Reaction To Early Transfer Business

The Imps have made two early signings ahead of the 2023/24 season, with 24-year-old Alistair Smith joining on a free transfer following the conclusion of his contract with Sutton United, and Reeco Hackett-Fairchild has joined for an undisclosed fee from Portsmouth. Smith has agreed a two-year contract, while Reeco Hackett has signed a deal that will run for three years.

Views from Casperimp: “Good to see us making two early signings in the transfer window and both clearly fit the model of recruiting players who have yet to reach the peak of their careers. On the way up rather than on the way down or with little prospect of improvement.

Although I have no doubt there will be 2 or 3 hopefully quality loan players coming in at some point. I think the early signings and the messages given out by Mark Kennedy towards the end of last season clearly show that the club is trying to move away from the situation of the last 3 or 3 seasons when we have been so reliant on loan players.

It is imperative that we acquire and develop our own talent so that as a club we can become more sustainable and not reliant on the generous benefactors that continue to offer unconditional financial support.

Both new signings clearly have something about them and are players that seem to offer the prospect of improving the team but that comes down to Mark and his coaching team.

Hopefully these 2 are a sign of the further players to come in and on the basis of what we already have allied to these type of players coming in, I genuinely think we have grounds for optimism that we can improve on last seasons 11th place finish. UTI!”

Alistair Smith Signing Reaction:

Luke Imp: “As I mentioned in the rumour thread, he looks to have a bit of Erhahon about him and looks to be a further shift from the short, lightweight types we’ve had in recent transfer windows.

Seems to have an eye for goal as well.”

Scotimp: “What I like from the showreel in particular is his instinct to head towards goal when he picks the ball up in midfield – certainly different to what we had prior to Virtue and Erhahon.”

PerthImp: “Welcome aboard the Lincoln Loco Ali. Potentially a great signing who appears to complement Ethan (the ‘Ethan and Ali Show‘ coming up). Both forward thinking players who also know how to tackle, are physically strong and can pick a good pass. Ali will also learn a lot playing alongside Ethan. I would say this is already one of the best starting points we’ve had for many years with the spine of our squad/team. Plenty of young quality players who already have a bit of experience, plus they are ours. Two or three more permanent signings and a couple of quality loan signings and we could be in for a good season. Very encouraging.”

Reeco Hackett-Fairchild Signing Reaction:

Impish: “Will be interesting to see if we can get decent consistency out of Reeco. Not had a lot of regular game time at Pompey having also played in numerous areas. Having regular starts in a favoured position should help us see why MK and the club have been trying to lure him here for a fair while.”

sedgleyimp: “Good that we are getting the squad settled pretty early it seems. As with most wingers you know they will have good games and those not quite so, but give him time to settle and play him in the right position we could have a good player on our hands.

Be great if he gets his international debut on Friday officially as an Imp.”

Luke Imp: “Never quite know what you’re going to get with lower league wingers but he brings L1 experience and it looks like a bit of height into the side as well.

This probably means we’ll not be going back in for Shodipo? Although I think we’re all expecting Vernam and Adelakun to leave, so you’d imagine there’s room for another wide player or two?”