Badger Boy
Mr Badger
- Jan 28, 2016
- 3,658
I'm not biting until I see him in the shirt.
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[Albion] Mattie Pollock
- Thread starter Swansman
- Start date
Megazone
On his last warning
How will he cope being the small fish in the big pond I wonder?
Ah, it’s always a pleasure as a Grimsby fan to see every thread regarding your team on another club’s forum rapidly descend into a sea of fish puns. Clearly not helped in this case when the player also happens to have the same name as a fish. 
Anyway, he’s a talented young lad is Mattie. Got thrown into the first team as a sixteen year old in our away win at Exeter a couple of years ago and it was immediately clear he had something about him. League Two is a physical division these days, but I’ve not once seen him look intimidated or overawed, and he’s happy to stick his head where I wouldn’t fancy putting my feet. At 6ft 3 and solidly built, he’s a big unit (though not quite as big as his old man)...
The other thing I’d say about him is that his distribution is very, very good for this level. At 18, he looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the vast majority of centre halves I’ve seen in this division. I suspect that’s one of the reasons PL clubs are looking at him.
All that said, it’s obviously a looong way up to the Premier League from League Two. This was painfully apparent when Chelsea hammered us 7-1 in the Carabao Cup last year - as the scoreline suggests the whole team were completely overwhelmed by a strong Chelsea line-up that night. Even as a spectator, the sheer gulf in pace, power and technical precision was pretty breathtaking to watch. Still, after that he’ll be under no illusions as to how big the step up will be.
If you did sign him, I think he’d need at least a season in League One and the Championship before even thinking about throwing him into a top flight game. Of course, he’s young enough for that to work. Dean Henderson made his pro debut for us on loan from Man Yoo back in 2016, and I think he’s really benefited from that gradual rise up the divisions in the form of loan spells, being able to make mistakes and learn from them without the glare of the PL media spotlight.
I definitely think Mattie has the potential to make it at the top level, though of course realising that potential is another kettle of fish all together (Christ, I’m even doing it now!). He seems to have his head screwed on at least and I reckon he’d be a relatively inexpensive gamble in the big scheme of things.
It’s always tricky to put a price on a youngster’s head at this level, particularly in the current climate. We sold a teenage Ryan Bennett to Peterborough for £500k plus a 25% sell on fee in 2009. Not withstanding the current situation, the market has inflated somewhat since then so I’d imagine somewhere between that figure and a mill would comfortably do the trick, maybe less given these desperate times.
As a supporter of a struggling, lower league club I often lament the fact that young players with a modicum of raw talent are sold on before we’ve had chance to appreciate them, but in this case it could be an absolute lifeline for us.
If he does move on I wish him well. It would be a great oppor-tuna-ty for him!
Anyway, he’s a talented young lad is Mattie. Got thrown into the first team as a sixteen year old in our away win at Exeter a couple of years ago and it was immediately clear he had something about him. League Two is a physical division these days, but I’ve not once seen him look intimidated or overawed, and he’s happy to stick his head where I wouldn’t fancy putting my feet. At 6ft 3 and solidly built, he’s a big unit (though not quite as big as his old man)...
The other thing I’d say about him is that his distribution is very, very good for this level. At 18, he looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the vast majority of centre halves I’ve seen in this division. I suspect that’s one of the reasons PL clubs are looking at him.
All that said, it’s obviously a looong way up to the Premier League from League Two. This was painfully apparent when Chelsea hammered us 7-1 in the Carabao Cup last year - as the scoreline suggests the whole team were completely overwhelmed by a strong Chelsea line-up that night. Even as a spectator, the sheer gulf in pace, power and technical precision was pretty breathtaking to watch. Still, after that he’ll be under no illusions as to how big the step up will be.
If you did sign him, I think he’d need at least a season in League One and the Championship before even thinking about throwing him into a top flight game. Of course, he’s young enough for that to work. Dean Henderson made his pro debut for us on loan from Man Yoo back in 2016, and I think he’s really benefited from that gradual rise up the divisions in the form of loan spells, being able to make mistakes and learn from them without the glare of the PL media spotlight.
I definitely think Mattie has the potential to make it at the top level, though of course realising that potential is another kettle of fish all together (Christ, I’m even doing it now!). He seems to have his head screwed on at least and I reckon he’d be a relatively inexpensive gamble in the big scheme of things.
It’s always tricky to put a price on a youngster’s head at this level, particularly in the current climate. We sold a teenage Ryan Bennett to Peterborough for £500k plus a 25% sell on fee in 2009. Not withstanding the current situation, the market has inflated somewhat since then so I’d imagine somewhere between that figure and a mill would comfortably do the trick, maybe less given these desperate times.
As a supporter of a struggling, lower league club I often lament the fact that young players with a modicum of raw talent are sold on before we’ve had chance to appreciate them, but in this case it could be an absolute lifeline for us.
If he does move on I wish him well. It would be a great oppor-tuna-ty for him!
