What a fantastic Transfer Window

[Norwood's 6 iron]

There’s always hope, and I live in hope, that we somehow, have managed to unearth some gems, but anyone who claims this window has been anything but chaotic, is deluded.
Be interesting to read Hecky’s book when it comes out down the line.
Hamer, the pick of the crop, obviously, and hopefully our saviour.Shudder to think, where we’d be, if we hadn’t nipped in for him, when Illy went.But without that deal, pretty uninspiring.

Nothing like having a downer on some of our players before they've even kicked a ball for us this season.
I'm sure McAtee, Archer and Thomas would like to thank you for your support.

 

[Teofilo Cubillas]

If we hadn't have landed McAtee today this window would have been a monumental failure.

Very true.

The problem was the loss of Illiman Ndiaye.

Having lived in Barcelona for some time, I have had the pleasure of watching Xavi, Messi and Iniesta all being incorporated into the local football team. Illiman Ndiaye is a player of the same category.

You can never replace that kind of player.

So... if Archer replaces Billy,
and if Hamer can energise the plateau of Berge,
then McAtee must assume the role of Ndiaye - and if he does - then good for him and good for all of us!

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

We don't have enough at the top of the pitch.

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

Very true.

The problem was the loss of Illiman Ndiaye.

Having lived in Barcelona for some time, I have had the pleasure of watching Xavi, Messi and Iniesta all being incorporated into the local football team. Illiman Ndiaye is a player of the same category.

You can never replace that kind of player.

So... if Archer replaces Billy,
and if Hamer can energise the plateau of Berge,
then McAtee must assume the role of Ndiaye - and if he does - then good for him and good for all of us!

No way can you put Ndiaye in the same bracket as Xavi, Messi and Iniesta.
The lad had 2 good seasons in the second level of English football and didn't even hang around to see if he could hack it in the premiership.
He's then moved to France which in European football terms is fifth division.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Maybe stronger in terms of depth. In terms of quality the jury is very much still out.

Trusty is very much untested at Premier League level. Yet to see that Larouci is much of an upgrade on Osborn or Lowe, if at all.

Is Thomas any better than RND? Who knows.

Not sure anyone can say with any certainty that the defence is any stronger in terms of quality.

In terms of quality it has to be better too.
It’s the same side but instead of Enda you’ve got a player who’s represented England at all junior levels and made more than 50 PL appearances.
If Trusty is better than JLT as suspected then that is another area, if not we’re no worse off with one of the best centre halves from last season in the Championship.

 

[Heely bottoms underpants]

With the financial situation and league position we are in, I honestly don't know how much better that window could've been.
There's still a lot of uncertainty at the club and at one point it was very much Jesus H Christ, what else can go wrong, so I think they've done a good job under the circumstances.
UTB.

 

[Working Class Hero]

Very true.

The problem was the loss of Illiman Ndiaye.

Having lived in Barcelona for some time, I have had the pleasure of watching Xavi, Messi and Iniesta all being incorporated into the local football team. Illiman Ndiaye is a player of the same category.

You can never replace that kind of player.

So... if Archer replaces Billy,
and if Hamer can energise the plateau of Berge,
then McAtee must assume the role of Ndiaye - and if he does - then good for him and good for all of us!

Surely McAtee assumes the role of McAtee? We're still missing an Ndiaye (or anything close to him).

 

[SUFCScorecard]

Here is how I would grade our transfer business at each position

GK: B- Foderingham may just about be good enough, but Davies isn't. This is an area we should have upgraded but didn't.

CB: B+ Trusty looks like a good signing at the position of most need across the back. Only criticism would be we may struggle if Egan goes down.

LWB: C- What a farce. One of the most obvious positions needing a major upgrade, we've blown a chance to fix the position for 3-4 years and ended up with 4-5 LWBs who may only be Championship level. Whatever happens at the end of the year we need a clear out of dead wood at the position.

RWB: A- No improvement, probably didn't need to, good decision making.

CM: A Nice business at CM, shame we couldn't find space in the budget for Doyle, but Hamer for Berge was a coup, and Souza shows potential of being a great addition. We'll see on Davies, but if we get him playing at his potential CM will be an area of strength for us.

ST: B- I know a lot of people are excited by Archer, but at the end of the day the starting pair we have are weaker than when we started, that may be understandable in the context but weaker is weaker, and on top of that we probably aren't good enough either. We have no backup for an injury prone McBurnie. Traore looks like a good long term signing, expect him to thrive next year rather than this year. Its unclear whether Archer can do it an the PL (and won't be with us if relegated). It feels like we are a striker short for the overall group with Jebbo out indefinitely and McBurnie likely to go down at any moment.

