Jogged into thought by the competition with Spurs for Samba. What do players (or their agents) base their decisions on? My guesses (assume transfer fees agreed): Wages/bonus - we have no choice but to be competitive on this, disgusting though it is length of contract - we have been generous with some of our recent 'experienced' signings Playing time -anyone decent coming in is guaranteed a starting place with us...not sure with the big clubs Winning trophies....er, no European football (i.e. Champions League)....er, not yet Future prospects.....er, a little uncertain The club.....set up, reputation, ownership....a work in progress The manager.....well, you love him or you hate him, but at 63 is he a long termer whatever happens? Bound to have missed a few, but it pushes me towards thinking that players who will join are: - after a big pay packet/ contract - possibly last big one of career - desperate to play - probably damaged goods of some kind, not playing where they are - desperate to breakthrough - untried/tested, from the lower leagues So I will be very surprised if we get anybody radically different from the current squad, and certainly not anyone motivated by silverware/ at the peak of their career. But there may be a couple of good uns amongst this bunch, and hopefully a couple of quality loans as well. Ultimately its the current squad, plus a couple, who have to turn things round. I'm still full of hope!
If NW has the same sort of success rate as he did just before the start of the season, I'll be satisfied. Traore, Young and Ferdinand have all been successes. Barton and SWP may have disappointed so far, but they've raised the standard of our play. Only Gabiddon was a mistake, in my view. Too gaff prone. [I exclude Dyer and Puncheon as these were cheap, long shots]
The damaged goods option has been the way so far, with Barton and SWP as prime examples. I banged on about young and hungry all summer, or at least until it became obvious that we had no money to spend, and would still encourage us to follow that route especially as the damaged goods has not been massively successful. Macheda may prove to be an inspired loan signing, he certainly has a lot to prove, like Wellbeck did at Sunderland or Sturridge at Bolton last season (we can but hope). As to who actually fits this bill is anyone’s guess, we could do worse than look to our feeder club again and see who Spurs aren’t playing at the moment, they seem to have a surfeit of quality players. I find it odd that we (on this forum) are turning our noses up at Bridge. He has played for England and Chelsea and is currently at City. A few levels up from Clint Hill I’d say. I’d be amazed if we managed to sign Samba, but no harm in trying. My guess would be that if we get a fee agreed, one of the big boys will step in a nick him. We are far more likely to end up with someone who wants to be here, such as Ridgewell.
I mentioned Puncheon, but you're right Ruislip I should have added DJ (I'm happy with the signing - can't blame NW for injury). Betty falls into a similar category to Gabiddon in my view - in hindsight, no thanks. Hardly seen Perone so can't comment
Every manager buys duds but NW seems to buy players that just dont fit the bill from the start.Its not like he gives them a go and they arent good enough.NW buys them then just doesnt play them.Whats that all about.
I don’t remember too many dissenting voices on here when he signed Barton or Wright Phillips. Is anyone seriously complaining about Young or Traore? Puncheon was only ever cover in case SWP didn’t get here in time. You can’t count the signings before TF arrived, we had no money to spend, he did the best he could for free. If you choose to go further back, Kenny, Derry, Hill, Mackie, Smith were all significant signings, and then there was hat young Moroccan chap......
i didnt complain about swp..still dont i didnt understand the move for barton and still dont i said so then and will again other than wages he was cheap but why did we sign the clown(other words are normally used)
let's go back to last summer, before we signed joey. i think we can all agree on two things:- a) he is a bell end. always has been and probably always will be. b) he is a pretty decent CM. unfortunately he realises this, and a) normally can take over b). if only he'd concentrate on being the player he can be, rather than living up to his hype and twitter image, we'd be on to a winner.
