Joel Rollinson (Hungerford Town – transfer)
The Shots appointed former Hungerford Town man Luke Campion as Head Scout earlier this month, and so it is perhaps no surprise to see a Bulpit Lane boy as the player Town should add. Ross McNeilly’s success has been built on young, exciting, energetic players with real promise that he can develop and as such I think they should go for Joel Rollinson.
In a Town side struggling this term, Rollinson has impressed for Danny Robinson’s side and has demonstrated that he is a really promising talent with a bright future. A versatile midfielder, he can play in behind the front man or out wide, and is a skillful, creative player with technical quality, close control and footwork, is best playing on the front foot with quick one-twos, playing in pockets and doing so at speed.
The former Stevenage man is a player that I think can play higher, and would certainly fit into the ethos McNeilly is trying to build with his energy and work-rate off the ball, and his technical ability on it. An eye for a goal, he’d be a superb addition.
Brad Roscoe (Hyde United – transfer)
The Robins have addressed their attacking options recently in the market with a couple of additions, a lot in fact, however with the departure of Toby Mullarkey – one of the best defenders in the National League – I think that Phil Parkinson should try and bring in a defender to strengthen their options.
Having received fees for Ryan Colclough, Toby Mullarkey and Marcus Dinanga, even despite the outlay on Regan Linney, a transfer fee could well be a viable option and as such I think they should look at Brad Roscoe
Playing fairly locally – at Greater Manchester outfit Hyde United – he is a player capable of playing at left-back or more naturally at centre-back. He is a progressive defender, capable of bringing the ball out of defence and into midfield very much like Mullarkey did, and is a threat from set-pieces having already bagged 7 goals this term.
Parkinson has a good track record of being able to find players from lower in the pyramid on the younger side and developing them, and Roscoe could be a good fit for the sort of player he likes to recruit.
Aaron Drewe (Queens Park Rangers – loan)
Ben Wynter has really impressed this term for Barnet, however I think that if they are to maintain their push right until the end of the campaign and give themselves the best chance of being promoted, I think adding a younger, more mobile option to be understudy to Wynter may be beneficial.
As such, I think The Bees should add Aaron Drewe on loan from London neighbours QPR. They only have one loan at present and so have that option available still in the market, and Drewe is a player that has impressed in non-league before with Weymouth. An attacking full-back that can carry the ball forward, dribble past players and is very much the modern-day full-back. He is progressive, has a yard of pace and is good technically.
He had a good loan spell with Weymouth, and I think that a loan with a side in Barnet that are in the midst of a promotion campaign would be a really good next step in his development.
Malik Mothersille (Chelsea – loan)
This is one player that I have repeatedly said that Boreham Wood should try and bring into the club in the remaining time this season, a dynamic, all-action attacking player that can provide a different dimension to the Wood attack, and so I am again banging the drum for Chelsea youngster Mothersille.
Mothersille has electric pace to be able to stretch teams, and that is something which I think Wood need in being able to play in behind teams and give them something to think about. He is a versatile player that can play through the middle or out wide and has the tendencies to rotate freely in game, he gives them more trickery and energy in the final third of the pitch.
Boreham Wood could perhaps be a beneficiary of proximity, capable of signing top loan players from London-based academies, and as such I think that he’d be an ideal addition for Luke Garrard’s side.
Jay Benn (Lincoln City – loan)
Bromley already have two players on loan in the form of Charley Kendall and Sam Long, so why not make it a hattrick? Jay Benn has been struggling for game time at Sincil Bank, and as such if he is to go out and get first-team minutes this season, Hayes Lane could be a reasonable location for him.
Benn is a versatile player, capable of playing at full-back and in midfield, and is able to pass the ball under pressure with composure. He is a strong athlete that is a confident ball-carrier and can operate as a winger in transition with his pace and power, and would give Andy Woodman’s side a bit more of an athletic, energetic wide player that can play forward.
He knows the division having played for FC Halifax Town earlier in his career and so would adapt well to life in the fifth tier. A composed player, and I think he’d be a super signing.
Andrew Dallas (Solihull Moors – transfer)
If you ask Chesterfield fans the one area of the pitch in which they need to strengthen, it is at the top end of the pitch. They create chances, but just cannot put the ball in the back of the net. And, after losing Kabongo Tshimanga, that problem is only greater. As such, I think they need to get the cheque book out and go for Andrew Dallas.