Overall I would give the window a B

 

[Teofilo Cubillas]

No way can you put Ndiaye in the same bracket as Xavi, Messi and Iniesta.

Yes I can!
I was able to see Messi, Xavi and Iniesta while you had all the joy of a Chris Porter penalty!

 

[Proper Blade]

Thank you Prince & Hecky & backroom team

Despite losing Berge & illy, this group of players look great.
We are much stronger whatever the end of season brings.
But I do think that this squad will stay up & will be a great foundation for the future

It has been a fucking chaotic window where we've ended up with a weaker strike force and arguably a weaker first choice defence. Midfield, yes, I would say we're stronger with the addition of McAtee.

Then there's the fact we essentially threw the first two games of the season because of the aforementioned fucking chaos.

Oh, and the fact that it's going to take time for an almost completely new midfield and attack to gel. Potentially throwing away another 4/5 games of the season.

I think the squad is looking good now - finally. But I worry we're already going to be adrift by the time they turn from a group of players into a team.

 

[designedbyross]

1 more experienced forward player would’ve topped it off nicely, unless magically Brewster is closer than we think to returning but not sure if he ever will.

Hamer is by far the my fave signing of the window. Getting McAtee back a close second. Archer is decent but a glorified loan. Souza looks promising and Trusty seems solid enough. The rest are all punts really but I think they’ve done a decent job given the pretty poor budget.

7/10, partly because I’m still not over N’Diaye leaving as well

 

[The Bohemian]

Thank you Prince & Hecky & backroom team

Despite losing Berge & illy, this group of players look great.
We are much stronger whatever the end of season brings.
But I do think that this squad will stay up & will be a great foundation for the future

Good attempt at game management

 

[MagnifiqueShorehamStreet]

Nothing like having a downer on some of our players before they've even kicked a ball for us this season.
I'm sure McAtee, Archer and Thomas would like to thank you for your support.

What part of “I live in hope that we somehow have managed to unearth some gems” didn’t you understand?

 

[Working Class Hero]

Here is how I would grade our transfer business at each position

GK: B- Foderingham may just about be good enough, but Davies isn't. This is an area we should have upgraded but didn't.

CB: B+ Trusty looks like a good signing at the position of most need across the back. Only criticism would be we may struggle if Egan goes down.

LWB: C- What a farce. One of the most obvious positions needing a major upgrade, we've blown a chance to fix the position for 3-4 years and ended up with 4-5 LWBs who may only be Championship level. Whatever happens at the end of the year we need a clear out of dead wood at the position.

RWB: A- No improvement, probably didn't need to, good decision making.

CM: A Nice business at CM, shame we couldn't find space in the budget for Doyle, but Hamer for Berge was a coup, and Souza shows potential of being a great addition. We'll see on Davies, but if we get him playing at his potential CM will be an area of strength for us.

ST: B- I know a lot of people are excited by Archer, but at the end of the day the starting pair we have are weaker than when we started, that may be understandable in the context but weaker is weaker, and on top of that we probably aren't good enough either. We have no backup for an injury prone McBurnie. Traore looks like a good long term signing, expect him to thrive next year rather than this year. Its unclear whether Archer can do it an the PL (and won't be with us if relegated). It feels like we are a striker short for the overall group with Jebbo out indefinitely and McBurnie likely to go down at any moment.

Overall I would give the window a B

To be fair you gave LWB a C, when in your own words it's been a farce. So an overall B isn't the biggest compliment.

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

What part of “I live in hope that we somehow have managed to unearth some gems” didn’t you understand?

The bit where you said, other than Hamer, it was "pretty uninspiring".

 

[Keen Blade]

We are short of an experienced powerful striker to cover McBurnie's frequent absences.
Archer played off Akpom last season and I don't think he has the stature for a lone striker.

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

Yes I can!
I was able to see Messi, Xavi and Iniesta while you had all the joy of a Chris Porter penalty!

I'm not questioning your opinion of those three world class players, but you are wrong to put Ndiaye on their level. Maybe in the future, but not now.
Ndiaye won't win anywhere near the silverware they have won if he stays at OM.

 

[SUFCScorecard]

To be fair you gave LWB a C, when in your own words it's been a farce. So an overall B isn't the biggest compliment.

C-

 

[Hackey Blade]

I'd say it was a solid 8/10 we have to play the long and short game and the signings we have made (net spend of £2m) have done just that

if we’ve only done a net spend of £2m then i’d say it was a disgusting window

 

[Toronto Blade]

Egan and Baldock will be 31 and Wes will be 33, they’re getting to an age where they’ll need to be replaced regardless.

