Thetownend.com

Mark Marshall is on trial at Bournemouth now...

I have confidence he will sign here

been there for a while hasnt he

linked up with the squad today.

We're a league higher. They've got no money and are starting on -17 points.

If he's got any sense he'll sign for us.

N'ah he could join them, be there superstar and join Southend next summer. BOSH.

but we have messed him around

True but if Bournemouth offer a contract before we do, he will see himself going to a League club and not wait around for us to see if we offer any thing. aEven If Bournemouth got relegated he would still be at a superior level to where he is now with a pretty good chance of going back up.

Gazza have you ever seen this boy play?

What is the point in getting another average right winger?

Should say I havnt seen him play. But id find it hard to believe he is ready to play league 1.

I think a Championship/Premiership loanee will suffice for the time being.

He's only played against Hampton admittedly, but we had a full team out and he was the best player on the pitch, macca included, definately worth a shot. Whether he's the messiah or not who knows.

he looked poor against portsmouth

if he was good enough malpas would have offered him something

I think throwing an Eastleigh player into the deep end seems a little desperate to me. I think he may have been good as a back-up, but our form of bringing Non-Leaguers hasn't been tip-top in recent years/decades.

i have said this before, sign him and bring him on for last 15 minutes, his pace would be lethal.

Surely a youngster from one of the Premiership teams on loan for a season would be better???

Malpas said he wanted players that wanted to play for Swindon Town.
Obviously Betsy didn't, why push for him when he was in two minds. Marshall is desperate for a chance, at least he wants to prove him self and give it his all.

betsy would rival jpm for a starting place.marshall would be lucky to make the bench.we need players already good enough imo, as we have a load of youths that are nearly good enough already.why add another nearly player?

 :nod:

I agree with Mr. Arriba.

I still think a loan will suffice for now.

I also agree. Thought he showed glimpses of potential and pace v Portsmouth, but a "Kaid" level rather than anything better . Didn't see him in the Hampton game though

Loan is the way I reckon

I think he would be one to sign with a view to him not being a first team regular but acting as cover and developing and to become a first team regular next season

I don't think MM had doubts about signing him, for the sort of money he'd cost in wages, I just think that the Heaven's to Betsy signing was first choice in that RM slot. I'm guessing Fitz will be getting a call now that ones goen tits up.

Betsy was never going to sign........

Could've mentioned something earlier ;)

Yea, you could've told Malpas so he would have had time to get someone else...that's just selfish keeping it to yourself

It was money. He waited for whoever offered the most.

Of course it was - hence the umming and arghing - you can't blame him although I'm glad the club didn't go desperate and offer him more for the sake of making a signing.

Looks like Marshall could be on his way after all!

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/display.var.2421800.0.marshall_back_in_malpas_sights.php

I see Malpas must think JP needs competition

not on todays performance he doesn't.

But that's the point isn't it? He knows that we tried to sign Betsy and are now after Marshall. Just knowing that has presumably given him the kick up the jacksy he needed.

Exactly thats how competition in teams works. Defo improvement from JPM today.

Top comment on that story sums it up for me. We should never have bothered with Betsy. From reading what MM was saying in today's Adver it was almost like he was never really going to sign. So why did we even bother in the first place? Should have just signed Marshall there and then. If he turns us down can't say i blame him.

It's obvious isn't it, Southend were more desperate for a RW than we were so they offered him more money.

Is he better than JPM? Well, he's different, but anything else is debatable.

When Roberts is fit, on top form, and up for it, then he is better than Betsy could ever be.

What I found odd about Malpas this summer is that he's been absolutely desperate to keep his targets a secret until the deal was done but on 3 different players he's named them and it's fallen through pretty soon after! I think Charlie Mulgrew was probably the closest we got to signing any of them.

If Mark Marshall opts for a potentially Conference bound club then so be it - he'd be no major loss... Neither Myrie-Williams or Anyinsah (both the type of player MM is looking) played for their clubs today and we know that Malpas is waiting on someone. I believe that's where Malpas' priorities lie. Marshall's arrival would simply add a little extra.

I think you will find that it is the press that usually finds out who the player is and Malpas hasn't got a lot of choice but to confirm it

http://www.thisisswindontownfc.co.uk/display.var.2421970.0.marshall_poised_to_sign_for_town.php

looks likey to sign in next 48 hours

He's a bit raw. We are both taking a bit of a gamble. He could easily stay in the conference comfort zone. We don't know if he'll hack it in league football.

I'm not sure he will improve the squad immediately but he has a year to develop and improve. He seems to have a great attitude and wants to play for us.

Good luck to the lad if he signs.

I liked the quotes from Fitzroy Simpson - I know it's an agent talking up his client but I am a sucker for former players saying things like "...been approached by Bournemouth but I'm selfish in this instance and he's got to come to Swindon. He's got to help my town out."

As a ex-town player once told me "Fitzroy's a complete knob, but you can't help but like the bloke". 

Getting the best deal for his client which is surely L1 football and probably a bit more money than Bournemouth surely

Just as an aside, I notice the Adver discribed Fitz as a 'Town Legend'. Absolutely no way. I've nothing against the bloke but he's a former player. Nothing more, nothing less. Simply having turned out for the club does not make you a legend. By that token, Aaron Brown is a Town Legend ???

I agree - but to compare Fitzroy to that Lincoln legend is unfair.