Mackenzie
Old Brightonian
He sounds brill.Ah, it’s always a pleasure as a Grimsby fan to see every thread regarding your team on another club’s forum rapidly descend into a sea of fish puns. Clearly not helped in this case when the player also happens to have the same name as a fish.
Anyway, he’s a talented young lad is Mattie. Got thrown into the first team as a sixteen year old in our away win at Exeter a couple of years ago and it was immediately clear he had something about him. League Two is a physical division these days, but I’ve not once seen him look intimidated or overawed, and he’s happy to stick his head where I wouldn’t fancy putting my feet. At 6ft 3 and solidly built, he’s a big unit (though not quite as big as his old man)...
The other thing I’d say about him is that his distribution is very, very good for this level. At 18, he looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the vast majority of centre halves I’ve seen in this division. I suspect that’s one of the reasons PL clubs are looking at him.
All that said, it’s obviously a looong way up to the Premier League from League Two. This was painfully apparent when Chelsea hammered us 7-1 in the Carabao Cup last year - as the scoreline suggests the whole team were completely overwhelmed by a strong Chelsea line-up that night. Even as a spectator, the sheer gulf in pace, power and technical precision was pretty breathtaking to watch. Still, after that he’ll be under no illusions as to how big the step up will be.
If you did sign him, I think he’d need at least a season in League One and the Championship before even thinking about throwing him into a top flight game. Of course, he’s young enough for that to work. Dean Henderson made his pro debut for us on loan from Man Yoo back in 2016, and I think he’s really benefited from that gradual rise up the divisions in the form of loan spells, being able to make mistakes and learn from them without the glare of the PL media spotlight.
I definitely think Mattie has the potential to make it at the top level, though of course realising that potential is another kettle of fish all together (Christ, I’m even doing it now!). He seems to have his head screwed on at least and I reckon he’d be a relatively inexpensive gamble in the big scheme of things.
It’s always tricky to put a price on a youngster’s head at this level, particularly in the current climate. We sold a teenage Ryan Bennett to Peterborough for £500k plus a 25% sell on fee in 2009. Not withstanding the current situation, the market has inflated somewhat since then so I’d imagine somewhere between that figure and a mill would comfortably do the trick, maybe less given these desperate times.
As a supporter of a struggling, lower league club I often lament the fact that young players with a modicum of raw talent are sold on before we’ve had chance to appreciate them, but in this case it could be an absolute lifeline for us.
If he does move on I wish him well. It would be a great oppor-tuna-ty for him!
- Aug 8, 2005
- 27,221
Ah, it’s always a pleasure as a Grimsby fan to see every thread regarding your team on another club’s forum rapidly descend into a sea of fish puns. Clearly not helped in this case when the player also happens to have the same name as a fish.
Anyway, he’s a talented young lad is Mattie. Got thrown into the first team as a sixteen year old in our away win at Exeter a couple of years ago and it was immediately clear he had something about him. League Two is a physical division these days, but I’ve not once seen him look intimidated or overawed, and he’s happy to stick his head where I wouldn’t fancy putting my feet. At 6ft 3 and solidly built, he’s a big unit (though not quite as big as his old man)...
The other thing I’d say about him is that his distribution is very, very good for this level. At 18, he looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the vast majority of centre halves I’ve seen in this division. I suspect that’s one of the reasons PL clubs are looking at him.
All that said, it’s obviously a looong way up to the Premier League from League Two. This was painfully apparent when Chelsea hammered us 7-1 in the Carabao Cup last year - as the scoreline suggests the whole team were completely overwhelmed by a strong Chelsea line-up that night. Even as a spectator, the sheer gulf in pace, power and technical precision was pretty breathtaking to watch. Still, after that he’ll be under no illusions as to how big the step up will be.
If you did sign him, I think he’d need at least a season in League One and the Championship before even thinking about throwing him into a top flight game. Of course, he’s young enough for that to work. Dean Henderson made his pro debut for us on loan from Man Yoo back in 2016, and I think he’s really benefited from that gradual rise up the divisions in the form of loan spells, being able to make mistakes and learn from them without the glare of the PL media spotlight.
I definitely think Mattie has the potential to make it at the top level, though of course realising that potential is another kettle of fish all together (Christ, I’m even doing it now!). He seems to have his head screwed on at least and I reckon he’d be a relatively inexpensive gamble in the big scheme of things.
It’s always tricky to put a price on a youngster’s head at this level, particularly in the current climate. We sold a teenage Ryan Bennett to Peterborough for £500k plus a 25% sell on fee in 2009. Not withstanding the current situation, the market has inflated somewhat since then so I’d imagine somewhere between that figure and a mill would comfortably do the trick, maybe less given these desperate times.
As a supporter of a struggling, lower league club I often lament the fact that young players with a modicum of raw talent are sold on before we’ve had chance to appreciate them, but in this case it could be an absolute lifeline for us.
If he does move on I wish him well. It would be a great oppor-tuna-ty for him!
Great post thanks for sharing that. It's easy for us all to forget what it is like being in the league two but it wasn't that long ago for us. As you say always a shame to see a talented player leave early but sounds like the cash will be very useful for the club.
