If you mean the original original poster, then I made no reference to the hassle of signing players.
Interesting mix of responses to this thread as usual. Some thoughtful and considered, some, as usual, blaming the club, board etc, but not Nigel.
I admit I know very little of the processes involved in getting loan players in, but I suspect we're no better or no worse than many clubs. I'd have thought the manager would be a significant contributor to getting loan players into the team. I think we're probably all dissappointed at the (so far) lack of any additions. Personally I was hoping Nigel would have been well advanced in getting 2 to 3 players on loan - players that would have excited the fans because of their promise of greater quality than we seem to have recruited in the summer.
NC has been great for the club so far. His achievements last season were fantastic, and I like his straightforward businesslike management style and his understated approach to interviews. For me though, he won't be successful unless he gets us out of this league this season. And I'm not convinced, either by his previous track record, or by his performance so far this season that he is someone who can do that comfortably. I'm not convinced that he's a "victim" of poor board decisions. I see no evidence of that, but a number of posters do interpret some of his comments and actions in that way.
Prove me wrong Nigel. Let's have that winning run that takes us up to contend with Bristol City before they get out of sight!
Good post
RealMcCoy . Got no problem with the questions posed as we're all in the dark when it comes to what happens within the club.
The story regarding transfers and loans appears to be that NC has a budget that has been agreed upon. How this is spent is down to NC, so what this does is tell a partial story. I say partial, because only NC knows what goes on when targets are chased. We did get a glimpse of what can happen with Freeman at Derby. Over-reaching agents and/or players can torpedo a deal, and then the supporters, who have their hopes built up, are left with frustration and disappointment.
There are a few grey areas, the timing of when a transfer target is pursued being one. There's also the matter of fan's favourites - Conor Coady being a good example. Seems the story there was that at the time of enquiry the asking price for Coady was upwards of £1mil, thus NC was left with a decision to make. Wait to see if CC's price fell through the floor, or get busy and secure the services of other players. My take is that he made the right decision based on the circumstances he was faced with. Whether those players have made an astounding contribution is up for discussion.
What you touched upon, maintaining a clear head when attempting to evaluate what's happening is the key. Frustration and disappointment are sown into the DNA of many United fans, and with good reason. Trouble is, all this results in is steam being let off.
Yes, I think that this season was widely regarded as the one where united would make a concerted effort to gain promotion. It can still happen, but the overall absence, so far, of at least one significant goal threat is what galls most fans. McNulty, although slow to adjust, shows promise, and partnered with another dangerous player could be a source of goals for us. But I refuse to become pessimistic, even irrational, in critiquing the club.
It doesn't mean that I don't hope for that sign of someone pulling on a United shirt who you know will make the difference in whether we rise towards a promotion place, either that or we may remain in this dreadful division for a fifth season. That's depressing, and you just know that the morbidity that currently makes itself heard on here will grow in volume if that happens. It won't help of course, but that's never been a reason for the gloom brigade not to stamp their feet and call for heads to roll.
There's a lot of football still to be played. I hope that the time we have left is used creatively and with purpose. UTB
