Very true! They would've played through two divisions within a few years! Give them their chance rather than some expensive foreign imports!
I think I would agree with you.......emotionally. However business wise you cannot afford emotion. If you feel that a good player in this league is going to struggle in the next what are you going to do to ensure you do not get relegated in your first year? Get players in that you are sure of is the real answer. so some of our current squad may just not be up to it.......So NA will have some soul searching work to do. Do not envy him under those circumstances.
Can't see Connolly, Holmes, Dickson, Forte, Seaborne, Jaidi, Butterfield being kept on if we go up Question marks over Bialkowski, Fonte, Martin, Harding, Hammond, Barnard, FOx and Lambert Morgan, Lallana, Cork, Davis, Richardson and Guly would all perform in the Prem
Agree with most regards little disruption to the team that is doing so well. Thinking about a decent CB, they are not easy to come by when compared to decent strikers. Maybe Martin has the potential? Let's say we looked to sign this quality cb that could perform in the prem, who out if interest do people think fit this criteria?
martin has the potenial no doubt about it, but Liam Ridgewell would be a good shout as said by saintgreg10
There are two ways we could go; either we'll do a Swansea/Norwich and consolidate the existing squad with one or two additions. Or we'll do a QPR, spend big money on transfers, big money on wages and bring in Premiership 'rejects'. I expect it to be the former as I feel that's the way we do things as a club. However, when Liebherr and Cortese first arrived, we spent big in League 1 so there's no reason why we wouldn't do it again in the Premier League.
the only reason we spent big in League 1 was because we didnt really have a team to begin with bar a few youngsters who are now non-league - we will consolidate with our existing squad with 1 or 2 major additions IMO
Every successful business plans well ahead and that is what Nicola will be doing. He would be unwise to wait until April.
the whole scouting system was revamped 2 years ago. its one of the best in the country. we have full/part time scouts all over europe.
I'd expect us to spend a fair amount (we should still be sitting on a good amount of cash from the AOC transfer), but probably not all at once. A signing or two in January, players likely to be able to make the jump, and then another two or three during the summer after the previous acquisitions have settled. Should allow us to build on the squad without destroying all continuity.
Our first 11 doesn't need a great deal doing to it. Scratch beneath the surface and therein lies the problem. Adkins' summer improvements have all had to work their way in and none of them are assured of a place unless you count Hooiveld. It's a good way to work because players know that there is stiff competition for places. Hooiveld and a nice, juicy striker in January would be good.
If Lambert carries on in his present form, he deserves a chance in the PL and I think he will do well. Remember people said he'd be no good in the Championship.
NC Quote from 2009 "We will take our example from our supporters, who already are what we aim to become - Premier League". What more needs to be said?
I think the key to staying in the premiership long term is improving the stadium. Does any one know if we are planning on expanding the capacity as soon as we make it to the premiership? I'm not saying this season! but fingers crossed. I've heard or read somewhere we already have the planning permission to expand the stadium by 20 thousand. Would that be all done in one go? how long would it take? Definitely give us the money to pay better wages to keep our top players & wonder-kids. Getting to the premiership would gives a guaranteed pay out for the club of a stupid amount of money which would pay for the stadium improvements?
Don't think any expansion would go ahead until it was definately proved to be needed. We managed for years with a capacity of 32,000.
If they did upgrade the capacity up to 50,000 seater stadium. We would have the fifth latest stadium in the country. I don't think we would fill it now because of recession but once it improves and we get back into the prem if not this season then next etc. I this we could average 40-45 thousand a week. If we ever got into Europe even the Europa league we would sell out every game. I'm sure this is why they bought the club & believe it has so much potential. Hopefully we get there