Dallas has been subject of a lot of interest in the January window from higher in the leagues, but he has not yet moved on from Damson Park. However, I think that Paul Cook should go out and land the forward.
Dallas will provide The Spireites with that clever attacking player in and around the box that can score and create, picking up intelligent pockets of space on the shoulder of defenders, the energy to press, and the movement to play in behind and cause teams problems. He is a natural finisher, and could provide the icing on the cake for a Chesterfield side gunning for promotion.
Nathan Odokonyero (Bognor Regis Town – transfer)
Dagenham and Redbridge have a long track record of bringing through good strikers from lower in the pyramid; Dwight Gayle, Britt Assombalonga and Fejiri Okenabirhie have all come through with The Daggers. As such, I’d like to see them continue that with the signing of Nathan Odokonyero from Bognor Regis Town.
He has started the season brightly and shown himself to be a consistent goal threat for The Rocks, as one of the sharpest shooters at that level. He is strong, robust, powerful and a real handful with his athleticism in the final third. A fierce strike on him, he is formerly on the books of Lincoln City and is someone with real potential to go far in the game, a player who we recently featured in one of our pieces as an up and coming talent in non-league.
The Daggers have just benefitted in receiving a fee for Josh Walker and as such I think they should reinvest some of that to secure the signing of a bright, young attacking talent.
Kyle Egan (Truro City – transfer)
Would it surprise you if I suggested that Dorking Wanderers need to strengthen in a defensive capacity? They need to improve at the back end of the pitch, and as such an extra defender is needed.
Dorking Wanderers look to play a front-foot, risk-laden, expansive style of attacking football under Marc White and as such whoever comes in needs to be good technically, thus it needs to be someone that is comfortable on the ball.
One player that I think they could look at is Kyle Egan. Egan is currently at Truro City in the division below, and is someone that has good pedigree having come through the Exeter City academy. A player that is strong with the ball at his feet, a strong dribbler, able to play through the thirds and is a confident ball-carrier, he is the modern-day, attacking full-back.
He has so much promise, and is someone I think can go far. I think he would thrive in the Dorking Wanderers system under White, and as such I feel they should go for him.
Rafferty Pedder (Queens Park Rangers – loan)
Eastleigh have made good use of the loan market so far this season, and I think it is likely Lee Bradbury looks to use it again if he is to strengthen their squad before the deadline. As such, one player that The Spitfires should look at is Rafferty Pedder.
Bradbury has some strong, physical players in the middle of the pitch with the likes of Cisse and Atangana, but I’d like to see them add another technician in the middle of the park. Pedder is that, someone that is a strong technician, composed with both feet, a player that is capable of picking the ball up from deep and drive through the thirds and getting shots off.
He can contribute with goals and assists, is the clever and intricate player that can knit everything together in the final third and can add a different dimension to this Eastleigh midfield. He has that little bit of star quality that I think could take The Spitfires to that next level which they need to consolidate a push for the play-offs. They already have links to Rangers with Alfie Lloyd, thus Pedder seems a logical one.
Kyle Crossley (Newcastle United – loan)
Gateshead have already signed a striker this month, with Marcus Dinanga signing from Altrincham. As such, I would like them to go and add some more creative qualities to their side now to be able to open up teams, and thus they could look at Kyle Crossley.
Crossley is in the academy at Newcastle United, and would follow in the footsteps of fellow Magpies players Turner-Cooke and White in securing loan moves away from the club. Described as a tricky and accomplished winger, Crossley is a confident dribbler with close control and the ability to drift into central areas with the ball from out wide.
A versatile option given that he can be used anywhere across the front, Crossley is an exciting talent with the technical competencies to be a real threat for National League defences and is intelligent too, and as a replacement for Elliott, I think he’d be ideal.
Bailey Cadamerteri (Sheffield Wednesday – loan)
There is one clear position on the pitch in which The Shaymen need to strengthen; attack. They are likely to make use of the loan market in order to do so, and one option which I think they should consider is youngster Bailey Cadamerteri from fellow Yorkshire-based outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
Only 17 years of age, Cadamerteri is rated as one of the higher flyers in the Wednesday academy having been in and around the first-team on occasion this season, and I think that now is the time for him to get some regular first-team minutes to aid his development as a player.
Fairly strong and athletic, he has the ability to play off the shoulder with his pace and power and also receive the ball into feet. Someone with a real athleticism to get about the pitch, run the channels, provide a different dimension to this Town attack, he is an exciting prospect that is reportedly attracting the attention of Premier League sides and would be a coup for Millington to pick up.
