So that is 3 in and it seems Clough still has his eye on a 4th.

[highpeakblade]

Just reading that despite the two coming into the club today and the previous addition of Paynter, Clough rightly still believes that we need another striker on board and is putting all of his efforts into bringing one in as soon as possible.

I have to admit I think this is probably our best or at least most sensible recruitment drive in all of our time in this league. Strengthening in the right places and the players coming in are unquestionably of improved quality.

 

[Pinchy]

I suspect, as Alan Freeman once nearly said, we "ain't seen nothin' yet....."

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

A completely unknown Scottish youngster and Simon Lappin Mk. II?

Some people are very easily pleased.

 

[Pinchy]

A completely unknown Scottish youngster and Simon Lappin Mk. II?

Some people are very easily pleased.

And others are embarrassed and defensive because they are beginning to realise that they've been talking bollocks.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

And others are embarrassed and defensive because they are beginning to realise that they've been talking bollocks.

pommpey?

 

[LardSardine]

In terms of recruitment, it seems promising and on the right lines. Personally I think we need to see how they perform in a few games. We have a few years' experience of seeing highly rated players at other clubs turn up at the Lane only to turn immediately bobbar.

 

[pommpey]

And others are embarrassed and defensive because they are beginning to realise that they've been talking bollocks.

It's true, pinchy. I was so WRONG, eh?

As PN'L says, we've only gone and signed Leighton Baines and Jack Wilshere, haven't we? And if rumour is correct, there's a Bentley with JM4TA on it's plates in the car park.

pommpey

 

[GrayBlade]

It's true, pinchy. I was so WRONG, eh?

As PN'L says, we've only gone and signed Leighton Baines and Jack Wilshere, haven't we? And if rumour is correct, there's a Bentley with JM4TA on it's plates in the car park.

pommpey

Hey up mate is it Gib?

 

[Pinchy]

It's true, pinchy. I was so WRONG, eh?

As PN'L says, we've only gone and signed Leighton Baines and Jack Wilshere, haven't we? And if rumour is correct, there's a Bentley with JM4TA on it's plates in the car park.

pommpey

Unlike some mate, you are intelligent. You should realise (and deep down you do) that turning this creaking old tanker around is harder than raising the Titanic. You certainly can't do it all in one transfer window. NC has a clear view of where he wants to go and who he needs to take him there (not many of the existing crew, that's now obvious). How many of us have said "Get rid of the lot of 'em!" Well, he's on his way, but it will take time and patience. Yes, I know about our perilous league position but you have to start from where you are, not where you'd like to be! Today is just the start. There will be bigger and better recruitment to come but appropriate to where we are at the time. Messi won't sign until we're in the top six at least. Some fans need an injection of realism and proportionality.

I know you and others will be peeved to find out, as you will, that HRH is real, KM is not Beelzebub, and we have indeed got some money, because that doesn't fit the party line.

Roll on 2014/15. You just might like what you see.

 

[Kev Gee]

Im in agreement with Pinchy. NC can only go so far in this window. It would be suicide to ditch the whole squad now. And no-one would want them anyway. A few signings in key areas to take us to the end of the season & then clear the decks.

 

[Kenilworth]

Nigel Clough is the first manager at SUFC I feel I can trust to do the right thing for both long term and short term good of this club and it's supporters, for a very long time.

 

[highpeakblade]

It beggars belief how people are failing to understand the implications and restraints of the financial fair play stuff as well.......

We would all like to see a few big names join the club and fire us back up to the championship of course we would but our wage bill is dictated to us and we have to balance the squad based on what we are allowed to spend. Ok we do have a good bit of dead wood still at the club but as said what benefit would there be in getting shut wholesale and bringing in a completely new team who at this stage of the season would need a good few games to bed in and gel?.

Paynter and Brayford were targets for championship clubs and Scougall was wanted by the leading teams in this division, that to me tells me that we have done extremely well to bring them into the club and the management team need a great amount of congratulations for doing this and most importantly it tells us that they are more than good enough to operate at this level and have something to offer us.

 

[Lane Ender]

Clough has been patient with these signings bet he could feel the fans breathing down his neck to secure them.

