Transfer targets

[Bladeinleeds]

Our last few offseasons have been defined by a complete lack of urgency imo.

- Undercooked preseason programs - last season 45 minutes against a donny rovers team of trialists was the pinnacle of the work out they got when trying to adapt to a new manager for example.

- No signings coming in with any time to acclimatise and hit the ground running

In a league of margins we are losing out by lax planning and a lack of intention in the way our business is completed.

Not complaining about this season as it’s not started yet but we need to see some urgency to avoid being left behind the 8 ball. Again.

 

[secretchief]

The one thing we have been categorically told is that hecky wanted to do business early and unless I am being incredibly thick it is now no longer early.

 

[S64 Blade]

Bit controversial but I dont think we need many new players.

Keeper: zero if Davies stays
Defence: cover for Egan and Basham
Midfield: box to box and MGW loan replacement
Striker : zero but would take Gayle on.loan

So that's 4 assuming others dont.leave, if Berge goes we need another midfielder.

Also I'm thinking Ndiaye would be a more.than adequate.replacement for MGW.

So that's 4 new players at a maximum of which 3 could be loans

I don’t think we need many either, but it depends a lot on who stays.

 

[brownblade]

Bit controversial but I dont think we need many new players.

Keeper: zero if Davies stays
Defence: cover for Egan and Basham
Midfield: box to box and MGW loan replacement
Striker : zero but would take Gayle on.loan

So that's 4 assuming others dont.leave, if Berge goes we need another midfielder.

Also I'm thinking Ndiaye would be a more.than adequate.replacement for MGW.

So that's 4 new players at a maximum of which 3 could be loans

I love this optimism. I partially agree.

After getting caught so short on players this season though, also the 5 sub rule, we'd likely benefit from as many quality additions as the wage budget will allow.

 

[FriethBlade]

I love this optimism. I partially agree.

After getting caught so short on players this season though, also the 5 sub rule, we'd likely benefit from as many quality additions as the wage budget will allow.

That's always the case. For me the main signing needs to be a box to box midfielder who can tackle and control the centre of the pitch...not a big ask I know !

 

[billyblademan]

Ideally every club wants to get business done early, but realistically it doesn't happen that way - you're either compromising on value or quality to wrap up a deal in early June.

As the club said last year, we made our intentions clear for MGW all summer, yet he was only available at the very last moment.

The more of pre season a player can take part in, the better, naturally, but it's still early days yet. Plus, as FriethBlade mentions, I'm not sure we need a great quantity of players, particularly first teamers (until Berge/Egan leave, that is).

 

[Yogi]

We need 2 CB’s as we’re really just down to the starting 3 as things stand unless either Lopata or Gordon is viewed as being able to do significant minutes at champ level.

We need an attacking player in the MGW mould as we currently only have Ndiaye for that in the squad and he will need cover/competition and a partner if we chose to play 2 behind.

We need a CM to replace Hourihane and compete with Fleck desperately and probably the same for Norwood.

We’re good at Fullback and upfront.

 

[Yellarbellyblade]

The one thing we have been categorically told is that hecky wanted to do business early and unless I am being incredibly thick it is now no longer early.

Depends how you define early. On the day the window opens is very early, now, one working day later, doesn’t really feel late. Players not back in training, fixtures not out. Still early in my book

 

[Maidenhead]

The one thing we have been categorically told is that hecky wanted to do business early and unless I am being incredibly thick it is now no longer early.

Three days into the window with most decent players away on international duty and you don't think that it's still early?

Blimey, talk about panic buying. Hope you're well stocked up on bog rolls.

 

[Kev Gee]

The one thing we have been categorically told is that hecky wanted to do business early and unless I am being incredibly thick it is now no longer early.

Hecky may want players in early but getting those players to commit to moves early is always a struggle. Agents will more than likely advise any players to wait and see what offers are available rather than sign for the first club that shows interest.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Pity we didn't have him in premier league he would have created enough for us to stay up

Not the way we were deployed in a flat 3.

 

[secretchief]

Three days into the window with most decent players away on international duty and you don't think that it's still early?

Blimey, talk about panic buying. Hope you're well stocked up on bog rolls.

Other clubs are doing business. We are not.

 

[brownblade]

Other clubs are doing business. We are not.

Does everyone think the staff involved in recruitment are all on holiday with no phones and zero plan?

Come on, seriously.

 

[robbiez666]

Early means towards the start of pre-season training, to me.

 

[adamawdhali]

I don’t think we’ll sign the ‘big player’ until midway or the end of pre season. I’m assuming the key player we get in will be a loan player from the prem as that’s how clubs are successful in this division and managers like to look at them in preseason before making a decision. For example, we probably won’t make a decision on what to do with lowe or boyes untill hecky has seen them in preseason

 

[secretchief]

Does everyone think the staff involved in recruitment are all on holiday with no phones and zero plan?

Come on, seriously.

I am just observing that out of the 20 incoming transfers in the championship already, none have come to us and this does not strike me as being particularly quick off the mark.

Recent transfer policy has been a total shambles and I am looking for some indication that things have changed.

 

[brownblade]

I am just observing that out of the 20 incoming transfers in the championship already, none have come to us and this does not strike me as being particularly quick off the mark.

Recent transfer policy has been a total shambles and I am looking for some indication that things have changed.

Sure, but I've seen Middlesbrough fans saying similar things, etc.

I'm not having a go at you or anyone btw.

