Over the last few years we have recruited a lot of good players, but, until this season, we also had some duds. Is it a case of fine tuning the Black Box system or is it a case of great to have a Stradivarius but you still need a maestro to play it. So the Black Box provides the information, but Koeman uses it to select from players that he admires. I would guess that RK is the big change this season. Of course there could be another factor...is it the absence of Cortese. He was known to be a micro-manager...are we seeing the result of Les Reed being freed from his influence. We all know Nicola had delusions of grandeur...I bet he liked being linked with big purchases like Ramirez and Osvaldo. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a very strong hand in purchases.
I was told that some purchases (Osvaldo and Forren in particular) were decisions that were rushed and put down to Cortese's impatience. Not really sure as to the truth in that. I think seeing our dealings now we're doing a lot of loan options, could it be that Les wanted a bit of a try before you buy system before but was prevented from doing so?
It's recruitment so nothing is guaranteed. Next season we could easily recruit 3 good uns and 3 duds. Our system helps and the coaching helps, but let's not forget those people who slagging off Mane before his last 3 games. Maybe recruitment perception is more about the response and expectations of the fans
Ramirez was a Cortese purchase, he wanted a big signing and it went wrong. Osvaldo was a Pochettino purchase due to him having managered him before. Both were not scouted as much as they should have been. Forren I have no clue on. We probably just learned from our mistakes. Not saying it won't happen again as some players don't adapt. But at least we will scout them properly.
Poor old Gaston. Struggling to get into Hull's team now, and put back on to the market we might get a few Tesco points for him, but not much else. But please, let's not liken him to Osvaldo. Gaston wasn't right for a team that had just been promoted and was relying heavily on work-ethic to get them through. He was our "big signing" to show that we were serious about being back in the big time. He just seemed to be dancing to a different tune. I'd love to see him find a side that could accommodate him. I suspect that this will not be in England. It probably does say something about someone's judgement, but he clearly had talent and it's a great shame that we were never able to harness it. Could this have been predicted? Osvaldo was quite simply nasty, albeit hugely talented. His signing reflects badly on Poch's judgement. He knew the guy was a prat. We now only seem to sign/recruit "nice boys" from the Dutch league who pass the Koeman test. So far. so good.
When a 24 yr old has only played 72 (44 sub) games in his whole career, you know something isn't right. Be it through injury or just not up to the speed of the game. You can have all the skill in the world, but if you don't have timing (know when when to pass or release the ball etc) then it doesn't matter. But yeah least he isn't a nutter.
As above, I wish Ramirez well. Seems a nice lad with talent...whether he's had bad luck or he's a bit too laid back I'm not sure. Hull was never the right move...as I think we all knew. He needs to go back to the continent, perhaps Italy (which I think would suit him better).
Signing the right players is a mixture of science and art. Our analysts provide the science and Ronald provides the art . His experience and knowledge turns theories into reality. We spend years hoping, praying that Gaston will adjust to our game and still he hasn't. We sign Elia and within 2 games he has scored the winners in a big away game with us missing various key players. When you add Graziano, Dusan, Toby, Ryan, Shane, it can't just be luck can it. I think our failure rate is going to be much reduced because of the science, but Ronald's art would be difficult to replace if we lost him. Them again maybe Les will just go out and get another bloody genius .
There is always an element of luck involved as well where people are concerned, although the saying the harder I work the luckier I get rings true!
Look at my other post. Osvaldo was signed because Pochettino wanted him and Cortese oked it. Ramirez was a Cortese signing. He chose to ignore the scouts etc and made Ramirez our marquee signing. A sort of look at us back in the Prem spending £12m statement. Forren and Mayuka I haven't a clue tho.
I saw it afterwards Beefy, yet it is still the club and structure that made the signings. We can't pick and choose when we think we have done well as a club.
But that person that decided to go against what we do is now not here. If we continue like we did last summer it will prove it.
Let's not denigrate Nicola too much. He was amazing for us, and the majority were (it proves wrongly with hindsight) gutted when he left.
I'm not. I am simply saying he went against the transfer committee and in these two signings he was wrong.
No, I know Beef, was just noting an undercurrent in some of the other posts. He was a difficult bellend, but he was our bellend, and much of what we have now wouldn't be here without him.
I will always be grateful to Nicola, but I'm glad to be free of the bad publicity he gained us. Also pleased that staff are happier now.