I think we all know that "legend" is used far to often these days.  Seems that some can't talk about previous good players without them coming out giving them legendary status.

Parkin was barely a historical rumour. Bobby Howe on the other hand was full on Mythological.

According to my sources, Eastleigh have accepted Towns offer for Mark Marshall and he will sign in the next 48hrs.

http://www.eastleigh-fc.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2096.0

what does that link say?  work internet facisits wont let me look for some reason

"The Club can confirm that we have agreed, in principle, to the transfer of Mark Marshall.  Eastleigh Football Club have agreed a substantial undisclosed fee with Swindon Town, and it is hoped that the formalities will be completed within the next 48 hours.

Mark will be in the squad for the home match tonight with Newport County here at the Silverlake Stadium (ko 7.45pm)"

They seem to think he'd be better off with them for the sake of his career. I disagree, I think he'd get a fair few appearances here, and with our better coaching staff he'd definitely benefit. We'll have to wait and see I guess.

The comments their fans were making reminded me of all the things we said before Jutkiewicz went to Everton and Tozer to Newcastle! 

I agree with you Tails - I think we'll find him coming on for the last 15-20 mins of games to use his pace and run at tiring defences!

I think he'll make a handful of sub appearances, maybe start a game or two in the Autopaint Vans Trophey before dropping back into non league next season.

I hope you'll be wrong...I fear you'll be right.

I think he'll feature substantially this season playing on the left as a decoy for McNamee so that McNamee can play on the right defenders will be utterly confused - especially when they secretly swap shirts at half time...

I assume he's in their squad tonight to get some match fitness.

Surely if the transfer is set to be completed in the next 48 hours he shouldn't be in their squad to play through fear of him picking up an injury and his move faling through, surely this isn't fair on the player - unless stfc are happy for him to play.

Spot on.  Darren Dykes...Ben Martin etc etc

Substantial undisclosed fee? Substantial in whose world?

Well on their forum they state £20k as being a big enough figure, so I recon around that is substantial enough for Eastleigh.

We could use him as a McNamee sub - tell Macca to run himself into the ground for 70 mins rather than 90, then bring on Marshall

Signed on two year deal!!

Two years! crikey thats more than I thought but fair play.  Lets hope he does well here.

I wish I could be filled with excitment about this but Im not

Worth a go

He'll do ok, maybe marked out by a very good back, but he'll tear some of them apart, he could come on in place of macca if he's having an off day, or on the other side to ease the pressure. We cant lose with this signing, if he turns out cack, we wont have lost much, but i'll be surprised if thats the case.

Not sure it's worth a go on a two year deal. Too big a gamble to justify it IMHO.

If it's two years, they must have seen something decent in him - I don't think we are looking to throw money away.

C'mon guys! You are basing your opinions are a few appearances he's made, one of which was against Portsmouth! MM,the coaches and scouts have seen something in him and he must have an impression in pre-season training for us to pursue him. I'm quietly confident he will be a success here.

I agree TGR, Peacock said during the commentary of the Pompey game that he really has quick feet and very skillful and is one to watch out for.

2 years is worthwhile we saw what happened with comminges and its not worth losing out again even more so considering we are paying a fee.

It could go either way though. Could be the next Comminges , in which case 2 years is brilliant. Could be the next Kaid, in which case we'll be looking to offload at our cost.

I'm not trying to right the guy off, just surprised it's 2 years for someone who was second choice to Betsy.

I thaught Mcmanee was pants when i first saw him....look at him now,hes got 2 years but he wont be on mega money....not a gamble really in my eyes.

Commingues was unknown, we signed him for a season, he shone, he fucked off at the first opportunity.

Marshal has something about him and if he turns out to be a good signing we'll be glad we signed him for two years.

We'll never know if we don't give him a chance! 

I'd rather have Marshall than Betsy. Expectations are lower with a player like this and when they excel it's ace.

I was worried about Betsy, he's had a fairly unremarkable career and has hardly set the world alight anywhere. He wouldn't have come here and become better, afterall he's already nearing the end of his career. In fact he'd probably have come here on a 2 year deal, been shit and would've been the focus of the fans frustrations.

Marshall could become a class act. Betsy won't become a class act.

Never seen the lad play - but I trust Malpas, so far he has made the right decisions with signings, so lets hope this is another one.

What was it people were saying about MacNamee when we signed him on a two and half year deal when he supposedly couldn't last 90 minutes. Oh...

pointless.

yet again you will be proved wrong.

i would make a bet with you but i know you couldn't afford the stake.


i'll just have to accept pure pride.

I shall be showing my faith in MM mkII by changing my avatar :)

The Betsy deal was the one Iear just couldn't get excited by. Paying a fee for a 30 year old that had played his entire career in the lower leagues, and moved clubs every year or two. The very definition of a journeyman.

Stuff that. We can afford to sign the odd raw youngster and give them a go. This lads not going to be costing much in comparison to Betsy, so I've no problem giving him a 2 year deal.

Does the 2 years not hint that we will farm him out somewhere this year perhaps up to Christmas - werent there lower league teams interested, to get some experience and see how it goes from there?

Would have thought it would make more sense to ship him out when roberts is fit. He'll be needed as back up to JP currently

There's not much point saying you want to improve his game on the training field and then shipping him out to a club where the coaching and the games are not much above the level you've brought him in from if you ask me.