I think they’ve been sensible this summer tbf. You can see a real long term plan with what they’re trying to do and a move towards being more sustainable. Rushworth is probably the first transfer I’ve really questioned this window. I still have questions over midfield balance etc and obviously the South American gambles could backfire massively. But overall I think its been a strong window
Burns, Rushworth, Mehlem now (if Meffert comes off), Giles, there's a few signings this window people are questioning. Let's see how it pans out and if we're here in 12 months trying to sell a bunch of them or trying to fill gaps because loanees have done well but not come permanently.
He's 25, I don't think so. It isn't a waste if he comes in and is a safe pair of hands who can play the system. Pandur and Racciopi will be fighting it out with him, it keeps them motivated and it keeps us covered in case of injury. It's also worth noting that both Foster and TLT are out of contract at the end of this season, with Cartwright out of contract in 2026. Pandur and Racciopi are contracted until 2027, which means that at the end of this season, we'd only have the two we have now anyway plus Cartwright.
Rushworth and Burns are the only 2 loanees without options, so can’t see that being a problem. Haven’t seen many question Mehlem or Meffert both seem astute signings for a relatively low fee. Giles is fair, but I think that’s more to do with overpaying than his quality. Burns a bit of a utility man brought in for cover imo, but will be cheap.
I'm questioning Mehlem because by the end of the week he won't be best XI. Maybe that was always the plan, but just feels weird signing someone of his age to not overly improve the XI. Maybe just a symptom of basically buying an entire squad in one window.
Yeah the good thing is that this is the only transfer so far this window I’ve raised an eyebrow at. It’s an odd one
Was always going to be the case with the number of players we had to bring in. Even if he doesn’t improve the XI he certainly improves the squad
Mehlem still makes sense to me as a replacement for Tufan. On paper, Walter plays a 4-3-3 but the left-sided midfielder usually plays as a #10. Was the same at Hamburg with Bénes doing that role. The other advanced midfielder is more box-to-box which is what Slater’s currently doing. I have my own questions about how we’re going to fit in all our midfielders. If we sign Meffert then we’ve got Simons, Zambrano and Meffert competing for the #6 spot and Burns can play there as well. Slater and Puerta I’m guessing can play as the #8 and Mehlem and Ömür for the #10, or Ömür and Mehlem start together ahead of one of the #6s. We’re signing a couple natural right-wingers too so Ömür would have to play more centrally for him to get minutes. This summer was a massive rebuild but there’s a fine balance between needing depth and having a bloated squad of unhappy players who all think they should be starting. That’s evident at Chelsea.
I could foresee a midfield 3 of any of these combos until one clicks or fitness - Meffert/Zambrano/Mehlem - Meffert/Puerta/Mehlem - Meffert/Omur/Mehlem I think with his back against the proverbial wall he’s going to rely on players that either pick it up quick or already know it. Meffert and Mehlem have played with him before and he’s apparently had a reputation of sticking with favourites
That's I think my concern. When you sign for a club you expect to at least get a chance to start (unless you're a young player like Burstow who would understand you're here longer term). When you're a Mehlem, I can't imagine you'd be thrilled to be told you'll only start the odd game. I also wonder if we let Simons go out on loan again on Deadline Day if everything comes off, as I think it's a waste leaving him on the bench. Can always recall him in Jan if we have injury issues or some of the signings don't pan out.
We need squad depth though. One of our weaknesses in the last couple of years has been that when we needed to change a game, we've had to turn to League One standard players from the bench. If we have 11 very good players and another 9 Championship quality players on the bench, that stands us in good stead and provides depth if we pick up injuries, which in this intensive system we more than likely will.
Yeah my last sentence kind of acknowledges this, so it's almost a necessary evil, but I just wonder how the players would be feeling. Maybe they're coming in with their eyes open? It just feels like we've gone from desperately scrounging around for signings (Burns, Mehlem) to picking and choosing strong signings (these three strikers we're talking to), and the guys we signed initially might end up hardly being used.
Id need to map it out but I think toast is about right with the numbers. We probably have a squad of about 22 which can compete and then some peripheral players if you don’t include the odd keeper situation. As long as the players have been told they’ll come in to compete for spots I don’t see a large issue. In a 46 game season they’ll get appearances especially come November/December
Yeah as I said, if that's the case then not a huge issue. I am a bit concerned Man City might get pissed off at us about Burns but guess we'll see.
It's their fault too, they'll have a loan manager and thy should be very well aware we've got Alfie who's a steady and reliable performer who doesn't usually miss games so gametime was always going to be tough with us. I presume it was a panic/backup signing in case we couldn't get Hughes
This is not a "it is ok if we finish 10th window we will all enjoy our beautiful football together" that is horseshit, this has been a window that shouts i want to be in the automatics spot to me it never was a 3 year build it is more like a do or die for TW now, they want the Prem this season. Some will say we need time to gel, we are a young team, well he has brought players with reputations to the club in one swoop and looks like considerable cost and still more to come a striker to change the dynamics 2 wingers another midfielder and whatever surprise he decides to chuck in on friday deadline if anyone actually thinks they will be happy with a midtable or top 10 finish then you need to give your heads a shake.
one thing that is remarkable given our turnover since acun arrived, is that Sinik aside who's had a horrid injury record, we don't really have any dead wood in the squad who we're stuck with or can't get rid of, kind of shows that even with the enthusiasm with which we've brought in players from all over that there has at least been a method to the madness
