At the end of the day that’s the club’s job to identify and persuade players to join. Pelle was 28 when we signed him so not exactly a spring chicken. Clearly we can’t get anybody who is playing regularly in the Premier League but there will be established options in Europe.
I always reserve judgment until the transfer window closes because I’m realistic, if not a little bit sad, about our position in the football pyramid. Ultimately there will probably be bids in for players who are weighing up their options and waiting to see if a better offer (financial, offering European football or just prestige) comes their way before agreeing to join. As an example, Moussa Dembele’s name has been touted but apparently we aren’t the profile of club he’s up for. However, come 30th August, if nobody else comes in for him, does his stance change?
Just look at Man Utd going after Arnoutovic etc. it gives some relatively experienced, established and even mediocre players hope that someone like Utd will come calling and spunking the cash.
So we wait. That’s fine but how many games pass us by before new signings are ready to contribute? Mara wasn’t even on the bench.
So with all the above taken in to consideration, what grinds my gears is the fact that ABK was brought in to add quality to the defence, but was left unused on the bench and effectively fifth choice CB on the day because Stephens came on. But we already knew how useless the rest were so we haven’t moved forwards. It isn’t like ABK just signed and had no preseason.
I’m sure there will be all kinds of reasons but at the moment it’s hard to see a bigger reason than because these players aren’t ready, which isn’t great because the last 15 games demonstrate we are pretty desperate for improvement. Either that or Ralph is a muppet.
I’m not at all confident of either, tbh. Can see the window closing with us announcing that our preferred targets didn’t work out, and by then there wasn’t time to change course, etc etc…
I too am sad that the club has been accepted as only having a certain level the we can ever achieve. This is simply mindset and I shall forever look back at the Ronald years as an example of what in recent times can be achieved if you believe you can.
Yes totally agree with what grinds your gears! Why sign em if they don’t get opportunity! Even Mara’s situation was, questionable and that is were Ralph is a muppet, too many questions arise from one action
If a football club has the turning circle of the Titanic by announcing “there wasn’t time to change course”, go sell ice creams, you are in the wrong game. I reckon we blindly follow certain age old statements such as that one and forget to ask the fundamental question of “why is that?”. Few times this line should be being used in our current world situations I say
I get bored saying the same thing, I know you lot do but we’ve been shite for at least 3 years and going backwards in that time, the people buying the players needs to go for a start, we’ve been overtaken by many clubs and now staring down the barrel and its our own fault.
I’m more concerned about the timeline of players, who’s responsibility they are, Kotchap for instance, who signed him and if the person responsible was replaced after we’ve just signed 6 players what does that tell you?
Well. Our former Head of Recruitment has been on Gardening Leave for Months.
His replacement has been quietly active for months. And brought Lavia with him.
Your point?
