So you know that proven goal scorer we’ve been waiting for? Well, he’s arrived (on paper anyway…and only till January but who are we to argue?!) as Izale McLeod signed this afternoon on a deal until January from MK Dons. The big striker has been a bit part player in his second stint at Stadium Plastic so he’s popped down the road to give Aidy Boothroyd a real bolstering of options.
The former Derby, Sheffield United, Charlton, Colchester, Millwall, Peterborough, Barnet and Portsmouth man joins at a time when we’re crying out for a man who can take this league by the scruff of its neck and drag us out of the relegation zone. Jacob Blyth’s contract will run out soon but with Luke Norris bagging plenty of goals so far there’s competition from three loan strikers now.
I would start McLeod on Saturday against Accrington Stanley. It’s the absolute biggest game of the season and we have to go out firing. A new striker hungry to rekindle the type of form that saw him bag thirty two goals for a mostly struggling Barnet side in this division between 2010 and 2012 is just the antidote to what should be a nervous Sixfields.
Going out…
Two other bit of loan news today (did anyone else realise it was ‘loan deadline day’?) with Kane Ferdinand recalled by Peterborough United. The Posh have an injury to Tommy Rowe and have lost FIVE in a row (couldn’t resist!) in League One so Ferdinand has been drafted back to London Road.
Strangest deal of the year award, though, goes to Ben Tozer’s temporary move as he departs from the Cobblers whilst being in and out of the team and joins League One Colchester United. When I saw him play against Fleetwood Town a couple of weeks ago I thought he had the best game he’d had in months and genuinely had a rethink about his abilities at right back. Now, though, he’s farmed on loan up a division – quite a rare occurrence in lower league football. Unless there’s a permanent deal at the end of it in January and/or Boothroyd has added a stipulation that Col U pay Tozer’s wages in order to pay for McLeod then I see this as very odd.
Langmead Setback…
In more serious news, Kelvin Langmead has suffered a setback in his recovery and may not be back until March according to reports. This is very bad news for our defence which has been noticeably shaky for most of this season without Langer’s influence. Not to mention the lack of late goals he contributed at the other end!
So where are we at now?
Despite the McLeod signing, it strikes me as strange that on the day we lose our captain (a defender) for longer and suffer a midfield setback that we go and sign another forward so hopefully it doesn’t backfire. This could also mean another chance for those early season flops Gary Deegan and Darren Carter, both of whom have points to prove. It’ll be interesting to see who partners Ricky Ravenhill in the middle of the park on Saturday.
So a busy day and an important one…now all we need is for this proven goal scorer to buck the trend of past prolific signings and actually score goals here rather than forget to bring his scoring boots to Sixfields!
A Load Of Cobblers 
well said mate. gutted about langers, and ferdinand too. however mcleod should be a quality signing. I would have thought deegan would be in the team has he has a bit more battling qualities but I guess carter is more creative so could be given the nod to partner ravenhill. I think Aidy was making a point by leaving Carter out of a few squads. hopefully his performances will improve!
Very good update. Shame about Langmead. But Tozer going out on loan? I hope AB knows what he is doing as I thought BT had a great game against Fleetwood and justified a full time place in the team.