So if the transfer business is done - not saying it is, hypothetically - then: 1) would you be happy? 2) where do you think this current squad would finish?
I think if the business is done then 8th is a realistic target. We weren't a million miles from that last season and that was with the handicap of not winning in 14 games and then the added stress and pressure being bottom. We've improved the keeper position considerably when you look at Pope for Woodman, We've improved the centre back position considerably when you look at Botman for Clark, and we've made Targett permanent but let's just say improved considerably if you say Targett for Ritchie at this stage last season, Trippier over Kraft this time last year and Bruno over Shelvey this time last year. I can't stress enough how much of a difference it is to have a proper coach ensuring the players are fit and ready this time this year compared to this time last year. I don't believe we're done and still believe we will get between 3 and 6 (3 of them being youngsters) new players in.
Happy probably yes because we have come so far since the takeover. Buy I am surprised we have not bought an attacking player. We will finish around about 9th to 14th depending on injuries.
Just to play devils advocate. Few have said it’s important not to just give in and to walk away if clubs take the piss etc. And agree, don’t wanna pay over the odds. But at same time you don’t wanna be seen as a club that is a pain in the ass to deal with. If you’re constantly walking away, Starr getting a bad rep and suddenly next time you try sign someone from that club, becomes even more difficult. Hard balancing act between being good negotiators and getting good value, and being a pleasant negotiator and keeping relations good.
So you are saying that we should offe more than we think a player is worth just to maintain good relations with other clubs. The price you have to pay for players is based on a combination of how keen his club is to sell, how desperate the buying club is to purchase and how much the player wants to move, plus his current contract termination date. Our low bids may be just a sign that while we want to strengthen we are not desperate to do that and we will try our luck with low bids now. If we lose our first 3 games we may then go back with a higher bid as we will then be keener to get someone in. It’s just business. Owners may say they don’t like the way a club is trying to low ball them while doing exactly the same to other clubs.
Newcastle interested in Harvey Barnes. Leicester want £50m. And so the circus continues. Of all the things the owners have done; I’m not sure bringing back “the line” was a great idea: Here’s the puzzling aspect for me - our scouts have, it would seem, been watching players who will clearly cost way more than we’re willing to spend and haven’t, again it would seem, spent any time whatsoever actually finding talent we can actually afford. Can anyone explain that to me? Isak, Diaby, Barnes, Harrison, DCL, and so on. Then it feels like we’re “surprised” by the fees mentioned. And again at the risk of sounding like a broken record, we were fine with £30m being lumped on a teenager with no caps and half a season to his name. Maybe all will be clear but it’s hard to understand right now!
