COULD Grimsby Town already be falling behind in the summer transfer race?
While the Mariners have been busy trying to negotiate their way through the Conference play-offs, some of their rivals have had a headstart planning for the next campaign.
Mid-table sides, like Lincoln City, have had a particular advantage. The Imps' season has been effectively over since March, allowing Gary Simpson to line up potential targets in advance.
The result came this week when Southport's midfielder Karl Ledsham – previously linked with the Mariners – signed a deal at Sincil Bank.
Elsewhere, Forest Green Rovers – aware that Newport had released David Pipe – snapped up the experienced full-back for the next campaign.
And with so many free agents knocking around at League Two and Conference level, the better players will aim to get their futures sorted early.
In the meantime, Town are yet to sign up more than three existing players for next season – and haven't announced who or how many of the current squad could be released completely.
Looking down the division's 'out-of-contract' list, the quality is undoubtedly out there, but the Mariners will need to move quickly if they are to improve on their current line-up.
Former 'target' Wes York is one particularly interesting name to crop up, with Nuneaton opting not to offer the winger a new deal.
The winger put in a transfer request last summer as he looked to make the step up into full-time football.
And Town's bosses admitted they were aware of the 20-year-old's capabilities at the time.
"We're not in the process of being able to go and sign 25 players. If that was the case someone like Wes York at Nuneaton would have been a possibility," said then joint boss Rob Scott.
York certainly offers pace – something the Town squad isn't particularly blessed with, and could be a real impact player next season as he adapts to full-time football.
Another part-time player who impressed me this campaign – and is out of contract – is Southport's big defender Aristote Nsiala.
The 22-year-old was an absolute colossus against Town across their two matches with the Sandgrounders in February.
And, as a my Telegraph colleague Liam Wood flagged up, Nsiala looks comfortable enough on the ball to make a cracking central- midfield enforcer.
Scott Kerr and Craig Disley – provided they remain with Town – certainly aren't the biggest centre-midfield pairing in the division, so could the Southport man be an option.
Another name on the out-of- contact list who may not be so popular for many Mariners fans is Luton Town's Steve McNulty.
The bulky centre-half isn't exactly an athlete and may even be retained by the Hatters in League Town.
But with two Conference promotions now behind him, the 30-year-old knows the division well – and what it takes to get out of it. He's surely worth an enquiry before another club nips in.
What do you think? Do the Mariners need to get moving on the summer business? And do York, Nsiala or McNulty fit the bill? Join the debate by commenting below.
