Stockton scored 13 league goals in his first season then 23 in his second, not bad in a relegation threatened team like Morecambe. He is nothing like Ajose in that respect.
He may not want to move down south but Kirk has settled in much more since staying with Lavelle so something can be done to help him bed in.
Plus, we look like an exciting team to be part of and potentially on the up, so for the sake of his career, why wouldn't consider being part of that.
Stockton is essentially doing a Lyle Taylor to Morcambe, off the back of one good season, and people are still clamouring for him.
If he was rated as worth the risk, why has it got to the point that he has had to hand in a transfer request, and it is only Fleetwood who have come in with any sort of tangible bid for him?
He really isn't, as he is trying to leave during a transfer window. If anything it's more like Scott Parker, but then I'm sure down the years we've signed plenty of players who threw a strop to try and force a move away.
We don't know how much Morecambe have been asking. Teams might have been making informal enquiries, hearing the price and deciding to hold fire on a bid until Morecambe were quoting a sensible price.
Re: Stockton - I, for one, will be delighted if we could get him. He's certainly not a Nicky Ajose, who was frequently outmuscled when he joined us, which only went onto damage his self confidence. Altogether he was a lightweight player. Stockton is the antithesis of this. He's strong (he reminds of Lyle Taylor when on the ball ie difficult to dislodge), calm and clever and he knows where the net is. He's also at the perfect stage in his career where his cumulative experience has started to reap rewards. If they could get him I believe it will turn our season from being automatic 'promotion possibles' into 'promotion probables'.
Lavelle is a good leader but just lacks a few things. I think it's athleticism and dominance. But he was getting into the swing of things, then got injured last season.
Moan about Chuks all you want but don’t you dare slag off Gunter.
Simon Francis wibble wibble
A good example of being a good player despite your views. Or perhaps you are a better judge than , say , Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe. As you say Wibble wibble 🥸
I got pelters on here a few years back when I suggested Francis was better than Solly. In fairness I did underestimate Solly a bit but I commented that I liked the fact Francis was taller which may have been responsible for the Charlton Life height test.
I always thought the errors Francis made was down to him trying to make things happen in a poor team.
I though Carlton Palmer was better than Xavi, to be fair .
Out of interest, do you all think we should be targeting a centre forward or somebody who can play in the middle and out wide?
I would say the latter, probably a false 9 type.
The cover for Stockley is very light. Arguably, neither Leaburn or Aneke could reliably cover for 3 or 4+ games of 60-90 minutes if Stockley got injured. An experienced striker who can bring people in to play and hopefully chip in with goals is the cover that is needed.
I already think we have a decent amount of cover on either side of the 3 up top. I count 6 players that could play in those roles (and, given Tuesday night, I now include Leaburn as one of those options). We've got just 2 to cover Stockley, and both come with caveats.
CB for me. Not sure about Lavelle and Innis will probably be injured for a time.
I like Lavelle - he's more than fine for this level. All our CBs are very much L1 standard and none of them really stand out. I also think that Clare could also perform fine there in a pinch, and whilst not optimal, I think there's midfielders that could slot in at RB. I understand the need for another defender, but I think if we did sign one, I wouldn't want much money spent, as they'd likely just be a squad player. Plus, Elerewe is out on loan and (again, probably not ideal) could be pulled back in January as cover.
Clean sheets will be determined more by Wollacott than any of them, imho.
Moan about Chuks all you want but don’t you dare slag off Gunter.
Simon Francis wibble wibble
A good example of being a good player despite your views. Or perhaps you are a better judge than , say , Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe. As you say Wibble wibble 🥸
I got pelters on here a few years back when I suggested Francis was better than Solly. In fairness I did underestimate Solly a bit but I commented that I liked the fact Francis was taller which may have been responsible for the Charlton Life height test.
I always thought the errors Francis made was down to him trying to make things happen in a poor team.
I though Carlton Palmer was better than Xavi, to be fair .
Stockton is essentially doing a Lyle Taylor to Morcambe, off the back of one good season, and people are still clamouring for him.
I don't see him refusing to play in a relegation fight, using covid as an excuse whilst his team mates tried to battle on to the end.
Have a look at the Morcambe reaction to see if they feel he is doing right by them. It does not matter the circumstances he’s still seemingly refusing to play so he can get a move, which is exactly what Taylor did.
The points Morcambe could potentially be dropping now because he’s not playing could effect them towards the end of the year - time will tell.
Garner has spoken extensively in interviews about how he wants the right character in the team. Does this sound like the right sort of character to people?