Ah, it’s always a pleasure as a Grimsby fan to see every thread regarding your team on another club’s forum rapidly descend into a sea of fish puns. Clearly not helped in this case when the player also happens to have the same name as a fish.
Anyway, he’s a talented young lad is Mattie. Got thrown into the first team as a sixteen year old in our away win at Exeter a couple of years ago and it was immediately clear he had something about him. League Two is a physical division these days, but I’ve not once seen him look intimidated or overawed, and he’s happy to stick his head where I wouldn’t fancy putting my feet. At 6ft 3 and solidly built, he’s a big unit (though not quite as big as his old man)...
The other thing I’d say about him is that his distribution is very, very good for this level. At 18, he looks more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the vast majority of centre halves I’ve seen in this division. I suspect that’s one of the reasons PL clubs are looking at him.
All that said, it’s obviously a looong way up to the Premier League from League Two. This was painfully apparent when Chelsea hammered us 7-1 in the Carabao Cup last year - as the scoreline suggests the whole team were completely overwhelmed by a strong Chelsea line-up that night. Even as a spectator, the sheer gulf in pace, power and technical precision was pretty breathtaking to watch. Still, after that he’ll be under no illusions as to how big the step up will be.
If you did sign him, I think he’d need at least a season in League One and the Championship before even thinking about throwing him into a top flight game. Of course, he’s young enough for that to work. Dean Henderson made his pro debut for us on loan from Man Yoo back in 2016, and I think he’s really benefited from that gradual rise up the divisions in the form of loan spells, being able to make mistakes and learn from them without the glare of the PL media spotlight.
I definitely think Mattie has the potential to make it at the top level, though of course realising that potential is another kettle of fish all together (Christ, I’m even doing it now!). He seems to have his head screwed on at least and I reckon he’d be a relatively inexpensive gamble in the big scheme of things.
It’s always tricky to put a price on a youngster’s head at this level, particularly in the current climate. We sold a teenage Ryan Bennett to Peterborough for £500k plus a 25% sell on fee in 2009. Not withstanding the current situation, the market has inflated somewhat since then so I’d imagine somewhere between that figure and a mill would comfortably do the trick, maybe less given these desperate times.
As a supporter of a struggling, lower league club I often lament the fact that young players with a modicum of raw talent are sold on before we’ve had chance to appreciate them, but in this case it could be an absolute lifeline for us.
If he does move on I wish him well. It would be a great oppor-tuna-ty for him!
Top post sir!
The only problem with your theory about buying him and loaning to a league 1 or Championship club, is we've had our fingers burnt majorly by doing this recently.
One of our players who we loaned to a Championship club, in good faith, has become so enamored with the club that took him and their Argentine football genius manager, that he is refusing all of our contract offers and DEMANDING to leave.
Alba Badger
Well-known member
Another player I have to go trawling the net to find out more a-boat. I have not a lot of info I can bass an opinion on but if he’s any good we should shell out a few squid see if he takes the bait and reel him in.
Bladders
Twats everywhere
.....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
el punal
Well-known member
28 posts in and you’ve all taken the bait! 
Greg Bobkin
Silver Seagull
- May 22, 2012
- 16,027
I hope he SINGS and has a WHALE of a time 
Bladders
Twats everywhere
My favourite was when we singed Elvis manu, the puns were infinate
Shame he was crap and had to be returned to sender
Billy the Fish
Technocrat
I've heard he likes a drink, he always wants to get BATTERED!
Shirty
Daring to Zlatan
I hope its THE Mattie Pollock and we're not being catfished
el punal
Well-known member
Whale I suppose I’d better join you!
Apparently Paul Shoals rates him and he reckons we’re angling to line him up with the development squad. When it comes to negotiating terms and conditions his agent can be quite crabby and will insist on checking the claws of his contract - no sideways move there then. In fact at a previous meeting Pollock’s agent walked off in a fit of pike when he originally thought they were squids in, especially as he reckons he’s a dab hand at this sort of thing. So with everyone floundering to get the deal done eel no doubt settle down. In his opinion he thinks we’ll have another Glenn Moray, a net gain indeed. In reel terms this could be a decent catch as long as it doesn’t end up like the Alex Pilchard scenario.
Le fin!
Apparently Paul Shoals rates him and he reckons we’re angling to line him up with the development squad. When it comes to negotiating terms and conditions his agent can be quite crabby and will insist on checking the claws of his contract - no sideways move there then. In fact at a previous meeting Pollock’s agent walked off in a fit of pike when he originally thought they were squids in, especially as he reckons he’s a dab hand at this sort of thing. So with everyone floundering to get the deal done eel no doubt settle down. In his opinion he thinks we’ll have another Glenn Moray, a net gain indeed. In reel terms this could be a decent catch as long as it doesn’t end up like the Alex Pilchard scenario.
Le fin!
This sounds like one we'll have to roe back on
half time scores
Well-known member
Lamprey goes on a swimmingly good overlapping run, crosses to Pollock and its in the back of the net.