Post window thoughts...

[Berlin Blade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

 

[trav164]

Very

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Very well said

 

[LSF]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

A pleasure to read such balanced common sense.
Alas, you may as well be speaking in a little known foreign language as many of our colleagues on here won't understand a word you've written .

 

[sitwell]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Far too sensible.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

Common sense post,well said

 

[DronnieBlade]

I do have faith in Wilder. Why wouldn't you.

I don't want us spunkin moneh. Some of its mine !!!

Strategically, we might find ourselves better placed to exploit the January window. This would now mean getting players out before they come in.

Fantastic we have not lost key individuals. Last seasons squad remains well intact.

All above said, there are obvious (to me and others and most importantly the gaffer) weaknesses in the top area of the pitch. Most pointedly, pace. I hope we can manage without this vital ingredient until January.

Looks like Ched n Sharp for Sunderland (unless he goes Sharp up top alone). But I'm sure Leon will be back for Bolton. If it comes to it, we can hobble through the one game slightly weakened. Be interesting to see what Donaldson can add.

UTB

 

[Torrix1889]

Agree with the OP.....reasonable window for me and will we be any worse off without the players we were trying to get over the line? Cole....don't rate him that highly personally and fans of previous clubs have not been overly impressed, even Fleetwood fans think he's bang average. Quina....untested and unknown quantity.....Sinclair.....this is probably the biggest disappointment but in Donaldson we have got a big powerful striker with bags of Championship experience.

We got Brayford off the payrol at last and held onto our prize asset in Brooks. Hanson remains a squad player until January which again is no bad thing and we have strengthened the defence with Heneghan who looks a decent prospect, (although I couldn't help thinking Harrison McGahey when I saw him!).

Hate the transfer window with a passion, raises far too many expectations.

We move on, get back to the hard work and build on our good start to the season. In Wilder we trust COYRAWW.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

.

It's not that he didn't cost enough. It's that he's 33 and always relied on his pace to be a good League 1/ OK championship striker. That means the best we can possibly hope for is an OK championship striker but turning 34 during the season, probably not even that. Would have been a good signing a few years ago. Similar to if we'd signed COG this summer.

 

[Darthblade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

I completely agree with you mate ...... but would like to add just one thing.

It's not about how much money you spend ...... its about getting round pegs for round holes ..... it's about getting in decent players in areas where we can all see that they are needed.

Some may not cost much, but some will be expensive. The problem is ..... if you don't have a competitive squad you will struggle at this level.

We may have a half decent first eleven that is capable of consolidating and retaining championship status, but beyond the first eleven we are in a bit of uncertainty

That ..... is the problem with what hasn't happened in the transfer window

UTB & FTP

 

[siblade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

No good talking sense like that round here #meltdown

 

[Liverpool blade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Excellent post. Very well said. Can't wait to get behind the lads at the stadium of shite!!. Up the blades.

 

[Esablade]

I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly.

It's not been run properly for years., it's been a shambles of mistake after mistake after mistake, usually based on the false economy of penny pinching then splurging a bit at the wrong times in panic ( usually after something's gone tits up and we've just paid someone up)

If we're relegated this season or scraping round the bottom half when we have a great chance of achieving something special, sat in 5th place with Wilder, would you say the club was being run 'properly' ?

I dunno...hopefully we'll do ok or better in the Champ, but remember, Wilder is ambitious...not sure the board have the means or will to match that ambition/talent..we'll see.

UTB!

 

[EddieColquhoun]

5th in the league, 10 in over the summer and no prospects sold. UTB

 

[Antonb]

The only main worry for me is lack of backup for coutts and fleck. I think the ball has been dropped in that department. Lundstrum isn't up to their standard yet. We do have to temper our expectations now I feel. Midtable would be a good/great season.

 

[Tunstall Fred]

5th in the league, 10 in over the summer and no prospects sold. UTB

Yes but Brooks is going to be sold in January,

 

[Fanny magnet]

At least we know how a jehovas witness kid feels at Xmas

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

I'm tuning it all out now. I think we've done satisfactory business and there was a clear attempt to do even more which hasn't come off for one reason or another.

Some people are imagining 6/7m burning a hole in the club's pocket and seem to think the other ten signings didn't cost anything.

