Of those mentioned I think 3 or 4 will stay, VDH, Amat, Fer and Olssen, I like all of them and think they will do well in the championship as may Roberts. As for Montero and Narsingh, neither will survive in the championship (just my opininion), Montero couldn't manage 1 game now and then, cant see him working playing twice a week against a more physical full back. Narsingh I just think is piss poor. I do like the look of Assoro he looks a good signing to be fair, Carroll is far to lightweight for the league and will end up sliding down the leagues again I don't see what people see in him. Clucas I am unsure about, but looks like he will be on his way anyway, Naughton I hope he leaves. love to keep Mawson and Ayew, but no chance really is there. The issue is and I suppose this could be where I have it wrong is how good the kids are, I just don't think you can go into the season with 4 or 5 of them playing each week as we will be in trouble, most have never played a competitive league game, we will jst have to wait and see, what disappoints me most was I was quite excited at the relegation and getting rid of the **** and high earners and building a good quality championship squad, who would hopefully push for the play offs and I doint think that is to much to ask after spending 7 years in the PL. But it seems that the yanks are not prepared to do that and it is another season of hoping we have enough to survive.
I know where you are coming from about the physical side of the championship. However some of our younger players in their early 20's should be able to stand up to the physical side of things after all you see boxers of that age. I watched some of the games last season and thought some of the sides were slow in passing and thought.. With speed in both those we should be able to play around them and this is what I hope Potter is concentrating on. I am undecided about Narsingh and do worry about Montero.. I am not a great fan of Naughton but stats showed he was our best defender last season. This only goes to show that stats don't give you the full picture. By the way you are not my mate who e goes to the game with me are you as he can't stand Naughton either.
Looks like you were right Phil Leicester in talks to sign Swansea City striker Jordan Ayew http://the72.co.uk/111045/leicester-talks-sign-swansea-city-striker-jordan-ayew/
Painful if true Hilts, how bad was he? You never know, maybe the board have seen somthing in him they like, probably something to do with £350K, fuuuuuuuuuuck, where are we going answers on the back of a *** packet next to a picture of cancer.
So £90k a week for Bony and £45k a week for each Ayew isn't spending big? As I've said before, your income will be £40M less this year than last. That's a bit of loose change to have to find down the back of the sofa. Why do you think the board are looking to loan these players out? It's to get their salaries off the wage bill. You had the highest wage bill by percentage of income let year (77%) and the highest percentage inn the league of income being TV revenue, which is drying up.
I understand what you are saying, but they have all been playing against other sides 21's but most of those are 18 or so as the good ones would be out on loan. It will be a bit late to say they aren't up to it when September, October comes and we cant win a game (which basically has happened to us over the last 2 seasons), I don't mind the young wingers and may be full backs if we play a flat back 4, but our engine room is looking pretty thin and those we have (senior players) have absolutely no heart, Carroll and Clucas are not exactly dynamic and I don't rate either, so I cant see them helping the youngsters out, who knows when Fer is back but again he isn't exactly a box to box player for us and set an example to the younger players. I honestly don't know where we go, but I will keep saying this we have to bring in some experienced championship players or it is going to be a 9 month struggle against relegation. to be honest if it means the board **** off I am not sure it would disappoint me (not sure on that). As for Naughton I was always one who thought give him time, but time never actually made any difference to his performance , But having watched his attitude in pre-season he clearly thinks we are now below him, I would give him away and play Roberts there.
A fairly youthful, good footballing side which unfortunately would get steam rollered by most decent Championship teams.Lets just say we're a work in progress
Glad you said that before me, but totally agree with you, that is the worst Centre midfield I can remember since before Martinez, days, we are ****ed if that is how we go into the season, Can you imagine that side going to Milwall, no chance.
He was highly rated but just couldnt make an impression and released. He seems to have had a good season with Yeovil. Wouldnt be the 1st player released to bounce back with another club.Big step up from L2 to The Championship though. We signed Mendez-Laing last summer for a Bosman free. Hed been released previously by Wolves , didnt impress at Pboro and had a great season for us. Same with our keeper Etheridge - released by Fulham went down the leagues came to us and had a great season. James could be the same.
I don't know whether Potter is just using this game to try out his defensive formation but we have offered virtually nothing going forward. I think we can carry one lightwieght in midfield but not three as we are tonight although Dhanda is trying to move the ball forward. Routledge is noticeable by his absence which means Mcburnie is on his own up front with a bit of service from Montero.
We are doing exactly as it says on the tin with trying to get as many high earners of the books as possible and that is the best way forward.....Everyone who joins the club now will be on good championship wages that we can easily afford after 7 years in the premiership. From what i read and hear things are going pretty well and we will shortly be naming our squad for the season and we should know who will be named as Captain and vice Captain.......Everyone from Potts, Reed, Curtis and the players are positive about the coming season and are aiming for a top 6 finish and could even be in the top 2.....I can't see why not.....
Sorry!!! I did not intend to be patronising at all. It was a friendly opening, is all. On the finances, we had a miserable investment programme which got us f all for a lot of money. We then spent two, maybe three, years shedding dead wood and trying to survive and trim the spend to avoid (unsuccessfully) FFP penalties. After nearly going down, we survived.....but we relied heavily on our owner's continued and increased support. As CCFC has said, the problem is a 40 million hole in income and costs possibly the same...unless there are solid and strong relegation clauses. and even then (and this is a 'don't know' issue) the reduction is unlikely to be totalling the 40 mill. If we turn to your good selves, published information tells us that the Swans model relies on operational losses being mitigated by transfer profits. So! The loss of 40 mill income stresses the operational side and , while you have profits from Williams and Siggurdson, they will be needed and year on year you will need continued sales. Bony is, from what I hear on here, without a relegation clause, the big earner and injured so he will sit some time on your books. That doesn't help your cash issues. I and CCFC didn't say you would be broke or worse off than any other sides....although those you mentioned have been living off the lower incomes for many years. Aston Villa, Sunderland last year blew the pot trying to get quickly back. Wolves and Fulham successfully went all in to get up. You don't have a mad owner who will continue and increase support and precious few fixed assets against which to borrow or generate cash. I think it was Phil who said parachute payments are in arrears. That is, the reduced payment will come at the end of the season and someone has to cut your coat to fit your cloth. I was not referring to the finances, by the when I talked about you going through what we went though. It was more the physical situation. Your finance situation is significantly worse than we had..... in terms of cash availability and ability to survive the loss of income. If you recall, the sale of Siggurdson was needed before you could go out and buy..... at the very end of the transfer window. Anyway, once again, sorry for appearing patronising. I find the whole football funding process fascinating, especially when the ups and downs happen, tied in with the ownership issues. It's rather a shame that the published accounts always come out so long after the event. by the time I see the statements, I've forgotten the specifics of who made a profit and how.
