January 26 transfer rumours

It doesnt feel right but what is the solution? Cant put him on the bench and give him a run out to say 'goodbye'. Maybe if it was the last game of the season and we were sat in 14th place.

There has been times he should have been on the bench, 100%. But then again is GA protecting him from a potential injury so it doesnt scupper a move? Or is he preparing for life without him and showing trust in thosr that will be with us come February 1st.

I seem to remember Cook was ill for the game in Plymouth and didnt travel. Ironically Pattison didnt travel either. We havent seen or heard from either since so perhaps there is a little more to it.

 

We need more goals we are sat third and our top scorer has 7 , which is great, but a more clinical finisher , could have helped turn draws into wins.
Humphrey with a better strike rate

 

I do feel for Humphrys sometimes...he has been denied by world class saves and hit the woodwork a fair few times. Needs a bit of luck but I do appreciate he has wasted chances as well!!!

 

Agree with this. We should look to strengthen any weaknesses in the team. A goal scoring CF is something we're missing.

We're doing fine without and are fortunate that lots of players are chipping in with goals, but just imagine where we could be with a 15 goals per season forward.

 

I dunno. Why would Cook and Patto had beef with each other? A possible training clash?

Cooks mrs rubbished any rumours of a rift the other day.

 

I like him he is physical enough and has great skill
He needs to work on his decision making in front of goal
His mobility with Cook,s finishing what a player that would be

 

I don't think it's that. I think it's simply that GA knows he needs to move players on and those two, in GAs mind won't feature and would have definite takers so he's frozen them out to help shift them on.

 

Agreed

 

Im not suggesting Cook and Patts had a beef with each other. Very plausible both could have had words with GA though.

 

A quality striker improves any team.

He doesn't have to be in the Cook mold - could be a rapid pace merchant who plays off the shoulder. Its not like we dont play endless long balls.

 

The thing with Humps is that he isn't a back to goal type of player. Cook is and it seems thats what GA wants his 9 to be. If we played with 2 up top and wingers then he would probably be a lot better. But im sure we've all seen his best work this season is picking the ball up deep and running at players

 

Andy Cook is on ours :-(

 

Humps is a work in progress

 

I might be wrong, but I seem to remember the Grimsby supporters giving Cook some abuse the last time we played them

 

He's been around clubs in league one for a fair while and also came here off the back of 5 goals in 5 games at Barnsley... hardly work in progress. Sometimes I think he can't be arsed and sometimes I think he tries too hard.. an enigma.

 

I think its been standard for his ex club's fans to have given him stick when playing against us.

 

Not many 28 year old works in progress still about....

The lad should be in his prime years now and for the next few but not many could tell you what his best position is or what his best role is.

 

Who/what do the rest of you think would be a good replacement if/when Cook leaves?
I've seen names banded about on here and X, but there's caveats to all of them, as it's exceptionally difficult to sign good strikers in January, when fees are inflated and every other club is desperate to sign them.

Here are a few I've seen and my views, but please add any more in if I haven't mentioned a certain player, I don't mind criticism, it's only a post with opinions and to see what everyone else thinks.
Personally I think a loan move only covers a hole, a permanent deal would be better for us moving forward. However if talks Cook is moving to Grimsby, Walsall have enquired about Kavanagh, then maybe we need a permanent and a loan option?

Jatta - we won't pay the fee they are asking/attitude problems that GA won't want in the dressing room. Pay a big fee now for someone going into their late 20's, do we get a saleable asset? I'd like to see him at city, but I think it's too much of a risk with the above and we don't usually do that anymore.

Hardie - again a proven goalscorer at this level and 10 championship goals with Plymouth. 28 though, with probably no come back on the fee we would pay, also talks of other championship clubs interested like PNE, probably scrap this one.

Longstaff - again another player in his late 20s, but too similar to what we have, not really in the Cook mould, but still we wouldn't complain to have him at this level. If he does leave Millwall, I suspect we'd have a job on getting him with other clubs in the mix, especially Peterborough, who are managed by Luke Williams who got the best out of him.

Josh Stones - this is one that I'd hope is on our list, 22 a saleable asset, very much in the Cook mould, apparently gave Barnsley a very hard time in their FA cup match. Downside, experience in the EFL, will be up to it in league one? Or is it too much of a risk? York's chairman is an interesting character and is playing hardball over him not going.

Daniel Kanu - doing very well on loan at Walsall, but is he another Lowe who has struggled to make the impact at league one level?

Micah Mbick - another Charlton player doing very well at Colchester, but as above, could he make the step up?

 

Time to move onto another target then perhaps?