MoN is often criticised, very wrongly imo, of looking to the British clubs for his players and paying over the odds for new blood. That this policy has yielded him many trophies, UEFA cup finals and achieved top 6 finishes with previous clubs seems often forgotten among his harshest critics and very unfair when discussing the mans time in the game. He has spent big in the past but those players have also been sold on at huge profit so his overall net spending is quite admirable in the bigger picture. However, it would seem that this myth is being blown apart with the January targets so far. African/French under 21 stars playing inn Turkey; Senegalese defenders playing in obscure middle east leagues; Hungarian players etc. Now, whilst it is exciting to be linked with these players, along with 3 or 4 other more established EPL players, the fact remains we know very little about these lads and there is a massive risk factor in signing them. Will they settle quickly or will we see the best of them in 6 months +? Our country cousins up the road have benefited hugely from a similar strategy and they have developed a blue print we seem to have adopted well and spread our scouting network further afield. It remains to be seen how successful this is and I for one welcome the attempt. We will certainly have much more physical presence and power with these types of players and teams like Everton have shown what can be achieved with both skillful and powerful players and its going to be very exciting over the rest of the season and if they pay off, we could be in for a canny ride home. Hopefully we will see N'Diaye for half and hour on Saturday and maybe there will be some more announcements by then to celebrate. At least MoN's critics cannot now say he isn't trying to put his stamp on us and maybe now they will see what this man can do for us given the time and patience? Haway the Lads
I think we are a soft touch, and MoN knows it. He also knew it from the start of the season - hence his tentative style of play earlier this season. We are beefing up the squad with good physical players rather than undiscovered world beaters in my opinion
This window imho is just the second beginning, the first was our saviour! I honestly believe this is the start of it! When he says he needs time, its because he does! When he says he doesnt need 10 years its because he's got it measured! When i say haaaaaaawaaaaaay its because good times are not too far away! 2 seasons of building his childhood team (imagine that?)
He has been widely lambasted for not shopping abroad - many have said "Why buy british or proven british when it's cheaper abroad" Well if these players we have just signed succeed the same people will probably come on here and ask why he didn't buy British! Fickle is the word. My opinion - proven british is good but should never get in the way of building a decent squad - if a good player is available then why not sign him regardless of where he's from. Looking forward to seeing the new lad(s) play
Big risk strategy for me. We are bringing in players no one really knows anything about, from leagues that are hardy in the world beater class. But I do trust MoN and if he has done his research on these player, then thats good enough for me. Having said that, I really think it HAS to work. Its not like we are comfortable mid table and we can ease these players through into the first team. These have to hit the ground running...anything less, we will be in the bottom three in no time at all. Lets all keep our finger crossed
I think MON can see our weakness. He has looked at players in the UK but the likes of Nzoni and Diame did not want to come so he has been forced to look abroad. If he could sign the likes of Milner and Dawson that would be a good balance of UK based and foreign talent.
3 unproven players in a squad of premier league experienced squad is a small risk IMO. He will get the balance right. 2 points, I don't think we've got a big budget, & buying in January is difficult alone especially the type of players we need. I mean who could we realistically buy in January who is proven & fits the mould of N'diaye?
I think in the modern game this is prudent business. If you sign 3 players for, say £2m each and one turns out to be a gem then that is a result as his resell value could by £10m+, plus you get the benefit of his efforts before he goes. Contrast that with some clubs who pay £10m+ for a player and all the risk is in that one player... in that if he is **** then your money is blown. The one thing I consistently say about our much battered owner is that from a a business point of view we have it spot on. The good (value increasing) signings by far outweigh the duds so the model can work and work well.