I can’t imagine there will be a massive queue of clubs trying to sign them and doubt there will be many clubs (if any) bigger than us trying to sign them. I’m ok either way with what the club decides for those 3, e.g. new contract now or end of season.

I just don’t see why it’s even a point worth raising, we have more power in this situation than the players. It’s completely different to the Ndiaye situation where he had us by the bollocks.

You left off Norwood he will be 33 in April.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Nothing like having a downer on some of our players before they've even kicked a ball for us this season.
I'm sure McAtee, Archer and Thomas would like to thank you for your support.

I don’t think they would give a fuck about what he thinks.

 

[BrisBlade]

I'm a lot happier now than the day Berge left (having already lost Ndiaye).

Looking just at changes in starters from the end of last season, it's Thomas for Lowe, Hamer for Berge, Souza for Doyle, Trusty for JLT (maybe) and Archer for Ndiaye. With the exception of the last one, I would argue these are all slight upgrades. We also have a fair bit more depth (particularly in midfield).

Overall, I think we now at least have a squad to compete. Would have loved a second attacking midfielder and solid backup for Wes, but I'm OK with our business overall.

 

[Norwood's 6 iron]

I don’t think they would give a fuck about what he thinks.

Yes you're right, it's just annoying that some of our fans seem to be against our new signings right from the start.
I just hope that Archer gets off to a good start, he's got big shoes to fill.

 

[MagnifiqueShorehamStreet]

The bit where you said, other than Hamer, it was "pretty uninspiring".

Talking about, the transfer window, as a whole as the thread invited us to,not the individual players, you singled out, not me.
Again, I reiterate, in case you are still confused,I live in hope that we have uncovered some gems, not withstanding the fact that, if they turn out to be such, as I sincerely hope they do,of the 3 players you mentioned, 2 of them are only loaned to us, and the other goes back if we go down.Someting to consider when assessing the transfer window as a whole.
The uninspiring bit, takes a holistic look at the transfer window, bringing all things into consideration, and taking account of the players who have gone. as the header invites us to do.
I’ll certainly be giving the 3 lads you mention, my full blooded support, all season, as I do with all players who wear the red and white,so no need to get snotty, about a general comment, or have a go at me for criticisms of individual players, I didn’t make or even mention.
Up the blades.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

 

[ReeceofBDTBL]

Thank you Prince & Hecky & backroom team

Despite losing Berge & illy, this group of players look great.
We are much stronger whatever the end of season brings.
But I do think that this squad will stay up & will be a great foundation for the future

Yay, a transfer window that leaves us with a striking department of Archer, Traore and a sporadically fit Oli Mcburnie.

I’m delighted with the signings of Hamer and Souza, a big step forward in rebuilding our midfield. But let’s not pretend the clubs worked miracles in the transfer market.

We went down last time primarily because of a lack of creativity, we’ve lost our only number 10 and star player since being in a much weaker league.

Avoid injuries n I reckon we can get results but any sensible Blade wouldn’t be getting excited any time soon

 

[Houston_Blade]

For me:

Losing Ndiaye is a huge downside. Not that fussed about Berge going now we’ve got Hamer in.

Slimane, Larouci and Traore look like cheap punts who need time and may or may not be good. Warnock type signings.

Trusty is a good Champ player who may be good for us over time. Will get pissed off if he doesn’t play more.

Davies, low risk punt, hopefully needs a change of scenery and will perform.

Souza, Hamer and McAtee, fantastic signings, really exciting and will do well at PL level even against the odds.

Archer, hoping for big things from this one, please don’t be Brewster mk2.

Thomas, don’t think we had much choice. Just needs to be solid.

 

[IOM Blade]

We failed to retain the best player the majority of match going fans have ever seen in red and white, so it can be nothing other than a terrible window.

If you take Archer as an elaborate loan, which it is (we get our money back if we go down, or we stay up and are quids in), then our net spend, going on reported fees, is less than £10M. The quality just isn't there and we're go down with a whimper.

 

[moody1889]

Some people are so easily pleased it is embarrassing.

We have spent peanuts compared to theaat time we were in the Premier league and we were weaker coming into it.

And we are weak upfront it is poor from the club, had all summer to sort it and it is the same old excuses.

 

[moody1889]

We failed to retain the best player the majority of match going fans have ever seen in red and white, so it can be nothing other than a terrible window.

If you take Archer as an elaborate loan, which it is (we get our money back if we go down, or we stay up and are quids in), then our net spend, going on reported fees, is less than £10M. The quality just isn't there and we're go down with a whimper.

People are blind to the way the fans have been played.