That's what we've been saying since they took over, judge them after summer transfer window. Well, that's over now, so what's your assessment. For me, probably as good as could have been expected. They clearly have no money and somehow messed up due diligence last year, failing to spot gaping holes in our accounts. They've done well enough, given what they had, held on to Ross and Byram, wouldn't have happened under previous chancer. Two good signings in murphy and Mowatt, hunt and smith no better than what we already had. One good winger could have made such a difference even to fans hopes but clearly there is no money for one. Can't imagine mcd being best pleased this morning. So what's our future under gfh likely to be? Decent mid table team, average to look at and attracting 20k average crowds. Suppose after what we've had to endure, another season of mediocrity won't kill us. However, hopefully there is someone out there with deep pockets to write off bates ridiculous debts in the next twelve months and allow our great club to blossom.
They have done pretty well to be honest, they have done everything they can but like they have openly admitted they need investment. once the **** players start to leave (contracts ending) hopefully we can replace them but til then we have to sit tight and expect a top ten at best finish
Manager gave them a list of 8 players and they secured 4 of those. Of those four we shall never know how high on the wanted list they were, it might have been the managers first four choices or they might have been the ones to go for if "you can't get the ones I really" want scenario. As someone (Simon I think) said before, it is the first transfer window in a LONG time that we are stronger at the end of it than we were at the start. Massive shame we never got the winger we badly need, just as big a shame we never shifted some of the dead wood. The team we have I haven't changed my mind about, I see us as a just above mid table team, probably 8th is a realistic target. If wages are the problem and needing to shift some before we can buy then I don't see the loan window being of much use unless we loan a player whose parent club are willing to pay the wages. Ross is tied down, Byram is still here (would he have been if not injured is another question) and we brought two decent players in Murphy and Wootton so in all an above average transfer window
Yeh bit of a downer as it seemed everyone else was dipping their bread in. I think your also right about GFH not carrying out their due dilligence properley otherwise they woiuld have spotted the syphoned off funds and black hole said funds left. They did ok with what they had, but could have offloaded some players, even on loan, but I suppose as long as the players don't want to go they can't be forced. We have to hope that once the prem squads are agreed next month, that we pick up a couple of gems on emergency loan wiyj a view to purchase in jan or next summer. We are having to rely upon the manager and his existing squad to battle through to a decent end of season position. Still top 10 at best though and not much chance of a top 6
In truth, this has been one of our best windows for a looooong while. Murphy will get better and become a real asset, Wootton looks as if he will be a Prem defender, Hunt brings enthusiasm and graft to the dressing room and Smith is what he is, and at least he has contributed so far. We also held onto our two best players, a massive plus! Mowatt, Poleon and Dawson will continue to cut their teeth this season, and will be much better for us next year. Also, end of this season we end our association with the likes of Brown, Pugh, Diouf, White, Green, Varney etc. Next summer will tell us all we need to know when a number of spots become available in the squad ... who will we sign to replace them? I admit that it is disappointing we couldn't get two or three more in, but without moving anyone out it wouldn't have been sensible. Now we must trust McD to drive this squad and squeeze whatever he can out of them.
Morning all. 2 £1m signings, Ross & Sam still here, & squad taking shpae. All in all, not too bad. Yes, we culd have done with a winger, but I actually think BMD will find a way round that problem. Central midfield will continue to be a diamond for a while. But with Byram back and Peltier doing well enough at LB, I see a midfield 4 as being Byram on the right with Green, Tonge, or Norris as cover, Austin at the base with Brown or Green as the cover, Murphy on the left with Mowatt as the cover, Ros at the head of the diamond unless BMD chooses to play him up to which would leave Diouf in the free role at the head of the diamond. Not sure what Hunt gives us, but maybe he'll develop a role. Smith and Poleon each give us something fundamentally different. & Varney is holding things together up front. All in all, we are markedly better off now than we were at the same stage last season. In BMD I trust, top 6 here we come. MOT
If we had recruited a good quality winger I would be very pleased this morning. So, all in all, the combination of BM + GFH has done well enough. At the very least, we held onto key players and are stronger now than we were at the start of the window. So I judge GFH as being a massive improvement on what we had and have done ok, though I also judge they are very cautious (or hard pressed financially) as BM must have made clear to them how another 1-2 players would have made us strong contenders. In my view we will do better than last year. As the league is shaping up I don't so far see it as tougher than last year, so I think even this squad, with this manager, will get us on the fringe of the playoff places - whether 5th/6th or just outside I don't know, but we will be there or thereabouts. Auto promotion, no chance. We do still have loan options, and at least with BM as manager there is a chance we might make some good ones, lets hope that can be enough to get us a playoff place.
Fair point 60. Let's hope we can loan out Hall to see if he has a future at Leeds, White for the same reason given that we now have academy players coming through, Dawson & Lenigan to get game time as part of their overall development, Tonge, or Norris with a view to selling one or both at the season end.
Did McD not say a while back he wouldnt be using the loan market as he doesnt like it or something. Anyway whats the chance of us picking up a winger in the load market for a season, nil. The problem with always looking towards next season is we have to convince the likes of Byram to be patient. Like Snoddy and Becchio, the good players will not hang around forever while the money men are off trying to raise finance. The danger then is we continue to lose the quality players and fail to progress. Were only one or two short of team that could challenge for promotion and I really believe GFH have missed out by not having sufficient funds in place. To be honest, as good a job as theyve done, I hope we have someone in charge next summer with real financial clout to finish the job off
I fecking hate the loan market. I had hoped we weren't going down that route. Do they give 100% if things are going wrong, they know they won't be a permanent fixture so why should they. Wasn't expecting any transfers yesterday, so at least on that front I wasn't disappointed. Even the crowds are down by 10,000 from the opening day and that was against one of the favs. Live or not, it's still a worry.
McDermott wanted 5 players shifted Aidan White David Noris Danny Pugh Adam Drury and Diouf And you got left with all Barnsley wanted White but couldn't afford his wages Theres your main problem so cant see many going out in emergency window so what does that tell you about commings in ?
Not sure BMD genuinely wanted to lose Diouf. He was potentially a big carrot to help provide additional funds. Surprised no one wanted him. He's still a class act. That said, it means that BMD has options for where he plays McCormack; head of the diamond in midfield, or up top with Varney, Smith or Poleon. If he takes the latter option, Diouf can play at the head of the diamond in a free role.
If you were Diouf and your manager publicly stated he would be happy to shift you on how would you feel this morning ?
That was probably the best transfer window we could expect - not losing McC or Byram. Loans or sticking with the current squad and bringing in the kids will be the order of the coming months - and I for one am very happy about that. Other players will also go out on loan. We are doing solidly well enough at the moment and playing better football than we have done previously. I love this sado-masochistic nature of our Nillwall brethren.
Dont be surprised no one wanted Diouf. I still rate him but twelve months ago no one wanted him when Warnock took him on a week by week deal. Hes a year older now so why should he suddenly be in demand?
You would be inclined to put in an extra ten percent and improve your game further. Excellent man management by McD as always
Smith still unknown quantity. We just nee to organise a rocket launcher to get some balls on to his head to see what hes made of. Probably should loan him to you lot, plenty of high ball stuff at Nilwall
