Players linked thread

[Jonty]

the priority up front is to bring in instinctive goalscorers. A front 3 who can return 40+ goals between them. Massive ask but that is what we need to break into top 5.

[Jo am back]

To be honest I believe we are only a couple of decent strikers away from being a force in this league.

[Hitthebar22]

Agree generally about the striker(s), but also they’ve to be given chances to score. Don’t think we created enough scoring opportunities last season - I’ve said before it’s not as though chances were being squandered, or the opposition goalie making great saves - just didn’t get the ball in positions where there was a good chance of a goal. Ok good strikers find room and create their own opportunity, but just think we’ll need one or two can open up defences to create chances for others too.

[blumooncrab]

I felt we created loads of chances - e.g. Leyton Orient, Hartlepool - (could have been 9-0) etc. etc. ; so many times we could/should have scored 3 or 4 goals but we never trounced anyone and we never got trounced. . If Tyler had stayed after Xmas we could havebeen in the top 6 no doubt . Still it was a great season by our standards. Roll on next season- I'd take Jordan Williams anytime - he's perfect for 4-3-3.

[Middleton Nick]

Jordan Williams would be over budget.

[Suffolk Blue]

Look forward to this thread every year. Its always interesting reading the views on who would choose who.

If there is one thing I've learned from Ian Evatt over the last season is that he has a pretty strong understanding of what he wants. What makes him so interesting is that he also comprehends the clubs financial limitations which he is not put off by, and clearly establishes close bonds with existing squad players and in particular young players.

What this says to me is (a) forget marquee signings because apart from the prohibitive cost that's not what IE is really looking for; (b) forget all these former players who are now available again - there's no reason for IE to want any of them. He doesn't know them so most of them will mean nothing to him and (c) in terms of the players we do sign dont expect to be initially overwhelmed by any of their CVs; indeed dont necessarily expect to be previously aware of them much if at all. IEs network has already proven to be pretty good. He does seem to know people, who know people, who can identify decent prospects. I expect him to seek out those who are highly recommended by those who's opinion he trusts.

Whilst it may be true that a couple of 20 goal a season forwards might transform our prospects dont expect us to sign them especially if they've previously scored 20 goals a season in this division. I think IE sees his task as being to create these capabilities where he sees the potential rather than buy them in. I think that was behind his initial recruitment of Jacob Blyth which actually was seen as a potentially smart move at the time even though it didn't ultimately work out.

For those reasons it would not surprise me if Dior Angus did come on a permanent basis if we can afford him. He impressed at times last season, but not at others and he suffered a few injuries during his time with us. IMO he certainly has what it takes to become a really good addition at this level but he is not the finished article by any means. However all the signs are that IE will think long and hard before discarding members of the squad (even loanees as per Luke Hardcastle and Dior Angus), thus recognising that promotion challenging sides tend to be created from a decent core of a retained squad. Lastly, he's still a new and "young" manager so he will (as with Sam Hird, Josh Kaye and Jacob Blyth) tend to favour prospects he's encountered as a player though clearly this tendency will diminish. So prospects with a previous Chesterfield or Blackpool connection might be a good bet.

[Jonty]

Whilst it may be true that a couple of 20 goal a season forwards might transform our prospects dont expect us to sign them especially if they've previously scored 20 goals a season in this division. I think IE sees his task as being to create these capabilities where he sees the potential rather than buy them in. I think that was behind his initial recruitment of Jacob Blyth which actually was seen as a potentially smart move at the time even though it didn't ultimately work out.

If we want to finish anywhere near the top then a 20+ goals scorer is an absolute priority. 4 of the top 5 teams scored 20 goals or more than us. Our top scorer was Hindle with 12 and half of them came from off the bench.

number 1 priority.

[chipmunx]

Look forward to this thread every year. Its always interesting reading the views on who would choose who.

If there is one thing I've learned from Ian Evatt over the last season is that he has a pretty strong understanding of what he wants. What makes him so interesting is that he also comprehends the clubs financial limitations which he is not put off by, and clearly establishes close bonds with existing squad players and in particular young players.

What this says to me is (a) forget marquee signings because apart from the prohibitive cost that's not what IE is really looking for; (b) forget all these former players who are now available again - there's no reason for IE to want any of them. He doesn't know them so most of them will mean nothing to him and (c) in terms of the players we do sign dont expect to be initially overwhelmed by any of their CVs; indeed dont necessarily expect to be previously aware of them much if at all. IEs network has already proven to be pretty good. He does seem to know people, who know people, who can identify decent prospects. I expect him to seek out those who are highly recommended by those who's opinion he trusts.

Whilst it may be true that a couple of 20 goal a season forwards might transform our prospects dont expect us to sign them especially if they've previously scored 20 goals a season in this division. I think IE sees his task as being to create these capabilities where he sees the potential rather than buy them in. I think that was behind his initial recruitment of Jacob Blyth which actually was seen as a potentially smart move at the time even though it didn't ultimately work out.

