HURST HAILS HIS ‘QUALITY’ NEW SIGNING
BOSS WANTS TO INTEGRATE NEW WINGER QUICKLY
PAUL Hurst believes new signing
Jordan Maguire-Drew has the quality to play higher than the National League and is excited to integrate him into the Grimsby Town set-up.
The Mariners confirmed the 24-year-old as their latest acquisition on an 18-month deal on Monday evening.
Maguire-Drew joins on a free transfer after leaving Woking, who he joined in the summer, following his departure from Leyton Orient.
Hurst had been interested in acquiring his services during the summer and swooped at the chance to add a player that he believes possesses the quality to play in the Football League.
“We want to integrate him as soon as possible,” Hurt told GTTV.
“Fitness-wise, we’ll have a look at where he is at, everyone we spoke to has said he’s a fit lad. Part of it is defensive duties from attacking players.
“The reason the interest is there in the first place is because of what he can do to score and create goals. I think he has that quality.
“At one stage, he had interest from League One clubs, not too long ago. I don’t think you suddenly lose ability. He’s at a good age, there’s lots of potential.
“I believe he’s a player who should be playing higher than the National League, but hasn’t for whatever reason. I’m hoping we can give him the platform, the advice, to get the best out of him.”
Hurst explained how the deal arose, with talks on Friday escalating before the deal was finalised on Monday.
“He is someone that I was interested in during pre-season but it had got down the line with Woking and wanted to stick to his word and went there,” he explained.
“Obviously, that hasn’t worked out for whatever reason, but I don’t believe that a player suddenly loses quality, so when I heard there was a possibility for us to sign him, I acted on it quickly and that’s why he’s here now.
“On Friday, we had quite a bit of chat and it looked like it was a real possibility. It would have been a bit too soon to have him involved in the Boreham Wood game had it gone ahead, he then came up last night, met his team-mates today so I am sure he will have no problem settling in.
“I was really impressed from having conversations with him about how much he wanted to come, no ifs and buts and lots of questions about what if this or that happens, it was very much he wanted to come.
“We had an honest discussion about how his career has gone so far, my expectations of him.
“Talk is easy, but I was happy with what he had to say and I am really looking forward to working with him.”