There's no point in bringing in players that do not improve what we already have, it's not about money, it's about the improvements we need are going to want at least a chance of European football! It's not a lack of ambition, it's about not paying silly fees and silly wages just to do a Pompey!
I agree there's limited point if they don't improve us but, we could have improved and at the very least bolstered an area we were short in with a similar quality but we didn't. And we can say it is lacking ambition, but equally it could be lacking competence. Neither is a good thing! Improving the squad and spending a not insignificant sum in January highlights that the money was there. We either thought we'd be OK so tried to wing it on the cheap, or we failed in our scouting and negotiating. Had it been spent wisely in August maybe we would be in the relative comfort of the Bournmouth's, WBA and Watford. The margins are often small in converting a loss to a draw, a single silly mistake eradicated by having Klose in from the start of the season and possibly we would have joined those in relative safety. Ditto having a good finisher. Where might we be if we had gotten Afobe in August or January? Again it might not be a lack of ambition but it shows a lack of transfer savvy that our defensive short comings were not addressed, every man and his dog knew we need to improve our options at the back. No one wants to do a Pompey, we just perceive our club to be a little to risk averse. i see us as highlighted red below: Stuff it in a matress never to be spent Spend bare minimum Spend bare minimum and a bit more in a crisis Spend a bit, well within our means and a bit more in a crisis but still well within our means Spend what we can comfortably afford with no risk Spend toward the limit of what we can afford (Budgeting for 20th place) Spend toward the limit of what we can afford (Budgeting for 15th place) Stretch a little, next seasons rewards will compensate for it - Can we find that extra £3M Stretch a bit more - we believe that with this player we can almost certainly stay up £10-12M against our turnover and with relegation clauses mean we will have little but managable ongoing risk. Stretch a fair bit - it is too important to stay up, we will take moderate long term risks with the clubs health to remain in the PL Mr superstar welcome on board! All out crazy - yes Mr Norfolk CC we are quite happy to sell you our ground, Mr Bank manager, me will pay you back for our WCT....honest! Now I wouldn't advocate exceding 8 in a hurry but i could see a special case with the changing landscape with the new TV deal for making a one off foray into 9 before looking to a sustainable model of 7 perhaps. It may be that we will all perceive our spending to be at different levels of risk, (KIO probably thinks we're a 2!) and has a different idea of what spending they'd like from the board. But I still think the summer window was an exceptionally poor one that undermined this whole season. Bah!
Bang on, as the Wells Bombardier advert used to say To even assume for a moment that Bassong, R Bennett and Martin would be sufficient quality / cover if one breaks down is just plain ludicrous. And as the General so eloquently pointed out, I believe that decision has and will cost us dearly. Oh well, at least they'll know next time!
I find it incredible that with the huge squads all premier league teams have, so many seem to leave themselves very exposed in some departments e.g. Arsenal only having Giroud for a season or two.
