Mason Hancock Signs

Transfer Centre 25/26
83

Yep. This is correct.

I hope they all work… but jury very definitely out on them. We simply don’t know.

There seems to be gaping holes in terms of proven quality and experience in the squad at present.

I’d like to see 4/5 proven players at this level, who know this league or league one - and are exciting. I think we will be in big trouble if the next 5 signings are all this type - non league and experience lacking.

Can’t comment on that either yet, as we simply don’t know - massive summer for Trivela.

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84

I have nothing against the players we have signed, I wish them well here.
I’m still unhappy with Trivela for not sacking MS after the dreadful 2nd half of the season we had.
Someone has to be made accountable for that debacle. By keeping the manager on tells me the owners are not interested in moving the club forward.
We’ll see what happens in the summer, right now I’m not very hopeful I’m afraid.

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85

Burke plays on the right and Hancock is LB or LWB. I think Weir is a possible replacement for Allen although I would rather him stay.

86

:grimacing:

87

Signings in June is a huge improvement on the old days when we’d save on the wage bill by signing leftovers as late as possible.

88

Weir certainly isn’t a LWB. I will give him the slight benefit of the doubt at LCB as a possible Allen replacement as at the beginning of the season when he was fresh from playing games with Drogheda he performed decently there in the cups and some league games. I think being dropped completely by Sadler then asked to come in for Doncaster away and Vale at home was a big ask with no first team rythm.
But not any more optimistic about Weir as I am about the new signings. They are all just potentially decent players.

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89

I did say “possible” as he has to show he can perform well over a run of games.

90

I hear what you’re saying, but our record on signing established EFL players is terrible and our young/non-league pickups have been very good and seem to be getting better.

2020/21 we signed a couple of established league players who had performed elsewhere - Osadebe and Hayden White.

2021/22 we signed more - Stephen Ward, Ash Taylor, Joss Labadie, Conor Wilkinson, Zak Mills, Brendan Kiernan and Monthe. We also took a punt on an up and coming non-league player - Jack Earing.

2022/23 - Established players with experience, Andy Williams, Peter Clarke & Joe Riley. Up and coming/non-league signings Timmy Abraham, Oisin McEntee, Isaac Hutchinson, Comley, Liam Gordon, Taylor Allen.

2023/25 - Established, Priestley, DJ, Oteh & Chris Hussey. Young up & coming - DJT, Stirk, Jackson Smith & Harry Williams.

2024/25 - Established - Adomah, Josh Gordon, Lakin. Up & coming - Connor Barrett, Rico Browne.

We will need some experience in the side, and there is an argument that we need to do better with our experienced signings, but either way, I trust the club more with these young punts than I do with experienced pros.

At the time that we signed most of these young players, they were seen just the same as how our current lot are being received by some.

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91

That is what he was signed as.

The rest about giving him the benefit of the doubt is fair, but I thought he was absolutely ripped apart, particularly against Vale that went beyond being a bit rusty. Surely you’d think he was raring to go, we can’t say players were playing poorly when exhausted then excusing them because they haven’t played much.

Lets not forget Allen wasn’t just good last year, for my money he was one of the best players in the whole division. Do I think Weir can replace that? I don’t think so.

92

He was dire against Vale and looked in trouble defensively against Doncaster. Just think in big games like those against decent opposition you need match sharpness to stand a chance especially as a young player. Maybe he was too raring to go and his lack.of experience at the level meant the occasions got to him. I don’t know but if he starts as first choice replacement for Allen then hope we have a decent back up as we may need them.

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93

For me he is too short to play the role. Allen is a slight player, and was a winger, but he is still quite tall. I worried he would get bullied in the air but in fairness he doesn’t. I can’t say the same for Weir and that is pretty important in that division at Centre half.

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94

Weir seems like a standard left back in a 442 to me.

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95

If I were to guess I’d say Hancock at LWB to replace Liam Gordon and Weir at LCB to replace the apparently departing Taylor Allen

96

Not sure if Weir will make the step up but if anyone had said 2 years Taylor Allen would be the best lcb in the divison, with that number of goals and assists, not sure many on here, myself included, would believe it.

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97

I think both Allen and Weir but Weir more specifically need a real dominant centre half next to them. Sometimes Allens positioning defensively can be suspect. Williams was so important to our game and allowed Allen the freedom.

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98

Yeah but there are pretty clear differences between the two and we have seen Weir in the role already.

You’re right, nobody would have called it. There is a reason for that. It’s extremely rare.

99

Totally agree. Weir in a back 4!yes.

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100

I would like to see him given a chance in midfield, he’s got a brilliant left foot and would have more chance to show off his shooting ability.

101

If taylor goes our potential starting defence- barring no other defensive signing which is unlikely- would be

Dave
Harrison
Evan

Connor
Mason

Daves our most experienced in terms of game time at league 2 level

102

Me too , I’ll have my say when he departs season after next for a nice fee .And woe betide him if he doesn’t post a nice leaving message.:wink:

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