Casey Pettit (Luton Town – loan)
Maidenhead United are a well-organised, robust side, however I think that they need that little bit more mobility in the centre of the park and the ability to play forward through the lines. One player that could be an option for them to look at is Luton Town youngster Casey Pettit.
He has recently joined Lewes on a 1-month loan, however I think that testing him with The Magpies at a higher level would be good. Tenacious tough-tackler, dynamic and a leader, he would be a good addition to this Maidenhead United side in giving them player that is more comfortable in possession.
A first-team loan spell in the National League would be a really worthwhile step for him at his stage of his career, and playing under a manager in Alan Devonshire that has a track record of developing players and a coach in Ryan Peters who I rate highly, that could be ideal.
Zech Obiero (Leyton Orient – loan)
I wouldn’t imagine that Maidstone United have a great deal of scope for bringing in players between now and the end of the season, with a reliance – no doubt – on having to utilise the loan market. As such, with Elokobi’s links to Brisbane Road as a player, I think they should go in for Orient youngster Zech Obiero.
Obiero has had a handful of games so far this season albeit is likely to fall foul of Orient’s League Two title aspirations and the fact he will largely not be used in the second-half of the campaign. As such, a loan away from the club to get some first-team minutes could well be a boost for him at this stage of his career.
He is a box-to-box player, provides end product in the final third – of which The Stones are lacking – and all the round technical quality to be better in possession and cause teams problem going forward. They need someone that can win a game and create something from nothing, and Obiero could be that man.
Louis Lomas (Southend United – transfer)
Southend United are struggling financially, and so are likely to be open moving on players, and one player that could well be moved on is defender Louis Lomas. Notts County need to strengthen in a defensive capacity, with options slightly light on the ground, and Lomas is someone I think would be the ideal fit.
Suggested by Notts fan Tom Williams as a target they should be looking at, he earned a lot of praise for his performances at Brackley Town and has still not been able to break his way into the Blues first-team properly with a consistent number of minutes. And yet, I am convinced there is still a top player there. If there is anyone that can get the most out of a player, Luke Williams is that man.
He would represent an astute long-term investment, and as such The Magpies should take advantage of the situation at Roots Hall and go for the former Canaries academy player.
Nobody
Oldham Athletic are quietly trying to break a record for the number of contracted players on their books this term. They have brought in more players that you can swing a cat at, and yet they still cannot turn their situation around.
However, I am not suggesting them to go and sign anyone between now and the end of the season. There should be enough in the building, with the players they have on paper, to have more than enough to get themselves out of trouble.
If I was Frank Rothwell, I would be slamming the door firmly shut at Boundary Park, lock it, chuck away the key, and not let Unsworth in a single player more until he has worked out how to get the best out of what he already has. If he doesn’t like it, tough! It is now up to you to find it within you as a coach to make the most of the players at your disposal.
Lewis Ward (Sutton United – free transfer)
New owner David Hilton spoke about how they are trying to bring in an experienced goalkeeper to give competition for Owen Foster, and one player that I can see being a realistic option for The Iron is Lewis Ward.
Ward has recently departed Sutton United and so is available on a free transfer, thus is a cost-effective addition to the United squad and one which can be wrapped up fairly trouble free. Ward has good EFL experience under his belt, and is a big and imposing goalkeeper that can be commanding and take control of the backline in coming for crosses, getting his team out of trouble by relieving pressure at set-pieces and being an all-round presence in goal.
He is 25 years of age, has over 100 senior appearances and as an experienced option that can help Foster develop and also be a good option if called upon, he is worth a deal.
Frankie Maguire (Sheffield United – loan)
Neal Ardley has faced criticisms for wanting his side to keep trying to play out from the back, and as such I think they need to add a possession-comfortable player in the middle of the park that can enable them to play through the thirds.
One target that they could look at, with a loan spot still in tact, is Frankie Maguire. On loan with Kettering Town in the National League North, Maguire has impressed for The Poppies and is highly-rated as one of The Blades’ key young players looking forward.
Confident on the ball, Maguire is technically strong, is capable of playing in both advanced and deeper midfield roles, and even though he may not be a direct starter, a loan at Solihull Moors could be a useful one in his development having shown signs that he is a top player with Kettering Town already so far.
