There's a lot of people seem to be disappointed tonight. However, the last day of the transfer window seems to cloud peoples memorys. Think back and most people have generally agreed that the Bruce days of constant turnovers every season has done nothing for us and we have never really progressed using this tactic. To build a solid foundation it takes time, as Marty is showing us, it's all about quality and not quantity now. To much change can rock the boat. Before the window opened, we all said the spine of the team needed toughened up. At the end of this window, welcome Mangane, N'Diaye and Graham. The spine has been toughened up, bit by bit and these players should be able to ease into the squad, which is getting stronger as the season goes on, by it (the squad) sticking together with few changes. The transfer window lasts for one month and not one day guys, and for us it has been good and we have got what we wanted. So we didn't get the marquee signing I suppose we would all like to see, but that will happen in the summer. I have no doubt about that and in anyways we dont want to see our eyes ripped out and thats what generally happens in January with the big signings. With regards to Danny Graham, people argued that before Fletcher had even kicked a ball for us, that he was value for money as he is a proven premier league goalscorer. Well thats what we have got again but at just over a third of the cost this time. Well done Marty, Ellis and Margaret for a successful transfer window
Its been a good window for us really. We needed a centre half, big strong midfielder and a striker. We have got all 3, whether they are all good enough it remains to be seen but I thought Muntari was a brilliant signing and he turned out to be rubbish, if these lads fit into MON's plans then its ok by me. We have managed to get Campbell, Saha, Ji, Meyler and Elmo off the wage bill too so were building things nicely.
read this after my night out on beer wine and a fabulous curry for my birthday and I agree yes that's fine for us
That's it for this transfer window! Happy enough. Strong enough to finish the season and consolidate in the summer. I just hope Mangane fulfils the hype.
Great post mate and totally agree. We have spent less than £10m on 3 players that will strengthen our options. In the summer, I have no doubts there will be another 2 or 3 coming in. Not a scatter gun policy but a real managers one. Well done Martin and I was wrong about Graham. The lad speaks well and seems very genuine and honest. Sometimes making a tit out of yourself is too easy. Welcome on board lad and all the best.
totally agree about graham, lets all give him a fair go same as we would expect going into a new workplace.
Cest Fair play mate. Great to see someone acknowledge when they think they got it wrong. Not enough of this in the world these days. Can Danny Graham be the new Pop Robson
Muntari and Sessegnon were the downfalls of Bruce. Cannot fault Bruce for signing Muntari as I too thought Muntari would be a player that could take us to the next level. Up until that point, Bruce had got it spot on, but then he didn't have the balls to put Zenden and Malbranque back in the first team when it went pear-shaped as it became clear Muntari and Sessegnon were causing more problems than their worth. Even today, many of us question the role of Sessegnon.
It is mate and you know I made the same mistakes about MoN, it happens. The thing me and you have in common though, is we like blokes with a spine and MoN and Graham seem to have that in abundance.
To be honest, if I were to remove my rose tinted red and white glasses for a moment, speak from an objective standpoint as opposed to merely towing the party line, I would have to say that this isn't what I would define as a 'successful' transfer window at all. I would define this transfer window as an average transfer window. N'Diaye doesn't look anywhere near ready for selection as a regular first team player. Swansea were walking through the grand canyon on Tuesday night. N'Diaye's positioning was absolutely dreadful. Although it is far too early to judge a player, I would expect a very good professional footballer to have at the very least a basic positional sense, even when surrounded by new players. For this, I cannot see N'Diaye having a major impact for quite sometime, if at all... Only time will tell on that one and borrowing the words of Eric Gates, it's all about opinions. Mangane is a player that has been brought in on loan with a view to being permanent. Mangane is apparently unfit to play football... Graham is an average premier league striker will hopefully become a useful squad member. I applaud the lads courage for coming to SAFC and hope he is able to make a success of himself along with wearing the red and white shirt with pride. However, I believe that there are a section of fans that will now cause problems with our atmosphere for quite some time and I don't see how that can assist in acheiving success. Hopefully Graham can bang a few early goals in... All in all, a risky and very average transfer window. I am confident however that the summer will be what I would define as a successful transfer window.
Very good point about Mangane to be fair, the whispers coming out now about him not being fit to play football make you wonder why this transfer has happened in the first place. What is it about us buying old/****/crocked centre halfs, why cant we buy a good solid, fit, good age player like Shawcross, Hangeland etc. It's frustrating as hell. I think it is maybe a touch harsh on N'Diaye, he looked decent for the 10mins against West Ham and against Wigan he had a cracking game. Positioning was fine, tracked players, good ball control, covered box to box, had an assist and nearly scored. Then against Swansea, I completely agree with you, he looked out of his depth. Maybe it was just one of those days where he couldn't get to grips with the game, but it's still very early days for him and I have a lot of confidence that he will be a cracking player for us, I seen enough in the first two games to know he has something. With Danny Graham, he scored 12 last season the same as Fletcher and has generally had a decent record wherever he has been. We have got rid of Saha, Campbell and Ji who were players that weren't capable of making an impact and replaced them with somebody who can make an impact whether starting or coming off the bench. He is definitely above all 3 of the departing players, that tells me that the squad has been improved. Also agree with you when you say its all about opinions, it would be boring as hell if we all came on here licking each others balloon knots over everything
You wouldn't make a very good mag over in rep land! We are safe for this season and the summer will be very interesting!
