With the transfer deadline closing in 10 hours, assuming no further business is to be conducted, on a scale of 1-10 how would you judge it? 7 games in to the season (2 cup appearances included) we are starting to see the basis of a good side, though we are lacking in depth for a promotion challenge as it stands (and in my humble opinion). However, we will break the question down and run through it by positions: Goalkeepers - The departure of Ben Hamer very much divided the fans. I was of the mindset that whilst replaceable he was a decent/good goalkeeper at this level. Henderson has come in to replace him as our number 1 and does have a good pedigree at this level. Early showings for us has been a bit mixed. Distribution has left a lot to be desired and his handling at crosses has again been an issue. A more assured performance at Brighton will put him in good stead and perhaps needs more time with the back 4 before we see the best of him. Rating - 6.5 Defence - One of two ''bright sparks'' from last season (the other being the emergence of young talent) was the fact we had the foundation of a good defence. The full back spots were seemingly covered between Solly/Wilson/Fox/Wiggins with all 4 remaining at the club. However, BP seems more intent on pushing Wilson in to midfield and being consistent with that plan. So that has allowed for young Joe Gomez to step up from the under 18's and act as cover (seemingly at RB as it stands). The departure of Dervite initially was a concern to the majority (I've neither been here or there with him) but a new deal for Michael Morrison added to the arrivals of Andre Bikey and Tal Ben Haim has done much to squash early fears and the current partnership is flourishing though we are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league. Rating - 8 Midfield - How many years have we spoken of our midfield problems? Even at League One level we never truly saw any balance with Stephens/Hollands, Jacko for 24 months has forced his way in for his leadership qualities and knack of scoring vital goals and the Harriotts have flirted with holding down the left hand side. The most notable loss was the departure of Diego Poyet - last years POTY - and the brightest talent the club has produced since Scott Parker. Rumours still persist as to how we let his contract run down, but the man tasked with replacing him was a man on loan from Standard Liege - Yoni Buyens. A player who fell out of favour with Guy Luzon, he seemed a better standard of loan from the off than the drivel that was sent last January, and is more dynamic compared to Poyet as he is happy to push forward whilst content with getting stuck in. Then we have arguably the most exciting of our arrivals - Gudmundson arriving on a free from AZ Alkmaar, a cultured wide midfielder who had caught the attention of the masses with a hat trick in a WC qualifier against high flying Switzerland. Only on Saturday we added Bulot, again from Liege, who is a left sided winger who's style appears very direct and quick - but having yet to see him I will reserve judgement. We definitely need another body in the middle to play with Buyens as for the last 3 games we have seen our midfield struggle for periods of the matches. Rating - 7 Strikers - Igor Vetokele. Do I need to elaborate further on him? Arriving for a lofty £2m+ fee, and being a somewhat unknown quantity it's fair to say questions were raised. His record at Copenhagen was decent without being spectacular, but Big Bob had worked with him previously and gave enough warning as to how much he rated him. He's now only 2 goals behind last seasons top scorer - Marvin Sordell with 7) and did this before the end of August. He appears to be the real deal. However, we have failed to strengthen much further in this department, and add to the fact we have seemingly missed out on our main summer transfer target in Andy Delort, something will need to be done to rectify this - whether it's late in the day today or we enter the loan window when it opens next week. George Tucuden is another player to arrive from Liege after failing to settle in Belgium. It's fair to say he's had a poor start, though he did show his potential against Derby. I'm of the opinion if we are to break the top 10 and potentially 6, he will need to be replaced. Rating - 7.5 (though Igor got a whole point for himself)
Summer transfers Keepers.... weaker, I think Hamer is a far better keeper than Henderson Defence ... about the same, at the end of last season Morrow and Dervite were a strong partnership and would have improved, the Bike and the Git are old and will not last an eight game November. The full backs are the same. Midfield ... weaker, Buyens is about the same level as Poyet without the game by game improvement that Diego was showing, Skipper is showing his age, Cousins is being played out of position, Moussa is an injury waiting to happen, Gudmundson looks like another Jerome Thomas who will play well for 30 minutes a game and will then disappear, Bulot.. who knows??? Attack ... stronger but only because of Vetokele has started better than Sordell who only tried in the last 7 or 8 games of his loan. Tucuden is a poor man's Kermit but may improve like Sordell did, who knows? Overall.... we are three players short of a Championship mid table squad but 'hey ho' the loan season opens soon.
Keepers : About the same. Hamer is better than Henderson. Hopefully Pope will emerge as the No.1 mid season. Defence: About the same. Bikey & TBH better than Dervite & Wood. Full backs a worry due to fitness & form. Gomez should get plenty of games. Midfield: Better. Buyens looks good, but needs to impose himself. Cousins needs to be moved inside. JJ is now more of a sub. Gudmondssen should improve. Strikers: About the same....wholly relying on one man in I.V. Tucadean is Yann-lite. Church is Leaburn-lite. Pigott is marmite.
Difficult to rate some players because we don't know how they'll do in the coming weeks and months. Bikey, TBH and Igor have shown enough, but Moussa, Tucudean, Gudmundsson and Buyens have had their moments, but for me their are still question marks.
Did we maybe expect to much in the end? We spent over 2million on a player for the first time in 5 years, but also made a mistake of not having a plan B when going to repeat the trick. It was his first full transfer window, and I think the good start has us all dreaming of a play off finish. Before we kicked a ball the majority would have been happy with consolidation, and we have a squad who should better that.
Hardly "all". I wish I had your happy dreams at night. This sums it up. Need two or three competent players to ensure staying out of the relegation fight. Considering our present position that may seem pessimistic but too many of the players on whom we are relying have fitness or stamina question marks about them: Solly/TBH/Gudmundsson/Moussa/Tucudean/Jackson. I don't like loans and RD said he didn't as well. Now Standard Liege have finished their transfer window activities they will know who they have "spare". Or maybe there are some good players at his other clubs. So far we have only taken the rejects. I am actually quite relieved about our transfer window activity. I feared we might lose any of Morrison, Wilson, Harriott or even Cousins, and for peanuts.
Club statement on deadline day: http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140902-statement-on-transfers-1892779.aspx?
