If we want to use that money effectively we need to be quicker in the market.
If we have another sloth like performance regarding transfers we will end up with panic buys again.
Match Day Thread Toon General Matchday Thread
- Thread starter Welshie
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If we want to use that money effectively we need to be quicker in the market.
If we have another sloth like performance regarding transfers we will end up with panic buys again.
The whole transfer setup needs a big reset. The CEO couldn't have blown any more smoke up Wilson's arse, so let's see what this Summer brings.
I'd actually like to see what a combination of smart transfer moves for lesser known players + Eddie Howe's coaching could do. Just bring something different to the club, replace the dead wood, and bulk the squad out with at least exciting players. I still couldn't tell you who's in the Sunderland starting XI yet they're above us. We need to be beating teams like Brentford, B'mth, Brighton to players, not constantly losing out to the cartel.
If Howe gets beaten by Brentford's set piece coach at the weekend, the likelyhood of him being here next season takes another hit.
There's a lot of stuff we just don't know and have to guess which dictates how the owners feel. The praise for Howe was there from the CEO in this weeks soundbytes. They were 'very happy' with the work he's doing, he knows the targets though nothing's set in stone, etc. The Wilson praise was a bit more overstated, but doubt there's much in that. It seems well known that Howe and Wilson are actually pretty close, professionally, so I think it would take two consistent years of failure for Howe to be moved on.
The things we can only guess at, that the CEO and Wilson WILL know, are:
- Did players reject us because of Howe, because of infrastructure, because of location or purely because of wages we can't afford?
- Was it Howe insisting on PL experience, was it a combination, was it a lack of enough structure supporting the manager?
- Was it obstinance from the manager in moving so slowly and on the wrong targets, or do the PIF shoulder the blame, along with Eales and having no SD?
From the looks of it, the noise around Howe staying, the fact Andy Howe is still very there, you'd have to take an educated guess that he's going nowhere. It's probably then fair to assume that the failures have been put down to things outside of Howe's control, as in no SD, Eales issues, Saudi's slowness in everything, Isak handled badly, lack of infrastructure, lack of funds to secure the players.
I'm genuinely excited for the possibilities this Summer. With revenues approaching £400m+ come June, being able to terminate a lot of contracts of **** players for no cost, with a proper sporting director with a decent track record on signings, a CEO recently at Real Madrid, hopefully lessons have been learned. Hopefully, again, this Summer it's about speed, about getting in early (something Howe's talked about a lot in the past), paying what's needed, being decisive and looking across the World for talent. I'm really hopeful that this is the Summer we genuinely kick on. And no Europe is actually really helpful with SCR coming in as we're not stuck at 70% and instead can have 85%. Best thing that could happen is go out the FA Cup, go deep into the UCL (for coefficient and revenue), and finish in 10th. We've been in the UCL twice and it's made **** all difference to the players we bring in. Spurs, Man U, have had miserable recent runs and still attract big names. We need to be fishing in the same pond as Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth, Palace and coming out on top as the biggest predator there, rather than trying to muscle in and being the smallest of 8.
Still, I've written all that and I can very easily see contract extensions for Krafth, Trippier, Pope, Schar (just in case his knee gets better), etc., and another assault on buying relegated clubs' overpriced crap.
The World Cup will potentially be a problem for transfers unless we move quickly
How quickly we can 'move' is more dictated by the player and his Agent as opposed to us. A player will, imo, usually wait to see what offers he will get before making a decision. They will likely wait to see, for the level of player we should be looking at, whether one of the top top clubs making an offer. We aren't top of the food chain, therefore, we usually have to wait.
Well this is where I think we get it wrong; we’re absolutely top of the food chain when the race for, say, Igor Jesus or Django Ouattara or Kevin Schade or Kroupi Jr is happening. We need to be the most attractive option of “the other 14” rather than 7th choice among 6 clubs!!!
We have surely learned from the disastrous approach last season, trying to get players at their peak levels who are looking for that £200k+ a week move. As I said at the time it was incredibly stupid, no idea who was to blame but here we are.
This where I disagree.
For me, we weren't wrong to go after Ekitike, Pedro, M'Buemo etc. We should find out ASAP re salary demands etc quickly but to get to the next level those are the quality level we need to get.
Yes, a number of other players can be named from a lower level but most of them won't make that step up. Players above are already at that level.
We were demonstrably wrong. They all went elsewhere meaning we wasted countless weeks on a wild goose chase. The three you mentioned made noises about not ever really wanting to come here. None of it really added up, Howe has said a number of times how he doesn't want players who don't want to come - we pursued some of the names over the Summer for way, way too long and they all failed. We overpaid for every player we signed, none have had a particularly positive outcome and nobody would bat an eyelid if every signing bar Thiaw was sold.
I agree we should be finding stuff out early, but should have a far more exhaustive list than what we appear to be working from. The window was a failure on more or less every measurement as seen by the points tally, the form, the performances, player value, etc. The Isak excuse wore out months ago.
