Post by Cantankerous Gas on Nov 9, 2015 23:59:56 GMT
Does McNulty’s arrival signal the end for Tubbs at Pompey?
.....However, it must be questioned what implications this has for last year’s top goalscorer in League Two. Matt Tubbs was the first name on the team sheet for the remainder of last season, after signing for the Blues back in January, but it appears that the change of manager over the summer did not do him any favours. After being substituted off after 60 minutes against Stevenage on October 20, the number nine has not started one game since and has only really featured off the bench for ten-minute spells.
Furthermore, with the recent loan of Caolan Lavery, this time from Sheffield Wednesday, Cook has made it quite clear that the strike-force is an area that he feels needs strengthening. With the likes of Conor Chaplin knocking on the door and Adam McGurk, who scored both goals against Macclesfield, back from injury, it is hard to see where Tubbs will fit in. It will be interesting to monitor who claims those spots in the starting line-up with the busy Christmas spell drawing ever closer, but if the 31-year-old is not getting regular games, there will undoubtedly be a number of teams after his signature in January.
Ultimately, with Tubbs not actually being Paul Cook’s signing, it wouldn’t surprise me if he is to leave in two months’ time. The Liverpudlian boss now has the opportunity to shape his squad in the way he likes and bring in players to suit his playing-style so perhaps the move for McNulty, and indeed Lavery, will bring improvements on the pitch, as Pompey press for a place in English football’s third tier next term.
.....However, it must be questioned what implications this has for last year’s top goalscorer in League Two. Matt Tubbs was the first name on the team sheet for the remainder of last season, after signing for the Blues back in January, but it appears that the change of manager over the summer did not do him any favours. After being substituted off after 60 minutes against Stevenage on October 20, the number nine has not started one game since and has only really featured off the bench for ten-minute spells.
Furthermore, with the recent loan of Caolan Lavery, this time from Sheffield Wednesday, Cook has made it quite clear that the strike-force is an area that he feels needs strengthening. With the likes of Conor Chaplin knocking on the door and Adam McGurk, who scored both goals against Macclesfield, back from injury, it is hard to see where Tubbs will fit in. It will be interesting to monitor who claims those spots in the starting line-up with the busy Christmas spell drawing ever closer, but if the 31-year-old is not getting regular games, there will undoubtedly be a number of teams after his signature in January.
Ultimately, with Tubbs not actually being Paul Cook’s signing, it wouldn’t surprise me if he is to leave in two months’ time. The Liverpudlian boss now has the opportunity to shape his squad in the way he likes and bring in players to suit his playing-style so perhaps the move for McNulty, and indeed Lavery, will bring improvements on the pitch, as Pompey press for a place in English football’s third tier next term.
Last Christmas time.....
Bristol Rovers boss Darrell Clarke is facing competition in the bid to land top January transfer target Matt Tubbs.
Clarke is believed to be keen on signing the Bournemouth striker and it is thought that their time together at Salisbury City could help him persuade Tubbs, 30, to become part of Rovers' bid to return to the Football League at the first time of asking.
But after scoring 15 goals on loan at AFC Wimbledon since the start of the season, Tubbs remains a hot property and is attracting the interest of four or five other clubs.
The security of a long-term permanent contract could help Clarke sway a deal in Rovers' favour for a player who is set to return to Bournemouth at the start of January to consider his options before becoming a free agent in the summer.
Clarke is believed to be keen on signing the Bournemouth striker and it is thought that their time together at Salisbury City could help him persuade Tubbs, 30, to become part of Rovers' bid to return to the Football League at the first time of asking.
But after scoring 15 goals on loan at AFC Wimbledon since the start of the season, Tubbs remains a hot property and is attracting the interest of four or five other clubs.
The security of a long-term permanent contract could help Clarke sway a deal in Rovers' favour for a player who is set to return to Bournemouth at the start of January to consider his options before becoming a free agent in the summer.
