If the board came out in public and said they are handing CP a £1.5m transfer budget this would alert all other 23 teams in League One who probably don't have £1.5m to spend between the rest of them. This inflates the price of any possible target and then the agent will want in on it as well wanting a hefty fee along with adding an extra 25% on his player's wages It's also possible that Racon and Semedo are 2 of the highest earners in the league and with Dailly 37 years old now I can understand reduced terms being offered
If the three players you mentioned want to be kept on then they will sign. However, it has to be on the board's terms and not theirs. I also don't think we're trying to haggle small amounts out of them. Those 'small amounts' will probably end up close to 10-12k a week in total. That's three or four new decent players' wages. I have no doubt that the majority of future signings will be players who are ready to step straight into the first team squad and will be of infinitely more quality than last year's pre season buys.
Big difference between PP and hart for recruitment/nurturing. Of all the domestic youth systems in the past 20 years, it's fair to say Leeds was in the top 3, and that was under his stewardship, no?
true about the money and advertising how much you have to spend inflating prices etc... but his name isnt sheikh michael slater, and he dont have a lot of oil. he's a lawyer. that gives you a clue as to how much he's likely to invest, and my point being, in the position where we cant even field a reserve team, shouldnt all investment be made on the first team? 10-12k might seem a lot to us, but not a football club owner. if it gets us out of this league it'll have been worth it. if we're now loaded and we're investing in our entire setup - brilliant, bring it on. but if we're still limping on financially - me personally would rather have seen a quality first team player arrive at this moment in time.
Agree that PP could spot talent and when he had to bring in so many players there were bound to be a few duds. However, this is about taking scouting, recruitment and retention to another level with a successful and experienced guy to oversee it. A larger network of scouts and deeper analysis of our opponents can only be positives surely.
he did that over a decade ago.... and PP was just approached by arsenal, who are in the champs league now. no? (the no was just for effect)
Yep, though neither of them were products of the European-standard Academy at Thorp Arch which I was referring to so I don't see why they are relevant here. And if that was meant to be some kind of slight at those players, Lee Bowyer was an absolutely brilliant talent in his time at Leeds. Shame he turned out to be such an utter cock, but a top footballer in his time. Paul Hart and Howard Wilkinson worked together to design an intensive Academy at Thorp Arch which worked in the same way Watford's successful one is doing at the moment. The youngsters lived there 24/7, did all their schoolwork on site, lived together and got to know each other. A family atmosphere. The Academy which Hart revolutionized (built, really) has produced players over the years like Woodgate, Kelly, Harte, Milner, Lennon, K*well, Paul Robinson, Carson, Alan Smith, Delph, Rose, Keogh, Howson. There are few clubs who wouldn't be proud of that legacy.
But PP and harts position with us are 2 completely different roles.. Ones a northern scout and the other head of yoof. So is your argument because he is highly regarded it means little?
Parky is Arsenal's north east of England scout or something like that, and I hope he does well. Surely though this is about moving forwards, not looking back. For some, the new owners (and I wish there was less secrecy as to their identities,) will always do the wrong thing. Personally, the fact they are planning long term makes me feel more positive than in recent weeks about their intentions.
no, not at all. if he does anything productive for us its a win. anyone they employ i'll be supportive of if they do a good job. just in the scenario we're in now when we appear to be scrapping fivers together i'd have been alot happier with a action packed midfielder or a goal scorer. and the leeds thing - yes, great youth players etc. brilliant. but in some small way having that sorta setup added to the implosion that happened there. it cannot have cost nothing to have scouts looking for talent in ireland, australia... but all being all, i liked watching them all play and it was probably worth the money it cost them.
The Academy was already well established before Ridsdale's chairmanship. Paul Hart's side won the FA Youth Cups in 1993 and 1997. Thorp Arch was already well established without Publicity Pete's stupid gambles having to finance it.
Far too many mentions here for PP for my liking Reckon forgotten friend (R2D2) will be chuffed though
Right AHLL. All we need is a manager who is prepared to play the kids and not bring in loanees and ageing journeymen. Let's hope CP is that man.
encouraging to see some thought put into the academy. always rated Harts youth team credentials. It would be great to see a team of Charlton lads in Charlton shirts. Then we will have our Charlton back.
