John Marquis
I think it was a week or so after the Sheff Weds game, I proclaimed that whatever happened in the summer, we should sign John Marquis. It just goes to show that as fans, we really don’t know best, doesn’t it? John has scored in just one of his last 16 matches; Ted Bishop, Anthony Scully, Morgan Whittaker and Lewis Fiorini have a better record. I don’t doubt he’s a decent striker, I don’t doubt he works hard and that he’s got a future in League One, but I do doubt if it is here. I just can’t help but think with Charlie Kendall coming, Ben House in the side and possibly a loan striker too, as well as Freddie Draper, Anthony Scully, Tom Hopper and Chris Maguire next season, that breaking the bank for Marquis isn’t the best use of funds. Given his infrequent starts recently, and his ineffective cameos (he isn’t the only one), we’ll be told a lot tomorrow. If he starts, then perhaps Michael sees him as part of the plan. If not, don’t get too attached, and maybe applaud him as passionately as he always applauds us, because it could be the last time.
I really have enjoyed reading your comments week after week Gary, even the exasperating “played well but lost” theme of so many of them. All I ask is that Michael tries to get a good balance of age and experience and youthful ability for next season. Hard, I appreciate, with only what he can find stuffed down the back of the couch. I’ll settle for a safe mid-table end to next season with a few really good home performances on the way. Oh, and please lads, can we have a good win on Saturday against Crewe? Send us home (or to the pub) feeling good, not full of foreboding. Don’t let us down.