Planning for 2010/11

[Flatulent_Bob]

Taylor's done nothing to deserve being booted out. To ask him to fit into an ever changing back four and make the step up in class was an impossible task, and I think he has performed well enough to have another season. We need to give these young players abit of time, we are going to be getting a fair few of these types of players in the next 12 months.

 

[super_pig]

oh dear we're back on the blades old boys reunion thread already.. tonge, brown, hulse, webber.. naugton.. killa why are some people obsessed with getting old players back?.. i'll join in then.. how about k.edwards out of the radio booth.. in fact we could get tc out of the community office (actually that's not such a bad idea)

 

[Nick Jansky]

But I fail to see how a £6M budget isn't competitive at this level. I am actually delighted that despite our cost cutting, we can still work on that sort of budget. Its transfer fees I'm worried about to be honest.

I think you are spot on about a £6m wage bill enabling us to be competitive at this level. I know what quite a few CCC players earn as well, and they tend to be well below the figures bandied about on internet forums.

But I really don't think you need to worry about transfer fees - they won't be very high at all outside of the PL.

This summer actually gives us a fantastic opportunity in my view, as a lot of other clubs at our level will also be cutting their budgets, but everything hinges on the player recruitment being done extremely well, and that is the part that concerns me.......

 

[DazBlade88]

Seamus Coleman - season long loan
Marcel Seip - 150k
Tommy Elphick (Brighton) - 250k
Lee Collins (Port Vale) - 250k
Albert Adomah - free
Marc Pugh (Hereford) - 200k
Ishmel Demontagnac - 100k
Chris Dagnall - free

The majority of those I wouldn't mind to be honest, except for Demontagnac and Dagnall.

Demontagnac is a bit of a trouble causer it seems, and Dagnall... not sure. Big step up from League Two, and I'm not sure we'd be able to get him on a free transfer.

 

[GC88]

Dagnall's contract expires in the summer - I'm not sure if The Dale have offered him a new one or not but at the end of the season he'll be 23, the comp if they do offer him one would be minimal compared to his true value.

As for it being a big step from league two to championship, sometimes a player just doesn't get a break or develops later than others either technically or phsyically.

Look at Luke Varney for example - signed by Crewe from Quorn and later sold for £2m. Michael Kightly, Jamie Ward, David Nugent, Steve Finnan, Ian Ashbee, etc etc etc

 

[Alwood]

It might be just me, but who the hell is Phil Roe???

 

[GC88]

It might be just me, but who the hell is Phil Roe???

Academy Defender.

 

[Blades_257]

1. If there is anything I can say about United with absolute certainty at the moment, it is that NOTHING is crystal clear. Do you think they would tell the fans if we had LOADS of money to spend? They wouldn't do that either, because it it wasn't spent wisely they would open themselves up for criticism and make a rod for their own backs. Unless you happen to be a director at the club you have as much idea as the rest of us! By concentrating on lower league players we would be removing ourselves from the market we are currently in yes. I don't see how that is difficult to understand.

2. As I said, it doesnt matter what you think of those fans. Large numbers will act in this way. If you think we're better off without these supporters attending then you're clearly not thinking with a business head on. Anyone's money is good money.

3. Everyone has a 'rough idea.' But once again you are making an assumption that Darren Ambrose is worth 1.5m and that Smithies will cost 2m etc. You have no idea of how desperate these clubs might be to make money and neither do I. With Palace's financial situation being so public I can guarantee you that NO ONE will pay 1.5m for Ambrose! The clubs that are interested will know they can prize him away for a lot less given Palace's situation. Smithies is a young, unproven goalie and will not command 2m from anyone. Huddersfield most probably have debt as well and will not be able to hold out for massive sums. Players are only worth whatever clubs are prepared to pay for them. The first rule of sales in business is that an asset is worth what someone is prepared to pay. A shopkeeper for example might have stock with a shelf/cash value of 500k. If no one wants to buy it it is actually worth fuck all! A player is worth £0 until someone wants to buy him.

If we are to assume that Bob is correct and that United's wage bill will be £6M next season, then that gives us far greater potential than just being able to sign League Two players!

1. So it's not crystal clear that we've been cost cutting?! I'm not a director but I'm aware of our situation and I'm realistic. Let's just wait and see how much we spend. I'm absolutely sure though that it won't be anywhere near the amount we'd need to sign the players you seem to think we can. We wouldn't be removing ourselves entirely from the market as you've said, we'd simply be operating in a different one, with less funds. Just like plenty of other clubs will be.

2. Aren't you just assuming that many fans will walk away, or do you have something to back up this claim? For me, anyone who would react in such a way to lower league talent being signed is a deluded moron and not wanted at Bramall Lane. If they have unrealistic expectations for the types of players we should be signing then they'll have unrealistic expectations for our season too. Over expectation is nothing but a hinderance and we could certainly do without it next season, it's going to be challenging enough as it is.

3. My 'rough idea' is based on our circumstances and what's happened in the last 12 months or so. I'm realistic and I don't think I'll be too far away with my predictions on what we'll spend and what we can afford. Smithies has been mentioned in the £3m bracket on numerous occasions, Stoke and other Premiership clubs are looking at him and he's been getting rave reviews all season, oh and he's still young. I think it's safe to place him in the 'unrealistic' category. Ambrose is worth at least £1.5m now, whether Palace are desperate enough to accept less I'm not so sure, but if they are the interest in him will double, he'll be able to command a higher wage and we'll have an even smaller chance of signing him. What clubs are willing to pay obviously dictates the price they move for but it doesn't always reflect the amount their current club value them at, and their true value. I remember when someone made a £1.5m bid for Kyle Naughton. And £6m will never allow us to sign the types of players you have in mind.