Or even topLiam Delap confirmed, great signing impo, him and Hirst taking it in turns to chase everything....wonderful!! Think he can be a tip striker!!
Or even topLiam Delap confirmed, great signing impo, him and Hirst taking it in turns to chase everything....wonderful!! Think he can be a tip striker!!
Or even tip top!!Or even top. Would love to see a keeper in before we start our pre season tour
I read 15 million, that's even crazier. Know nothing about him, so can't really comment either way!!The Athletic reporting that we’ve agreed a deal for Burnley’s goalkeeper Muric. Started last ten games in the Premier League and was their starter in the Championship winning campaign. £8 million, potentially rising to £10 million, feels like a lot. Not sure if he’s that much of an upgrade on Hdalky, but at least we’ve got a goalkeeper through the door.
As for our wider business, I’m surprised we’ve spent the amount we have this early. It’s great that the squad is shaping up and gives McKenna a pre-season with most the new signings. Some statement additions have been made too.
I think the Johnson, Greaves, and Hutchinson deals are really good business and provide clear upgrades on what we’ve got. In the case of Greaves, we needed a bit more quality in the central defence position. Johnson gives us a starting right back with Premier League experience. We all know Hutchinson’s ability and potential.
I do fear we’ve potentially overpaid for Liam Delap and Muric, if indeed we’ve signed him. Not sure if they represent a clear upgrade on previous starters Hirst and Hdlaky. Also, the fees quoted for the two seem too high, but appreciate we’re going to be paying Premier League prices.
What positions are left to be strengthened? A back up left back is essential. Someone in central midfield to compete for a starting position would be a clever move. Ideally an attacking left midfielder/winger to replace Sarmiento and compete with Broadhead. Arguably we could do with another centre forward.
Question is do we have the financial wriggle room? Appreciate we’ll be amortising the transfer fees over contract length (e.g., Hutchinson for £20m will go down as about £4m for the first year of a five year contract). Either way, I trust in Ashton, McKenna, and the recruitment team to make it work and provides us with a squad that gives us the best chance of staying up.
Wow Burnley’s second choice GK! Oh wait while I crack open the party poppers!!
I think it's a question of us coming to terms with the cost of Prem players, we are used to comparatively speaking cheap as chips players, we are now literally in a different league.
That's a good point and coaching players to compete at a higher level would certainly appear to be one of McKs strengths, it could be that the step up is greater now than the gap between Lg1 and the Championship so can't afford to take chances.I would also say there is a part of it being that I would imagine there will be a few players playing for us next season in the Prem who we bought for peanuts in League 1, who will hopefully do well for us and may do better than some of the multi million pound players we've just bought.....so why can't we keep unearthing similar players for similar transfer fees?
I would also say there is a part of it being that I would imagine there will be a few players playing for us next season in the Prem who we bought for peanuts in League 1, who will hopefully do well for us and may do better than some of the multi million pound players we've just bought.....so why can't we keep unearthing similar players for similar transfer fees?
That's a good point and coaching players to compete at a higher level would certainly appear to be one of McKs strengths, it could be that the step up is greater now than the gap between Lg1 and the Championship so can't afford to take chances.
We will comfortably finish higher than 3 other teams, worst case...mid table, I have so much faith these days....need to sell Harness tho!!I think this is the crux of the issue. The step up between League One and the Championship isn't that large, in the grand scheme of things. The step up from Championship to the Premier League is massive, certainly in recent years. This is best demonstrated by all three of last season's promoted teams getting relegated (despite some points deductions dished out to Everton and Nottingham Forest). We aren't a 'yo-yo' club that has the benefit of players with recent Premier League experience - in fact, most of our players haven't played at that level before. Only a couple of years ago, they were playing third division football.
McKenna's an ambitious manager. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the reasons he stayed here - rather than take the Brighton job - is through an assurance that we'd significantly invest in the squad to maximise our chances of staying up. We'd realistically get eaten alive if we persisted with the same squad as last year with only a few cheap additions.
I think we're looking at a more sensible version of the Nottingham Forest model from a few years ago. We haven't been in the Premier League for decades, so don't take the money and run. Instead, invest heavily in the summer window, trust your talented manager to build a team from it quickly, make a go of it, and aim to finish higher than at least three other teams in the division for the first year.
We will comfortably finish higher than 3 other teams, worst case...mid table, I have so much faith these days....need to sell Harness tho!!
Local Hull press reporting that Philogene has left the Hull camp to go for a medical at Villa. That one looks dead in the water. I think he will live to regret that.
Looking at his so-called best bits on you tube, not sure if i'm overly enthused. Seems to save a lot with his feet, and likes to rush out. For me, Walton seems a better keeper...but time well tell i s'poseMuric confirmed. Now we just need to sign an 8, a 10 and an 11. Szmodics would be a nice bonus buy too.