It'll only take us to put a bit of a run together and we'll out of the woods.
I for one have confidence in Clough and I believe he'll turn this club round playing attractive football at the same time.

 

[Balham]

Somewhere there is a list of contracted players but from memory, it's something like this:

Out of contract in 2014 (bold indicates players I'd expect to stay)
GK: Howard
DF: McMahon, Hill, Kennedy, Barry, Hodder, Westlake
MF: Flynn, McFadzean, Whitehouse, Johns,
FW: Porter, Miller*

*the club has an option to extend Miller's contract.

Longer contracts:
GK: Long, Willis
DF: Maguire, Collins
MF: Murphy, Scougall, McGinn, Doyle, Cuvelier, Brandy, Dimaio, Calvert-Lewin, Reed, Whiteman
FW: De Girolamo, Baxter, Ironside, Khan, Taylor

The sole aim this season is to stay up. I have no doubt that this team

Long
Brayford Maguire Collins Hill/Harris
Flynn Doyle McGinn Murphy
Baxter Paynter
Subs: Howard, Kennedy, Coady, Scougall, De Girolamo, Miller +1

is good enough to stay in this division, particularly with Clough at the helm. I'd like to see him not play such a defensive formation away from home but I would imagine that part of the deal with Liverpool is that Coady needs to play as much as possible.

The summer will be the interesting time - there's ample opportunity to reprofile the squad and get a side together capable of getting promotion - several of the key roles are free (full backs, centre forward).

UTB: In Nigel we trust.​

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Im in agreement with Pinchy. NC can only go so far in this window. It would be suicide to ditch the whole squad now. And no-one would want them anyway. A few signings in key areas to take us to the end of the season & then clear the decks.

Sensible signings and give the ball a big kick close season.

Not sure how Pinchy squares that one though

 

[Esablade]

Well I for one am very happy with the signings so far given our circumstances. We need some fresh faces in, new option, hopefully with a bit of quality to get us out of this shit.

If we can get a half decent striker in I'm sure we'll do it and then build for next season.

A few cheery pints tonight!

UTB!

 

[yorkshirecoast]

Well I for one am very happy with the signings so far given our circumstances. We need some fresh faces in, new option, hopefully with a bit of quality to get us out of this shit.

If we can get a half decent striker in I'm sure we'll do it and then build for next season.

A few cheery pints tonight!

UTB!

Agree with this. Pleasantly surprised with today's signings - but a goalscorer was always the number one priority so I hope we still intend bringing one in.

UTB

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

None of the signings have been exciting, but i don't mind too much. The sensible thing was always going to be take a punt on freebies and promising youngsters. It's all about choosing the right ones. Something we've been bloody terrible at for a long long time. Possibly cos we had muppets making the decisions instead of the manager, who knows really. Hopefully the players we're bringing in are the ones Clough wants. It looks more promising so far.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Experienced head, forward, - Kevin Philips?

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

Experienced head, forward, - Kevin Philips?

Leicester signed him last week. Unless you know summat i don't.

I see Jake Cassidy has gone back to Tranmere, surprised we didn't go in for him. Hopefully it's cos we have someone better lined up.

 

[MBoreman]

Looks like Scougall can play as a CM. If i'm right in thinking that I'd like to see him in for McGinn, Harris for Collins (Hill at CB) and obviously Porter has to come in for Paynter.

 

[Oreyt]

The truth is no-one knows jack diddly squat. But acknowledging that would make forums highly 'not fun'. Let's see what occurs. Won't take long and we'll all stay chums.

Up the ruddy Blades.

And yes, I'm drunk.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Leicester signed him last week. Unless you know summat i don't.

Boobee there is a lot I know that you don't
I was fishing expecting some of our less positive friends to have moan about players looking for a paycheque.
But we've plenty of young talent so a experienced pro who's attitude and professionalism has been good throughout his career wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

 

[Snowman]

The truth is no-one knows jack diddly squat. But acknowledging that would make forums highly 'not fun'. Let's see what occurs. Won't take long and we'll all stay chums.

Up the ruddy Blades.

And yes, I'm drunk.

I do like your snowman. And so am I.