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Chris Robertson is likely to be leaving Preston ... but more than likely heading for League 1. Whilst he is unlikely to cost a fee, quite simply we wouldn't be able to compete with the sort of wages he would be on at PNE.

http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/national-foo ... -1-5793468

Beginning to get a little concerned that we haven't signed anyone yet, not that we are alone as there are still a handful of other clubs in our division in the same position, but it's more the size of the rebuilding needed by us, given that we have let seven go and lost three others on Bosmans, meaning we are ten short of what we finished last season with ... twelve if you include the two loanees that Knill brought in... that is the concern for me.

Some of those that haven't added anyone yet (the likes of Northampton, Southend) have pretty decent squads already as evidenced by their League standings last year, while others (Bury, Hartlepool) have been through a period of off field transition so are understandably a little behind the others, and some more (Dagenham and Exeter) are seemingly a little strapped for cash just now. We, on the other hand, don't seem to fall into any of those camps, although the finances are always tight and we did appoint a new Manager this summer, it was only a week after the season ended and he had been in situ and familiar with the squad since February.

Most clubs seem to have made three or four signings by now, some (Portsmouth, York, Mansfield, Wimbledon and Fleetwood) considerably more. Quite a few clubs in our division have also already returned for pre season training too. We can only hope that by the time we return (on Friday) that Alan Knill has at least a few new additions to show off as if he hasn't by then I will really begin to get a little worried ... no need for panic just yet though!

The start of the League season is now less than six weeks away and you would want most if not all of your squad in place by then, but in an ideal world I imagine AK would prefer to have them all in place by the start of pre season training, but that seems unlikely to happen now given the numbers we need to recruit. I just hope that he has been looking in the right areas at realistic targets and that our location and wage structure isn't proving too much of a hindrance in his recruitment planning.

Quality post as usuall CP.

I am also feeling more than a little concerned as we have heard he is meeting with a number of targets for over two weeks now and nothing official has yet to be sorted out with them.

Early in this week I know but it would seem Friday will be 5 a side training at best!

herald express said we could be bringing in as many as six this week? I expect things will pick up and we will see a couple of new signings before we're back training on friday, but I think six is a bit optimistic! roadrunner/teeboo got any inside knowledge for us?! please will one of you stop the gloom and give us some good news/something to look forward to!

I strongly suspect that Knill is keeping his cards very close to his chest to avoid playing out a bidding game for players in the press. Players' agents as a breed are dodgier than estate agents (but not as dodgy as politicians, as that is not possible), and they will use any press statements against a club to its detriment. Openness and honesty is not possible in a world inhabited by the Arthur Daleys that act for players.

30/06/2013 is the day when players contracts end so they are proper free agents, hopefully see some movement then

I wasn't worried until AK said on the official site he wasn't keen on too many pre season games, I've never heard a manger say that. It's usually "can't start earlier enough" from managers, esp. new ones wanting create an impression show their authority. His choice fair enough but I felt his reason for that was, no players.

Cards close to his chest or not a full deck?

Worry, worry, worry.

No need to worry DP , 5 pre-season games was allways the bog standard norm. Last season if you remember we packed in P.S.F games after going to the marines and before christmas nearly half our squad were crocked.

Remember Buckle and his new age thinking when he took over at Rovers, played something like 10 p.s.f's and then moaned in October his squad were suffering from fatigue. Read through what AK said doubt it's anything to do with lack of players, we will have a squad whatever happens, whether there his first choices or not. It just seemed like common sense thinking to me.

Ive heard some crap but this post on the ridiculous football rumors site takes the biscuit:

Alan Knill could look to make Torquay more of an ex Scunthorpe and Bury squad as he is eyeing up:
Nicky Ajose- Released by Peterbrough
Andy Barcham- Relaesed by Scunthorpe
Damien Mozika- Released by Scunthorpe
Cameron Belford- ex Bury and current Southend
Ryan Lowe- ex Bury
Paul Reid- Released by Scunthorpe
He is also looking to bring in targets such as:
Shaquille Mac Donald- Peterbrough
Jon Paul-Pittman- Relaesed By Oxford
Stepehn Hunt- Relaesed by Wolves
Matthew Tubbs- out of favour at Bournemouth
Mickey Spillane- Released by Southend
He will also look to get rid of some players to other clubs such as:
Nathan Craig has found interest from David Moyes as he use to play for him at Everton. Could join Utd when he takes over and play in the youth team/reserves.
Damon Lathrope is a target for Luton Town and Knill is ready to sell
Efe Sodje could return as a coach

believable if you take out the sodje, Craig, hunt, and tubbs rumours!

gullno4 wrote:believable if you take out the sodje, Craig, hunt, and tubbs rumours!

Exactly, but you can also discount Barcham as he has already signed for Portsmouth and Lowe who has recently signed for Tranmere, and given that Belford is a keeper and we aren't looking for one you can forget him too!

There may be one or two on there which are realistic targets but most of it is made up rubbish!

haha didn't know any of that!

Never seen such b*llocks in all my life. I mean, if you are going to start some "rumours" at least make the effort to make them slightly believable. Barcham, Sodje, Lowe and Spillane are all already fixed up, and Hunt and Tubbs are out of our league. Most of the others are names we've all mentioned on here. My personal favourite is the Nathan Craig rumour though - he'd be lucky to make the FC United of Manchester reserves, let alone the real MUFC!

Not overly concerned with the lack of activity, as long as there is progress by the end of this week. We need to have our first choice starting 11 in place by Friday. After that, I'd be worried.

Jeff wrote: We need to have our first choice starting 11 in place by Friday.

Cannot see that happening, get worried... :-o

Western Morning say we are to sign 3 this week.

One expected to be Dale Tonge, and a potential signing of Benyon and Chappell.

Knill has said he wants another centre mid, a winger and 2 strikers.

Looks like we are just being patient so I think people need to stop worrying as much.