Andy Belk, Head of Recruitment...giving it billy big bollocks about how he's come through the analytics route, and how SLF put him in the recruitment team, and now how he sees us moving forward....let's see what three-legged donkey we get in to replace Bonne
Seems a nice guy but how some of our strikers have got through his 5 stage process is beyond me. Maybe he’ll surprise us all in January
Just listened to the video whilst doing the washing up. One thing that stood out for me is that Andy believes he's got more right than wrong. Bugger me! I could count on one hand which ones the fans think he's got right. Also, it's a pointless investment of time and analysis, if when we identify a decent loanee, we subsequently don't put a reasonable offer for them to stay e.g. Nakhi Wells. Instead, we start the whole process again to find another prospect. Interesting that Andy says that recruitment is based on a dossier of analysis. I think some verification of the analysis needs to be done otherwise you may as well just go with 'gut-feeling'. I also wonder if the recruitment is over-analysed and neglects prospects who could be moulded into a decent player. If the converse is true that the same level of analysis takes place of players once they have arrived, I do wonder how some of our crocks and below-par performers retain a place.
Ashley Barnes anyone? Apparently we have been alerted to his availability. Jamal Lowe from Bournemouth also one of the striker options identified. A deal for Malcolm Ebiowei would be complicated by the fact we can only have 5 loanees and the priority is a striker. Roberts has apparently played too many games for us to be able to end his loan, and Critchley wants to keep him. Buying Richards now rather than the end of the season would free up a loan spot. Hope we get some early business done but we all know what January is like.
Palace sell Eze, we get 20%. Then they buy Chair, we have a clause where we get 20% if sold. That way we have loads to spend. Simple.
I mostly agree with you but I don't think Nakhi is a good example. If I recall correctly, Bristol City paid a big transfer fee and enormous wages for him. I think loans are often a cheap way of bringing in reinforcements: whilst our owners may well have the money and may even be prepared to spend it, FFP means we can't always afford the full transfer fee and long-term wages involved and stay within the FFP rules. Each situation will be different but the arithmetic would have to be studied very closely as we are sailing very close to the wind.
Have to feel if we were keen (on Archer) we would have had a good shout. He has a team mate here, would have opportunities to start for sure up front for us too and would know NC. Can only assume we didn’t try or he was too expensive. Or maybe we have eyes on someone else!
Does anybody actually know why Richards is not being selected at all even for the bench? I haven't read anything from the club or our moles as to whether it's an injury or anything that indicates that the new management team don't rate him at all. has he even been mentioned in dispatches when updates about our injured is requested.
It's an option to buy pal not an obligation. If we buy him in this window , then it would free up an extra loan place. I think there's more chance of me buying a Ferrari in this window than us buying any player !
