I agree. I’ve already made my opinion on Tufan’s supposed lack of work-ethic but I’m still keen to see what I can do. I’d still want a player like Honeyman in the team though. He’s proven to give 100% every game and whilst he’s not the most technically-gifted midfielder, he can still pick a pass and get the team moving. He soldiered through what seemed like a fairly painful shoulder injury.
Thats correct it’s a balancing act and with a number of new players it may take time to get it right. Players brought in will be expected to start but it’s all about getting the right mix. I think the energy of honeyman will be a big asset and hopefully they will get something sorted although they will only pay what they think he is worth.
"The transfer market will reopen on Friday, June 10, in line with most major European leagues, though most international deals and free transfers will not go through until July 1" That's why we are still waiting then.
Secured his family's future though. Not going to pretend I wouldn't have done the same in his position
Do they need to do if there's real quality across the park? His asset is primarily his engine / work rate. That was needed as we just didn't have the quality to outplay sides. At times it seemed like 'headless chicken' mode. I'd like to see him stay too, and he more than just about anyone else deserves a chance to show what he might be able to do in a much better team .But maybe his style is simply not that critical anymore / not so much in line with how Shota wants us playing? And / or as others have said, maybe it's not just about money, but about him maybe wanting guarantees, longer terms, whatever.
Trouble is with any influx of players, you don't really know how they'll gel or what the blend will be like until they're actually playing competitive games.
Blatantly touting yourself as a signing for next season? I’m keen to see what you can do too mind your
I'm excited by the links with all these players, but I do wonder if those of us who are a bit longer in the tooth (quite a lot on this board) might be more wary than the young uns. on the basis of previous experience. Still think about 20 years ago when Brian Little broke up the great escape team and brought in a load of new players. We started the new season with a forward line of Williams - Alexander - Dudfield - Beresford and though we'd tear the division apart. 2 years later Peter Taylor had replaced them all. The players we're bringing in might cut it in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe , or they might not - same applies to the manager. If I look at Traore's CV its ok but I really can't see why he would be ahead of Honeyman who has proved himself at this level in a way that none of these players have (except Seri, if he comes). Slater has also come in as a young player and looked the part, and if Doc didn't have the season we all expected, neither did Dean Marney when he first arrived but he was a key player the following season. Time will tell.
We came sixth from bottom last time, we need a fair bit of packing out, which should probably have happened the season before, so let's give something else a go and most of us older ones are just happy to have any teeth left
Let's be honest, any transfer is a gamble, especially one from the continent. Honeyman doesn't appear to have any competition whatsoever in our squad; he's easily our best midfielder in the role that he plays, so he needs quality competition to push him and ensure his performances don't drop. Plus his injury record isn't the best and when he didn't play last season we really suffered. Seri would come in to push Slater, while Ozan comes in to play in the number 8 role. None of the new signings would be guaranteed starters as of now (with the possible exception of Allahyar as we don't actually have another quality striker), they're here to create depth of quality to the squad. We saw it with Baxter, he isn't necessarily a better keeper than Ingram right now, but the two pushed each other to be better for us and we saw some great performances from both as a result. A quality centre half would no doubt push the likes of Greaves and Macca to do well too.
I agree with you that for me the new signings shouldn't be guaranteed starters but will really improve the depth of the squad - maybe I've seen too much on Twitter suggesting that any of the existing squad other than Greaves, KLP and Fleming are all basically going to be warming the bench. I think if we evolve we'll be fine but if we change too much I'm a bit sceptical. Incidentally I definitely think Allahyar needs competition too and it seems like the club think that too?
Oh he won't be the only forward coming to the club, count on that. The club want an overhaul to bring us in line with the quality of the Championship, so we need to pull up a few roots and get some proper quality in. It won't be done all in one window, so you can expect a fairly busy January too.
I've had a message to tell me to tell me that the club have put in a bid to take Cenk Tosun on loan after we failed to convince Yilmaz to come (he's had an offer from Turkey). Makes sense, he's an experienced striker and a proper number 9. EDIT: He's a free transfer, I'd disregard this if I were you!
