribe it says his family live in London in paragraph 2.

His partner became quite famous for a TikTok about this time last year. She inadvertently broke that he was on the verge of a transfer (Lincoln or Oxford,  can't remember) in discussing looking for schools. 

Nah I don’t subscribe, still Boslem is 90 miles nearer to London than Blackpool.

Looks like Stoke are set to send Nathan Lowe out on loan again.  Any thoughts out there? He certainly did exceptionally well for Walsall until he was called back in January.  Arguably, had he remained at the Bescot for the second half of the season, Walsall wouldn't have missed out on promotion. 

7 minutes ago, Bycarsbill said:

Looks like Stoke are set to send Nathan Lowe out on loan again.  Any thoughts out there? He certainly did exceptionally well for Walsall until he was called back in January.  Arguably, had he remained at the Bescot for the second half of the season, Walsall wouldn't have missed out on promotion. 

Would think it’s unlikely they would send him to us but I would take him. 
 

More likely ends up somewhere else in League 1, they’ll ideally want him at a challenging team like Stockport or similar.

1 minute ago, NW9Valiant said:

Would think it’s unlikely they would send him to us but I would take him. 
 

More likely ends up somewhere else in League 1, they’ll ideally want him at a challenging team like Stockport or similar.

Being heavily linked with Reading.