In our parlous financial situation, we've got to be pragmatic but a Begovic signing would be really uninspiring. Surely we can find a younger goalkeeper with some potential (and sell-on value) for the same cost? Or do we no longer have a scouting department? What happened to our business model? How does this fit into our strategy? Have we even got a strategy nowadays?
So many questions Rodders. You’d think so. Not felt like we’ve had a decent one for a while. Plan C. See plan B. See plans D, E and F.
We have two of them in Mahoney and Walsh, unfortunately sent the very promising Mahoney on loan just prior to selling Dieng!!
I'm not so down on the Begovic deal, sure we want young players with potential but it's a pipe dream expecting us to achieve that in every position on our budget. If Begovic is still good enough and by all accounts very vocal and a leader that's going to help. Remember Rob Dickie and Jimmy Dunne essentially collapsing mentally last season, maybe having an older head between the sticks rather than the equally as sketchy Dieng might have helped.
Might not be such a bad thing if Mahoney gets good experience for a year not with pressure of being a championship first choice. On the proviso Begovic only has a contact for a year or two...
If I were a Glasgow Rangers fan, and Balogun signed, I'd be furious. Not a massive European club, but the biggest, or second biggest club in Scotland should surely be hoping for better, and at least younger signings.
Sent the Balogun story to a couple of Rangers mates....they're not impressed if he goes back there, although one of their CBs was injured at weekend in a friendly and is out for a long spell, so he could be cover for whoever slots in there. Proof yet again though, that the SPL isn't the all singing, all dancing league that the neanderthals think it is....
I think it's pretty clear - We get an experienced exPrem keeper on a free - I can't say I'm disappointed, at least the guy has a decent record From Begovic point of view he's turned down a new contract with the Toffees which leads me to believe either we are offering a higher salary or a longer deal than Everton were, most definitely the latter - combined with the romantic notion that maybe he just 'wants to play and not sit on the bench'
Begovic doesn't worry me. A year deal whilst Mahoney is out playing every week... sounds good. Wing incoming...also okay. talkative hard working leader...better than what we had last year in Johansen, Dozzell and Amos.. But we a dreadfully lacking now in CD position... Dunne plus Gubbins and the 2 kids that have just joined the Austrian party.
Is our transfer strategy wait till everyone decent is snapped up then sign the dregs nobody else wanted on much cheaper contracts and hope the management can Polish a turd into a diamond ?
However promising our keepers are they are not ready. Just like Dieng had they need development and loan periods. Just because we are in the s*** doesn't mean we should ruin the careers of our youngsters by rushing them in.
According to Wikipedia, Begovic has played 6 competitive games in the last 3 seasons. I would have thought that, to remain sharp, he would have had to play more regularly than that.
The last game I saw him play, he looked like an old keeper! Always going the right way but his reactions way behind play. We need a keeper and we aren't exactly an exciting prospect for anyone, so we will take whatever we can.
I am more worried about our centre backs, midfielders (once the good ones have left), strikers and managers ability.
