Over the last couple of days we have been linked with a couple of players, whilst a national league player has been transfer listed. So here is the low-down on each player, and my thoughts on them.
Dayle Grubb –
Walsall were today linked with the Forest Green Rovers attacking midfielder. He is 28 years old and has a lot of games under his belt. Overall, he has well over 300 appearances, with just over 50 of those in League Two with his current employers. He has chipped in with a few goals too for FGR, h0wever he was extremely prolific in Non-League. This season he has been limited to a handful of appearances after suffering a thigh injury.
What do I think? In terms of attacking midfield, and for our attack in general, we are lacking in both depth, and experience. Grubb would certainly help with this. A couple of seasons in League Two shows that he can play at this level, and that will be key. He also has been out with injury, and will be looking to get back on the pitch. He is a player used to playing at least 25 games a season, and so far he is nowhere near. I think he will be driven to prove his fitness.
Vital Verdict – Sign him up! He would add that experience in our attacking midfield, and if fit, could be a real asset.
Kwame Thomas –
A Striker we have been linked with is 24 year old Kwame Thomas. Despite his age, Doncaster are Thomas’ 4th permanent club, with several other loan spells. He hasn’t been prolific wherever he has gone, only managing a handful of goals at best. This season has been his highest ratio, with 3 in 10 in League One, however 2 of these were against Southend in a 7-1 win, which is not saying much. His career echoes that of Adebayo’s. Both have struggled for goals at their respective clubs, and both have struggled to find a home at a club.
What do I think? I think he is too similar to the problems we have. We need Strikers who can score, and have a good track record with goal scoring. I know that is difficult at this level, but having 4 as the most scored in the league in a season isn’t the type of player we need right now. We have already got players we are developing, such as Adebayo, Candlin, and in some ways, Gordon (who is only 1 year older that Thomas)
Vital Verdict – Don’t sign. I feel the money would be better spent elsewhere. However, if we do sign him, he will have my full support as per any Walsall player.
Danny Rowe –
First up, we have not been formally linked with Rowe, however there have been whispers (to be fair, most of League 2 have probably shown an interest). Rowe was yesterday transfer listed by Fylde. In the summer, he expressed his desire to move away after they missed out on promotion to the football league after losing to Salford. He will no doubt interest many League 2 and some League 1 clubs. He is a goal scorer, possibly the most natural that non league has seen, scoring 35, 31, 48, 24 and 27 goals respectively in his last 5 seasons.
I think he is the type of player we need. He can carry the ball well, score many types of goals, and gets around the pitch well. He is very much an Andy Cook type of striker, and there is no doubt he would score goals for us. This season has been a non-starter for Rowe, who, since Dave Challinor left, has really fallen out with Fylde. Rowe may well speak to former Fylde player Hardy about whether Walsall is a good club for him, and personally I do not think Hardy would give a glowing reference after spending most the time here off the pitch rather than on.
Vital Verdict – Sign him up! A natural goal scorer and someone who would really mix up our attack. He offers something very different to Gordon and Lavery, and would really strengthen the team.