For those reasons it would not surprise me if Dior Angus did come on a permanent basis if we can afford him. He impressed at times last season, but not at others and he suffered a few injuries during his time with us. IMO he certainly has what it takes to become a really good addition at this level but he is not the finished article by any means. However all the signs are that IE will think long and hard before discarding members of the squad (even loanees as per Luke Hardcastle and Dior Angus), thus recognising that promotion challenging sides tend to be created from a decent core of a retained squad. Lastly, he's still a new and "young" manager so he will (as with Sam Hird, Josh Kaye and Jacob Blyth) tend to favour prospects he's encountered as a player though clearly this tendency will diminish. So prospects with a previous Chesterfield or Blackpool connection might be a good bet.

pretty much agree with all that which is why the 2 names i put in the thread are Bradley Barry a right back who Evo knows from Chesterfield and Kurt Willoughby from FC United (although Stockport and Wrexham are already rumoured to be interested there too)

[chipmunx]

Another name in the ring;- a young left full back called Alex Brown currently playing for Buxton (same level as we got Hindle and Granite last summer) - 20 years old and just got his 2nd call up to the England C team - a former Sheffield Utd Junior - so probably known to our assistant manager.

[chipmunx]

according to the radio Cumbria link Evo is hoping to have 2 more signings in the next week

[SKIPPER]

Look forward to this thread every year. Its always interesting reading the views on who would choose who.

If there is one thing I've learned from Ian Evatt over the last season is that he has a pretty strong understanding of what he wants. What makes him so interesting is that he also comprehends the clubs financial limitations which he is not put off by, and clearly establishes close bonds with existing squad players and in particular young players.

What this says to me is (a) forget marquee signings because apart from the prohibitive cost that's not what IE is really looking for; (b) forget all these former players who are now available again - there's no reason for IE to want any of them. He doesn't know them so most of them will mean nothing to him and (c) in terms of the players we do sign dont expect to be initially overwhelmed by any of their CVs; indeed dont necessarily expect to be previously aware of them much if at all. IEs network has already proven to be pretty good. He does seem to know people, who know people, who can identify decent prospects. I expect him to seek out those who are highly recommended by those who's opinion he trusts.

Whilst it may be true that a couple of 20 goal a season forwards might transform our prospects dont expect us to sign them especially if they've previously scored 20 goals a season in this division. I think IE sees his task as being to create these capabilities where he sees the potential rather than buy them in. I think that was behind his initial recruitment of Jacob Blyth which actually was seen as a potentially smart move at the time even though it didn't ultimately work out.

For those reasons it would not surprise me if Dior Angus did come on a permanent basis if we can afford him. He impressed at times last season, but not at others and he suffered a few injuries during his time with us. IMO he certainly has what it takes to become a really good addition at this level but he is not the finished article by any means. However all the signs are that IE will think long and hard before discarding members of the squad (even loanees as per Luke Hardcastle and Dior Angus), thus recognising that promotion challenging sides tend to be created from a decent core of a retained squad. Lastly, he's still a new and "young" manager so he will (as with Sam Hird, Josh Kaye and Jacob Blyth) tend to favour prospects he's encountered as a player though clearly this tendency will diminish. So prospects with a previous Chesterfield or Blackpool connection might be a good bet.

Spot on. As I mentioned earlier one such player is Aaron Smith who finished last season with 1874 Northwich (Can't get much further under the radar than that ! ) He was top scorer for Forest under-23 in 2017-18 but surprisingly released.Went to resurrect his career with Hamilton Accies in the SPL but found the massive leap too much and for whatever reason returned to his Manchester roots and joined 1874 simply to keep match fit. His manager there doesn't expect him to be available for them next season and says he is capable of playing at League 2 at least.

[BillyBlue]

Suffolk Blue wrote "So prospects with a previous Chesterfield or Blackpool connection might be a good bet."

Maybe a punt on Stephen Dobbie from Queen of the South?
Played alongside Evo at Blackpool in the Championship & Premiership.
Age is against him but if Evo thinks he can do a job for 1 season then love to see him here

[Jonty]

Evatt recognising cutting edge needed. The division below had a few notable goalscorers and so did the Northern Premier. 40+ games and 20+ goals strikers. The rest of our game is not too far away but if we need a key signing this is the one

[Steelworks End]

Dior Angus has been released by Port Vale - possible return to Holker Street?

Two other Vale players who have donned a Barrow shirt in the past - Luke Joyce and Tom Pope - are under contract to the club.

[HenneysKnee]

Bradley Barry a right back released by Chesterfield - played 22 games for them mainly in the 2nd half of the season (when they were actually winning games) scoring twice - aged 24 - joined Chesterfield in 2017 so Evo knows him. Apparently turned down a new contract looking at the Chesterfield forum.

Good scouting