CB for me. Not sure about Lavelle and Innis will probably be injured for a time.
Lavelle does look like he is running on water
Not sure who signed him. He's not big, slow and doesn't look comfortable on the ball. This shows even more, now we have O'Connell. Probably why we are looking for another. Decent squad player in league 1.
Wasn't Lavelle a backup choice after we didn't get Jason Kerr who went to Wigan? Would like a left footed CB that could slide out to LB in an emergency if needed.
Wasn't Lavelle a backup choice after we didn't get Jason Kerr who went to Wigan? Would like a left footed CB that could slide out to LB in an emergency if needed.
Yes believe this to be correct, Kerr transfer was on, then off, then back on, then off right at the end.. We did try to get Lavelle earlier in the window for cheaper, but ended up paying a bit more.
I think he is a decent player, but nothing outstanding, more of a back-up!
Cannot wait for Chuks to bang some goals in when he is back just to shut 1956 up for a while.
I cannot wait either but frankly the number of appearances to injuries is almost the same si ce January. 9 appearances in 6 months and still no idea when he may put a toe over the line. 4 goals in 6 months is no good for a promotion hopeful like us.
Others think the same but it is me again you go for. Why ? Do you think 9 games in six months is OK especially when quite a few were cameos that required me to get out a photo to recognise him.
Because you just go on and on about it. Everybody gets it, you’re extremely tired at Aneke’s injury issues. Do you really have to repeat it every day?
Only because people keep banging on about how effective he is and when he cines back etc , etc.... Logic says it will take a miracle for that to happen soon. Besides which when he came back and then got injured in short order I got pelters because I said I expected that.
He is not the Messiah and to even get on the bench he needs to be much fitter than now.
Put simply do you or anyone else on here really think he can keep up with the pace and exertion of Garner Ball.
Having said that Bowyer despaired of Morgan bothering if we were under pressure. This year he seems to be a revelation compared to that Morgan.
I know others on here think the same so ho and bang on at them instead but please don't say that the lastv6 or 7 months have revealed a super fit Aneke because bthey haven't so far.
That's fine. Aneke divides opinion, let's see how he does when he is back. Until then, if you fancy laying off him for a day or two you might not get so much stick.
Nothing but pure speculation on my part but it’s weird that there has been no serious links with Stockton from any of the league’s front runners. One season wonder or not, he was good enough last season that teams must be looking at him. I read it that they’re being put off by the price Morecambe are asking but I’d be duty if there have not been lots of enquiries for him.
Depending how you read Garner’s comments, he alluded that someone needs to shift on their demands for us to sign a striker.
We’re at the time in the window where selling clubs start to soften and buying clubs get a bit more urgent. The middle ground will get found on lots of potential negotiations that might have come to a stand still a week or more ago.
It might be 2+2=5 but I wouldn’t be shocked if Stockton to us (and a few other teams with promotion ambitions) would fall into that category.
I can't help thinking that a striker who knows where the goal, like Stockton has proven to be at a 'small' club, might just score shed loads in the attacking format we played against Plymouth. Assuming we only have to trump Fleetwood's £100k offer, something like £150k feels like a relatively small financial outlay with, potentially, massive gains at stake. For me, the most important consideration with him is whether he is genuinely up for a move down south as we risk another 'Ronnie Schwartz' situation if not.
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He may not want to move down south but Kirk has settled in much more since staying with Lavelle so something can be done to help him bed in.
Plus, we look like an exciting team to be part of and potentially on the up, so for the sake of his career, why wouldn't consider being part of that.
We don't know how much Morecambe have been asking. Teams might have been making informal enquiries, hearing the price and deciding to hold fire on a bid until Morecambe were quoting a sensible price.
I already think we have a decent amount of cover on either side of the 3 up top. I count 6 players that could play in those roles (and, given Tuesday night, I now include Leaburn as one of those options). We've got just 2 to cover Stockley, and both come with caveats.
Clean sheets will be determined more by Wollacott than any of them, imho.
The points Morcambe could potentially be dropping now because he’s not playing could effect them towards the end of the year - time will tell.
Garner has spoken extensively in interviews about how he wants the right character in the team. Does this sound like the right sort of character to people?
Probably why we are looking for another.
Decent squad player in league 1.
I think he is a decent player, but nothing outstanding, more of a back-up!
With Innis, Lavelle and O'Connell + 1 more I think we have a solid CB partnership.
”he will take liberties in the National League “
”He will be a fucking cheat code”
”Best player in that league “
Been subbed off in the last two games well before the end