If United have a respectable finish in the division this season then they've achieved what I had hoped for. The sums spent are irrelevant to me. As long as targets are met on the pitch I'm not interested in how much is spent.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Far too sensible for this morning. This expectation that we are going to transition in one window from 6 seasons in Division 1 to a competitive, full quality championship squad without weaknesses or question marks is bonkers.

Now if we'd had a window like Brentford, I'd understand a meltdown. Never seen anything like it, in two weeks they've gone from a play-off contender to relegation possibles for me.

 

[Davalon]

A lot of excellent points in the OP.

Just one thing I will say however, i read a lot comments along the lines of 'why not just get behind the team.'

Just because someone vents their frustration on here, or maybe criticises a signing, doesn't mean that they automatically don't get behind the team or that signing on match day.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Agree with much/most of that.

We have had a decent window with the squad in a much better position than it was at the end of last season and we have good options now.

The lingering issue is that we have brought in no pace up top which we were crying out for and being honest how many of the 10 or so signings are genuine first 11 upgrades?

Stearman and Stevens probably, that's the dissapoinment for many people. We haven't got a 'big signing' in and left money on the table to do so when we had the chance to push on this year after a strong start

 

[Revolution]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

A good and realistic post but I would say:

1. As others have said above, our first team may be fine but I'm less convinced about that 2nd XI being competitive. It certainly doesn't have many goals in it.
2. I do not agree with this idea that other teams spending money are not running the club properly. The opposite is true - the more you spend on wages, and to a lesser extent transfers, the better you will do. I wish we had more money to spend, that's for sure. The key is spending money well.

And for what it's worth my ITK understanding is that yes, Birmingham can afford it.

 

[GrayBlade]

My overall view of the window is that we've brought plenty in and cleared unwanted players out. I suppose all postitions are now covered (without really pushing the boat out) and we've got the prospect of seeing Brooks's development, I suspect we may even see him play up front on occasions.

I can't recall many summer windows of late where we've not been kicked in the nuts and sold our best players or prospects. I do wonder if keeping Brooks has been the hidden benefit of getting the sell-on cash and he'd have gone otherwise, if so I'll settle for that, it could be the best 'deal' of the window. UTB

 

[metalblade]

Stearman,Stevens and Baldock might well be starters the rest are back up, development or squad fillers, still no pace in the squad, good job we can pass it about while our attackers drag their slow sorry arses into the penalty box.

 

[GrayBlade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Spot on mate, you sum up my thoughts precisely. The ones who went into meltdown would still have gone into meltdown whatever happened, in fact as I pointed out last night, some of them only ever appear to go into meltdown and then disappear for months on end. Make of that what you wish.

 

[Working Class Hero]

I'm a bit indifferent about the dealings this window. We needed to improve the overall squad, which we have, but we also needed to improve the starting XI. We're in a higher division so you'd think it was common sense anyway, but I genuinely believe we could push in to the top half with just a couple of improvements. We haven't really done that though.

Yesterday was a disappointment as we were hoping for a signing that would make a statement. In reality we lost one of our best XI (in my opinion) and replaced him with what looks like a downgrade on the face of it, and signed a striker that's not really what we were looking for.

Of course it's early days and hopefully we will be pleasantly surprised by all 10 signings but at the moment we're going in to a long season with a first XI that's no better than last year apart from maybe at LWB, which worries me.

 

[Karaoke Blade]

After seeing the fallout from yesterday on here I'm finding the meltdown quite embarrassing. I don't understand why people are against us running our club properly. Look at Birmingham. How many players have they signed and how much money has it cost them? Can they afford it? What if they don't go up? They nearly went down last season. I'd rather take Clayton Donaldson off them, their hard working striker that compliments what we've got. The striker that Wilder's tried to sign 3 or 4 times. Should we celebrate the fact he's got it over the line or bemoan that it didn't cost us enough money? Mental.

I overheard on the bus this morning this lad saying to his mate 'Palace have managed to spend 26 million at the last minute, good for them.' His mate said 'who did they get?' and he replied something like 'cant remember, let me check', I was amazed. Like the default judgement on whether it was a good signing or not was how much it cost them and they were applauded for spunking 26 million, regardless on who it was on.

Imagine not thinking Michael Keane was a decent signing for Burnley because it was a free. Imagine then thinking it was a good signing for Everton because it was £30 million. Fans pride themselves now on their club keeping up with the Joneses next door and spending as much money as possible to fit in rather than taking pride from unearthing good value and making good signings. Were these fans moaning when we signed Neil Shipperley for nothing and he got us up? Or celebrating when we signed Ade Akinbuyi for £1.75 million and nearly derailed our own promotion by doing so? At least he cost loads of money though.

