Revell, Doyle and the rest.

[Oldsparkey]

Do these failed front line imports reflect on Tan's financial constraints or merely on Slade's decision making?

There's no question that having a wad of cash enables a manager to aim higher, but any amount of money provided should be used effectively. Tan has ben very frugal with his budget, but the current shambles in front of the back 5 must count as a managerial failure.

If we leave out defensive imports where the contributions of Peltier and Malone (when Fabio is out) has been reasonably positive, in front of them are players who were at the club prior to Slade's arrival. His efforts to turn this area of the park around have been abysmal. As well as Revell and Doyle, his acquisition of O'Keefe, Kennedy (where is he?), sick note Saadi (one for the future?) and the loan of Abeobi have brought absolutely nothing to the party.

The front 6 has really become a rotation of Jones, Mason, Noone, Pilks, Ralls, Whitts, Gunnar and Dikgacoi - all inherited players. Slade has been unable to improve on the players brought to the club by previous regimes.

Should Tan back his future judgement in this area of the park with real money?

 

[BluefromBridgend]

Good points Sparks and the million $ question is (or is it the £50 question?), was Slade working to a strict budget from Tan which financially limited his acquisitions or were these players he thought could do the job?

I can understand Tan's reluctance to give him an open cheque book bearing in mind some of the previous disasters by both Malky and OGS but if he wants us to improve and at least challenge for promotion then he has to be freer with the cash to get in better players. That is the only way Tan will recoup his investment at some future stage. Clearly any signings have to be afreed by the committee with Choo and Dalman acting as Tan's eyes and ears. This may also be a limiting factor.

On the back of our poor attendances the club must be incurring heavier losses and perhaps Slade was told to offload another player on loan to reduce wages costs. But taking into account the injuries to Saadi and Macheda that leaves us very light upfront and if KWJ gets another injury while on international duty that leaves us with only Mason and the enigma that is Ameobi as front players - unless he recalls Doyle of ALF as suggested elsewhere.

 

[Oldsparkey]

As I read them when they went through, both ALF and Doyle are on season long loans to Wolves and Preston and therefore can't be recalled - I may be wrong on that though.

In any case, neither are setting the world alight where they are and I wouldn't really want either back. Although both are proven goalscorers - Doyle at strictly lower league level - they've failed under Slade and I doubt he can get any better out of them.

The problem may be as much to do with the supply from midfield, but until that is sorted even Vardy would have a problem.

 

[BluefromBridgend]

Most "season long" loans have recall clauses and I imagine that is the case with these although I agree that bringing either of these back would not improve us - just make up numbers where we are now very light due to injuries. Perhaps Macheda is on the verge of a return?

I hoped that when Revell toddled off we would have news of a new recruit - if only a loaner. Perhaps the delay is because the player is currently on international duty? That would fit the bill for Lafferty but is he what we want? It appears Leeds want to sign him.

Lafferty has a track record of a goal every 4.5 games and not exactly quick out of the blocks. Not bad in the air though - bit of an Irish KWJ although Kenwynne's strike rate is one in every 3.5 games.

Who knows what is going on, because I don't.

 

[ninian opinion]

Slade has shown that he is incompetent in spending the money he has been given.

Malone, O'Keefe, Doyle & Revell cost money and all are simply average at best. Have I missed anyone out?

So the obvious conclusion is that Slade would not spend any money competently, and so should not be tasked in hiring.

The answer is to hire a football consultant who knows the current football scene, who knows what is out there and how to get the best deal. Slade & Trollop should then be given the opportunity to agree to any proposed purchases but could not refuse any suggestion without justification.

 

[Stevoldinho]

I will not accept Malone was a bad buy. In many ways he's better than Fabio and was very unlucky to lose his place. He's a more intelligent footballer imo even if Fabio is obviously more naturally gifted skills wise. Malone plays the game with his head up. If both were stood out on the left wing with the ball at their feet I know which I'd rather back to provide a decent ball.

I've mentioned previously that Slade has totally and epically failed in all front 6 acquisitions though. We would be either brave or foolish to trust his judgement again.

