Curle: Cobblers 'couldn't compete' with Gillingham's 'fantastic' offer for Oliver

Keith Curle is already scouring the market for Vadaine Oliver's replacement after admitting the Cobblers simply 'couldn't compete' with Gillingham's 'fantastic' offer for the striker.

Oliver's arrival from Morecambe last summer was not met with much fanfare at the time but he became one of the success stories of the season, playing an important role in Town's promotion back to League One.

The 28-year-old was offered a new deal by Curle when his contract expired at the end of June, however after much deliberation, Oliver opted to sign for League One rivals Gillingham.

"I enjoyed working with Vadaine," said Curle. "I think there were some raised eyebrows when I brought him into the football club but I knew what I was bringing in and I felt he was a player that had underperformed.

"He hadn't achieved what I think he was capable of when he signed for us but the performances he produced last season showed the belief that I had in him and the belief he had in himself - he had played a big part in our success.

"That shows the value I put on Vadaine but I also have to put my housekeeping hat on and we made him an offer that stayed within our guidelines for the value that I put on players.

"Truth be told, Vadaine received a fantastic offer from one of our competitors and it was an offer we couldn't compete with and one he couldn't financially turn down."

But as the old adage goes, there's no point crying over spilt milk and Curle is already on the lookout for a replacement.

"Now I'm looking to bring in somebody else that also hasn't reached their potential," he added. "I want someone that brings different dynamics to the squad and that's what the recruitment department is about.

"Can we go out and compete with other clubs for the finished article? No, we can't. We need to go and find the Vadaine Olivers and the Callum Mortons, players of that ilk who haven't been utilised in the right way or haven't reached their full potential.

"That's what we're trying to do - find players that are undeveloped and now what we can offer them is a League One platform."