S.A.F.C. - the future

Got to remember, every team is struggling to buy players because of this salary cap. If it's hard to buy players, it's going to take more to sell the ones you've got...more money. If other clubs know we've suddenly got a lot more money, it would be all too easy to add an extra zero on the end of the asking price knowing we are both desperate and actually have that money. If we try to do deals before the takeover is announced, other clubs know we're as skint as them and may not take us to the cleaners.

 

I'd agree if the takeover was being kept quiet and no one knew about it. But it's been public knowledge since the announcement on Christmas Eve, which i think is why we are struggling to sign players. Other clubs aren't daft, they know what's happening in the background and are pricing things accordingly as they know we have money for fees.

 

Until the takeover is completed, we don't have money for fees. And we and other clubs won't know it's completed until it's announced. Makes more sense to not announce it until after deadline day.

 

Would it be silly to keep refreshing Twitter and this thread tomorrow? I’ve seen a few people saying Friday but I don’t think I’ve seen it confirmed as such

 

None of the resident ITK's like Prehab, Smug, Wheatsheaf, Magnus, or even Madbob have given Friday as a date I don't think, so don't get too excited. It's all come from someone new claiming to be ITK I believe.

 

Said that for a while mate anyone that thinks KLD isn't pulling the strings needs their head read. The only people it will actually benefit if it's announced now are fans that are having doubts.
Don't get me wrong I would like it announced but I'm not worried it hasn't.
I do think we are only a couple of proper signings away from being extremely capable of promotion.
I'm certainly not a fan of Wyke I don't think he does enough all round but he has proved if you give him chances he will score and the fact is we aren't getting a Defoe in L1 who can just create something from absolutely nothing, I also think Wyke has benefited from O,brien do lots of dirty work and being a nuisance which has allowed the space for him.
The more I'm writing the more I realise how much credit we must give to LJ for picking up on the best way to do this and after all Wyke may be better than I've given him credit for, when we play to strengths.
Didn't think I'd ever thought I'd say that.
I'm quite optimistic still , hope LJ brings in the couple of players he needs and the announcement will be made when it's made
KTF

 

Agree with all of that.

Who would have thought it is possible Charlie could be a 20 goal a season striker. I think AOB is doing a very very good job now and like you say one or two decent additions in this window and promotion is deffo achievable.

Still think only 4 or 5 of these are capable of being solid championship players.

 

Yes, Charlie Wyke is emulating or doing a Jekyll and Hyde, or Bruce Banner to the Hulk sort of thing.

At times in the past season or so Wyke has been one of the worst strikers/CF I have ever seen. Now in the last couple of months a new player has emerged who is now Johnny on the Spot for banging in goals. Go figure..New manager? Getting his leg over more? Who knows?

 

We're in a bit of a tricky place in all honesty. The league is ****e, Shrewsbury weren't very good at all but they'd taken 15 points from 7, had won at Hull and Lincoln and were unbeaten since about November before we played them. So even with what we've got I think it's obvious that we could go on a similar run and get right in the mix for the top 2. We need to become more consistent and find a way to create more, but if the Head Coach is doing his job right that might be stuff that can all improve with what we've got. Let's just say Gooch becomes more effective, similar to what Wyke has done, all of a sudden we're right in with a shout. Maybe Kimpioka comes back and benefits from working with Johnson (albeit he's an outside bet given the time to get back to match fitness).

The trouble is that we could still do with a couple in. But we don't want to get too many with 3 year contracts or whatever now if we don't need to. The market is always limited in January, and we've got a great chance to have a full clear out and change of approach in the summer given the number out of contract so we don't really want to get too many stopgap type signings in. Bit of a gamble though because we do still need to maximise our chances of promotion this season with the wage cap really hitting next season (Willis and Hume would likely be the first out the door). Like I say, a fairly hard balancing act for those running the club, regardless of ownership.

 

A couple of loans like Danny Welbeck would be good I reckon. There is no answer to pace...

 

Agreed. If we can get a couple of genuinely good loanees in then that's definitely the best option (especially if we can shift Graham and Grigg), just a bit concerned about who we'd end up with given our previous record with loans, but hopefully the new people are better at picking them!

 

You've summed up how I feel. As long as we stay free of long term injuries to Wyke and Wright, should be close. Add a back up striker and defender and I'll be even more confident.

 

I’d like to see us keep Willis and maybe Hume and Diamond because they are young and homegrown, the rest of them can go and play for the Shrewsbury’s and Swindon’s of this world because that’s where they belong. Utter guff they are.

 

I am starting to come to the conclusion that KLD has decided to let players contracts run down and start with an almost completely blank slate in the summer. This means we won't be stuck with players we can't get rid of then. If we manage to go up this season then the players we identify as transfer targets will change accordingly.

 

I think it's more to do with the cap. We can only afford their wages if we go up. Although I'd certainly be living quick for diamond, Eliot, Hume. Keep our local lads

 

Birmingham City's academy set-up to lose another key figure to Sunderland
Birmingham City are applying for Category One status at a time when staff and players' parents are concerned about the future - the departure of this man won't help

Birmingham City are set to lose another key member of their academy set-up to League One Sunderland.

Stuart English, the academy’s No. 2, is set to leave after five years in the role, to move to the Stadium of Light.

In doing so he will be reunited with Blues ’ former academy manager Kristjaan Speakman, who left the Wast Hills set-up last month.

English holds a UEFA A licence and before coming to Blues spent five years at Brentford, where he rose to head of coaching and worked alongside former Blues player and coach Lee Carsley.

He gained experience at Wycombe and Luton whilst completing his Sport Management and Football Studies degree, before taking up a full-time position at Kenilworth Road.

He also holds an Academy Managers licence and could potentially take a similar role at Sunderland.

The latest departure will be a further blow to an academy whose future is clouded by uncertainty.

Speakman’s departure in early December sparked a tumultuous few days for the club’s youth set-up as it was closely followed by an announcement they had conducted a review and were ‘exploring a ‘B and C Team model’.

The following day they were forced into a U-turn and seemed to suggest they are continuing with the provision from Under 9s to Under 16s – but still considering their Under 18s and Under 23s.

Mike Dodds was announced as Speakman’s successor and English as Head of Academy Football Operations and Coaching.

Birmingham City's academy set-up to lose another key figure to Sunderland - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

 

Falling into place.

 

Nicely.

 

New Manager all day long.
LJ speaks highly of him and I think that confidence has been inspiring for Charlie.