The return of Ciaran McGuckin will provide some much-needed firepower up front for Yeovil. His recall back to Rotherham in October left us short on support for Aaron Jarvis – and with Harvey Greenslade not fully fit and then loaned out to Weston-super-Mare – the attacking combinations have quite clicked like they did with McGuckin in the forward line.
Aaron Jarvis has toiled so far this season, dropping deep to bring other players into the game and generally warring with defenders to keep the shirt on his back. McGuckin’s return will take the pressure off Jarvis somewhat, and add another dynamic to an attack that has struggled to break down teams higher in the table.
Speaking of the top of the table, over the weekend York City completed the permanent signing of Josh Stones from League One side Wigan Athletic. The 21-year-old hasn’t played a lot of football but scored seven goals in 10 appearances over two loan spells for Oldham and the rumours are that the Minstermen have spent six-figures on the striker.
The signing adds to the mountain of evidence that it takes big money to get out of the National League. Stockport, Wrexham, Notts County, Chesterfield have all spent fortunes to get back to the EFL and with York City not afraid to splash the cash and Forest Green Rovers bankrolled by Dale Vince, who in 2022 had a net worth of more than £100m, it’s going to take something special to lay a glove on the top of the table.
It’s not like we’ve not been here before though. Think back to that 2012/13 season and Gary’s heroes. On paper we had no right to be in the conversation with Doncaster, Bournemouth, Brentford and Sheffield United at the top end of the table – half of those four have become Premier League stalwarts since. But, we managed it with a brilliant team spirit and a togetherness with the supporters that has the potential to be the difference-maker on the day. If the January reinforcements arrive and this run of home games returns some performances and points, I believe we can keep the pace with the play off chasers.
FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL
In the broader picture of the game, the Football Governance Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Lords, with some phases still to go, but an email from the Fair Game organisation popped into my inbox on the 30th of December and they think there’s further to go still. If you fancy settling in for a read they have plenty of suggestions about adding more teeth to the bill here. We’re an associate member of the Football Supporters Association and they’ve provided five suggested amendments too. Two of which are specifically around engagement with supporters. One thing is for sure; robust supporter organisations and representatives will be crucial when the bill comes into effect.
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