Really?Loan
Signings
Cost
Money
Really?
Can also be recalled
Are Obika and James up to playing three games in 3 days?
surely in the modern era where players and especially their Agents call the tune then fees and wages are going to be driven up anyway by supply and demand ?...Nobody is going to allow their Big Hitting client to be obtained on the cheap regardless of keeping low key or not.
Don't think KR came across as you say at all just a tad frustrated that he couldn't be certain of when and how which is understandable given that nobody knows what is happening in the background. ..I've been relatively relaxed about our progress on the transfer front up to that point - but having seen the new iFollow interview, and the first cracks of frustration coming through KR's usually overwhelmingly positive demeanour the level of concern is starting to grow.
It is evident that our recruitment this summer hasn't quite gone to plan. Whilst this isn't ideal, it's not particularly alarming as we are a League One club without infinite resources. It won't have been a surprise that Ledson needed to be sold, or that Rothwell would look elsewhere, or that Ricardinho was unlikely to accept a contract on (what one presumes are) reduced terms. Whilst we all appreciate KR talking a big game about having a whole squad heading off to Ireland, most of us can probably appreciate that, in the absence of a blank checkbook or multi-billionaire owner bankrolling us, if we want to be ambitious in the quality of player we bring in, is it really a surprise that we are having to wait a little longer? or perhaps miss out on some of our top targets, if other clubs (perhaps with bigger bank balances) are in the market too. Indeed, the QUALITY of business done thus far this summer is pleasing (U23 squad taking shape, Derry - an experienced FL manager - coming on board as an assistant/coach, Eastwood's new deal, Carruthers and Garbutt arriving, even on loan) and probably an indication as to the scope of our aspirations for the season to come.
BUT, the clock is very much ticking now...and the fact that our usually very vocally upbeat manager has let some frustration leak out on an official club press channel is a tad worrying. As is the fact that his mention of 'parent clubs' very much gives the impression that the only deals immediately in the pipeline are more loans. (I'm not on the 'sign everyone permanently bandwagon' - but if five our preferred first eleven are all loans that does leave us extremely vulnerable in January). And looking at the number of genuine first team players we have, the fact that he said 'we need 5 or 6' almost in a wishful tone, rather than a certain/positive/knowing one was also alarming...
(To flip onto a positive end to my post, he did also openly state he expects significant business to be done before the season begins - obvious, but good to hear - and clearly some more movement is expected shortly. At this stage I'm still hopeful that the quality, rather than quantity, of our business done thus far indicates the level of player/ambition we have for the coming season...and that calibre of player takes a little longer to reel in. I'm hopeful that we are deliberately keeping ourselves understated, low key and dignified in the market to avoid being driven up on wages/fees and surprise us with a couple of serious big hitters at this level joining us before we all head up to Barnsley. And desperate to see some movement at the top of the pitch soon, since striking options of Obika, Noel-Williams and James are seriously troubling )
I've been relatively relaxed about our progress on the transfer front up to that point - but having seen the new iFollow interview, and the first cracks of frustration coming through KR's usually overwhelmingly positive demeanour the level of concern is starting to grow.
It is evident that our recruitment this summer hasn't quite gone to plan. Whilst this isn't ideal, it's not particularly alarming as we are a League One club without infinite resources. It won't have been a surprise that Ledson needed to be sold, or that Rothwell would look elsewhere, or that Ricardinho was unlikely to accept a contract on (what one presumes are) reduced terms. Whilst we all appreciate KR talking a big game about having a whole squad heading off to Ireland, most of us can probably appreciate that, in the absence of a blank checkbook or multi-billionaire owner bankrolling us, if we want to be ambitious in the quality of player we bring in, is it really a surprise that we are having to wait a little longer? or perhaps miss out on some of our top targets, if other clubs (perhaps with bigger bank balances) are in the market too. Indeed, the QUALITY of business done thus far this summer is pleasing (U23 squad taking shape, Derry - an experienced FL manager - coming on board as an assistant/coach, Eastwood's new deal, Carruthers and Garbutt arriving, even on loan) and probably an indication as to the scope of our aspirations for the season to come.
