100% not recruitment
Barnes’s only had one previous injury so that wasn’t serious
Tonali was a great signing but Ashworth couldn’t possibly know he had a gambling addiction
Tino - hasn’t been injured
Hall - hasn’t been injured
Considering our style of play it was clear we needed more midfielders (achieved with Tonali) and an attacking player (achieved with Barnes)
Defensively we acquired 2 fullbacks- for the long term future and short term.
Seriously though, this is nonsense. Barnes wasn't needed. Tino's only played because of about 3 injuries. Hall hasn't played in spite of injuries. Yes, we needed another midfielder, but not ahead of a better RW, another CF, better RCB and first choice LB. The recruitment was **** - it made sense if we already had a first XI capable of competing in the UCL and in the league - bring in some very talented young players, no problem. But we were starting Almiron, Burn, Wilson, Longstaff and Schar. We then had a Summer transfer window, spent £150m and lined up with......Almiron, Burn, Wilson, Longstaff and Schar.
Villa's spend in the Summer was less - they bought Diaby (starting), Torres (starting), Zaniolo, Lenglet and Tielemans (all getting regular miniutes). I mean, it's ****ing ridiculous how bad we were in comparison, given we qualified for the UCL. Really embarrassing. If I can see it, I'm pretty sure investors and those with money interest in the club can see it.
Whether the manager over-rates the players he has, whether the transfer team don't get it or aren't listening, only those in the rooms upstairs at SJP know. If Howe's adamant his team is great, then these are the results, he's part of the problem. If he's going to, say, Ashworth saying "I could really do with better than Burn and Targett" then getting Hall, then Howe's not the problem.
Either way, nobody can tell me the Summer recruitment was remotely what was needed. I said so at the time and I stand by it now.