Will Atkinson

[Kris]

Atkinson IMO is of a rare breed in the football world: a player who probably has more talent than he realises. Along with his insane work rate, he scored a handful of terrific and vital goals; the problem of course being he didn't get into those positions anywhere near often enough. He needed to be a bit braver.

Like Michael 'Princess Diana' Timlin, I wouldn't take Atko back now but like Ricey said, he was certainly underrated.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

About this time 2 years ago a female fan of Will, asked me to get a large photo signed by him. So I was caught out like everyone else when he signed for Mansfield. I thought about faking his signature (joke) but in the end Will sorted it all out with some messages and by post. At his expense and much to her delight.

I had a good chat with him once (two days after he was sent off at Millwall) He was looking a bit unhappy to say the least but seemed genuinely pleased that a fan understood what he was all about.

I get the fact that the likes of Will don't make peoples favourite lists but can never accept why some dislike players who always give you 100% effort. Yes we all expect it but very rarely get it. So I always appreciate the likes of Will.

In the season we had that great run before Christmas and finished 7th after a couple of injuries. The combination Demetriou and Atkinson went about 17 games where we conceded just 1 goal down our right hand side.

Always rated Atkinson. A kind of silent assassin. You didn't really notice what value he added to the team until he wasn't there

 

[NZamba Legend]

Always rated Atkinson. A kind of silent assassin. You didn't really notice what value he added to the team until he wasn't there

He was technically good and could finish as well.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

He was technically good and could finish as well.

Yep. That goal against Portsmouth where he dinked it over the advancing sliding keeper was class

 

[Fairport]

He was technically good and could finish as well.

Nobody would question his effort but he was another one or two goal a season man.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Nobody would question his effort but he was another one or two goal a season man.

4 in his last season with us actually.

 

[SeaSideDoughnut]

Only just noticed Will left Mansfield. I know we talk about resigning players a lot and they hardly ever work how we had hoped. But Will would be an exception surely.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Only just noticed Will left Mansfield. I know we talk about resigning players a lot and they hardly ever work how we had hoped. But Will would be an exception surely.

I mentioned it last week that he was released in May, and was surprised that he hasn't got a club.

 

[SeaSideDoughnut]

I mentioned it last week that he was released in May, and was surprised that he hasn't got a club.

I'd absolutely love to have Will back, especially after the season Kightly and McLaughlin have had. It'd be a wake up call for both of them if they really want to play.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I felt Will blossomed here through his friendship with Lenny, both of them in fact. They were terrific friends off the pitch and seemed to understand each other on the pitch perfectly.

 

[blueveined]

Training with Donny at the moment (for fitness purposes only they say), but played in a pre-season friendly for them today.

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.u...f-in-the-gainsborough-trinity-friendly-474020

 

[Garyt1969]

I am sure he will find himself a new club soon. Another example of a player that shouldn't have left us. Good steady squad player

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

we've lacked balance in midfield, especially on the right, since he left. Good player, much underrated

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

we've lacked balance in midfield, especially on the right, since he left. Good player, much underrated

He won't be back. RM has shown with Thompson, that once you jump ship turning down a contract, you don't come back.

 

[OldBlueLady]

He won't be back. RM has shown with Thompson, that once you jump ship turning down a contract, you don't come back.

Talking of whom, did I see he's left Bury? Expect him to turn up at Lincoln any time now.

 

[Zeuss]

I am sure he will find himself a new club soon. Another example of a player that shouldn't have left us. Good steady squad player

I am sure he will find himself a new club soon. Another example of a player that shouldn't have left us. Good steady squad player

His new club is sure to be non-league.

 

[Bearded Shrimper]

He won't be back. RM has shown with Thompson, that once you jump ship turning down a contract, you don't come back.

I wasn't calling for his return, just pointing out that we've missed him/a player like him

 

[rlb999]

Dont want him back, but if we'd had him in midfield last season that winless run would have been shorter.

 

[Shrimpers are Magic]

Just ask yourself is Will a better player than the current midfield we have.
Resounding yes isn’t it?

 

[Supernaut]

Talking of whom, did I see he's left Bury? Expect him to turn up at Lincoln any time now.

I think everyone's left Bury. They played a friendly this week and fielded 11 trialists.