Summer window

I was speaking to a friend today who is just starting as a scout here in Switzerland. He’s building some contacts and was claiming to me we were in talks for Vente based on a discussion he’d had with a Dutch agent. Thought I was going to be ITK for once….

 

I don't see anyone attaching blame, just commenting on things. As for 28 days not being enough time, then we will agree to disagree

 

Talking of the striker search, it’s crossed my mind a couple of times that our approach might be flawed.

The recruitment has been excellent but are we holding ourselves back by using the same approach to finding a striker as to other positions? The supply of top / potentially top strikers is smaller and the demand is greater. It’s possible that we are going to a gunfight armed with a water pistol!

 

I honestly think it’s a coincidence we are “missing out” on striker targets. We signed Hemir and he had plenty of alleged interest.

I think once Stewart had gone it will open up a lot, for many reasons. Firstly we will have more money to spend. Secondly potential signings will see an opportunity to become our starting striker.

 

I don't think so. It might simply be, mate, that clubs want bidding wars to drive prices up, so letting our name out there let's other potential buyers know the player is available and potentials of any deals, even if we're not that interested. Take the Hungarian striker back in January. Most of us have forgotten about him, but it seemed nailed on he was signing for us. He'd been seen and photographed in a restaurant in Whitburn, everything was in various news outlets including the Echo. He went back to Belgium to sort a few things out and a week later signed for a club in Germany. We'd basically been used as a stalking horse to get the German club who he'd wanted to sign for to agree a better deal. Also, if clubs know you're desperate for a striker, they'll try and hold you over a barrel, look at Wigan and Grigg, for example.

The way we do business now, not a lot will come out until near the end, so we won't know much until deals are pretty close, so I've no doubts that they have a list of which players they want, but wont want to get dragged into a bidding war or paying way over the odds for someone.

 

The idea that players won’t come because of competition is nonsense most of the time. Most are very confident, arrogant even and think they will be first choice. Any that don’t probably won’t excel here anyway.

 

I know I'm probably been over optimistic, but do you reckon they may reveal a marquee signing this week, before our weekend game at home. Certainly boost the attendance. Ok I admit I've had too many JD's so I'll have a hangover later. That's the last you'll see of my optimism this season, I'll go back to the normal pessimistic match day post and predict either a draw or defeat, last time I predicted victory we lost 6-0 to Bolton lol

 

We won't spend the money, that is the sad fact.
So our plan to buy young develope and then sell is great,while we strive to go up, BUT we also need the back up for more places all over the pitch, if 2 or 3 are leaving.
We need 2 more decent strikers to work with who we have now.

 

As frustrating as not being flexible to pull out big money buys is we’ve got to have a good go at this model in my opinion.

Seeing too many clubs flying by the seats of their pants financially and ending up in very precarious positions.

hopefully by the time we’ve finished this period we will all be happy (I am up to now mind and I’ll be looking forward to seeing this preseason Mallorca ticket hitting me inbox later !)

 

But we have spent money and continue to do so?

The only one i can think of we got for free was Ekwah, although happy to be corrected

 

So that to me Bob would suggest that Stewart is going to be off?

 

It's highly likely the Stewart injury is holding everything up. He has an offer....let's say from Stoke....which he's minded to take,and we are minded to accept,but has to prove his fitness first. Time is getting on and if the buyer gets itchy,decides not to wait and pulls the plug,he could well end up staying with us, fit and with a new deal,in which case we may not want to spend on another Championship ready striker. In addition,that could all depend on what Uncle Tony thinks about the readiness of Hemir,after seeing him on the US trip. Nothing is as easy as it seems. All that said,I have real confidence in the way our squad management is being conducted....and it's many years since I've been able to say that....we'll end up with the right solution,I'm sure, frustrating for us,but,we're in good hands and we have to let it play out.

 

We have spent money tho, 2nd highest net spend last season and i reckon we must be in the top 5 for net spend so far this summer

The club just wont over spend which is the right thing

 

Being fair to Bob I think he means paying the fees some clubs are maybe asking for

 

It’s not about spending money Bob, it’s value for money. Gone are the days when we just give clubs what they want. Now as long as we are equally as tough when players are sold, we can’t really argue. It’s frustrating but I’m sure if the right player is available at the right price, then the club will spend the money. You have mentioned developing then selling whilst we strive to go up. You have missed the bit in the middle where we benefit from having them.

 

Yeah it will be that. Strict valuations across various players on the database.

 

Gab Sutton knows his stuff about EFL football and has predicted we finish 2nd. Eek

https://blog.betvictor.com/en-gb/sp...P*MTY5MDE3ODkwNC4yNi4wLjE2OTAxNzg5MDQuMC4wLjA

 

You might see that as sad, I certainly don't.

Wigan being unable to pay their players, staff and suppliers is sad.

 

Are folk expecting us to spend £15 million on a player like?

Cos I certainly don’t expect or even want that. It’s beyond our means and we just been there.

 

Corrected