Nobody
For obvious reasons, I haven’t picked anyone to come in for Southend United between now and March. Obviously, matters are perhaps focused elsewhere – mainly in ensuring they are still afloat at that point – and hampered by a transfer embargo, Kevin Maher will likely have to stay with the same squad of players he has currently.
That being said, The Blues do have a strong squad to pick from and a group of players who are being well-coached and already performing, and while goalkeeping strengthening is perhaps needed, I think there is enough in this squad to ensure a successful season.
Tom Smith (Bath City – transfer)
Torquay United need to strengthen their midfield options, with Asa Hall suffering a lot of injuries and getting no younger, while Ryan Hanson and Brett McGavin are lacking in quality. Thus, Johnson needs to try and add another body in that area of the park.
The Gulls already have six loans in the building and may not want to add another loanee into the equation, and so taking advantage of the 7-day notice period to be able to sign players from a lower division, I think that Gary Johnson should lodge a bid to try and bring in Tom Smith.
Smith was reportedly heading to Plainmoor in the summer, named by a certain reporter as having signed for the club, and is a player I have been a long-time fan of. A skillful, attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, capable of shooting from range and the ability to drive through the thirds, he is out of contract in the summer and regardless of what division United are in, I think now is the time for him to move on and test himself elsewhere.
Euan Williams (Charlton Athletic – loan)
The Stones have to be creative in the way that they sign players and often make use of the loan market, and already have strong connections with Charlton Athletic, and as such I think they should go for midfielder Euan Williams.
Williams is a former England youth international and is a current Northern Ireland youth international, someone comfortable with the ball at his feet and a good fit for a Wealdstone side that are given the freedom to play the ball around and employ an attractive brand of football under Stuart Maynard.
He is an attacking midfielder by trade, someone with an eye for a goal and has an intelligence in the final third, and I feel he’d be a valuable addition to Maynard’s squad.
Jordan Green (Gillingham – transfer)
Woking perhaps need to add with a little bit of pace and power to their attack, with a squad that are hard-working, robust and regimented, albeit lacking that dynamism and energy to drive forward and be a threat on the counter. One player they can look at is Jordan Green.
Green has been told he can leave Gillingham by manager Neil Harris, and as such I think he can be available on a transfer rather than just than a loan.
Only diminutive in stature, Green is a pacy forward that would provide The Cards with a bit more of an outlet in transition to be able to get in behind and stretch teams. He is a confident dribbler, someone that would be a good fit playing wide of a front three under Sarll, and he is the ideal signing for The Cards.
Jack Muldoon (Harrogate Town – transfer)
It is difficult to to suggest who Wrexham will go and sign during the window, given that they have much of the free reign of any player outside of the Championship to sign, but I think that one that they could go for is Jack Muldoon.
33 years of age, Muldoon would be an experienced option for The Red Dragons and someone that has been promoted from the division before. A hard-working, energetic forward that can press from the front and provide the perfect foil playing off a big man like Palmer or Mullin.
Harrogate Town are likely to want to cash in on him at his age if an offer did come their way from Wrexham Town, and as a back-up to Palmer and Mullin and yet still the quality to know where the goal is, I think he makes for a realistic option to pursue.
Omar Bogle (Newport County – loan)
Despite the signing of Jordan Young, I still maintain my view that The Glovers need to strengthen with an extra forward in the second-half of the season and someone that could be available that would be a good option is Omar Bogle.
Unlikely to feature too heavily in the second-half of the campaign with Newport County after the signing of McNeill and Kavanagh, as well as somewhat out of favour under Graham Coughlan, Bogle is a powerful forward that on his day can be a real handful.
He has played at this level before with Grimsby Town where he really impressed with his ability to strike from distance, drop deep and link the play, and his overall quality to shift the ball and work shooting opportunities, and if a move away from Rodney Parade is a possibility, Town could be the beneficiaries.
Sonny Perkins (Leeds United – loan)
Personally, I feel that The Minstermen could benefit from an attacking addition to their squad. Having already made use of connections within the youth scene – with Ollie Tanner and Shaqai Forde – I think Webb could again make use of that and go for Sonny Perkins.
Only 18 years of age, Perkins was on the books of West Ham United earlier in his academy days and is a versatile attacking player that is capable of being used as a central midfielder with his technical quality on the ball and trickery.
Confident and expressive in possession, Perkins is a player that has not had the first-team exposure yet to really find his feet or aid his development and so a move to York City could well be a good chance for him to get some game time.
Off The Line 