We obviously don't know what was said to whom. I tend not to take what is being said in the media as 99.99% is just click bait.
I I don't believe the Club would continue to pursue a player if the player had given a flat out 'no'. My take is the player has asked for time to see what offers he may receive. We have wanted that player and we're prepared to wait hoping a 'bigger' club wouldn't come along. Unfortunately, in the players eyes, a bigger, better club or financial offer has been received.
For me, that makes much more sense and is more likely to be a more accurate representation of what occurred.
I I don't believe the Club would continue to pursue a player if the player had given a flat out 'no'. My take is the player has asked for time to see what offers he may receive. We have wanted that player and we're prepared to wait hoping a 'bigger' club wouldn't come along. Unfortunately, in the players eyes, a bigger, better club or financial offer has been received.
For me, that makes much more sense and is more likely to be a more accurate representation of what occurred.
Newcastle - “come join us, we have agreed a fee and here’s a load of money”.
Player - “thanks, but let me see if someone better comes along first.”
Sorry mate, what part of that looks like a player who wants to come? We seriously sit and wait, hoping nobody with more money turns up?! I didn’t see Bournemouth et al trying to buy Mbuemo, I saw them moving fast and decisively and even planning for the exit of their best player. Honestly, if Newcastle were run as well as Bournemouth given the stadium and resources we may well be on track to win the UCL in 2030. As it stands it just sounds like a preposterous soundbyte designed to soothe fans who’ve been getting a bit itchy about not even a training ground announcement.
I’m being a bit facetious but ultimately if our scouts aren’t doing this kind of homework they should be ****ing sacked. And I’d suggest the same of any people involved in the negotiating, but the CEO is gone so who knows.
That will apply to most clubs ie the wait and see. We aren't top of the food chain.
If no better offer comes then the player would likely be happy to come.
For me you have to go in for the biggest and best players available - some you'll get, some you'll lose, it's just the way the transfers work. The summer window gone was an O.K. window - not great, not terrible. Spent around £87m net so all in all it wasn't bad, considering we lost probably on of the top attackers in Europe. Having had a season of no European football I don't think there would have been much more in the kitty but....
The winter window is a complete and utter flop - clearly needs at least a defender in to help/cover Schar's injury. The fact no one was bought in, not even on loan was madness and fear it'll impact us as we get deeper into the season especially if we are still fighting on multiple fronts.
This coming summer needs to make up for it, and as I've mentioned several times in other threads - replace those with expiring contracts or those who have served their use with real term upgrades in quality comparatively to their predecessors.
The winter window is a complete and utter flop - clearly needs at least a defender in to help/cover Schar's injury. The fact no one was bought in, not even on loan was madness and fear it'll impact us as we get deeper into the season especially if we are still fighting on multiple fronts.
This coming summer needs to make up for it, and as I've mentioned several times in other threads - replace those with expiring contracts or those who have served their use with real term upgrades in quality comparatively to their predecessors.
Agree.
Extra proviso that new signings be of immediate first team quality and not squad level players.
Extra proviso that new signings be of immediate first team quality and not squad level players.
Ramsdale Ok (Par with Dubravka)
Thiaw Very good (Upgrade on non existent CB)
Ramsey Good (Upgrade on Longstaff)
Elanga Poor (Upgrade on Miggy)
Woltemade Good (Upgrade on Wilson)
Wissa Poor (downgrade on Isak (but was always going to be))
Was it a disaster?
Was it the best window ever?
For me, we upgraded on what we lost - bar Isak, spent wisely on Ramsey, Thiaw and Ramsdale, got ripped on Wissa and Elanga and Woltemade I think will be worth the money in the long run. Like I said no t great, but wasn't a shambles.
Thiaw Very good (Upgrade on non existent CB)
Ramsey Good (Upgrade on Longstaff)
Elanga Poor (Upgrade on Miggy)
Woltemade Good (Upgrade on Wilson)
Wissa Poor (downgrade on Isak (but was always going to be))
Was it a disaster?
Was it the best window ever?
For me, we upgraded on what we lost - bar Isak, spent wisely on Ramsey, Thiaw and Ramsdale, got ripped on Wissa and Elanga and Woltemade I think will be worth the money in the long run. Like I said no t great, but wasn't a shambles.
Jesus I’m pint full type and your ratings are all over the shop there for me.
I agree with Thiaw but the rest I don’t. I’d rather have dubravka, Longstaff, Miggy, Wilson and Isak over the others everyday of the week despite their limitations.
Wilson should be on this now to be honest. He should have the list of targets and he should be having negotations with agents now. Get a few on pre contract agreements, none of this 6 weeks into the window ****e.
There is going to be such a high turnover of players this summer:
Gordon, Tonali, Tino as well as the ones out of contract. We cant wait 1...2....3 weeks into the window. We need to hit the ground now and get things lined up!
There is going to be such a high turnover of players this summer:
Gordon, Tonali, Tino as well as the ones out of contract. We cant wait 1...2....3 weeks into the window. We need to hit the ground now and get things lined up!