Another busy day down at the One Call Stadium for Adam Murray as he continues to act swiftly during the transfer window.
The new boss announced this morning at a press conference that he was hoping for a new signing by the end of the day, which was confirmed to be former Fleetwood and York winger Matty Blair. He will best be remembered by Stags fans as the man who dashed their hopes of promotion through the play-offs three season ago, when he headed in an extra time winner for York City. He also scored in the FA Trophy and play-off Final in the same season, going on to be named in the Conference team of the year. He can operate on either flank or behind the striker, and is well known for his mazy dribbling skills. I think it is fair to say that his career has not kicked on as people may have expected a couple of years ago, but here's hoping that he can rediscover the form that fired York into the Football League. Adam Murray will be hoping he can inject the sort of flair that has been missing from the team since the Stags promotion to the League Two and is another who will benefit from the ball being played to feet.
The signing of Matty Blair counteracts the departure of left-winger Rob Taylor earlier today, who re-joins former manager Mickey Adams at Tranmere for an undisclosed fee. Taylor showed promise in pre-season as a naturally left sided player who liked to get at the opposition defence and was not afraid to shoot from long range. I don't think he ever really delivered on that early promise, maybe down to the tactics of previous manager Paul Cox, or perhaps down to the personal reasons cited as his reason for wanting to leave, namely his wife being on maternity leave and wanting to be closer to home. It appears to be the right decision for both parties, although the only slight concern following Rakish Bingham's loan to Hartlepool last week, would be the departure of playing staff to other relegation-threatened clubs, which may come back to haunt the Stags.
Credit must go to Adam Murray, who obviously knew of Rob Taylor's imminent departure and had an adequate replacement lined up almost immediately. It had long been a criticism of Paul Cox that he was slow to react in the transfer market and never seemed to have plans should a player want to leave for another club. You cannot help but feel that, under Cox, Taylor would have been sat in the stands until the end f the season, rather than moved out and a replacement brought in. Murray appears to have been well aware of the areas of the squad that needed strengthening and does not seem to be having any problems in attracting quality, football league players to the club. He has so far said all the right things and appears to have brought an air of transparency to the club. If Murray can manage to secure a right full back who is adept at crossing the ball before the end of the month, then he really will have built a squad which should have no problems in avoiding the drop.
The only question now is whether Murray's impressive nous in the transfer market can translate onto the pitch in terms of tactics and motivation. His lack of experience was a huge concern when he was appointed back in November, but he has shown to be a quick learner off the field, looks to have the support of the dressing room and as a consequence I hope the displays on the field start to display that Murray is gaining a grasp on the most important aspect of football management, RESULTS.
The new boss announced this morning at a press conference that he was hoping for a new signing by the end of the day, which was confirmed to be former Fleetwood and York winger Matty Blair. He will best be remembered by Stags fans as the man who dashed their hopes of promotion through the play-offs three season ago, when he headed in an extra time winner for York City. He also scored in the FA Trophy and play-off Final in the same season, going on to be named in the Conference team of the year. He can operate on either flank or behind the striker, and is well known for his mazy dribbling skills. I think it is fair to say that his career has not kicked on as people may have expected a couple of years ago, but here's hoping that he can rediscover the form that fired York into the Football League. Adam Murray will be hoping he can inject the sort of flair that has been missing from the team since the Stags promotion to the League Two and is another who will benefit from the ball being played to feet.
The signing of Matty Blair counteracts the departure of left-winger Rob Taylor earlier today, who re-joins former manager Mickey Adams at Tranmere for an undisclosed fee. Taylor showed promise in pre-season as a naturally left sided player who liked to get at the opposition defence and was not afraid to shoot from long range. I don't think he ever really delivered on that early promise, maybe down to the tactics of previous manager Paul Cox, or perhaps down to the personal reasons cited as his reason for wanting to leave, namely his wife being on maternity leave and wanting to be closer to home. It appears to be the right decision for both parties, although the only slight concern following Rakish Bingham's loan to Hartlepool last week, would be the departure of playing staff to other relegation-threatened clubs, which may come back to haunt the Stags.
Credit must go to Adam Murray, who obviously knew of Rob Taylor's imminent departure and had an adequate replacement lined up almost immediately. It had long been a criticism of Paul Cox that he was slow to react in the transfer market and never seemed to have plans should a player want to leave for another club. You cannot help but feel that, under Cox, Taylor would have been sat in the stands until the end f the season, rather than moved out and a replacement brought in. Murray appears to have been well aware of the areas of the squad that needed strengthening and does not seem to be having any problems in attracting quality, football league players to the club. He has so far said all the right things and appears to have brought an air of transparency to the club. If Murray can manage to secure a right full back who is adept at crossing the ball before the end of the month, then he really will have built a squad which should have no problems in avoiding the drop.
The only question now is whether Murray's impressive nous in the transfer market can translate onto the pitch in terms of tactics and motivation. His lack of experience was a huge concern when he was appointed back in November, but he has shown to be a quick learner off the field, looks to have the support of the dressing room and as a consequence I hope the displays on the field start to display that Murray is gaining a grasp on the most important aspect of football management, RESULTS.
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