We're building a squad where we have a clearly defined system now, with the 3-5-2, sometimes playing 2 in behind the lone striker, sometimes inverted. Wilder has worked hard to provide 2 players for each position for competition by signing TEN PLAYERS in this window. We can field a 2nd 11 that would be competitive. Isn't that what we've wanted for ages?

Moore/Blackman
Freeman/Baldock
JOC/Heneghan
Stearman/Wright
Basham/CCV
Stevens/Lafferty
Coutts/Lundstram
Fleck/Carruthers
Duffy/Brooks
Sharp/Lavery
Donaldson/Ched

He knows what he's doing. Yes it'd be nice to have a little more quality in some areas, but not at the cost of integrity. We're 5th in the league, not by luck. Billy has scored 4 goals, he might not be perfect but the system works because of the players within it, not in spite of them. Get behind the lads, they might just surprise you.

Great post. But don't write Leon off too soon!

 

[davidblade]

Agree with the OP.....reasonable window for me and will we be any worse off without the players we were trying to get over the line? Cole....don't rate him that highly personally and fans of previous clubs have not been overly impressed, even Fleetwood fans think he's bang average. Quina....untested and unknown quantity.....Sinclair.....this is probably the biggest disappointment but in Donaldson we have got a big powerful striker with bags of Championship experience.

We got Brayford off the payrol at last and held onto our prize asset in Brooks. Hanson remains a squad player until January which again is no bad thing and we have strengthened the defence with Heneghan who looks a decent prospect, (although I couldn't help thinking Harrison McGahey when I saw him!).

Hate the transfer window with a passion, raises far too many expectations.

We move on, get back to the hard work and build on our good start to the season. In Wilder we trust COYRAWW.

You've got a lot of accounts haven't you Kev ?

 

[Sheffsteel]

2 keys issues:

1: How does Wilder feel? Does he think the board are supporting him?
I'd say YES, he thinks the board ARE relatively ambitious and have tried to bring in his targets.
Wilder himself hates all the mercenary stuff where players/ agents only motivation is money.

2: Will this transfer window affect promotion or relegation?
I'd say NO, if we hadn't strengthrned think we'd have finished 15th.
Now we've made slight improvements think we'll finish 11th.
If we'd have brought in our targets think we'd have finished 8th.

Another important factor is we STILL have a few million in the bank
It means we have a strong contingency fund to stengthen in January18, at which point Wilder will have a much better idea of which players can and can't handle the Championship.

 

[blader]

A good and realistic post but I would say:

1. As others have said above, our first team may be fine but I'm less convinced about that 2nd XI being competitive. It certainly doesn't have many goals in it.
2. I do not agree with this idea that other teams spending money are not running the club properly. The opposite is true - the more you spend on wages, and to a lesser extent transfers, the better you will do. I wish we had more money to spend, that's for sure. The key is spending money well.

And for what it's worth my ITK understanding is that yes, Birmingham can afford it.

Was just checking that no one had posted this as they were going to be my points too.

I agree with the OP sentiment, but it does come down to two possibility from Sheff Utd's point of view.

1. We have money to spend. If so, why haven't we? Some people have managed to convince themselves than ANY significant transfer fee is 'spunking money'. It's not, granted there examples of that, but it doesn't mean that spending money is always a negative thing. In fact, the general evidence would suggest quite the contrary.

2. We don't have money. How? Why? It's been jam tomorrow for years with this club and it would appear to be catching upon them now. There has been no significant investment and we are doing things the way we've always done. What I never understand about this is: why not just say 'we don't have much money, we'll have to be savvy in the market'? That's perfectly reasonable, it tells the fans where we are at and expectations are reasonable. Really don't get it.

To reiterate though, people need to get away from the idea that large spending is 'unsustainable'. Do you think all these championship clubs need that have spent 20/30/40/50 million this window are going bust? No, ofcourse not, they're spending within their means just like we are. It would just appear that their 'means' cover much vaster amounts of cash than we have!

Every club runs at a loss, even the most successful ones, we still appear to be slightly behind the times on understanding this. The books aren't never 'balanced' but do you think the teams at the top will care? Doubt it!