Reflections on Cookie's Departure

Reading through this thread, there are a few posts arguing that when Cook got his chance with us in league 1, he did nothing. That 'chance' consisted of a total of 220 minutes over 8 games. Great chance that.

At Grimsby, Cook has played 1082 minutes, scored 7 goals and got 2 assists.
Yes it's league 2 and there are no guarantees he'd be as successful in league 1, but if he'd stayed with us and been given the 529 minutes Wheatley's had and the 277 minutes Mullin's had there's 0 'chance' we'd be any worse off and a decent possibility he'd have scored at least 2 or 3.
I know he requested the move because he wanted game time and I respect that, but he could have had that game time here and it feels like a massive error of judgement on GA's /the transfer committee's part to decide not to give him that chance and to just let him go.

 

He wanted out.

 

Of course he did. He needs to be top dog which he was never going to be again with us. All very simple and not even worthy of debate

 

If ever there was a player who wasn't going to put up with not being the main character it was him.

 

He wasnt playing games for the best part of that year because he was injured, strange thing for him to say

 

I don't think he's having a pop to be fair, I think he just means being injured was horrific.

 

Anyone with half a brain should have been able to work that one out. I'm struggling to believe that people reading that thought it meant that he wanted out, it's just baffling.

 

Of course he wanted out, he was barely getting any minutes here

 

He left because was not wanted by Alexander. His article in the T&A said it broke his heart to leave the club but had an offer to play he did not have at City so felt he had to leave and save his career.

 

He barely got the minutes because Alexander wanted him out, not the other way around. Of course he was going to take Grimsbys offer once it was made clear that he wasn't wanted but half of you are making out he sulked and handed in a transfer the request the minute he realised that he wasn't starting a game. It's nonsense and you're just trying to create a narrative to stifle any debate about whether it was the correct decision or not.

 

Do you know for certain that GA wanted him out, or just a guess?

Personally, I think the issue is not that we allowed him to leave, but the inadequate January recruitment when we were in a strong position to challenge and maintain a top 2 spot

 

We recruited poorly In January. Some could have paid off ...Jackson etc. but our main scorers have been going into injuries or recovering and taking a while too get back.....but still a good return... Sarc-Pointon Our current strikers are not prolific at all...

 

Folk may know more than me but if Grimsby miss out on the playoffs and we get in ........ does Cook become our player again till his contract is up

 

He will come back, all players contracts end in June. I think that they have to ask the parent club if he can play in the playoffs? Whether he would be in theory able to play with us is a moot point. I don’t see why not, his contract doesn’t expire till June.

 

I think you will find the answer will be No. Even if Alexander wanted him.

 

Wheatley gash, Mullin a has been.
Enough said.

Cook playing 2 games per week, scoring, assisting, had heart for the club. Unlike the jokers bought in on loan. We've kept Powell ffs too set against the Cook departure.

Abject decision by the club. So too woth Brad.

 

I think loan signing contracts run from January to June to cover potential playoffs, so no we wouldnt be able to recall him, even if Grimsby do not make their playoffs.

 

I think Cookie going , playing regularly and scoring goals ,will get him a 2 yr contract somewhere in League 2 ......as much as I wanted him to stay at city and GA breaking up the North east group , not getting the game time ,he would've probably got a 12 month in league 2 .

 

He didn't even include him in the squad once he was fit, despite scratching around for someone to desperately find some form in the number 9 shirt. I don't think it takes a genius to work out that he didn't fit Alexander's ideals and wasn't wanted.

On your second point, without doubt the winter recruitment is the biggest disappointment this season, that's pretty unanimous I'd say but only strengthens the opinion that not playing Cook then allowing him to leave turned out to be a far from perfect decision.

 

I agree. But I wager a fall out between Cook and GA. He was 'ill' for Plymouth and never seen again despite injuries and us been shite in front of goal. He wanted out and GA wasnt having him anymore.

A sad end.