After extending his contract earlier in the year to stay on with Rochdale until the end of the season, it’s a good old game of will he stay or will he go for Danny Lloyd.
Pre-warning, Gills fans you might want to skip this part. Cast your mind back to February 2022 Neil Harris has just come in and hit the ground running at Gillingham his star man Danny Lloyd goes down in serious pain having to be stretchered off against Ipswich Town, we later learn he had a sustained a knee ligament injury which will see him sidelined for at least nine months. Many including myself, see this as a huge turning point in Gillingham’s season last year, I genuinely believe they’d have stayed up had he stayed fit.
But I’m not here to cry over that, I’ve done enough of that. Fast forward to now and “Super” Danny Lloyd has defied all odds and is back to his glittering best at Rochdale, it’s truly a pleasure to watch but after initially only signing a one-month deal which was later extended to run until the end of the season he could be on the move again let’s take a look at some potential destinations for Lloyd.
Gillingham
Ok, I’ll level with you, this is highly unlikely to happen but let me dream. Loved by many Gills fans I think you’ll do well to find any that wouldn’t take Lloydy back at the club.
I don’t see him coming back down south as it was pretty well known that after his injury he wanted to move back closer to home.
Despite this just being a dream of mine, I do actually have some footballing reasoning behind it. Many Gills fans expect the club to go and spend big to challenge the top end of the table next season but it’s also important to make sure you’re getting value for money and not just splashing the cash on individuals.
For me, a deal like this would be the very definition of value for money. He’s proven he’s still a top player that can still make a difference in League Two, I’d even go as far as saying he could still even do a job in League One.
Being an avid watcher of Gillingham as well, we seem to miss that link between the midfield and forwards at the moment which to be fair was to be expected even after the influx of players in January, having someone like Lloydy play in between the lines would offer Gillingham the ability to adapt the style of play which I know Gills fans are screaming out for.
Tranmere Rovers
All in, it looks like Tranmere are pretty safe this season don’t look threatened by the drop and in the same breath don’t look like threatening the top spots. Their fans can certainly look forward to another season in League Two next year.
Danny was actually at Tranmere before joining Gillingham back in 2020, this move would probably make more sense for the player than the club. Right next to where he originates from and a club that could be considered stable in the Football League, if you were to ask Danny for his shopping list I reckon these things would be right at the top.
To be honest, I think it will be another season of trying to keep that League Two status for Tranmere and they won’t go far wrong getting Lloyd in on a free to bolster their squad.
Morecambe
Deep in the League One relegation battle, Morecambe fans will certainly be worried that they could drop down to League Two this season. If they are to drop down they will be eager to avoid replicating the seasons of Gillingham, Crewe and Wimbledon which have been in some cases absolutely shocking and others mediocre or lacklustre for want of a better word.
As much as they will want to bounce straight back up to League One, I’d say a season like that of Doncaster’s sitting pretty in the middle wouldn’t go far wrong if they are to come down.
But with that said they will be hoping for a turnaround and keeping their League One status for next season of course.
Regardless of if they are to stay up or go down, I’d say they are in need of a little creativity which Lloydy will bring in abundance. League One or League Two this would be a pretty smart signing for the Shrimps.
Wrexham
Dominant in the National League this season, the battle between Wrexham and Notts County has been simply thrilling, with the club on the cusp of the Football League they will be fully focused on securing the title and automatic promotion this season but they would be fools not to start thinking about additions for next season.
Many will and have tipped them to do what Stockport have done this season and battle at the top of League Two but in order to do that they will need to recruit well.
For me, no risk in bringing Danny Lloyd in for Wrexham, they will need experienced heads in the dressing room and people that know what the league is all about, can’t go far wrong with Lloyd. Personally, I think he would complement the Wrexham set up pretty well and be an extremely valuable asset.
Notts County
The other half of that thrilling battle down in the National League, many tip Notts to be back in the Football League come September. Unlike Wrexham, I don’t think many will tip them to hit the ground running to challenge the top spots although I don’t think you’d be miss placing your money if you was to back them.
They like Wrexham will need to recruit well and there is no hiding the interest around their top players at the moment and they will need to be prepared for a raid this summer.
Proven in the Football League time and time again, Danny Lloyd would be a huge asset to any club coming up from the National League, especially on a free transfer.
Writers View
This was a tough one this, because Danny himself has kept his cards pretty close to his chest on his plans for next season. If Rochdale are to go down which forgive me Dale fans looks more of a case of when than if. However, I do hope to be proven wrong and Rochdale pull off this great escape.
Despite a small upturn in form, Dale need a miracle if they are to stay up and I don’t see him staying with the club to play National League football. Although, with that said Lloydy will be very thankful that the club took a chance on him and may look to repay that faith by staying to help the club regardless of where they end up.
I think it’s pretty clear where I’d want “Super” Danny Lloyd to end up and that’s back at Priestfield but unfortunately that isn’t very likely to happen he’s a northern lad and I fully expect him to stay up north but I can dream, right?
Wherever he ends up at the end of the day, as long as he is enjoying his football that’s all that matters I have to admit I feared the worst when he got injured so it’s good to see him back and with a smile on his face.