 

[Hilts24]

Its a combination on cost cutting and a manager who has failed with what resources he has got.

Rowett has transformed Birmingham.

We should have looked at a young up coming manager who understands the modern game.

Maybe Slades job is to get rid of thehigh earners and maintain our position. If thats the case hes doing a reasonable job.

If it is the case then lets hope we get a replacement in the summer and start to rebuild properly and playing half decent football.

The way I see it Slade is afraid to throw in young players and give them a chance but rely on experienced playerswho he knows will be hard to beat. Therefore when he goes he will have on his CV a mid table finish working on a small budget. Id have rather seen Healey instead of Revell , Declan and Kennedy on the bench as an absolute minimumalong with Oshilaja and not Tamas. O'Sullivan given an opportunity. Slade doesnt like this idea.

I cant believe for one minute that Slade though signing the likes Revell and O'Keefe would get us promoted. Im sure hes brought them in as players who will work hard and battle.

We need to identify our players who we can affordlong term and good enough and tie them to long term contracts. Theres going to be another clearout in the summer and maybe January. Turner is out of contact in the summer. Manga we cant afford. So why Turners deal is being run down I dont know.

 

[iggypop]

Slade has shown that he is incompetent in spending the money he has been given.
Malone, O'Keefe, Doyle & Revell cost money and all are simply average at best. Have I missed anyone out?
So the obvious conclusion is that Slade would not spend any money competently, and so should not be tasked in hiring.
The answer is to hire a football consultant who knows the current football scene, who knows what is out there and how to get the best deal. Slade & Trollop should then be given the opportunity to agree to any proposed purchases but could not refuse any suggestion without justification.

 

[iggypop]

Malky spent more money on Velikonja than all the above named players signed by Slade. Don't get me started on Cornelius! However, if you've seen Malone play lately you'll know that fan opinion is, quite rightly, veering more in his favour. Him and Peltier have played well for a lot of this season, both offer something going forward and our goals conceded column is proof enough that they are not both crap, as many whinging anti-Sladers were trying to persuade us.
Only DJ has, overall, spent money wisely - often getting good players on the cheap and eventually generating cash for the club, but not all of DJ's turned out well either. Conclusion: DJ was just a better manager in the transfer market than Slade and Milky put together. It's not about having a football consultant, it's about having a bloke who knows what he's doing.
Having seen Lawrence play for Wales last night I'd take him over any of the above players and be prepared to pay up to £1 million for him. Eventually we'd get more than our money back. It doesn't take a genius to see a very good player in the making - which is why we let Gestede go (i.e. Milky was far from being a genius).

 

[remote]

It is sad that we don't see any youngsters coming through. Declan should be persevered with if only as a squad player. It took an age to get Ralls some game time and now he's one of the first names on the team sheet. We shouldn't have sold / released all the youngsters we did early in the season (especially when we then brought different youngsters from outside the club in their place). We had a bloated squad which Slade has been trimming but the balance is still not there. What happened to the future captain of the club (MMs quote) in Ben Nugent, released to a 1st division club. What incentive is there for the youth of our club and what lure is there to come to us in the first place. We'll be back to losing another 'Bale' because they see better prospects at another club. We need one or two youngsters a year making the squad.

I've said before, we need a smaller, more balanced squad with more quality and an identifiable style. Two players for each position, a third keeper, a couple of utility players ( eg connolley, ralls, mason), one or two to give us a plan B and a few youngsters. 26-27 senior pros and a couple youngsters.

Agree that DJ was a better manager than those that have come since, an better at spotting a good signing. Made a few mistakes, but none as costly as those MM and OGS made. His big failing was not using the youngsters we had.

Bellamy anyone?

 

[ninian opinion]

The more I think about this and see our squad getting stripped with fringe players going on loan, and the club managed by a complete clown, the more adamant I am that Tan has lost interest in the club, and wants to spend as little if anything on it, and let it chug along. He knows he has lost money on it but he will make it back in other businesses. He knows that once he gave the blue shirt back, and gave the club back to the fans he lost all interest.

I just wish he would come out and tell us fans what his plans are for the club rather than us just imply things.