BUT, the clock is very much ticking now...and the fact that our usually very vocally upbeat manager has let some frustration leak out on an official club press channel is a tad worrying. As is the fact that his mention of 'parent clubs' very much gives the impression that the only deals immediately in the pipeline are more loans. (I'm not on the 'sign everyone permanently bandwagon' - but if five our preferred first eleven are all loans that does leave us extremely vulnerable in January). And looking at the number of genuine first team players we have, the fact that he said 'we need 5 or 6' almost in a wishful tone, rather than a certain/positive/knowing one was also alarming...
(To flip onto a positive end to my post, he did also openly state he expects significant business to be done before the season begins - obvious, but good to hear - and clearly some more movement is expected shortly. At this stage I'm still hopeful that the quality, rather than quantity, of our business done thus far indicates the level of player/ambition we have for the coming season...and that calibre of player takes a little longer to reel in. I'm hopeful that we are deliberately keeping ourselves understated, low key and dignified in the market to avoid being driven up on wages/fees and surprise us with a couple of serious big hitters at this level joining us before we all head up to Barnsley. And desperate to see some movement at the top of the pitch soon, since striking options of Obika, Noel-Williams and James are seriously troubling )
I've been relatively relaxed about our progress on the transfer front up to that point - but having seen the new iFollow interview, and the first cracks of frustration coming through KR's usually overwhelmingly positive demeanour the level of concern is starting to grow.
It is evident that our recruitment this summer hasn't quite gone to plan. Whilst this isn't ideal, it's not particularly alarming as we are a League One club without infinite resources. It won't have been a surprise that Ledson needed to be sold, or that Rothwell would look elsewhere, or that Ricardinho was unlikely to accept a contract on (what one presumes are) reduced terms. Whilst we all appreciate KR talking a big game about having a whole squad heading off to Ireland, most of us can probably appreciate that, in the absence of a blank checkbook or multi-billionaire owner bankrolling us, if we want to be ambitious in the quality of player we bring in, is it really a surprise that we are having to wait a little longer? or perhaps miss out on some of our top targets, if other clubs (perhaps with bigger bank balances) are in the market too. Indeed, the QUALITY of business done thus far this summer is pleasing (U23 squad taking shape, Derry - an experienced FL manager - coming on board as an assistant/coach, Eastwood's new deal, Carruthers and Garbutt arriving, even on loan) and probably an indication as to the scope of our aspirations for the season to come.
BUT, the clock is very much ticking now...and the fact that our usually very vocally upbeat manager has let some frustration leak out on an official club press channel is a tad worrying. As is the fact that his mention of 'parent clubs' very much gives the impression that the only deals immediately in the pipeline are more loans. (I'm not on the 'sign everyone permanently bandwagon' - but if five our preferred first eleven are all loans that’s does leave us extremely vulnerable in January). And looking at the number of genuine first team players we have, the fact that he said 'we need 5 or 6' almost in a wishful tone, rather than a certain/positive/knowing one was also alarming...
(To flip onto a positive end to my post, he did also openly state he expects significant business to be done before the season begins - obvious, but good to hear - and clearly some more movement is expected shortly. At this stage I'm still hopeful that the quality, rather than quantity, of our business done thus far indicates the level of player/ambition we have for the coming season...and that calibre of player takes a little longer to reel in. I'm hopeful that we are deliberately keeping ourselves understated, low key and dignified in the market to avoid being driven up on wages/fees and surprise us with a couple of serious big hitters at this level joining us before we all head up to Barnsley. And desperate to see some movement at the top of the pitch soon, since striking options of Obika, Noel-Williams and James are seriously troubling )
Its quite simple really i believe. Lots of fans, and KR will have expected us to be operating at the level of Peterborough etc, signing Godden, Eisa etc. I know i did.
Despite best intentions, we are not, and our policy is now to find loans.
Nothing wrong with that. But its all about expectation setting.
Its quite simple really i believe. Lots of fans, and KR will have expected us to be operating at the level of Peterborough etc, signing Godden, Eisa etc. I know i did.
Despite best intentions, we are not, and our policy is now to find loans.
Nothing wrong with that. But its all about expectation setting.
Interesting article. Joining an British club next week..
Tony Watt 'not far away' from return to UK football http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44751575
Edit: Could be wrong but, after reading the article again, I get the feeling he’ll be going to a Scottish club?
Bit disappointed by that. I thought he’d be the type of striker that we’d go in for - bit of a risk but something to prove. Maybe we did..?Signed for St Johnstone today.