I just find the transfer demands and impatience of the country/world quite comical really. Every single transfer window. That's despite taking it very seriously myself (but patiently)!

We'd love to have signed the best possible players on the first day of the window. But life's not that easy.

 

[247Blade]

Thanks.
That’s 3 days ago so why have we not signed 6 new players ?!!!!!

Pay Peanuts get Monkeys ... it seems we don't attract them either?!

 

[Booker4]

I think pre season starts next week, right, so if we can get one or two in this week than that's still early. The more exciting business won't be done till nearer the start of the season since I would imagine that the loan players will be the ones who are expected to start in the team, or put a lot of pressure on the contracted players. Last season the loans were not better than what we had, bar MGW, although he was outstanding.

I think the early movers will probably be cover players, but maybe this permanent signing that has been talked about may be someone to get excited about in particular. For those wanting 4/5 quality additions, I think they'll be disappointed. I think next season will essentially be last season's team with 1 or possibly 2 new starters, but of course if these are players of the ability of MGW then it will make a huge difference.

 

[Silent Blade]

Pay Peanuts get Monkeys ...

Spunking munneh get monkeys too!

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Bit controversial but I dont think we need many new players.

Keeper: zero if Davies stays
Defence: cover for Egan and Basham
Midfield: box to box and MGW loan replacement
Striker : zero but would take Gayle on.loan

So that's 4 assuming others dont.leave, if Berge goes we need another midfielder.

Also I'm thinking Ndiaye would be a more.than adequate.replacement for MGW.

So that's 4 new players at a maximum of which 3 could be loans

No cover for Jack Robinson?

 

[Davalon]

We’re good at Fullback and upfront.

I wouldn't feel too confident going with 36 yo Sharp, Brewster who's been out for several months, McBurnie after his contribution over the last two seasons, Burke (no explanation needed), Osula and Jebbison.

 

[LudlamBlade]

No cover for Jack Robinson?

I'd think that RND is earmarked for covering that LCB spot given that we currently have Enda, Lowe, Osborn and potentially even Harry Boyes in the mix at LWB.

Seen a few articles and comments over the last few couple of years about that being where he's expected to end up.

His dad was saying similar the other day, said he's a solid wingback defensively and gets forward well but that his final third play and end product need improving, and went on to say he's also perfectly capable of playing at centre back too.

Think he'd be great for us in that semi overlapping role, especially as he matures defensively

 

[Montymagic]

The transfer window has been open a day. One. Day.

What the actual fuck!

And we haven't fucking signed anybody yet?

Well that's it, I'm untying my shoelaces and going to the car park over this debacle, who's with me?

 

[Yogi]

I wouldn't feel too confident going with 36 yo Sharp, Brewster who's been out for several months, McBurnie after his contribution over the last two seasons, Burke (no explanation needed), Osula and Jebbison.

Maybe there’s room for a target man in there but I’d be surprised if we find the budget for it after we’ve addressed glaring needs.

 

[robbiez666]

We need 2 CB’s as we’re really just down to the starting 3 as things stand unless either Lopata or Gordon is viewed as being able to do significant minutes at champ level.

We need an attacking player in the MGW mould as we currently only have Ndiaye for that in the squad and he will need cover/competition and a partner if we chose to play 2 behind.

We need a CM to replace Hourihane and compete with Fleck desperately and probably the same for Norwood.

We’re good at Fullback and upfront.

1 x GK (if no Davies)
I think we could perhaps manage with one CB, using the kids of WB when desperate
1-2 CMs - Both Norwood and Fleck are the wrong side of 30 now. Osborn has never really played there for us. All contracts up at the end of next season (Berge aside)
1 x AM

The bare minimum though. I'm sure others will expect a striker but unless we get shut of Burke and kids go on loan I can't see it.

 

[Davalon]

Maybe there’s room for a target man in there but I’d be surprised if we find the budget for it after we’ve addressed glaring needs.

I wouldn't be surprised if there's no change to the striking options but I'd be concerned.

Sharp, as good as he was at times last season, hasn't picked up many injuries in recent times but two late last season might show that age is catching up.

Brewster was starting to come good but we don't know how he's going to come back after so long out.

The others simply aren't good enough currently based on age/experience, ability, or recent performance levels.

We may well go with them but it's not a top 6 striking unit imho sadly. MGW bailed us out in this regard and he won't be around.

 

[adiosmiamigo]

I keep seeing we are after this free agent or that player for a fee.
Betsis saying we need to get player s in early to have a good preseason etc.
Anybody else think like me and we ll get no one we really want and end up with last minute underwhelming deals in

Daniel Ballard from Arsenal is the latest,a defender,Millwall also interested.

 

[Yogi]

I wouldn't be surprised if there's no change to the striking options but I'd be concerned.

Sharp, as good as he was at times last season, hasn't picked up many injuries in recent times but two late last season might show that age is catching up.

Brewster was starting to come good but we don't know how he's going to come back after so long out.

The others simply aren't good enough currently based on age/experience, ability, or recent performance levels.

We may well go with them but it's not a top 6 striking unit imho sadly. MGW bailed us out in this regard and he won't be around.

Agree with the lack of depth but we pushed the rebuild back last summer and we’ll pay for it this summer by having too many holes to fill.

 

[1889]

Maybe there’s room for a target man in there but I’d be surprised if we find the budget for it after we’ve addressed glaring needs.

I would say at least one maybe two strikers are glaring needs.

The loss of MGW will be very costly in the goals ‘for’ column imo